As the eldest son, Eldest Master Ning didn't actually hold much authority in the family. He handled the miscellaneous affairs, managed the clan members, and dealt with outsiders. Matters of the inner house such as marriages, funerals, betrothals, maidservants, and such were initially overseen by Old Madam Ning and later by Eldest Madam Ning. Regarding the decisions made by Old Madam Ning and Eldest Madam Ning, he had always agreed and never opposed.
Ning Yunyan knew that her father did not object to her brother's and Jun Zhenzhen's marriage, but she didn't believe that her father actually supported it; after all, in her father's eyes, it was all pretend, and he couldn't understand why her mother was making such a fuss over something that was fake.
Despite not understanding, her father, as usual, didn't say anything about her mother's actions.
They were, after all, just living comfortably and happily within the bounds of their family mansion.
But at this moment, he clearly wasn't going to let it go.
What happened? What words had angered her father? Why was he suddenly losing his temper?
Ning Yunyan clenched her hands as she watched Eldest Master Ning.
Eldest Madam Ning was obviously surprised too, her face quickly turning ashen, tears filling her eyes.
"Are you talking about me?" she said tremblingly, "Are you saying that I've had enough?"
Eldest Master Ning wore a grave expression.
"Of course, I'm talking about you," he said bluntly.
Although there were only the four family members present, Eldest Madam Ning felt as if she had been slapped in public. Her mind buzzed and her body felt ablaze.
"You, you..." She looked at Eldest Master Ning, tears streaming down, at a loss for words, "How could you treat me this way?"
Then she leaned over the bed and burst into tears.
This time, Ning Yunyan didn't join her mother in crying but knelt by the side with a look of frightened uncertainty, as if still in shock.
Eldest Master Ning didn't leave impatiently as usual, nor did he offer comfort; instead, he watched Ning Yunzhao with a stern face.
"You mentioned just now that there is some trouble in the capital?" he asked, "What were the arrangements made when you were initially in the capital?"
Ning Yunzhao, who had been sitting by Eldest Madam Ning's side to soothe her, stood up upon hearing his father's question.
"When Uncle and I left the capital back then, we invited Miss Jun to come back with us," he said.
Leaving the capital quickly was Uncle's decision, and in this, he wasn't lying. But as to who exactly had asked Miss Jun about leaving together, he didn't specify. After all, since the marriage agreement was arranged, asking her was only natural.
Eldest Master Ning nodded.
"Your uncle's concerns were valid; it was also a way to temporarily avoid any scrutiny," he said.
"But Miss Jun felt that the matter could be suppressed and smoothed over without her return," said Ning Yunzhao. "After all, the emperor had already reprimanded Lu Yunqi by that time."
After Ning Yunzhao announced his engagement with Miss Jun, the emperor immediately ordered the reprimand of Lu Yunqi, showing respect and saving face for the Ning Family.
Eldest Master Ning's expression grew even more solemn.
"Then why did she come back? Could it be that things have not settled down?" he asked.
That would be serious.
The implications weren't just about Miss Jun anymore, but also their Ning Family. They were now tied to Miss Jun. Hence when Ning Yunzhao mentioned earlier that she had suddenly returned due to something ominous in the capital and out of concern for their family, he was immediately on alert.
Now, the issue wasn't just about a marriage contract, and teenage infatuations were even less worth mentioning. As the head of the family, the patriarch, what he cared about was the family's future.
He meant to hear Ning Yunzhao continue, but Eldest Madam Ning interrupted with a spat about some trivial peevish matter.
Just a woman after all. If she's liked, then marry her; what's the big deal? She caused a scene over such a trivial matter. At home, she's free to fuss about whatever she wants. He's there to endure all disruptions from the outside, turning a blind eye.
But for issues concerning the family's future, if a woman can't weigh importance, acting foolishly, he couldn't stand idly by.
To say nothing of other examples, take the Lin Family.
First, their daughter was ruined and shamed by Miss Jun, then the Young Master of Fang Family came knocking in the night, searching their home and leaving them disgraced. But what was the result? Did the Lin Family end up as enemies with the Fang Family?
