Qi Yu is only sixteen this year, yet he has managed to produce a child of unknown origin and status. Princess Consort Ning really doesn’t even want to acknowledge the term ’legitimate son.’ A mere horse-keeping maid gave birth to such a lowly spawn, which she deems to be an insult even to the word ’illegitimate.’
The most important thing is, this lowly wench actually dared to hide her pregnancy for ten months and secretly gave birth to the child, which clearly shows how scheming she is.
She is absolutely not going to tolerate such a person around her son. As for a grandson? When Yu’er gets married and takes concubines, what kind of grandson would she not have? Why let a lowly child born of a horse-keeper occupy the position of an elder son?
Even as an illegitimate child, it would not be acceptable!
Qi Yu then said, "Keeping the child isn’t out of the question, just put it under my brother’s name."
Princess Consort Ning’s face changed: "Are you mad to even think that!"
Qi Yu replied nonchalantly, "Anyway, my elder brother has no interest in women. It wouldn’t hurt to have a male child under his name for now, and there would be no issue even if he remains unmarried later on."
"Do you think your brother is a pushover that you can manipulate at will?" Princess Consort Ning’s tone held not a trace of joy or anger, as if she was discussing someone else’s affairs.
Qi Yu grinned and said, "But he is my brother, isn’t he? You always say he’s my brother, and that he should care for me and yield to me. He shouldn’t compete with me."
Princess Consort Ning’s body stiffened slightly, and her rosy lips pursed.
Observing this, Qi Yu leaned in coyly, "Mother, what’s wrong? Could it be that your child misspoke?"
"You’re not wrong. He shouldn’t compete with you, neither for the title of the Princely Heir. It can only be yours," Princess Consort Ning embraced him, affirming and repeating somewhat obsessively, "All this can only be yours."
A glint flashed in Qi Yu’s eyes as he said with a smile, "I knew mother doted on me."
As for the grandmother, she will inevitably die in front of her and him sooner or later. Even if she helps Qi Qian, it won’t make much of a difference.
Qi Qian had just handed down the prescription and ordered Ying Bei to retrieve the medicinal ingredients from Ningzhou Prefecture immediately. Sitting in the study and having just sipped some tea, Huo Lang entered to report.
"Master, there’s news from the capital." The first thing Huo Lang presented was a secret letter from the Palace.
Qi Qian took it, opened it, and upon reading it, his brows furrowed and he said, "The Qin Family of Chali City?"
Huo Lang replied, "Yes, it is the group from the former Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Qin Yuanshan. In July, due to mistakes made during a sacrificial ceremony, the Holy Emperor stripped him of his position and confiscated his property. All male members above the age of twelve were exiled to the northwest, and the rest of the family was sent back to their old home in Chali City. Speak of the devil, it appears they entered Chali City around the same time we did."
"Confiscating their property wasn’t enough for peace of mind?"
Huo Lang said, "It’s rumored that Noble Princess Consort Meng, who is now the favorite in the Palace, has never gotten along with the Qin family. Now that Noble Princess Consort Meng has given birth to a little prince, the Holy Emperor is overjoyed, his indulgence in her is beyond words."
His words were implied, but Qi Qian understood the meaning—that Noble Princess Consort Meng was pillow-talking and wanted to press the Qin family to death.
"The Meng Family acts so arrogantly, unaware of leaving any leeway and restraint. They will inevitably ruin things," Qi Qian spoke with disdain for the Meng Family, and said, "Later, look into the Qin family to see if there’s anything out of line."
Something flashed through Qi Qian’s mind, and he asked, "All the Qin family’s males over twelve have been exiled?"
"How coincidental, they all share the Qin surname." Qi Qian found it somewhat peculiar. However, in the next instant, his attention was diverted.
"Master, there’s also a message from the secret line of the Prince Mansion."
Qi Qian’s heart stirred, and upon opening the message and scanning it, his face showed a hint of disdain, "He doesn’t know the first thing about restraint."
Before even marrying, he’s fathered an illegitimate child. It’s hard to imagine how his fastidious mother will deal with this.