Chapter 7

The noble wives all knew inside that the madam was clearly favoring her own child, afraid that the illegitimate child would snatch the limelight away. How narrow-minded.

They didn’t make fun of her through words, but those eyes that stared at her seemed to speak, causing Shi Chenghuan and the madam great embarrassment.

The old madam didn’t say anything more and merely took Shi Qingshan into the temple.

Jiu Liu was originally a talented literate woman and Shi Qingshan was brought up by her. At ten, if it weren’t for mistakenly hitting Concubine Zhang’s stomach, she wouldn’t have been sent to the Buddhist temple. Otherwise, how outstanding would Shi Qingshan be by now?

In this way, the Prime Minister’s Fifth Young Miss became the hottest topic amongst noble wives in the capital. For an illegitimate daughter to overshadow the legitimate line and gain the matriarch’s recognition, how amazing was that?

The madam naturally felt that the winds had changed. She started to pay attention to Shi Qingshan, sometimes giving a warning out of nowhere.

However, Shi Qingshan was still as obedient as before, earnestly listening to her words.

Perhaps it was a coincidence?

The madam felt uneasy, but for the time being, she couldn’t get rid of Shi Qingshan.

Ever since the old madam used Shi Qingshan’s handwritten scriptures, her days got much better.

At the very least, there was now enough coal to burn and food to eat. There were even quite a few varieties!

The autumn sun was warm and sunny, and as usual, Shi Qingshan reclined on a chair to bathe in the sun.

Hearing Duan Xian sweeping the ground, she asked, “Duan Xian, what day is it today?”

Duan Xian stopped and replied, “Today is the tenth.”

“The tenth…”

Shi Qingshan slowly opened her eyes and looked at Duan Xian, “On the tenth of the season, there should be a gift arriving from the Jiu family…”

Duan Xian nodded, “Yes, the old madam is also concerned about miss and you, sending a gift to you on the first tenth of every season change. The goods come, but isn’t it always taken by the madam…?”

Duan Xian was brought over when Jiu Liu married and could be considered one of her people.

She was also greatly dissatisfied by the madam’s attitude in taking their gifts, but at this moment, she was more puzzled at why Shi Qingshan— who never cared about these matters— would suddenly inquire.

Shi Qingshan gave a slight smile. As if speaking to herself, she muttered, “You’re bound to return the things you take from others someday…”

Back then, in the main dining hall, there was no portion for Shi Qingshan. However, ever since she became a favorite of the old madam, it was not uncommon for her to be eating at the table.

Coincidentally, everyone involved was present today at noon.

Shi Qingshan sat next to the old madam. Next to her sat her elder sister Shi Mengnian.

Shi Mengnian’s birth mother was a concubine: Liu Shi.

She began to serve Shi Mengyuan before she married in and the madam was respectful to her, allowing her to become a concubine thus gaining a good name for herself.

Besides, Shi Mengnian practiced martial arts year round. She had a carefree beauty to her, but didn’t smile often, remaining cold and stoic.

First Concubine Liu Shi, Second Concubine Jiu Yue, Third Concubine Mo Xiang, and Fourth Concubine Zhang Rou stood on the side respectfully. They served them attentively without a word of complaint.

Shi Chenghuan ate very little and was picking out food for others most of the time. She was very thorough in her care.

Shi Qingshan lifted up her bowl and used the ladle to scoop half a bowl of soup.

When she put down the ladle and retracted her hand, somehow, her tattered sleeve cuff got caught on the ladle.

That ladle was directly lifted up from the soup bowl and a spoonful of chicken soup went flying just happening to splash directly on the person sitting across from it: Shi Chenghuan.

Shi Chenghuan screamed and quickly backed away, but it was already too late. The floral dress she had just changed into was just like that covered in oil from the chicken soup. She also began to smell of chicken soup.

Shi Chenghuan was stunned. She had never been so embarrassed before. She really liked this dress, yet it was ruined just like this!

The good-natured Shi Chenghuan’s chest heaved up and down. It looks like she was quite enraged this time.

Shi Qingshan hurriedly stood up, scared to the point of tears, “I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry, Second Sister… If I knew something like this would happen, I wouldn’t have worn these clothes…”

Everyone had already noticed Shi Qingshan’s tattered sleeves. Now that she stood up, they could see it even more clearly.

Her clothes were patched several times, but the sleeves just couldn’t be fixed any longer. That’s why it caught onto the soup bowl.

The old madam glanced at the madam subconsciously and asked Shi Qingshan, “Qingshan, how come you’re wearing such tattered clothes?”

Shi Qingshan sobbingly said, “My other two seasonal dresses are being washed, so I could only wear this one…”

The madam’s heart sunk. Looking at Shi Qingshan’s ragged clothes, she knew that things were going south.

Shi Hongxiao exclaimed in disbelief, “Qingshan, this is the Prime Minister’s house! Why don’t you go see if there are any servants in this house that wear shabbier clothes than you?”

Her words seemed to be criticizing Shi Qingshan, but she felt like Shi Hongxiao was trying to help her.

The old madam’s face sunk a bit, “Every time the season changes, the ladies would all get a few sets of new clothing. Qingshan, where are your new clothes?”

The madam stared hard at Shi Qingshan, her hands clenched tightly together.

Seeing the madam’s expression, the old madam was beyond enraged.

Others may not know, but would this old madam not understand what goes on in the rear courtyard? Although she merely watched with one eye open and the other eye closed.

Even if she was born of a concubine, she was still her blood-related granddaughter! She wouldn’t allow the madam to cover the sky with her hand!

“I…” Shi Qingshan cried pitifully, “This is all my fault! Second Sister, wait for my gifts from the Jiu family to arrive. I will definitely give you a new dress!”

When she said this, the old madam found this even stranger: “Qingshan, where are the clothes, money, and accessories the Jiu family sent you before?”

Shi Qingshan choked, “Ever since my birth mother was sent away, my grandfather from the Jiu family never sent me anything. Maybe Grandfather doesn’t want me anymore…”

Pa!

The old madam was furious beyond words and slammed her chopsticks on the table.

She directly questioned the madam, “The Jiu family sends gifts to Qingshan every season. There are thousands of things, yet Qingshan had not received a single one. Even now still wearing clothes from a few years back! As a mother yourself, shouldn’t you give an explanation?!”

Shi Qingshan’s wet eyes innocently drifted towards the madam. Its cold depths buried deep within.

Mo Yuling, my things are delicious but can’t be swallowed! I will take them all back one by one!”

The madam that had experienced all kinds of rain and storm had a rather stiff smile on her face at the moment.

However, she quickly calmed down, got up and held Shi Qingshan’s hand. She looked at her lovingly, “Qingshan, you are my daughter. How could I not wish the best for you?”

“You are still young, so it is inevitable that bad things would happen with so much silver in your possession. Rest assured, all this money and jewelry is yours. How could Mother take it? Mother will help you guard this money and give it back to you as your dowry when you wed out. It also counts as Mother and Grandfather’s love for you.”

The madam was indeed the madam, quite shrewd! In only a few words, she gave herself the top hat called “Mother.”