“Marquis! What did you just say?”
Madam Liu’s eyes widened, and her voice rose so sharply it nearly broke.
“I said, the child stays. You go back to your courtyard.”
Shi Yuanzhi’s voice was not loud, but there was an unusual firmness in his tone. “Mother’s health is poor and she needs peace and quiet. Stop causing trouble here.”
Madam Liu’s face flushed crimson. Her lips trembled, but for a long while she could not utter a word.
She had never imagined that the usually timid Marquis would take Grand Madam’s side today.
“Fine, fine! You’ve all joined forces to bully me!” Tears streamed down Madam Liu’s face, her voice filled with grievance and fury.
“Shi Yuanzhi, I’ve been married to you for over a decade. I gave you two daughters and managed this household for you, and this is how you treat me?”
Shi Yuanzhi frowned, his tone softening slightly. “That isn’t what I meant. I’m only saying that Mother’s health is poor. Don’t make a scene here. Whatever it is, we can discuss it back in our courtyard.”
“Discuss what? Back in our courtyard?”
Madam Liu wiped away her tears, her shrill voice grating on everyone’s ears. “Then give me an explanation. What exactly is going on with this bastard?”
Shi Yuanzhi’s face darkened. “I already told you. He isn’t a bastard. He’s my son.”
“Your son?” Madam Liu let out a cold laugh. Tears still clung to her cheeks, but the hatred in her eyes had already grown impossible to conceal.
“Shi Yuanzhi, put your hand over your heart and tell me—he’s truly your son?”
“If you don’t believe me, you can investigate.” Impatience edged into Shi Yuanzhi’s voice.
“I was recovering from my injuries outside the capital back then, and I had this child with a village girl. That’s the whole story.”
“If you want to investigate, then investigate. If you don’t believe me, then don’t. Either way, I acknowledge this child.”
Madam Liu was rendered speechless. She stood there, her chest heaving violently, like a fish thrown onto the shore.
Shi Yuanping spoke up at that moment, his tone still gentle. “Sister-in-law, Big Brother has already said as much. You should go back for now. Whatever the matter is, we can discuss it another day. Don’t make things difficult for Mother.”
Madam Liu shot Shi Yuanping a vicious glare, then turned and stormed away without even offering a proper farewell.
The sound of her footsteps gradually faded, and the room fell silent once more.
Grand Madam let out a long sigh and closed her eyes, leaning back against her pillow as if utterly exhausted.
Shi Yuanzhi stood there and glanced at Shi Huai. His lips moved as though he wanted to say something, but in the end he said nothing more than, “Mother, get some rest. I’ll be going now.”
With that, he turned and left without looking back.
Shi Huai watched the retreating figure of this father who was his by blood, yet not by affection. He could not say what he felt.
This man had given him life, but he had also nearly caused his death.
Shi Yuanping walked over and sat down beside the bed, reaching out to pat Shi Huai on the head. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”
Shi Huai raised his head and looked into Shi Yuanping’s eyes. There was a tenderness in them that was difficult to describe.
“Second Uncle, why does the Marquis’s wife hate me so much?” Shi Huai asked in his soft, childish voice.
Shi Yuanping paused, then smiled. “Because she’s afraid of you.”
“Afraid of me? Why?” Shi Huai tilted his head, looking like a child full of curiosity.
“Because you’re better than she imagined.” Shi Yuanping’s voice was so soft that it seemed meant for Shi Huai alone. “She originally thought you were an ugly little monster who would die before growing up.”
“But now, not only are you alive, you’re growing more handsome every day. She’s afraid. She’s afraid you’ll take away what belongs to her daughters.”
Shi Huai nodded, looking as though he only half understood. “So she wants to drive me away?”
“That’s right. She’s afraid of you staying.”
Shi Yuanping withdrew his hand and leaned back in his chair, his gaze settling on the old locust tree outside the window.
“But you can’t leave. You carry the Shi family’s blood. There is a place for you in this marquisate.”
