"Xiao Chunnuan?"
Master Zhou Qi indicated that he had remembered the name.
Later, he would send someone to handle it.
He wanted to see if this young woman was truly exceptional.
Concubine Li, seeing the man’s expression, knew that the matter was settled!
Hehe, Xiao Chunnuan, there’s a good show waiting for you.
When Master Zhou Qi returned from the temple fair, a servant immediately informed him that the old madam requested his presence.
"Mother, your son has come to pay his respects to you."
"Good."
Facing this only son, the third old madam felt both comforted and somewhat helpless, as his father had always been so devoted, yet he was overly desiring.
Her son was also capable, and as a mother, she couldn’t control him at all, so she simply didn’t.
She only focused on Buddhism, dedicating her merits back to her son as a form of blessing.
"Mother, why did you call your son here?"
This mother, who had renounced everything worldly, only ever engaged in Buddhist rituals. Today, she suddenly sought him out, so there must be something going on.
"Son, let me tell you something."
The third old madam repeated the past she discussed with Mrs. Zhao today.
Zhou Qi was quite shocked as he listened.
Without Old Doctor Xiao, there would be no him; this was indeed a great favor.
"Do you know why I wanted you to stop the Xiao family’s business back then?"
"I don’t know, but no matter the reason, if they displeased mother, I wouldn’t let them be pleased either."
Master Zhou Qi never questioned the reason for his actions, focusing solely on his father’s happiness!
"It’s because the Xiao family was ungrateful. Although the entire clan was supported by two generations of Doctor Xiao, they turned against him after his incident. They are truly hateful people, so I had you stop their business."
"Your son listens to mother."
As long as mother is happy, that’s all that matters.
"Moreover, Doctor Xiao’s family wants to send some winter clothes to their relatives in the Northern Desert; I’ve already promised to let you deliver them." The third old madam said, "This matter, you must handle it well. It is time to repay the benefactor."
"Your son understands, tell them to come find me."
What a big deal, sending things to the Northern Desert, no problem at all. He’s quite familiar with the officials there.
"Good, I’ll have Miss Xiao come to find you." Mrs. Zhou said, "This Miss Xiao is named Xiao Chunnuan, the second granddaughter of Doctor Xiao, also his most cherished daughter, and she’s quite beautiful. Normally, I don’t interfere with how you want to play, but with the young ladies of the Xiao family, you must not act recklessly, do you understand?"
Zhou Qi was a bit taken aback.
"Mother, what did you say her name was, where does she live?"
"Her name is Xiao Chunnuan, and she is temporarily residing in An Nan Village."
"Your son understands."
"I’ve also heard that Concubine Li by your side seems to have some misunderstanding with Miss Xiao. If she brings it up, you must not be misled into doing anything ungrateful."
"Mother, your son understands."
Zhou Qi broke out in a cold sweat, fortunately his mother spoke quickly, otherwise, in a couple of days, the situation would have spiraled out of control.
"Mother, is there anything else you wish to instruct?"
"Nothing else. You can go now, be sure to stay safe while handling matters outside, and your mother looks forward to your safe return."
"Yes, mother, your son understands."
Zhou Qi left his mother’s courtyard and went straight to Concubine Li’s quarters.
"Master, your humble servant..."
Concubine Li was very pleased, seeing how desirable it was to be favored by him. Just after seeing a temple fair with him, he came to find her again. She moved forward to embrace Master Zhou Qi, only to be struck on the face unexpectedly.
It hurt like a sting!
"Master, spare me, it’s just that your humble servant doesn’t know where she went wrong. If wrong, please point it out, and your humble servant will certainly mend her ways."
"You jockey for favor and jealousy, and I overlook your antics; I don’t concern myself." Master Zhou Qi said coldly, "But today, you escalated matters, nearly causing me to wrong the granddaughter of the greatly beneficent Doctor Xiao. Had I committed an unforgivable sin, your death a thousand times over would not suffice to atone."
"Master..."
Concubine Li was terrified, her face losing all color; she really hadn’t expected that the Xiao Chunnuan family had such a great favor with Master Zhou Qi: "Master, your humble servant was wrong, I’ll never dare again."
She immediately clung to his leg, begging for mercy.
"Get out."
Master Zhou Qi kicked her away, "I don’t want to see you now."
Concubine Li watched woefully as Master Zhou Qi walked out of her room.
All of Master Zhou Qi’s concubines knew that Concubine Li had fallen out of favor, but they didn’t know the reason for her fall from grace.
However, losing favor was still good; it meant one less rival.