The root of the problem lies in the long-standing lack of distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children in the Imperial Academy.
Aside from a few concubines and maids, the only women of any importance serving Xiao Ji in the mansion were Concubine Xu and Concubine Chen. Luo Shi naturally occupied the main house, Jinrong Courtyard, while Concubine Xu was in Cuiluo Courtyard, and Concubine Chen in Qingtong Courtyard. However, Luo Shi only held the title in name only.
Xiao Ji's son and daughter both lived with their mother. When her son grew up, he moved to the outer courtyard, while her daughter lived with her mother until she got married.
It was practically a three-way power struggle! The two concubines were on equal footing with the mistress, and they even raised their own children...
There's no logic to this in any dynasty, is there? Besides, wasn't the ancient system of one husband and multiple concubines practiced? Yet in their family, the two concubines were actually more powerful than the mistress!
It's a pity she unjustly gained the status of a legitimate daughter.
The issue of legitimate and illegitimate children must be resolved; one of the two concubines must be elevated to the position of principal wife. This time, she will decide who is legitimate and who is illegitimate!
"Miss, what are you thinking about?" When Zisu came in with the finished undergarments, she saw Xiao Jin sitting alone at her desk. Although she was holding a book, her thoughts seemed to have already wandered off.
Xiao Jin was dazed for a moment before she came to her senses. Seeing the undergarment in Zisu's hand, she asked with some surprise, "It's done so quickly?"
"I'm afraid things might get complicated if this goes on too long." Zisu was still wary of Yaoniang's methods. Yaoniang couldn't openly deal with Xiao Jin, but she had been tormenting Zisu and Huanyue behind the scenes. "It'll save us trouble if we finish this sooner."
Zisu had a faint dark circle around her eyes, and her usually lively face was tinged with fatigue. She must have stayed up all night again!
Xiao Jin suddenly felt a pang of guilt. She still hadn't been able to change the situation for those around her...
Seeing Xiao Jinshen's expression darken, Zisu guessed what was on her mind and quickly smiled, "Miss, it's nothing. How much effort can a piece of undergarment take?"
Xiao Jin nodded. She knew very well that instead of blaming herself, she should gather her strength to change the current situation! She curled the corners of her lips and smiled, "Thank you for your hard work! Go lie down and rest for a while. I'll take Huanyue to deliver this undergarment!"
Zisu couldn't bear to refuse Xiao Jin's kindness, so she agreed and went. Not long after, Huanyue came in instead.
"Huanyue, wrap up your undergarments. Let's go visit our eldest sister," Xiao Jin instructed. "It's quiet now, the fewer people who see us, the better!"
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Cuiluo Courtyard.
Aunt Xu watched Xiao Jin leave with her maid, a cryptic smile playing on her lips.
She thought of Xiao Jin, who had greeted her timidly and meekly just now. She really didn't seem like the eldest daughter of the main wife! Since she was so weak, the news that the master was going to stay for Luo Shi for three years must not have been spread by her on her own initiative, right?
The person behind Xiao Jin's actions must be none other than Aunt Chen!
Aunt Xu couldn't help but sneer inwardly. Did Madam Chen think she could rise to power? She was only relying on the fact that she had given birth to a son! What other qualifications did she have?
"Yao Niang." Seeing Aunt Xu enter, the little maid quickly lifted the curtain. Yao Niang, who was in the east side room, heard the voice, put down her undergarments, and went to greet her. "Mother!"
Aunt Xu immediately noticed the new undergarment in Yao Niang's hands. Her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, and she asked in a displeased tone, "Did you have Jin Niang's maid do your needlework again?"
"So what if it is?" Yao Niang was a little unhappy with her birth mother's caution at this moment. She pouted and said as if she was being stubborn, "When did you start worrying about Jin Niang? Wasn't it like this before? You should be worried about the people in Qing Tong Courtyard!"
Aunt Xu glanced around the room, and the maids who were serving her quickly and silently withdrew, then carefully lowered the curtain.
“Things are different now!” Aunt Xu said with a hint of exasperation, gently poking Yao Niang’s forehead with her slender, delicate fingers. “You’re going to give people something to talk about!”
