For several months without seeing Bai Shiqi, Lady Su worried about her day and night, unable to eat or sleep peacefully. After the grain transport fleet returned, upon hearing that this heartless girl had actually stayed behind in Huai'an to play, she wished she could board a boat to chase after her, drag her back by the ear, and demand: "Having too much fun, aren't you?"
But when Bai Shiqi finally limped through the front door, walking with great difficulty and supported by a strong young man, Lady Su's heart ached for her again.
— Qiu Yunping, mindful of the Old Gang Leader's glare and with Zhao Wujiu present, had forcibly dragged Shu Changfeng over to act as a crutch.
Shu Changfeng now knew her true gender and had never been so close to a young lady before. His entire body was stiff, his face wooden, not daring to look at his master's expression behind him.
Bai Zhenting knew she was up to her usual tricks and barked a reprimand: "Walk properly!" Then he mounted a horse brought by a subordinate who had come to meet them at the dock, spurred it on, and rode off.
Bai Shiqi feigned weakness, leaning most of her weight on Shu Changfeng. "I'm dizzy, can't walk. Brother Shu, help me up."
Zhao Wujiu remarked, "Too much to drink, was it?" When she was catching mice and doing mischief, there was no sign of dizziness or leg pain. Wasn't she lively and bouncing around then?
Just before disembarking, she had been drinking with Zhao Ziheng, with Fourth Miss Song attentively serving them, calling out "Master" with every word. Zhao Wujiu truly couldn't imagine what expression Fourth Miss Song would wear if she knew her "Master" was actually a woman.
As for Bai Shiqi, it must be said, she truly lived up to being the future successor of the Jiangsu Grain Transport Gang. She had the air of a young master down pat, reclining on the couch with her legs crossed, clinking cups with Zhao Ziheng, and having the little maid Zhen'er massage her legs. It was a picture of pure comfort.
After disembarking, the group took a carriage sent by the Bai family. Upon seeing Lady Su, Bai Shiqi immediately leaned against her, her voice carrying an indescribable hint of coquettishness: "Mother, I missed you so much!"
Lady Su gave her hand a sharp slap. "You heartless brat! If you missed me, why not come home sooner?"
Bai Zhenting, having returned ahead, had already given her a rough account of Bai Shiqi being beaten for taking a concubine. Lady Su was shocked. Besides greeting the guests, she couldn't stop sizing up Fourth Miss Song.
Fourth Miss Song, knowing this was the lady of the Bai household and Bai Shiqi's birth mother, stepped forward and curtsied. "This humble one greets the Madam."
Seeing her dignified demeanor and movements devoid of any flirtatiousness, Lady Su still couldn't help but frown.
Young, flighty, and materialistic women were easy to deal with; money or a good marriage could usually solve the problem. But this kind of woman, who appeared harmless on the surface and seemed deeply devoted to Bai Shiqi, was actually the hardest to get rid of.
What she sought, Bai Shiqi could not give.
Zhen'er also bowed but moved closer to support Fourth Miss Song, appearing very loyal.
Lady Su instructed servants to arrange accommodations for the two women. Only then, upon Bai Shiqi's introduction, did she meet the Zhao brothers.
Zhao Ziheng not only lost to Bai Shiqi in fights but also in drinking capacity. Slurring his words, he greeted Lady Su: "Auntie, hello."
Zhao Wujiu, finding this embarrassing, pulled his wrist back a couple of steps and greeted Lady Su from his wheelchair. "Madam Su, good day."
Lady Su was inwardly puzzled. Hearing that the Zhao brothers were of noble status and with Bai Zhenting's repeated warnings not to slight them, she had people prepare guest rooms and carefully selected several maids to serve them.
Zhao Wujiu, having been thoroughly exhausted by Bai Shiqi's antics during the journey without proper rest, was the first to excuse himself. Zhao Ziheng followed. After even Fourth Miss Song, Qiu Yunping, and the others were sent away, only mother and child remained to have a private chat.
"Did you really... take Fourth Miss Song as a concubine?"
"Is that not allowed?"
The Bai family's method of raising children was to hit with a stick and then give two sweet dates. Usually, the unpleasant task of wielding the stick fell to Bai Zhenting, while the job of giving the sweet dates was handled by Lady Su. The couple worked in perfect harmony, and over the years, there had been few mishaps.
"Don't you know your own situation? Do I need to repeat it?" Lady Su lowered her voice.
