First Phoenix Lady - chapter 20

Chapter 20

Shi Anrou thought to herself: When Your Highness Prince Jin becomes Emperor Rongguang, even if she cannot aspire to the position of Empress like Shi Anxia, at the very least, she could be a Noble Consort, right?

If she cannot hope for Noble Consort, then being a Concubine would do; if not even a Concubine, then perhaps a Senior Consort?

Any of these would be better than a Night Attendant.

She had been reborn, and now had the advantage in everything. Surely, she could win more favor before Prince Jin than in her previous life.

It was all because of her lowly birth, crawling out of a concubine’s womb. If only she had the illustrious status of Shi Anxia, she too would dare to covet the position of Empress or even Empress Dowager.

“Why are you standing there dazed?” Concubine Wen’s displeased voice sounded in her ear. “Can’t you see your Grandmother is about to take away my Household Management Authority? You don’t even think of a way! What use is it for me to have raised you!”

Shi Anrou’s eyes were dark, but when she lifted her gaze, she wore a docile and obedient expression. “Aunt, Sister Anxia was only brought back from outside at the age of twelve. She must not understand many things. You should remind Grandmother not to let such a large Marquis Mansion fall into chaos and become a laughingstock to outsiders.”

Concubine Wen’s eyes lit up at these words.

That’s right, Shi Anxia only returned to the Marquis Mansion at twelve. Could she possibly make up for ten years of experience in just two short years? Besides, she was picked up by Shi Chengyi…

Without even glancing at her daughter, she turned and went to find Old Madam Shi.

Concubine Wen, with a sorrowful face and resolute eyes, raised her voice, “Aunt wishes to take back her Niece’s Household Management Authority; I dare not object. But how can you entrust such a large household to Miss Anxia? Have you forgotten, Aunt, that Miss Anxia was lost outside since childhood and only brought back at twelve? What does she know about managing a household? Not to mention managing, I fear she isn’t even close to Madam Tang.”

In truth, Old Madam Shi, once she regained her senses, felt some regret. It was as if she had been bewitched, her entire mind revolving around that girl, wishing she could inherit the title.

Seeing Old Madam Shi’s expression soften slightly, Concubine Wen continued to voice her doubts, “Aunt, don’t you find it strange? She used to be timid, learning rules, needlework, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, afraid others would laugh at her for not being raised as the Legitimate Daughter of our Marquis Mansion, knowing nothing. But now…”

Old Madam Shi suppressed her irritation and asked, “What are you trying to say?”

“I mean, Miss Anxia isn’t as clever and capable as she appears. Someone must be advising her behind the scenes.”

Old Madam Shi couldn’t help but sit up, frowning, “You mean…”

Concubine Wen nodded, very certain, “It must be Shi Chengyi! Miss Anxia is being used by him!”

It was only after figuring this out that she dared come to Old Madam Shi.

It was simply too abnormal!

When Shi Anxia was first brought back, though she was somewhat clever, she was always uneasy, small-minded, and deeply insecure.

Even facing her own birth mother, she showed no closeness.

Over the past two years, she devoted all her time to studying, as if trying to make up for the ten lost years. But the world of noble families is intricate, with endless rules and etiquette-how could all that be learned in such a short time?

Concubine Wen was absolutely certain something was wrong here.

Reminded by this, Old Madam Shi suddenly recalled, “Two years ago, it was Shi Chengyi who brought her back…”

At that time, Shi Anxia had gone to Begonia Courtyard, where her mother was still feigning grief, but her reddened eyes were hooked onto Shi Yunqi, unable to show any hint of affection.

She looked over and saw a slender, pale, handsome youth.

He wore a luxurious white long robe, revealing an indigo gown with flowing cloud embroidery underneath. At his waist was a matching dark-patterned belt, and on his feet were blue satin boots with black soles.
His jet-black hair was simply tied up with a small white jade coronet, and at his brows he wore a forehead band inlaid with clear blue gemstones.

His face was as pale as the waning moon, brows as if painted with ink, his whole being emanating a sickly air of nobility from the inside out.

Shi Yunqi had never worn such fine clothes in his life. This was the first time-from head to toe-all chosen personally by Madam Tang.

This was her own elder brother! Even though he had been mistreated by Concubine Wen since childhood, had his spine bent, and was beaten until he had but a single breath left, it still could not hide his extraordinary bearing.

No matter how splendidly Shi Yunxing dressed, he truly could not compare to even a toe of her brother.

From afar, Shi Anxia smiled at Shi Yunqi, and Shi Yunqi returned her smile gently.

The two had not just grown close these past few days.

As early as two years ago when she returned to the mansion, many, including Shi Yunxing, looked down on her with contempt and mockery. Only a few showed her kindness.

Among them was Shi Yunqi. He spoke to her quietly, explained the rules of the mansion in detail, allowing her to feel warmth while treading on thin ice.

The Second Branch of Marquis Mansion had a total of five sons.

Aside from the sixteen-year-old Shi Yunxing and Shi Yunqi, there was also the thirteen-year-old Shi Yunjing, the eight-year-old Shi Yunpeng, and the youngest, Shi Yunshu, just over one year old.

At this moment, several concubines were waiting with their sons in the Flower Hall of Begonia Courtyard, their hearts uneasy.

Since morning, when Shi Anxia sent someone to instruct them to go to Begonia Courtyard, everyone already understood.

This was the main wife choosing a legitimate son to raise at her knee.

They were both happy and worried-afraid of being chosen, yet afraid of not being chosen.

If chosen, they could no longer see their sons freely.

But the resources of a legitimate son were incomparable to those of a concubine’s child. Especially since the lady of the main courtyard was the eldest daughter of the Duke of State Protection Mansion-such wealth and honor, who wouldn’t covet it?

Shi Anxia, worried her mother’s expression would give her away, hurriedly relayed Old Madam Shi’s wishes, instructing Shi Yunqi to move into Begonia Courtyard immediately.

Everyone was shocked. How could Qi be chosen? The child was already so old; could raising him at the knee now even foster closeness?

But upon further thought, it was clear. With Old Madam Shi’s selfish nature, how would she let such a good thing fall to others? Of course, she would prioritize her own bloodline.

For a moment, all the concubines felt dissatisfaction toward Old Madam Shi and Concubine Wen.

Shi Anxia lightly fanned the flames, letting the fire burn even higher. “Mother, Grandmother wants to give me the Household Management Authority. If I don’t understand something in the future, I hope you’ll guide me.”

Boom! The flames suddenly shot up, and everyone’s faces changed with complex emotions-a most marvelous sight.

What was there left to not understand? Old Madam Shi had exchanged the Household Management Authority for having Shi Yunqi as the legitimate son-what a brilliant scheme!

Didn’t the other children count as her own grandchildren?

Shi Anxia observed the reactions in the hall clearly.

Only Concubine Han, holding little Shi Yunshu, always kept her head lowered, as if it had nothing to do with her.

At this moment, Madam Tang spoke, “I wish to raise Shu. Concubine Han, would you be willing?”

Startled, Concubine Han clutched her son tighter and stood up. “Madam, what did you say?”

Shi Anxia gently repeated, “Mother says she wishes to raise Shu at her knee. Are you willing? If not, she will not force you.”

Concubine Han’s eyes reddened.

She had a heart condition and would not live long. Giving birth to her son nearly cost her life, leaving her even weaker, panting after just a few steps.

She had nightmares about dying and leaving her son uncared for.

Hearing these words, how could she think otherwise? She quickly knelt before Madam Tang. “I am willing, I am willing…”