Chapter 303: The Limitations of Being Raised by a Concubine

Chapter 303: The Limitations of Being Raised by a Concubine

Three days flew by.

On this day, the entire household of the Marquis's Mansion gathered to bid farewell to the old Marquis as he set off for battle.

Lady Qin, dressed in her official attire as the Marquis's wife, stood at the forefront, with Cheng Yunshuo and Lu Lingyun standing on either side of her.

Cheng Yunshuo wore the court attire of the Imperial Guards, while Lu Lingyun was dressed in matching fifth-rank official attire.

Beside them stood their five children lined up.

At the very back were the concubines of the household.

Even the concubines who had been banished to the family nunnery came out to bid him farewell.

The old Marquis looked at the large crowd before him, his gaze first falling on Lady Qin. "Wait for me at home; I will return safely."

"Yes."

Lady Qin subconsciously tightened her grip on the hands of the two people beside her.

"Mother, the northwestern barbarians are just a disorganized rabble. Father is invincible and will surely prevail. Don't worry."

Hearing this, the old Marquis was so irritated that he rolled his eyes. If it weren't for the crowd, he would have smacked this fool.

How dare he downplay the threat of the barbarians, praising his father's bravery, while he himself, in the prime of his life, stayed behind instead of seeking glory on the battlefield. He ought to be ashamed!

The old Marquis couldn't be bothered to respond to his foolish son and instead turned to Lu Lingyun. "Lingyun, I entrust the household to you."

"Father, rest assured, I will manage the Marquis's Mansion well and await your triumphant return."

Hearing Lu Lingyun's words, the old Marquis's expression softened.

He nodded with satisfaction at Lu Lingyun.

Although his own son was incompetent, he was fortunate to have a capable daughter-in-law who could keep the family intact.

His gaze then fell on his five grandchildren lined up.

Seeing his five grandchildren, the old Marquis's eyes filled with emotion. The Cheng family had always had a thin lineage, but fortunately, this generation had so many children.

If they had to depend solely on Cheng Yunshuo to continue the family line, he would have felt the Cheng family was doomed.

Thankfully, thankfully...

At this thought, his satisfaction with his daughter-in-law, Lu Lingyun, grew even more.

His eyes landed on the eldest, Cheng Bingan. "Bingan, as the eldest grandson of the Marquis's Mansion, you must take on the responsibility of being the eldest brother."

"Yes, Grandfather." Having been raised by Lu Lingyun since childhood, the young Cheng Bingan already exuded a sense of maturity as he made his promise to the old Marquis.

The old Marquis patted his head with satisfaction, then turned to Cheng Binghao and Cheng Suying.

Cheng Suying looked at him with bright eyes.

Cheng Binghao, whose temperament was different from the others, spoke up first. "Grandfather, you're amazing."

The old Marquis smiled. "You're amazing as well!"

After speaking, he patted the heads of the twins, Cheng Binghao and Cheng Suying, then turned to look over Cheng Bingzhi and Cheng Lanying.

Cheng Bingzhi and Cheng Lanying were both terrified of the old Marquis.

Because he was the one who could discipline their father, who dared not even breathe heavily in front of him and was always scolded during holiday gatherings.

As a result, they were terrified of their grandfather.

Cheng Lanying, being the older one, didn't shrink in fear but kept her head down, not daring to look at him.

Cheng Bingzhi, upon meeting the old Marquis's gaze, was so frightened that he shrank back and hid behind his mother, Li Bihan.

Seeing this, Li Bihan quickly urged her son.

"Bingzhi, hurry and say goodbye to your grandfather. Wish him victory, a great defeat of the enemy, and a safe return."

Cheng Bingzhi dared not speak to the stern and imposing old Marquis, instead clutching Li Bihan's leg and shrinking back as he looked at the old Marquis.

"Bingzhi, he’s your own grandfather."

"Bingzhi, didn’t you tell me before we left that you had so much to say to your grandfather? Go on, say it!"

Li Bihan kept pushing Cheng Bingzhi.

There were no words; it was all what Li Bihan had taught Cheng Bingzhi over the past few days, even testing him before they left to make sure he memorized every word.

But at this crucial moment, the child was such a disappointment!

He couldn’t even bring himself to speak!

Seeing this, the old Marquis shook his head in disappointment and turned away.

A large crowd gathered to see the old Marquis off.

Lu Lingyun, along with Lady Qin and Cheng Yunshuo, personally escorted the three children in a carriage to see him off ten miles outside the city.

After everyone left, Li Bihan looked at her own two children, deeply disappointed. "Why are you two so disappointing? You didn’t even try to please your grandfather!"

"We’re not the legitimate children; grandfather doesn’t care for us anyway," Cheng Lanying muttered.

Cheng Suying and the other two were raised as the main wife’s children, considered legitimate, unlike them.

Of course, their grandfather favors them!

Hearing this, Li Bihan was furious, but since they were outside, she held back her anger, keeping up her usual gentle and humble act. "Nonsense! Your grandfather loves you all the same!"

With that, she quickly led her two children back to her Bishui Pavilion.

Among the concubines, Qiu Ling and Ling Long shared a look.

"Hah! She must be really upset this time!"

Ling Long remarked.

Over the past six years, Li Bihan had tried to win them over again, hoping to repair their relationship.

But after being deceived six years ago, Qiu Ling and Ling Long completely ignored her.

After all, there wasn’t much pressure or competition in the Marquis’s Mansion.

With Lu Lingyun overseeing things, as long as they could maintain their integrity, they could live a comfortable and respectable life in the Ningyang Marquisate.

There was no need to exhaust their minds competing for men and resources.

They had seen through Li Bihan's schemes; her plans were all about snatching men, and if she loved to snatch, let her snatch.

They weren't going to cater to her!

Thus, Li Bihan could no longer sway them, and over time, the three maintained such a relationship.

Ignoring each other, exchanging cold glances.

Qiu Ling looked at the two children being hurried along by Li Bihan, "Children raised by a concubine are unlikely to amount to much."

As her words fell, Ling Long turned to look at her, Qiu Ling was calm and even had a hint of pride in her eyes.

"Sister Qiu Ling, you're right. Just look at our eldest son, raised by the young mistress—he's already showing remarkable poise at such a young age. Concubine Li just doesn't get it! She insists on keeping the two children under her thumb!"

"Those two kids are doomed if they stay with her!"

Qiu Ling glanced sideways at the group over there, "Forget her, let her do whatever she wants. When her kids grow up, they'll realize and surely resent her!"

Qiu Ling, having children herself, knew the pros and cons well. Parents' love for their children is about securing their future.

What could she offer her children compared to what Lu Lingyun could provide? She and Bishuo were both just concubines; if they didn't send their kids to the mistress, they'd be stuck as illegitimate forever!

Li Bihan only saw the present, only saw herself, clutching her children tightly in her hands. Now she may have momentary happiness, but when the children grow up, she will know.

The difference between the kids is the difference between her and the mistress!

In the future, the children will resent her!