"Greetings to Father and Mother," Lan Miao said, bowing slightly.
"Get up. There's no need to be so formal," Lan Cengui said with a smile.
On the other side, Wen Hongxin's expression darkened for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure and said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, please sit down quickly. Although your previous injuries have fully healed, you should still avoid overexertion."
With this sentence, he brought the topic back to the incident where Lan Miao was nearly killed.
Normally, as an elder, Lan Cengui should have been received by the old madam on behalf of the Marquis Mansion. However, the old madam was ill, and Wen Hongxin, the current marquis, was present. Instead of showing courtesy to each other, there seemed to be a subtle competition between them.
Lan Miao sat down as instructed, but she chose to sit on Wen Hongxin's side.
"I wonder if Father and Mother have come for any important matter?" Lan Miao asked softly.
Lan Cengui frowned and sized up Lan Miao's attire. He seemed dissatisfied and said, "It's been five years since Wen Lingzhou passed away. You should dress more brightly. There's no need to be so plain. People who don't know might think the Marquis Mansion is treating you harshly."
As he spoke, he glanced at Wen Hongxin and squinted his eyes. "What do you think, Marquis?"
Wen Hongxin couldn't help but feel suspicious.
For the past five years since Lan Miao became a widow, Lan Cengui had shown no concern for her. Why was he suddenly so caring today?
Wen Hongxin was a shrewd and tactful person.
He immediately said with a smile, "I'm sure it's because Sister-in-law values her feelings for Brother that she always dresses simply to observe her widowhood. It's also thanks to the strict upbringing of the Lan family that they've raised such a wonderful daughter. Our Wen family is truly fortunate."
This was a well-rounded response that also countered the implied accusation in Lan Cengui's words.
Lan Cengui remained calm and stared directly at Wen Hongxin without saying a word.
Mrs. Qin laughed at the right moment to break the awkward silence. "Husband, you should get to the point quickly. We don't want to waste the Marquis's time."
"Yes," Lan Cengui echoed with a couple of laughs. "We've come today to take Miao'er back to the Lan Mansion. We'd like the Marquis to issue a divorce agreement so that from now on, Miao'er will have nothing to do with the Marquis Mansion."
?!
Lan Miao was stunned.
Not only Lan Miao, but Wen Hongxin was also shocked.
He quickly regained his composure and said firmly, "Sister-in-law is my brother's widow and has raised Xue'er. How can I simply issue a divorce agreement and let her return to the Lan Mansion?"
Since Lan Cengui dared to make such a request, he had already prepared a response. He snorted coldly.
"I won't mention how Miao'er has been living in the Marquis Mansion for the past five years. But just think about the incident where she was nearly killed recently. As a father, I was heartbroken when I heard about it. She's been a widow for five years, and there's no law in our dynasty that prohibits a widow from returning to her natal family. Both emotionally and legally, Miao'er has the right to leave."
Wen Hongxin's face turned pale.
Lan Cengui's words were reasonable, but why did he come now instead of before? There must be something fishy going on.
Lan Miao was equally shocked.
For five years, Lan Cengui had shown no concern for her. Why was he suddenly so considerate?
He didn't even give her any notice before coming. Could it be that he wanted to marry her off again?
But that seemed unlikely.
If Lan Cengui really had that intention, why didn't he come to pick her up earlier? Why now? Was there any special significance to this time?
Lan Miao was completely puzzled.
After the initial shock, Wen Hongxin reacted and asked coldly, "Isn't this a bit too forceful, Lord Lan? Don't you care about Sister-in-law's reputation? If Sister-in-law really returns to the Lan Mansion, how will she and Xue'er be able to face the world in the future?"
"That's none of the Marquis's concern," Lan Cengui said confidently.
As Lan Miao listened to their conversation, her doubts grew. She felt that returning to the Lan Mansion might not be a good thing.
"Father, I'm doing fine in the Marquis Mansion..." Lan Miao said calmly, trying to test the waters.
But before she could finish, Lan Cengui interrupted her. "Don't force yourself. I was completely in the dark about the incident where you were nearly killed. It was only a few days ago when I went to the palace to pay my respects to the Emperor that he mentioned it. You should really thank the Emperor and the Empress Dowager."
