Wang Qingyao had been standing all day and was already tired. She wanted to go to bed after bathing, but as soon as she heard gossip about Madam Bai, her spirits immediately perked up.
She scrambled out of bed and leaned towards Xiao Yun, "Tell me, tell me quickly."
Xiao Yun brought his face close to hers, "Kiss me and I'll tell you."
Wang Qingyao gave a loud, smacking kiss.
Xiao Yun cupped her head, and after a long kiss, he slowly began to speak.
Madam Bai was pregnant with another man's child and intended to use the excuse of Wang Qinglin's healed face to keep Wang Da overnight, planting the child on Wang Da.
Who knew that Concubine Ying had her own people stationed at the manor. With a dose of medicine, Madam Bai miscarried, and the child was lost.
Even though the child was gone, Wang Da still had to come.
After all, if Wang Qinglin's face recovered, it would be beneficial and harmless to the Wang family.
So, as soon as Wang Da heard that Wang Qinglin's face had healed, he went to the manor a few days later, thinking that with the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, he could bring Wang Qinglin back to celebrate.
However, when he arrived, he saw that Wang Qinglin's face had not healed at all. It was merely covered with thick powder, making it look slightly better.
Wang Da flew into a rage. Madam Bai feigned weakness and acted coquettishly, crying pitifully and claiming she missed Wang Da so much that she resorted to such measures.
She had just miscarried, her face was pale, her posture delicate. She humbled herself and dressed in a demure style.
How could Wang Da have ever seen Madam Bai like this?
Madam Bai had always maintained the image of a dignified matriarch, always reserved and lacking in charm, making everything she did uninteresting.
Suddenly, she transformed into someone else, displaying a seductive demeanor. How could Wang Da resist?
Madam Bai successfully kept Wang Da at the manor for the night and begged him to take her back.
Wang Da, however, was unfeeling. He said he couldn't make the decision alone and had to discuss it with Old Madam Wang. Besides, Wang Zijin probably wouldn't agree.
Madam Bai said she knew she was wrong and would never make such a mistake again.
In short, she kept apologizing and acting spoiled.
Wang Da still insisted on going back to discuss it.
Hearing this, Wang Qingyao laughed, "Discuss what? Wang Da is the head of the family. If he insists on bringing Madam Bai back, who can stop him? Perhaps he's been enjoying his peace and quiet in Madam Bai's absence?"
However, Madam Bai was too hasty. How long had she been at the manor before she started thinking about leaving? Who would believe she genuinely regretted her actions!
Xiao Yun said, "Wang Da left the next day, without his wife or daughter. But Madam Bai won't give up easily."
Wang Qingyao raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't Wang Da spend the night with her? If she's pregnant, won't he take her back immediately?"
"Do you think getting pregnant is that easy? Just like that? Besides, Madam Bai just miscarried. It would be a miracle if she got pregnant now!"
Xiao Yun smiled and ruffled her hair, "You're too naive. What are you worried about? Isn't there an adulterer?"
Wang Qingyao gasped. How could she have forgotten about him?
"Have you found out who the adulterer is?"
Xiao Yun nodded, "It's the steward of the manor..."
The steward? Madam Bai really wasn't picky.
Xiao Yun added, "...his son."
Wang Qingyao froze. The steward's son?
"How old is he?"
"Seventeen."
Well, younger than Wang Zijin!
Wang Qingyao retracted her previous statement. Madam Bai wasn't unpicky; she had very high standards!
Xiao Yun frowned, "Is that envy in your eyes?"
Wang Qingyao said sternly, "What nonsense are you spouting? What's there to envy? As a woman, one should be faithful..." she coughed.
"Actually, I think men should also be faithful," Xiao Yun said.
Wang Qingyao looked at him in surprise. This child had such high principles!
But she quickly realized that Xiao Yun's high principles were not good for her.
She hurriedly said, "What are you talking about? Faithfulness is for women. Men should have multiple wives and concubines..."
Xiao Yun's expression gradually darkened.
Wang Qingyao continued, "Otherwise, how can the principal wife alone ensure a large family? The prosperity of the family depends on generations to come."
Xiao Yun said, "I've met people who have had seven or eight children."
Just hearing it made Wang Qingyao's stomach ache.
She certainly didn't want to have seven or eight children; she wasn't a sow!
With the medical standards of ancient times, having seven or eight children would likely take a heavy toll on her health, and she might even die in childbirth!
Wang Qingyao shivered and cast a resentful glance at Xiao Yun.
Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad if he died before he was twenty-five.
Xiao Yun, unaware of Wang Qingyao's dangerous thoughts, put his arm around her shoulders and lay down, beginning to ramble about their future children.
"We don't necessarily need seven or eight. Four would be good, two boys and two girls, or three boys and one girl. The firstborn should be a son, and the daughters should be spoiled little sisters..."
Wang Qingyao let out a dry laugh.
She poured cold water on him, "First, find out who poisoned your household!"
Two boys and two girls, three boys and one girl... first, ensure your own survival!
Her words indeed made Xiao Yun fall silent.
He had painstakingly eliminated all of his family's enemies, and none of them seemed suspicious.
Wang Qingyao's search through medical texts had also yielded no progress.
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became somber.
Wang Qingyao, with a clear conscience, closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.