The eldest legitimate daughter finally conceived, and this child was the result of Zhong Xiuxiu visiting Chunshan Women’s Medical College to consult with Xiao Chunnuan. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Madam Zhong became somewhat kinder towards Zhong Xiuxiu’s biological mother, Ms. Luo.

Ms. Luo originally came from a respectable family, and even as a concubine, she was honest and reliable.

At the Qiu family’s Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, Madam Zhong even specially seated Ms. Luo next to her.

"Thank you, Madam."

The sudden favor made Ms. Luo feel increasingly uneasy.

"Auntie, please sit down."

Zhong Xiuxiu understood that this was her legitimate mother’s favor.

And this favor was related to her own dedication to her studies and earning the admiration of the professors at the college.

This favor was something her aunt could fully enjoy.

"Xiuxiu..."

"Go ahead, Auntie, there’s no problem."

Ms. Luo saw in her daughter’s eyes a composure and confidence she never possessed, suddenly straightening her back.

Indeed, she wasn’t favored by the master of the house and didn’t give birth to a son, but she had a good daughter.

Her daughter had gained the recognition of her legitimate mother, and in the future, as long as she doesn’t misbehave, her retirement would be secured.

Sure enough, at the family banquet, Madam Zhong even specially asked about the matters of marriage for a few of the concubine daughters.

"Master, the third, fourth, and fifth daughters have reached the age to be engaged?"

"These matters can be handled by Madam."

Old Master Zhong had no interest in managing his daughters.

He was currently overwhelmed, as some matters in court involved him.

As he was pondering, a servant reported that Lord Lin had sent an invitation.

No sooner nor later, just during the festival, Lord Lin sent the invitation, and despite the festivities, Old Master Zhong hurried to the Hundred Flavors Building for a meeting to "discuss matters."

Only upon arrival did he realize that Lord Lin was merely drinking with his family, having brought him there evidently to pay the bill.

Lord Lin held a weak spot of his.

Old Master Zhong willingly paid the money, not daring to breathe a word.

"Lord Lin, it’s a festival today, should we have a couple more drinks?"

"Alright, alright, come on, shall we have a couple of drinks?"

Lord Lin casually draped an arm over his shoulder: "Old Master Zhong, we’ve been colleagues for many years, tell me, how is our friendship?"

"It’s absolutely wonderful, you are both a mentor and a friend to me."

"You’re exaggerating," Lord Lin said smilingly: "I heard there’s a beautiful daughter in your household, why not..."

"I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare, my humble daughter is not worthy to climb up to the Lin Mansion, nor to become family through marriage with Lord Lin."

"Who wants marriage? My third concubine passed away last month, and there are too few people in the mansion..."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Zhong drew a sharp breath!

This old rascal was five years older than him, how could he dare?

"Mr. Zhong, what do you say, don’t worry, I’m just a little older than your daughter, but I’m great, very understanding, hahaha..."

"Lord Lin, my daughter is rather spoiled..."

Mr. Zhong truly couldn’t bear sending his daughter to be a concubine to this old rascal. He was stepping all over his pride.

"What? Mr. Zhong, are you reluctant? Well, fine, I have nothing more to say, please do as you wish."

Turning faces faster than flipping pages, that is Old Dog Lin.

"Lord Lin, please stay calm, I will go home, tidy up my daughter, and send her to your mansion."

"That’s more like it."

Lord Lin sneered: "It’s precisely because I’ve heard that your daughter is beautiful that I’m interested. You must understand, not just anyone can enter the Lin Mansion."

What could Mr. Zhong say?

He was holding his lifeline.

If he didn’t send the daughter over, the whole family would be doomed!

Mr. Zhong returned home and told Madam Zhong, and in her heart, she muttered "Such sin!".

Though these concubine daughters didn’t come from her womb, after all, they were young girls as beautiful as flowers. Pushing them into the Lin Mansion as concubines to an elderly man nearly fifty years old was truly cruel.

But what could she do?

"I shall follow the master’s arrangement."

"Lord Lin has his eyes on the third girl, isn’t that right?"

The third daughter, Zhong Xiuyao’s aunt was a Southern woman, a songstress Mr. Zhong brought back from Jiangnan. The third daughter inherited her birth mother’s beauty and talent and was somewhat famous in Capital.

However, due to her aunt’s background, the madams in Capital didn’t favor her, and the marriage had been postponed repeatedly. She was already seventeen this year and hadn’t been betrothed yet.

Madam Zhong hadn’t troubled her much, but when her eldest legitimate daughter wanted to choose among the concubine daughters, the third daughter’s behavior was somewhat excessive, even a bit desperate, which upset her.

Even so, Madam Zhong merely set her aside, without promising her to anyone, and who would have thought she would be picked by the Lin family.

"Go tell the third girl, she’ll be sent to the Lin Mansion tomorrow."

"Master, perhaps you should inform Mrs. Qin first."

How shrewd was Madam Zhong? If she were to break the news herself, Mrs. Qin and the third daughter would resent her.

It was the master’s own doing, he should handle it himself.

"Master, is there really no other way?"

Mrs. Qin cried tearfully when she received the news. She never imagined that after receiving the master’s favor all the way from Jiangnan in Capital, her daughter would still have to walk this path, serving an old man.

"No way. The third girl’s reputation is outstanding, and Lord Lin specifically wants her."

Mr. Zhong was still quite fond of her: "Don’t worry, I’ll give the third girl ample money, and teach her your skills, so she can be clever and establish herself in the Lin Mansion."

"Master..."

What could Mrs. Qin say? Crying couldn’t solve the problem.

Zhong Xiuyao was thunderstruck upon hearing the news, her face turning pale!

Fate was taunting her, giving her such beauty and talent, yet passing her by each time wealth was near.

She thought she could enter the Imperial Academy and serve the same husband as her eldest legitimate sister, but instead found herself serving an old man over fifty!

"Father, does it have to be your daughter?"

"Third girl, Lord Lin appreciates your talent, you are smart." Mr. Zhong was displeased: "You must understand weighing the pros and cons. When the nest is overturned, how can any egg remain intact? If you don’t go to the Lin Mansion or serve him well, none of us, including your aunt, can have good days."

So, was he threatening her with her birth mother?

Zhong Xiuyao sneered coldly inside.

When had she ever had good days?

She wasn’t part of the good days, but when trouble arose, she was remembered.

"Third girl, you are wise, you know, over the years, I favored your aunt the most..."

Favored the aunt the most?

How ironic was this?

Couldn’t even protect her own daughter, sending her off to serve a lousy old man, is this the favor her aunt wanted?

Anyway, she didn’t want it!