Chapter 546: Lian Xichen (Part 1)
Somehow, Lan Ling has a familiar feeling, though he really can’t figure out what this peculiar sense of familiarity is about. The other party left too quickly, vanishing in the blink of an eye.
He thought about chasing to take a look but decided that handling the business at hand was more important, so he didn’t pursue.
Compared to Duke Jing’s Mansion, Marquis Yingwei Mansion is much quieter. Lan Ling wandered around and observed, confirming one thing: Marquis Yingwei Mansion only has Lian Xichen as the master; there is no lady master.
He also overheard two cooks in the kitchen whispering under their breath, wondering when their Marquis would finally take a wife home, saying that the mansion is so quiet all the time it seems lifeless.
Meanwhile, Lian Xichen sat in his study for more than an hour before going to rest, seeing there was nothing much to inquire about, so he returned.
Xiao Xue, after playing all day and getting too excited, has already fallen asleep exhausted. Han Jing and An Chuxue were cracking melon seeds while waiting for Lan Ling to return.
Since there were only four of them in total, two rooms were opened, Lan Ling in one, Han Jing and An Chuxue with Xiao Xue in the other. The rooms were adjacent.
Upon hearing Lan Ling return, Han Jing and An Chuxue glanced at the sleeping Xiao Xue and went to the neighboring room where Lan Ling was, to see what he had found out.
Lan Ling’s expression was positive, indicating the information he gathered was beneficial to them.
"Firstly, the good news—Brother Xichen has not married, nor does he have children. He has been alone all these years. I’ve already inquired, even at Jingbian in the East Sea, he didn’t marry or have children, not even a concubine." They had been worried that if Lian Xichen had already established a family, the chances of leaving with them would not be high.
Han Jing asked, "And what about the Duke Jing’s Mansion? What’s the relationship with Lian Xichen like?"
During the time when Duke Jing’s Mansion was bustling with many people talking, Lan Ling basically figured out the connections between Lian Xichen and Duke Jing’s Mansion: "It’s like this, Brother Xichen is the seventh son and also the youngest son of the current Duke Jing. However, Brother Xichen’s mother was the original wife of Duke Jing and died during childbirth with Brother Xichen."
"It is said that theoretically, after the original wife died, considering Duke Jing’s social standing, he should have chosen another girl from a reputable family as his new wife. Yet, Duke Jing actually promoted his concubine, who was his childhood sweetheart cousin. Duke Jing’s eldest son is born from this concubine, and besides her daughter who is still alive, the original wife had two sons before Brother Xichen, both of whom died prematurely."
"Brother Xichen’s mother died upon his birth, so Brother Xichen was personally carried into Old Duke Jing’s care, his grandfather, thereby preserving his life. Brother Xichen has been exceptionally talented since childhood, earning Old Duke Jing’s favor. But when Brother Xichen was eight, he was playing outside with the son of the Third Prince when an assassination attempt occurred. Only thanks to Fengxi passing by were they saved. Fengxi saw Brother Xichen’s great talent for cultivation and wanted to recruit him as a disciple. Back then, Old Duke Jing was anxious due to the assassination incident and pitied Brother Xichen, lacking a father’s love. Upon meeting Fengxi and learning the man was a reclusive master without a wife or child, he was moved to put aside his dignity and request, hoping Fengxi could accept Brother Xichen as an adopted son."