A faint fragrance wafted from the small bronze tripod with the word "Fu" in it. Inside the tripod was burning herbal incense that repelled mosquitoes. The whole room was silent and you could hear a pin drop. Everyone looked up at Xu Wen.

Aunt Hong twisted her fatter body and moved uneasily. When she saw Xu Wen's gaze, she shrank back quietly.

Aunt Chun was still kneeling on the ground, tears streaming down her face as she pleaded, "Madam, Xian'er is also your son. Please be kind and let Xian'er be raised by you."

Xu Wen skimmed the tea foam with the lid and said nothing. Qiu Ling angrily scolded, "Mrs. Chun, put away your weak appearance. This is not the place for you to throw a tantrum. If you don't stand up, wait for the maid to drag you out."

Concubine Chun still didn't get up, and said in a soft voice: "If the legal wife doesn't raise the illegitimate child, how can you still maintain your reputation? Isn't the lady afraid of being laughed at by outsiders?"

Xu Wen's expression and movements remained unchanged. She simply put down the azure teacup in her hand and instructed Qiu Ling, "Send Aunt Chun and Sanlang to Daqing Manor. Wu Shun's wife will accompany them to take care of them."

Aunt Chun looked up in astonishment, but before she could say anything, the old woman covered her mouth and dragged her away.

Xu Wen picked up the teacup again, and Qiu Ling said to the women, "All the ladies and girls, please leave."

"Yes." The women all responded in unison, bowed and left in a hurry.

Concubine Hong was lingering and refusing to leave, so Qiu Ling stepped forward and asked, "What's the matter, Concubine Hong?"

Aunt Hong looked at Xu Wen eagerly. Seeing that Xu Wen ignored her, she didn't care about anything else and stood up to walk towards Xu Wen. Before she took two steps, Qiu Ling stopped her and said, "Aunt Hong, you are not allowed to walk around the main courtyard without permission."

Aunt Hong clenched her fists, then returned to her seat and said to Xu Wen, "Madam, we used to have so much fun chatting and laughing together. What's wrong with you lately?"

Xu Wen looked straight at Aunt Hong, put down the teacup, stood up and left without saying a word.

Seeing that Xu Wen was ignoring her, Concubine Hong stood up, walked to the door, turned back to look at Qiu Ling, and said, "Sister Qiu Ling, the Second Master is going to take in a new beauty. I heard that this beauty is stunningly beautiful."

Qiu Ling looked at Hong Yi Niang coldly, and said with a half-smile, "Hong Yi Niang, having more sisters means more opportunities. You should thank the Second Master. You don't need to interfere in the Madam's affairs."

Aunt Hong looked at Qiu Ling with shame and anger, then she opened the door curtain and left.

Qiu Ling looked at Aunt Hong's no longer frail back, and a hint of sarcasm flashed in her eyes.

Returning to her room, Qiu Ling saw Xu Wen playing with the jade pendant again. Knowing her young lady was eager to see someone else, she stepped forward and urged, "Young lady, why don't you send me to Nanjing?" Xu Wen didn't stop, nor did she speak. Qiu Ling knew her young lady hadn't come to her senses yet, and fearing further persuasion would upset her, she remained silent and waited.

"How's things going with the Second Master?" Xu Wen asked after a moment.

Qiu Ling moved closer to Xu Wen and replied softly, "Second Master is not doing well, maybe accepting a new person is..."

Xu Wen narrowed her eyes and thought for a moment before saying, "Have you checked all the medicines?"

Qiu Ling nodded and said, "I asked an unfamiliar doctor to see the man. He will only make him unable to pursue beauty, but it won't harm his health or shorten his lifespan."

Xu Wen nodded in satisfaction, played with the jade pendant in her hand, looked in the direction of Jinling, and sat there for half the morning.