First Phoenix Lady - Chapter 26

The extravagant hope buried deep in his heart had actually come true. Shi Yunqi was so afraid-afraid that everything was just his imagination, that it was all a dream.

He told himself, this would be the last time he cried; from now on, he would never cry again.

He would smile, he would be brave.

He had a gentle and tolerant mother, and a beautiful, intelligent younger sister. For the rest of his life, he would do everything in his power to protect them.

Tang Chujun suddenly felt that her life was truly complete: her son was handsome, her daughter clever. Even this mistaken marriage was not so hard to accept.

As for Shi Chengxuan, as long as he stayed away, didn’t disturb her peace or offend her eyes, she could live her days in prosperity and happiness.

The rest of her life would be devoted to planning for her two children.

The next day, Tang Chujun changed into a brightly colored skirt and jacket.

It was a new outfit her sister-in-law had sent just a month ago, the most fashionable style in the Capital, made of rare cloud brocade tribute satin.

She used to make do with life, rarely leaving her courtyard, and seldom dressed so grandly.

Now, with her son alive and well, and her daughter thoughtful and capable, she naturally ought to dress with dignity.

To say that Tang Chujun truly didn’t think of Shi Yunxing, whom she had raised for sixteen years, would be a lie.

But whenever she remembered that the son she had pampered with good food and drink was actually Concubine Wen’s child, while her own son had been abused and covered in wounds, her soft heart would instantly harden.

Sometimes, she even felt hatred, wanting to laugh wildly and say, “Heaven has eyes.”

Not only did Tang Chujun dress herself in splendor, but everyone in Begonia Courtyard was ordered to change into new clothes as well.

The Maids and old women were all cheerful as they dusted and cleaned, even wiping the beams spotless.

“Look at our Madam, now that she has the legitimate son, she’s in such a good mood.”

“Young Master Xing just left, and she’s already raising someone else’s child as the legitimate son. It’s a bit chilling.”

“What do you know? Young Master Xing was ignorant and idle, rejected by every academy in the Capital, and I heard he even got involved in a manslaughter case.”

“It seems so. Our Madam was angry for days after hearing that, but now she’s come around. Rather than let such a wastrel ruin the Marquis Mansion’s reputation, it’s better he’s gone.”

“Shh, keep your voice down! He was still the legitimate son-whether Madam has truly let go, who can say?”

“Anyway, from the looks of it, not only is Young Master Shu the legitimate son, but before long, Young Master Qi will also become the legitimate son-the only legitimate eldest grandson in our Marquis Mansion.”

The situation in Begonia Courtyard soon reached Qiangwei Courtyard. Concubine Wen was so furious she trembled all over, smashing another set of teacups with a wave of her hand.

“What else did they say?” Concubine Wen’s gaze was murderous.

The informant was Aunt Xiang from Begonia Courtyard, who did odd jobs in the kitchen. “They said all of Young Master Xing’s calligraphy was actually written by Young Master Qi, and his poems and essays were also helped by Young Master Qi. Young Master Xing is just a good-for-nothing, completely inferior to Young Master Qi. Now that Young Master Qi is recuperating there, sooner or later he’ll become the legitimate son. Madam takes great care of Young Master Qi… Oh, and they said it’s just as well Young Master Xing died, otherwise he would have sullied the Marquis Mansion’s reputation for nothing.”

Concubine Wen’s eyes were bloodshot as tears fell.

Her son’s body was barely cold, and these people were already trampling on him!

She would not let them go! She would sell off those gossipy wretches!

She wiped her tears, her expression sinister. “Nanny Liu, go and bring me the household servants’ contracts!”

Nanny Liu was stunned for a moment before bowing cautiously. “Madam, you’ve forgotten-the old Madam had all the contracts taken away two days ago.”

As if to confirm this, Nanny Xing entered Qiangwei Courtyard and called from outside the curtain, “Concubine Wen, come with this old servant to check the storeroom.”

Concubine Wen was so angry she nearly spat blood.

These past two days, she hadn’t had a moment’s peace. The old Madam wanted to take away her Household Management Authority and had already sent several matrons to hand over various accounts with her.
There was not a shred of leeway left.

