A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 134

Chapter 134

Getting Things Done With Ease

Today, Qi Youyi returned to the capital with his eldest son, Qi Xiao.

This time, he had been out for over a month, suppressing bandits and capturing a man who claimed to be the reincarnation of the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King.

The bandit suppression went smoothly, but subduing the so-called Heavenly King took quite a bit of effort.

This was because there were quite a few people who believed in him, and even some prominent families were involved.

He had no shortage of people or money, and even set up many charity halls. When they tried to apprehend him, the common people came out to stop them. He hadn’t anticipated this and ended up being surrounded, making for a rather embarrassing situation.

Upon returning to the capital, he didn’t even go home first but went directly to the palace to submit his battle report.

Then, covered in dust from his journey, he entered his home, only to find out that his wife was not there, and his mother was ill……

He hurriedly took Qi Xiao with him to the inner courtyard.

Old Madam Qi, Tan Shi, was sitting in the room, wearing a headband, her complexion pale.

However, her delicate beauty remained.

If Wen Yu were to see her, she would probably be surprised at how youthful Tan Shi appeared.

Moreover, even though she was “in a bad mood” and “feeling unwell” today, she was still impeccably dressed from head to toe.

Speaking of her appearance, she wasn’t actually that beautiful, and didn’t even possess the typical grace of a noblewoman.

Her attractiveness was something more general. Her face was wrinkle-free and hadn’t sagged. Her eyes were clear and gentle, and her lips were curved in a smile.

Her demeanor exuded a sense of detached serenity and peacefulness, even with a hint of playfulness.

Rumors spread throughout the capital that Qi Zheng’s wife was grateful to Tan Shi for saving her husband, so she recognized her as a sworn sister and kept her in the residence. Tan Shi was given the same food, clothing, and treatment as the young ladies of the household, and they even planned to find her a good husband. However, Tan Shi expressed that she would only consider marriage after she had helped her sister give birth.

During the later stages of Madam Qi’s pregnancy and after the child was born, Tan Shi was indeed more attentive in caring for her than the maids and older female servants.

It was said that she never left her side, personally tasting her medicine and food.

Madam Qi had a breech birth when she delivered Qi Zheng, and her health never fully recovered. When Qi Xiao was less than a year old, Madam Qi’s frailty led to heart disease, and she passed away.

Before she died, Madam Qi “implored” her husband to marry Tan Shi.

And Qi Zheng, “heeding his wife’s wish,” truly intended to marry her.

At the time, there was considerable opposition, including from Qi Zheng’s parents and Madam Qi’s maternal family, the Zhao family.

This was because Tan Shi’s background was practically “unknown.” She had no family or property, and no one knew about her past.

However, Qi Zheng was adamant, and they eventually got married.

For a long time, Tan Shi was not accepted by this social circle and faced many embarrassing situations.

But she maintained a humble attitude and was honest, facing everything with composure.

For all these years, no one had ever seen her lose her temper or speak ill of anyone.

Moreover, even though she herself had given birth to a son, she still raised Qi Youyi to be tall, handsome, skilled in both literary and martial arts.

She finally earned herself a good reputation.

Now, in the capital, she was a well-known and charitable old madam, enjoying excellent relations both within and outside her household.

Seeing her son and grandson arrive, a smile immediately spread across Tan Shi’s face, her voice filled with delight: “Eldest, Xiao’er! Didn’t you say you were coming back tomorrow?!”

Both Qi Youyi and Qi Xiao, tall and broad-shouldered, stepped forward with smiles and bowed, “Mother!”

“Grandmother!”

“The journey went smoothly, so we came back a day early!”

“Good, good, good! It’s good that you’re back… Are you injured?!” She extended her hands towards them, her concerned gaze sweeping up and down their bodies.

“Don’t worry, we’re not injured.”

“Amitabha! It seems my incense burning wasn’t in vain!” Tan Shi was visibly delighted. “Have you been to the palace?”

“Yes, we have!”

“Did the Emperor commend you?!”

“Hehe, Mother, even if there were commendations, they wouldn’t be given out now.”

“Are you implying that your mother doesn’t understand official matters?” She looked at Qi Youyi with mock reproach.

“Haha! I wouldn’t dare! Has Father sent any letters back?”

“He has. He said things are going well there, but he’ll need to stay for a while longer. I’m worried about his back… A few days ago, I had someone send over a medicine packet for him, for bathing. I also prepared some for you and Xiao’er, for both prevention and treatment. You’re out there fighting, it’s so tiring. You need to take good care of yourselves on a daily basis, don’t be lazy!”

