Ning Zhi was born with stunning beauty. As a teenager, he was sold into a brothel by his indebted father. Fortunately, his first customer was Marquis Zhongyuan.
When Marquis Zhongyuan saw him, he was amazed by his extraordinary appearance. He redeemed him from his servitude, brought him into the Marquis's mansion, and showered him with favor.
This servant, Dongxi, was someone Ning Zhi had serving by his side when he was working at the brothel. Ning Zhi took pity on him and had the Marquis of Zhongyuan buy him so that he could serve Ning Zhi.
Dongxi always regarded Ningzhi as his benefactor.
Lady Zhongyuan had harmed his benefactor and master, so Dongxi naturally despised her. Now, seeing her faint from anger at the hands of her own son, on whom she had placed so much hope, he was naturally pleased.
Ning Zhi lay lazily on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, his expression indifferent. He gazed at the bright red plum blossom outside the window, lost in thought, and murmured, "She's just a pitiful person after all."
To love someone but not be loved in return is the greatest tragedy for that person.
Ning Zhi would only retaliate against the various provocations and schemes of Lady Hou when pushed to the brink; he ignored the minor squabbles in ordinary times. It wasn't that he couldn't defeat her, nor that he pitied her; Ning Zhi simply wanted a place to live in peace, and he didn't care about anything else.
"By the way, how's A-Yuan doing lately?" Ning Zhi asked casually.
When Dongxi mentioned his young master, he was quite proud. In his eyes, his young master was much better than that young marquis in terms of knowledge and interpersonal skills. Didn't he see that the marquis also doted on his young master more?
Dongxi quickly told Ningzhi about Meng Xiangyuan's recent situation in great detail.
Ning Zhi's eyes were half-closed, and he seemed rather lazy, not particularly interested, but he was listening attentively.
"...Gongzi, why don't you go and see the young master more often?" Dongxi asked hesitantly. He could tell that his gongzi cared about the young master, but the two of them were not close.
Normally, the young master would politely come to greet him, but his gongzi rarely took the initiative to approach the young master.
Ning Zhi slowly opened his eyes, his beautiful eyes showing little light and little emotion: "Knowing that he's doing well is enough."
He knows his child.
A Yuan disliked his father, who was a concubine, because he couldn't give him a good status; he could only be a lowly illegitimate son.
In this way, I don't need to get in his way. Ning Zhi has already given all he could. As for the rest, I'll leave it to him. I just hope he can keep his heart and not be blinded by power and wealth.
"Gongzi, the Marquis has arrived."
"Ah Ning, how have you been feeling lately? Don't get up, just lie down quietly." Marquis Zhongyuan quickly pressed Ning Zhi, who was about to get up, back down onto the chaise lounge.
Touching Ning Zhi's hand from under the blanket, he frowned: "Why are your hands so cold? And your face is so pale. Did you secretly pour out the medicine again?"
Ning Zhi did not pull his hand away. He gave a faint smile and said, "After being caught by the Marquis last time, how could I dare to spill the medicine again?"
Just then, the medicine brewed in the kitchen was brought over.
Marquis Zhongyuan told Dongxi to step aside and personally brought over the medicine: "Here, let me feed you."
Ning Zhi, accustomed to this, replied, "Thank you, Lord Marquis."
Ning Zhi was already beautiful, and with his obedient appearance, he was very much loved by Marquis Zhongyuan.
After feeding him the medicine, Marquis Zhongyuan held his hand for a short while, leaving behind some novel trinkets he had brought back on his journey, as well as some brocade clothes, silks, pearls, and agates, before reluctantly departing.
“Young master, the Marquis is so good to you. Every time he comes back from a long trip, he brings you so many precious things. The other one doesn’t have any.”
Ning Zhi lay on the chaise lounge, still covered with a blanket, lazily basking in the sun, his emotions seemingly unaffected, as if the arrival of Marquis Zhongyuan had no effect on his interest.
He said, "Pick a few items to give as gifts to the people in the courtyard, and put the rest away."
Ning Zhi glanced at the precious items indifferently, then looked away.
Even the most beautiful woman will eventually grow old.
Even the deepest feelings for an old flame may not be able to compare to those for a new flame, let alone someone with whom there isn't much affection.
-
The sound of porcelain shattering rang out one after another.
