Chapter 038: Concubine Chen and Her Son

Chapter 038: Concubine Chen and Her Son

With Lin Yingxue present, Lin Baozhen had never received such praise as being beautiful. Being complimented by the matriarch filled her with joy.

Having just received the bracelet, Lin Baozhen thought that indeed Wei Wuhou Mansion was better than Fu Heng, who only gave money. No matter how much money he gave, it didn't change the fact that he was always busy with his own affairs and left his daughter to her.

Thinking about it, Lin Baozhen believed that Fu Wanan's misfortune could not be blamed on her. After all, Fu Heng did not take care of his daughter himself.

Xie Yuan squeezed Lin Baozhen's hand gently. "Bao'er."

Lin Baozhen smiled sweetly. "I'm sorry, I was distracted."

The old matriarch had already seen the handkerchief sent by her son. With Xie Yuan successfully marrying and consummating the marriage, she wondered if perhaps heaven had already placed a child in Lin Baozhen's womb. She gently held Lin Baozhen's hand, afraid that her son might hurt her.

"Don't squeeze my daughter-in-law like that; you're hurting Baozhen's hand."

In the past, Lin Baozhen had been favored by the matriarch of Changqing Marquis Mansion. Seeing the old matriarch speak so kindly now, she felt as if she were with her own grandmother and leaned affectionately against her. "Old Matriarch, you're the one who cares for me."

This sudden display of intimacy startled Ma Ruolan, who barely knew Lin Baozhen.

The old matriarch instinctively looked at her son, unsure what to do. Xie Yuan gave a subtle nod and smoothly embraced Lin Baozhen.

"Alright, Mother, your words are well taken. I will treat Bao'er even better. Let's serve tea."

Lin Baozhen nodded shyly.

Ma Ruolan quickly added, "Yes, yes, I'm so happy I forgot myself. As long as Yuan treats Baozhen well, that's all that matters."

The old marquis had already passed away, so now Lin Baozhen only needed to serve tea to some elders and distant relatives from Wei Wuhou Mansion. One person caught her attention.

This person was Xie Yuan's distant cousin, He Lanting. He Lanting lost both her parents at a young age and had since lived in Wei Wuhou Mansion.

At the age of fifteen, she married into Yongning Marquis Mansion as a second wife. Although the Yongning Marquis was older, he doted on this young wife.

Unfortunately, He Lanting's fate was not kind. After a few years of bliss, the Yongning Marquis suffered a stroke and was bedridden. Eventually, he passed away.

He Lanting remained a widow with her young son in Yongning Marquis Mansion.

She was delicate and frail, with a waist so slender it seemed fragile. Lin Baozhen suspected that if her cousin Wang Zifan saw her, he would fall into another bout of infatuation.

Even in her early thirties, He Lanting still carried a sense of fragility. What made her unique was that after her son was brutally murdered, she went directly to the emperor instead of seeking help from the authorities or the Jinyiwei.

When He Lanting petitioned the emperor, she appeared disheveled and on the brink of madness. Despite this, Emperor Chengde took pity on her and, despite opposition from officials, brought her into the palace as a concubine.

Lin Baozhen did not pay much attention to how He Lanting's son died but noted that she had become Concubine Chen and received the emperor's favor.

Looking at He Lanting, Lin Baozhen thought that perhaps the Wei Wuhou Mansion's prosperity was partly due to this cousin. Her smile towards He Lanting became more sincere. Now that she was married to Xie Yuan and was the Wei Wuhou's lady, the better the Wei Wuhou Mansion fared, the better her life would be.

He Lanting offered a gift to Lin Baozhen and greeted her with the appropriate familial term, "Cousin-in-law." Then she beckoned her son, "Come and pay your respects to your aunt."

The little boy named Yan Ji was adorable and well-mannered. He bowed to Lin Baozhen and said in a soft voice, "Greetings, Aunt."

"What an adorable child, and so well-groomed," Lin Baozhen thought he resembled someone, and Fu Jiaze's name came to mind. She quickly dismissed the thought, reminding herself not to assume similarities based on appearance.

Lin Yingxue touched Yan Ji's head, thinking that this child was destined for an unfortunate fate. If he lived, how could He Lanting have petitioned the emperor and become Concubine Chen? She said sympathetically, "His manners are excellent. Has he started learning to read?"

He Lanting smiled faintly. "Jier practices writing for two hours every day, and his archery skills are also impressive."

He Lanting was proud, but Lin Baozhen chuckled, drawing everyone's attention. "That name is a bit peculiar."