Qinghe stood at the doorway with a bowl of freshly brewed medicine in her hands. As she listened to those words, her eyes reddened.
She walked over and placed the bowl on the small table beside the bed. In a quiet voice, she said, “Grand Madam, it’s time for your medicine.”
Grand Madam opened her eyes and glanced at the bowl of black liquid. She frowned, but still took it and drank it all in one go.
Nanny Zhou quickly handed her a piece of candied fruit. Grand Madam held it in her mouth, and the bitterness on her face finally faded a little.
“Huai’er, come here.” Grand Madam beckoned to Shi Huai.
Shi Huai crawled over and lay beside her, looking up at her.
“Your grandmother is old and no longer of much use.” Grand Madam reached out to stroke Shi Huai’s face, her fingers trembling.
“But your grandmother can still protect you for a few more days. Stay here in the marquisate. With me here, no one will dare bully you.”
Shi Huai nodded, but inwardly he thought, This old woman’s health is already failing. How many more days can she really protect me?
He did not say it aloud. Instead, he obediently curled up beside Grand Madam like a docile little kitten.
Shi Yuanping rose and said to Nanny Zhou, “I’ll leave Mother in your care. I’m going to have a few words with Big Brother.”
Nanny Zhou nodded and watched Shi Yuanping leave the room, her expression somewhat complicated.
Qinghe lifted Shi Huai from Grand Madam’s side and said softly, “Grand Madam is tired. Let’s let Young Master rest.”
Grand Madam nodded and closed her eyes. Soon, she fell asleep, her breathing as faint as a passing breeze.
Carrying Shi Huai, Qinghe left Grand Madam’s bedroom, walked down the corridor, and returned to the warm room where they had lived before.
The room was just as it had always been. The bedding was all new, and a pot of narcissus sat on the windowsill in full bloom.
Qinghe placed Shi Huai on the bed, removed his shoes, and pulled the quilt over him. “Young Master, sleep for a while. I’ll go get you something to eat.”
Shi Huai nodded and obediently closed his eyes.
Only after Qinghe’s footsteps had faded did he open his eyes again. He stared at the beams overhead, his mind churning with all sorts of thoughts, and eventually drifted into a hazy sleep.
When he awoke, dusk had already fallen. A lamp burned in the room, and Qinghe sat by the bed with a needle and thread in her hands, sewing a small garment.
“Qinghe, what are you making?” Shi Huai rubbed his eyes and sat up.
“A new outfit for you. The weather’s getting cold, and your other clothes have all grown too small.” Qinghe did not even look up. The needle flashed through the fabric in her nimble, practiced hands.
Shi Huai looked at her, his heart filling with warmth.
That silly girl had been with him for nearly four years. She had come to him at eight or nine and had grown into a twelve-year-old young woman, devoting every thought to him.
“Qinghe, do you want to get married someday?” Shi Huai suddenly asked.
The needle in Qinghe’s hand paused. She lifted her head, her cheeks flushing faintly.
“You little scamp. What are you talking about?”
“I was only asking.” Shi Huai tilted his head, looking utterly innocent. “If you want to get married, I’ll find you a good family.”
Qinghe’s face turned even redder. She reached out and poked him on the forehead. “You’re only four. What do you know about a good family? Stop worrying about things that don’t concern you. Your sister isn’t getting married. I’ll stay and look after you.”
Shi Huai rubbed his forehead. That won’t do. You can’t possibly stay with me for the rest of your life.
But he did not say it aloud. He only grinned, revealing two tiny canine teeth.
Qinghe’s heart melted at his smile. She set down her needlework, pulled him into her arms, and kissed him. “My little darling, you’re getting more handsome by the day.”
Shi Huai’s face was covered in her saliva. He wiped it off with a look of disgust, though secretly he was rather pleased.
Just then, footsteps sounded in the courtyard, followed by Shi Yuanping’s voice:
“Shi Huai, are you awake?”