She had gone to beg Old Madam Shi, but it was useless. Once she said it, that old woman was as stubborn as if she’d swallowed an iron weight.

But judging by Old Madam Shi’s attitude, she intended to manage the household herself for now and wouldn’t hand over authority to Madam Tang and her daughter so quickly.

If she tried a bit harder, perhaps there was still a chance to turn things around. Concubine Wen tried to comfort herself.

Over the years, she had managed the household accounts and embezzled bits and pieces, but never in large amounts, since there wasn’t much in the Marquis Mansion worth taking.

The largest sum was Tang Chujun’s dowry. But she had barely touched it, always thinking it would eventually belong to her son. Except for…

Nanny Xing saw Concubine Wen sitting there with a sullen face, lost in thought, and her own displeasure became apparent. “Concubine Wen, please hurry. I still have to finish checking the storeroom and report back to Old Madam.”

Concubine Wen shot her a fierce glare. “Why are you rushing me? Can’t you see I’m thinking?”

Nanny Xing was not about to indulge her. “Does Concubine Wen think that dawdling will let you avoid checking the inventory and balancing the accounts? Old Madam said, if the accounts don’t match, your private storeroom will be opened to settle them.”

Concubine Wen was both shocked and angry. “How dare you!”

Nanny Xing gave a slight bow. “If you don’t want your private storeroom opened, then please, let’s finish early and be done with it.”

But before those tangled, chaotic accounts could be settled, Concubine Wen was shocked to hear that Shi Chengxuan’s hopes for promotion had been dashed.

Shi Chengxuan returned to the Marquis Mansion in a daze and went straight to He’an Courtyard.

He slumped into a chair, head hanging, eyes closed, utterly deflated. “It’s over, it’s all over!”

Old Madam Shi saw his state and her heart sank. “What is it, Xuan’er? The results are out?”

Shi Chengxuan gave a dispirited grunt through his nose.

Old Madam Shi, stifled and gloomy, sat to the side in silence.

Three years ago, her son had looked just like this.

He’d hosted plenty of banquets and drinks, but never managed to get promoted.

She thought this year would be different, but who could have known… Actually, to be precise, it was indeed different this time.

Shi Chengxuan spoke weakly, “After the New Year, I have to go to the Hanlin Academy.”

At the time, Lord Jiang’s exact words were: “I recommend you to the Hanlin Academy. Though it’s a lateral transfer, as long as you apply yourself, I believe opportunities will come soon.”

Jiang Youshen had his reasons for transferring Shi Chengxuan to the Hanlin Academy.

Shi Chengxuan had muddled along in the Ministry of Rites for years. It wasn’t that he was incompetent-he simply had no ability at all. Even handling the occasional official or civilian wedding or funeral, he’d make mistakes and become a laughingstock.

Now, the Ministry of Rites dared not entrust him with anything.

But the Hanlin Academy was different. It was a place for scholars to build reputations and pursue learning.

Of course, Shi Chengxuan couldn’t be allowed to compile anthologies or revise old texts himself. But with his seniority and the background of the Jian’an Marquis, managing a few newly appointed scholars was more than enough.

If any of those scholars achieved something in the future, he could bask in their reflected glory.

At the very least, the Hanlin Academy was a place where one could avoid causing trouble for the family; many spent their lives there in mediocrity. No one would mock anyone else-it was a good place to retire in peace.

To put it plainly, it was all because he had a good daughter. Jiang Youshen simply wanted to repay Shi Anxia a favor.

He had already notified the Hanlin Academy to assign a few promising scholars under Shi Chengxuan’s supervision.

In the end, Jiang Youshen also gave a word of advice: “The reputation of your Marquis Mansion is truly hard to describe. If you don’t handle things well, it will be difficult in the future. Take care of yourself.”

Shi Chengxuan felt no joy at all, only that Jiang Youshen was treating him as a burden and casting him out of the Ministry of Rites.

Old Madam Shi thought the same, and with gritted teeth, she placed all the blame on Concubine Wen. “If it weren’t for Wen Huiyi’s troublemaking, how would you have ended up like this?”