Chapter 1557: Chapter 1557: Iron Heart

Zhulan ultimately didn’t leave. Wu Ming’s concubine, Mrs. Lin, was pregnant with a large belly, and in the slippery winter, the elderly women were afraid of injuring her belly. Mrs. Lin leveraged her pregnancy to rush indoors.

Zhulan looked down at Mrs. Lin clinging to her calf, her head aching. Honestly, after so many years in ancient times, it’s her first time dealing with household conflicts. Though she enjoys watching dramas, it doesn’t mean she wants to be involved. Her expression suddenly turned sour.

Having been the household’s mistress for so many years, when her face darkened, Mrs. Lin’s cries abruptly stopped.

Zhulan signaled Qing Xue to pull her away; Mrs. Lin almost knocked her over.

Qing Xue maintained a cold expression. She had just been helping the old mistress, allowing Mrs. Lin to bump into her. If she hadn’t been supporting her, the old mistress certainly would’ve fallen. Qing Xue’s face remained cold as she reached out and firmly gripped Mrs. Lin’s arms, pulling her up.

Mrs. Lin’s face turned white from pain; this time she wasn’t pretending—her arms truly hurt. This maid’s strength seemed enough to crush her arms.

Zhulan was assisted to sit down by Song Lan, whose face was pale. “Godmother, are you alright?”

Zhulan wasn’t frightened; with Qing Xue by her side, no one could make her fall. “I’m fine.”

Song Lan’s heart fluttered; if the old mistress were injured, her husband would certainly blame her, and she would offend Marquis Zhou as well. Everyone knew Marquis Zhou’s feelings for the old mistress. She said to Qing Xue, “Miss Qing Xue, please hand her over to the maids, and thank you for your trouble.”

Qing Xue finally let go of her arms, her voice still cold. “Sure.”

Mrs. Lin didn’t want to be taken away; her master wasn’t home. Although she was sent as his concubine by his superior, her master had already returned to the capital’s plains. She was desperate and cried out, “Old mistress, old mistress, please save me. I didn’t harm the young master; I’m innocent.”

Zhulan didn’t respond; she’s not Wu Ming’s biological mother. Even though she intervened, Wu Ming wouldn’t say anything—it’s ultimately not a maternal bond, and besides, Wu Ming has a wife.

Song Lan’s face turned even darker; she didn’t want to manage the household affairs in front of the old mistress. She had already lost all her dignity today. “Take her away.”

Mrs. Lin’s eyes widened as she suddenly shouted, “My stomach hurts, my child, my child.”

Zhulan saw Qing Xue shake her head. “!!”

This concubine’s act was exaggerated; Qing Xue was adept at checking pulses.

Song Lan’s complexion worsened; she had intended to deal with Mrs. Lin after her child was born, but Mrs. Lin was being ungrateful.

Zhulan cleared her throat, “Invite a few medically skilled maids then.”

A few maids watched, knowing it would be difficult for this one to leverage the child.

Song Lan calmed her emotions, “Understood.”

Zhulan glanced at Mrs. Lin, finding her truly foolish. The child isn’t born yet, yet she’s attempting to attack the legitimate son. Actually, she’s clever; pregnancy is her shield. Tsk tsk, doesn’t know who sent the concubine to Wu Ming, nor the roots of Wu Ming?

Probably hasn’t investigated thoroughly; if she had, she wouldn’t act. Wu Ming is loyal to the Emperor, and Song Lan’s family is loyal to the Emperor too.

Mrs. Lin was dumbfounded as she watched the old mistress leave efficiently. Didn’t they say the old mistress treated the master like her son? If he were a real son, why didn’t she care about the master’s offspring? Why didn’t she protect her?

Song Lan saw her godmother off, then looked mockingly at Mrs. Lin collapsed on the ground. “Why aren’t you screaming now?”

Mrs. Lin’s face was pale, “I’m truly innocent; it wasn’t me.”

Song Lan no longer wished to speak a word to Mrs. Lin, signaling the maid with her eyes. The maids dragged Mrs. Lin away, and Song Lan got up to write a letter to her husband.

That night, Zhulan vividly recounted the Wu family’s household conflict. “Too many women leads to disaster.”

Zhou Shuren said, “You can tell it to Fourth Uncle.”

Zhulan chuckled twice, “Fourth Uncle would only think about preserving the son over the mother. Fourth Uncle isn’t a kindly old man; family comes first for him, and nothing else matters—a heartless old man.”

Zhou Shuren smiled, “You understand Fourth Uncle very well.”

“Despite the old man treating us well, how much blood ties matter only Fourth Uncle knows. Most of all, we protect the Song clan.”

Zhou Shuren naturally understood. If he didn’t have his current status, Fourth Uncle wouldn’t consult his opinion; the old man would’ve long been dictatorial.

Zhulan said quietly, “Just watch, Wu Ming’s inner court will be lively in the future.”

“Don’t think too highly of Song Lan; she’s well aware.”

“I won’t think about it anymore; at least there are no concubines in our household. It’s good to avoid so much chaos; otherwise, I’d be handling lawsuits all day.”

Zhou Shuren said, “Our house rules are better.”

“Good, good. You’re impressive.”

Zhou Shuren was displeased, “Your tone is too perfunctory, treating me like a child?”

“Old child, old child, aren’t you a child?”

Zhou Shuren, “…..”

He’s not yet at the age to act willful.

The next morning, after Zhulan finished breakfast, she heard her granddaughter Lin Xi’s voice, “Grandma, Grandma, Lin Xi came to see you.”

Zhulan watched the little girl run in, “Aren’t you afraid of falling?”

Lin Xi grinned, “Lin Xi is watching the steps.”

Zhulan pulled the little girl’s hand; she wore a water-blue dress, a naturally cheerful girl who appeared very lively. “Grandma’s Lin Xi is so pretty.”

The little girl was confident, “I think I’m pretty too.”

Zhulan chuckled gently, “Did you eat breakfast?”

“Yes, Grandma?”

“Just finished, come sit and warm up.”

Lin Xi obediently sat and talked about recent events at Qin Prince Residence. The residence was large yet had few masters. The little girl didn’t want to enter the palace, preferring to visit Hou Residence frequently, coming every few days.

The conversation wasn’t long before several granddaughters arrived. Zhulan took a glance and understood, “Did you agree to come together?”

Lin Xi nodded, “Yes, I agreed with my cousins to go shopping.”

Zhulan was surprised to see Yu Wen there, “Yu Wen is going too?”

Yu Wen said, “Cousin Lin Xi pleaded with me for a long time.”

Zhulan smiled, “Lin Xi really has influence.”

Lin Xi didn’t feel that way; she invites Cousin Yu Wen every year but only gets a nod once!

The young ladies chatted for a while then left with their maids, leaving the room instantly quiet. Zhulan chuckled and shook her head, getting up to go to the study and read.

Yu Die and some others had previously arranged with the shop’s shopkeeper to choose some novel items from the new batch of goods.

This was precisely why Yu Wen agreed to go out this time.

The sisters entered the shop, and the shopkeeper took one look and, oh my, even Commandery Princess Lin Xi was here. He quickly approached, “Commandery Princess, ladies, the new goods are over here, please follow me.”

Yu Die quickly noticed the silver wine sets adorned with gemstones. The entire set looked exquisite yet luxurious. “Bring that wine set over to take a look.”

Yu Yi, “…”

The preference skewed by Second Uncle was unchangeable.

Yu Yi’s attention turned towards the delicate glassware; she was fond of crystal items, especially using glass to store things.

Yu Jiao was looking at gemstone jewelry, while Yu Wen was drawn to some books.