Many women covered their mouths, finding the name crude, yet they also felt Lin Baozhen was being tactless. He Lanting's expression twisted. The name was given by the emperor, and once restored to the Zhao surname, he would be called Zhao Ji, named after one of the stars in the Big Dipper. The emperor had prophesied that her son would ascend the throne. She said coldly, "Do not jest. My son's name is perfectly fine, derived from one of the stars in the Big Dipper—Tianji."

Lin Baozhen, realizing her faux pas, apologized hastily. "I didn't study much in my youth, so I must seem ignorant. It's a star name."

He Lanting's expression softened slightly but still harbored some resentment.

Soon, Lin Baozhen waited for Xie Jingzhi to serve her tea and call her mother.

Xie Jingzhi, having been slapped the previous day, did not attend the wedding banquet. His face still bore marks, prompting Lin Baozhen to ask, "Does your face still hurt?"

Everyone was surprised by her concern. Xie Jingzhi hesitated before replying, "It's no longer an issue. It will heal soon."

"I have a good remedy for that," Lin Baozhen said, "Chang Yan, give it to the heir."

After the guests left the bridal chamber the previous night, Lin Baozhen had asked Chang Yan to find a salve for Xie Jingzhi's bruise.

Taking the salve from Chang Yan, Xie Jingzhi felt a gentle breeze in his heart. What had he done wrong yesterday? He had merely suggested Fu Jiaze lift the veil, driven by a selfish motive. But that motive was never publicized, and it was meant to avoid a mistake. Yet his father had slapped him, and his grandmother had punished him by making him kneel in the ancestral hall. Hearing Lin Baozhen's concern now, he softly thanked her, looking up with a mix of emotions.

"Thank you, Mother."

He Lanting watched them, recalling the rumors circulating among the common folk. She decided to inform her cousin later, speaking to Xie Yuan discreetly.

If Xie Yuan had previously dismissed Lin Baozhen's feelings, he now acknowledged them. At the Lin residence yesterday, he confirmed that Lin Baozhen truly liked his adopted son.

"Thank you for the reminder, Cousin. I am aware of this. You know my fate has been unfavorable in marriage. Now, what matters most is her ability to bear children. I will ensure she remains dutiful and gives birth to my heir."

He Lanting understood. When she first moved into Wei Wuhou Mansion, she had entertained thoughts of marrying her cousin. However, those thoughts vanished when she broke her leg. She was grateful to Xie Yuan for helping her marry the Yongning Marquis instead of a scholar, as the old matriarch had intended.

And because she married the Yongning Marquis, she had the opportunity to meet the Emperor, which led her to become the most esteemed woman in all of Great Qi.

As the saying goes, a wife is not as desirable as a concubine, and a concubine is not as thrilling as a secret lover. Even the most exalted emperor is no exception. He Lanting exploited this weakness of men and successfully became the apple of the emperor's eye. She even managed to get an imperial seal hung around her son's neck, ensuring that the emperor would groom their child as the future heir.

He Lanting smiled. "My cousin understands well. Perhaps Miss Lin has lived too comfortably; my cousin should rein her in a bit, lest she speak out of turn."

Xie Yuan said earnestly, "Please do not take Bao'er's innocent remark to heart, Cousin."

He Lanting waved her hand. "I'll take my son back now."

That particular way of referring to her son was somewhat uncomfortable for her, so she simply called him "my little one."

He Lanting was having a private conversation with Xie Yuan, and Chang Yan happened to witness this scene. Noticing how Lin Baozhen paid extra attention to He Lanting, Chang Yan whispered about it to Lin Baozhen.

Lin Baozhen grew anxious. Xie Yuan must not have feelings for He Lanting. It would be most beneficial for the entire Weiwu Marquis Mansion if He Lanting entered the palace as Concubine Chen.

When they were alone, she told Xie Yuan, "You must not harbor any thoughts for your cousin."

Xie Yuan was almost amused by her anger. His cousin had just mentioned how Lin Baozhen spoke without thinking, and here she was, proving it true.

He lifted her up and carried her to the bed in broad daylight.

Afterward, when Xie Yuan had washed up and was holding Lin Baozhen, he said, "Bao'er, does this prove my intentions?"

"But the Yongning Marquise is very beautiful."

"If I had any interest in my cousin, I would have married her years ago." Xie Yuan smiled. "As you said, she is now the Yongning Marquise. Even if something were to happen to the Yongning Marquis, she wouldn't remarry or have any entanglements with me. You, my jealous one, can put your worries aside. Don't mention such things again."

Having just experienced what had transpired, Lin Baozhen naturally believed in Xie Yuan's affection. She nodded at him and advised, "But don't neglect your cousin. Keep in touch with her; it will be beneficial in the long run."