Climbing on the Sparrow Branch – CH 730

Chapter 730: Contentment

Upon hearing the words “the same as always,” An Zhi did not ask any more questions. She knew what kind of person her father was.

Today’s visit was merely a formality. After exchanging pleasantries with Meng Jie for a while, she and Concubine Zhang headed towards her old courtyard. Seeing An Zhi, Concubine Zhang had much to say. “Since your marriage, the house has been empty. Madam has not let anyone live there, and I have someone clean it every now and then.”

“Thank you for your trouble, Aunt.” An Zhi knew Meng Jie was wary of her, which was why the house had been empty. “But it’s not good for the house to be empty for so long. When my younger sister’s a little older, let her live here. This courtyard’s the best in the An family.”

“No, no.” Concubine Zhang had no such intention.

“Aunt, please do not refuse. Madam has no daughter, and this courtyard cannot be used by men. It’s better for my younger sister. I like it here, and I have an attachment to it, so I’d like to see it lively again.” An Zhi smiled as she ascended the steps. The maids inside had already prepared tea.

Concubine Zhang said gratefully, “Thank you, Zhi’er.”

The two sat down together. The children had all been taken to play, leaving only the personal maids in the room.

Facing Concubine Zhang, An Zhi felt much more relaxed. “I did not feel comfortable asking in front of Madam earlier, but how has the An family been these days?”

“I’m a concubine, so I cannot go out to receive guests. As for life within the household, with your elder brother’s wife there, things are not much different,” Concubine Zhang said slowly. “Madam is different; she’s the principal wife and needs to go out to receive guests. Outsiders fuss over her and say many unpleasant things, so Madam has gradually stopped going out and focuses on raising her children at home.”

Meng Jie did not take Concubine Zhang’s daughter to live with her, but she would still often call the little girl over to talk and let the two children play together.

Concubine Zhang was a concubine and older, so it was unlikely she could conceive again. She only had one daughter and posed no threat to Meng Jie. As time went on, she inevitably needed someone to talk to, so she did not harbor any ill intentions towards Concubine Zhang.

“Where’s Father? Is he still the same?” An Zhi asked.

“Yes,” Concubine Zhang said, her voice lowering slightly. “Master’s getting old, and with all the worry and fear, his health is not what it used to be. He still goes to brothels, but much less often. And when he’s at home, he rarely comes to our rooms; he sleeps mostly alone in his side-lying room.”

Concubine Zhang’s words were somewhat veiled, but she knew perfectly well what An Zhi had done.

She had once drugged her father, and now he probably had the will but lacked the strength to sleep with a girl.

However, she could not tell anyone about this; she’d let everyone think it was just because her father was getting old.

“Is there anything else?”

Concubine Zhang thought for a moment. She often spoke with the Madam and had occasionally heard her mention it. “Nothing major, just that Master’s spending has been a bit high lately. Logically, going to brothels should have cost more, but Madam says Master’s expenses are even higher than before. As for how he spent it, I do not know, and Madam’s not quite sure either; she does not really care about Master anymore.”

“Hmm, I understand.” An Zhi noted this down.

After having lunch at the An Mansion, An Zhi’s family returned home. Yue’er was quite reluctant to leave, as there were no children her age in the Pei family, so she had a lot of fun at the An Mansion.

On the way back, Yue’er was so tired she fell asleep.

An Zhi asked Pei Que to find someone to keep an eye on her father. Her father was indeed cowardly, but he was not exactly peaceful either, and he was always up to no good.