“Thank you, Mother. I’m also worried about Father. If the Emperor doesn’t have any other assignments, I’d like to request to go and relieve Father for a while.”

✿✿✿

Tan Shi’s heart skipped a beat, but the smile on her face remained unchanged. “You’ve been working hard for over a year, rest well first! And Xiao’er…”

The old madam looked at Qi Xiao and pointed at him: “Look at you, such a fair-skinned boy, now you look like a piece of charcoal! You need to recuperate!”

Qi Xiao said: “Grandmother, I’m a military officer, not a pretty boy!”

“Hmph, if you’re not fair-skinned, how will your wife like you? You’ve been away for so long, don’t you want to spend time with your wife?!”

The three of them laughed, the atmosphere couldn’t have been better!

Qi Xiao’s dark face flushed. He truly did miss her!

“Mother, I heard from the servants at the gate that you haven’t been feeling well?” Qi Youyi was genuinely concerned.

Tan Shi glared at the maid beside her. “Don’t listen to their nonsense! I’m fine! Perfectly healthy!”

The maid next to her said, “Old Madam, you don’t have to pretend. If there’s something troubling you, now that the Eldest Master is back, you can tell him about it.”

“Yes, Mother, where are you feeling unwell? Have you seen a doctor?”

“I told you I’m fine! They’re just making a fuss! Besides, even if there were something wrong, seeing you two, I’m completely healed!”

She looked at Qi Youyi and Qi Xiao, her eyes filled with pride and affection.

Qi Youyi and his son were deeply moved. “Now that I’m back, if there’s anything that’s upsetting you, you must tell me. Otherwise, how can I be at ease?”

Tan Shi’s eyes glistened, but her eyelids seemed to be moist with tears. “There’s really nothing…”

“Mother…”

He asked the maid beside her, “Tell me! What’s wrong with Mother?” Why did she seem like she was crying?

Tan Shi quickly signaled to the maid with her eyes.

But the maid said: “Eldest Master, you had just left last time when Madam started talking about renovating the ancestral graves back home. This was originally Madam’s filial piety, but somehow, rumors started spreading outside: saying that you were unfilial, that you didn’t even care about your own mother. They even said that it was Old Madam who taught you that!

Who would dare to bear such a reputation? Old Madam was so anxious and angry that she fell ill. But Madam didn’t care at all and left directly with Fourth Master and Fifth Master. She just came back a few days ago! And even after coming back, she didn’t come to pay her respects to Old Madam, only showing her face once to inform Old Madam that she had arranged marriages for both Fourth Master and Fifth Master in their hometown!”

Only then did a trace of sadness appear on Tan Shi’s face.

Qi Youyi was stunned. To be honest, he didn’t really pay attention to the marriages of Fourth Master and Fifth Master.

Especially Fifth Master. Even though he was his legitimate son, they had only met a handful of times.

Moreover, his true thoughts were unknown to others: Qi Xiao had spent the most time by his side, accompanying him on official duties, and could be considered his greatest support. Even this time, it was this son who brought people to rescue him from danger.

But to say who he loved the most in his heart, it was still his second son, Qi Hua, born to Xiu Yun. He had put a lot of effort into securing a good marriage for Qi Hua.

Third Master had his father and younger brother to look after him. He didn’t even consider Fourth Master.

He didn’t plan to interfere with Fifth Master’s marriage or future prospects.

Cui Shi could decide as she pleased.

But seeing his mother like this, it was probably not that simple, so his expression turned grim.

As for Qi Xiao, who was several years older than his younger brother, he wasn’t as close to him as he was to Qi Hua!

Especially Fifth Master, who had been good-looking since he was little. When they were young, Mother was particularly fond of him, dressing him up all the time, making a boy look like a girl.

He found it particularly irritating.

He had initially wanted to use his elder brother’s authority to suppress him, to show him who was boss.

But the kid didn’t give a damn about him!

What a little shit!

In a fit of anger, he had beaten him up many times.

Mother even got angry with him because of this, so he hated him even more.

Later, Mother sent him away to study, and they had fewer opportunities to see each other… Hmph, making Grandmother angry, just you wait, he’d teach him a lesson!

“Grandmother?”

A cheerful and clear voice came from the doorway.

Tan Shi quickly composed herself, something she was quite adept at.

She smiled and glanced at Qi Xiao. “Look, who’s here?” Her tone was teasing.