Chapter 3 Father Has a Mistress, Didn’t You Know?

Chapter 3: Father Has an Outside Mistress, and You Knew Not?

The sun dipped westward, painting the sky with fiery clouds and casting a thick, golden glow upon the courtyard of Huatang. This usually neglected little courtyard welcomed its second unexpected visitor of the day.

"First Miss, Songting requests your presence."

The visitor was an elderly maidservant. Yao Qixiang hadn't seen her in nearly three years, and it took a moment for her to recall that this was Sun Ma, Dowager Wang Shi’s former lady’s maid who had accompanied her dowry, now gray-haired.

The long years since she had last seen Sun Ma mirrored the time since she had last seen her grandmother, Dowager Wang Shi. Even in the past, when their paths had crossed, it was always from a distance, never with a word exchanged.

Yao Qixiang’s memories of this grandmother were all from her early childhood, when her mother was still alive and she had enjoyed a close bond with her. But what happened later? Had she simply stopped wanting to?

After Deng Shi took control of the inner household, Yao Qixiang’s movements became severely restricted, and her grandmother never once suggested she come to pay respects, acting as if she had no such granddaughter.

During the obligatory visits on festivals, her grandmother would merely perform the bare minimum of formalities, never asking a single extra question.

Had her grandmother been like this when she was a child? Yao Qixiang couldn’t recall. Back then, she hadn't needed to pay special attention to such things.

Yao Qixiang changed her clothes and followed Sun Ma to Songting. She didn’t ask why she was suddenly summoned. Deng Shi had just visited her today, and it didn’t take much thought to guess it was about her marital arrangements.

But when she arrived at Songting, she realized it wasn’t just her—almost the entire Yao family was gathered there, even Deng Shi’s simple-minded eldest son. The only one missing was Yao Chengbi.

She greeted each of them in turn. Until she knew the full picture, her decorum was always impeccable.

"Sit," Yao Zhenting said tonelessly. "Your mother has something to discuss with you."

Yao Qixiang took a seat and waited for Deng Suiyin to speak.

"Qixiang," Deng Suiyin said with a smile. "There’s something you might not know. Earlier today, the Song family sent a proposal, expressing interest in a marriage alliance with a daughter of our Yao family."

The Song family? Song Shian, then.

Yao Qixiang glanced at Deng Suiyin’s expression, then at the silent faces around the room. The implication was clear enough. The Song family had come to propose marriage—and the one they sought was likely her.

Yao Qixiang lowered her eyes. The only time she had ever met Song Shian was at a polo match three years ago, back when he had just passed the imperial exams but had yet to be appointed to the Hanlin Academy.

To others, that year had been Song Shian’s moment of triumph, but only Yao Qixiang knew how difficult it had truly been for him.

His mother—his birth mother—had been done away with by his legal mother while he was away for the exams.

Yao Qixiang had come upon him mourning and offered a few words of comfort. She hadn’t expected him to remember them all this time. Given his status, he could easily marry someone of Yao Chengbi’s standing—or even higher. Yet he had chosen to seek out a woman like her, of damaged reputation, all because of those few words.

But that couldn’t be the only reason the Yao family had summoned her here. Deng Suiyin surely had more to say.

"I see," Yao Qixiang replied. "I hadn’t expected Mother to act so swiftly. You only mentioned arranging a marriage for me this morning, and already matchmakers come calling."

Deng Suiyin faltered, instinctively looking at Yao Zhenting, who remained silent, staring straight ahead.

"Well… not exactly," Deng Suiyin said with a laugh. "This is precisely what we wanted to discuss. I noticed today that you seemed reluctant about the idea of marriage, as if you wished to stay at home a while longer. Since the Song family’s proposal is quite favorable, I thought—if you’re unwilling, perhaps your sister could—"

"Mother has misunderstood me entirely," Yao Qixiang said, rising to bow. "Your daughter knows full well that it is time for me to marry. A daughter obeys her parents’ commands and the matchmaker’s words—how could I refuse? I made my stance clear this morning: if Father and Mother wish it, I would consent even to enter a household as a concubine."

"What nonsense are you spouting?!" Yao Zhenting snapped, his face darkening. "An unmarried girl, speaking of concubines—have you no decency?"

Yao Qixiang lowered her gaze, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Why does Father flinch from the truth now? Isn’t welcoming concubines into the household something you’ve always favored?"