There was a hint of pride in his tone.
Wen Hongxin was stunned again. He felt a bit embarrassed. He shifted his gaze to Lan Miao. Why would the Empress Dowager interfere in Lan Miao's family affairs even if she liked her? Something wasn't right. Did Lan Cengui's words have a deeper meaning?
The Emperor?
The last time Lan Miao was in trouble, it was also the Emperor who sent guards to look for her.
He had thought it was because the princess had pleaded with the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager had then asked the Emperor.
But now that he thought about it carefully, why would the Emperor specifically mention the incident where Lan Miao was nearly killed? Was the person backing Lan Miao the Empress Dowager or the Emperor?
He looked at Lan Miao's graceful and beautiful figure. She was more beautiful than ever. He seemed to understand something.
Lan Miao was confused for a moment.
Then she suddenly realized that Emperor Jingxiang was using a roundabout way, but his approach was still as forceful as ever. It was he who had approached Lan Cengui, which was why Lan Cengui had come to ask the Marquis Mansion to issue a divorce agreement.
Whether to take her back or not was not the point. The important thing was the divorce agreement.
Once the divorce agreement was issued, everything would be legitimate.
"This..." Wen Hongxin was too shocked. It seemed that many details were starting to fit together. He was silent for a while and then said, "I need to inform my mother about this before I can give Lord Lan a definite answer."
"Marquis, please don't drag this out for too long. The Emperor and the Empress Dowager are also paying attention to this matter," Lan Cengui said confidently, stroking his beard.
At this moment, even Mrs. Qin looked confused.
Wen Hongxin was silent. Lan Cengui had no reason to lie to him in the name of the Emperor. This also explained why Lan Cengui had shown no concern for Lan Miao for five years but had suddenly come to take her away.
It seemed that Lan Miao really couldn't be kept.
He would have to think of a good explanation for Yuan Ning and the old madam.
After a moment of thought, Wen Hongxin quickly came up with a response.
"I will write the divorce agreement on behalf of my brother, but Sister-in-law's return to the Lan Mansion should not be rushed. We don't want to attract rumors. Sister-in-law also needs to pack her things and settle her affairs with the Marquis Mansion. How about we choose an auspicious day for Sister-in-law to return? I will present the divorce agreement at that time."
"As for Xue'er, she is my brother's only descendant and is recorded in the Marquis Mansion's genealogy. In the future, she can live with Sister-in-law in the Lan Mansion, but she will always be a member of our Wen family. The Marquis Mansion will always have a place for her."
His words were reasonable.
In just a short moment, Wen Hongxin had sorted out his thoughts, agreed to issue the divorce agreement, and didn't ask too many questions. He was indeed a meticulous and resourceful person.
Lan Cengui smiled. He had no intention of taking Lan Miao away today. As long as Wen Hongxin was willing to write the divorce agreement, that was enough.
He nodded and sighed inwardly.
The Emperor had specifically instructed him not to reveal this matter before it was accomplished. Otherwise, he wouldn't have had to waste so much time talking in circles with Wen Hongxin. But by dropping a few hints, Wen Hongxin, a smart man, had indeed understood the deeper meaning.
As for what should and shouldn't be said, Wen Hongxin should have his own judgment.
"We've said what we needed to say today. We won't stay any longer," Lan Cengui said, bowing his hands.
He then looked at Lan Miao. "Miao'er, stay in the Marquis Mansion for a while longer. When everything is settled, I will welcome you back to the Lan Mansion in style."
Lan Miao nodded in agreement.
She felt a bit dazed.
The group chatted for a while longer.
Lan Cengui gave Lan Miao a few more instructions and then left with Mrs. Qin. They didn't even stay for a meal.
Lan Miao was still a bit in a daze.
Could she really divorce the Marquis Mansion?
Wen Hongxin seemed to have understood the meaning behind Lan Cengui's words. He escorted Lan Miao back to Pinglan Courtyard. Looking at the group of servant women guarding the courtyard gate, he thought his mother's actions were really embarrassing.