Chapter 14: Offspring

After that incident, Peier’s view of Mu Yi changed drastically.

Back at the Linglong Pavilion, she praised him lavishly, calling him cold in appearance but warm at heart—a rare and admirable husband.

Song Qiao, however, was not so easily won over.

Anything sudden must be suspicious.

Mu Yi cared so much about her presence; there was no way he would change his attitude after just a few encounters.

It wasn’t until two days later, when she went to pay respects to the matriarch, that the truth became clear.

“I heard that Ayi had you look for something and caused you to get hurt. Is that true?” the matriarch asked, her tone sharp, as if ready to settle accounts after the fact.

Mu Yi and Shen Ruoxi remained silent by the side, adopting a stance of detachment, leaving this hot potato for Song Qiao to handle alone.

Song Qiao finally had an epiphany: everything Mu Yi had done was merely to preemptively silence her.

As the saying goes, one’s mouth softens when fed, and one’s hands are tied when given gifts. Mu Yi had deliberately emphasized that the ointment was palace medicine, such precious treatment that she would hardly dare complain.

“It’s nothing now. It was just a relapse of an old ailment, unrelated to the Marquis,” Song Qiao said, accepting all responsibility under Mu Yi’s knowing gaze.

The matriarch pressed on anxiously, “He really didn’t mistreat you?”

Song Qiao shook her head firmly.

The matriarch wouldn’t interrogate her son over someone with a different surname. Since Song Qiao said no, she let it go.

“Your health comes first. Don’t worry about anything else. I’m counting on you to someday bear children for the Marquis family,” she comforted.

“We haven’t consummated the marriage yet. It’s a bit early to talk about offspring,” Mu Yi replied casually, but his tone was laced with mockery.

The matriarch nodded thoughtfully, “Ruoxi has been here several months now; it’s time to hurry.”

“Thank you for your concern, matriarch, but my body hasn’t fully healed. As for children—perhaps—” Song Qiao hesitated.

Mu Yi narrowed his eyes across from her, “So you mean Ruoxi is supposed to manage the household and produce heirs?”

Song Qiao saw nothing wrong with that.

A woman in the inner quarters without children had no footing.

Besides, he loved Shen Ruoxi deeply; having a child was only natural.

But hearing Mu Yi’s doubtful tone, Song Qiao didn’t dare answer right away.

Seeing this, Mu Yi scoffed and said without mercy, “I didn’t marry you to keep you as some sacred relic.”

How was she supposed to behave obediently when it was always wrong?

Or did he prefer her to run the household so Ruoxi could have more time with him?

“Don’t talk nonsense,” the matriarch snapped at Mu Yi when she saw him stunned, then turned to Song Qiao, “Is the doctor’s treatment not showing improvement?”

“The doctor the Marquis found is certainly skilled, but all medicine has side effects. My body will need long-term care. I fear becoming a ‘medicine pot’ and a laughingstock,” Song Qiao said.

That nickname had been given to her secretly by the servants.

Since Mu Yi hadn’t exposed the truth behind her fainting, Song Qiao took all blame to herself, leaving no room for gossip about him favoring a concubine and discarding his wife.

It was also a subtle gesture of goodwill.

After all, if he had meant to make things difficult, she would never have endured.

“These servants are getting more unruly!” the matriarch slammed the table in anger. “Even the mistress’s tongue dares to wag!”

Seeing this, Shen Ruoxi couldn’t sit still and quickly knelt to admit fault.

“Mother, forgive me. It’s because your daughter-in-law poorly manages the household.”

The matriarch waved her off, understanding and saying, “You’re new here. They are used to bullying the weak and ignoring you. I will have Madam Feng establish your authority as the mistress.”

“Thank you, Mother. Once the young mistress recovers, this power of managing the household will return to its rightful owner,” Shen Ruoxi said elegantly, casting a glance at Song Qiao, “I’m only holding the position temporarily.”

Her gentle and modest demeanor delighted the matriarch, who no longer pressed the matter of offspring and immediately ordered the family’s heirloom bracelets to be brought out.

Song Qiao assumed the bracelets would naturally belong to Shen Ruoxi alone, but to her surprise, they were split—each woman receiving one half.

Originally a matching pair, they now felt awkwardly divided.

Perhaps feeling sympathy for Shen Ruoxi, Mu Yi openly ignored Song Qiao at the dining table, treating her like an invisible presence.

Fearing Mu Yi’s displeasure, Shen Ruoxi subtly urged him several times to stop, but the man feigned ignorance, continuing on his own way.

Song Qiao didn’t mind his coldness.

Even though staying in the Marquis household was now an irrevocable fact, she never gave up on escaping.

But before that, she had to recover her health and find out her father’s whereabouts.

Life in the Marquis residence was no easier.

Soon, a heavy snowstorm swept through the capital, leaving the vast Linglong Pavilion cold and desolate.

The few remaining coals were quickly used up.

Inside, the house was as cold as an ice cellar.

Peier went to ask the steward for fresh coal but returned empty-handed and with many injuries.