The Leisure Garden.
Bai Shuilian sat on the chaise lounge, watching the two children playing on the carpet. Her gaze fell on Xiao Wu, drooling profusely, and a trace of disgust erged in her heart as she turned her head away.
Jingshui glanced at her expression and said, "Auntie, the Fifth Young Master should sleep now; let take him downstairs to lull him."
Bai Shuilian waved her hand.
Before Jingshui could move, there was a rustling of the curtain—it was Song Zhiqing coming in.
Everyone hurriedly stood to greet him; Song Zhiqing smiled and asked them to rise, but his gaze fell on the face of the concubine’s son, and his expression darkened, slightly retracting his smile.
Bai Shuilian looked at the smile at the corner of his mouth; it only made her eyes feel sour and painful, her hands clenched into fists, nails digging into her palms.
Song Zhiqing ca to the concubine’s children and picked them up one by one, lingering for a mont. However, he held the concubine’s son noticeably shorter, passing him to Jingshui after a brief hold.
Nanny Quan wisely ushered the wet nurses and maids to take the children out; she also left the room.
Bai Shuilian smiled wistfully and congratulated Song Zhiqing, "Congratulations, sir, on becoming a father again."
The tone, desolate and mournful, like sobbing.
Song Zhiqing felt slightly guilty, awkwardly asking, "You received the news here?"
Bai Shuilian forced a laugh and said, "How could I not know? The Madam also sent soone to Leisure Garden to inform that Auntie Shen is pregnant and asked to take more care of serving you."
Lu’s actions carried a hint of boasting or a desire to see her grow resentful.
Song Zhiqing said, "Madam truly is sothing, to specifically instruct this."
"She naturally wants to see disheartened since you’ve got soone new and are adding another child—she’s happy to see , the old one, fall out of favor." Bai Shuilian’s tears fell like rain.
"Oh, oh, look at you, crying as soon as you talk; I’m not soone who forgets the old for the new. It’s just Shen’s age and being pregnant that worries , so I looked at her a bit more." Song Zhiqing said, "Shen is pregnant, and I’m happy, but with Xiao Wu like this, I just hope for a few more sons to take care of him in the future."
Bai Shuilian’s breath hitched.
Damn it, with accomplished sons, whether this foolish one is foolish or living, it doesn’t matter.
"I know, but inside, it feels empty to ." Bai Shuilian leaned her head on his shoulder and said, "I am nothing, not comparable to Madam and Shen sister who carry Imperial Decrees; the only one I can rely on is you. If you don’t favor us, then our mother and children will have no one to depend on in the future."
"Rest assured, that won’t happen; I assure you." Song Zhiqing gritted his teeth and pulled out a silver note from his sleeve, handing it to her, "Here are three thousand taels; keep it as private money and say nothing to anyone."
"Sir..." Where did this money co from?
"It’s all gifts from others."
Bai Shuilian grasped it, glanced at him, and said, "Sir, Consort Xiao sent a ssage, inviting to incense offering."
"Oh, if you want to go, then go." Song Zhiqing recalled the Mid-Autumn Festival matter and added, "While I’m in Plum Garden, ask Madam, and I’ll speak for you."
Bai Shuilian truly felt an achy jaw; this useless and cowardly man.
"All right."
"By the way, why did I hear you ntion Wan’er in your dream last night? Who is that?"
Bai Shuilian’s body stiffened slightly, smiling, "It’s an old friend from the boudoir days, married far away, many years unseen; I wonder how she’s doing."
"I see." Song Zhiqing didn’t care, only contemplating in his heart what na to give once Shen’s child is born.
Bai Shuilian saw he didn’t pursue further inquiry, exhaled in relief, and her gaze dimd again, both lost in their own thoughts.
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