Adoption? When Wei Shichu heard what Old Master Zhao said, his eyes suddenly lit up.
Is there any other way to let them leave the Zhao Mansion, this den of wolves, more legitimately than adopting them? No!
Zhao Yiran was obviously stunned by what Old Master Zhao said, and asked in surprise, "Adopted?"
"Yes! That's adoption! You already have four or five sons, why can't you compensate me with one? You just want to shut me up with money, and you don't really want to compensate me. If you really want to compensate, then adopt your son to my grandson..." Old Master Zhao shouted with full energy.
When the people around heard what he said, they couldn't help but fall into deep thought. Yes, the old man was most angry at Zhao Yiran because he lost his life because his grandson had no children. So now, isn't it the most appropriate way for Zhao Yiran to adopt a son for him
So Zhao Yiran's brothers all began to persuade Zhao Yiran: "Second brother, it is understandable that the fifth master wants to adopt you as his son. Besides, don't you have five sons? It won't be a big deal to adopt one away."
"Yes, second brother, the fifth grandfather's grandson lost his life saving you, so shouldn't you compensate him with a son?" Zhao Yiran's third brother also persuaded.
"Yes, yes, but we just need to think carefully about which son to adopt. It would be best if he is healthy and can grow up. Otherwise, the Fifth Master will not be able to bear to see another child die before him..." the third sister-in-law shouted.
"Third sister-in-law! What nonsense are you talking about?" Zhao Yiran's eldest sister-in-law Lin glared at the third sister-in-law, "If you don't know how to talk, just shut up!"
Zhao Yiran's wife, Chen, had an extremely grim look on her face. After hearing what her third brother's wife said, she was afraid that her husband would really consider adopting a healthy son who was destined to grow up. After all, only her two legitimate sons were over seven years old and in good health, while the other illegitimate sons were either weak or too young, and were not suitable.
Therefore, Chen suppressed her panic, glared at her third brother's wife fiercely, and turned to Zhao Yiran and said, "Master, I don't agree to the adoption!"
This remark immediately hit the nail on the head for Old Master Zhao. He said to Chen with resentment, "Why are you, a woman, butting in? Do you have the right to speak here? I think you wish Zhao Yiran would die soon, and you blame my grandson for saving him, right?!"
“… I didn’t…” Chen retorted guiltily.
Finally, the former Prime Minister, Zhao Yiran's father, who was firmly seated in the central hall, spoke up and asked Zhao Yiran, "What do you think? Are you willing to give your son to Zhao Lan?"
Zhao Yiran looked stern. He glanced at Old Master Zhao who was staring at him, and said, "I can't make a decision now. I need to think about it carefully."
"Okay, let's consider which son is more suitable to be adopted." The former Prime Minister nodded and said. As soon as he said this, it meant that he agreed to let Zhao Yiran adopt a son to Old Master Zhao's grandson. However, he would not interfere with which one to adopt and let Zhao Yiran decide for himself.
Zhao Yiran was obviously prepared for this, so he said to Old Master Zhao: "Fifth Master, adoption is not a simple matter. I will think about it carefully and tell you when I have made a decision."
Old Master Zhao got the result he wanted, so he snorted and said, "It's better to do this. Don't drag it out and then nothing happens. If you still want to perfunctorily deal with me, I will hang myself at your doorstep!"
“… I’m not just trying to please you…” Zhao Yiran saw Old Master Zhao off with great difficulty.
After everyone left, Chen immediately grabbed Zhao Yiran and demanded that he promise not to adopt out her two legitimate sons. Zhao Yiran was already annoyed by Old Master Zhao's crying and making a fuss, and now he was harassed by Chen. He immediately became even more disgusted and irritated, so he started quarreling with Chen.
The news that Old Master Zhao wanted Zhao Yiran to adopt a son as his grandson was not kept secret, so the matter quickly spread throughout the Zhao Mansion, especially Zhao Yiran's wives and concubines in the back house, who paid special attention to this matter. After all, Old Master Zhao specifically wanted Zhao Yiran's son!
So, Zhao Yiran's wives and concubines who already had sons were afraid that their sons would be adopted out, and they all went to Zhao Yiran crying and begging for mercy, fearing that their sons would become the unlucky one. After all, Zhao Yiran was an important official in the court who was highly valued by the emperor. His sons, whether they were legitimate or illegitimate, would have a good future. But if they were adopted by Old Master Zhao's family, it would be like falling from heaven to hell. Who could be willing to accept that
Wei Shichu was willing. She wished her son was adopted out and stayed in Zhao Yiran's backyard, because that would be a dead end. On the contrary, being adopted into Old Master Zhao's house would allow him to escape from the fire pit and leave the Zhao family with a legitimate reason. Although Old Master Zhao's side branch family was certainly not as wealthy and prosperous as the Zhao Mansion, it was quiet and safe.
As for the protection of his father, Wei Shichu didn't care at all, because in the original world, wasn't Zhao Lue always the son of Zhao Yiran? But he didn't get any protection or help from Zhao Yiran, but suffered a lot because of his many wives and concubines. It was worse than having no protection from his father.
"Aunt, why don't you go and plead with the master not to adopt the third young master to the fifth master?" Zhichun asked Wei Shichu hesitantly. She had gone out to gossip with her sisters that day and had known for a long time that Old Master Zhao wanted to adopt Zhao Yiran's son. In the past few days, she had seen that Zhao Yiran's other concubines tried every means to prevent their sons from becoming the unlucky ones to be adopted, but Aunt Wei on her side did not take any action. She could not help but worry about her.
"No, I won't ask. It's useless even if I ask. Who will be adopted and who won't be adopted is not something that can be changed by my begging." Wei Shichu said very bluntly.
“But Auntie, aren’t you afraid that the Third Young Master will be adopted out? What will you do in the future? How miserable will this woman in the backyard be when she gets old without a son…” Zhichun said anxiously, with an expression that the emperor was not anxious while the eunuchs were. But she couldn’t be blamed for this. After all, if Zhao Lue was adopted out, then she, Auntie Wei’s maid, would also be doomed to a miserable future. This is a case of rise and fall together. How could she not be anxious when it comes to her own vital interests
"I'm not feeling well now either." Wei Shichu said calmly, but seeing her look like she wanted to cry but couldn't, he thought of how she was not very respectful to the original owner in the original world, but she was dedicated and could be considered a loyal servant, so he comforted her, "Don't worry, even if the third young master is adopted out, I will make arrangements for you and won't let you have a tragic end."
"Thank you very much, aunt." Zhichun replied with a wry smile. She didn't quite believe what Wei Shichu said. After all, she had previously shown herself to be a softie who allowed herself to be bullied. Zhichun didn't think she had the ability to do that.