First Phoenix Lady - Chapter 21

Concubine Han had not been in the Marquis Mansion for long and did not know much about Madam Tang. However, Madam Tang had never made things difficult for the concubines, so she seemed to be a kind-hearted person.

No matter what, Concubine Han never dared to entertain the thought of having her son become the legitimate heir.

Now that Madam Tang had spoken in person, what hesitation could she have left? It all felt like a dream.

The news that Shi Yunshu had been accepted as the legitimate son in Begonia Courtyard quickly made its way back to He’an Courtyard.

It was Nanny Yan from Begonia Courtyard who came to deliver the message.

She had been sent by Old Madam Shi to serve Madam Tang after Madam Tang married into the Marquis Mansion. Over the years, she had gradually gained Madam Tang’s trust, and many matters were no longer kept from her.

Old Madam Shi, upon hearing Nanny Yan’s report, sprang up from her chair in alarm. “What? Accepted Shu as the legitimate son?”

How could that be? Not to mention that Shu was still so young-it would be more than ten years before he could amount to anything.

She had just personally gone to consult Master Yangxuan, asking if there was any way to break the predicament.

Master Yangxuan’s reply was extremely cryptic: only by following the will of Heaven could fortune be achieved; to go against it would naturally lead to decline.

Old Madam Shi had used all her wisdom and cunning on this matter. “May I ask, Master Yangxuan, if Fate Restoration is achieved, can the decline be reversed?”

Master Yangxuan replied, “It is never too late to follow Heaven’s will. But there are too many in this world who fancy themselves clever-those who bring disaster upon themselves cannot survive.”

See, even Master Yangxuan said it’s never too late to follow Heaven’s will.

Clearly, Fate Restoration was now the top priority. She absolutely could not let Madam Tang ruin her plans.

She had once desperately wanted to swap Shi Yunqi out, and now she was just as desperate to stuff him back in.

Nanny Yan continued, “Old Madam, don’t worry. If you wish to have Young Master Qi registered under Madam Tang’s name as the legitimate eldest son, there is still room for maneuver.”

Old Madam Shi raised her doubtful eyes. “Oh?”

Nanny Yan lowered her voice. “Although Madam Tang has only accepted Young Master Shu as the legitimate son, Young Master Qi is now also being kept in the East Wing Room of Begonia Courtyard. Madam Tang said that Young Master Qi rendered great merit by saving Miss Anxia and should stay there to recover. Madam Tang will invite Doctor Shen to reside in the Marquis Mansion to attend to Young Master Qi’s health.”

“Which Doctor Shen?”

“Which other Doctor Shen could it be? The most famous Doctor Shen in the Capital-the one from Tong’an Clinic whom so many people can’t even invite!” Nanny Yan said gleefully. “Young Master Qi is truly blessed. Doctor Shen happens to be staying at Dingguo Mansion these days. Miss Anxia said she would write to ask her aunt to help invite him from her maternal family.”

Old Madam Shi felt a mix of emotions-she couldn’t tell if she was happy or upset.

Earlier, when she had heart palpitations, she had sent people to Tong’an Clinic four times and still couldn’t find the doctor.

Now, Madam Tang and her daughter were actually putting their hearts into helping Qi, even mobilizing the legitimate eldest daughter of Dingguo Mansion and the eldest daughter-in-law of the Duke of State Protection Mansion to invite the doctor in person.

Heh! Old Madam Shi sneered. Did her status as Grandmother really count for nothing? In her granddaughter’s heart, she wasn’t even as important as a junior.

At the same time, she craved power and influence even more, wished for her son and grandson to make her proud, and longed for the day when the Marquis Mansion would rise again.

By then, not to mention one Doctor Shen-even ten Doctor Shens would be begging her for the privilege to be chosen!

As she was lost in this beautiful dream, she heard Nanny Yan say, “As long as Young Master Qi recuperates in Begonia Courtyard for three, six, or nine months, won’t a deep mother-son bond develop? When you want to take Young Master Qi away, Madam Tang will be the one begging to see her son-don’t you agree?”

Old Madam Shi knew that some things could not be rushed. Eagerness would not help. “Let him recover first. Once his health is restored, that’s more important than anything.”

