"Master, please go quickly. I will also bring Li Shu to see what has happened," Xiao Fu Shi urged.
In truth, even without Xiao Fu Shi's prompting, Liu Chengxu would have gone, but he was momentarily stunned by the shock and unable to react. After Xiao Fu Shi's words, Liu Chengxu hurried out without even giving her further instructions.
Li Shu wondered whether her mother's miscarriage in her previous life was truly an accident or the result of a deliberate plot.
After being reborn, she realized that Liu Shuzhao's untimely death and Xiao Fu Shi's pregnancy had occurred on the very same day. What a coincidence—no wonder she couldn't help but suspect foul play.
In the inner household, the most effective way to undermine someone was through their children. A woman could not take the Imperial Examination, nor could she travel the world to enjoy its landscapes. They were confined to the inner quarters, relying on their husband's favor in their youth. But as they aged and their beauty faded, if their husband's affections shifted elsewhere and they had no children, they could not even protect their own dowry, let alone maintain their status in the household. They would find their subordinates uncooperative, with no one to stand up for them when they were wronged. That was why Li Shu suspected whether her mother's miscarriage in her previous life was truly caused by a fall.
From that point on, Xiao Fu Shi's health had deteriorated significantly, and she was often bedridden. Li Shu had also begun her studies, leaving little time for the mother and daughter to see each other.
"Mother, are we also going to the main wife's quarters?" Li Shu asked.
Xiao Fu Shi nodded. "Yes, with such a significant matter, how could I not go and see?"
Both Dan Qing and Dan Hong advised, "Madam, you are with child. What if you are jostled or harmed?"
Xiao Fu Shi smiled bitterly. "If I don't go, others will say I am putting on airs. Even the master might think that, now that I am pregnant, I no longer respect my elder sister."
This was indeed true. Li Shu quickly added, "I will accompany you, Mother. I will protect you."
Holding her daughter's warm little hand, Xiao Fu Shi felt a surge of strength.
For now, she would not worry about losing favor. Even if Liu Chengxu spent more time with Fu Shi, it didn't matter. As long as he handled official matters and needed her assistance, she would still have her place.
Soon, the maids helped Xiao Fu Shi to her feet, and Li Shu followed her to the main wife's quarters.
As they approached the entrance, the sound of weeping could already be heard. Xiao Fu Shi quickened her pace and entered the main hall, where she saw Fu Shi clinging to Liu Shuzhao's body, refusing to let go. Liu Chengxu was softly trying to console her, but Fu Shi paid him no heed.
"Brother Xu, I beg you, find someone to save him. Just the other day, the physician said he was recovering," Fu Shi cried, nearly hysterical.
Seeing the chaotic scene, Xiao Fu Shi signaled to Dan Qing with her eyes. Dan Qing led Li Shu to the side hall, where the young masters and misses of the Liu Family were gathered.
Li Shu rarely interacted with her siblings on ordinary days, so her arrival now drew little attention. She took a seat in the corner, quietly observing everyone.
The Liu Family consisted of two branches. The eldest uncle of the main branch had only one daughter, who was a year younger than Li Shu. Precisely because the main branch lacked heirs, when the second branch took wives and concubines, aside from Xiao Fu Shi, almost all were chosen for their plump and fair appearance—traditionally believed to be conducive to bearing sons. As a result, the second branch had many children. Liu Chengxu, not yet forty, already had three sons and four daughters.
Aside from the deceased Liu Shuzhao, there were two other boys present, both sons of Concubine Su. Li Shu had left the Liu Family at fifteen and had limited contact with them.
She was much more familiar with her sisters. The one sitting in the armchair with tears streaming down her face was the daughter of Fu Shi, the Liu Family's legitimate eldest daughter, Liu Li Jia. She took after her mother Fu Shi, with the same full-moon face and almond-shaped eyes, graceful in demeanor and upright in character. The one comforting her was Second Miss Liu Li Wan, who was tall and slender. Although she was over a year younger than the eldest miss, she was about the same height as Liu Li Jia. Unlike Concubine Su, she was clever and tactful, worldly-wise and sophisticated, someone who got along extremely well with everyone.
As for Fourth Sister Li Rou, sitting beside Li Shu, she was still small in stature at this time, and it was hard to tell much about her except that she was very well-behaved, sitting quietly without even drinking tea.
She had heard from the servants that Concubine Ding seemed to have never been favored, and she and her daughter were not living well now. Strangely, that year when her own mother passed away, her father had intended for her to be raised under Old Madam's care, likely out of pity for her mother's death, but in the end, the one Old Madam raised was Li Rou.
