Chapter 39: Each with Their Own Schemes

Lang Zhengping felt that his second younger brother's only surviving heir had inherited quite a bit of that stubborn, iron-willed nature. She was fearless, even brazen enough to seek out those she had offended.

She truly had no fear of getting beaten!

But while she was fearless, he was certainly not.

"There are spiritual taboos when it comes to funeral rites. We have just concluded our own, so it is best not to visit the Zhao residence for their funeral, lest the conflicting energies bring misfortune," Lang Zhengping said coolly.

Lang Jiuchuan countered, "You don't need to take the whole household. You can take just me. If you are truly worried about the taboos, I can go alone—just have the steward arrange a carriage for me."

No, was this child incapable of understanding a polite refusal?

Lang Zhengping’s complexion turned a shade sickly. "It isn't just about the taboos. Have you forgotten what you did previously? The Zhao family may not have held you accountable, but if you go there abruptly..."

"The Zhao family didn't refrain from holding me accountable because they wouldn't; they chose not to. You know this in your heart. Besides, I have a matter that requires my presence."

Lang Zhengping’s face darkened.

The two stared at each other.

After a long while, Lang Zhengping conceded. "Very well, I will accompany you tomorrow morning. But mark my words: no reckless talk, and absolutely no trouble."

Lang Jiuchuan nodded.

Seeing her agree so readily, Lang Zhengping felt a sense of unease, a premonition that things were going poorly.

Burdened by this worry, Lang Zhengping returned to the main courtyard. Lady Fan was tallying the inventory of household items used during the funeral. Seeing him arrive, she dismissed the servants and coughed twice.

"You aren't young anymore; don't overwork yourself. It would be better to let our eldest daughter-in-law handle some of these matters," Lang Zhengping said with concern.

Lady Fan nodded. "We will be in mourning for the next few years, so I will delegate more of the household affairs to her. What is the matter with your expression?"

Lang Zhengping removed his sandalwood prayer beads and turned them over in his hands. "Father’s coffin has been interred in the ancestral graveyard, and the funeral is concluded. Yet, from the Imperial Palace, there hasn't even been a verbal decree, let alone any condolences or posthumous honors."

When a Duke or Marquis passes away, if they are in favor, the Emperor sends representatives to offer condolences or comfort. Those with great political contributions are often granted posthumous titles. Yet, when it came to the Marquis of Kaiping, there was nothing.

This proved that the Emperor did not hold the Marquis of Kaiping in high regard.

The Emperor’s attitude concerned the future of the Lang family, which was why Lang Zhengping was so anxious.

As the wife of the heir to a Marquis household and hailing from a prominent clan herself, Lady Fan immediately understood the implications. Frowning, she asked, "Has the petition for the succession of the title been submitted?"

"I had already entrusted this to Uncle Zhao, but now the Zhao family... and there is the Zheng family, along with other in-laws. You should also write to your father. We must finalize this before the official seals are closed at the end of the year," Lang Zhengping said, clicking his prayer beads rapidly. "The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Master Tong, just had a son with his concubine early this year. When the child reaches his full-month celebration next month, send a generous gift."

Lady Fan’s complexion turned slightly green, feeling a sense of bitterness. A mere concubine-born son’s full-month celebration, and their Marquis household had to send an impressive gift? It was all because Master Tong held a significant position in the Ministry of Rites.

Seeing her reluctance, Lang Zhengping said, "I know you are unhappy. Master Tong is over forty-five. He has a house full of wives and concubines and has only now produced a male heir; he will surely treasure the boy. An ordinary gift will likely not catch his eye."

"I understand, Master," Lady Fan replied, her tone laced with bitterness.

It was all to ensure the succession of the title went smoothly; even if the other party was of lower status, they had to humble themselves and curry favor.

After discussing a few more urgent matters, Lang Zhengping shifted the topic to Lang Jiuchuan.

