Doted By The Regent King-Chapter 1373 - 1371: Master Gui’s Background

Wufu escaped from Madam Zhou’s courtyard and immediately took Jadeite Mo Lan out the door.

Although it was not yet noon, Changan City was bustling. Wufu entered the Auspicious Pavilion, and the shopkeeper, who was fiddling with an abacus, looked up upon seeing someone come in. Recognizing Wufu, he quickly stopped his work.

"Shopkeeper, I want to choose a birthday gift for an elder. Do you have anything good?" Wufu asked with a smile, noticing other customers in the shop.

The shopkeeper, who was also Mei Er, replied, "It’s great that you came; we’ve just received a batch of new jade ornaments. Would the lady like to sit in a private room upstairs for a while?" 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Wufu nodded and went straight to a private room on the second floor, sitting by the window. Before long, a staff member served tea with a respectful bow and then withdrew.

Soon after, Mei Er personally came in carrying a large tray covered with red silk cloth.

"I greet the lady. Why have you come yourself?" Mei Er asked as he set down the tray.

"I was bored at home and came to ask you about something." Wufu replied.

Mei Er slightly inclined his body and said, "Please, go ahead."

"What is the situation with Duke Shun’s Mansion?"

Mei Er was taken aback.

"The Master of Riches Gambling House, Master Gui, claims to be a son of Duke Shun’s Mansion. He is already twenty-seven years old. Oh, his name is Han Feng," Wufu added.

Mei Er thought for a moment and said, "The Han Feng you mentioned, at that age, should be the legitimate eldest son of Duke Shun."

Wufu looked at him, signaling him to continue.

"In the third year of Taixing, Duke Shun’s Mansion was once implicated in an imperial examination scandal and was stripped of its title. The princely heir at the time, now Duke Shun, Han Shengnan, was also rejected by his fiancé. Later, he married instead the eldest legitimate daughter of the Jun Family, Jun Xian. Although the Jun Family was not as wealthy as it is now as the richest in Nanyue, they were still merchants with a rich dowry. After marrying into the Han Family, they made sure the Han Mansion never lacked in food and clothing..."

Jun Xian, though the daughter of merchants, was virtuous and gracious, managing household affairs adeptly. With her rich dowry, many in the Han Mansion benefited from her grace. She was also exceedingly beautiful, and her early married life was very affectionate with Han Shengnan, with the only shortcoming being her lack of pregnancy after one year of marriage.

At the end of the fourth year of Taixing, Chief Inspector Xie Changche of the Dali Temple, known as the ’Ironhand Judge,’ overturned the scandal case from the third year, revealing that Duke Shun’s Mansion was wrongfully accused. With the Jun Family’s assistance and considerable silver spent, Duke Shun’s Mansion smoothly restored its title.

A month after regaining the title, Madam Jun was diagnosed with pregnancy, and Duke Shun’s Mansion was delighted, believing the child came auspiciously, holding great expectations for Madam Jun’s pregnancy.

However, at this time, Han Shengnan, after regaining his title, unfortunately reverted to his ways, entangling with the woman from the Liu Family of Marquis Jiaping Mansion, to whom he was previously betrothed, resulting in a secret pregnancy. Madam Jun, upon discovering, was so furious that she almost miscarried but allowed Lady Liu to enter the household.

After being brought into the household, Lady Liu remained well-behaved, staying in the back courtyard without confronting Madam Jun face-to-face. However, her presence was a constant source of pain for Madam Jun, who never forgave Han Shengnan’s betrayal. At eight months pregnant, she gave birth prematurely to Han Feng, her legitimate eldest son.

Yet, the good times did not last long as rumors arose in Duke Shun’s Mansion claiming Han Feng was not Han Shengnan’s son. Believing that Han Feng did not appear premature, Han Shengnan believed these rumors to some extent, and Madam Jun, perhaps out of spite or another reason, never explained.

Following this incident, relations between Madam Jun and Han Shengnan became cold and distant. When Han Feng was five, Madam Jun succumbed to illness caused by long-term resentment and died. Less than a year later, Han Shengnan elevated Lady Liu to the position of main wife, and Han Feng, at the age of ten, left Duke Shun’s Mansion and lived with the Jun Family thereafter.