Mysteries of the Great Zhou Dynasty

Chapter 185 Extra: Yan Mingzhang (2)

Second Aunt snorted coldly and said, "Five hundred or so characters... You can praise that? Anyone who doesn't know better would think he's some kind of child prodigy! Our Mingzhao could recognize the Thousand Character Classic when he was four years old. What is this? Besides, according to seniority and order, our Yan Mingzhao is the eldest grandson."

The second and third branches of the family have always been at odds. The second uncle married late, so his son Yan Lirun was born after Yan Likai of the third branch. In order to turn the tables, the second branch arranged for Yan Lirun to marry a woman surnamed Zhao early on, and that's how they had Yan Mingzhao, who became the eldest son of the Ming generation in the Yan family. Although he was not born of the legitimate wife, he had the advantage of being older.

Uncle San was also annoyed: "What do you mean by eldest grandson? Our third branch of the Ming generation has two children. Who would give away their only son to someone else just to fight for benefits? They really have no shame."

The second uncle flew into a rage, slamming his fist on the table and shouting, "Yan Zuning, explain yourself! Who are you calling shameless? What right do you third branch of the family have to compete with us?"

Seeing the situation was getting out of hand, Fourth Uncle quickly stepped in to smooth things over: "Alright, alright, Second Brother, Third Brother, let's hear what Li Ze and his wife think about this. After all, the child is being adopted by them, so they have to like him. Also, it depends on the child's fate with them. We're just offering our opinion for reference..."

The third and fourth brothers were more amicable and nodded in agreement: "Fourth Uncle is right. Eldest Brother, this matter should be decided by you and your sister-in-law."

Yan Lize glanced at Wang Shi, and the two smiled, though they already had a plan in mind. They walked past the children, who lined up in order of height.

Yan Lizhe asked each of the children about their studies, hobbies, and so on.

Yan Lize and Wang walked up to Yan Mingzhang. Wang squatted down and asked, "Mingzhang, did you eat well today? Are you full?"

Yan Mingzhang blinked, nodded, and didn't say anything.

Second Aunt snorted dismissively, rolled her eyes, and muttered, "What's the point of asking a mute? We can't choose him, can we?"

Wang heard it clearly, but she wasn't angry. She just stood up, took Yan Mingzhang's hand, and retorted loudly with a smile, "Second Aunt, you're wrong. Mingzhang is just too scared to speak. He's not mute!"

Auntie San chimed in, "Whether he's mute or not, it's not his place to be a fool like him!"

These words were quite harsh. Yan Lizhe suppressed his anger and said, "Second Aunt, Third Aunt, what do you mean by that? He's not stupid or mute! He's my second brother's child! Now that my second brother and sister-in-law are gone, are we, the Yan family, going to mistreat a five-year-old child?"

Fourth Aunt was a kind-hearted person with a benevolent face, and she quickly smoothed things over: "Alright, alright, everyone stop arguing. Li Ze, don't be angry. They're just being straightforward and don't mean any harm."

Yan Lizhe felt frustrated, but since his fourth aunt had taken good care of Yan Mingzhang, he didn't want to offend her, so he remained silent.

Madam Wang nudged him, signaling him not to rush, and said with a smile, "Elders, I like all these children. Mingzhao is so polite and modest; he's sure to be an outstanding person in the future. Mingxuan is so clever; just look at his little head, he's obviously smart. And Mingyue, although she's young, she's not shy at all, she's generous and polite, and she's so adorable. My husband and I really like them all very much, we don't know which one to choose."

As she spoke, Wang picked Mingyue up and teased him with a small pastry: "Call me 'Mother' and I'll give you something delicious if you do."

When Wang hugged him, the faces of everyone in the second branch of the family immediately fell. However, the faces of everyone in the third branch of the family, except for Mingyue's mother, Liu, brightened up. Although Mingyue was only four years old, he already understood some things. He raised his eyes and looked at Liu with confusion and unease. Liu looked reluctant, her eyes reddened, and she turned away to wipe her tears.

Liu was born into a merchant family and was only able to marry into the Yan family because of her generous dowry. She was also rather soft-hearted and had little say in the family.

The third brother, Yan Likai, glanced at Liu Shi impatiently: "A woman's view!"

Liu lowered her head and dared not utter a sound.

Wang knew that Liu was reluctant to part with Mingyue, so she calmly put Mingyue down. As soon as Mingyue landed, she rushed into Liu's arms and called out softly, "Mother!"

Liu hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably, and looked at Mingxuan with worry.

Madam Wang squatted down and patted Mingxuan and Mingzhao's heads: "Mingzhao, Mingxuan, would you like to acknowledge me as your mother?"

Mingxuan glanced timidly at his father, Yan Likai, and saw him nod. Mingxuan lowered his head, bit his lower lip, and nodded, his voice barely audible: "Mingxuan is willing."

Mingzhao nodded and said, "Mingzhao is willing."

Wang laughed: "But I don't want to."

Madam Wang straightened up and looked around: "Everyone, although I have never been a mother, I do not wish to see a mother and child separated. I do not wish to see flesh and blood separated, with the youngest child, who needs the most care, left unattended. My second brother and sister-in-law only have this one child. If Mingzhang is left uncared for, how can they rest in peace in the afterlife? Mingzhao and Mingxuan, go back to your mother!"

As soon as Wang finished speaking, Mingzhao and Mingxuan's eyes lit up instantly, as if they had both breathed a sigh of relief. However, they stared at their father's face and dared not move.

Wang walked to Mingzhang's side, took his hand, and earnestly said to everyone, "Dear uncles, aunts, brothers and sisters-in-law, I also hope that you will help him achieve his goal."

Second Uncle Yan Zuhui slammed his fist on the table in anger: "Wang, what do you mean by that? What do you mean by 'no one to look after us'? Do you think all of us in the Yan family are dead? Besides, you're not just adopting a child; he's going to be the head of the family in the future. What can such a fool accomplish? Are you going to let our Yan family decline like this? If our ancestors knew this in the afterlife, how could they live in peace?"

Yan Lizhe stood up abruptly, his face grim, and his tone unfriendly: "Second Uncle, Mingzhang isn't stupid! He's just terrified! You said someone is taking care of him, but is it your second branch or the third branch that's going to take him in? We need to make this clear!"

Third Aunt Li quickly raised her voice: "Our third branch of the family didn't say that! It was the second branch that said it! If they want to pick them up, they should!"

Aunt Xu quickly tried to smooth things over: "Li Ze, don't be angry. You know your second uncle. He's a straightforward person, and he's only thinking about the future of the Yan family. He doesn't have any bad intentions. He didn't mean it that way. Calm down, calm down!"

Yan Lizhe's complexion improved somewhat.