Lady Zhongyuan had just woken up when she heard that Marquis Zhongyuan had returned to the manor. She immediately went to Tinglan Garden, bringing not only many things but also personally feeding that wretched ger medicine.
In her rage, she knocked a vase to the ground again, leaving it shattered.
"Madam, you mustn't get angry, or you'll fall into that vile ger's trap," the old nanny beside her advised.
"Granny, go tell the young marquis that since he is unwilling to sever ties with that foolish boy, let him be his mistress, but the child must be sent away. If the young marquis still does not agree, I will sever his mother-son relationship with him and kick him out of the manor. I want to see whether the young marquis's position is more important or that father and son are more important."
"Yes, Madam, I will inform the young marquis immediately."
Inside the room, the old woman who had cleaned up the broken pieces and all the maids withdrew.
She looked around. As the wife of the Marquis of Zhongyuan, even if she was not favored, she was still treated very well.
The house was magnificent, yet she was all alone, day and night, utterly isolated and cold. It seemed devoid of life.
She sat blankly on the bed for a long time, then collapsed onto the blankets, sobbing uncontrollably despite her usual strong personality.
She just wanted to love someone, what's wrong with that?
-
Meng Xiangbei moved out of the Marquis's mansion and returned to his small home with Qiao Qingjun and An Ge'er.
In fact, confessing to Meng's mother and trying to annul the engagement and bring Qiao Qingjun and An ge'er back to the mansion was just a very slim hope.
Given Meng's mother personality, she would never agree to his request under any circumstances.
So he moved out.
Qiao Qingjun was very happy that her husband would be able to spend the nights with them from now on, and An ge'er would occasionally blink his big eyes and secretly look at him, as if to make sure that he really wasn't leaving.
With the help of medicinal diet and Qiao Qingjun's meticulous care, An ge'er's health gradually improved. The one-year-old child, who used to only walk unsteadily and fall from time to time, can now occasionally run around. His personality has also become much more lively and cheerful. He especially likes to rush towards Qiao Qingjun like a little firecracker, hug his daddy's leg with his little arms, and then giggle.
Meng's mother sent people to persuade him several times, but Meng Xiangbei refused to see them.
That day, Meng Xiangbei, Qiao Qingjun, and An Ge'er were having dinner at a restaurant when they unexpectedly encountered someone.
The man was around forty years old, tall and strong. His appearance was slightly fierce, and he seemed unapproachable at first glance. He was dressed in black, and a knife at his waist amplified his already fierce and imposing aura.
His arrival quieted the atmosphere in the restaurant.
The man's gaze swept over them, finally landing on Meng Xiangbei, then glanced at Qiao Qingjun and An Ge'er beside him, his tiger-like eyes narrowing slightly.
The person who arrived was Qian Zheng.
He said he wanted to speak with Meng Xiangbei alone.
"Aqing, you and An ge'er wait in the room. I'll be right next door." Meng Xiangbei opened a private room for Qiao Qingjun and An ge'er to eat, and then went next door with Qian Zheng.
"Husband, you must take good care of yourself." Qiao Qingjun tugged at Meng Xiangbei's sleeve and whispered. He secretly glanced at Qian Zheng, frightened by the latter's fierce appearance. He was afraid that this man would hurt his husband.
"Don't worry, I'm fine, I'll be back in a bit."
"Um."
The atmosphere between Meng Xiangbei and Qian Zheng in the private room was somewhat tense.
Qian Zheng sat there with an air of authority, his face expressionless, his tiger-like eyes scanning Meng Xiangbei up and down, as if he were assessing something.
Meng Xiangbei sat upright, composed and calm, letting him scrutinize him.
After a long while, Qian Zheng spoke. His voice was rough and loud, and his tone was authoritative without being angry.
"Do you know who I am?"
"Junior Meng Xiangbei greets General Qian. The Qian family has protected our country for generations, and General Qian is the God of War of our Great Sui Dynasty. I'm sure no one is unaware of General Qian's fame." Meng Xiangbei nodded slightly, neither humble nor arrogant, showing no deliberate attempt to flatter, but simply stating the facts.
Meng Xiangbei politely addressed Qian Zheng as General Qian, but in reality, Qian Zheng was Meng Xiangbei's uncle.
