So what if Qin Sheng is the legal wife? She knows that the Earl has never even touched his wife.
If Ye Jiaoniang were to give birth to a son, she would naturally rise in status because of her son.
Granny Shi's attitude towards her became even more respectful than before, and she was very courteous to her the whole way, which made Ye Jiaoniang even more smug.
...
Not long after returning home, Yin Wenxiao went out again on official business and didn't return until evening.
He first went to Mingyue Pavilion to see Ye Jiaoniang, and then went to see Old Madam Yin.
When Old Madam Yin told him about the condition Qin Sheng had mentioned during the day, Yin Wenxiao immediately frowned. "What does she mean? She's supposed to be the legal wife, and now that her daughter is pregnant, I think she's becoming increasingly petty."
"Don't you think Qin Sheng has been acting a little strange ever since that day...?"
Madam Yin frowned. "She's been leaving the manor frequently lately because of the renovation of the clan school. Do you think she might be out there..."
"No way!" Yin Wenxiao knew what she wanted to say and said firmly, "She's not that kind of person!"
"I hope so."
Madam Yin sighed: "I always felt that Qin Sheng had changed. When I woke up from my nap today, I suddenly thought of some things. Actually, I can't blame her entirely. She is still young, and you dote on her. It's understandable that she feels resentful."
"She'll come to her senses," Yin Wenxiao said.
Madam Yin was silent for a moment, then said, "I heard that His Majesty's reward for Qin Sheng's brother has been issued today?"
"Yes, Right Guard General of the Capital Garrison, a military officer of the fourth rank."
Speaking of this, Yin Wenxiao's tone was full of envy.
Qin Yu is the same age as him, but he has already become a fourth-rank official, all earned through his own efforts. He is now a favorite of His Majesty and the Regent, and is also highly regarded by the Duke of Zhenguo. His future is very promising.
Madam Yin also expressed her envy, saying, "His Majesty is still young, and the Regent handles state affairs. The Qin family is a scholarly family, and now they have produced a military general like Qin Yu, who is also appreciated by the Regent. His future is sure to be bright. You should spend more time with your brother-in-law. In the future, which civil or military official won't give you face?"
"..."
Yin Wenxiao couldn't help but recall the day he accompanied Qin Sheng back to the Qin residence.
Although his father-in-law didn't say anything harsh to him, his simple words felt like they hit him right in the bone, making him feel utterly ashamed.
His mother-in-law also treated him with indifference and distance.
As for Qin Yu, his brother-in-law, there's no need to say more; he's been treated like air ever since they arrived at the Qin residence.
Yin Wenxiao knew all of this because he had taken a concubine not long after he got together with Qin Sheng.
And today in the palace---
Several aristocratic youths, who were known for their troublemaking, surrounded Yin Wenxiao and teased him, asking if he had taken a concubine who looked like a fairy. One of the young men casually grabbed Yin Wenxiao's shoulder and joked that he only cared about beauty and not his future, preferring a country girl to a lady from a prestigious family.
The other noblemen burst into laughter at this remark.
What about the Earl of Pingyin?
He was just a fallen earl, with neither real power nor a strong backer.
Oh, I do have powerful backers.
But didn't Yin Wenxiao ruin himself? It seems that he's not as popular in the Hanlin Academy since he took a concubine.
That's why those noblemen dared to tease him like that.
Because they are different from Yin Wenxiao. Although they are all sons of noble families, their families have real power and they have powerful backers.
The reason Yin Wenxiao returned so late was that he went to the Hanlin Academy.
Some things he handled yesterday went wrong, and Yin Wenxiao was summoned today, where his superiors gave him a severe dressing-down.
Now, when he hears his mother talk about these things again, he feels even more uncomfortable.
But not wanting to worry his mother, he didn't say anything more.
As I stepped out of the house, I saw Yu Rou turning down the side path, carrying a basket of needlework in her hand, bowing slightly with her eyes lowered.
Yin Wenxiao glanced at her and nodded slightly.
Then he left.
Yu Rou subconsciously looked at his back and frowned.
My aunt said that now that Consort Ye is pregnant, the Earl probably has no other intentions, and the matter of taking her as a concubine will have to wait a while.
Yu Rou didn't care.
She already had someone she loved, and even if there was no possibility of her marrying that person, she didn't want to become the Earl's concubine.
But the lady...
Yu Rou subconsciously bit her lip. She had always felt that Aunt Ye was no pushover. Now that she was pregnant, even the old lady had sent her private collection of treasures to Mingyue Pavilion.
I wonder if the lady will suffer the consequences.
...
Qin Sheng has taken over the household again.
After autumn arrived and the harvest was completed, the stewards were busy reporting accounts and delivering goods, keeping Qin Sheng occupied for several days.
Ye Jiaoniang has been living a very comfortable life these past few days.
The doctor said her pregnancy was going very well and she didn't need to stay in bed all day to rest. She could walk around and take walks, and she should keep a happy mood.
In the garden.
During this season, the canna lilies in Yinfu are growing well, with emerald green leaves, pale yellow flowers, and a delicate fragrance in the air.
Yu Rou was on her way to Zhe Fang Courtyard.
The lady has been having trouble sleeping these past few days, so she specially made a few sachets filled with dried Chinese herbs, which she puts under her pillow to help her sleep.
She originally intended to pretend she hadn't seen Aunt Ye and walked to the other side with her head down.
"stop."
"..."
Yu Rou stopped in her tracks.
Suddenly something hit her back. Yu Rou looked down and saw it was a chestnut that hadn't been peeled yet.
Yu Rou pursed her lips and held back.
"Didn't you see me just now?" Ye Jiaoniang walked over, tossing a chestnut in her hand.
Yu Rou lowered her eyes and said meekly, "It was my fault for not seeing you here, Auntie."
Ye Jiaoniang looked her up and down. Even dressed as a maid, she didn't look respectable. She had a seductive air about her!
She saw what Yu Rou was holding: two exquisitely embroidered sachets, one with bamboo leaves and the other with orchids.
"Did you embroider this? Who is it for?"
Ye Jiaoniang's first reaction was that this little slut was embroidering it for the Earl. Could it be that she wanted to seduce the Earl while she was pregnant?
Yu Rou pursed her lips tightly.
She knew what Ye Jiaoniang was thinking, and she felt very disdainful. Did she really think everyone was like her, treating the Earl like a hot commodity?
“This is what I made for you, Madam,” Yu Rou replied.
"For the madam?" Ye Jiaoniang asked suspiciously, glancing up at the old woman beside her.
This old woman was specially assigned to her by the old lady; she was very strong and only obeyed Ye Jiaoniang's orders.
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