Fang Taifei's words brought an abrupt silence to the surroundings.
Wang Qingyao used her clairvoyant eyes to see outside. She observed several unfamiliar wet nurses standing in the corridor, presumably to help Ping Ge'er move his belongings.
It was quite something that Fang Taifei had prepared so thoroughly, intending to take away someone else's son with just one sentence.
Wang Qingyao had read many domestic drama novels and knew that some mothers-in-law would raise their grandchildren in their own courtyards. In certain prominent families, grandchildren raised by their grandmothers held a higher status than others.
However, as the legitimate eldest son of Prince Ding'an, Ping Ge'er's status was already noble enough; he didn't need Fang Taifei's "adding flowers to the brocade."
Moreover, Wang Qingyao did not believe Fang Taifei was so benevolent.
The excuse of not wanting to disturb her with the child's cries and wanting her to recover her health was clearly just a pretext.
Unless absolutely necessary, which mother would willingly be separated from her newborn child?
Just as Xiao Yun was about to speak, Wang Qingyao glanced at him, gave him a look, and signaled him to be quiet. He obediently refrained from speaking.
Seeing that Xiao Yun remained silent, Fang Taifei assumed he was quite willing, and her heart filled with pride.
Although Yun Zhu had been dismissed, Fang Taifei had to admit she was capable. The idea Yun Zhu had proposed truly struck a chord with her.
From the very beginning, Fang Taifei had looked down on Wang Qingyao, believing her to be of low birth, lacking proper upbringing, and ill-mannered, thus unworthy of her precious son.
The facts, in Fang Taifei's opinion, proved this to be true. In all her years, she had never seen a daughter-in-law so arrogant and ill-disciplined.
She couldn't fathom what the Old Taifei and Xiao Yun saw in her to dote on her like a treasure.
Therefore, even though Wang Qingyao had now borne them two children for the Xiao family, she still held her in disdain.
To prevent Ping Ge'er from becoming ill-mannered, rough, and reckless under Wang Qingyao's upbringing, she had eagerly arrived on the second day after the birth.
Fang Taifei considered her words to be flawless and well-reasoned, leaving Wang Qingyao with no grounds to refuse.
This was not an uncommon practice; many grandmothers raised their grandchildren.
Didn't Xiao Yun himself grow up under the Old Taifei's care?
However, Fang Taifei forgot that Xiao Yun was already five or six years old when the Old Taifei took him in, and it was because she herself was devoutly practicing Buddhism.
This situation was entirely different.
Wang Qingyao looked at Fang Taifei, her smile vanishing. With a stern face, she asked, "What do you mean by that, Mother?"
Fang Taifei felt a pang of guilt under her gaze and explained, "I just want you to rest well. You don't understand; newborn babies cry day and night, it's very bothersome."
After Fang Taifei finished speaking, Wang Qingyao slowly said, "Mother, are you biased towards males?"
"Ah?"
"Mother immediately suggested taking Ping Ge'er away, not mentioning An Jie'er at all. What, does Mother only see grandsons and not granddaughters? How can I feel at ease entrusting Ping Ge'er to Mother with such favoritism?"
Xiao Yun pursed his lips, suppressing a chuckle. His wife was becoming increasingly skilled at sophistry.
Fang Taifei was stunned, her mind struggling to catch up. Previously, Yun Zhu was always there to advise her. Now that Yun Zhu was gone, she found herself unable to keep up in even a minor dispute.
Furthermore, Wang Qingyao was her daughter-in-law. As the mother-in-law, shouldn't Wang Qingyao simply obey?
What was this talk of male bias? Of favoritism?
Were these the main points? She had come to take a child to raise, and now it had turned into a discussion about gender. Besides, sons and daughters were inherently different!
Fang Taifei thought righteously. After a moment of sorting through her thoughts, she finally regained her composure.
She said, "Ping Ge'er is the legitimate eldest son of the Xiao family and will inherit the title in the future, so he is naturally more distinguished than An Jie'er. But I love An Jie'er just the same."
"I don't care," Wang Qingyao said. "Both children are flesh and blood from my body, and they are equally important in my heart. Mother's words displease me greatly."
Fang Taifei was utterly astonished. She had never seen a daughter-in-law dare to say to her mother-in-law, "You've upset me, and I'm very displeased."
"Furthermore," Wang Qingyao continued, "Ping Ge'er and An Jie'er are twins. They should be raised together, eating and sleeping together, so they won't grow apart. If Mother had initially proposed taking both children, I might have reluctantly agreed, considering Mother's concern for me. But with such an approach, I absolutely cannot consent."
Fang Taifei was both angry and vexed. For every word she spoke, Wang Qingyao retorted ten.
In her heart, she had intended to take both children. However, she was accustomed to peace and quiet, and she feared she couldn't manage two children. That was why she had only mentioned Ping Ge'er. Yet, Wang Qingyao clung to this point, refusing to budge, and relentlessly slandered her.
"A'yun, you speak!" She simply ignored Wang Qingyao and looked at Xiao Yun in anger. "Tell me, can I take Ping Ge'er to my courtyard to raise?"
Fang Taifei's thinking was that a husband was heaven and earth; how could a wife not listen to her husband's words?
No matter how arrogant Wang Qingyao was, could she defy Xiao Yun's wishes?
Xiao Yun quickly glanced at Wang Qingyao, then walked to Fang Taifei's side, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Mother, you practice Buddhism year-round and cherish tranquility the most. Newborn babies are noisy, and we were afraid of disturbing you. Kangping Courtyard is spacious and has many attendants; it won't disturb Yao Yao."
This was a refusal.