Chapter 771 Bloodline

The morning meal at the Marquis of Pingxi's residence always carried a special sense of ritual.

Today, Lord Zheng got up relatively early. He was just about to recite an article as usual when he saw his godfather had already arrived, so he put the book back and went to move a bench himself.

One,

Two,

Pushed together.

Then,

He saw the Madam arrive;

Tian Tian went back inside,

One,

Two,

Four benches pushed together.

Immediately afterward,

Tian Tian went inside again and moved three small stools, placing them steadily.

The child was busy running around, and Lord Zheng, as his father, simply watched from the side. He doted on his child, wishing he could do everything possible for him, but sometimes watching his child do something for him, the joy was countless times greater than the thing itself.

"Father, Mother, sit."

Zheng Fan sat down, with Si Niang sitting beside him.

Soon, four small plates of pickled mustard tuber, pickled ginger, fermented bean curd, and pickled cowpeas were set out, followed by a small bowl of fish jelly placed in the center.

The main dish was shredded chicken congee, with a small basket beside it containing salted duck eggs.

Tian Tian, as usual, helped his father peel an egg, busy and happy;

Zheng Fan, meanwhile, looked at Si Niang;

"Alright, Master, you don't need to worry about me. Li Qing being pregnant is a joyous occasion; having another person in the family will make things more lively. I have many things to do, and I don't have time to be jealous, sad, or cry my eyes out.

We'll just continue living our lives as they are; you be carefree, and I'll be carefree, okay?

It's not like we're filming a palace drama."

Hearing the words "palace drama," Tian Tian looked slightly puzzled, but he didn't ask what it was.

Zheng Fan nodded.

That's right,

Although no one could compare to Si Niang in terms of using beauty to please, Si Niang wasn't relying on that to make a living after all. She was one of the Demon Kings, used to big storms, and wasn't so fragile.

Lord Zheng was also relieved because, comparatively speaking, he was often the fragile one.

The congee was portioned out.

At this moment, the Princess walked over.

"Sister, I'm late."

Si Niang shook her head and said, "Not late, come join us."

Tian Tian got up and brought out another small stool from inside.

"Second Mother, sit."

The Princess sat down.

She looked at Tian Tian, then at her husband, and finally at Si Niang, and said;

"Sister is a straightforward person, and since my husband is here today, I'll just speak my mind, okay?"

Si Niang nodded and said, "We're family, we should be open and honest with each other. Keeping things hidden only creates distance."

Xiong Liqing responded, saying:

"My husband isn't someone who likes trouble; he truly considers this home to be his home. Sometimes when my husband is out fighting, tired and weary, coming home is truly coming home.

So, there are some things I'm very clear about.

In terms of seniority, Sister has been by my husband's side longer than I have, accompanying him step by step from Tiger Head City to where he is today. I can't compare to that.

In terms of favor, my husband was reluctant to take me as his own for a long time; even Ruqing nearly misunderstood, but I know my husband was waiting for Sister.

In terms of ability, Sister is capable both inside and out; in every aspect, I can't compare.

So, from the moment I entered the Marquis's residence, I never thought about competing with you, Sister. What do women in the palace rely on to compete for favor? First, family power, and second, affection.

My husband is already a Marquis now, and the new Emperor wouldn't dare to neglect him. This Princess of Chu is just a decorative title; it looks good, but that's all it is.

Since my husband is here, I want him to be a witness: I have no intention of competing with Sister, not now, and not ever.

Even if I have a child in my belly, in the future, the child will call Sister 'Mother' and call me 'Auntie'."

Si Niang drank some congee.

The Princess continued, "It's not that I'm deliberately lowering my status to set some kind of trap for Sister in front of my husband. I know that I could never be Sister's opponent, and my husband isn't the kind of person who can be fooled or deceived.

In the past, I did think that because my husband had difficulty having children, as long as I had a child in my belly, I would naturally be able to stand up straight.

My mind was full of fantasies about gaining status through my son, and I would at least try to joke around and wave my claws at Sister.

But when Mister Bei told me that my pregnancy was confirmed,

I don't know why, but those thoughts I had previously imagined immediately faded away.

There's a little one in my belly, my own flesh and blood.

I'm thinking about what the little one will be like after they're born; my heart can't hold anything else anymore. My only wish is for them to grow up safe and sound.

Sister, this is my sincere heart; please... understand."

Saying this, the Princess stood up and knelt down before Si Niang.

Si Niang didn't stop her, and Lord Zheng continued to drink his congee "shamelessly";

But Tian Tian, seeing Second Mother kneel down, instinctively stood up.

The Princess bowed respectfully,

Seeing that Si Niang accepted it,

She smiled immediately.

