Chapter 8 – She’s More Suited to Be a Noble Concubine

Fei Yan returned to the inner courtyard from his study.

Dong Xinrui personally warmed a silk handkerchief and handed it to him to dry his hands.

“Mother summoned me this afternoon to ask some questions. She already knows that An’an was taken to the General’s Estate by Miss Tang,” Dong Xinrui said softly.

Fei Yan wiped his hands absentmindedly and dropped the handkerchief into the basin. “What did Mother say?”

“She believes that since An’an carries the Fei family’s bloodline, he shouldn’t remain by Miss Tang’s side. She plans to go to the General’s Estate tomorrow and bring him back herself,” Dong Xinrui answered gently.

Fei Yan merely nodded indifferently. “Let her go.”

His cold attitude toward Tang Chaoyang and their son was exactly what Dong Xinrui had hoped for.

She wore a gentle, demure smile.

Fei Yan had no desire to continue discussing the matter. He turned and went to the bathhouse.

He disliked being served while bathing. Shedding his outer robe, he stepped into the warm water.

The heat wrapped around his tall, lean, and muscular frame.

Fei Yan closed his eyes and leaned back against the side of the bath.

Though his expression remained cool and unreadable, his mind involuntarily drifted to the image of Tang Chaoyang from earlier that day on the street.

She looked much thinner than before.

Her beautiful eyes, once full of passion and feeling when they looked at him, were now calm and devoid of emotion.

Fei Yan didn’t quite believe that Tang Chaoyang could have gotten over him so quickly.

Her temperament had always been fiery.

In the past few years, she had pursued him with relentless passion.

But for him, climbing higher and realizing his grand ambitions had always been his top priority.

If he wanted to strengthen the Fei family, he needed a proper wife to manage the household. Tang Chaoyang, with her proud nature and lack of scholarly refinement, simply wasn’t fit for that role.

She was more suited to be a noble concubine.

Fei Yan finished bathing quickly and stood up. Water droplets slid down his toned muscles.

He picked up the clean robes prepared at the side and dressed swiftly, his eyes still cold and sharp.

After tying his belt, he left the bathhouse.

Back in the bedroom, he saw Dong Xinrui already lying in bed.

He grabbed a book, sat down on a chair, and began to read.

Only when his damp hair had naturally dried did he put the book down and move to the bed.

Dong Xinrui wore a gentle and reserved smile. She shifted slightly to nestle closer to him. “Husband,” she murmured.

She reached out and gently placed a hand on his chest.

He knew what she wanted.

Fei Yan turned his head slightly to look at her, then shifted and pulled her into his arms. “It’s late. Let’s sleep. Xinrui, your health isn’t fully recovered yet—don’t push yourself.”

Dong Xinrui blushed shyly at his words of concern.

She bit her lip. “Husband, maybe we could try… It might not hurt. Maybe… it’ll be fine.”

She suffered from congestion syndrome.

The condition often caused painful menstruation, and if they were intimate before her body had properly healed, she could suffer pelvic pain.

Her husband cared for her and didn’t want to cause her discomfort.

Fei Yan gently stroked her hair. “Once you’ve fully recovered. Sleep—we have a lifetime together.”

Dong Xinrui felt both content and a little frustrated. “Alright.”

This was one of the reasons she hated Tang Chaoyang—that woman was healthy.

That woman had once had Fei Yan.

She had once seen Fei Yan with his lip bitten, clearly by Tang Chaoyang.

That image had stirred a surge of jealousy and resentment in her heart.

Dong Xinrui lifted her head slightly and gazed at the cold yet handsome man beside her.

She leaned in slowly toward his thin lips. “Ah Yan,” she whispered.

Her voice was soft, tinged with longing and plea.

Fei Yan looked at her as she drew near.

He lowered his lips—to press a kiss on her forehead. “Sleep.”

---

The next morning.

Tang Chaoyang awoke to see Fei An’an quietly resting his head on the edge of the bed, his bright eyes watching her.

“An’an, why didn’t you wake Mommy?” Tang Chaoyang reached out to gently rub his chubby cheek.

Fei An’an obediently turned his other cheek toward her so she could rub that one too.

He replied in his sweet, childish voice, “Mommy was too tired. An’an didn’t want to disturb your sleep.”

Tang Chaoyang felt uplifted and got up in a good mood.

The maid came in to serve her, but she declined—until it was time to do her hair.

Once her hair was finished, the maid brought out a bright red brocade dress.

Tang Chaoyang’s gaze lingered on the flamboyant gown.

Once upon a time, this was exactly the kind of bold, striking fashion she loved.

But now, her mindset had changed.

She gave a faint smile. “Do you have anything in plain colors?”

The maid respectfully answered, “Yes, miss. Please wait—I’ll go get it.”

When she had first been assigned by the First Madam to serve Miss Tang, she had felt nervous. Everyone said the lady had a difficult personality.

But so far, she seemed kind and composed.

Soon, the maid returned with a light green dress in a simple, elegant style.

Tang Chaoyang glanced at it and nodded. “This one will do. I’ll change myself.”

The maid acknowledged her instructions.

While Tang Chaoyang was dressing in her room, Fei An’an sat properly in the main hall, waiting quietly.

He sat with his little hands on his knees, his eyes occasionally darting toward the inner room.

When Tang Chaoyang emerged, his eyes lit up instantly.

The maids soon brought in breakfast, and following them came Granny Wu, Tang Chaoyang’s old nursemaid, who had served her since childhood.

Her eyes were still red and swollen—she had clearly been crying.

Tang Chaoyang was suddenly reminded of her past life—how Granny Wu had died saving her, run over by Dong Xinrui’s carriage.

A pang of sorrow struck her heart.

Granny Wu approached and choked up as she respectfully bowed to Tang Chaoyang and Fei An’an. “Miss, you’ve suffered so much…”

Fei Yan was truly cruel. Her lady had given everything to him, and he had repaid her with utter coldness.

Tang Chaoyang’s eyes softened. She helped Granny Wu up and said gently, “Granny, there’s no need for such formality. I’m back now. Everything is alright.”

Granny Wu looked at her thin face, heart aching once again. “Now that you’re back, this old servant can finally be at ease.”

Tang Chaoyang patted her hand. “Don’t cry, Granny. I’m doing well now. The past is over. An’an and I are safe and sound.”

“I’ll serve you and the young master breakfast,” Granny Wu said, her voice still thick with emotion.

She could tell that her lady had matured after all the hardships.

Tang Chaoyang didn’t refuse Granny Wu’s service—otherwise, the old woman’s heart would ache even more.

After breakfast, mother and son were to go greet her grandparents at Jinhe Hall.

---

That day, Jinhe Hall was especially lively.

Members of both the main and second branches of the family had gathered.

Old Madam Su had two daughters and two sons. The main and second branches were her two sons’ families.

The Su family had always maintained a strict and disciplined household. The men didn’t keep concubines, and all the children were born of their legal wives.

Now that Tang Chaoyang had returned from Hancheng, it was only proper for both branches to greet her.

This was also to give her a sense of belonging so she could stay at the Su residence with peace of mind.

Old Madam Su sat upright in the main seat, with the other primary seat occupied by her husband, Old Master Su, his temples now streaked with gray.

Tang Chaoyang entered the hall holding Fei An’an’s hand.