"What are you doing here, a young lady? Go home!"

Although Madam Jiang's words were reprimanding, her tone was full of affection.

"Azi heard from the servants that her grandfather had brought back a pregnant courtesan from outside. Azi was curious, so she came to see for herself!"

Jiang Segu sat down next to Old Madam Jiang, his bright black eyes smiling as he looked at Peony standing next to Third Master Jiang.

The twelve-year-old girl had a gentle smile and was so pretty and charming. Logically speaking, being looked at by such a little girl should not only feel like a gentle breeze, but also at least not be terrifying.

When Shaoyao met Jiang Segu's gaze, she felt a chill run down her spine from those unfathomable eyes.

She leaned against Third Master Jiang.

Madam Jiang spoke with disgust, "Have some self-respect in front of the children!"

Then, without even glancing at Third Master Jiang and Peony, he asked Third Madam Jiang, "Third Brother came to ask me for the courtyard. I thought this was ultimately a matter for your house, so I wanted to ask, where do you plan to settle the people?"

Just as Grandma Jiang was about to reply, Jiang Segu asked the old lady Jiang innocently, "Grandmother, is Father going to take a concubine?"

Old Madam Jiang glanced at Third Master Jiang and Third Madam Jiang, "You'll have to ask your father and mother about that!"

Jiang Segu looked at Third Master Jiang and their eyes met directly.

Jiang Sanye was somewhat embarrassed and angry. "Why are you asking so many questions, you're just a child! Get out of here, I have something to discuss with your grandmother!"

“Father, you are often away from home, so I’m afraid you don’t know that your daughter will be having her coming-of-age ceremony in a few months. At that time, she will no longer be considered a child! She must listen to, observe, and learn about all matters in the inner quarters so that she will not make mistakes in the future and can also show the respect that Grandmother has given her all these years!”

Jiang Segu spoke in a very serious tone, and even flattered Old Madam Jiang.

Jiang Sanye's face turned red with anxiety. He couldn't send Jiang Segu away, nor could he scold Jiang Segu for being ignorant, otherwise it would be saying that Old Madam Jiang didn't know how to raise children.

Seeing this, Jiang Segu said understandingly, "Father, I asked you if you wanted to take a concubine because I wanted to help you solve the problem."

You see, in ordinary households, concubines usually live in a small side courtyard within the main wife's residence. If you were to take a concubine, you naturally wouldn't need to worry about where this courtesan would go!

But if she doesn't take a concubine, then this courtesan is at most just a maidservant. She's not a maidservant by her mother's side, so she can't go to the mistress's courtyard!

According to custom, a concubine should not have her own courtyard!

But when my daughter heard that she was pregnant, even though we didn't know if it was her father's, she was pregnant after all. Our Marquis's mansion is not a place that mistreats people, so naturally we should find her a proper place!

Grandmother, do you think Azi is right?

Old Madam Jiang lowered her eyelids and tapped Jiang Segu's forehead, "You, whatever you say is reasonable!"

"Since Grandmother thinks what Azi said makes sense, then Azi will say a few more words."

This woman is, after all, a courtesan from a brothel. If she were to live in the back courtyard, not only would people outside gossip about how low the threshold of the Marquis's mansion is, but we unmarried girls would also be criticized when we get married in the future!

Otherwise, send her to the estate to rest and prepare for childbirth.

Firstly, the estate is large, allowing her to choose her accommodations freely according to her preferences, which is much more comfortable than being confined in the Marquis's mansion! Secondly, the estate is quiet, and the current climate is pleasant, which is very conducive to pregnancy!

Jiang Segu clung to Old Madam Jiang's arm, looking pleased with himself, and said, "Grandmother, what do you think of Azi's suggestion?"

Madam Jiang nodded. "That's a good suggestion. What do you think, Third Brother?"

Third Master Jiang naturally agreed.

Grandma Jiang breathed a sigh of relief.

When Old Madam Jiang sent someone to summon her, she was truly on tenterhooks, thinking that today would be another day of turmoil! She was prepared to be caught in the middle, but unexpectedly, A-Zi resolved the matter with just a few words!

But... can Peony obediently go to the estate to nurture her pregnancy?

The moment the thought crossed her mind, she heard Shaoyao cry out "Ouch!" and complain of a stomachache!

Grandma Jiang pursed her lips, knowing in her heart that Peony didn't want to go to the estate to rest during her pregnancy, which was why she was acting this way.

Jiang Sanye seemed to be frightened, looking at the peony leaning against him, and didn't know what to do for a moment.

Neither of them made a sound, so Madam Jiang ordered Zhou Mama to go outside the mansion to find a doctor, and also ordered someone to send the peony to Lanyue Courtyard.

Jiang Segu spoke up to stop her, "Grandmother, no! I see she's in a lot of pain, and Zhaotai Courtyard is quite a distance from Lanyue Courtyard. It wouldn't be good if we moved her and disturbed the pregnancy. It would be better to settle her in the side room of Grandmother's courtyard first!"

A glint of malice flashed in Madam Jiang's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by disgust: "In that case, move it to the side room!"

Soon the doctor arrived. After examining Shaoyao, he said that Shaoyao was already overly worried and now her emotions were unstable, which caused signs of miscarriage. She needed to be properly cared for in order to save the baby!

After the doctor left, Jiang Segu gave Qiaohe a wink, and Qiaohe understood and withdrew.

Old Madam Jiang looked at Third Master Jiang and asked, "Now what do you suggest we do?"

Jiang Segu was somewhat surprised that Old Madam Jiang would ask such a question, but she was even more anxious to get Shaoyao out of the mansion. Just as she was about to speak, she heard a commotion at the door and Shaoyao rushed in crying.

"Third Master, please have pity on me and don't send me to the estate! I think about you every day and every night, and I wonder when you will come to see me."

I'm so happy to finally be able to enter the manor today, and I'm overjoyed at the thought of being able to stay by Third Master's side in the future.

But I never imagined that such a vast manor would have no place for me! If that's the case, why did Third Master ever provoke me in the first place, making those empty promises to me?

Peony trembled slightly, her voice mournful, tears streaming down her face as she looked sadly at Third Master Jiang. "Third Master, I've served you for so many years and never asked for anything from you, but I beg you this once, please save the child in my womb! He... he's still your child!"

Every word is poignant, every sound is sorrowful.

Hearing this, Third Master Jiang looked at Old Madam Jiang, his lips twitching slightly as if he wanted to speak.

Jiang Segu knew something was wrong. His father had been persuaded by Shaoyao and was about to ask his grandmother to keep Shaoyao!

"Grandmother, is it permissible for someone who shows signs of miscarriage to get out of bed and run around?"

Although Jiang Segu was asking Old Madam Jiang a question, his eyes were actually on Peony, who was tugging at Third Master Jiang's sleeve.

"Not only can you run from the side room to the main hall, but you can also stand here and talk for so long without showing any discomfort. I wonder if it's because I'm young and ignorant, or if your body is different from others?"

A flicker of panic crossed Peony's eyes. She clutched her stomach with both hands and murmured, "It was my momentary haste..."

Jiang Segu interrupted Shaoyao's words as if to say, "Can being anxious make you disregard the child in your womb? Or is staying in the Marquis's mansion the most important thing in your heart?"

Peony shook her head repeatedly, wanting to explain, but Jiang Segu was impatient with her explanation and asked sternly again, "Speaking of the child, have you ever shown any signs of miscarriage before?"

Looking at Jiang Segu's sharp features, Peony was momentarily at a loss for words...