However, the Marquis of Zhongyuan's mansion and the General's mansion were not close, and Qian Zheng was stationed at the border year-round. Only the Marquis of Zhongyuan's wife and Aunt Xiao of the General's mansion occasionally had contact.
Qian Zheng's expression didn't change. He wasn't surprised that Meng Xiangbei knew him. He asked, "Then do you know why I came to find you today?"
"Please enlighten me, General Qian."
Qian Zheng glanced at him and gave a heavy, cold snort: "This general will ask you first, what is your relationship with that young man and child just now?"
The way they looked like a close-knit family of three made Qian Zheng suspicious.
According to his concubines and daughters, Meng Xiangbei was a virtuous man who had no concubines, mistresses, or mistresses. Yet, upon their first meeting, he was seen to be intimate with a young man.
Mentioning Qiao Qingjun and An Ge'er, Meng Xiangbei's gaze softened a bit, and he didn't hide anything: "Those are my wife and children."
"How dare you!" Qian Zheng slammed his hand on the table, which made a jarring sound and cracked several large cracks, as if it would fall apart at the slightest touch.
"You say those are your wife and children, then what's the deal with you and my Jiaojiao? Are you trying to make my Jiaojiao your concubine?"
Only the principal wife can be called a "wife," and there can only be one wife. So, if Qian Jiaojiao wants to be with Meng Xiangbei, wouldn't she be a concubine?
Qian Zheng stared intently at Meng Xiangbei with furious eyes. If Meng Xiangbei failed to give him a satisfactory answer, he would surely vent his anger on Meng Xiangbei.
Meng Xiangbei pondered for a moment and said, "Actually, even if General Qian hadn't come to see me today, I was planning to go to the General's Mansion in a few days to explain things to my cousin."
"More than a year ago, I accidentally ended up in Jiangnan. After losing my memory , I met and married my current wife, Qiao Qingjun. Aqing gave birth to a child for me. Later, when we went to the capital, I regained my memory and learned that I was the young marquis of Zhongyuan Marquis's Mansion.
My cousin is beautiful and has a good personality. My mother wants me to marry her. I didn't want to go against my mother's wishes, so I started dating her. But I later realized that the only person I loved was A-Qing, and I only wanted to spend my life with him and his son. If I were to be with my cousin, it would be unfair to both A-Qing and my cousin, since I already had someone I loved.
My cousin is a good girl; she deserves a better husband."
Meng Xiangbei's words were sincere and heartfelt, expressing his deep feelings while also praising Qian Jiaojiao.
Only the Nightmare Beast itself felt that these words sounded incredibly awful.
You said you only have Qiao Qingjun in your heart, so why did you go and provoke Qian Jiaojiao? Now that her father has come to see her and is looking for a son-in-law, you say you no longer love her daughter.
This is just asking for trouble, like getting beaten up.
The Nightmare Beast also expressed his helplessness. He was forced to take the blame for the original owner's mistakes, and he couldn't very well renege on his debts, since the original owner and Qian Jiaojiao had already ambiguously expressed their feelings for each other when he arrived.
Fortunately, the so-called "arranged marriage" was just a verbal agreement between Meng's mother and Aunt Xiao, which was more like a joke. There was no marriage certificate or tokens. It was just casual conversation between the two wives in the back courtyard. In fact, it was not a real marriage.
It was only after all these years that Meng's mother finally accepted this marriage, hoping to find a wife from a powerful family to support her son. In the end, even the original owner of this body believed that she and her cousin had a legitimate marriage agreement.
Judging from Qian Zheng's appearance, he probably doesn't realize that if there were a real marriage agreement between the two parties, Qian Zheng would be ready to slice him to pieces the moment he says these words.
Qian Zheng narrowed his eyes and glared at him, "So you were having an affair with Jiao Jiao while you had a wife and children?"
"This matter was indeed my fault, and I should apologize to my cousin."
"Apologize? Ha, does my daughter care about your apology?" Qian Zheng was so angry that he didn't care about being polite anymore and even blurted out the word "my".
"Do you know that my daughter Jiaojiao's heart is now with you? You were the one who provoked my daughter back then, and now you're saying you don't want her anymore for a ger? Do you really think my General's Mansion has no one to rely on? Do you really think my daughter, Qian Zheng's daughter, is so easy to bully?!"
The table shattered completely when Qian Zheng slammed it down again.
