The servant truthfully replied, “The second young master said he hasn’t forgotten what Consort Yue did back then, and he hopes you can lend him a hand in crucial moments in the future.”
Upon hearing this, Madam Xiao’s expression suddenly changed. She was about to speak when Granny Qi pressed her arm down.
Madam Xiao took a deep breath, didn’t ask any further questions, and simply told the servant to leave.
After the servant left, Granny Qi closed the door.
“Tell me, does Xiao Chengyan want to see my son make a fool of himself, or does he genuinely want to help me and make me remember his favor?”
Seeing Madam Xiao’s question, Granny Qi pondered for a moment before replying, “It’s probably both. Back when Concubine Yue was favored, she stirred up trouble just like Concubine Rou is now. You almost fell for her schemes. But you are, after all, the legal wife. Concubine Yue didn’t harm you, but she did kill the second young master’s concubine.”
Madam Xiao’s eyes sharpened. “I thought he was unaware, but I didn’t expect him to know.”
Granny Qi said, “It’s good that the second young master knows. Now that he’s an adult, he’ll naturally want to avenge his concubine. This is a good thing for you.”
“It would be best if they both suffered heavy losses, which would benefit our young master.”
Madam Xiao’s eyes flashed with disgust. “This Xiao Chengyan is usually quiet, but he is highly valued by the master, who even used his connections to send him to join the army. It would be one thing if he died on the battlefield, but if he comes back alive and earns a title, isn’t that blatantly trying to steal my son’s title?”
The legitimate son is indulging in beautiful women, while the illegitimate son is chaste and doesn’t even have a concubine. This hurts Madam Xiao more than if she had her heart ripped out.
Granny Qi is right, let Xiao Chengyan deal with Concubine Yue. Anyway, she will benefit whoever wins.
Madam Xiao let out a long sigh, then thought of Xiao Chengli’s troublesome affairs. “Li’er will definitely be disappointed in Xie Wanrou this time. Find a suitable opportunity to deal with her once and for all.”
Originally, she thought of letting Xie Wanning deal with her, but that soft-hearted girl is really hopeless. If she hadn’t arrived in time today, she would have been devoured by Xie Wanrou.
Madam Xiao initially didn’t want to get involved, but Xie Wanrou was far too arrogant, and if the opportunity was missed, who knew what kind of bewitching she would become to her daughter, Li’er?
At this moment, Granny Qi hesitated, “Madam, that Concubine Rou is pregnant, and the doctor privately said that Concubine Rou’s pulse is strong, so this baby should be a boy.”
A boy!
Madam Xiao’s expression changed slightly. After a moment’s thought, she said, “Then we’ll deal with it after she gives birth. Remove the mother and keep the child.”
…
Xie Wanning returned to her room and regained her normal expression, instructing Chunhuan, who had just returned, to redo her makeup.
“Miss, as you instructed, Madam Xiao now knows that Xie Wanrou is carrying a boy.”
Xie Wanning hummed in agreement, saying nothing more.
“Miss, Madam Xiao is going to severely punish Concubine Rou this time. By having the doctor tell her it’s a boy, aren’t you giving Concubine Rou a chance to breathe?”
“How can we watch the show if we crush her completely?”
Xie Wanning opened her eyes, looked at Chunhuan, and asked with a smile, “What do you think Concubine Rou would do if she knew she was carrying a boy?”
Chunhuan said irritably, “She’d definitely become arrogant, waiting to rise in status because of her son.”
Xie Wanning said, “Rising in status because of a son isn’t enough. Once she has a son, she’ll definitely want to be the mistress of the house.”
“Wishful thinking.”
Seeing Chunhuan getting even angrier, Xie Wanning comforted her, “Don’t be angry, Xiaohuan. She can’t jump around now. Xiao Chengli is under pressure and has to deal with her. Even if she’s good at acting cute, she’ll still have to be locked up for a month or two.”
“But a month or two can change a lot of things. For example, Liuying and Feiyue will take her place. If she gets pregnant again, she’ll still be a concubine. What’s so special about her then?”
