Chapter 1204: Thunder
Editor: Henyee Translations
Honestly, what had she done? He shot her a displeased look, his hand subconsciously reaching out towards Qin Shi but then retracting. Did she think he hadn’t noticed that?
Well, that was certainly true.
If Qin Shi lacked capability, she wouldn’t have borne a son for a concubine before he married his own son, who was just six months older than her child.
Qin Shi remained remarkably composed. She didn’t rush home when her two sons were in her care. Instead, she raised both boys until they reached the ages of 12 and 7.
By now, the boys had matured significantly, and the chances of manipulation were markedly diminished. The worry of this primary wife forcibly influencing her son wasn’t something she needed to entertain.
Especially the eldest son of the concubine, who at 12, was poised to marry within a few years.
“Hehe!”
Rare were the women in the world more patient and calculating than she was.
Mrs. Zheng believed that even if her parents were still alive, Mrs. Qin and her son would have returned to the Zhao Family, right? Yet, her parents were gone, a fact that brought her more joy and less resistance.
Mrs. Zheng acknowledged that she stood right before her, understanding that whatever she said would likely fall on deaf ears.
With two sons skilled in putting on a façade and a husband who was visibly biased towards her, what was the point of refuting it?
Suppressing the anger bubbling within her, Mrs. Zheng instructed someone to assist Qin in rising and then guided her to a wing-room.
She couldn’t quite suppress her frustration about why Zhao Mu had only chosen to reveal this after so many years. Did she come off as a bad person or something?
Certainly, she wasn’t content. No woman would react favorably to such news.
By not causing a scene right then and there, she was already demonstrating a degree of respect towards Zhao Mu.
Indeed, Zhao Mu’s countenance displayed a mix of embarrassment and guilt. He mumbled, at a loss for how to articulate the situation. He settled on explaining that fate hadn’t aligned for the two children to return to the estate earlier, resulting in their residence at the Daoist temple for several years.
Unspoken were the circumstances concerning Ms. Zheng’s character. He couldn’t utter that truth, not when she had borne him two concubine-born children!
Ms. Zheng remained skeptical of his explanation, yet strangely, this was welcome news.
Being labeled a malicious person would undoubtedly cast a shadow over her son.
Ms. Qin proved to be an intricate individual, necessitating careful strategizing.
This woman had an uncanny ability to shed tears. Should she harness this skill to its fullest extent, she would invariably be perceived as a spiteful and malevolent presence.
Zhao Mu’s account served to confirm Ms. Zheng’s suspicions.
Amidst a cohesive and rational narrative, Ms. Qin’s offspring had been born under delicate circumstances, prompting their temporary upbringing within the temple’s sanctuary prior to their reintegration into the estate. To forgo this approach would have imperiled not only the children but also the estate itself. With the master now certain of their well-being, their return was sanctioned.
In truth, the aging servant and Ms. Zheng herself were privy to this information, but divulgence was proscribed. Ms. Qin might not have held a concubine’s title, but she held the genuine status of one!
In commemoration of the mother and son’s reunion, Ms. Zheng even proposed a grand festivity.
Haunted by guilt and swayed by her dignified and joyous demeanor, Zhao Mu acceded.
Swift and resolute, Ms. Zheng granted him no chance to waver. The very next day, news of the forthcoming celebration rippled through the estate.
Yangzhou buzzed with vitality.
Among those who were privy to the situation, praise for Ms. Zheng’s virtue was abundant.
Deep within, Ms. Qin seethed with irritation, yet her hands were tied.
Ms. Zheng’s maneuver had effectively eradicated any room for her to cast aspersions on Ms. Zheng’s moral standing.