Xing Muzheng grew angry and let out a wild roar. Wet Nurse Ye was so startled she stumbled back and almost threw her back out. But gritting her teeth, she knelt down again, crying, “Marquis, please come back to us! Our young lady and the child in her belly both need you—you’re their whole world! Without you, how are they supposed to live?!”
What was this servant doing, wailing like it was a funeral? Furious, Xing Muzheng stood up and kicked the wet nurse clear across the courtyard. Everyone was stunned. Feng Yuyan, terrified, bolted toward the door. Ah Da and the others swiftly cleared the way. Wu Shunzi dragged the wet nurse to a safe spot, while she clutched her chest, wailing like she was about to die.
Wang Yong brought over a bowl of goat milk. The marquis calmed down immediately, holding the bowl and lapping it up. Feng Yuyan, still pressed against the doorway in case the marquis flew into another rage, finally relaxed when she saw him settle. Only then did she hear the wet nurse’s groaning and hurriedly ordered someone to fetch a doctor.
Qian Jiaoniang seemed to have just watched an entertaining play. Arms crossed, she asked coolly, “When did the marquis marry Miss Feng? Why wasn’t I invited to the feast?”
Qingya, seeing that Jiaoniang showed no sign of distress, whispered to her, “I’m guessing it was on her birthday night.”
On Feng Yuyan’s birthday, Dingxi Marquis had thrown her a lavish celebration, with banquets and opera troupes. Xing Muzheng had spent the whole night drinking in her courtyard and never came out.
Qian Jiaoniang frowned. The more she heard, the more confused she became. “Her birthday?”
Qingya leaned in and whispered a few more words. Jiaoniang’s eyes flickered with understanding, and she finally realized what had happened.
The marquis, having finished his milk, reached out toward Jiaoniang and made incoherent noises.
She ignored him and said to Qingya, “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
Qingya hesitated, “It was your birthday the day before hers. I was afraid it’d upset you.”
Xing Muzheng, whose hearing was sharp, caught every word. So—Feng Yuyan’s birthday was the day after Jiaoniang’s?
Jiaoniang took off her apron and gave a casual smile. “Silly girl. What’s there to be upset about?”
“Madam, the general is calling you,” Li Qingquan said, noticing that Jiaoniang was ignoring the marquis’s calls.
“He’s just making noise.” Jiaoniang cast him a cool glance.
Her gaze was colder than usual, holding back a simmering anger. Of course she was angry—she was planning to jab a needle into him tonight. But Xing Muzheng was angry too. He had no idea what wine he’d drunk that night, but after a few cups, he’d passed out completely in Feng Yuyan’s courtyard. He’d been unconscious—how could he have done anything with her? Feng Yuyan was either having Xu Momo fake it to deceive everyone, or she had let some filthy man ruin her and was now using a b*stard to trick Jiaoniang. Either way, she wouldn’t get a good end.
“Mom, what’s wrong?” Xing Pingchun stood barefoot on the threshold, still holding the mechanical puzzle box. He’d been fascinated by it since yesterday and had finally pestered Jiaoniang into letting him play with it. He’d been focused on solving it in the room when he heard the commotion outside and came to take a look.
Jiaoniang frowned, “Still not wearing shoes? You really deserve a spanking!”
Pingchun shifted from foot to foot, grinning sheepishly.
Qingya turned to Li Qingquan and said, “Lord Li, every time you visit, you’re always in such a rush. You’ve never even met our young master properly. This time you finally get to.”
Wet Nurse Ye clutched her chest and thought to herself, What a sharp-tongued maid.
Li Qingquan’s face shifted, and he straightened his clothes, then stepped forward and knelt on one knee before Pingchun. “Deputy Commander Li Qingquan greets the young master.”
Pingchun was startled and jumped down from the threshold to pull him up. “Uncle Li, please get up!” he said, glancing toward his mother for help. Why was such a high-ranking official kneeling to him?
Yes—this was the rightful wife of the marquis household and the legitimate eldest son. How could they be cowed by some unwed, pregnant woman trying to flaunt her power? Qingya watched Feng Yuyan’s changing expression with satisfaction.
Jiaoniang walked over and waved a hand at Pingchun. “Mom has some matters to discuss with Uncle Li and the others. You go back and help Mom finish solving that box.”
Pingchun craned his neck to look behind her and saw “Aunt Feng”—the woman who’d ordered his father locked up—standing in the courtyard. His eyebrows shot up. “Does it have to do with Dad?”
“No, it’s just some household matters. Nothing interesting. Off you go now.” Jiaoniang patted his shoulder. Pingchun looked back a couple more times before obediently heading back inside.
Li Qingquan said with difficulty, “Madam… Miss Feng claims that the general, while drunk on her birthday night, was overcome by passion and consummated their relationship. And now she’s pregnant… What should we do about this?”
“Don’t worry, Lord Li. Let’s talk this through slowly.” Jiaoniang gestured. “Come in, everyone.”
She led them into the main hall. All the furniture was brand new—if one sniffed closely, they could still catch the scent of fresh wood. Jiaoniang sat in the main seat, picked up a palm fan from the center table, and gave it a few casual waves while quietly taking two deep breaths.
Feng Yuyan, entering after her, saw the glaringly rustic fan and scoffed inwardly. As expected of a country bumpkin.
Qingya had the wet nurse carried off to see a doctor, kicked out the maids Feng Yuyan had brought, and then entered the hall to stand behind Jiaoniang.
Ah Da and Wang Yong helped Xing Muzheng to the left-hand main seat. Still muddle-headed, he stared straight ahead. He couldn’t see Jiaoniang’s face but could clearly see Feng Yuyan sitting primly, one hand on her belly, in the second seat on the right. He felt disgust rise in his chest.
Jiaoniang invited Li Qingquan to sit. He cupped his fists and took the first seat on the left. Jiaoniang gently fanned herself, looking at Li Qingquan, then at Feng Yuyan, and said nothing for a long while. Feng Yuyan also stayed silent, lightly fanning herself with a lady’s fan.
Li Qingquan, being impatient by nature, couldn’t hold back anymore. “Madam…”
Qian Jiaoniang raised her hand and nodded slightly, signaling him to stop. Li Qingquan had no choice but to swallow his words. Qian Jiaoniang turned to Feng Yuyan. “Alright then, Miss Feng, why don’t you first tell me—what exactly is going on?”
“Huh?”
“I’m asking you—when and where did you and the marquis engage in improper relations?” Qian Jiaoniang, understanding she might not have caught the meaning, patiently repeated the question.
Feng Yuyan was furious but said nothing. Improper relations? What kind of phrasing was that?
“Madam, the term ‘improper’ is a bit…” Li Qingquan hesitated.
“Oh, I’ve never studied, so I don’t understand such words,” Qian Jiaoniang said, “But I’m sure Miss Feng knows full well. Go ahead, I’m listening.”
Feng Yuyan looked miserably toward Li Qingquan. He cleared his throat, “Madam, I just—”
“Lord Li,” Qian Jiaoniang cut in, “I asked Miss Feng. Please, like me, just listen, alright?”
Li Qingquan had no choice but to stay silent.
