Chapter 416: Who on Earth is This Little Girl?

Chapter 416: Who on Earth is This Little Girl?

The Dowager Marchioness Weibei summoned the Fourth Madam.

The fourth branch of the Marquis of Weibei's household was the one that had married the legitimate sister of the Earl of Qin'an, Qin.

The Fourth Madam, Qin, had already received news of the Earl of Qin'an's death. Although the Earl of Qin'an was born from a second marriage, their relationship wasn't particularly deep.

But no matter what, the Earl of Qin'an was still Qin's own younger brother, and her natal family was her support in her husband's household. With the Earl of Qin'an's death, and him only having one daughter, the Earl of Qin'an's household was bound to face turmoil.

Qin was deeply troubled, and just as she was about to leave for the Earl of Qin'an's household, a concubine in their fourth branch's side courtyard had learned some new dance and had seduced the Fourth Master into indulging in debauchery, resulting in a miscarriage after bleeding, only to discover she had been pregnant for over a month.

Qin was delayed by these domestic matters, dealing with them until now, and just as she caught her breath, she was informed by the servants that the Dowager Marchioness had summoned her, which made Qin tremble in fear.

Although the Dowager Marchioness Weibei usually didn't involve herself much in household affairs, assuming she was easy to deceive would be a grave mistake.

Not to mention anything else, just look at how the Marchioness of Weibei, who was once so influential in the Marquis of Weibei's household, had been humbling herself daily before the Dowager Marchioness, smiling and speaking kindly ever since Zhou Yunyi caused a scene at the Dowager Marchioness's birthday banquet.

The Fourth Madam, Qin, dared not be negligent, her heart filled with unease, wondering if the news of the concubine's miscarriage had reached the Dowager Marchioness's ears, and if she was being called to be reprimanded.

But—that shouldn't be the case, since when has the Dowager Marchioness concerned herself with such trivial matters?

The more Qin thought about it, the more anxious she grew, and in the end, she went to the Dowager Marchioness's courtyard with a nearly pale face.

By the time Qin entered, her expression was worse than if she had been crying.

"Mother, what do you wish to instruct your daughter-in-law?" Qin didn't dare to lift her head after entering, standing there with her hands clasped, her voice trembling slightly.

The Dowager Marchioness Weibei frowned deeply.

What is the matter with the Fourth Madam?

Was she really that terrifying?!

From the looks of it, if she spoke harshly, the Fourth Madam would burst into tears!

The Dowager Marchioness Weibei couldn't help but say, "What is the matter? Have you done something to feel guilty about?"

At these words, Qin's legs went weak and she knelt on the ground: "Mother, please understand, I truly didn't know that the Fourth Master's concubine was pregnant... If I had known, even if the Fourth Master had beaten me, I would have stopped him, not letting the concubine drink and carouse with the Fourth Master, leading to the loss of the child... If Mother blames me for negligence, I accept the punishment."

The Dowager Marchioness Weibei: "..."

This wasn't an admission of guilt; it was clearly a complaint!

"Enough," the Dowager Marchioness Weibei frowned in disgust, "In broad daylight, the Fourth Master and his concubine were drinking and carousing in the courtyard, and the loss of the child cannot be blamed on you—I'll have the First Master find a job in the Ministry of Works for the Fourth Master, so he can work, rather than idling around the household all day."

A glimmer of joy flashed in the Fourth Madam Qin's eyes, and she obediently kowtowed to the Dowager Marchioness Weibei: "Thank you, Mother, for your understanding."

"Get up," the Dowager Marchioness Weibei said coldly, "I didn't call you here to find fault with you, I have something to discuss."

Qin stood up respectfully and stood to the side: "Mother, please instruct."

The Dowager Marchioness Weibei said, "Have you heard about your brother's matter?"

Qin shed two tears, choking up: "I have, my poor brother, his fortune was thin, I heard he was killed by bandits... I was going to return to my natal family this morning, but unexpectedly, the Fourth Master's concubine had a miscarriage, and it delayed me until now..."

The Dowager Marchioness Weibei didn't want to hear any more about the mess in the Fourth Master's courtyard, and just said coldly, "Since such a thing has happened in your natal family, as the aunt of the Earl of Qin'an's household, you must return to your natal family to pay your respects. As for the Fourth Master, you don't need to worry about him for now, go back to the Earl of Qin'an's household."

Qin's heart skipped a beat, and she couldn't help but look at the Dowager Marchioness Weibei: "Mother..."

The Dowager Marchioness Weibei, however, had a delicate and beautiful little girl by her side stand up: "When you return to the Earl of Qin'an's residence, take her with you. Remember, she is my distinguished guest. If she suffers even the slightest grievance at the Earl of Qin'an's residence, you need not return."

Qin's eyebrows twitched twice, her face turned pale, and only then did she look at the little girl beside the Marquis of Weibei.

That little girl was clearly a pampered child from a wealthy and noble family, dressed in misty satin worth hundreds of taels per bolt, yet in the most ordinary style, obviously worn casually for daily wear.

Ordinary noble families wouldn't dare to dress like this!

Qin felt that the little girl looked somewhat familiar, but her memory was poor, and she couldn't recall whose daughter this little girl was.

Qin hesitated, "Mother, what should I say then..."

The Dowager Marchioness Weibei glared: "Just say she is my distinguished guest, going to offer incense at your brother's memorial on my behalf. What, you wouldn't want me to go personally, would you?"

Qin was startled and quickly lowered her head, "Your daughter-in-law wouldn't dare, wouldn't dare—"

How could she dare!

Her brother, how could he deserve the Dowager Marchioness of the highest rank to offer incense for him!

Qin steeled herself—it seemed this little girl was truly favored by her mother-in-law, and she absolutely must not treat her poorly.

As Qin was pondering, she heard her mother-in-law gently instructing the little girl, who obediently responded one by one.

Qin couldn't help but look at the little girl, wondering in her heart, previously her mother-in-law was very fond of Gong Qingniang, but never treated Gong Qingniang like this. If it weren't for the obvious young age of this little girl, she would have suspected that this little girl was the new fiancée her mother-in-law had found for Zhou Yunyi!

Who on earth is this little girl?

With such questions in mind, Qin took Xingxing onto the carriage to the Earl of Qin'an's residence.

Qin looked at the little girl sitting quietly in a corner of the carriage and couldn't help but ask, "...Little girl, which family's young lady are you?"

Xingxing gave Qin a faint smile, "Fourth Madam, I am the sister of the General of the Western Garrison, my name is Yu Xingxing."

Only then did Qin suddenly remember, during her mother-in-law's birthday celebration, wasn't the little girl her mother-in-law had by her side this one?

She had stood far away at the time, only vaguely remembering a very delicate and pleasing little girl.

—No wonder, she casually wears misty satin worth hundreds of taels per bolt!

The General of the Western Garrison is the young general who stormed into the royal court of Xidi, with so many treasures from the Xidi royal court, what is a few hundred taels per bolt of misty satin?

Qin resolved one doubt in her heart but couldn't help but ponder another.

—This sister of the General of the Western Garrison, it seems she has no connection with her natal family, does she?

Her natal family is now just an idle earl's residence, and without the support of the Marquis of Weibei's family, it would have long since declined.

What is the sister of the General of the Western Garrison going to her natal family for?