"Third Miss, please have some tea!" Dan Qing offered tea.
Li Shu took a sip from her hand. Before she could swallow the tea, she heard commotion from next door. It seemed Fu Shi wished to keep the coffin at home for forty-nine days before burying it in the ancestral tomb…
Fu Shi even hoped to use ice to preserve her son's body, but Liu Chengxu could not allow this, because Liu Shuzhao was not yet ten years old, had not reached adulthood, and had no official rank—he could only be considered a child who died young. The usual practice was to cremate or bury at sea and then inter the ashes in the ancestral tomb.
Fu Shi, of course, refused, and Liu Chengxu had no choice but to restrain her.
Li Shu was a bit worried about her mother. She said to Dan Qing, "Is my mother alright?"
Dan Qing was also deeply concerned.
But soon, they heard that Fu Shi had fainted. Li Shu followed the others to the main hall, where Liu Chengxu was saying to Concubine Ding, "Now that the First Madam has fainted, and the Second Madam is with child, I must trouble you to oversee the household affairs."
Concubine Ding quickly declined, "How could I, a mere concubine, be worthy of such responsibility?"
With both madams indisposed, household duties were not given to Concubine Su, who had contributed by bearing children, but to Concubine Ding, purely because Liu Chengxu believed Concubine Ding had good conduct and was literate.
Li Shu couldn't help but recall that her own bout with chickenpox and her mother's miscarriage had occurred almost within these few months, but she couldn't remember who managed the household at this time in her previous life.
Could it have been Concubine Ding? That made no sense. She had only one daughter and was of concubine status. Even if Xiao Fu Shi had encountered trouble, she would still only be a concubine. Even when Li Shu married, she was merely managing the household, and Fu Shi was still alive at that time.
The master of the house spoke with great authority. Liu Chengxu said, "You are also the daughter of an official family. I heard from Mother that you managed the family estates for Madam Ding while still in the boudoir, and your mother was a clan matriarch. That settles it."
Concubine Ding reluctantly accepted, speaking very appropriately, "First, we should call a physician to examine the First Madam and prescribe some calming medicine. Then, we must arrange for a small coffin, and the Master should arrange for someone to escort the Eldest Young Master back to the Liu Family ancestral tomb for burial. As for the Second Madam, she is over two months pregnant and should focus on protecting the fetus. It is not suitable for her to move around; she needs rest and quiet. When the coffin is sent back to the hometown, Old Madam will be heartbroken to hear of the Eldest Young Master's passing. If she learns the Second Madam is with child, it may bring her some comfort."
"You speak wisely," Liu Chengxu nodded.
Fu Shi's son, Liu Shuzhao, was the Liu Family's legitimate eldest son, deeply cherished by the Old Master and Old Madam. If they were to hear of his passing now, it was hard to imagine how heartbroken they would be. However, if Grand Madam Liu learned that Xiao Fu Shi was pregnant, she would surely find some solace, and her grief might lessen somewhat.
But still…
Li Shu concealed her thoughts and glanced at Nanny Rao, Yu Ping, and the others. Perhaps they hadn't fully grasped the significance when Liu Chengxu mentioned Xiao Fu Shi's pregnancy earlier, but now, hearing Concubine Ding speak of it, their eyes seemed to blaze with fury as they stared at Xiao Fu Shi's belly.
It was no surprise that Concubine Ding had revealed this. Fu Shi's faction had long regarded Xiao Fu Shi as a thorn in their side, a constant source of irritation. No wonder, in her past life, when she had written a desperate plea in blood to those around Fu Shi, even those who had usually treated her kindly had completely failed to inform her father.
Yet Li Shu had always been perceptive. After the gathering dispersed, she said to Xiao Fu Shi, "Mother, did you tell Concubine Ding about your two-month pregnancy? She never interacts with us normally, so how could she know you were exactly two months along?"
Xiao Fu Shi hadn't expected her daughter to be so sharp. At such a young age, she was already this attentive, far more clever than her mother could ever hope to be.
Nevertheless, she smiled and replied, "When Concubine Su asked me, I told her, and Concubine Ding was there at the time."
Li Shu nodded but remained vigilant. "Mother, I saw the way Nanny Rao, Yu Ping, and Yu Lan were looking at you. You must be very careful."
"Don't worry," Xiao Fu Shi said, gently patting her daughter's head.
Yet she couldn't help but wish her daughter didn't have to be this way. Having grown up as a concubine's child herself, she had learned to read people's expressions from a young age. She longed for her daughter to live joyfully and carefree. Perhaps it was her own inadequacy as a mother that made her six-year-old daughter worry so much.
