First Phoenix Lady - chapter 18

Chapter 18

Old Madam Shi’s heart skipped a beat.

It was as if, just when she needed it most, her dear granddaughter handed her a pillow for her nap. She had been at a loss as to how to return the legitimate son to his rightful place, and now the opportunity had arrived.

Suddenly, Old Madam Shi was struck by inspiration, as if enlightened.

She had once forcibly altered the fate, affecting the feng shui. So, if Fate Restoration occurred, would the Marquis Mansion’s fortune return as well?

At this moment, she was so excited her heart trembled, her eyes shining with joy.

Qi’er must return to Madam Tang’s name! There was no room for negotiation!

Concubine Wen’s heart also skipped a beat. No! Absolutely not! My son is dead, and now Madam Tang wants her son back? Dream on!

Shi Anxia watched the two women across from her, each harboring their own schemes, and a faint, cool smile spread across her lips. “Our Second Branch prospers and suffers together. We must plan ahead and not let the Eldest Branch rise again.”

Old Madam Shi found her legitimate granddaughter more pleasing than ever, every word striking right at her heart.

She nodded with a smile and beckoned Shi Anxia over to speak a few more intimate words.

She loved to listen!

Shi Anxia turned and sat close beside Old Madam Shi, but before she could speak, a wailing voice came from outside the door-Chen Mama’s cries: “Old Madam, Old Madam, you must stand up for this old servant!”

Old Madam Shi was displeased at being interrupted by a servant. “What now?”

Chen Mama shook off Bei Hui’s hand, rushed in, and knelt on the ground to complain, “Miss Anxia made this old servant kneel for three hours without reason. My old, cold legs can’t bear it! I beg Old Madam to stand up for me. This old servant belongs to Old Madam’s courtyard; even if punished, it shouldn’t be Miss Anxia’s place…”

“Silence!” Old Madam Shi was favoring her legitimate granddaughter at the moment and would not let a servant ruin their harmonious grandmother-granddaughter bond.

Shi Anxia looked up, her voice clear and gentle. “Chen Mama, did Grandmother send you to my courtyard to shout and make a scene?”

“No, no!” Chen Mama hurriedly denied it.

“Then that’s settled. Grandmother cares for me deeply and would never do such a thing. So, Chen Mama, do you have some dissatisfaction with the Marquis Mansion?” Her calm inquiry was more unsettling than harsh words.

“No, no dissatisfaction. But…” Chen Mama wanted to argue, but found every word feeble.

“If you have no dissatisfaction, why do you keep threatening to spread the Marquis Mansion’s secrets?”

“This old servant did not! I am innocent!” Chen Mama was utterly bewildered.

“Everyone in my courtyard heard it.” Shi Anxia’s expression was serious and grave. “Chen Mama clearly said she would spread the Marquis Mansion’s secrets outside, ruin my reputation, and ruin Grandmother’s reputation! Such a traitorous servant-am I not justified in punishing her?”

Chen Mama was left speechless.

Shi Anxia turned to Old Madam Shi, tears glimmering in her eyes. “Grandmother, the Marquis Mansion is in troubled times. My brother’s death is being gossiped about everywhere. If we do not manage our servants strictly, and more unsavory rumors spread, not only will it hinder Father’s career, but our Marquis Mansion will have no place in the Capital. I had no choice but to make Chen Mama kneel in Mingsong Hall for three hours as a warning to others.”

Old Madam Shi took her granddaughter’s hand and patted the back of it. “You did very well.”

Her cold gaze fell on Chen Mama, now tinged with impatience. “I had no idea a servant would dare speak so recklessly! If you don’t wish to kneel in Mingsong Hall for three hours, then kneel in the snow in my courtyard for five hours.”

Chen Mama nearly fainted at these words. As she was dragged out, she was so shocked she couldn’t even beg for mercy.

Not only was she a servant of Old Madam Shi’s courtyard, she had also come to the Capital from Gan Zhou years ago with Concubine Wen.

