As she walked into Rong’en Hall,
Su Fei glanced at Li Ya.
That look seemed casual.
Li Ya pressed her lips together, her face cold, not even looking at Su Fei.
A flicker of confusion passed through the man’s cool eyes.
Was she angry?
Li Mengxi narrowed her eyes, smiling. She felt like a woman who had come between others’ feelings.
But wasn’t she the legitimate wife?
It was only a short step, yet there was so much drama.
In the main hall of Rong’en Hall,
Sandalwood incense burned in the censer, smoke curling upward.
Sandalwood had a calming and soothing effect.
Madam Sheng sat at the head, wearing a headband, her hair only half gray.
When she saw Li Mengxi and the others enter, she revealed a kind smile.
Li Mengxi smiled demurely and properly curtsied along with Li Ya.
“Granddaughter pays respects to Grandmother.”
Because of his high status, Su Fei only needed to bow with clasped hands.
Su Fei said, “Greetings to Old Madam.”
Madam Sheng nodded with a smile, a hint of delight in her eyes. “Heir, please have a seat.”
After Su Fei sat down, servants served tea.
Madam Sheng’s gaze skipped over Li Mengxi entirely, and she looked joyfully at Li Ya.
The Old Madam choked up and said, “Ya’er, come here and let Grandmother look at you.”
Li Ya walked over, knelt on the ground, and kowtowed three times to Madam Sheng. “Grandmother, your granddaughter has been unfilial and made you worry.”
Nanny Bai, who was by Madam Sheng’s side, quickly helped Li Ya up and had her sit beside the Old Madam.
“You girl, how dare you be so bold, running off to the border without a word! You really worried your grandmother!”
Madam Sheng said these words with genuine feeling.
“It was granddaughter’s fault,” Li Ya’s eyes reddened slightly, and she revealed a smile. “Grandmother, Ya’er is perfectly fine now. This time I’ve returned and brought honor to you as well.”
Madam Sheng felt proud. “You’re a good one.”
Li Mengxi walked over to the chair beside Su Fei and sat down, using her embroidered handkerchief to hide the sneer at her lips.
Madam Sheng didn’t particularly like her daughter-in-law Madam Shen, nor did she like Li Mengxi and her younger brother. In the past, when Li Mengxi had the reputation of being a talented woman, Madam Sheng would give her a bit of kindness.
But in recent years, as she was ridiculed for not bearing a son, Madam Sheng’s attitude toward her had grown cold.
As for why Madam Sheng was good to Li Ya and Li Xuan, born of Concubine Ruan, it was because Li Xuan was a child raised by the Old Madam herself, and Concubine Ruan had originally been the daughter-in-law Madam Sheng had her eye on.
As for Li Ya, Li Xuan’s biological sister, the Old Madam’s affection for her was also a matter of loving what one loves.
After a moment, Madam Sheng wiped her tears and turned to look at Su Fei. “Heir, you must have found this amusing.”
Although Su Fei appeared cold and aloof, his manners and etiquette were still proper.
In response to Madam Sheng’s words, he said, “It’s no trouble. Second Miss is a woman of remarkable courage who rivals men. Even the Emperor has praised her on multiple occasions.”
Upon hearing this, Madam Sheng’s face immediately lit up with joy. “For Ya’er to receive the Emperor’s praise is her good fortune.”
The Heir was a favored minister by the Emperor’s side, so if he said this, it must certainly be true.
Li Ya smiled with restraint.
Su Fei only sat for a short while before leaving Rong’en Hall. After all, this was a place for women, and as an outside man, he shouldn’t stay long.
As soon as the Heir left, Madam Sheng finally turned her gaze to Li Mengxi.
Her expression was slightly indifferent. “Mengxi, you’ve been married into the Hou Mansion for three years now, and you still haven’t been able to bear the Heir a child. Do you know what people outside are saying about you? As the principal wife, you should understand what it means to be magnanimous. You ought to take concubines for the Heir.”
Li Mengxi had just been about to pick up the teacup on the table when she heard Madam Sheng’s words. She paused. “Grandmother’s instruction is correct. Yesterday, granddaughter already took in two concubines for the Heir, hoping they can soon bear children to continue the Hou Mansion’s lineage.”