"This girl from my second brother's family—she is like her father in every way, especially that stubborn streak. It’s quite unlike her frail appearance." Lang Zhengping felt a headache coming on. "She is grown now; she cannot keep living at the estate. I suspect the thorn in my sister-in-law’s heart has not been removed, and she likely won't care much for this child."

Lady Fan sighed, "Watching them these past few days, they seem inherently destined to clash."

Seeing Lang Zhengping frown, she quickly added, "But they are mother and daughter; there is no grudge that cannot be resolved in time."

Lang Zhengping replied, "Whether it can be resolved depends on their fate. But there is one thing: this child is my second brother's only bloodline and a daughter of the Lang house. Regardless of Lady Cui, for my brother's sake, you must take more care of her as her aunt."

Lady Fan agreed readily, then took the opportunity to mention Lang Caiqing’s lack of discretion. "She has already reached the age of maturity. If you hadn't pampered her so, her marriage would have been settled by now. Now that we must observe a year of mourning, and with her spoiled temperament, I fear for her when she eventually goes to her husband's family..."

She sipped her tea, observing his expression from the corner of her eye. Seeing him knit his brows, she continued, "In our branch, we only have three daughters, and she is the only one unmarried. It is fine to pamper her for a few more years, but keeping a daughter at home too long breeds resentment. If we continue to indulge her, it will be our fault."

Lang Zhengping immediately responded, "Use this year of mourning to have the matrons teach her proper etiquette. As for her marriage, I will look into it further."

"Understood," Lady Fan nodded. She then asked, "Now that Ninth Sister has returned, what about the adoption?"

Lang Zhengping’s expression turned solemn, and he spun his prayer beads even faster.

Lang Zhengfan had passed away early, leaving only a daughter. By tradition, a son should have been adopted into his branch to carry on the lineage. This had been planned for a decade, but because Lady Cui had never given a clear response, it had been delayed.

Now that Lang Jiuchuan had returned, the resolution of this matter depended on Lady Cui.

"There is no rush. Let’s wait until the title succession is finalized. It primarily depends on Lady Cui. If she is unwilling, Ninth Sister could take a husband into the family..." Lang Zhengping paused, recalling the house physician's words: the Ninth Young Lady was frail and short-lived; having heirs might be difficult.

If that were the case, taking a husband to produce an heir for the second branch would be impossible.

Lang Zhengping felt a massive headache coming on. "Let’s discuss it later. I am going to the study to sleep. By the way, I am taking Ninth Sister to the Zhao residence to pay respects tomorrow; arrange the carriage."

Why were there so many endless matters?

Lady Fan saw him out and sat back by the south window, her brows lightly furrowed.

Her personal maid, Nanny He, brought in a fresh cup of longan tea. "My Lady, what did the Heir say?"

"Regarding Seventh Sister, have Nanny Gui teach her etiquette," Lady Fan said coldly. "She previously complained that the matches I found were not prominent enough and insisted on meddling. She doesn't realize that being the daughter of a Marquis is one thing, but in the future, who knows? She might only be the daughter of a Count. She is fifteen and still not betrothed. I want to see what kind of 'dragon among men' the Master finds for her."

Nanny He remarked, "Greed is boundless; they will reap what they sow. Seventh Young Lady is one thing, but if the Eleventh Young Master is truly adopted into the second branch, that woman will surely become insufferable."

"That woman" referred to Concubine Chen, the birth mother of Lang Caiqing and Lang Caiyi. If her son were adopted into the second branch as the legitimate heir, wouldn't she reach for the heavens?

A trace of coldness flickered in Lady Fan’s eyes. She sipped her longan tea and said flatly, "Even if she wants to, she must see if the second sister-in-law allows it. Lady Cui comes from a distinguished family; it would be a wonder if she took a liking to the flesh and blood of that vixen. She wouldn't want to be choked by that stench, would she? Tomorrow, go to the Ninth Young Lady’s courtyard and see what she lacks; arrange everything properly. Remember, she is the only legitimate daughter of the second branch..."