Si Niang put down her congee bowl and said, "Alright, get up and drink your congee; it'll get cold."

"Thank you, Sister."

The morning meal was eaten harmoniously.

After finishing the meal, Si Niang said she wanted to examine Tian Tian's calligraphy, as he must have fallen behind in his studies after going to the snowy plains and Zhennan Pass.

Tian Tian immediately began to spread out paper to prepare for writing.

The Princess got up and said she was feeling a little tired and was going to rest for a while, then returned to her own side courtyard.

Lord Zheng stretched and looked at Si Niang, who waved at him.

"I'm going to see San'er."

Lord Zheng also left.

However, before going to see San'er, Lord Zheng planned to visit the Sword Saint's house next door.

Si Niang remained in place, watching Tian Tian practice his calligraphy.

After about half an hour, Tian Tian finished writing.

Si Niang walked over to look at it, saying at the same time, "Go and stretch your body."

"Okay, Mother."

Tian Tian obediently went out to run laps; this was a habit he had developed in the military camp. Liu Dahu would run laps and practice breathing exercises every morning, and Tian Tian followed along.

Si Niang stood in front of the desk, her gaze first falling on the characters Tian Tian had written.

They were neat and square, still far from being truly good characters, but for his age, they were quite good.

As she looked,

Si Niang's gaze fell on the red stone paperweight.

A smile appeared on the corner of her mouth,

Si Niang pulled over a chair, sat down,

And said:

"Did you hear everything?"

The two youkai that had been in the house had also gone with Tian Tian to run laps and watch over him, so it was clear who Si Niang was talking to.

The red stone remained still.

"I believe what she said; she's very smart, and smart people can see the situation clearly." Si Niang continued while looking at her fingernails, "What she said is true, and her bowing her head is also true, and I've accepted it."

"After all, it's a family matter. When the family is harmonious and there aren't so many upsetting things, life can be peaceful, and I believe that's what you want to see too.

You don't think I'd use some means to get rid of her child, do you?

That's too low-level and meaningless.

I see that Blindie has a bruised nose and swollen face; were you the one who beat him up?

What happened between you two is your business; I don't care."

Speaking of this,

Si Niang's gaze suddenly became sharp,

"But I, Feng Si Niang, am not someone who's easy to get along with. She lowered her head for the sake of her child, which is right, and I should be generous, which is also right.

But..."

Si Niang picked up a writing brush beside her,

Strands of silk emerged from her palm, instantly cutting off the tip of the brush cleanly, and then began to reassemble a new tip.

"But in my heart, I'm still a little uncomfortable."

The red stone remained still.

Si Niang shook her head,

And said:

"I didn't ask Blindie or you whether the one in her belly is a boy or a girl; I'm not interested. But when it's born, you'll have another younger brother or sister.

Will you accept it?"

The red stone remained unmoved.

"Hey, I'm asking you, will you accept it?

We 'adults' have to save face, have to consider the family's situation, and think about keeping this harmony going.

Actually,

This matter really has nothing to do with Master; I was the one who captured the Princess in the first place.

I don't blame Master,

But I blame you.

Do you know why Blindie wanted to talk to you about it? Oh, right, Blindie probably didn't tell you, but the reason why Blindie had a bruised nose and swollen face was for me to see, to remind me.

So I'll ask you.

In the past,

You said,

Want to be your mother? Are you worthy?

What about her?

When her child is born, will you take care of her child like you used to take care of Tian Tian, fussing over them all day, afraid they'll get cold or hungry, afraid they'll cry or make a fuss?

Will you?"

The red stone block stood up.

"To be honest, you're the most willful one, and you're also our own son. What can't you say from the bottom of your heart? What, have you even learned to keep things hidden?"

The red stone swayed left and right; this was shaking its head.

"She has the bloodline of the phoenix; the child born might inherit a bloodline from the Xiong family of Chu, making them different from ordinary children."

The red stone swayed left and right again.

"What, you look down on them?"

The red stone swayed back and forth, nodding.

Si Niang also nodded and said; "That's right, Tian Tian is a spirit child himself, and he was the first child you personally interacted with and accompanied, so the feelings are naturally different.

But if you want a second one, something too ordinary and too common, wouldn't it be meaningless?

Master would tell the wildlings, barbarians, and Jin people about treating everyone equally because everyone is human.

But we're not,

Especially you, you don't need to pretend. How many children in this world are worthy of your attention, how many are worth your effort?

I'm not trying to deceive you, and I'm not threatening you.

Just watch,

When her child is born, your father will definitely hang you on that child. Will you have a choice then?

Hehe.

No matter how strong the fire phoenix bloodline is, how much flavor will be left when it's passed down to this line?

