Volume One, Chapter 11: A Mistress and an Illegitimate Child

A strange expression flickered in Qi Jinshan’s eyes.

“Concubine?” he muttered in a low voice, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips. “Were you just looking at the ledgers in my estate?”

With just those words, it dawned on him like a sudden revelation why Xie Mingyue had been acting so oddly.

Seeing that he took it lightly and even found humor in it, bitterness spread through Xie Mingyue’s heart.

Was it that such matters were trivial in a man’s mind?

But for her, it was like a fishbone stuck in her throat—no matter what, she could not let go.

“Yes, I was looking at the ledgers,” she said quietly, meeting his gaze. “Why are you laughing? Answer me.”

Xie Mingyue had made up her mind: no matter how Qi Jinshan responded, she needed to clarify the matter instead of suffering alone in silence.

Her mother had always kept things bottled up inside, which had worn down her health over time, especially after her father had taken a concubine...

Thinking of the Xie family, a wave of sadness washed over Xie Mingyue.

She lowered her head, hidden from Qi Jinshan’s view, but his smile deepened. “Do you not already know if I have a concubine, Madam?”

Xie Mingyue pressed her lips together. “How would I know? You spend two thousand taels a year on her, and then you ask me?”

She had expected denial, anger, or frank admission—but never that he would try to dodge the question with such evasive tactics.

Feeling deceived and hurt, her eyes reddened. “If you fancy another woman, just bring her home. Keeping her outside makes others think I, the main wife, cannot tolerate anyone.”

The more she spoke, the more wronged she felt; her voice quivered with tears.

Qi Jinshan’s eyes flickered as he took out a handkerchief and gently wiped her tears. Xie Mingyue tried to pull away, but he wasn’t angry—on the contrary, he seemed intrigued.

“It’s rare to see my wife care about my affairs. Whether I have a concubine, we’ll know once we finish dinner and you come with me to see for yourself.”

He dried her tears, lightly holding her as he resumed his seat.

Wutong quickly signaled to Jin He and Yu Jiang to hurry the kitchen.

After a while, dishes were laid out one by one. Holding Xie Mingyue’s hand, Qi Jinshan’s presence only deepened her puzzlement.

Why was it that every time she confronted him fiercely, she ended up dizzy from his coaxing? Last night was one thing, but today was no different.

Withdrawing her hand, she spoke coldly, “Please stop playing these games, sir. I have matters to attend to after dinner; there’s no time to go look for a concubine.”

Qi Jinshan’s cold demeanor melted away, replaced by a warmth as the chill in his eyes vanished. “What matters?”

Xie Mingyue’s tone turned serious. “This morning, I looked at the ledgers. Xie Wanqing, who manages the main household’s accounts, has embezzled quite a sum—tens of thousands of taels. I must make her return it.”

Getting the money back was one thing, but ruining Xie Wanqing’s reputation was paramount.

Wasn’t she fond of saying how hard the steward worked? If everyone learned that Xie Wanqing’s diligence was just a cover for embezzlement, no one would believe her sob stories anymore.

Qi Jinshan pondered. “There’s a family banquet tonight, and my father just returned from the National Temple a few days ago. To expose this now might give her a chance to downplay the matter. It’s better to wait until tomorrow to pursue it. The ledgers are here; she can’t escape.”

In recent years, Marquis Shunqing Qi Yongjing had grown devoted to monastic life, often retreating to the mountains and temples for days. The quarrel between his two wives held no concern for him, especially since Qi Jinshan had proven capable beyond his own father. He was content to leave things in Qi Jinshan’s hands.

Tonight was indeed not the right time to stir trouble.

Xie Mingyue, still new and inexperienced, had not thought things through so carefully. She had to admit that Qi Jinshan’s mind was far more meticulous. She nodded in agreement. “That makes sense. I’ll wait until tomorrow.”

A servant brought a warm towel; Qi Jinshan took one and personally cleaned her hands.

“Stop worrying about this. After dinner, come with me.”

