Yueyao spoke calmly without turning red or panting, "Visiting the teacher is true, but taking the opportunity to enjoy the scenery isn’t bad either."
Xiang Wei couldn’t help but roll her eyes. She couldn’t stand these scholars, always indirect and never straightforward in whatever they do.
In the evening, Yueyao heard the maid say Ma Peng ca over, she was a bit surprised and rushed out to welco Ma Peng inside.
Ma Peng had a sowhat solemn expression. After seeing Yueyao, he said, "Yueyao, I have sothing to tell you, let’s go to the study!"
Xiang Wei looked suspicious, clearly indicating sothing was up.
Yueyao also realized Ma Peng had sothing important, hesitated for a mont, then led Ma Peng into the study. Due to the rainy weather, it was a bit chilly, so they had lit so coal fire in the study. The fire in the copper basin was blazing, making the room very warm.
When they entered the study, Yueyao asked, "Cousin, what’s wrong?"
Ma Peng wore a heavy expression, glanced at Xiang Wei standing by the study door. It was clear that what he wanted to say was not suitable for anyone else to hear.
This shocked Yueyao, even Xiang Wei couldn’t hear, could it be sothing confidential? Yueyao feared secrets the most: "Cousin, is it sothing urgent?"
Ma Peng looked at Xiang Wei and said, "Cousin, first have everyone step outside the courtyard." Ma Peng knew Xiang Wei’s martial skills were impressive and with soone like that outside, she could easily overhear their conversation.
Yueyao cautiously asked, "Cousin, could it be a secret?" If it was truly royal secrets, she would rather offend Ma Peng than hear them.
Ma Peng was taken aback, then he laughed, "No, I just have so things I want to ask you. Have her leave, I don’t want a third person to know about these matters."
Yueyao instructed Xiang Wei to take everyone outside the courtyard.
Xiang Wei was puzzled, making things so mysterious, not knowing what big deal it was. Xiang Wei was sowhat regretful; she feared she wouldn’t be able to know about it.
Yueyao asked after they left, "Cousin, you can speak now, right?"
Ma Peng let out a long sigh and said, "Yueyao, recently the Seventh Prince has tried to win over, but I rejected him. Now the Ninth Prince also wants to ally with , and I’m a bit hesitant."
Yueyao was completely stunned; how did he start talking about imperial affairs? "Cousin, I don’t understand anything about the court!"
Ma Peng said, "Yueyao, can you tell which prince ascended the throne in the end?" Ma Peng also wanted to remain neutral, but in the turmoil, it’s impossible. Since neutrality is unattainable, he can only choose the most promising one. Ma Peng feels the Ninth Prince has the most hope, but to be safe, he wants to ask Yueyao’s opinion.
Yueyao was completely stiffened by this, not understanding why Ma Peng asked this question? Yueyao took a while to recover, deliberately stamring, "Cous..., cousin, how would I know such major events?"
Ma Peng’s expression was very serious, he said, "Yueyao, eight years ago when I was in Shandong, I was unconscious for three days and nights. Outsiders thought I was comatose, but in fact, I had a dream, a very long dream, as if it lasted a lifeti."
Yueyao opened her mouth slightly, "What kind of dream?" This dream certainly had sothing peculiar.
Ma Peng smiled bitterly, "In the dream, I did not pass the Juren exams and remained a scholar all my life, therefore I did not marry Ruo Lan. Accused falsely by Lady Cheng of having illicit relations with Cheng Lizi, father believed it and made marry Cheng Lizi. In the dream, father particularly doted on Ma Yue and especially trusted Lady Cheng, while I seed invisible in the Ma Family. After marrying, Cheng Lizi exposed her selfish, greedy, and vicious nature, colluding with Lady Cheng to remove those around . Unfortunately, before Cheng made a move on , father died from Ma Yue’s huge gambling debts from the money shop, leaving the family’s mansion in ruins..."
Yueyao stared blankly at Ma Peng; wasn’t this Ma Peng’s past life’s experience? How could he dream of it? It was too incredible.
Ma Peng continued, "After father died, Ma Yue grew increasingly addicted to gambling without restraint. Consequently, the bets grew larger, and the family’s assets diminished. Later, Lady Cheng helped Ma Yue repay gambling debts by trying to claim your dowry left by aunt. I saw the situation was off and wanted to call the family clan to divide the properties. However, Cheng caught wind of this, setting a trap that ended up with sleeping with Ma Yue’s concubine. Cheng threatened that if I wanted to split the family, she would let the world know I had an affair with Ma Yue’s concubine." Hatefully, at that ti, he was too cowardly, intimidated by Lady Cheng, he dared not insist on division, swallowing his anger to clean up Ma Yue’s ss.
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