When only four people remained in the room, the eldest young master of the Hou Mansion finally looked up, his bloodshot eyes fixed on his wife without blinking, "I want you to tell me the truth."
She glanced at her in-laws' expressions, knowing they all believed the rumor to be true. She slumped to the ground, powerless. For years, she had been afraid to send anyone to look for her daughter, fearing exposure. Even when her daughter was to marry into the Ye family, she had strongly opposed it. For safety's sake, she had never revealed herself. She hadn't expected the truth to be revealed after all.
"Just as you suspect, she is indeed my daughter. I had her before I married into the Hou Mansion." Some things, when left undisturbed, are fine. But when someone appears before you and exposes everything, no matter how much you deny it, what has happened will leave traces. Knowing she could no longer hide it, she had no desire to conceal it any longer.
The eldest young master knew this was the truth, but hearing it from her lips, he couldn't help but despair. He and she had been together for so many years. While there had been contradictions and conflicts, it wouldn't be true to say there was no affection. Moreover, they had three daughters and one son.
"Who is her biological father?" the Marquis asked the most crucial question. Everyone said she was their daughter-in-law's illegitimate daughter, but why did no one mention her father? With such a scandal in their family, it was impossible for the other party to remain hidden.
"Her father?" As soon as this was mentioned, the eldest young mistress's tears began to fall. Although so much time had passed, the memory still brought immense pain. She composed herself and slowly said, "Her biological father is Prince Xiaoyao."
The room fell silent. Those who had met him sincerely marveled, calling him a man of exceptional grace and radiance. Clad in armor, wielding a red-tasseled spear, mounted on a magnificent horse, he shone wherever he went. As long as he was present, the people had a sense of security, for he was the Celestial Dynasty's God of War.
He had driven the barbarian tribes from the north, pushing them back to their royal court, ensuring they never dared to step foot in the Celestial Dynasty again. He had quelled the southern rebellion. Alas, fate was cruel, and he passed away at a young age.
To think that he had descendants still alive. The eldest young master couldn't help but recall their youthful days, the three of them together. Each time, his wife's gaze would follow Prince Xiaoyao, while he stood by, dejected. When the news of his death arrived, as a friend's passing, he should have grieved. But at the time, he couldn't hide his joy, for he finally had a chance to win the lady's heart.
The outcome was as he had imagined. Who would have thought that after more than a decade, an illegitimate daughter would suddenly appear? At this moment, he felt like a deflated balloon, completely losing his spirit.
Before this, he believed he was a winner in life: he had married the woman he loved, was about to inherit the Hou Mansion's estate, and had children. He never expected to be dealt such a heavy blow here.
Others could guess who the mastermind behind this was. How could he, the heir thoroughly groomed by the Hou Mansion, not realize? At this very moment, he truly wanted to teach his second brother's family a good lesson. If they hadn't coveted his position and exposed this matter, he would still be living blissfully, kept in the dark. Suddenly, his world felt like it was collapsing.
He was all too familiar with the thoughtful expressions on his father and mother's faces. For them, the Hou Mansion's reputation was paramount. He could imagine how his wife would be treated.
Having sat on the stool for so long, he had been contemplating from the beginning whether he would forgive her if this matter were true, or if he would act as his parents suggested, letting her die silently in the backyard or divorcing her and sending her back to her family. He discovered he couldn't bring himself to be ruthless. He had initially thought she had betrayed him within their marriage, but now he realized it had happened before they were even wed.
He suddenly became less fixated. Back then, when they were a couple, he was licking his wounds in a corner. What was he thinking then? He thought that as long as he could marry her, he would pay any price. Even if she had been married before, he wouldn't have cared. Although they had seemingly treated each other with respect for so many years, he could sense that she harbored feelings for someone else, and it was not hard to guess who it was. Su Dan Novel Network.
He had endured this for so many years. What was one more daughter? It was no big deal. He resolutely knelt beside the eldest young mistress and respectfully kowtowed to his father and mother. "My son is going to disappoint you, Father and Mother. I don't want my children to be without a mother, nor do I want to remarry in middle age. The events that happened before our marriage, I do not wish to pursue or dwell on. I will spend my life with her. If she is willing to acknowledge that daughter, and if the other party agrees, I am willing to be her adoptive father."
The eldest young mistress immediately looked up, her eyes filled with disbelief. Tears streamed down her face. Having spent more than a decade together, she knew he genuinely cared for her. Although her life had been smooth for years, she always harbored some uncertainty, fearing the day he would discover her secret. She couldn't imagine his reaction, as no man could possibly accept such a situation.
To think that he would defend her! At this moment, she vowed that if they could safely overcome this ordeal, she would live a good life with him from now on.
The eldest young master quietly took her hand and patted it, offering silent comfort. The Marquis's wife was momentarily envious of her elder daughter-in-law's good fortune. If such a thing had happened to her, there was no need to think about the consequences. Yet, their foolish son was willing to suffer this injustice.
The Marquis sighed. Since his son didn't mind, why should he be the villain? "This matter is entirely up to you two to handle. We are old and lack the energy to worry about it."
The couple immediately understood his meaning and quickly knelt, offering them a solemn kowtow.
The Marquis's wife looked at the Marquis beside her with some confusion. This was not like his usual behavior. He was well aware of his wife's little maneuverings. However, they were unaware that his willingness to let it go was out of respect for Prince Xiaoyao.
Twenty years ago, he had gone south on official business and fallen into a trap. Just when he thought he was doomed, Prince Xiaoyao had appeared before him like a celestial being. Although they had no further contact afterward, he had never forgotten this kindness.
When he heard of Prince Xiaoyao's death, he thought he would never be able to repay the favor and felt regret. Unexpectedly, after more than a decade, he heard his name again in such a way.
So be it, so be it. As long as his son didn't mind, why should he interfere? Besides, if he were to truly deal with his daughter-in-law, wouldn't that only confirm the rumors? Instead, by generously acknowledging the daughter as his goddaughter, the rumors would naturally dissipate.
The next morning, something that shocked the entire capital occurred. The people of the Ding'an Hou Mansion brought a family of three to the yamen to press charges, claiming that someone had deliberately spread rumors at the Hou Mansion for money, attempting to ruin the relationship between the future master of the Hou Mansion and the Marquis's wife.