Chapter 621: Chapter 623: Lady Yao

"Whether he’s impressed with the Hanlin Academy or not, we don’t know," He Nan said, walking out with his hands behind his back. "But we have to admit the man is capable."

Ning Yuchen said, "...Mr. He, after all these years, you’re still defending him. I wonder if Mr. Gu appreciates your loyalty?"

He Nan replied, "Lord Ning, you worry too much. My friendship with Mr. Gu is far more solid than you imagine.

I hear Lord Ning has been looking for a courtyard home these days. I wonder how that’s going?"

Ning Yuchen looked baffled. "Where did you hear such a rumor? We’re living perfectly fine right now. Why would we be looking for another house?"

He Nan said, "No...? Then perhaps I was mistaken."

Leaving them with that baffling remark, He Nan boarded his carriage and vanished before their eyes in a flash.

"Lord Ning, are you preparing to buy a house?" Cao Shijiang asked, cupping his hands in congratulations. "If so, allow me to congratulate you in advance."

Ning Yuchen was speechless. ’What the hell? Why are they all speaking in riddles?’

He knew his family’s financial situation all too well. For years, his salary and other miscellaneous income were only enough to maintain their household’s daily life.

Even if they had a surplus, it wouldn’t be nearly enough to buy a small courtyard home.

"Where are these rumors coming from?" Even so, he couldn’t bring himself to admit that his family couldn’t afford a house.

"Didn’t Mr. He just say so?" Cao Shijiang suddenly felt that Ning Yuchen wasn’t all that bright. ’How could he have forgotten something that just happened?’

"That was probably a misunderstanding. The elder in my family is still waiting, so Mr. Cao, I’ll see you later." Ning Yuchen was still full of doubt and had no heart for pleasantries.

"See you later." Just then, Cao Shijiang also spotted his own carriage up ahead.

Without giving Ning Yuchen another chance to speak, he hopped into the carriage and immediately told the driver to head home.

But this time, he had clearly guessed wrong. Ning Yuchen had no intention of catching a ride today; instead, he headed off in the opposite direction.

After a series of twists and turns, Ning Yuchen followed a small path next to a teahouse until he reached a small gate.

Someone inside quickly opened the gate, and he slipped into the courtyard.

"Why have you come at this hour?" a gentle voice asked from inside.

"It’s been a few days. I came to see how you’re doing. Are you short of anything? I can have someone buy what you need."

"Sir, you’ve already done so much by setting me up here. I’m incredibly grateful. How could I dare ask for anything else?"

"Lady Yao, don’t say that. I promised I would take care of you.

You came from so far away to seek refuge with me. I already feel terrible that I can’t let you stay in my home.

This tiny room is all I can afford at the moment. I’m sorry you have to endure this."

Lady Yao looked at the one-room space before her. Even the kitchen was crammed into a corner, making it feel exceptionally crowded.

"Brother Ning, please don’t say that. I’m the one who came uninvited and caused you trouble.

Perhaps I should just go back to my village. At home, I at least have a small vegetable patch. I can struggle through and survive."

Ning Yuchen looked at her eyes, which feigned strength, and felt a tightness in his chest.

If his family hadn’t been short on silver taels back then, he wouldn’t have ended up marrying Fang Yuan, the illegitimate daughter of a landlord.

He was originally engaged to Lady Yao, but to help him succeed, she took the initiative to break off the engagement, allowing him to rise to prominence.

Now that Lady Yao had fallen on hard times, it would be inexcusable if he didn’t help her.

"But you keep coming here. What if your wife misunderstands?" Lady Yao said as she tried to push him out, revealing her red, frostbitten hands to Ning Yuchen.

"What happened to your hands?" Ning Yuchen’s expression changed. Disregarding the impropriety between men and women, he grabbed her hand.

"It’s nothing," Lady Yao said, pulling her hand free with effort. "I just took on some laundry work. At least it’s a little extra income."

"But I’m short on silver," Ning Yuchen said, a wave of guilt washing over him. "How about I go back and mention it to my mother? I could ask her to recognize you as her god-daughter. Then you could live with us and we could all look after each other."

To be honest, he had managed to save a little personal money over the years, but after renting this courtyard and furnishing it, his purse was already empty.

He saw Lady Yao’s predicament and felt guilty, but he couldn’t bring himself to offer her more silver.

Lady Yao said, "I’m just afraid Aunt Ning wouldn’t be willing. You know she’s never liked me."

"Brother Ning, I know that with my current status, I have no right to appear before you. Perhaps I should just go back to my village."

Ning Yuchen said, "How could you do that? If you go back, you’ll be all alone. Wouldn’t you just get bullied by others?

Don’t worry. Even if my mother and my wife are unwilling to take you in, I will find a good place for you.

We were fated to meet but not to be together in the past. From now on, you will be like my own sister, and I will make proper arrangements for you."

Lady Yao was so moved her eyes filled with tears. "It was I who wasn’t blessed with good fortune. But Brother Ning, don’t force things. You can’t let my affairs hinder you."

She had a few guesses in her heart, but she really couldn’t bring herself to ask about them right now. All she could do was try to curry favor again.

Ning Yuchen lowered his voice and said, "Don’t take on any more work for a while. Just rest and recover. I will arrange everything else."

"But I’m a widow. Even if I recover, what then?"

"Lady Yao, you are a good woman in my eyes. I will make plans for you.

Although it might be demeaning to be a concubine, you would be free from worries about food and clothing. It’s much better than living in this drafty house.

I know I’ve been useless and haven’t been able to arrange a better life for you. But rest assured, I remember the kindness you showed me all those years ago."

Lady Yao was silent. ’...If you remember my kindness, then just say it plainly. You have to at least let me know *where* I’d be a concubine.’

"Brother Ning, I know you would never harm me."

Ning Yuchen glanced at the sky. "You should get some rest then. I won’t disturb you any longer. If I’m late for dinner, my family will start to worry again."

Lady Yao didn’t try to keep him and even helped open the door behind him. "Don’t worry, I’ll take care of myself. It’s getting dark. Be careful on your way back, and watch your step."

Ning Yuchen had been delayed for quite some time today and didn’t dare to linger. By the time he hurried home, the sky had already grown dark.

"Why are you so late today?" Madam Ning couldn’t see, but she heard the sound of the door opening and knew her son was back.

"I was delayed by something on the way back. I missed my colleague’s carriage, so it took me a little longer to walk home." Ning Yuchen walked over and took her by the hand.

"The weather is getting colder now. You all can eat first in the future; you don’t have to wait for me."

Madam Ning replied, "How could we do that? You are the head of this family. Besides, we’re home all day with nothing to do. Eating a little later won’t make us hungry."

As she spoke, she shouted toward the kitchen,

"Mrs. Fang, have someone serve the meal at once.

You’re home all day doing nothing, yet you still manage to be aimlessly busy."

Fang Yuan told the servant woman to do as she was told, then said to the two children beside her, "Go out and greet your father."

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