At first, Old Marquis Qi really didn’t think much of this dog — it wasn’t a prized breed, and compared to the jade-white Pekingese beside the Old Madam, it wasn’t even as pretty.
But there’s always a “but.”
Who could blame him? This dog belonged to Qi Yuan. Since Qi Yuan could strut arrogantly through the Marquis residence, naturally her dog would be treated differently there as well.
After returning, the Old Marquis ordered the kitchen to feed this dog the same—if not better—meals as the Old Madam’s Pekingese.
He also specially arranged for a servant woman skilled in dog care to be sent to Qi Yuan to help care for the dog.
Seeing such a fuss, Madam Wang couldn’t help but ask suspiciously, “What did you say? Who is this house being built for?”
Xu Mama made an exaggerated expression, her tone sour: “For who else, madam? In this entire mansion, from top to bottom, who could be more favored than the Young Mistress?”
Mentioning Qi Yuan, Madam Wang’s expression shifted in many ways.
Indeed, now the most prestigious lady in the mansion was none other than Qi Yuan.
Anything related to her was easily taken care of, and even the servants knew better than to offend the Young Mistress.
Normally, a mother would be happy to see her own child favored.
But Madam Wang truly couldn’t feel happy about it.
Qi Yuan didn’t feel like her daughter—more like her ancestor!
It was the same in both the Marquis residence and her natal family.
Old Madam Wang doted on her and repeatedly warned Madam Wang to treat Qi Yuan well, cautioning her not to be harsh on the child.
As if everyone thought Madam Wang was some kind of monster who might devour her own child at any moment if she wasn’t careful.
Madam Wang had this knot stuck in her throat—unable to breathe properly—she closed her eyes and covered the account book in her hands. “Fine! Since the Old Marquis has given such orders, just do as he says!”
Xu Mama immediately put on a stepmother’s stern face and frowned: “Madam, are we really going to spoil the Young Mistress like this? The Young Mistress has been increasingly ignoring you, not even showing the slightest respect at dawn or dusk. And when you’ve been ill, she hasn’t even come to visit! How heartless!”
Madam Wang had been bedridden for over a month, and during that entire time, Qi Yuan hadn’t even looked in on her.
Could she not feel hurt? Of course she did.
They had never had much affection to begin with, but Qi Yuan deliberately rubbed salt in her wounds, stabbing her right in the heart.
But what could anger do?
Now the whole household saw Qi Yuan as a treasure.
Old Madam Wang would give her any good things she had, unwilling to keep anything back.
Old Marquis Qi was even more so.
Before leaving, Qi Zhen had repeatedly warned her not to cause any trouble.
She was only allowed to stay because of her illness; otherwise, she would have been sent back to the ancestral estate to recuperate.
If she caused problems again, the Old Marquis and Old Madam would show no mercy.
Madam Wang felt like a fishbone stuck in her throat, about to speak when there was a knock at the door. “Madam, the eldest young master is here.”
“Quick, bring him in!” Madam Wang hurriedly said, unable to remain angry.
Xu Mama straightened up and wiped tears from her eyes, looking expectantly at Qi Yunting who had just entered. “The eldest young master looks so thin!”
Qi Yunting and Qi Jin were children she had watched grow up.
People always favored children they had personally raised.
Madam Wang was like this; Xu Mama was the same.
Her biggest grievance against Qi Yuan was that Qi Yuan was disrespectful to Qi Yunting.
It was Madam Wang who was ill, yet standing side by side, it looked more like Qi Yunting had suffered the major illness.
He had lost a lot of weight, his eyes sunken, looking utterly exhausted.
Not only did Xu Mama feel heartbroken, Madam Wang’s tears started falling too. “How did you let yourself get into such a state?”
Qi Yunting pressed his lips together, unwilling to say much, and reached out his hand toward her: “Mother, give me some silver.”
Ever since the ancestral hall fire incident, he had become useless in the family.
Not only did Qi Zhen ignore him, even the servants started treating him as insignificant.
If he went to the accounting office for silver, if the amount exceeded what was allowed, they wouldn’t give it to him under any circumstance.
Hearing him immediately ask for money, Madam Wang wiped her eyes and asked, “How much?”
The child had truly suffered. Madam Wang gave Xu Mama a look.
Xu Mama hurried inside to fetch a money box.
Qi Yunting’s gaze was a bit unfocused as he spoke in a low voice: “Short on silver… It’s New Year soon. Everyone will be going out to play together, I want to host too…”
Young noble sons did have expenses for socializing.
Madam Wang had no suspicions and naturally asked, “How much do you need?”
Her youngest son was in poor health, always raised in the old family estate. Whether he could be relied on in the future, only Qi Yuan’s example showed.
Those not raised beside you can’t be truly close.
So the one she could likely depend on was Qi Yunting.
Thinking this, Madam Wang gently stroked her son’s head: “From now on, you’re the one I can count on. Good boy… you must make me proud!”
Qi Yuan was impressive, but still a girl who would eventually marry out.
But Qi Yunting was different—as long as he could turn over a new leaf, this Marquisate would still be his.
Qi Yunting nodded, “Don’t worry, mother, I won’t disappoint you!”
Just then Xu Mama returned with the money box, smiling as she handed it to Madam Wang.
Madam Wang asked again, “How much do you need?”
“Two thousand taels.” Qi Yunting answered firmly.
Xu Mama and Madam Wang were both startled.
Two thousand taels wasn’t a small sum.
For a young master who hadn’t married or held any official post, this was a large amount.
Madam Wang hesitated slightly, but Xu Mama gently persuaded her: “Boys growing up do need money for everything.”
Thinking of how much her son had suffered recently, Madam Wang didn’t press further and handed over the silver notes.
Qi Yunting sighed with relief and turned to leave.
Madam Wang called after him again, “Go visit your grandfather and grandmother more. Also, don’t hang around in places you shouldn’t. Otherwise your father won’t forgive you.”
He needed to make a good impression, didn’t he?
She herself was so pressured she could barely lift her head.
Qi Yunting acknowledged and quickly left Madam Wang’s side, heading straight to the money exchange to convert the silver.
He eagerly asked the servant beside him, “Are you sure about this? Is it really Qi Jin?”
The servant patted his chest confidently, “Master, how could I lie? It’s definitely the Second Miss!”
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