Chapter 572: This Kid is Here to Fight Over the Inheritance
Lu Shi noticed the tense expression on Bai Shuilian’s face and couldn’t help but secretly sneer in her heart.
Mama Zhou brought over the child, and Lu Shi took it. She glanced down, her eyebrows twitching a few times, and involuntarily reached out to stroke the baby’s brow and eyes.
"Madam..." Bai Shuilian’s heart leapt into her throat, her voice trembling with fear.
Lu Shi looked over indifferently: "What are you so nervous about? Do you think I would stoop so low as to lay a hand on an innocent child?"
Bai Shuilian trembled: "I wouldn’t dare."
Lu Shi snorted: "Wives and concubines have never walked the same path. You needn’t begrudge me in your heart, and I’m not afraid to tell you plainly—I don’t like you, and I suppose you feel the same."
Bai Shuilian was taken aback, tears welling in her eyes.
"The master isn’t here, so there’s no need to act like I’m bullying you. It only makes people disgusted." Lu Shi snorted disdainfully, looked down at the baby, and said, "The child is quite well-born, but it’s a pity he wasn’t born into the right status."
The baby was beautiful, perfectly carved, and if born to the legitimate wife, would have been a privileged master. Unfortunately, he was the son of a concubine.
Bai Shuilian caught the underlying meaning, and her face turned pale as a sheet.
Lu Shi returned the child to her and said to Mama Zhou, "Go call Wei’er and Zhou’er to come and see the baby."
Mama Zhou curtsied and quickly sent someone out.
In no time, Song Ruwei entered, holding Song Lingzhou’s hand. They first bowed to Lu Shi, and then their curious gaze fell on Bai Shuilian.
"This is your father’s concubine. From now on, call her Aunt Bai," Lu Shi said, without mentioning the customary greetings.
Bai Shuilian, however, curtsied to both of them, "I have seen the Third Miss, and the Fourth Young Master."
Song Ruwei gracefully returned the gesture and crisply called out Aunt Bai.
Bai Shuilian’s eyes flickered, somewhat surprised by Song Ruwei’s manners. She had expected to see a sharp and thorny legitimate eldest daughter, but the girl’s demeanor made her see her in a different light.
This Third Miss was more outstanding than her mother. At such a young age, facing her father’s concubine, she could be so detached.
Was it the good upbringing by Lu Shi, or was it Ruwei’s own pride and disdain, unwilling to acknowledge a mere concubine?
Bai Shuilian felt a bitter taste in her mouth. Indeed, being a legitimate daughter of the third house made her stand out even more.
She subconsciously looked at the swaddled infant in the nurse’s arms and recalled Lu Shi’s words—what a pity...
Bai Shuilian lightly bit her lip.
Song Lingzhou didn’t think much about it. He glanced at Bai Shuilian, finding her frail and feeble, as if a gust of wind could topple her. He wondered what his father saw in her.
He shifted his feet, peeking at the swaddled baby in Jing Shui’s arms. Was this his half-brother?
The baby opened its eyes, meeting his gaze. They were dark, deep, and endearingly cute.
Song Lingzhou: "..."
He mustn’t be enchanted; this boy was here to compete with him for inheritance!
Ah, our gluttonous little chubby’s perspective was indeed peculiar and straightforward.
Lu Shi said, "Zhou’er, return to the clan school. Wei’er, go to your aunt’s place to help manage affairs, then go to the clan school in the afternoon."
Song Ruwei obediently agreed, bowed to her, and half-bowed to Bai Shuilian, then walked out. From start to finish, she never showed any sign of displeasure, as if an extra person at home was merely insignificant.
Bai Shuilian couldn’t quite grasp her feelings. Before Lu Shi, she could maintain her composure, but the mere nine-year-old Song Ruwei made her feel inferior.
Just as she was feeling despondent, a joyous voice rang in her ear.
"The master has returned!"