Chapter 9 – She Wouldn’t Do Something That Foolish, Would She?

When Old Madam Su saw Tang Chaoyang dressed in a plain-colored gown and noted the maturity etched into her features, a wave of sorrow surged in her heart.

This child had truly grown after what she had endured.

Old Master Su’s sharp eyes settled on Tang Chaoyang and Fei An’an.
He nodded slightly, gratified that his granddaughter had not crumbled into tears or despair because of Fei Yan.

Tang Chaoyang stepped forward and respectfully knelt down, bowing low with her forehead resting on her hands to pay her respects to her grandparents.

“Grandfather, Grandmother, Chaoyang has made you worry. It was unfilial of me.”

Fei An’an knelt obediently beside her, mimicking his mother’s gesture and offering his own respectful bow.

The little fellow was unusually well-behaved.

“An’an greets the ancestors.”

Old Madam Su’s face was filled with affection as she looked at the mother and son. She gently nodded. “Good child. Stand up now. All your grandmother wishes is for you both to live in peace and safety.”

Though Old Master Su didn’t say much, a rare warmth flickered in his eyes.

He gave a small nod. “Stand up. Life must go on.”

Tang Chaoyang rose and helped Fei An’an to his feet.

Then, she led An’an to greet each of her uncles and aunts in turn. “Second Uncle, Eldest Aunt, Second Aunt—I thank you all. Chaoyang will never forget your kindness.”

Second Master Su responded kindly, “Chaoyang, stay here without worry. The Su family will always be your support.”

No one mentioned the Tang family from the Marquis of Yong’en’s estate—no one wanted to speak of them anymore. The Su family was thoroughly fed up with them.

Second Aunt Lin was a straightforward and cheerful woman. She warmly took Tang Chaoyang’s hand and said, “Come visit me whenever you have time. Your two cousins are always running about—I’m just hoping for some company to chat with.”

Tang Chaoyang smiled, eyes slightly reddening. “Thank you, Aunt. I’ll visit you often.”

Lin patted her hand gently with a smile.

Eldest Aunt Li removed a jade bangle from her wrist and lovingly took Tang Chaoyang’s hand to slip it on.

“Your eldest uncle and cousin are both stationed at the border. They’ve written to me, asking me to look after you. Settle down and feel at home.”

Tang Chaoyang’s smile deepened. She looked at Li and nodded solemnly. “Thank you, Eldest Aunt. I’ll treasure it well.”

Next, she exchanged formal greetings with her two female cousins and male cousins.

Then, she took a black box from Granny Wu.

Tang Chaoyang held it with both hands and offered it to her grandmother. “Grandmother, this is a gift from me to you and Grandfather.”

Li was slightly surprised. She glanced at the box in Tang Chaoyang’s hands and gave a faint smile.

Granny Zhao had already reported that Tang Chaoyang and her son hadn’t lived well in Hancheng.

So she figured the gift probably wasn’t worth much.

Still, Old Madam Su accepted it without hesitation. She didn’t even open it—whatever her granddaughter gave her, she would be happy with it.

She planned to open the family vault later and give Tang Chaoyang a few sets of jewelry in return.

Just as the atmosphere in the room grew warm and loving, a head maid entered the hall, respectfully bowed, and reported, “Old Madam, the Fei family’s old madam from the Prime Minister’s Residence is here. She says she’s come to take Young Master An’an home.”

Old Madam Su’s expression darkened slightly. A flicker of displeasure crossed her eyes.

“How bold of the Fei family! They wait until we’ve brought the child back, then come to fetch him. Where do they get the face?”

She noticed little Fei An’an looking uneasy and quickly softened her expression, beckoning him over to sit with her.

Fei An’an trotted over on his short legs and cuddled into his great-grandmother’s arms.

Tang Chaoyang’s eyes darkened slightly when she heard that Old Madam Fei wanted to take her son away.

It seemed… she needed to have a proper talk with Fei Yan.

Old Master Su stroked his beard, his dissatisfaction with Fei Yan evident. “Chaoyang, are you planning to never send An’an back to the Fei household?”

After all, Fei An’an was the legitimate grandson of the Fei family. If they came in person to take him, it would be difficult to refuse.

But then again, the Su family was not easily bullied either.