Can they play with you, can they romp with you like Tian Tian did when he was young, not afraid of being harmed by you and not afraid of being influenced by you?"

"Jie jie... jie jie..."

The Demon Seed's laughter sounded; this laughter was directed at Si Niang. Obviously, the Demon Seed had already seen through what Si Niang meant by saying these words.

"What are you laughing at? You're still laughing!"

Si Niang glared at the Demon Seed.

"If you want to have another child in the future who can withstand your shenanigans, you'll help me!"

The reason why Lord Zheng had been unable to have children with the Princess and Liu Ruqing had already been proven to be because the Demon Seed had been giving his father a "ghostly vasectomy."

The Demon Seed,

Is a ghost. The closeness between him and Zheng Fan, whether in spirit or in physical possession, cannot be separated.

And everything is mutual;

You have to look at problems with a dialectical way of thinking.

The Demon Seed can "prevent pregnancy,"

Then,

That is to say,

As long as he is willing, he can actually achieve "assisted pregnancy"!

What elixirs, what Dragon Seeking Grass, the real supreme medicine is on this Demon Seed!

And this medicine can only be "taken" by Zheng Fan; the Demon Seed's power can only affect his "father."

In other words,

The Demon Seed can actually use his ability in reverse to have the opportunity to break through the so-called... reproductive isolation.

Si Niang pointed to herself,

"My bloodline, the child I give birth to, will definitely be able to withstand your shenanigans, and I'll be willing to let you play with them, let you take care of them without worry."

This is confidence... stemming from bloodline.

Even if there is a "Master" dragging things down with his moderation,

With Si Niang's bloodline as the foundation, it's impossible for them to be too bad.

"Imagine, in a few years, your 'younger brother' or 'sister' in name sees your true form. Do you want them to be scared to cry by you, or to smile at you?"

"Buzz!"

The red stone flew directly in front of Si Niang.

A silver silk net appeared in front of Si Niang, blocking the red stone.

Obviously,

The Demon Seed was angry.

"What, you can't take it anymore? Hehe, who do you think you are? Do you think everyone loves you? Do you think every child in this world is like Tian Tian?

To put it bluntly,

In this family,

The ones who are truly not afraid of you,

The ones who truly treat you as one of their own,

The ones who will truly treat you as a companion when needed, and won't look at you with colored glasses,

There's Master,

There's Tian Tian,

There's Sha Tuo Qieshi lying underground,

Who else?

Who else?

And then there's,

Me, Blindie, San'er, A Cheng, A Li, A Ming.

In the past,

You caused trouble, you messed things up. I didn't think about it, and Blindie didn't have any evidence, but it didn't matter. You're a child, after all, and your father didn't even get angry after knowing the truth. I even think he's willing to not have children for your happiness.

But now,

There is one,

Since you've let go, allowing another woman to get pregnant.

Then you have to help me,

You must help me."

Si Niang waved her hand, dissolving the barrier. The red stone floated in front of Si Niang. Si Niang stared at it, reached out, and gently patted her chest,

Smiling slightly;

"Because we are people of the same circle.

Usually, we can look down on each other, ridicule each other, mock each other, and even, without Master's restraint, we can go our separate ways. Even if we fight among ourselves and spill our brains out, it doesn't matter!

But if we really turn our elbows outwards, favoring outsiders and slighting our own people, then this relationship can't continue.

Hehe,

Do you think they haven't realized what's going on?

They're all shrewd people; they've all guessed it, and they're all... watching."

The Demon Seed's figure appeared on the red stone,

A baby,

Glaring at Si Niang angrily.

"You think I'm begging you? No, you're wrong. I'm not begging you. You can play your own games, live your own life, and be your own self.

You're unique, no problem. The only son should have the treatment of the only son.

But in the future,

Don't blame us for not treating you as one of our own."

The Demon Seed's figure,

Floated towards Si Niang,

He was very angry, really very angry, because their mutual understanding led to Si Niang's words hitting him squarely in the heart.

He wanted to disregard everything and have a fight with Si Niang here like he had with Blindie that day;

But he knew very well what that would mean.

Si Niang sat back down,

Crossed her legs,

And adjusted her skirt,

"At least make a sound."

The Demon Seed's chest heaved; the child was so angry he was about to get depressed.

How long has it been,

He who had been working hard for the past two years to create a permanent "safe period" for his father, was now being forced to "assist pregnancy"?

"I won't tell your father about this; I won't use your father to pressure you or influence you. I'm telling you these things alone, standing on the same side."

Finally,

The Demon Seed spoke;

"The child... I'll take care of it..."

————

After the examination, nothing was found to be wrong. It may have been caused by being too tired and stressed recently. Well, I'm letting everyone know that I'm safe. Normal updates will resume tomorrow, hug everyone!