Time Travel: The Noble Family
Chapter 572 - 225 Jinx turns into Lucky Star?_2

Chapter 572: 225 Jinx turns into Lucky Star?_2

Madam Ping felt very bitter. If her body were infirm or the Imperial Physician had said she could not conceive, she would have resigned herself to the fact, but her health was clearly fine, and the Imperial Physician had also said there was no problem with her body, yet she could not get pregnant. Her mother-in-law had always wanted to hold a grandchild, but she was not willing to give in. If she let a concubine give birth to a son now, when the time came for her to bear a son, her son would no longer be the legitimate heir.

Madam Ping could only be thankful that her husband had always stood by her side, insisting that only after having a legitimate child could concubines be allowed to have children. Just when things had quieted down for a while, the mother-in-law started causing trouble again after the New Year. Now it was even worse, not just talking about stopping the medication but directly mentioning that a second branch should be taken for the Heir Apparent.

Resentment flashed in Madam Ping’s eyes. Before, when her mother-in-law talked about stopping the concubines’ medicine, she simply could not accept it. But now that her mother-in-law suggested taking a second branch for the Heir Apparent, it completely chilled her heart. She asked herself, she had been more than dutiful to her mother-in-law, yet the mother-in-law wanted to bring in a second branch to provoke her. The difference between a second branch and a concubine was like heaven and earth. If the Heir Apparent really married a second branch and had a son, there would be no place for her in the Marquis’ household.

As Madam Ping was troubled by this matter, she heard the steady and forceful footsteps. Madam Ping suppressed her bitterness, her face full of smiles as she spoke to the person entering, "You’re back."

Luo Shao smiled and nodded, letting Madam Ping take off his coat for him, changing into casual home clothes. Although there were four concubines in the backyard, the couple’s relationship was still very good, mainly because of Luo Shao’s respect. Although Madam Ping had not given birth in her four years since entering their home, her status was very secure.

While the couple was talking, an old nanny reported from outside, "Heir Apparent, Madam, the Third Young Lady and Miss Zhao have come."

The ’Miss Zhao’ referred to by the old nanny was also a relative of the Bai Family, with the full name Zhao Yuner. She was a distant relative of the Bai Family. This Zhao Yuner was enchantingly beautiful, with a sweet mouth and adept at winning favor. As soon as she arrived at Marquis Jingning’s Residence, she gained Lady Bai’s favor and stayed by her side, claiming the need for someone to talk to. In fact, Madam Ping was well aware of her mother-in-law’s intentions; this Zhao Yuner was definitely the second branch her mother-in-law had prepared for the Heir Apparent.

Luo Mingzhu smiled and greeted, "Brother, sister-in-law."

Zhao Yuner, looking at Luo Shao dressed in a dark-colored round-necked robe, dignified and lofty, her face flushed with redness, said, "Greetings, Heir Apparent."

The Marquis’ household was affluent, the Heir Apparent handsome and dashing - the ideal candidate for a husband. Therefore, Zhao Yuner became even more determined in her conviction; she wanted to stay, she must marry the Heir Apparent.

Zhao Yuner was in the prime of her youth at twenty-eight, her skin plump, brows and eyes spirited and beautiful, a pair of large eyes like black crystals shimmering, casting glances that touched the heart, evoking pity.

Madam Ping’s face darkened immediately; she really had no shame, coming into her courtyard to seduce her husband. Wasn’t she disregarding her presence completely? This was because Madam Ping had excellent self-control. Were it an ordinary woman, she might have exploded on the spot, perhaps wanting to tear Zhao Yuner apart then and there.

Luo Shao, seeing his wife’s expression, smiled. He was well aware of his mother’s intentions. But he was unwilling to give in, for no matter how beautiful Zhao Yuner was, what mattered most to Luo Shao were his legal wife and legitimate child, "Cousin is too polite. If there’s nothing else, you should return first!"

Upon hearing her husband’s words, Madam Ping also felt reassured. No matter how much her mother-in-law schemed, her husband was still on her side, not seduced by this woman.

Zhao Yuner, upon hearing this, trembled slightly as she lifted her head to look at Luo Shao. That shy and coy demeanor was tantalizing to the point that it scratched at the viewer’s heart, giving it a slight itch. Any man without firm resolve would have fallen for that tenderness.

Luo Shao watched Zhao Yuner with amusement in his eyes, for he was no greenhorn who had never seen a woman before. He had seen this sort all too often; those top courtesans at the brothel always put on a pitiable facade to make their patrons willingly fork out large amounts of silver. Should it occur outside, he wouldn’t mind being a philanderer, but within the confines of the mansion, Luo Shao was exceedingly proper. The concubines in his backyard were all arranged by Madam Ping, and no matter how attractive the other maids were, he wouldn’t spare them a second glance. Without rules in the mansion, the backyard would become chaotic. A fire in the backyard could easily lead to a great disaster.

Luo Shao was a scion of a noble family and had received the strictest education. It did not matter if a man played the field outside, as long as he kept his affairs tidy and did not sire any illegitimate children. At home, everything revolved around the legal wife. Concubines who dared to disrespect Madam Ping’s dignity were not unheard of, but all had been dispatched.

A flash of severity passed through Madam Ping’s eyes, but it quickly dissipated. Zhao Yuner absolutely could not stay, and even if she was to stay, she could only be a concubine. To become the second branch, she’d have to wait for the next lifetime.

Seeing that the Heir Apparent only offered a smile without inviting her to stay, Zhao Yuner spoke in a gentle and fragile tone, "I will go back with my cousin." She wanted to gaze upon the Heir Apparent a bit longer, not willing to leave just yet, for she didn’t know when she would next have the chance to see him again.

Luo Shao ignored Zhao Yuner and turned his head, asking Mingzhu with a smile, "It’s quite late, why have you come?"

Luo Mingzhu had specifically sought out Luo Shao because she had a favor to ask: "Brother, I heard Yueyao has fallen ill, and I wish to visit her tomorrow." Her mother wouldn’t allow her to visit Yueyao, but if her brother gave permission, her sister-in-law would surely take her.

Luo Shao found this strange and asked Madam Ping, "What serious illness has befallen the child?" In Luo Shao’s eyes, Yueyao was just a child.

Luo Shao had agreed that day to let Bai Yi investigate the backgrounds of several individuals for Yueyao; he thought it was a minor matter and had nodded in agreement without asking for specifics. Such trifles were not worth his concern.

Madam Ping glanced at Zhao Yuner, who was still sneaking peeks at her husband with her head bowed. Madam Ping internally cursed, wishing she could blind Zhao Yuner but showed no hint of this on her face: "Yes, I heard this child has been sick and, somehow, before getting well, she was moved to Ma’s Mansion." Madam Ping suspected that there might be something wrong with the Lian family’s feng shui; why else would the child experience so much unrest in Lian Mansion! So many things had happened in these past two years.

Upon hearing this, Luo Shao felt there was more to the story, but it wasn’t his business to interfere in the affairs of another household: "Then take Mingzhu with you, and pick out some extra fine medicinal ingredients from the stores to send over."

Mingzhu was quite surprised; she had mentioned several times about wanting to visit Yueyao but, unfortunately, her brother had not agreed. Mingzhu was frustrated; she understood her mother’s hesitance due to Yueyao’s unfortunate fate but couldn’t grasp why her brother also refused. Therefore, Luo Shao’s sudden approval excited Mingzhu: "Okay, I will go tomorrow."

What Mingzhu didn’t know was that Luo Shao did not want her to visit Yueyao because he disliked the Lian family and did not wish for his sister to be associated with them.