Tang Chaoyang nodded. “Grandfather, I don’t want An’an to return to the Fei family. Fei Yan has already remarried, and he will have more children in the future. If An’an goes back, who will truly care about him?”

Especially that honey-lipped, dagger-hearted Dong Xinrui—Tang Chaoyang would never believe she’d treat An’an well.

Fei An’an, nestled in his great-grandmother’s arms, nodded along. He didn’t want to go back either.

“I want to stay with Mommy,” he declared firmly.

Old Madam Su stroked his little head and slowly said, “Chaoyang is right. Fei Yan is a heartless man. If An’an goes back, he’ll only suffer.”

Old Master Su coughed lightly, signaling his wife to be cautious with her words. After all, the child was here—they shouldn’t badmouth his father in front of him.

He said calmly, “Since that’s the case, An’an will stay with us at the Su residence.”

With the two elders making the final decision, the rest of the Su family would naturally fall in line.

Tears welled in Tang Chaoyang’s eyes. Only her grandparents would support her without condition. “Chaoyang thanks Grandfather and Grandmother.”

She knelt again, tears streaming down.

Now that she had been reborn, the unease in her heart finally settled.

Second Aunt Lin quickly helped her up and took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears. “Child, don’t cry. We’re all here for you.”

Old Madam Su then instructed Li to go to the front hall and receive Old Madam Fei.

Li stood up, gave a slight bow, and left Jinhe Hall.

As she walked out, she sighed to herself. First the mother comes to stay in the Su house, now even the child.

She had two daughters of her own and was beginning to worry that Tang Chaoyang might affect their reputation.

Shortly after Li left, Old Madam Su dismissed the others, leaving only Tang Chaoyang and her son behind to talk.

Old Master Su also left Jinhe Hall for other business.

As he was leaving, the usually stern-faced old man tried to crack a smile at little An’an.

Fei An’an wasn’t afraid of him at all and grinned back with a radiant smile.

Just looking at him melted one’s heart.

What a good child.

Old Master Su turned to Tang Chaoyang. “In a few days, send An’an to the clan school. He shouldn’t fall behind in his studies.”

Tang Chaoyang, remembering her grandfather’s rare smile, covered her mouth to hide a laugh. “Chaoyang understands.”

Old General Su gave her a glare. This girl—he thought she had matured, but she was still cheeky enough to laugh at him.

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In the front hall, Old Madam Fei was seated and growing increasingly impatient.

She was the mother of the Prime Minister now—yet the Su family was making her wait!

Li finally entered the room, smiling politely and said, “Old Madam Fei, please forgive us. There was something going on in the house just now. We didn’t know you were coming—please excuse the slight.”

Old Madam Fei let out a cold chuckle. “Where is An’an? I’m here to take my grandson home.”

Li’s smile didn’t waver. “The old master is very fond of An’an and wishes for him to stay a while longer.”

“I’ve come to take my grandson home today. An’an’s surname is Fei, not Su,” Old Madam Fei snapped, her tone domineering and impatient.

Li looked at her and sighed helplessly. “Old Madam, you’ve put me in a difficult spot. If An’an leaves the Su residence today, I fear the old master will be very displeased—and that would mean we’ve failed in our duties as hosts.”

Her tone was both affectionate and subtly mocking. “An’an really suffered over in Hancheng. He came back looking so thin—just seeing him made me, his grandaunt, ache with pity. Why didn’t the Fei family go get him earlier?”

As she finished, Li pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at imaginary tears.

Old Madam Fei looked a bit embarrassed, though only slightly. Her skin was thick enough to recover quickly.

Just then, a maid walked in carrying a tray.

Li caught sight of the maid and immediately frowned slightly in confusion.

That maid had been assigned to serve Tang Chaoyang—she should’ve been at her courtyard. What was she doing in the main hall?

The maid stepped forward respectfully, placing a teacup gently in front of Old Madam Fei. She also set down a plate of delicate sakura water chestnut cakes and bowed her head in greeting.

Li didn’t let her expression betray her confusion. Since this maid was here, it was likely at Tang Chaoyang’s instruction.

But what exactly was in that tea and cake?

Li felt a faint sense of unease.

Old Madam Fei mustn’t fall ill in the General’s Estate. Otherwise, the entire household would be implicated.

Tang Chaoyang… she wouldn’t do something that foolish, would she?