During this period, everyone in the Qi Mansion was discussing one matter.
That is, sohow, the housekeeper seems to particularly favor the bastard.
In Suzhou City, no matter which estate or mansion, almost all housekeepers treat bastards the sa way, so even wish they could kill them imdiately.
Contrarily, Mrs. Qi appears to be doting on the bastard.
So servants muttered privately, wondering if Mrs. Qi planned to secretly destroy Mr. Qi.
Others speculated that Mr. Qi’s birth mother had appeared in Mrs. Qi’s dream, which led her to treat Mr. Qi well.
Anyway, these kinds of rumors persisted for several days.
Even Qi Wenjuan was aware of it.
She was quite worried.
She find Anning and secretly asked, "Mother, treating the second brother so favorably and openly, won’t father beco suspicious?"
Anning smiled, while guiding Qi Wenjuan in her writing, she said, "Suspicious of what? Your father thinks himself flawless, believing that a woman from the inner court like couldn’t possibly know these matters, he will never suspect that things will be exposed."
Anning stood up, took a fruit to eat, "Your father is too arrogant."
"But many people are speaking about it."
Qi Wenjuan was still worried.
Anning tapped her head, "Let them talk; at most they’ll say I am crazy. They can say all they want, I won’t lose a piece of flesh, what matters most is that your second brother benefits."
Qi Wenjuan nodded thoughtfully.
Anning whispered, "Anyway, we have to treat your second brother kindly, even if underhandedly. Do you think concealnt will last forever? There’s no such thing as an impenetrable wall. Rather than behaving sneakily and being exposed later, it’s better to act openly and dispel any suspicions."
After thinking for a while, Qi Wenjuan felt Anning was right.
If she were to treat Qi Wenshao covertly, afraid to let anyone know, firstly, it would be too exhausting; secondly, Qi Wenshao would feel uncomfortable; besides, if it were discovered later, it would raise suspicions on why Anning would favor Qi Wenshao. Especially Qi Rui, he would definitely suspect that sothing had been exposed.
It’s better to be clear and straightforward, showing openly that I’m favoring him, let them think what they may. With Qi Rui’s nature, he is unlikely to take much action.
Anning straightened Qi Wenjuan’s hair, "Wenjuan, you must know that our biggest support right now is your maternal grandfather. As long as your maternal grandfather is alive, your father wouldn’t dare to treat us badly. Right now, regarding treating your second brother well, even if I were to openly challenge your father, for the sake of his career, he would have to endure my actions and give way to ."
Qi Wenjuan nodded as if she understood.
Anning didn’t expect her to understand everything at once, thinking she’d teach her gradually over ti.
Later, after Qi Wenshao recovered from his injury, Anning beca increasingly open in her favor towards him, occasionally sending items his way. In the kitchen, Anning had soone pass a word to ensure Qi Wenshao’s als were made identical to Qi Wenwei’s, without favoritism.
Furthermore, every evening when Qi Wenshao visited, Anning would teach him so Machiavellian tactics, to reduce his naivety.
After a while, Anning indeed found a martial master through a contact to teach Qi Wenshao so skill enhancing his physical health and strength.
Of course, she didn’t restrict this to only Qi Wenshao; she also asked Qi Wenwei if he wanted to join.
Qi Wenwei, who looked down on those martial artists and harbored resentnt towards Anning, scornfully refused, stating that he didn’t want to stink of sweat from daily exercises.
Anning knew he would react this way and had asked simply to keep up appearances. Since he was unwilling, Anning did not force him. After speaking with Qi Rui, she had the martial master teach Qi Wenshao daily and also taught Qi Wenjuan so basic moves when ti allowed.
Several days passed, and during dinner one evening, Anning brought up a matter to Qi Rui.
"Sir, I would like to register Shaoshao under my na and as a legitimate son. What do you think?"
Qi Rui was startled, almost dropping his chopsticks.
His face stiffened: "Nonsense."
Anning, unafraid, lowered her head and wiped away tears: "I dreamt of Bai He again. She was so sad, rely wishing to see Shaoshao well and pleading with to take care of him."
With her face full of tears towards Qi Rui, Anning was particularly distressed: "Back then, if it weren’t for Bai He, I would have died early. Even now, thinking of her still makes feel particularly stifled. If it wasn’t for you, Sir, Bai He wouldn’t have died so young."
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
Qi Rui suddenly stood up.
That incident was his sha, sothing he never wished to ntion.
Yet Anning insisted on bringing it up, deliberately stabbing at his heart: "Am I wrong? I know Bai He better than you, Sir. She was wholeheartedly good to , never had the ntality of climbing the social ladder. She once told , after I gave birth to a legitimate son and she took care of for a while longer, she hoped I would release her from her servitude so she could return to her village to marry."
As she spoke, Anning started to cry again: "Back in the village, Bai He had a betrothed who loved her deeply, always waiting for her. I intended, after Bai He had served for a few years and saved , to eventually release her and provide her with a generous dowry to bless the couple, but what happened..."
Anning glared at Qi Rui, her eyes filled with resentnt: "Sir, you were foolish back then, forcibly took Bai He, and had it not been for her pregnancy later, after my desperate plea to let the child be born, she might have already given up on life."
This incident was also sothing the original soul could never get over.
The birth of Qi Wenshao was actually Qi Rui’s humiliation to Bai He, hence initially, the original soul was reluctant to take care of Qi Wenshao; seeing him only reminded her of Bai He’s unbearable pain.
Anning now deliberately brought up this matter, making Qi Rui overwheld with sha.
He abruptly stood up: "Lady, are you doing this on purpose?"
Anning also stood up, not giving in at all as she stared at Qi Rui: "Sir, think whatever you want, I have always lived with a clear conscience, never hard anyone, nor wronged anyone. I want to register Wenshao under my na also as a virtue for you, Sir. If you disagree, I will directly approach the clan elders, and I believe, as long as I use my Silver Coin, they will agree too."
Qi Rui, shad and red-faced with anger, stord out with a flick of his sleeve.
After he left, Anning imdiately ordered the maids to close the door and clean.
However, just as the door closed, Anning heard Mrs. Hao’s cry of surprise: "Mr. QI? When did you arrive?"
Anning quickly ran out, only to see Qi Wenshao standing outside, shivering.
Anning knew he must have heard sothing.
She went over and embraced Qi Wenshao: "My good child, don’t be afraid, Mother is here, Mother will protect you."
"Mother..."
Qi Wenshao hugged Anning and began to cry heavily.
Anning quickly took him inside, had soone pour hot water, letting him drink it to soothe himself, and then gently comforted him, managing to calm his agitation.
"Mother."
Holding the tea cup, Qi Wenshao timidly asked: "My mother... what kind of person was my concubine?"
Anning smiled and patted Qi Wenshao’s head: "There’s no need to call her concubine. She gave you life, in front of , just boldly call her mother, I won’t get angry."
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