Chapter 49 Your Eldest Sister Is So Formidable

Chapter 49: Your Eldest Sister Is So Capable

Xi Jiaojiao pressed her advantage: "Father, Concubine Mother has very little money saved up. Although I'm going as a concubine, you still need to give me a trousseau... If I have no money, then even if I win the favor of the Marquis and his wife, it won't do much good."

"My Lord, what's done is done. I know you're not happy about Jiaojiao becoming a concubine, but didn't you teach me that yourself? One shouldn't only look at the present, but think long-term. The Eldest Miss has a dowry of ten thousand taels of silver. I... I truly have nothing more to give. I hope you'll show a little more affection and care for Jiaojiao."

Master Xi, swayed by the two women's coordinated coaxing, was ultimately coaxed into forking over three thousand taels of silver.

Xi Jiaojiao wasn't entirely satisfied, but she knew that this father of hers was only hoping she'd shoot to fame so he could cash in on her later.

Asking him for more money now was a no-go.

Concubine Yu gave her five thousand taels, Master Xi gave her three thousand, and she had saved five hundred taels herself. After repaying the four thousand taels she owed Xi Qianyue, she still had four thousand five hundred taels remaining.

She also had quite a few valuable pieces of jewelry.

Xi Jiaojiao finally felt a bit more at ease, gaining a sense of security about her upcoming life in the Marquis's household.

One day, Qi Jing entered the courtyard, intending to give Xun Geer his lessons.

He saw Madam Zeng with a furious look, and Nanny Li also wore an angry expression.

Xi Qianyue, however, was comforting her mother, Madam Zeng: "Mother, don't be angry. Second Sister will be living right under my nose from now on, won't she? If you're truly upset, give her a little punishment now."

She then looked over at him: "Mr. Qi is here. Let's not disturb his lesson with Xun Geer."

After the three women left, Qi Jing noticed Xun Geer also had an unhappy look on his face. He teased him: "Xun Geer, you're so young and already frowning like that. Be careful, you might age all at once."

"Hmph! I wish I could age overnight! Then I could protect Eldest Sister, and Second Sister wouldn't be able to bully her."

Qi Jing found this strange: "Your Second Sister can bully your eldest sister? You must have heard wrong."

"I didn't mishear at all. Second Sister is also going to live in the Marquis's household. I heard Eldest Sister tell Mother that Second Sister is going to be a concubine."

Qi Jing understood immediately, and Amao clicked his tongue in shock!

What on earth was going on!

The second miss, born of a concubine, was going to become the concubine of her own brother-in-law.

No wonder Madam Zeng and Nanny Li had those looks on their faces earlier. But the eldest miss—was she really not angry? She was even trying to soothe Madam Zeng.

Sigh, someone as broad-minded and generous as the eldest miss was being forced into this sordid inner-courtyard scheming.

Qi Jing felt a heavy heart and fell silent, simply patting Xun Geer's head gently.

Xun Geer gestured for him to lean in close and said with an innocent smile: "Teacher, let me tell you a secret. My Eldest Sister said she's no pushover. She's quite the force in the Marquis's household—she even beat up a bunch of people."

These mature words Xun Geer spoke were, of course, Xi Qianyue's own words.

But they shocked Qi Jing!

Xun Geer then imitated Xi Qianyue's tone: "Xun Geer, you must study hard and win people over with virtue in the future. Don't be like your Eldest Sister. Her motto is: if words won't do, use fists."

Qi Jing strangely felt a bit more relaxed: "Your Eldest Sister is that formidable?"

"Of course! My Eldest Sister said she's got it all under control."

Looking at Xun Geer's smug expression, Qi Jing thought to himself, these were just stories the eldest miss told to placate a child. Life after marriage, especially in a high and mighty household, could hardly be that easy.

Recently, he had received guidance from the great scholar Yancan and felt as though he had broken through to a new level of understanding. Yancan had permitted him to visit once every seven days, setting aside an hour to guide him.

Qi Jing had already visited twice, and the old scholar always pointed out his weakest areas and offered guidance.

At the academy, the teachers had become much friendlier toward him once they learned he had earned the old scholar's favor.

And all of this was thanks to the eldest miss's help.

Yet now, at the very moment she needed help most, he couldn't do a thing to help.

He thought back to that dream again. In it, Yang Xingxian passed the imperial examinations, smoothly inherited the title, and obtained a real post, enjoying unprecedented glory.

That dilapidated Marquis of Changping mansion flourished under his stewardship.

The eldest miss was merely a vague title—the first wife who had lain bedridden for years.

Everyone said Yang Xingxian was deeply devoted, refusing to abandon his first wife...

How ironic!

Qi Jing was a calm and self-controlled man. Though he was shocked and angered by what he'd heard, he still taught Xun Geer his lesson as usual.

After class, he saw Xi Qianyue on the swing.

She greeted him brightly, seemingly without a trace of gloom.

He hesitated before asking: "Eldest Miss Xi, how have you been lately?"

"I'm doing just fine." She smiled.

After a moment, it dawned on her: "It must be what my mother and nanny said earlier that startled you. Or maybe Xun Geer ratted me out?"

Xun Geer dashed over and threw himself into her arms.

"Eldest Sister, Second Sister is bullying you. I want to get even with her for you. I have maids and servants too—I'll send them to beat her up."

Xi Qianyue was a bit embarrassed: "You little imp, you can't do that. Don't worry, your Second Sister can't bully me. Besides, men and women handle problems differently. Um, you really can't do that..."

As she went on, Xi Qianyue herself felt a bit embarrassed.

Was she leading the child astray?

That time she'd closed the door and trapped her enemies in Zeng Shi's courtyard—had little Xun Geer remembered it all?

Qi Jing felt relieved. It seemed the eldest miss truly wasn't feeling sad.

Could it be that she never developed feelings for Yang Xingxian?

The moment the thought crossed his mind, Qi Jing silently rebuked himself.

Whether she had feelings or not—what did it have to do with him?

Xi Qianyue looked at him again: "I'll have to rely on you, Mr. Qi, to take extra care of him. I'm no good at raising children—I hope this little one doesn't learn my bad ways."

"Rest assured, Eldest Miss Xi. I'll talk some sense into him." Qi Jing hesitated, then added, "But are you really alright?"

"I'm perfectly fine. Not to mention anything else, I've earned a good sum of silver. For people or things that were worthless to begin with, being able to exchange them for silver is a great deal."

Qi Jing was taken aback. That was her own husband, yet she spoke of him so lightly.

"I overstepped."

Xi Qianyue smiled. "It's fine. I can tell whether someone's overstepping comes from good or bad intentions. Since yours is goodwill, I don't mind."

Qi Jing breathed a sigh of relief. "If there's anything I can do for you—even if I'm too weak to actually help, even if it's just to chat—please do come to me."

Xi Qianyue was somewhat surprised. She was from the modern world; if she had heard such words back then, it would have been unremarkable.

But this was an ancient time with strict boundaries between men and women.

"Well, let me thank you in advance. I do hope that day never comes."

Qi Jing quickly added, "Of course, of course. I hope that day never comes for me either."