“So the only way is for all the concubines to be unable to get pregnant, so that Xiao Chengli will only have that one son in her belly,”
Chunhuan said. “But the young master is a womanizer; he’ll favor one today and another tomorrow, so someone will inevitably get pregnant.”
Xie Wanning looked at her beautiful eyebrows and eyes in the mirror and smiled. “That’s simple. Unless Xiao Chengli becomes infertile, then no one can get pregnant.”
“Huh?”
Chunhuan looked bewildered. “Miss, you wouldn’t be thinking of giving the young master a drug that would prevent him from having children, would you?”
“How could I dirty my hands?”
Xie Wanning looked up at Chunhuan. “As the mistress of the house, one cannot have blood on one’s hands.”
If she just pushed Xie Wanrou a little more, she would naturally do it; there was no need for her to do it herself.
As they were talking, Hongye pushed open the door and entered, saying in a low voice, “Young Madam, the eldest young master sent word that he’s feeling unwell and resting in his study. He can’t accompany you back to your parents’ home today.” Chunhuan was
immediately annoyed. “How can this be? It’s the third-day homecoming, and the son-in-law isn’t coming back with us? Won’t that cause gossip?
” Xie Wanning calmly replied, “Chunhuan, don’t worry about it. If he doesn’t come, we’ll go back ourselves.”
It was perfect timing; she had some things to discuss with her stepmother privately today. Having Xiao Chengli around
would only be in the way, and it might even cause Xie Wanrou’s stepmother to pounce on him and spread rumors. After saying this, she instructed Hongye, “Send someone to inquire about my husband. Do you need a doctor?”
“Yes.”
“Go quickly and come back soon. We’ll go out together in a bit.”
With Xie Wanning’s words, Hongye indeed returned shortly.
Xiao Chengli was just angry and felt humiliated, so he didn’t want to see her. He wasn’t actually sick.
Xie Wanning guessed correctly and wasn’t angry. She took Chunhuan and Hongye out.
Before leaving, she didn’t forget to have Liu Ying and Fei Yue go to the study to ‘comfort’ Xiao Chengli.
On the way back, Xie Wan Ning was very happy, and her eyes even welled up with tears at the thought of seeing her stepmother again.
When she arrived at the Xie family, she saw her stepmother Qin Li and her younger brother Xie Bei Xuan as soon as she got off the carriage.
Xie Wanning practically ran over, but upon approaching her stepmother, she composed herself and bowed respectfully.
“Mother, I’m back.”
As she spoke, Xie Wanning noticed Qin Li looking behind her, but apart from a few maids and servants, there was no one else.
However, Qin Li didn’t press the matter.
Xie Wanning knew what Qin Li was worried about, so she deliberately smiled and asked, “Mother, aren’t you happy I’m back?”
Qin Li concealed the sadness in her eyes and smiled at Xie Wanning, “Of course I’m happy you’re back. Come in quickly, I’ve prepared your favorite snacks.”
“Second sister, Mother knew you were coming back today, so she got up early this morning and personally cooked for you.”
Sensing Xie Beixuan’s slight jealousy, Xie Wanning patted his head. Sixteen-year-old A-Xuan had grown quite tall; she could no longer pat his head like she did when he was little, and she had to stand on tiptoe to reach him.
“Ah Xuan, if I have something to eat, you’ll definitely have something to eat too. When has your sister ever mistreated you!”
“That’s true.”
Xie Beixuan said with a smile, “Hurry up, hurry up. If you don’t come back, Mother won’t let me touch those things. I’m so hungry.”
Back at the Xie family home, Xie Wanning’s smile instantly brightened.
But before the mother and her two sons even reached the backyard, someone arrived uninvited.
Qin Li’s face darkened as soon as she saw the person, and even Xie Beixuan’s face fell.
“What are you doing here?”
The person who came was none other than Xie Wanrou’s concubine, Aunt Yun, and her youngest son, Xie Beiming.