Li Shu, however, couldn't relax. She stayed close to her mother, hovering around her. Xiao Fu Shi thought her daughter feared she would be neglected once a new child was born, so she paid extra attention to her, even personally teaching her how to paint.
During these days, Liu Chengxu remained by Fu Shi's side. Xiao Fu Shi felt no jealousy, and Li Shu knew her mother was truly a kind-hearted person. Even when she vied for favor, it was never to harm anyone but merely to improve her own circumstances. She never engaged in the ruthless scheming of the inner courtyard or caused anyone's death. She had her methods but remained a person with principles.
Yet, even if you didn't harm others, that didn't mean others would spare you.
Concubine Ding's recent gain of authority over the household might have been a twist of fate, or perhaps she was not as innocent as she seemed. After all, there were those like Yu Maozhong, who appeared honest but were cunning beneath the surface. Yu Maozhong was even skilled at imitating her handwriting, selling her out and forging a letter to her family, making them believe she had eloped.
But it didn't matter. Li Shu thought to herself that this life was different from her past one. Her mother's exceptional skill in painting would surely ensure that her father could never overlook her.
**
Nanny Rao delivered the keys and household management tablets to Concubine Ding, feeling a sense of relief. Concubine Ding had entered the household at fourteen and had always been cautious and reserved. She quietly helped everyone in the residence without seeking recognition. Even when slighted by Concubine Su, she rarely caused trouble. Entrusting the tablets to her, Nanny Rao felt at ease.
Of course, the more important reason was that Concubine Ding was not favored.
She was too proper, rigid, and lacking in charm. Unlike Fu Shi, who had been lively and radiant in her youth, or Xiao Fu Shi, who was alluring and captivating, Concubine Ding was the type who might fare well as a main wife but struggled to win favor as a concubine. Moreover, the master was not a man easily swayed by beauty.
Even the sachet sent by Concubine Ding was casually placed aside by the master, who preferred to accompany Xiao Fu Shi in sneaking out at night to enjoy street snacks.
In the blink of an eye, they arrived at Concubine Ding's quarters. Concubine Ding enjoyed reading books and playing chess. At this moment, she was playing chess alone, holding both the white and black pieces.
Nanny Rao felt even more sympathy for her, thinking how truly lonely she must be in her daily life.
"Concubine Ding, I've brought the keys and household management tablets, as well as last year's ledgers," Nanny Rao said.
Concubine Ding replied earnestly, "Please inform the First Madam that the master only asked me to manage things temporarily. If I make any mistakes, I hope the First Madam will be sure to let me know."
Nanny Rao thought she was being overly meticulous but still nodded politely. "With your reassurance, I feel at ease. By the way, how is the First Madam's health? We mustn't let her worry too much," Concubine Ding inquired with concern.
Nanny Rao was moved. "Nowadays, you're the only one who still cares about our madam's well-being, unlike some who kick others when they're down. Rest assured, our madam is just fatigued, but she has been able to sleep peacefully at night these past few days."
Recently, Fu Shi had lost her son and was in low spirits. To make matters worse, she learned that Xiao Fu Shi was pregnant. Although Fu Shi had regained the master's favor and he stayed by her side every day, in the long run, temporary companionship meant little—having a son was what truly mattered.
If Xiao Fu Shi gave birth to a son, he would be the legitimate eldest son. According to clan rules, seventy percent of the Liu Family's assets would belong to the legitimate eldest son.
Moreover, Concubine Su had also begun having her sons curry favor with Liu Chengxu, which was hardly commendable. Only Concubine Ding was genuinely kind-hearted.
Listen, even now, Concubine Ding was helping smooth things over: "The Second Madam is pregnant again after several years, and she's suffering from morning sickness, so she must be feeling unwell herself. As for Sister Su, she cried when she heard about the eldest young master's illness. Everyone has their own difficulties."
Nanny Rao waved her hand dismissively. "Whether they are sincere or not, this old servant can see with her own eyes."
Concubine Ding did not respond further, so Nanny Rao tactfully ended the conversation and quietly left. However, after stepping out, she realized she had forgotten the lacquer tray she had brought. As she turned back, she overheard a conversation between Concubine Ding and her maid inside.
"Yiniang, why is the list you prepared for the Second Madam longer than the one for the First Madam?"
"Silly girl, how dare I make such decisions? Of course, I followed instructions. The Second Madam is pregnant now, and the child she bears will be the legitimate eldest son. Who do you think the master values more? Can't you see?"
"So it was the master's order!"
…
Nanny Rao turned and left without a sound, her steps quick and heavy, crushing the grass beneath her feet until green sap oozed out.