Zi Xing cried even louder.
If it wasn't a ghost talking, could it be his little sister? No, he had to leave. He had to leave, boohoo...
Pan Chun asked, "Second young master, how will you see your Martial Arts Instructor later if you keep this up?"
Zi Xing answered between sobs, "I'll go find my teacher right now. Auntie Pan Chun, hurry and take me to him." He didn't want to be stabbed to death, boohoo.
Pan Chun laughed. The second young master had always been adept at slacking off during martial arts practice. Had the sun risen in the west today?
She hurriedly called someone to carry him out.
Zi Mu was the older brother. Though only seven, he already had a steadiness in his round eyes, and his exquisite features carried a trace of coldness. One glance was enough to tell how good-looking his family must have been.
He pursed his lips and stood on tiptoe to look at his little sister without saying another word.
Xia Wanwan kicked her legs merrily, and when she saw Zi Mu, she waved her hands even more enthusiastically.
[Boohoo, my eldest brother is so beautiful.]
[My eldest brother is really capable. He was always devoted to Mother and studied hard for years to earn an official post, only for the male lead to steal it through despicable means. Later, the male lead sent him to the border to fight, and he never got to see Mother again, even before he died. He's so pitiful. I don't want my brother to die...]
Zi Mu's outstretched hand suddenly froze.
He felt uneasy and thought he must have been hearing things.
He stared intently at his little sister's face. Her large eyes were moist, and apart from smiling, she showed no other expression.
[My brother risked his life on the battlefield and won military honors, but the male lead took all the credit. While he was away, the male lead stayed home, rising through the ranks, growing rich, and killing Mother. Still, there is a way to avert it. My brother can protect Mother...]
"Huh? How can I..." How could he hear his little sister speaking?
His sudden words startled Pan Chun beside him.
Zi Mu grew anxious. He kept staring at the baby. Tell me how to protect Mother!
But the baby yawned. [Let me work out how to protect Mother. No... I'm so sleepy.]
Don't fall asleep! Tell me how to protect Mother first.
Zi Mu paced back and forth in agitation, wanting to touch his little sister but not daring to.
Just then, Liu Wan came out after changing her clothes. "Zi Mu, what's wrong?"
"Mother, I... I'm fine." Zi Mu glanced at the adorable baby again, terribly awkward, and drew back the hand he had extended.
"You can touch your little sister," Liu Wan said gently.
"R-really?" Light suddenly shone in his dark eyes, and Zi Mu carefully touched his little sister's soft cheek.
His little sister was so beautiful. Her moist eyes were drooping with sleep, and her skin was fair and flawless. She was surely the prettiest little baby in the whole world.
Like a little immortal.
Seeing that it was about time, Zi Mu bowed. "I won't disturb you any longer, Mother. I'll go practice martial arts with my brother."
Liu Wan nodded her assent.
As Zi Mu left, he turned back and said, "Mother, you must wait for me to grow up."
Liu Wan smiled gently at him.
That evening, Liu Wan picked up the baby and sat beside the couch. She asked Pan Chun in a low voice, "Several days have passed. Why hasn't the heir returned yet?"
It was one thing for him to be absent during the birth, but several days had passed, and he still hadn't come back.
Was her daughter truly so unwelcome?
The thought made Liu Wan's heart ache.
[Oh, my foolish Mother, what are you still hoping for? That mistress must have given birth and kept Father by her side. He's keeping his mistress company.]
[His mistress certainly won't let Father come to see you. My poor Mother.]
The baby's thoughts echoed in Liu Wan's mind, leaving her so aggrieved that she nearly wept.
"Madam, perhaps the heir is simply busy. I'll go to the Charity Hall shortly and ask the old madam to bring him back!"
Pan Chun frowned as she tried to comfort her.
In fact, she had already learned that the heir had returned and was staying at the Charity Hall. His refusal to visit her mistress's room probably had something to do with that boy.