"Shameless creature! How dare you speak such drivel!" Yao Zhenting slammed his hand on the table, shooting a glance at Deng Suiyin.

Deng Suiyin’s expression darkened, though the corner of her lips curled slightly. Was this all Yao Qixiang had? Even now, she was still dwelling upon how Deng Shi had once entered the household as a concubine. She had been the Yao family’s mistress of the household for years—why was Yao Qixiang still clinging to this? Worse, she was showing disrespect to her superiors. The more she rebelled, the more justified it was to hand the Song family’s proposal to Chengbi. Either way, it was all to Deng Shi’s advantage.

Deng Suiyin patted Yao Zhenting’s hand soothingly. "My lord, don’t be angry. Qixiang has always resented me for this matter and often speaks without thinking. I shouldn’t hold it against a child."

Yao Zhenting’s throat tightened. "You are the mistress of this household now—how can you allow her to humiliate you like this? This girl is utterly lacking in discipline! Today, I will teach her a proper lesson!"

A flicker of delight passed through Deng Suiyin’s eyes. Was he… going to punish her with the family discipline?

She made a show of concern. "My lord, what are you saying? If it were a son, discipline might be warranted, but Qixiang is a delicate young lady—how could you treat her so harshly?"

"Hmph!" Yao Zhenting fumed. "What kind of daughter is she? She’s nothing but a vengeful spirit come to plague the Yao family! Yao Qixiang, listen well—you needn’t think about the Song family’s proposal anymore. Today, I decree that your sister Chengbi will marry into the Song family! As for you, you vile creature, you’ll be sent to the countryside estate. Whether you become a nun or marry some nobody, you’ll have nothing more to do with the Yao family!"

Yao Qixiang understood now. They had called her here to force her to relinquish the Song family’s proposal—to hand it over to Yao Chengbi.

Originally, they had intended to negotiate, to make her agree willingly. But now, provoked by her words, they had cast aside all decorum.

Yao Qixiang lifted her gaze to her grandmother, Dowager Wang Shi, who had remained silent the entire time. Her expression was indifferent, her pale, thin fingers idly turning a strand of jade beads, as if she had no connection to anything happening in the room.

Yao Qixiang had always known she was powerless against the family’s decrees, especially when it came to marriage. Without Yao Zhenting and Deng Suiyin’s approval, she was powerless.

No matter how ruthless she was, she could never overcome this obstacle.

But since she had come today, she meant to claim her due.

Yao Qixiang rose gracefully. From the moment Deng Shi had stepped into her courtyard that morning, she had already laid a trap for her.

"Why is Father so angry?" Yao Qixiang asked, affecting alarm before turning to Deng Suiyin. "Mother has misunderstood me entirely! How could I ever mock you over such a matter? I respect and admire you above all others! In this household, I am alone—you are the only one who still visits me from time to time. In my heart, I have long regarded you with genuine affection."

Deng Suiyin thought with contempt. After everything Yao Qixiang had just said, what use was this transparent effort to recant? This foolish girl was finally about to face her reckoning.

Since Yao Zhenting had already given her permission to stop enduring this humiliation, she would seize the opportunity.

"Qixiang, words are not something you can twist as you please," Deng Suiyin said coldly. "Everyone in this room heard you clearly—you insulted me with the word ‘concubine.’ Do you deny it now?"

A glint of amusement flickered in Yao Qixiang’s dark eyes, though it vanished by the time she looked up at Deng Shi.

"Mother… what are you saying?" Yao Qixiang asked, her face an expression of bewilderment. "When did I ever insult you?"

Tears welled in her eyes as if she had suffered a grave injustice.

"Your daughter lives in misery. When you visited this morning, you saw it yourself—I am starved, cold, my room has no proper brazier, my clothes are tattered, my bedding hasn’t been replaced in years. If not for your kindness today, bestowing charity to sustain me, I might have frozen to death in that courtyard without anyone knowing… How could I, after such generosity, ever insult you? What kind of person would that make me?"

Her tearful plea struck the room dumb.

Yao Zhenting was the first to react, his gaze snapping to Cigu, the old maidservant at Deng Suiyin’s side. The woman’s tight-lipped expression confirmed that every word Yao Qixiang had just spoken was true.

Yao Zhenting’s anger ignited. Though he had long abandoned Yao Qixiang as a daughter, he had once publicly vowed to his peers that he would provide for her. To have her reduced to such wretchedness under his roof—what would his subordinates think of him now?

