Old Madam thought about it and finally agreed helplessly. This child, she's so much like her father, both so stubborn.
Yuebing was in the Main Courtyard, clearly upset, "Mother, I really don't understand what's gotten into Third Younger Sister. I was just pulling her when she shook me off and caused me to hurt my hand. I haven't even gotten angry yet, and she's the one who fainted." A scar on this hand could ruin her for life.
Lady Mo was puzzled and did not know what had happened, but naturally consoled her daughter, "Don't be angry. It was just an accident. As her elder sister, it's only right for you to be generous. Go check on Third Young Lady."
Yuebing absolutely refused to go, complaining of hand pain when pressed too much. Lady Mo knew she was faking, but indulged her anyway.
Back at Lanxi Courtyard, Yueyao lay in bed. She needed to use these next few days to sort out her thoughts; she simply could not go on like this.
Before she could plan anything, Hua Lei started talking about Yueyao's earlier mumbling. Hua Lei said softly, "Miss, please forgive my boldness. Although Young Master Tingzheng's background isn't great, he is still your brother and shares your blood. You shouldn't have said those words." After all, someone from a separate house is different. How could they compare to one's own brother!
Yueyao was momentarily confused, "What about Young Master Tingzheng? My own brother?" She hadn't reacted yet. Suddenly, Yueyao's eyes widened as she remembered, yes, she had a brother – a half-brother born out of wedlock. It's only because his mother's past was so lowly that people deliberately forgot about him. She herself had forgotten over the years.
Her half-brother's mother was a strikingly beautiful government servant. Tingzheng's birth was a fluke. It happened when her father, after getting drunk at a gathering, was attended by a woman. All women who served in such capacity were typically drugged. Unexpectedly, even under the influence of the drugs, she became pregnant.
Her father refused to recognize the child. He could never accept his eldest son having a humble government courtesan as a mother. How could he face the world, or how could his son establish himself in society? He absolutely would not allow such a thing to happen. Thus, he sent someone to administer an abortion drug to the woman. But for some reason, the child did not miscarry after taking the drug.
Her mother declared it to be fate, that the heavens wanted this child to come into this world. Forcing an abortion, she feared, might endanger her father's lineage in the future. Hence, her mother convinced her father to keep the child. Though he was kept, her father refused to have the woman enter his home. Aware of the harm it could do to her father's reputation, her mother had the woman placed in a different residence.
As her father was reaching his prime without an heir, her mother grew anxious. Eventually, she secretly sent someone to the manor to check on the child who had been sent away immediately after birth. The child bore a striking resemblance to her father. If he were to have an heir, he would surely let him grow up on the manor. Regardless, the child's mother's humble origins were an insurmountable flaw. But he was now her father's only son. After much deliberation, her mother had the child brought back.
Although her father was reluctant, a man of his age with only one son had no choice but to accept him. Finally, he was named Zheng, with the full name Lian Tingzheng.
Her mother intended to claim him under her name, but her father refused. He still wanted a legitimate son. Moreover, he was utterly displeased with the boy, seeing him as slow and dull. Eventually, her mother recorded Tingzheng as the son of a deceased Maternal Auntie. That Maternal Auntie had been a respectable concubine, a daughter from a decent family; having Tingzheng under her name would be beneficial for his future prospects.
Seeing how much the boy annoyed her father, her mother did not call for him again. He was entrusted to Maternal Aunt You for care and well-attended to.
But unexpectedly, not long after the child joined the household, her mother discovered she was pregnant. This was a joyous event for them all.
In Jiangnan, due to her father's disfavour, Yueyao never met her half-brother. After returning, she didn't know why her grandmother also disregarded Tingzheng, leaving Lady Mo to look after him. Lady Mo arranged a courtyard for Maternal Aunt You to care for Brother Zheng.
Yueyao remembered when Tingzheng became severely ill the month Old Madam passed away. Neglected by Maternal Aunt You and the staff, by the time they sought a doctor, it was too late.
When she learned of Brother Zheng's passing, she too was momentarily saddened; no matter what, he was her father's only son. But she had never interacted with Brother Zheng, and her feelings were faint; she, nurtured with pride and arrogance and constantly reminded by Nanny Gu of Brother Zheng's lowly status, was only so upset. It was then that Lady Mo told her that her great-uncle had agreed to adopt a child under her father's name, ensuring his line would not end.
With Lady Mo's promise, she lost even that bit of sorrow. Now, thinking back, she didn't even remember what her half-brother looked like.
Yueyao smiled bitterly at her own foolishness. Even if her brother's origins were humble, even if he was slow, foolish, and naive, he was still blood of her blood, the one she should truly rely on. How could that compare to an adopted stranger with no blood ties?
Yueyao tightened her grip and then relaxed it. This life, she could not be like in her past life, ignoring her brother, letting him pass away at such a young age. She must keep her brother close and personally guide his upbringing. Even if he couldn't become hugely successful, she had to ensure his safe growth, to continue their father's lineage – not leaving it in the hands of the main branch's adopted son, letting them brazenly take over everything the second branch owned.
If Lady Mo truly had no shame, well, the second branch also had an heir. If need be, Yueyao would be resolute, ready to break ties with the main branch and move out.