Xiao Ru Di changed his clothes and spoke with Xiao Qi Niang in the study.
"This Li Man'er is indeed extraordinary. After she treated my leg with acupuncture, this injured leg of mine feels unprecedentedly relaxed," Xiao Ru Di said, sitting behind the desk, "In past winters, when it snowed, this leg would be numb and painful. After the acupuncture today, it feels much better and doesn't hurt anymore."
Xiao Qi Niang felt a pang of bitterness in her heart, but she showed no sign of it on her face, "Father, with Li Man'er here, you no longer need to worry about your health. This is truly a cause for celebration."
"It's a pity, she is not yet a member of the Xiao family, and we don't know how long we can count on her."
Xiao Qi Niang thought for a moment and then said, "Father, why not summon Eldest Brother back and let him interact with Li Man'er. Daughter observes that Li Man'er is no ordinary young lady. Perhaps the two of them will naturally fall into place, and you won't have to worry about it."
Xiao Ru Di's gaze was sharp, and he looked at his daughter with a deep meaning, as if considering how much of her words were sincere.
Xiao Qi Niang understood her father all too well. Seeing this, she knew Xiao Ru Di suspected her intentions, so she quickly added, "Father, think about it. Is Li Man'er the kind of person who is weak and needs elders to make decisions for her in everything?"
She was indeed not.
"What do you want to say?" Although Xiao Ru Di agreed with his daughter's assessment, he did not state his own opinion.
"From our investigation, Li Man'er is extremely cunning and good at hiding her abilities. Father, think about it. She lost the protection of her biological mother when she was still a baby. For so many years, she has been living under her stepmother's control. Although the Marquis did not completely neglect her, it was not far from it. What was her reputation in the capital in her early years? Everyone said she was arrogant and overbearing, even worse than the notorious young scions of the capital, chasing after Young Master Rong every day without any feminine modesty. But Father, think about it, if she hadn't been like that, how could she have survived safely under her stepmother's care all these years? Everyone knows she is uneducated, but does anyone know of her exceptional medical skills?"
Xiao Ru Di nodded in agreement with this statement.
"Now that her stepmother is dead, and her half-sister has been married off to such a family," Xiao Qi Niang said, "If you believe that these two events were not orchestrated by her, Father?"
Naturally, he did not believe that.
Among the women in the capital, eight hundred schemes were few.
"Eldest Brother is of an honest and kind nature, and usually too straightforward and upright. He has always been in the military camp and prefers direct action. If in the future... he might be easily manipulated. If Eldest Brother marries Li Man'er, not only will he have the solid backing of the Li and Ning families, but he will also gain a capable wife."
Xiao Ru Di seemed very pleased with her words, and his expression improved considerably.
Xiao Qi Niang pressed her advantage and added, "Our family is not filled with pedantic scholars who insist on marrying only daughters from respectable families who know nothing and only cause trouble in the inner chambers. A young lady like Li Man'er, who is capable both intellectually and physically, possesses medical skills, and has a keen mind and strategic planning, is the perfect match for Eldest Brother."
"That's right." These words had struck a chord with Xiao Ru Di. He smiled, "It is indeed time to have your Eldest Brother return. Qi Niang, in your opinion, if Eldest Brother returns, how should he interact with Li Man'er?"
Xiao Qi Niang replied, "Daughter believes that Li Man'er is not an ordinary lady of the boudoir. I fear ordinary displays of affection will not move her."
Xiao Ru Di frowned, "What you say has some truth to it."
Xiao Qi Niang understood the wisdom of knowing when to stop. She said, "Father, I shall take my leave."
"You must pay attention to your Eldest Brother and Li Man'er's affairs."
"Yes, Father, please be assured."
Xiao Ru Di nodded, "Your Third Uncle wrote asking about the preparations for the mountain expedition. Remember to write to him tomorrow to put his mind at ease."
"Daughter understands. But Father, the snow is so heavy, the mountains are likely even more restless. If we venture into the mountains rashly, there might be considerable losses."
For others, it would be fine, but Xiao Ru Di wanted to secure a merit for his eldest son. He planned for Xiao Si to search for minerals in the Mo Luo Mountain Range. Even if he was not the lead, as long as a mineral vein was found, the credit would undoubtedly be attributed to him.
With such merit, Xiao Si's position in the army would be secured.
"Then we shall wait until after the New Year," Xiao Ru Di indeed valued his eldest legitimate son and feared for Xiao Si's safety.
"Yes, I will write to Third Uncle tomorrow."
Xiao Ru Di looked weary and waved his hand, signaling Xiao Qi Niang to leave.
Xiao Qi Niang curtsied and slowly withdrew. As soon as she left the study, her expression turned extremely cold, causing even Zhu Yu, who followed her, to shiver.
Xiao Qi Niang remained silent and quickly returned to her room.
"You may withdraw. I wish to be alone."
"Yes!" Zhu Yu felt as if she had been granted a pardon and immediately left the room. She dared not go far, standing in the corridor with her arms crossed, waiting for Xiao Qi Niang's command.
Xiao Qi Niang sat on the couch, her eyes radiating a terrifying, eerie gaze.
Xiao Qi Niang reached for a pair of scissors, removed the lampshade, and meticulously trimmed the lamp wick.
"Do you think no one knows what you have done?"
Xiao Qi Niang gave a sinister smile, "Retribution."
The Xiao family had few descendants. It seemed that ever since Second Uncle died in battle, many things had slowly changed.
The children born to the third and fourth branches had successively died, and even the eldest branch only raised Xiao Si, Xiao Yu, and herself.
Everyone assumed Xiao Si was the legitimate son, and she and Xiao Yu were born to concubines. However, they did not know that all of this was a child-swapping scheme personally orchestrated by Xiao Ru Di.
Xiao Ru Di's main wife was a lady from a prestigious family, a gentle and graceful woman. Xiao Ru Di did not love her, nor did he give her the respect due to a main wife. The woman he loved was named Miao Miao. That woman's background was unclear, yet she became Xiao Ru Di's favored concubine. Coincidentally, she and Xiao Ru Di's main wife became pregnant at the same time, and they both gave birth one after another.
Only three days apart.
Clearly, Xiao Ru Di's main wife gave birth to the eldest legitimate son first. Yet, Xiao Ru Di secretly gave the child born to the concubine to the main wife. He thought he had done it flawlessly, but he didn't realize that the mother's heart was deeply imprinted with the child's appearance within just three days. Especially since the child had a birthmark on his foot, how could she possibly mistake him?
Because Xiao Ru Di doted on his concubine, he disregarded the hierarchy between legitimate and illegitimate children and swapped the legitimate son for the concubine's son. Such behavior was despicable. But his wife understood him; she knew that once he made up his mind, no one could stop him. If she revealed this matter, neither she nor the child would survive.
It was fine to be of illegitimate birth, as long as her son was well.
In the following years, Xiao Ru Di's various wives and concubines became pregnant and gave birth one after another. However, some children were born with congenital deficiencies and died shortly after birth, while others miscarried before they were even born.
Years later, Xiao Ru Di's main wife, Madam Peng, and his concubine Miao Miao became pregnant again simultaneously.
This time, it was even more coincidental; they both gave birth on the same day.