"My lord!" Deng Suiyin hurried to explain. "I’ve been absorbed in overseeing Chengbi’s studies and neglected my duties. I had no idea those worthless servants in Huatang would dare neglect their duties so! I’ve already punished them severely today!"

Yao Zhenting opened his mouth, then pointed at Yao Qixiang. "If your mother has already dealt with it, why are you still pleading grievance?"

"When did I plead grievance?" Yao Qixiang wiped her tears, gazing at Deng Suiyin with simulated gratitude. "I was only clarifying so Mother wouldn’t misunderstand! I revere Mother—how could I ever speak disrespectfully to her?"

"You wretched girl!" Yao Zhenting roared. "You just stood there and brazenly disparaged your mother’s background! Every word was heard by everyone here—do you dare deny it now?"

"Background? What? The matter of your former status?" Yao Qixiang straightened, her voice firm. "Mother has been the mistress of this household for years, borne an heir for the Yao family, and rendered great service. How could I possibly bring up the past?"

Deng Suiyin snorted in derision, opening her mouth to counter—but Yao Qixiang denied her the opportunity.

Deng Suiyin was utterly stunned by the next words Yao Qixiang revealed.

"What this daughter mentioned was clearly Father's Concubine Xue, whom he maintains outside the residence. This daughter accidentally overheard Father's attendants discussing how exceptionally fond he is of her, having already transferred three to five shops under her name. It seems she will soon be welcomed into the household as the new concubine, no?"

Deng Suiyin froze. Not just Deng Suiyin—everyone in the room who had been unaware was equally shocked. Only Yao Zhenting and the two attendants by his side drew sharp breaths.

"Y-You... what did you say?" Deng Suiyin stammered, her voice trembling as she asked.

"Hmm? Does Mother not know?" Yao Qixiang smiled, wearing the same mocking expression she had used earlier when provoking Deng Shi, her gaze burning into Deng Suiyin. "Father, concerned that Mother might feel lonely in the inner household, personally sought out a companion to keep her company."

Deng Suiyin's heart, which had been soaring with triumph just moments ago, now felt as though it had plunged like a stone, crushed beneath a boulder. Only now did she finally understand why Yao Qixiang had suddenly brought up her own arrival as a concubine earlier today...

So this was where she had been leading her.

From the very moment that morning, she had already planned everything up to this point...

But even if Deng Shi had finally realized it, what could she do now? Her mind was in chaos, her emotions a tangled mess. She wanted nothing more than to break down in tears and cause an uproar—how could she possibly spare the energy to deal with Yao Qixiang’s petty schemes now?

The room fell into an eerie silence. For a moment, the Yao family stood at odds, each lost in their own thoughts.

And at this perfect moment, Yao Qixiang slowly knelt and declared with unwavering clarity, "Thanks to Father and Mother’s kindness and care for their daughter, I am willing to give up the marriage arrangement and yield it to Sister Cheng Bi."

"However..." she continued, "since Father and Mother have asked me to concede in this matter, I must also receive some compensation in return. Otherwise, it would only prove your favoritism, and I will not stand for it."

Her words hung in the air, unanswered, yet neither Yao Zhenting nor Deng Suiyin responded, each seemingly mired in their own distress.

Amid the silence, the grandmother seated at the head of the hall finally spoke. "Then speak. What is it you seek? We shall grant it."

"Thank you, Grandmother. Thank you, Father and Mother." Yao Qixiang smiled. "I want all of my mother’s dowry, as well as a dowry equal in value to Sister Cheng Bi’s. Surely, that is not too much to ask?"

"...Your mother..." The grandmother nodded slowly. "She has been gone for many years. When she passed, no one from her family came to claim her belongings. It is only right that her dowry goes to you. As for the dowry, you and Cheng Bi are both daughters of the Yao family—it is only fair that your dowries be equal. Your mother has always been known for her virtue; she would not mistreat you in such matters."

This last remark effectively left Deng Suiyin no room to refuse as well.

"Thank you, Grandmother." After expressing her gratitude, Yao Qixiang bowed deeply to Deng Shi. "Thank you, Mother."

Her mission accomplished, it was time for her to withdraw gracefully, leaving the renowned and ever-devoted master and mistress of the Yao household to deal with their private affairs.

"This daughter takes her leave." With that, Yao Qixiang turned and walked out of Pine Court.