As for how Miao Ling and Xiuhe were ultimately sent away by Su Fei, there was no need for her to mention that.
When Li Ya heard that her brother-in-law had actually taken two concubines, she furrowed her brows.
At this moment, Li Mengxi continued without changing her expression, speaking sincerely, “I didn’t expect Grandmother to be so concerned about the Hou Mansion’s offspring.”
Madam Sheng frowned. Those words sounded a bit grating. “Are you blaming your grandmother for meddling in your affairs?”
Li Mengxi smiled demurely. “No, I know you said those things for my own good. How could I possibly blame you?”
Meanwhile, ever since Li Ya heard that her brother-in-law had taken two concubines on the same day, her expression had turned indifferent.
There was a sense of disappointment.
So her brother-in-law was also the type of man who liked having many wives and concubines in his household.
Madam Sheng didn’t intend to continue discussing the Heir’s concubines with Li Mengxi. Instead, she brought up another matter.
“Our Li Residence only has you and Ya’er as daughters. You’ve already married into the Hou Mansion, and as for Ya’er, with her current achievements, she has the opportunity to marry into a high-ranking family in the future.”
She might even become a princess consort.
Of course, Madam Sheng wouldn’t be foolish enough to say that last part out loud.
Li Mengxi remained very calm. She didn’t respond, waiting for Madam Sheng to continue.
“Mengxi, if Ya’er marries well, you sisters can support each other in the future, and our Li family can go further,” Madam Sheng said directly. “Go back and speak properly with your mother, and have Xuan’er and Ya’er registered under her name.”
Li Ya hadn’t expected her grandmother to think so much for her and her brother. She looked at Li Mengxi.
She wondered whether Li Mengxi would agree.
Li Mengxi sneered inwardly. “Registering Eldest Brother and Second Sister under Mother’s name—this granddaughter would like to ask, will the family genealogy also be revised?”
If it went through a formal revision of the genealogy and was acknowledged by the clan, Li Ya and Li Xuan would truly become legitimate children.
Madam Sheng nodded, as if it were only natural. “The genealogy will naturally be revised as well.”
Li Mengxi curled the corner of her lips. What a beautiful fantasy.
She lifted her eyelids, looked at Li Ya, and said gently, “I only have A-Yang as my legitimate younger brother.”
That was her stance made clear.
There was no way she would allow Li Ya and her brother to become legitimate children.
Madam Sheng’s face darkened instantly. She stared sternly at Li Mengxi. “Everything should be considered with the greater good in mind. As a married daughter of the Li Residence, you should always consider the glory of your natal family. Your natal family is your future support!”
Li Mengxi lowered her eyes and scoffed inwardly. Support?
In the end, she died, her mother died, and her brother died too—while they all lived on, one by one.
Support? Ha!
Seeing that Li Mengxi was completely impervious to persuasion, Madam Sheng couldn’t help but scold, “Mengxi!”
Li Mengxi stood up, bowed with grace and respect, and said, “Grandmother, Consort Rou has summoned this granddaughter to the palace tomorrow. Mother has gifts for this granddaughter to bring to Her Ladyship. This granddaughter will take her leave now.”
After bowing, she walked away with composure.
Madam Sheng pointed at Li Mengxi’s back, furious.
Her granddaughter had actually threatened her!
Consort Rou was Madam Shen’s own younger sister. Li Mengxi was blatantly telling Madam Sheng not to push her luck—
Her mother still had people behind her!
Li Ya patted her grandmother’s back to soothe her. “Grandmother, please don’t be angry. Ya’er knows you’re doing this for our sake.”
She lowered her voice and whispered, “Uncle mentioned to Ya’er that this time Ya’er returns, His Majesty will likely bestow honors upon Ya’er.”
By then, even without the status of a legitimate daughter, she could still marry into a high-ranking family!
Madam Sheng was instantly delighted. “Really?”
Li Ya nodded, a hint of a smile appearing on her face. “Uncle certainly wouldn’t guess wrong.”
“Good! Good! Good!” Madam Sheng said “good” three times in a row.
By then, she could let Madam Shen and her daughter see for themselves!
What a great loss it was that Madam Shen wouldn’t let Ya’er and Xuan’er be registered under her name!