She was counting on this grandson to turn their luck around.

Nanny Yan continued her report, “Now, Young Master Qi lives in the East Wing Room, and Young Master Shu in the West Wing Room. I hear there will be a new arrangement of servants, and Madam Tang will personally select them.”
Old Madam Shi nodded. “Let her choose as she pleases. As long as she treats Qi and Shu well, let her pick from Begonia Courtyard first.”

At this moment, she hesitated again about whether to grant the Household Management Authority to Xia. If she didn’t, she might hurt the feelings of that mother and daughter.

But if she did, and Xia was bewitched by Shi Chengyi, wouldn’t she be handing over the entire Marquis Mansion?

Let’s wait and see!

On the other side, Concubine Wen also received the news that Shi Yunqi had moved into the East Wing Room of Begonia Courtyard.

“That unfilial son! Even if he moves into Begonia Courtyard, I am still his birth mother! If he dares treat me badly, I’ll make sure he can’t hold his head up outside!” Concubine Wen was so furious that she smashed the teacup in her hand to pieces. She suddenly stood up, ready to storm out. “I’ll go bring him back right now! Let’s see if Tang Chujun dares do anything to me!”

Shi Anrou hurriedly blocked her way. “Aunt, now is not the time to act rashly. Besides, even if all the illegitimate sons and daughters are raised under the main wife’s name, it’s reasonable. In the past, the legitimate wife didn’t want to manage them, but now that she does, if you make a scene, you won’t have the moral high ground. Besides, Shi Anxia, she…”

Concubine Wen shoved her daughter aside angrily. “She’s just a little girl, what does she know? If I don’t teach her a lesson, she’ll end up riding roughshod over me!”

Shi Anrou thought to herself, Have you forgotten how badly Shi Anxia schemed against you these past few days? The wound on your head is still bleeding!

Concubine Wen had always had her way in the Marquis Mansion and had indeed selectively forgotten yesterday’s humiliation, thinking things were still as they used to be when she could order others around.

Shi Anrou suppressed her irritation and tried to persuade her. “Aunt, could you listen to me just this once? At least until I marry into Prince Jin’s residence, don’t provoke her. Once I gain power, won’t you have plenty of chances to deal with her? By then, you can do whatever you want, all right?”

Concubine Wen hesitated. “That Prince Jin… does he really like you?”

“Aunt!” Shi Anrou’s shy and bashful demeanor perfectly concealed the lie from that night. “Your Highness Prince Jin is such a noble person-how could I possibly know his thoughts? I’ve only met him a few times. He saw my carriage broken down on the road and gave me a ride back, that’s all. He didn’t say anything else.”

Concubine Wen was delighted by what she heard and looked at her daughter with more favor, smiling. “That’s right. Your Highness Prince Jin is such a busy man-if he gave a ride home to every girl he met on the road, he’d be run ragged!”

Shi Anrou lowered her head shyly. “Aunt, please don’t tell anyone. If things don’t work out, what will happen to my reputation?”

But Concubine Wen was thinking much further ahead.

Reputation is only important to daughters of noble families. As an illegitimate daughter, if she could enter Prince Jin’s residence, at best she’d be a concubine, not even able to compete for the position of Prince Jin’s Side Consort.

However, being Prince Jin’s concubine was not the same as being a concubine in an ordinary family. If, by chance, His Highness Prince Jin became the new emperor in the future…

She suddenly asked in a low voice, “Rou’er, didn’t you have a dream before? It was so accurate-you dreamed of Xing falling into the water and dying. Did you dream about Your Highness Prince Jin… hmm?”

“What?” Shi Anrou didn’t react for a moment.

Concubine Wen’s heart was burning with excitement. She mouthed the words mysteriously, “Becoming emperor?”

Shi Anrou was stunned for just a moment, then nodded. “Yes, Emperor Rongguang is Your Highness Prince Jin.”

She even dreamed of the imperial title-how could that be false? Concubine Wen had never looked at her daughter so favorably.

Afraid Concubine Wen would ruin things, Shi Anrou had to remind her, “Aunt, it was just a dream, nothing more. Please don’t talk about it outside, or you could lose your head…”