The clingy concubine ran away, and the sickly prince lost control.

Her face flushed with anger, Qian slammed back into the round chair.

Madam Cui was always strict with rules, yet she allowed this concubine who was left to bear children to be so presumptuous.

They're so eager to preserve their lineage that they've abandoned all rules.

Madam Qian gritted her teeth in hatred, her bloodshot eyes fixed on Luo Qingyan.

"The Second Madam should not be in a hurry. The family fortune built by the old Duke is something that others can only dream of."

Luo Qingyan glanced at Qian Shi leisurely, her eyes filled with provocation.

In recent days, she has discovered that the old lady, Cui, who seems to be intimidating and unapproachable with her strict rules, is actually incapable of dealing with a cunning and treacherous person like Qian, and often suffers in silence.

"What nonsense are you spouting? I'm only thinking about the future of the Duke's mansion. Who dares to covet the Duke's estate?"

The little aunt dared to speak ill of her, bringing it up in the open.

Qian was so angry that her eyes bulged out. In her extreme anger, she felt no shame. She let out a sigh of relief and leaned back, filling the entire chair.

So what if she's eyeing the eldest son's family fortune?

Pei Shiyuan was once incredibly successful, but what about now? He's just a man on the verge of death, with no good fortune whatsoever, not even half as good as the second wife.

Stubbornness won't work; it won't be long before Cui will have to beg her to adopt Heng-ge'er.

Thinking of this, Madam Qian straightened her collar and shook her head smugly.

"Exactly, who would dare?" Luo Qingyan raised an eyebrow.

Qian's temper flared up again, and she gripped the armrests of the round chair tightly.

In the past, when she spoke, Madam Cui would be so angry that she would turn pale and then fall silent. She could only rigidly repeat the "rules" on her lips, and she had no way to deal with her.

But this little vixen, with her red lips and white teeth, dares to say anything, and from time to time she even glares at her defiantly.

Madam Qian didn't want to continue arguing with Luo Qingyan, worried that she might say something shocking if she wasn't careful. So she turned to the old lady, whom she could easily control, and said, "Sister, you can keep your child, but that won't affect the adoption of Heng Ge'er. Heng Ge'er being adopted by the heir will be a double guarantee for the Duke's mansion."

"You!" The old lady choked with anger. Madam Qian was determined to have her grandson adopted by Yuan'er. If Yuan'er had no children, this was the only way.

It would be blameless if word got out that she was selfish, wasting the Duke's efforts and letting down the Duke's mansion if she delayed adopting Heng Ge'er.

But she didn't want that. She wanted Yuan'er's own bloodline. Moreover, for so many years, Madam Qian had never respected her as her elder sister-in-law. She often caused trouble for no reason and even went to the Duke for help, bypassing her. She had no manners at all.

If the sisters-in-law get along well, it wouldn't be a problem to adopt Heng Ge'er now; it wouldn't affect Luo Qingyan's ability to have children for Yuan'er.

However, their relationship was not good. After adopting Heng Ge'er, Qian Shi's mind started to wander again. She was a woman with eight hundred schemes in a day.

Pei Shiyuan's illness was already troublesome enough for her; if Qian Shi were to come along, she wouldn't be able to handle it.

Luo Qingyan glanced at the old lady and knew that the old lady was angered by Qian Shi.

She stood beside the old lady, a meaningful smile on her face, and served her tea.

"Madam, please have some tea."

The old lady looked at Luo Qingyan, puzzled but reassured, and quietly took the tea.

Luo Qingyan stood on the next step and turned to face Madam Qian:

"Second Madam, Heng'er is still young and cannot live without his mother. A child can only grow up well with his mother by his side. If they are forcibly separated, he will inevitably harbor resentment when he grows up. How will he inherit the Duke's mansion then? Adoption is just a formality and can be done at any time. The real matter is to cultivate a capable heir within the family, which requires a lot of effort. Instead of wasting your breath here, you should go back and take care of Heng'er so that he can grow up healthy."

