"Young lady, why are you still sitting here? Suoxin has already moved into Master's quarters. If this continues, my losing favor is a small matter, but you will also lose favor."
Li Yaoqin looked up at Madam Liu and said indifferently, "Since Madam Liu is so capable, why don't you help me figure out what to do?"
Madam Liu was stunned for a moment, then walked in and sat opposite Li Yaoqin. "Young lady, you don't mind me sitting here, do you!"
"I don't mind," Li Yaoqin replied.
"Young lady is truly patient. Aren't you afraid Suoxin will become pregnant? She's a noble concubine now, and later she'll be an equal wife, and then..." Madam Liu didn't finish her sentence.
But Li Yaoqin knew the implication of Madam Liu's words. She had been thinking about this problem herself these past few days. The more favored Suoxin became, the more precarious her and her mother's positions might become.
If Suoxin were to get pregnant, then...
She dared not think further, fearing she might lose control of the wicked thoughts in her heart, the devil that would reach out and extinguish Suoxin.
"Are you just going to let Suoxin walk all over you from now on?"
Li Yaoqin looked up at Madam Liu and chuckled softly, "Madam Liu's analysis is quite good. Since Madam Liu knows the seriousness of the situation, why haven't you acted? Instead, you've come to tell me. What, do you think I, Li Yaoqin, am as stupid as a pig?"
Madam Liu's face paled in shock. She quickly said, "Young lady, please don't say that. Your maidservant absolutely didn't mean that."
Li Yaoqin sneered, "If that's the case, then stop saying such things. While I may be foolish, I'm not stupid. If Madam Liu has such capabilities, she should focus on how to protect her own status!
After all, no matter how much Father dislikes Mother, Mother is temporarily the mistress of the Shangshu Manor. I am also Father's only legitimate daughter. Father will consider my feelings and won't treat Mother and me too harshly. But Madam Liu, you are different. Without children to support you, and now disliked by Father, Madam Liu, you should plan for yourself."
Madam Liu left with great reluctance.
Lian Xin walked over and said, "Madam Liu just wants the young lady to step forward, so that Master will dislike the young lady."
Li Yaoqin heard this and looked at Lian Xin, sighing, "But Madam Liu said one thing that wasn't wrong. If Suoxin were to get pregnant, and by chance it's a boy, then Mother and my life will be difficult."
Lian Xin was taken aback. She looked at Li Yaoqin and said, "Young lady, don't be so pessimistic. Things haven't reached that point yet. Besides, can Suoxin be so lucky to get pregnant?" And happen to be a boy?
Li Yaoqin didn't speak further, but she knew better than anyone how obsessed her father was with having sons. It was just that her mother's body had been injured during her birth, making it unsuitable for further pregnancies. Otherwise, her father would have definitely wanted a legitimate son.
If Suoxin accidentally became pregnant, she could imagine how happy her father would be.
For the sake of this concubine's son, he might do anything.
Li Yaoqin felt that her fears were coming true. That evening, Lian Xin brought news from the main courtyard: the doctor had gone to the main courtyard.
Li Yaoqin was restless. She couldn't wait any longer. She took some high-quality bird's nest and, with Lian Xin, went straight to the main courtyard.
As the eldest young lady of the manor and Father's only legitimate daughter, the servants showed her great respect, allowing her to enter Li Sinian's room unimpeded.
The doctor was congratulating her father at that moment, "Master, congratulations, congratulations. Concubine Xin is already pregnant. Although it's not obvious, her pulse is quite stable."
Li Sinian was so overjoyed he could barely control his emotions. In high spirits, he waved his hand grandly, "Reward them! Reward them generously!"
"Master, the young lady has arrived," a servant stepped forward and whispered.
Li Sinian was slightly taken aback. He looked up at the girl at the door, "Yao'er, why are you here?"
Li Yaoqin's hand was tightly gripping her handkerchief. She put on a happy expression, "Really? Concubine Xin is pregnant? Doesn't that mean I'll have a brother?"
Brother? Li Sinian beamed with joy. He strode forward and patted Li Yaoqin's shoulder, "Yao'er, I'm very happy that you can think this way."
Li Yaoqin smiled and said, "Father, you say that. It's a happy occasion for you to have a child and for your daughter to have a brother. I couldn't be happier!"
"What if it's a girl?" Li Sinian suddenly asked.
"It's a boy," Li Yaoqin insisted firmly.
Li Sinian was greatly pleased, "My Yao'er always knows what to say."
"Father, Concubine Xin is pregnant. You must take good care of her and avoid any unsavory influences around Concubine Xin."
Li Sinian heard this and replied, "Don't worry, Yao'er, your father knows."
"Father, can I go see her?"
Li Sinian was surprised. Li Yaoqin continued, "I heard Concubine Xin was feeling unwell, so I specially brought some high-quality bird's nest. I want to give it to her personally, after all, we were once master and servant."
Li Sinian nodded, "Go ahead!"
Li Yaoqin, carrying the bird's nest, walked in. Suoxin, lying on the bed, was cradling her stomach. Her expression was one of pleasant surprise, perhaps she herself hadn't expected to be pregnant.
"Concubine Xin," Li Yaoqin said softly.
Suoxin was startled. She looked up and saw the person who had arrived. Her body stiffened, and she quickly got up to get off the bed.
Li Yaoqin hurried forward and held Suoxin down, saying, "You are with child now. You can't just kneel down whenever you please as you used to. You are a mistress, you must carry yourself with the air of a mistress."
Suoxin shook her head, "In my heart, the young lady will always be my mistress."
Li Yaoqin smiled upon hearing this, "Alright, you're going to be a mother, yet you still call yourself 'maidservant.' Aren't you afraid your child won't adapt later?"
Suoxin shook her head, "I am a servant, that is an undeniable fact. It was the young lady who gave me this status, and I cannot forget it."
Under normal circumstances, Li Yaoqin would have believed this maidservant who had followed her for over ten years. However, after experiencing recent events, she could no longer trust the Suoxin before her.
"Suoxin, look at what you're saying. All of this was given to you by Father, including everything in the manor. Concubine Xin, your duty is to serve and take good care of Father. You don't need to worry about anything else. If anything comes up in the future, tell Father or me."
Suoxin nodded, "Thank you, young lady."
"Yao'er, you've truly grown up," Li Sinian said, walking forward and looking at Li Yaoqin with a hint of relief.
Li Yaoqin bowed upon hearing this, "In the past, your daughter was spoiled and didn't understand Father's intentions, doing many things that disappointed Father. From now on, your daughter will not do so again. Your daughter hopes to always be Father's pride."
"Good, good, Yao'er, you have always been Father's pride," Li Sinian said emotionally.
"Father, your daughter will not disturb you and Concubine Xin. Your daughter will take her leave now!"
Exiting Li Sinian's main courtyard, Li Yaoqin looked into the distance and sighed.