A Thousand Good Things - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Today the weather is fine. I am taking my youngest son, Zhou Changde, back to my natal home.

Outside the door, Zhou Zi’an stands there looking somewhat restrained, watching me eagerly.

“Aunt Li, are you and little brother going out?”

Zhou Yu has been away on official business these past two days. Only I, Zhou Zi’an, and the infant Zhou Changde are at home.

If I were to take only my biological son Zhou Changde back home, leaving the eight-year-old Zhou Zi’an alone at the Zhou Family residence, wouldn’t word spread that I’m mistreating my stepson?

Also, the way Zhou Zi’an rubs his little hands together is indeed quite pitiful.

I only asked politely, “I’m going to my maternal grandmother’s house. Do you want to come?”

Zhou Zi’an stepped inside excitedly, “I’m coming!”

Only then did I notice he had changed into new clothes, his hair was neatly combed, and he even had a bag on his back, as if he already knew I would take him along.

Back at my natal home.

Mother saw Zhou Zi’an, gave him some candy, and said, “Poor thing, go play in the backyard with your cousins. I need to talk with your mother.”

Zhou Zi’an obediently went with the nursemaid to the backyard.

Mother then held onto little Zhou Changde and wouldn’t let go, smiling as she said, “I think that child is young, but his mind is heavy. You must guard against him; don’t get too attached.”

“I have experience raising children. Our own biological children are best; children not of your own blood will never become truly filial.”

As I was peeling and eating chestnuts, I didn’t notice anything wrong with Mother’s words.

It’s nothing, because Mother isn’t my biological mother either.

I am of concubine birth. My birth mother died early, and it was Mother who raised me.

Mother treated me exceptionally well. From childhood, whenever there was something delicious or fun, she would give it to me first, even better than to her own Third Sister.

When I found studying troublesome, Mother indulged me and let me skip it, while Third Sister studied day and night.

Although I’m mediocre in arts and letters, when it came to marriage, Mother chose Zhou Yu after thousands of selections.

For our humble Li family, this was a high match, as high as could be.

It’s just that Zhou Yu is a bit older and has a son from his first wife, but he comes from a good family, is good-looking, and enjoys great imperial favor. At least for now, I think marrying him hasn’t been bad.

Third Sister, on the other hand, was married off to a poor scholar.