"Qingyan is right. Cultivating good seedlings is the most important thing." The old lady seemed to have her blood and qi flowing smoothly in an instant. She took a sip of tea, and the sweetness lingered on her tongue.

One important matter after another, Qian Shi was getting increasingly annoyed. She turned her head and looked outside, muttering to herself, "That useless Xu Shi, why isn't she here yet?"

"Sister, you're right, but I could tell from a young age that Heng-ge'er was..."

Before Madam Qian could finish speaking, Madam Xu, carrying Heng-ge'er, came rushing over, panting, calling out, "Mother."

Ms. Xu was panting, but her tone was gentle.

Madam Qian glared at Madam Xu, then took Heng Ge'er from her arms: "Heng Ge'er, be good, let Grandma hold you."

The chubby little Hengge'er had his back to Qian Shi and was clinging to Xu Shi's neck, refusing to let go.

Ms. Qian pursed her lips in anger.

"Heng-ge'er, have a snack. This is made by your aunt." Luo Qingyan picked up the plum and almond cake, took a piece, and handed it to Heng-ge'er.

Heng Ge'er stretched out his chubby little hand to take it, his bright, round eyes fixed on Luo Qingyan without looking away.

"Heng-ge'er, come down and eat, let your mother rest for a while, okay?"

Luo Qingyan gently coaxed her.

A five-year-old child is at the age where they should be running around everywhere.

"Mother, put me down."

As soon as the little guy's feet touched the ground, he started walking around aimlessly, refusing to eat what he was holding.

Madam Qian stared intently at the pastry in Heng-ge'er's hand, wondering if Heng-ge'er would dare to eat it without her permission.

Luo Qingyan saw this and knew that such a young child would naturally put food in his mouth. The way Heng Ge'er looked at her just now clearly showed his longing to try some: "Heng Ge'er, let's eat together, okay?"

As she spoke, Luo Qingyan bent down and took a big bite of the plum and almond cake, pretending to enjoy it. The little guy was curious. He looked at Luo Qingyan's chewing mouth, then at the cake in his own hand, hesitated for a moment, and then raised his hand to put it in his mouth.

"cough!"

Upon hearing Qian's cough, Heng-ge put down the pastry he had brought to his mouth.

Luo Qingyan straightened up. It was true that if Madam Qian didn't speak, Heng Ge'er wouldn't even dare to eat a snack.

Mrs. Qian raised her chin, looking as if she were squatting alone for her.

Xu lowered her eyes awkwardly and remained silent. Usually, her mother-in-law made the decisions, and she had no say in anything.

"Is it because Grandma hasn't given the order that you're afraid to eat?" Luo Qingyan asked Heng Ge'er, but her mouth was actually facing Qian Shi.

Xu was startled.

Madam Qian was also shocked. Luo Qingyan really dared to say anything. Is this something that can be said openly?

"Aunt Luo, how dare you sow discord between us, grandmother and grandson?"

"No, I didn't. Heng-ge was just about to eat when you coughed, which scared him so much that he immediately stopped eating. Isn't it because you disagreed?" Luo Qingyan said with a smile.

Madam Qian was furious. Who was Luo Qingyan? She could talk so openly about things like pooping, peeing, and farting.

With her fingers gripping the armrests of the round chair tightly, Madam Qian tried hard to suppress her anger: "Heng-ge'er, you eat! Grandma didn't tell you not to eat."

Heng Ge'er immediately stuffed the whole piece of plum and almond cake into his mouth. He had been drooling from the sweet and sour smell, just waiting for his grandmother to speak.

Luo Qingyan chuckled softly.

"Sister, I have to go now." Madam Qian stamped her foot and left angrily. This Aunt Luo really underestimated her.

Xu chased after them, carrying Heng Ge'er who refused to leave.

"Yuan'er, you should hurry up and have one too." The old lady looked at Heng'er, who was waving at her.

Before he finished speaking, the air in the room suddenly turned cold.

Luo Qingyan also felt cold all over. Pei Shiyuan refused to give birth, so she couldn't just tie him to the bed and force him.