Chapter 17: Fanning the Flames

After quietly listening to Lin Qinshuang’s performance of singing, reciting, and acting, Zhao Han’s face held a faint, elusive smile.

“In that case, the young mistress, as housekeeper, must have had a very hard time. However, since your father-in-law entrusted you with the management, he must trust your capability. As for those unruly and neglectful servants who mistreated you and your son, it’s only right to find an excuse to dismiss them.”

Lin Qinshuang twisted the handkerchief in her hands and lowered her gaze. “Young master is right.”

“The hour is late; please stay a little longer, young mistress.”

After seeing Zhao Han and the physician off, Lin Qinshuang’s expression suddenly changed.

“That Sixth Miss, she actually sneaked out under my nose to seek reinforcements!”

Zhou Xueniang whispered, “I just sent someone to inquire. A servant boy in the front courtyard said he saw Sixth Miss crawl out through the dog hole, no wonder we couldn’t find her.”

“I really underestimated that mother and daughter.”

“Enough. The future will tell. Giving birth is one thing, but raising a talent is what truly counts.”

Lin Qinshuang pinched the bridge of her nose and instructed a maid to bring a bowl of cooling pear soup from the kitchen.

In Wei Xiaoniang’s courtyard, the seventh young master was taken by the wet nurse to be fed. Minglan held Wei Xiaoniang’s hand tightly, still somewhat shaken.

“Is there such a coincidence in the world? If you hadn’t run out to ask the eldest young master today, young mistress and the young master would have...” Little Die hesitated, then cast a resentful glance at Zhu Lou, who was outside doing chores.

Having just narrowly escaped death, Wei Xiaoniang knew all too well that this was Lin Qinshuang’s scheme.

She turned her head to look at Minglan, a pang of sorrow welling in her heart.

In this deep mansion, the mother’s duty to protect her young must instead be taken up by the fledgling phoenix spreading her wings.

“Young mistress, what’s wrong?” Minglan saw tears in Wei Xiaoniang’s eyes and quickly asked.

“I’m fine. Minglan, are you tired today?”

Minglan shook her head, her youthful face showing a determination beyond her years. “I’m not tired. I only want young mistress and my brother to be safe.”

Wei Xiaoniang’s heart ached with love as she raised her hand to stroke Minglan’s cheek.

“Young mistress, about today’s matter, once the master and madam return, I will definitely speak up for you both!” Little Die’s beautiful eyes burned with righteous anger.

“No, if the master does not inquire, we should say nothing.”

Little Die looked at Wei Xiaoniang in confusion. “Even now, young mistress, you still want to endure in silence?”

Wei Xiaoniang shook her head. “If we speak up, even if the master is angry, it will only result in Lin Xiaoniang being confined for a few months—barely a scratch. What use is that?”

“But to endure like this, I just can’t accept it. Lin Xiaoniang wants to kill you!”

“And we have the young master now...”

Wei Xiaoniang patted Little Die’s hand. “I have my own plan.”

Then she fixed her gaze on Minglan. “Minglan, when the old madam returns, will you go to her side?”

Minglan suddenly looked up, her almond-shaped eyes full of surprise. “Why do you bring this up again, young mistress? Father only wishes for Fourth Sister to go. I don’t want to compete with her or leave you.”

Wei Xiaoniang felt a complex emotion she could hardly express. After thinking for a moment, she said, “Parents’ love for their children leads them to plan far ahead. Eldest and Fifth Miss are legitimate daughters; during marriage arrangements, madam will not wrong them.”

“Fourth Miss is deeply favored by your father, but you must go to the old madam’s side. That way you will have support in the future.”

“As for your brother, he is the son of the Sheng family. No matter his studies, future, or marriage, your father will never neglect him.”

Wei Xiaoniang knew that if Minglan stayed with her, after reaching marriageable age, Sheng Hong would likely not care about her marriage prospects.

And since the old madam is the only daughter of the brave and resolute marquis, being raised by her will grant Minglan many more choices when it comes to marriage.

“Miss, please listen to young mistress. She also doesn’t want to let you go.” Little Die persuaded gently.

Minglan lowered her head, thought for a while, and finally nodded.

—

Upon hearing that Wei Xiaoniang had given birth to a son, Sheng Hong was naturally overjoyed.

For a family to prosper, the key is to have many descendants. Now with another son added, the foundation of the Sheng family was further solidified.

After only four or five days in Runzhou, Sheng Hong hurried back with his wife and daughter, while the old madam returned a day earlier.

Though Sheng Hong was concerned about his newborn seventh son, he still followed propriety. Upon arriving home, he brought Wang Ruofu to pay respects to the old madam.

In the side room, the old madam’s face was very displeased. She slowly sipped a cup of hot tea.

Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu exchanged puzzled glances. With a new addition to the family, the old madam should have been happy.

“Mother, did something unfortunate happen during the pilgrimage to the mountain?” Sheng Hong asked cautiously.

The old madam set down her tea cup slowly, her gaze sweeping over them coldly. “The pilgrimage went smoothly, but after returning home, I heard some slanderous gossip that brought shame to the Sheng family.”

“What? What on earth happened?”

Wang Ruofu craned her neck, barely able to hide her expression.

Sheng Hong’s heart tightened as he began to review his recent actions for any mistakes.

He wondered if he had said something inappropriate during a recent drinking session with colleagues, or if there had been a mistake in official duties.

After much thought, he was at a loss. “Your son is dull; please enlighten me, mother.”

The old madam took a deep breath. “Upon my return, I heard that Wei Xiaoniang suffered a difficult labor due to a large fetus. The midwife was drunk, one servant was home caring for a sick child, and another escaped right under everyone’s noses.”

“She even let Sixth Miss go out alone to ask the eldest young master to send a doctor.”

Wang Ruofu was stunned, unable to believe it. “Could such a blunder happen in our family?”

The old madam paused, then continued, “The eldest young master, after being summoned, found all the doors tightly shut. In broad daylight, in front of the neighbors, he kicked open the west corner gate himself, allowing the doctor in and saving Wei Xiaoniang and the seventh young master.”

“This matter will surely spread throughout Yangzhou!”

Sheng Hong stared dumbfounded at the old madam. With his family about to move to the capital for official duty, if anyone with ill intent heard this and accused him of poor household management, it would be a serious problem.

Of course, this scandal could not have spread so vividly without Zhao Han stirring the waters behind the scenes.

“Mother, surely this was not Qinshuang’s doing?” Sheng Hong’s heart ached as if pricked by needles.

“Whether it was or wasn’t, you know the truth in your heart. This is beyond my control!” The old madam said, then immediately ordered the housekeeper to escort the couple out.

During their trip to Runzhou, the Wang family matriarch had taught Wang Ruofu many ways to handle concubines.

Today, she restrained her temper unusually well and said coldly, “I have never seen such a disgrace under my management. If my husband thinks it’s mere coincidence, that is too far-fetched.”

“I believe our family’s standing in the eldest young master’s eyes has truly plummeted!”

Sheng Hong gritted his teeth. Without even going to see the seventh young master, he stormed off to Lin Qinshuang’s courtyard in a rage.