The mistress has no feelings, why do you provoke her?

Xue Qingwan took out a handkerchief, covered her face, and walked towards her own courtyard.

Although she didn't suffer any loss, the more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

Should a concubine's daughter be despised and die?

Just then, two gossipy maids were slacking off. One of them said, "There are quite a few illegitimate sons and daughters in the mansion, but they are still illegitimate daughters. Don't even think about marrying them off to a good family. Even becoming a concubine would be a blessing."

"Who says otherwise? It sounds nice to call someone a concubine's daughter, but what's the difference between her and us? She's still a servant."

Hearing these gossips, Xue Qingwan gritted her teeth in anger.

That word "illegitimate daughter" felt like a knife stabbing into her chest, causing her unbearable pain.

Everyone looks down on illegitimate daughters, right? Well then, she'll show those snobbish lackeys what's what.

Who will be the future mistress of the Marquis's mansion?

Xue Qingwan angrily took a detour. She went all the way to Zhou's Ruyi Residence, knelt down at Zhou's feet, and said, "Aunt, Qingwan has thought it through. I am willing to be my cousin's concubine."

Madam Zhou looked at her in surprise: "Didn't you say before that you would never be a concubine? Why did you suddenly change your mind?"

"I've figured it out. There's nothing wrong with being a concubine. After all, she's practically a mistress." Apart from having to address Song Wenjun as "mistress," wasn't she the mistress in front of those lackeys?

Besides, concubines also receive a monthly allowance.

With silver, she could wear gold and silver, and besides, Song Wenjun, that fool, didn't seem like the type to mistreat her concubines.

Zhou was overjoyed and quickly helped Xue Qingwan up: "It would have been better if you had figured it out earlier. You had to suffer before you would give in. It's hard for us women to live in this world, so we have to know how to be flexible. Alright, go back and rest first. I'll mention this to Song Wenjun. If she agrees, then it'll be fine."

Xue Qingwan pouted in dissatisfaction: "I know, Auntie."

The thought of Song Wenjun being superior to her made Xue Qingwan feel uncomfortable.

Song Wenjun was summoned to Ruyi Residence, where Zhou Shi mentioned Xue Qingwan to her: "She has come to her senses and no longer wants the rank of concubine. Has she done as you wish?"

Zhou didn't care whether Xue Qingwan was a concubine or a noble concubine; she only cared about her own status.

In the past, Song Wenjun treated her with utmost respect and dared not utter a single word.

Now, she has to live her life by being mindful of her moods.

After all, Song Wenjun was in charge of managing the household affairs. If she said we would eat porridge today, we would eat porridge; if she said we would eat meat, we would eat meat.

Zhou did not want to live a life of meager comforts, so she had no choice but to lower her stance.

Song Wenjun wore a faint smile, showing no particular pride.

The more she acted this way, the angrier Zhou became, as if she was certain that Xue Qingwan couldn't cause any trouble and that everything was under her control.

"Mother is joking. Everything is for the sake of the Marquis. It's a good thing that my cousin has come to this realization. She can have children for the Marquis's family as soon as possible. I just don't know which courtyard Mother will arrange for her to stay in."

After thinking for a moment, Zhou replied, "I'll arrange for her to stay at Luoyuxuan. I remember there's a pomegranate tree in the courtyard that produces more fruit than we can eat every year. It'll be a good omen for having many children."

The Zhou family's arrangement of Xue Qingwan in Luoyuxuan was also meaningful.

That place is closest to Gu Huaizhou's courtyard; she's implying that Xue Qingwan is vying for his favor.

Song Wenjun pretended not to understand and replied with a smile, "Alright, then I'll have the servants clean it out, and my cousin can move in tomorrow."

"You handle it as you see fit. You've managed things very well in the manor, so what do I have to worry about?" Madam Zhou first praised Song Wenjun a couple of times, and then reminded her, "But she is Huaizhou's first concubine and also his cousin. You have to give her as much face as possible. The reward you give her must not be too stingy, lest people say you are petty."

"Of course, Mother, please rest assured, your daughter-in-law knows what to do."

"Alright, if there's nothing else, go ahead and get busy."

Song Wenjun bowed slightly to Zhou Shi and then withdrew.

Back at Qiufeng Courtyard, she asked Xu Mama to pass on a message to Xue Qingwan, telling her to come and serve her tea early the next morning.

And so the concubine was decided.

Xue Qingwan was displeased to see that Song Wenjun had only sent an old woman to deliver the message.

No matter what, she is a cousin. To have an old woman deliver a message to her is an insult to her.

She was furious, so she gave a cold reply and told the old woman to leave.

The old woman was still waiting for a reward, but after waiting for a long time, she didn't receive any reward money and only got a cold face. She was so angry that her nose was crooked.

As he walked out, he muttered to himself, "They're really dirt poor, they won't even give a tip, pshaw."

Soon, news of Xue Qingwan knocking on the door spread among the servants.

The next day, after Xue Qingwan got up, she began to dress up.

The maid Baoqing brought her a set of peach-colored clothes and said ingratiatingly, "Congratulations, mistress! Congratulations! From now on, you will be the Marquis's concubine."

The peach-colored dress was quite eye-catching to Xue Qingwan.

Only concubines wore this color.

She was proud and arrogant, and had always disdained wearing such clothes.

But now, she has no choice but to wear it.

"Get out! I won't wear it!" Xue Qingwan said angrily.

“But that’s the rule,” Baoqing said softly, looking aggrieved.

She meant well, so why doesn't her master appreciate it?

On the day when a concubine is promoted to a higher rank, she must wear a special dress.

Xue Qingwan gritted her teeth. Why should a concubine have to wear peach pink? It's so insulting.

Just as she was about to cut the clothes into pieces, Mrs. Xu walked in from outside the door.

Upon seeing this, Baoqing quickly curtsied and greeted her, "Mother Xu."

Xu Mama was a first-class servant in the mansion and also served Song Wenjun. She was very authoritative among the servants.

"Aunt Xue, this servant has come to help you with your makeup on the orders of the young mistress." Mama Xu stepped forward with a stern face. Although her words were respectful, her eyes were sharp.

The gaze fell on Xue Qingwan, making her feel extremely uncomfortable.

She's just a servant girl, yet she dares to act arrogantly in front of her.

"I don't want peach pink, I want bright red," Xue Qingwan said, oblivious to her own limitations.

She wants to wear bright red.

Madam Xu was no ordinary person; seeing her like this, she knew that Xue Qingwan was provoking Song Wenjun.

"Only the principal wife can wear scarlet. It is improper for the concubine to wear scarlet. Please change your clothes so that this old servant can help you with your hair and makeup."

Xue Qingwan said with dissatisfaction, "What if I don't wear it?"

"Then we can only follow the rules. If Miss Biao doesn't want to wear it, it means she's not ready to be a concubine. This old servant will have to ask the young mistress and the old marquis for permission. The Marquis's mansion will never allow such a disgraceful thing to happen. We can only send Miss Biao back to Xuzhou."

Xu's mother's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, neither too fast nor too slow, but every word that fell into Xue Qingwan's ears could instantly change her expression.

"You, you actually dare to threaten me?" Xue Qingwan said angrily.

Madam Xu's expression remained unchanged, and she maintained her previous tone: "This old servant wouldn't dare. This old servant is merely reminding Miss that whether to go or stay is entirely up to Miss."