Bai Shiqi was utterly nonchalant. "Mother, you worry too much, that's why you're always so anxious." She slung an arm around Lady Su's shoulders as they walked back to the main courtyard, her roguish manner making even her own mother frown. Lady Su slapped her hand several times. "What's wrong with you?"
"A bad habit!"
Lady Su tapped her forehead with a fingertip. "No sense of propriety." Her eyes were full of laughter as she then asked about the journey's smoothness and whether they had encountered any bandits.
The Young Gang Leader had barely spoken more than a few words with her mother upon returning home before being surrounded by several of Bai Zhenting's concubines in the inner courtyard. Some fussed over her health, some asked for gifts, and others wanted to drag her off to play cards. It was a chaotic, noisy scene.
"Fifth Aunt, Seventh Aunt, don't worry. Everyone gets a gift. I'll have them sent to your rooms later."
Back in the day, Bai Zhenting had taken many concubines to expand the family line. At first, everyone was wary, seeing each other as rivals, secretly holding their breath, wanting to secure their position by getting pregnant and outdoing the others. Who knew that except for Lady Su, no one else showed any signs.
Years passed. Those who felt hopeless left on their own accord. The concubines who remained were now all over thirty, older and wiser, having seen through the passions of men and women. Rivals turned into mahjong partners. Winning a few rounds from each other on ordinary days, watching operas and making clothes together in their leisure time, spending Bai Zhenting's money, and incidentally helping Lady Su worry about Bai Shiqi's daily life.
Bai Shiqi had been doted on and held in the palms of these aunties since childhood. To tell the truth, in the hearts of these concubines, Bai Zhenting really couldn't compare to Bai Shiqi.
— They were all sensible people. As long as they didn't leave the Bai family, they would have to rely on Bai Shiqi in their old age. If they didn't build goodwill now, how could they expect good days later?
Lady Su held onto Bai Shiqi, not letting go, and glared at the women. "Are you all here to cause trouble? You know how much I've missed Seventeen every day. She just got home and hasn't even rested. What's this about playing cards?"
Fifth Concubine giggled. Though no longer young, she still had charm, with long eyebrows, slender eyes, and a pointed chin. She laughed, "Don't be anxious, Madam. We know you dote on your son. We're just joining in the fun, and we haven't seen the Young Master for a long time, wanted to see if his journey was safe. Now that we've seen he's back safe and sound, not missing any arms or legs, we'll go back to our card game. The Young Master never forgets us sisters when he travels anyway. Come on, let's go, don't delay Madam and the Young Master catching up."
Like a whirlwind, she gathered the other concubines and left.
Lady Su shook her head helplessly, smiling. "An old habit of so many years. Seems it can't be changed."
Bai Shiqi leaned against her, acting spoiled. "Mother, Father beat me again because of Wen Tao. He was really harsh. Will you rub the sore spot for me later?"
Lady Su's slender eyebrows knitted together, clearly an unhappy expression. "Didn't your father say... he beat you because you took a concubine recklessly outside?"
Bai Shiqi said resentfully, "Father accused me first, the villain! It was clearly because of Wen Tao!"
So, Bai Zhenting had ridden back first to lay the groundwork here. After all, ginger is spicier when old.
Back in the room, Lady Su insisted on checking her injuries, so Bai Shiqi simply stripped off her outer robe, close-fitting soft armor, and the inner garments and trousers underneath, taking a thoroughly satisfying bath. She then sprawled on Lady Su's large bed, letting her rub medicinal oil onto the wounds on her back, finally feeling at ease.
Every time Lady Su saw her like this, she couldn't help but worry: "You're getting older year by year. I don't know what your father is thinking—how long does he intend for you to keep pretending to be a son?"
Bai Shiqi, wearing loose robes with wide sleeves, rolled around on her bed, utterly unconcerned. "What's so good about being a daughter? Stuck in the inner courtyard all day embroidering? Being a son is much more free and enjoyable!"
It angered Lady Su so much she wanted to hit her. "You still have to think about your future, don't you? Are you never going to marry?"
Bai Shiqi truly hadn't considered this matter. In a future society, she'd still be in university, with at least five or six more years to drift along—why the hurry?
But clearly, Lady Su didn't see it that way. She said, "I've discussed it with your father. After much thought, we believe it might be best to pick a kind-hearted, honest young man from within the gang who has lost both parents, and have him quietly marry you. With your father keeping him in check, he wouldn't dare gossip outside. Then, once you have a son, we can raise him under your name, and our family will have an heir."
Bai Shiqi flipped over and sat up, her face alert. "Have you already picked someone out?"
Lady Su soothingly took her hand. "What do you think... about Qiu Yunping?"