Qian Zheng gripped the knife at his waist, wanting to finish off the troublesome young man in front of him with a single stroke, but when he thought of his daughter's shy expression when she mentioned him, he held back.
My dear Jiaojiao has feelings for this person. If he really did something to this guy, Jiaojiao would be heartbroken.
He's quite old, a rough old man, and he only has this one daughter. He has to love and pamper her, and not let her suffer the slightest grievance or shed a single tear.
After a moment of contemplation, Qian Zheng quickly made a decision.
"Meng Xiangbei, I'm giving you a chance. Break off your relationship with that ger and his son, marry my daughter, and you'll be the son-in-law . I'll also guarantee you a successful career in the government. Otherwise, I'll show you what I'm capable of."
Qian Zheng offered a sweet treat while simultaneously threatening him. He had always been an upright man and disdained such despicable tactics, but now, for the sake of his beloved daughter, he had also resorted to such underhanded methods.
Meng Xiangbei remained unmoved: "I'm sorry, General Qian, please forgive me for not being able to agree."
"you……"
“Father, since he has no feelings for me, why force him and create more resentment between you?” Qian Jiaojiao suddenly pushed open the door and came in from outside. It’s unclear how long she had been listening.
Her eyes were red-rimmed, but she didn't shed a tear; her face still held an arrogant expression.
"Jiaojiao, what brings you here?" Qian Zheng stood up abruptly. Seeing Qian Jiaojiao's reddened eyes, he immediately felt sorry for her and drew the knife from his waist, pointing it at Meng Xiangbei.
Qian Jiaojiao quickly stopped him.
"Father."
Qian Jiaojiao turned to look at Meng Xiangbei.
The man was as handsome as ever, and even possessed a unique and attractive charm. However, the look in his eyes when he looked at her was devoid of the adoration and affection he once had. His dark eyes were clear and devoid of any tenderness.
At this moment, Qian Jiaojiao finally understood that the man in front of her really didn't like her anymore.
In fact, she had noticed Meng Xiangbei's refusal to see her and his indifference these past few days, and she felt anxious and uncertain. However, because of her feelings for him, she suppressed her unease.
She learned by chance that her father was coming to see Meng Xiangbei today, so she secretly followed him.
For a moment, she couldn't explain why she had come along. Was it to hear Meng Xiangbei admit to his father that he liked her and was willing to go to the General's Mansion to propose marriage, or was it because of the unease of being in a new place, fearing that something unexpected might happen?
So she came, and she overheard their conversation, hearing Meng Xiangbei's deep affection for another person.
Qian Jiaojiao slightly raised her chin and looked at Meng Xiangbei. Her eyes were red, but she didn't shed any tears: "Meng Xiangbei, I'm asking you, do you really not like me, Qian Jiaojiao, anymore?"
Meng Xiangbei nodded without hesitation: "Yes."
Something in Qian Jiaojiao's eyes seemed to shatter completely after Meng Xiangbei said the word "yes".
She gave Meng Xiangbei a deep look and said, "Fine, since you, Meng Xiangbei, have no feelings for me, I, Qian Jiaojiao, will not presume to be affectionate. I'll just consider myself blind, and you should never appear in front of me again."
As the daughter of a general, Qian Jiaojiao has always been proud. Although she is spoiled, she is also clear about her likes and dislikes and acts decisively. She would never do anything like crying, making a scene, or threatening suicide to win back a man's heart.
That's why, in the original world, Qian Jiaojiao resolutely divorced Qiao Qingjun after learning of his heartlessness towards her.
"Father, let's go back."
"Jiaojiao, let Daddy kill this brat first." Qian Jiaojiao could swallow her anger, but Qian Zheng couldn't.
"Father, your daughter is so wonderful, and she's the daughter of a general of the Great Sui Dynasty. Why would she worry about getting married? Besides, I, Qian Jiaojiao, don't want a man who has someone else in his heart." In the end, Qian Zheng was pulled away by Qian Jiaojiao.
Before leaving, Meng Xiangbei finally apologized to her.
Actually, Qian Jiaojiao is a good girl.
In this matter, he was indeed in the wrong.
After thinking it over, Meng Xiangbei made some changes to the dream he had woven, promising to give Qian Jiaojiao a suitable husband in the future.
With Qian Jiaojiao's matter finally resolved, Meng Xiangbei breathed a sigh of relief. Given Qian Zheng and Qian Jiaojiao's personalities, they shouldn't be capable of any revenge.
