Chapter 104: Growing Familiar

At the mention of this, Qiu Rongrong's smile gradually faded. She seemed unwilling to keep up any pretense before Wen Yao, letting her emotions show openly, and sighed helplessly, "The master says Yi'er is grown, and wants to teach him personally, so now even I hardly see him."

Speaking of this, Qiu Rongrong felt frustrated. He was her son, after all, and the whole household ate, drank, and used what she provided, yet she couldn't even see her own child.

Sometimes, when she went to visit him, hoping to bring him some food, she would be rebuffed by Xie Yushan with all sorts of excuses. Only when there was no way out would she be allowed to see her son for a moment.

Thinking about it, it had already been several days since she last saw Yi'er.

"Hmm?" Wen Yao arched her brows. So they were already starting to indoctrinate Xie Anyi. Of course, a child so young is impressionable; it's the perfect time for brainwashing.

A bold idea suddenly flashed through her mind.

Could it be that the Xie family intends to use Xie Anyi as leverage over Qiu Rongrong, and thereby over the Qiu family? How calculating must Xie Yushan be, to use his own wife like this?

"Madam, may I ask you something?" Wen Yao spoke suddenly.

Qiu Rongrong was taken aback, then let out a helpless laugh. "After you say it like that, how could I refuse?"

Wen Yao gazed at her. She was a woman who looked lovely when she smiled, but there was always a shadow in her eyes, a brightness that never quite broke through the haze.

"Madam, you look beautiful when you smile. You should smile more," Wen Yao said without reservation, propping her chin and speaking mindlessly.

Qiu Rongrong blushed under Wen Yao's bold gaze, casting her a reproachful look. "You certainly have courage, daring to tease me."

Though she said so, there was no trace of blame in her voice. Instead, she asked, "You want to know, since I'm the second wife, whether the master has other children?"

Wen Yao withdrew her hand and sat upright, her expression nearly spelling out, "How did you know that's what I wanted to ask?"

Seeing her, Qiu Rongrong couldn’t help but think of her distant sisters at her parents’ home. Though she hadn’t known Wen Yao long, she found her company comfortable and her expression softened. "You have it written all over your face."

Wen Yao quickly made a show of rubbing her face, "Really? Is it so obvious?"

Qiu Rongrong laughed and pulled down Wen Yao's hand. "Stop rubbing, or you'll turn your face red. This isn't something that can't be spoken about. If you want to know, you could easily find out. The master does have another son, born to his first wife, but he's not here."

In the room, only Qiu Rongrong's maid Qiao Yan and the matron who had brought Wen Yao were present, both from the Qiu family, so nothing needed to be concealed.

"The eldest young master is twelve this year. He was originally raised by the old lady, then sent to study at the clan academy with the main branch of the Xie family. The household only provides some silver each year, and he seldom returns," Qiu Rongrong said calmly, though inwardly she couldn't help but sneer. See, even the son born to the first wife was raised by her.

Wen Yao nodded. That made sense—Xie Anyi did have a blood brother, and in the future, the one who benefited most from Xie Anyi's development would be that very brother.

Tsk tsk, the Xie family was a great clan, and the clan academy was full of renowned teachers. The eldest son was sent there for cultivation, while the younger son was kept close—was it really out of greater affection? Not likely.

Of course, Wen Yao couldn't say all this to Qiu Rongrong. They weren't so close as to speak without reserve, and it might even be mistaken for sowing discord.

After all, who doesn't want their child to be favored?

Qiu Rongrong: Let whoever wants that favor have it—I certainly don't.

Still, since they were here in this life, things had changed, even Da Tou and Jin Xiuyi could change, maybe Xie Anyi could too, because of their arrival.

Thinking this, Wen Yao suddenly said, "Madam, in a child's upbringing, a father alone is not enough. A mother's presence is just as important. The young master is still little and must be very dependent on his mother."

Qiu Rongrong's expression visibly changed. Qiao Yan, who had been accompanying her, couldn't restrain herself and said indignantly, "Miss, you may not know, it's not that my lady doesn't want to be with the young master, it's the master who forbids it..."

"Qiao Yan," Qiu Rongrong interrupted sharply, cutting her off. Qiao Yan pursed her lips and fell silent, her gaze at Qiu Rongrong full of sympathy.

She hadn't meant to interject, but after so many years since her lady married, she'd never seen Qiu Rongrong have a friend in Yunwu Town. Only those close could see the grievances she endured.

Now, finally, someone could converse with her lady and even bring her joy. Qiao Yan had just spoken a bit too freely.

Qiu Rongrong silenced Qiao Yan, and Wen Yao tactfully didn’t pursue the topic further. It was getting late, her meal was cooked, her money received, and her family was waiting for her.

"Well, madam, it’s getting late—I should head back. My father and the others are waiting for me," Wen Yao said, taking her leave.

Qiu Rongrong glanced at Qiao Yan, giving her a signal. Qiao Yan immediately went into the inner room and returned with a purse.

"Take this. Today, the old lady enjoyed your cooking, and you deserve the reward," Qiu Rongrong placed the purse in Wen Yao's hand, and with a quick touch, Wen Yao guessed the amount inside.

Twenty taels—precisely the wage Qiu Rongrong had promised her.

Wen Yao tried to return the purse, waving the five-tael silver ingot in her hand, "Didn’t madam already give me this?"

Qiu Rongrong pressed the purse into her arms once more, refusing to take no for an answer. "That was your wage, this is a reward—they’re not the same. Besides, I enjoyed our conversation today, so take it as a festival gift from your elder sister. And I suspect I’ll need your help again soon."

Qiu Rongrong understood the old lady well. Now that Wen Yao's cooking had pleased her, and Wen Yao had refused to become the household cook, the old lady would surely come back time and again, asking for Wen Yao.

It was a trouble she herself had caused, and Qiu Rongrong felt guilty. Seeing Wen Yao's fondness for money, and having little else to offer, money was just right.

Wen Yao arched her brow. Since it was said so, she would reluctantly accept.

Ah, twenty taels—just enough for the furniture!

And just now, elder sister called her "little sister."

"Then I won’t be shy, Sister Qiu! Now I can buy two acres for my grandfather," Wen Yao joked, grinning.

The two women exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

With a single "little sister," and a single "elder sister," the distance between them seemed to shrink, bringing them closer than before.