"Mother!" Yao Niang cried out in pain, feeling deeply wronged. She immediately turned to Aunt Xu, both ashamed and angry, and said, "What did I do! You told me to get along well with Jin Niang, and I still gave her all my favorite fabrics!"
After all, she was born from her own womb and raised by her own hands. Aunt Xu knew that Yao Niang would not use her favorite fabric to please Jin Niang. There must be some reason for this.
"What exactly happened?"
When Aunt Xu asked her, Yingniang poured out her heart to Aunt Xu about what had happened at Jinrong Courtyard the day before yesterday and Xiao Jin's purpose in coming today.
Of course, she omitted the part about her initial hostile attitude towards Xiao Jin.
"You did a great job!" After hearing Yingniang's words, Aunt Xu nodded approvingly and said, "That's how it should be done."
"Of course!" Yingniang couldn't help but feel a little smug. She said triumphantly, "Don't worry, how could I let that little girl Yingniang succeed? Where would I put my face then?"
Aunt Xu, however, thought it best to give her daughter a warning at this time. Having made up her mind, she slowly said, "Yingniang is only ten years old, yet she has such cunning; she's already a step ahead of you! If Yingniang hadn't given you the pastries first, would you have been willing to give the fabric to Jinniang?"
Yao Niang pouted, unconvinced, and argued, "Of course! How can Ying Niang compare to me? She just had the kitchen make some snacks and brought them over herself, it was just a favor! I sent Zhui Jin Ge fabric!" Seeing that Aunt Xu's face was not good, Yao Niang immediately changed her words, "It's just a few pieces of fabric, nothing special..." But her voice gradually lowered, and she was ultimately a little unsure of herself.
Seeing this, Aunt Xu couldn't help but sigh. Yao Niang was nothing like herself! She'd spoiled her too much all along… Aunt Xu said with a stern face, "But in Jin Niang's eyes, it's all about different intentions! Ying Niang genuinely cares about her, while you, you're just competing with Ying Niang!"
Yao Niang pursed her lips and remained silent.
Aunt Xu said earnestly, "Aunt Chen and I are both eyeing the position of mistress. Aunt Chen can compete with me only because she gave birth to a son! If we can win over Ye-ge'er, it will be very important to us! But think about it, who does Ye-ge'er listen to the most? Isn't it his sister Jin-niang!"
“Mother means—” Yao Niang understood what Aunt Xu meant, and she tentatively said, “Jin Niang and Ye Ge’er are on our side, so Aunt Chen can’t compete with you!” Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and she added, “But Mother, Father doesn’t like Jin Niang and her brother!”
“Although he doesn’t care much about Jinniang and her brother, they are still his flesh and blood! He has to have some considerations! They are close to me, and your father will also consider these things!” Aunt Xu said. “Although we won’t let others bully us, we have to make long-term plans. You are born out of wedlock in the household, but your food, clothing, and daily necessities are better than those of Jinniang, who is born out of wedlock! And you are fourteen this year, the time to arrange a marriage. There is a world of difference between being born out of wedlock and being born out of wedlock!”
Upon hearing Aunt Xu mention her marriage, Yao Niang blushed and said somewhat shyly, "Mother, what are you talking about!"
"Whether I can elevate your marriage to a higher level depends on whether I can secure the position of mistress!" Aunt Xu raised her long eyebrows and declared firmly, "Then you will be the eldest daughter of the scholar's family!"
Upon hearing this title, Yao Niang also became excited. In that case, Jin Niang was even inferior to her in status!
The sense of superiority that allowed Yao Niang to be above others immediately satisfied her.
"Mother, I'll do whatever you say!" Yao Niang immediately responded, snuggling up to Aunt Xu in a coquettish manner. "Whatever you tell me to do, I'll do!"
Seeing that her daughter had taken her words to heart, Aunt Xu smiled with satisfaction. She patted Yao Niang's hand and said softly, "That's right. In the future, you should use your brain more when you encounter problems. Even if you hate Ying Niang and Jin Niang to death, you should still greet them with a smile! Of course, there are plenty of ways to deal with them secretly."
"Mother, please teach me quickly!" Yao Niang shook Aunt Xu's arm and said anxiously, "Please tell me quickly!"
"Don't worry, let me tell you..." Readers, you can search for "" to find this site immediately.
Chapter 71