Chapter 28 The Cannon-Fodder Male Supporting Character Has Logged In

Chapter 28: The Expendable Male Supporting Character Has Appeared

Master Xi smiled and said, "Now that we have a son born of the lawful wife, we should naturally be a happy family and build a bond with our son."

With that, he extended his arms to scoop up Xun Geer.

Xun Geer, however, hid behind Zeng Shi, calling out, "Mother, mother."

Zeng Shi picked up Xun Geer and said frostily, "No need to rush the bonding. Master, please go tend to your own business."

Master Xi withdrew his hands, seeming about to lose his temper, but he restrained himself.

Xi Qianyue noticed the resentment still etched on his face as he turned to leave.

"Mother, Father's gaze just now was frightening. I'm worried for Xun Geer."

Xi Qianyue felt somewhat anxious. Such a small child would be hard to protect if someone targeted him.

"Don't worry. Xun Geer is so young. I won't let them near him. I won't let anyone else touch his belongings or food."

Once Zeng Shi was back to her clear-headed self, she naturally considered every aspect thoroughly.

Nanny Li quickly spoke up, "Madam, let's just the two of us be extra careful. I don't trust anyone else. It'll be better once the young master's older."

"Fortunately, Xun Geer is already three. I'll also give him two bodyguards trained in martial arts."

Xi Qianyue hadn't read all those novels and watched all those TV dramas for nothing. She thought it would also be wise to have a maid trained in medicine.

Such talent was hard to find, but they would take their time looking.

She mentioned this to Zeng Shi in private. Zeng Shi looked at her with some surprise. "Do we really need to guard against them this much?"

"Of course. It's not just about poison in what you eat. Some people know the art of food incompatibilities—foods that seem harmless on their own, but over time, the combination can have serious effects."

Xi Qianyue didn't want Zeng Shi to be too anxious, so she reassured her, "Mother, don't worry. Leave all these matters to me. Concubine Tao and the others are unlikely to amount to much—perhaps I'm overthinking it. In any case, as long as we don't let them into the courtyard or near the boy, no matter how clever their tricks, they won't be able to pull them off."

Zeng Shi nodded repeatedly. "You can't be too careful with people. Go ahead and handle it. I'll be careful on my end too."

What Xi Qianyue didn't say was that in the original book's plot, the original Xi Qianyue had been pushed into a pond, choked on water, gotten a scare, and injured her head. After that, she was bedridden for years, unable to leave the courtyard.

She lived barely clinging to life, watching helplessly as Yang Xingxian brought in beautiful concubines. Not only could she do nothing, but she could only play the virtuous wife and agree.

In her mind, she was already a lost cause, and having an extra "sister" to care for her husband was the best choice given her helplessness.

Large sums of her silver were taken out and funneled into the marquis household and to that pair of lovers.

Now, Xi Qianyue suspected that the original Xi Qianyue had been drugged, keeping her barely alive.

Even years later, when Yang Xingxian succeeded in the imperial examinations and latched onto a powerful patron, the original Xi Qianyue, on her deathbed, still hoped he would take care of Zeng Shi. She promised to leave the rest of her dowry to the marquis household rather than take it back to the Xi family.

As for whether Yang Xingxian ever cared for Zeng Shi, the book never mentioned it. Presumably, he didn't.

Zeng Shi had only one daughter, and that daughter was lost to the marquis household. That meant roughly seventy to eighty percent of her wealth also went to the marquis.

One could imagine that Zeng Shi, with her heart reduced to ashes, would no longer scheme to adopt a legitimate son but would only choose a concubine-born son to register as her own.

Though her ending wasn't written, the plot was set. It was easy to guess that both mother and daughter came to a bad end.

Now, Xi Qianyue had arrived. Though Zeng Shi was insignificant in the book, she was the original Xi Qianyue's biological mother, so of course she would take good care of her and think of everything for her.

If the legitimate son was raised well, Zeng Shi would have joy in life and someone to rely on...

"My little brother is already three. Mother, I'll find a suitable tutor to start his schooling. Leave everything to me."

Xi Qianyue's voice grew a bit emotional, and Zeng Shi looked at her with extraordinary tenderness. "Thank goodness we have you. Mother and your brother rely on you."

A mother's love is truly touching!

On the carriage ride back, Qing Rong noticed Xi Qianyue seemed a bit down and suggested, "Madam Yang, why don't we go hear some storytelling?"

"Let's go to the bookshop instead. I'll buy some novels."

Xi Qianyue entered the bookshop and cleaned out all the newly arrived novels, which delighted the shopkeeper, who showered her with flattery.

"Heads-up: the expendable male supporting character has appeared."

Xi Qianyue paid and looked around.

The shopkeeper was a bit puzzled. "Can I help you find someone, madam?"

After looking around for a while, Xi Qianyue finally spotted a familiar face.

It was the young man who had bought zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) at her pastry shop. He was holding a few books, standing not far away.

"Who is that?"

Qing Rong felt a bit anxious—why was the madam asking about another man?

The shopkeeper, not thinking much of it, said with a smile, "That's Young Master Qi. He's already passed the imperial examination at the county level and has excellent handwriting. He regularly copies manuscripts for us."

Seeing that Xi Qianyue was interested, he went on enthusiastically, "The Qi family's ancestors were also high officials, rising to the third rank, but later they were punished for crimes—what a pity. By the young master's generation, they can sit for the exams again. If you ask me, the Qi family has a real chance at a comeback."

Xi Qianyue smiled more genuinely. "That's even better. I happen to be looking for a tutor to start my younger brother's schooling. Since this Young Master Qi is a scholar, he's just right."

The shopkeeper was delighted—he had inadvertently done Young Master Qi a great favor. That was a favor Young Master Qi would owe him.

He waved Qi Jing over. "Young Master Qi, come here."

Qi Jing had already spotted Xi Qianyue. He was waiting to get paid for the books he'd copied, planning to come over after she left.

When the shopkeeper called him, he hurried over with Amao.

"Young Master Qi, great news! This madam is looking for a tutor to start her younger brother's schooling. I thought you'd be just right, so I recommended you."

Qi Jing bowed to each of them. "Thank you both."

Amao couldn't help but interject, "Are you Madam Yang? Our young master is already a scholar—he's certainly up to the task."

Xi Qianyue was a bit puzzled—how did he know who she was?

Qi Jing muttered under his breath, "Too talkative."

Amao realized he'd said too much and quickly shut his mouth, not daring to say more.

Qi Jing looked a bit embarrassed. "Uh, last time at the pastry shop, thank you, Madam Yang, for letting me have the zongzi. Amao and I overheard some idle chatter then, which is why he blurted out a guess about who you were. That's my fault."

Xi Qianyue suddenly understood—otherwise, she would have thought the original Xi Qianyue knew this Young Master Qi.

Qing Bi's face fell. When she had beaten Bi Ru earlier, she hadn't counted on it giving away her mistress's identity.

Xi Qianyue waved her hand dismissively. "No need to call me Madam Yang. Just call me Miss Xi."

A flicker of confusion passed between Qi Jing and the shopkeeper, but they wisely refrained from asking questions.

If she didn't want to be called "Madam Yang," what was the harm in calling her Miss Xi?

"My younger brother is three years old and old enough to start his schooling. What would the tuition fee be?"

Qi Jing was caught off guard again by how direct Miss Xi was.

Amao couldn't help but quietly poke his young master's lower back—this naive young master had better not set the price too low!