But they were all wrong.
Qin Sheng didn't feel sad at all.
Upon arriving at Songliu Courtyard, Old Madam Yin was in high spirits, enjoying the happy occasion. She sat in a reclining chair, while Granny Shi gave her a gentle massage.
Qin Sheng bowed, and only then did Old Madam Yin open her eyes and say, "You must have heard since you came back that Jiao Niang is pregnant."
“This is Wenxiao’s first child.” When she said this, Madam Yin’s tone and eyes were full of meaning.
"..."
"Is the old lady afraid that I will harm the child in Aunt Ye's womb?"
Qin Sheng didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "Then you're overthinking it. This child will have to call me his legal mother after he's born. I don't need to do anything to a child."
Old Madam Yin was speechless at her words.
Recently, it seems that Qin Sheng has been possessed by some evil spirit. Old Madam Yin almost considered inviting a master to come and take a look at their home.
Otherwise, how could a perfectly good person, so knowledgeable, gentle, and understanding, suddenly change their temperament?
How strange!
"It would be best if you could think that way."
Madam Yin, putting on airs as a mother-in-law, said, "Now that Jiao Niang is pregnant, her food, clothing, and daily necessities are naturally not what they used to be. We also need to assign two more maids and servants to her in the courtyard---"
“You’re right,” Qin Sheng said. “Now that you’re in charge of the household, Mother, if you’re happy with it, then I have no objections.”
"..."
Old Madam Yin nearly coughed up blood in anger. Was that what she meant?
Now that things have come to this point, shouldn't Qin Sheng take the opportunity to say, "It's up to my daughter-in-law to arrange these things"?
"Ah Sheng," Old Madam Yin took a breath and said, "You've already made arrangements for the clan school, so you don't need to leave the manor every day. Now that Jiao Niang is pregnant, she shouldn't be overworked. You should take charge of managing the household."
"I will do my duty as your daughter-in-law, but I have one condition," Qin Sheng said.
"You still have conditions?" Old Madam Yin was almost furious. Did he really think she was begging her to take over the family business?
However, he still suppressed his anger and asked, "What are the conditions?"
Qin Sheng said, "I am not in charge of anything related to Aunt Ye. Otherwise, if anything happens to her, you and the Lord will definitely blame me first."
Madam Yin was taken aback.
She hadn't expected Qin Sheng to make such a request.
In the neighboring wealthy families, if a concubine is pregnant, the mistress is the one who dislikes it the most. Which family doesn't have a few unborn illegitimate children or concubines who died unjustly?
If anything were to happen to Ye Jiaoniang during her pregnancy, Madam Yin would undoubtedly suspect Qin Sheng first.
But Qin Sheng has now made this condition: no matter what happens to Ye Jiaoniang in the future, it will not be blamed on her.
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Old Madam Yin scolded lightly.
She said, "You are the mistress of the Yin family, the principal wife. How can you not care about your concubine's pregnancy? Aren't you afraid of ruining your reputation if word gets out?"
Without giving Qin Sheng a chance to refuse, he waved his hand and said, "Alright, the steward from the estate has been waiting for a long time since he came to the manor to discuss some matters. Go and see him."
Qin Sheng had anticipated that she wouldn't agree, so he didn't say anything more, got up, and left with his maid.
After leaving Songliu Courtyard, Qiao'er said indignantly, "Is the old lady still thinking of bullying you? There are so many people in the mansion, surely they can't take good care of Aunt Ye?"
"She was worried that something might happen to Aunt Ye during this pregnancy, so that if anything went wrong, there would be someone to take responsibility."
Qin Sheng's lips curled up slightly in a mocking smile.
She remembered her past life.
In order to please Yin Wenxiao and Madam Yin, she took the initiative to take care of Ye Jiaoniang, and even personally found an old woman who had taken care of pregnant women to take care of Ye Jiaoniang.
But what happened next?
Ye Jiaoniang, a concubine, often bossed Yin Wenxiao around, and Yin Wenxiao believed everything she said.
Qin Sheng, mindful of her status, disdained arguing with a concubine, and even less so crying and explaining to her husband.
It was after Ye Jiaoniang gave birth to her first child that Qin Sheng and Yin Wenxiao drifted apart beyond repair.
The master and servants went to the main hall.
On the way, Emerald couldn't help but worry: "What if the Earl and the Old Madam want the child to be raised by the Madam after Aunt Ye gives birth? Not only will the child take up the title of the legitimate son for nothing, but what if he is not well-behaved? With Aunt Ye as the birth mother, what if he turns out to be an ungrateful child?"
Qin Sheng smiled but remained silent.
Even if the old lady and Yin Wenxiao were willing, Ye Jiaoniang would not be willing to let her raise the child.
Wasn't it the same in her past life? Ye Jiaoniang had a son, and she never hesitated to make sarcastic remarks to her, wishing that Qin Sheng, the legal wife, would die soon so that she could take over.
...
Songliuyuan.
When Ye Jiaoniang arrived, Old Madam Yin had just had Granny Shi bring in bird's nest soup, which was specially made for Ye Jiaoniang.
Madam Yin's attitude towards her improved considerably, and she asked her to sit down: "Didn't I tell you to rest in bed? Why did you come here?"
She was planning to have this bird's nest delivered to Mingyuexuan.
Ye Jiaoniang sat down obediently, slightly flustered, and said, "I haven't been in the manor long and I'm already pregnant. I'm afraid Madam will be unhappy..." As she spoke, she couldn't help but raise her slightly reddened eyes to look at Old Madam Yin, "If Madam is unhappy..."
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Old Madam Yin frowned.
Changing the subject, she asked, "I heard from the maid that you've been reading lately?"
Ye Jiaoniang is literate and can write, all thanks to Yin Wenxiao who taught her by hand when she was in Hushan.
"Yes." Ye Jiaoniang took a sip of bird's nest soup and replied, "It was because the Lord was worried that I would be bored that he sent me some books to pass the time."
Madam Yin nodded, "Now that you're in the Pingyin Marquis's mansion, things are naturally different from when you were outside. You should read more books and learn more things."
Ye Jiaoniang's expression froze for a moment, then she nodded gently.
She couldn't help but ponder the old lady's words.
Unlike Qin Sheng, who was born into a wealthy family and had been taught by famous teachers since childhood, she was proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and songs. She also came from a privileged background and learned the skills of managing a household.
She lowered her head and said obediently, "What the old lady says is true."
After sitting with Madam Yin for a while, Madam Yin had Granny Shi personally escort her back to Mingyue Pavilion.
Before leaving, he specifically told her that he would increase her monthly allowance to eight taels of silver.
Since Ye Jiaoniang entered the mansion, her monthly allowance has been five taels of silver.
The old lady said that she would add another maid and an old woman to her courtyard, and that the madam would take care of all their food, clothing and daily necessities.
Ye Jiaoniang was very satisfied.
She couldn't help but look down at her still flat stomach, and she couldn't suppress the smile on her lips.
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