Her curiosity piqued by his teasing, Xie Mingyue obediently let him clean her fingers and even ate faster than usual. Wutong was delighted to see her appetite improving.

As the young master and madam gradually reconciled, her health was slowly improving.

After dinner, they rode together in a carriage, swiftly arriving at Guinan Lane.

The carriage stopped before a quiet courtyard, from which clear laughter of women and the innocent voices of children drifted.

Qi Jinshan not only kept a concubine but had an illegitimate child as well!

Xie Mingyue sat inside, her heart sour and uneasy, wondering what madness possessed Qi Jinshan to bring his lawful wife here to endure such humiliation.

“Come.”

Qi Jinshan was the first to step out, looping an arm around her waist and effortlessly helping her down.

As the gate opened, lively sounds poured out. Xie Mingyue’s mind went blank as she struggled to keep composed.

It was just a concubine—nothing to get angry about.

Yet her heart throbbed painfully.

A young woman of delicate features stopped her work in surprise upon seeing them, while a child shyly hid behind the railing.

Xie Mingyue raised an eyebrow in astonishment. If these were Qi Jinshan’s concubine and son, why did they react like frightened mice spotting a cat?

“May I ask who the honorable guests are...?”

The woman and an elderly lady supporting each other cautiously approached.

Qi Jinshan nodded. “Madam Xiao, I am Qi.”

“Lord Qi?”

The woman’s eyes brightened with joy as she beckoned the child.

“Guang’er, come quickly and kowtow to Lord Qi.”

Xie Mingyue’s eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Qi Jinshan.

This mother and son were not his concubine and illegitimate offspring!

Then why did he spend two thousand taels a year on them?

“You must be Madam Qi,” the woman said, bowing deeply. “You truly are like a celestial being. Both Guang’er and I have been blessed by your kindness. Please accept my humble bow.”

Xie Mingyue remained composed, helping her up.

“No need for such formality.”

She leaned toward Qi Jinshan and whispered, “What is going on here?”

Qi Jinshan smiled without answering, presenting the child to Xie Mingyue, who obediently kowtowed back.

“Lord Qi, is there anything you wish to command today?”

The woman looked nervous, wringing her hands before this elegant couple.

“Nothing pressing. Madam has been feeling better lately and wished to come see Guang.”

Qi Jinshan’s voice was calm and deep. The woman’s face lit up.

“That’s wonderful. As long as Guang’er can bring blessings to you both, that is his destiny.”

She then had the child bring tea and snacks to Xie Mingyue. Confused, Xie Mingyue sipped a little at Qi Jinshan’s signal.

As the woman arranged incense and brewed tea, they stood in the courtyard for a moment. Seeing the child still somewhat frightened, Xie Mingyue gently tugged Qi Jinshan’s sleeve and whispered, “Let’s go. We shouldn’t disturb them.”

She had a faint understanding of who this mother and son really were.

Back in the carriage, Xie Mingyue shot Qi Jinshan a sharp glare.

“You deliberately made me anxious all this time!”

Qi Jinshan smiled, lips curling. “Madam, you get anxious? I’ve never seen you like this before.”

There was a hint of meaning in his words. Xie Mingyue’s heart tightened, and she quickly averted her gaze. “So, this child is a blessing child you took in?”

She had heard of a folk custom: children born on the twentieth day of the first lunar month were born blessed and called “blessing children.” Some families of status would take in such children as an act of charity, hoping to bring good fortune to themselves and their kin.

She hadn’t expected that Qi Jinshan, who often seemed cold and distant, would do such a thing.

“He is, but not for me or the Marquisate,” Qi Jinshan said, gazing deeply at her. “Baixin is the woman who saved you ten years ago. Later, when she was pregnant and fell into hardship, I rescued her and made her child your blessing child—to pray for your fortune.”

Xie Mingyue was both moved and stunned, at a loss for words.

Finally, she asked in a daze, “Saved me ten years ago? What happened then?”