Lady Hou is reborn and, by pampering her illegitimate son, reclaims her life of wealth and privilege

All eyes turned to the source of the sound. Although they did not show any obvious abnormality on their faces, it was not difficult to detect a trace of surprise in their slightly open pupils.

Wei Fenghui muttered to himself: What's wrong with this old hag? Could it be that her personality has changed drastically since the Marquis passed away?

Jiang Huaiyu noticed that everyone was still in a state of astonishment, remaining kneeling without moving. So, she raised her voice again, "What are you all standing there for? Get up and go eat."

At this moment, everyone seemed to wake from a dream, stood up, and staggered away from the mourning hall.

On the way, Wei Fenghui couldn't help but sneer in his heart: This wretched woman is still so mean. Even though my father has just passed away, she still makes us eat the leftovers from the night before!

Jiang Huaiyu returned to her residence, Moyou Hall, and seeing the delicious food on the table, she couldn't help but recall the usual meals of Wei Ruoyi and her sons.

She turned to Cuiying and instructed, "Divide these dishes into two equal portions. Send one portion to Wei Ruoyi and her son, and the other to Qi Ziming and her son."

"What?" Cuiying stared at Jiang Huaiyu with a look of surprise, as if she doubted that she had heard correctly.

He couldn't help but wonder to himself, how did the lady become so kind-hearted?

"Does Madam mean that you should enjoy it first and then send the rest over?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Huaiyu sighed softly.

Normally, Jiang Huaiyu was straightforward and stern in disciplining Cuiying. However, at this moment, she managed a weak smile.

"No, I don't have much of an appetite today. I'll distribute these dishes to them now."

Despite her suspicions, Cuiying still summoned two maids as instructed and had the dishes distributed.

Wei Ruoyi and her son are still living in that dilapidated courtyard.

Once Wei Dinglian's funeral was over, Jiang Huaiyu planned to find them a more comfortable place to live.

As for Qi Ziming and the Seventh Prince, they only entered the Marquis's residence today. Because Jiang Huaiyu harbored resentment towards them, she temporarily sent them to stay in the woodshed.

It is not too late.

Jiang Huaiyu took a deep breath. Seeing that the two maids had finished distributing the dishes, she was about to turn around and leave when she suddenly called out to them: "Wait a minute, Cuiying. Take a few maids and tidy up Jinghong Garden properly, make room for Qi Ziming and her son to move in. As for their dinner, I will personally deliver it to them."

Cuiying and the others were taken aback upon hearing this, exchanging glances and wondering to themselves: Why is Madam acting so strangely today? Not only is she personally delivering meals to the two concubines, but she is also unusually asking to change courtyards. Could it be that the Marquis's death has caused her a severe shock?

As Jiang Huaiyu's personal maid, Cuiying knew all too well the bitterness that the lady had endured back then. At that time, the lady had just married into the Marquis's family, and the Marquis had already favored Wei Ruoyi, who had given birth to a son. This matter caused a stir of gossip in the capital, becoming a topic of conversation among people. The lady had endured countless scornful looks and ridicule at that time.

Now, it seems that the lady is about to encounter similar troubles again, and it is not impossible that she will be provoked!

Seeing their stunned expressions, Jiang Huaiyu urged them sternly, "Stop standing there! Get moving! If you stand there daydreaming again, you'll regret it!"

Cuiying immediately replied, "Yes, madam," and then hurriedly left the room.

Led by a maid, Jiang Huaiyu arrived at the woodshed where Qi Ziming and Wei Fengyao were sleeping.

Upon entering, a strong, unpleasant odor immediately assaulted the nostrils, making one feel nauseous.

The maid lifted the straw curtain, and Jiang Huaiyu bent down slightly, covering her mouth and nose as she went inside.

In the simple thatched hut, a few bundles of dry grass were scattered on the ground. In the corner, a candle that was about to burn out emitted a faint light. Its weak glow seemed to be trying to tear a crack in the dark night, bringing a little warmth to this dark space.

Qi Ziming sat quietly on the rough straw mat, her back against the cold wall. Beside her, Wei Fengyao lay on his side on a pile of hay.

The two men were startled when Jiang Huaiyu stepped in, then quickly got up and respectfully bowed.

"Madam, what brings you here?"

Although Jiang Huaiyu resolutely blocked their way at the gate today, refusing to let them step into the Marquis's mansion, and deliberately locked them in this desolate and simple thatched house, they felt no anger whatsoever.

Not to mention the profound kindness shown to them by the Marquis of Jiaxing, any woman would feel indignant upon discovering that her husband had been favoring another woman on the frontier for a long time, and even had a child with her.

Looking at the Seventh Prince living in such a desolate environment, Jiang Huaiyu couldn't help but feel a surge of self-reproach and guilt.

She forced a friendly smile and said softly, "First of all, I want to express my deepest apologies to you both. I really lost control of my emotions today and made you suffer. You should know that as a woman, I am the sole person in charge of the Jiaxing Marquis's mansion, while the Marquis is indulging in a life of pleasure on the frontier, ignoring his wife and children at home. This indifference has left me heartbroken."

At this point, Jiang Huaiyu could no longer contain her emotions, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Seeing Jiang Huaiyu's delicate yet strong demeanor, Wei Fengyao felt increasingly guilty towards her, as he was unable to reveal the truth and had to make the Marquis of Jiaxing suffer some injustice.

What Jiang Huaiyu had done to them during the day had initially aroused his resentment, but now that resentment had vanished, replaced by deep sympathy and understanding for her.

Given the current situation, Qi Ziming and Wei Fengyao's identities are awkward and delicate, making it difficult to know how to phrase them appropriately.

They could only stand silently, staring at each other.

Suddenly, Wei Fengyao's mouth started growling with hunger.

It should be noted that they had only stepped into the Marquis's residence in the afternoon, yet they had been kneeling there for a long time and had not eaten or drunk a drop of water until now.

Jiang Huaiyu's sobs gradually subsided. She wiped away the remaining tears with a handkerchief and took the food box from the maid's hands.

As the lid was slowly opened, a rich aroma immediately filled the room.

"Are you hungry? Please bear with us for a moment and have some food. I have already instructed the servants to clean Jinghong Garden until it is sparkling clean. After you have eaten, you can move in there."

She paused, then looked at Wei Fengyao with gentle eyes and said in a mild tone, "Fengyao has grown into a handsome young man. It is indeed inappropriate for him to live with a woman. Tonight, you can stay in the west wing of Jinghong Garden for the night. Tomorrow, I will personally arrange a clean and elegant room for you."

Upon hearing this, Qi Ziming's eyes filled with tears, and she immediately knelt down.

"We are grateful that you do not despise our humble status as mother and son. From now on, we will be careful with our words and deeds, follow your lead, and never cause you any trouble."

Jiang Huaiyu witnessed Qi Ziming putting on this show in front of her. She understood what was going on but couldn't expose her, so she had no choice but to go along with her.

"Now that you have become the Marquis's favorite concubine and entered the gates of our Jiaxing Marquis's mansion, you should have a proper title. How about we temporarily grant you the title of concubine? You are still young, about the same age as me, so from now on I can call you 'younger sister'."