Not at all. Instead, they got even closer to the Fang Family. Then the vaccination issue that came from the capital fell into Registrar Lin's hands, allowing him to gain both political success and public favor. Without the support of the Fang Family behind him, it wouldn't be Lin's turn.
After all, the vaccination matter was controlled by Miss Jun.
Indeed, there are irreconcilable enmities in this world, but there are also foes who become friends overnight, depending on the stakes involved.
Compared with the Lin Family, the Ning Family hardly had any real grudge with the Fang Family or Miss Jun. What's a little youthful drama worth worrying about?
This woman, with her short-sightedness and rash impulsiveness, cannot control the family. He, as the Family Head, must not be muddled.
Upon hearing his father's inquiry, Ning Yunzhao nodded again.
"After uncle and I left, a lot has happened in the capital," he said, sighing lightly, "Lord Huang's death is actually somewhat related to Miss Jun."
The death of Lord Huang was a significant event, one capable of causing a major upheaval in officialdom, which of course Eldest Master Ning was aware of, and Second Old Master Ning had also hurried back to the capital because of it.
Wasn't this matter related to the Duke of Chengguo's heir? How is Miss Jun involved?
Such a major event!
"You have such a big matter to report, why dally and care about these trifles?" Eldest Master Ning said angrily, sweeping his sleeve outward as he spoke, "Come with me."
Ning Yunzhao looked at Eldest Madam Ning.
"Don't be like this, mother, I will come back shortly to tell you," he said softly.
Without waiting for Eldest Madam Ning to speak, Eldest Master Ning, who had walked to the doorway, turned back again.
"Didn't you hear me tell you to hurry? You're becoming more and more dithery, it's simply disgraceful," he snorted irritably.
Ning Yunzhao replied in acknowledgment and then quickly followed.
After the father and son had left, the room quieted down, the cries of Eldest Madam Ning had already stopped at some point, probably during the back and forth between Eldest Master Ning and Ning Yunzhao.
No one paid attention to her, they went on with their own discussions, as if she did not exist.
Eldest Madam Ning sat on the bed, her face still streaked with tears, her complexion as pale as before, but her eyes had become lifeless.
Trifles?
Dithery?
Her son's marriage had been dismissed by Eldest Master Ning as such? The marriage that she cared so deeply about was just a trivial matter in his eyes?
No, not her son's marriage, but her opinions and views were trivial matters to Eldest Master Ning.
Was she just a trivial matter to them?
She had lived in the Ning Family for over twenty years, and all along she meant nothing?
No, that was not the case before. Nobody had treated her like this, and all this change was because of...
Jun Zhenzhen.
Even her husband, who had been with her for so many years, had succumbed in front of that Jun Zhenzhen and forsaken her.
Why, why!
Eldest Madam Ning let out another shrill cry and collapsed onto the bed.
Ning Yunyan was startled back to reality by the cry, but unlike before, she didn't rush over to join her mother in weeping or to comfort her; she remained frozen, kneeling in place.
How did it come to this?
How could father have scolded mother?
Previously, father's silence was tantamount to his tacit consent to mother's opinion, but now that he has spoken to scold her, it indicates his stance on this matter.
Father usually does not intervene in such affairs, but once he does, his word is unchallengeable.
After all, he is the Family Head.
How could it be? For Jun Zhenzhen's sake?
What does Jun Zhenzhen have to deserve this!
First, she caused me to be kicked out of the household and hastily married off, and now she wants to drive my mother from her position within the inner house.
She isn't even anything yet, she hasn't even married into the family, she hasn't been called Mrs. Ning yet.
How did she manage this? Just because brother likes her?
Ning Yunyan sat on the ground, her mind a complete blank.
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Thank you to Lin Nianzhen, ?Last Gun?, Ice from the South for rewarding the He's Bi O(∩_∩)O
I know this plot is quite dull, but the holes we've dug must be filled, problems must be resolved, it's tiring, so please bear with us and be understanding.