Moreover, the old madam clearly knew he had returned, yet she hadn't urged him to visit her mistress and had even let him stay at the Charity Hall.
Who knew what was keeping him there?
Her poor mistress had endured such hardship bearing his children, yet he hadn't even come to see the baby himself!
"There's no need, Pan Chun. I would rather go without something than force it. Whether the heir comes or not makes no difference. I've chosen a name for my daughter. Find a servant to deliver it to him."
"She'll be called Wanwan. After all, she's my own daughter, so I've named her after myself. I'm the only one who will cherish her!"
Liu Wan slipped her little finger into the swaddling clothes. Only when she saw her daughter's adorable face did she find a little comfort.
As long as her daughter remained safe and sound, it didn't matter how much she suffered!
[Mother, don't be sad... Mother...]
Hearing those words, Xia Wanwan felt sorry for herself for a moment.
Fortunately, Mother loved her. Mother was so beautiful. That damned scoundrel must have been blind.
The mother's hand and her daughter's tiny one touched, but Xia Wanwan could feel the chill and trembling in her mother's fingers.
Her beautiful mother was struggling to hold back her sorrow.
Her own heart nearly broke for her.
That damned scoundrel.
"Wanwan is a lovely name. It's good that you've decided on it first, Madam. I'll ask the heir's attendant to tell him right away. He'll surely know where the heir is. If the heir doesn't come, so be it, but if he does, you mustn't forgive him easily!"
Pan Chun clenched her fists in anger. She turned to make the arrangements, but Liu Wan stopped her.
Liu Wan said, "Oh, and mention taking a concubine as well. Perhaps the old madam and the heir already have someone in mind."
Pan Chun froze, seeming to have guessed something. She nodded in agreement and withdrew.
In her mother's arms, Xia Wanwan gazed up at her with wide, pleading eyes.
She kicked her legs to show her indignation.
[Father is itching to take a concubine. He's wanted one for ages. Unfortunately, his mistress wants to be his lawful wife and mistress of the household. She's spent all these years currying favor with him.]
[Father's whole heart belongs to his mistress!]
Sure enough.
As soon as Xie Jin'an received the message, he hurried to the Charity Hall. Dressed in elegant robes, he looked particularly refined and gentle.
"Really? Is that baby girl truly so beautiful?"
Listening to the old madam's description, Xie Jin'an could already imagine his daughter's appearance.
A budding beauty like her would be useful if she could marry into a powerful family someday and pave the way for the marquis's household.
Unlike the boy Rou Rou had borne, whose eyes were small and whose skin was dark. They could only wait for him to grow into his looks.
"Of course. Her skin is fair, tender, and dewy, and her eyes are big and round. Compared with the child Rou Rou bore, they are as far apart as heaven and earth. You must pay more attention to mother and daughter. Whenever you have time, at least go and see them! Don't let their hearts grow cold!"
The old madam admonished him earnestly. Her grandson's behavior over the past few days had indeed been improper, and that mistress he kept outside was far too inconsiderate!
"I understand, Grandmother," Xie Jin'an said.
There was a trace of regret in his tone. His son should have been raised by Liu Wan as well. If Rou Rou hadn't been weak these past few days and asked him not to leave, he wouldn't have neglected Liu Wan.
He had come today to discuss taking a concubine.
"I've already arranged for Xu Rourou to enter the household as a wet nurse. For now, mention taking a concubine as little as possible in front of Wan'er. Though she has difficulty bearing children, she is still the mistress of the household. The marquis's household cannot do without her."
The old madam sounded somewhat displeased.
"Grandmother, what are we to do about Huai Shan's parentage? He is my son. How can he be a concubine-born child?"
Huai Shan was the name he had specially chosen for his son, signifying a heart that embraced the world and the boundless ambition to stand atop a mountain peak.
Xie Jin'an had never expected the baby swap to fail.
The midwife had clearly tampered with Liu Wan's medicine. How had Liu Wan woken up at the crucial moment?
Before you continue