"I am also my father's son, why can't I go to school? Is it because Mother fears I will overshadow Eldest Brother in the future, that she acts this way!"
He was only four years old. In ordinary families, children might still be playing in the fields, yet this one of hers was already accusing his legitimate mother of unfairness.
"Presumptuous! Is this how a concubine raises her child? To dare to yell at the legitimate wife with such disrespect, do you have any rules in your eyes!"
Feng Jinyao, with a cold face, stood at the doorway and began to reprimand him.
Feng Yunli's plump flesh trembled in fear. After swallowing a few times, he still wanted to step forward and argue.
However, he was intimidated by Feng Jinyao's gaze and dared not move. He then softened, hiding behind the concubine beside him, no longer daring to be presumptuous.
"Eldest Sister-in-law."
"You've come!" Madam Wen's eyes were full of emotion. "It's really inconvenient to trouble you so late at night."
"We are family, no need for such formalities. How is your headache?"
Madam Wen sighed, her eyes red and on the verge of tears, making Feng Jinyao feel wronged.
To be the legitimate wife yet be so controlled by a concubine below her, one could imagine her frustration.
So, she handed over a handkerchief and Feng Jinyao began to comfort her.
"I visited maternal grandmother's home today. She misses you and the child dearly and asked me to bring back many things. She said that once you feel better, she will definitely bring Yunhe to see her."
Upon hearing this, Madam Wen became even more distressed.
Since she married into the Feng family, she had always been plagued by minor ailments. Therefore, the affairs of the inner court were managed by her mother-in-law, Madam Feng.
She held little real power, and naturally, the maids, servants, and stewards did not show her much respect.
Moreover, she was naturally soft-hearted. As a well-behaved young lady from a noble family, she had only wished for a simple life of supporting her husband and raising her children after marriage.
Who would have thought that after the introduction of Linlang into the household, the couple would gradually grow distant, and her child would also suffer much injustice.
"Thank you for maternal grandmother's concern. I will definitely bring the child to see her in a couple of days."
"Mm."
The concubine knelt below, watching the tender scene between the sisters-in-law, but her heart was filled with a thousand dissatisfactions.
Why could her son attend the best academies, while her own son could only have a tutor at home, all because of the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate birth?
She was determined to fight for this!
So, she began to cry and wail, "I beg the Madam's mercy! Please allow Yunli to attend school with Eldest Brother. I promise he will study diligently and will never overshadow Eldest Brother."
As soon as she finished speaking, tears began to fall.
"His fate is not as good as Eldest Brother's. Born to me, he is a庶子 (shùzǐ - illegitimate son) looked down upon from birth. If he doesn't study well, who knows how he will be bullied in the future! I beg the Madam's mercy."
With that, she kowtowed several times, the impact shaking the floor.
If an uninformed observer saw this, they might think it was a wicked legitimate wife bullying an innocent concubine.
Hearing her words, Madam Wen's eyes reddened further. She wanted to retort, but Feng Jinyao, standing beside her, pressed her hand down and shook her head, a faint smile comforting Madam Wen's anxiety.
"A庶子 (shùzǐ - illegitimate son) who is looked down upon? What do you mean by that?"
Seeing that she had engaged in conversation, Concubine Linlang stepped forward and continued her tearful complaint.
"It's one thing that his daily expenses and clothing are not as good as Eldest Brother's, but even when he is sick and needs medicine, he is always neglected. The last time Yunli sprained his ankle, the household physician only gave it a cursory look. They didn't even prescribe a liniment for bruises and sprains, which caused Yunli to be bedridden for three to four days. Third Miss, you must do justice for me!"
Hearing this, Madam Wen was even more furious. Her mouth gaped open, and she almost couldn't catch her breath.
"You're spouting nonsense!" Feng Yunhe, standing beside them, shouted with red eyes.
Feng Jinyao observed Concubine Linlang coldly. Seeing her falter for a moment, she quickly regained her composure.
There was indeed a good concubine in Eldest Brother's courtyard. To frame and twist the truth so openly, she had underestimated her before.
"That's not true, not true, Third Miss. In terms of food, clothing, and daily expenses, Madam has always followed the household rules and never withheld anything. Moreover, she even allocated some of her own allowance for Second Brother's expenses. Look at Second Brother, he's even sturdier than Eldest Brother. How can he be a child who is subjected to harsh treatment?"
Zhu Jin, Madam Wen's maid, immediately retorted, fearing that Feng Jinyao would blame their Madam if she believed Concubine Linlang's lies. In that case, it would be impossible to clear their names.
"What about the time Yunli sprained his ankle?"
"The household physician said it was nothing serious and that using medicine might harm the child's growing bones, which is why no medicine was used. Yet, the concubine refused to listen and has complained to the master about this several times!"
Maid Zhu Jin simply revealed the whole story, ensuring no one could gain any advantage.
After listening to both sides, Feng Jinyao pondered for a moment and then suddenly changed the subject, asking,
"Do you know the three rules of Yunqi Academy?"
"What rules?"
Concubine Linlang feigned confusion. She had long intended to send her son to school, so how could she not know the academy rules?
Her pretense might fool others, but it was not enough to fool Feng Jinyao.
"First, only legitimate heirs are allowed. Second, one cannot enter without passing an examination. Third, one cannot leave without holding an official post. Of these three rules, tell me, which one can Yunli fulfill?"
Feng Jinyao's words were like the morning bells and drums, striking everyone's hearts one by one.
Zhu Jin, the head maid by Madam Wen's side, who had been furious, felt a surge of satisfaction upon hearing Feng Jinyao's words.
Her gaze towards Concubine Linlang was filled with mockery.
Truly overestimating herself!
"The matter of legitimate birth is easy to handle. As long as the Madam agrees to register my son under her name, won't he then have the status of a legitimate heir?"
Concubine Linlang, having already devised a plan, blurted out.
Feng Jinyao nodded, "This is indeed not difficult to arrange. What about the second rule?"
Seeing that her tone was not as stern as before, Concubine Linlang seemed to see hope. She stopped kneeling, pulled Yunli up, and then said pitifully,
"Third Miss, you also know that I am not well-educated. In the past, Madam only meticulously educated Eldest Brother. Even though Yunli has the desire to learn, there is no one to teach him..."
"How dare you slander us!" Zhu Jin, Madam Wen's maid, was indignant and immediately retorted.
"Isn't it true? Eldest Brother knows so many characters at the age of six, yet Madam did not meticulously teach him? My son is only four years old now. If he can study at the academy, he will surely achieve something in the future. He is also a descendant of the Feng family. If he gains the favor of a noble, won't it bring glory to the Feng family?"
As she spoke, she became more and more excited, even forgetting her initial tearful demeanor. Feng Jinyao sneered.