Over the years, she had gained Old Madam Shi’s trust and Concubine Wen’s reliance, and had even participated in the child-swapping incident in the Marquis Mansion. She had always lorded over the other servants, acting as if she were half a mistress herself.
{“translation”: ”

Old Madam Shi, however, heard a different meaning from the few words Shi Anxia let slip.

What is the secret of the Marquis Mansion? Over the years, she had schemed and plotted against the Eldest Branch for her son; Chen Mama knew every detail.

If any one of those things were leaked outside the mansion, she would be skinned alive. But the most frightening of all was the child-swapping incident from back then.

She truly regretted it! How could she have lost her mind at that time and decided to swap the two children? Were they not both her dear grandsons?

If Madam Tang ever found out the truth, she would surely have the Duke of State Protection Mansion tear her to pieces!

Old Madam Shi broke out in a cold sweat down her back from shock.

She had to quickly send Qi back to Madam Tang’s side to foster affection. Only in this way could she have any hope of steadying Madam Tang.

With this in mind, she looked at Shi Anxia with even more kindness in her eyes. “Sister Xia, you are always the most thoughtful and considerate. If nothing else works, we can just have Qi raised directly under your mother’s name…”

“No!” Shi Anxia and Concubine Wen exclaimed in unison.

Shi Anxia shook her head. “Brother Yun Qi and my own brother were born on the same day, and now both are already sixteen. I fear he is not close to my mother. Even though Brother Yun Qi saved my life, we still can’t just…”

Concubine Wen hurriedly nodded. “Yes, yes, Qi is dull and feels uncomfortable with people he’s not familiar with. Only when he’s with me does he…”

A hint of coldness flickered deep in Shi Anxia’s eyes. “That’s right, Concubine Wen, you must treat Brother Yun Qi better from now on. Otherwise, if you continue to lash him all over with the whip like you did, he will become estranged from you.”

After wave after wave of shocks today, Old Madam Shi was completely sobered.

If the Marquis Mansion’s title was to fall into the hands of the Second Branch, and if her son was unreliable, then they would have to count on her grandson.

She had once thought that the talented and capable grandson was not only dead, but a joke.

Now, among all her grandsons, Qi was the most promising, after all, he was the true legitimate son.

If things ever came to light, as long as she had this grandson, there would still be room to maneuver. Coupled with the support of the Duke of State Protection Mansion behind Madam Tang, the Second Branch might still have a chance to rise.

She absolutely could not allow this vile woman to harm Qi any further! Old Madam Shi’s gaze at Concubine Wen turned icy and full of disgust.

The most important thing at hand was Fate Restoration! Only with Fate Restoration would their luck improve, and only then would the Marquis Mansion not decline.

Understanding all the intricacies, she no longer hesitated. With unprecedented resolve, she declared, “Sister Xia, where is Qi now?”

“Brother Yun Qi was gravely injured. I sent him to the clinic the day before yesterday. I’ve just brought him back-he should be waiting in my mother’s courtyard right now.”

Old Madam Shi made the final decision. “Don’t mind anyone else. Go and have Qi move to Begonia Courtyard immediately. It’s good for him to recover from his injuries there and also serve his legitimate mother. Now is the time for him to step up.”

Concubine Wen cursed inwardly in anger, feeling both wronged and flustered. “Aunt, you can’t do this. I cannot be without Qi!”

Old Madam Shi stared at her coldly. “All children born of concubines must be handed over to the legitimate wife to be raised. You are just a concubine-what right do you have to object?”

Concubine Wen stared at her aunt as if she were a different person.

Then she heard her aunt say, “You lashed Qi, and I haven’t even settled that account with you yet! From this day forth, you will hand over the housekeeper’s authority of the Marquis Mansion, be confined to Qiangwei Courtyard, and without my permission, you are not to go wandering about.”

Concubine Wen was utterly horrified.

Shi Anxia raised her brows slightly, a cool smile blooming in her eyes.

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