Now, Meng's mother was only the hurdle remains.
Meng's mother arrived even faster than he had imagined.
-
That day, Meng Xiangbei went out, Qiao Qingjun was reading medical books in the house, and An ge'er was playing with building blocks that his father had made for him.
The little boy used small wooden blocks—triangles, squares, rectangles, and circles—to build a miniature figure.
An ge'er really liked the building blocks that Meng Xiangbei made himself, which earned him a hug.
"Daddy, Daddy." An ge'er's voice was soft and sweet, a child's voice, and if he said anything, it would sound like he was being spoiled.
Qiao Qingjun looked away from the book.
An ge'er pointed his little finger at the building blocks on the ground.
Qiao Qingjun got off the bed, squatted down to take a look, and his eyes lit up: "Is this a person?"
Ange'er pointed at him and repeated, "Daddy, daddy..."
Qiao Qingjun thought for a moment, then suddenly realized: "This person is me?"
When An ge'er saw that his father understood what he meant, he immediately smiled.
Qiao Qingjun was also very happy. Holding An Ge'er's soft little body, he said in a light tone, "An Ge'er is so amazing. Daddy is very happy."
After he finished celebrating, he discussed with An ge'er, "An ge'er, shall we build another one, this time for your father?"
Qiao Qingjun had always wanted to foster a relationship between Meng Xiangbei and An Ge'er, but An Ge'er didn't seem very close to his father.
Ange held a small, round building block in his little hand, his little mouth pouting, and his face clearly showed his frustration.
His daddy still thinks about his father all the time.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Qiao Qingjun's eyes lit up: "Is my husband back?"
He tilted his head and looked at An ge'er: "Is it your father who has returned?"
"Let's go open the door for him."
As he spoke, Qiao Qingjun got up, took An Ge'er's hand, and the two of them, one big and one small, happily went to open the door.
So excited that he didn't have time to think much, the knocking seemed much more urgent than usual.
"Husband, welcome..."
As soon as the door opened, a graceful and elegant lady stood before them, followed by a group of nannies and maids.
The lady's face darkened, her gaze fixed on him and An ge'er. Her obvious displeasure, even disgust, made Qiao Qingjun swallow back the words he was about to say.
Qiao Qingjun was frightened, fearing they might hurt An Ge'er, and quickly hugged the little guy.
Mother Meng looked Qiao Qingjun up and down, her gaze lingering on his face for a long time. She sneered and said, "You're the one who seduced my son and made him want to break off our relationship. You really do look like a vixen."
Qiao Qingjun held An Ge'er tightly in his arms, bewildered and not quite understanding what the woman in front of him meant. After a long while, he finally mustered up his courage and choked out a question: "Who are you?"
"He's still a fool." The disgust in Meng's mother's eyes deepened.
Meng's mother led her entourage directly past Qiao Qingjun and his companion, entering the small courtyard.
Her critical gaze fell on the dilapidated courtyard, her face growing increasingly grim: "You certainly have some tricks up your sleeve, managing to coax a dignified young marquis into living with you in such a run-down place."
Mother Meng turned her head, her malicious gaze falling on Qiao Qingjun, and she mocked him mercilessly: "What makes you think you can enter my Marquis's mansion? Is it because of your seductive face, or because of the little ger you gave birth to? You are just a lowly ger. Who gave you such audacity?"
At this moment, Qiao Qingjun finally understood that the lady in front of him should be his husband's mother.
But she was so fierce, it seemed like she also disliked him.
"I've come here today to tell you that I want you to leave my son's side and take this bastard child you gave birth to with you."
"No." As soon as Meng's mother finished speaking, Qiao Qingjun immediately denied it.
“I won’t leave, Aqing won’t leave her husband. An ge’er isn’t a bastard, not at all.” Although he didn’t know what a bastard meant, he knew it wasn’t a good thing.
Qiao Qingjun was very angry, his face turned red with anger, and he clenched his fists to retort.
Author's Note: Recommending my friend's "Revisiting My Dad's Years When He Collapsed" by Meow Girl
T/n: Merry Christmas everyone! Thank you for reading and supporting my shabby translations.. Love you guys.. see you again next year! Happy new year! Take care and don't drink and drive! Muahh!