Chapter 566: Chapter 566: Seizing the Opportunity to Blackmail
After spending some quality family time with the children, Song Zhiqing sent them away, for he also thought of his other young children and was anxious to see them.
"Xin Niang, about Madam Bai..." he couldnāt help but soften his tone.
Madam Lu sneered inwardly and said, "Youāve already brought her back, what can I do? Itās not like Iāll abdicate my position for her."
"Thatās impossible!" Song Zhiqing thickened his skin to hold her hand, "You are my wife, that will never change."
Madam Lu struggled a bit, took a deep breath, and said, "I donāt want to compete with you over this, Brother Qing. Everything I do is for the children. Thereās only so much affection to go around, how can it be spread thin? Originally, it was just Zhouāer and the others, so I could let it be. But now you have new little ones, I must think for him."
Song Zhiqing frowned, instinctively feeling that her next words wouldnāt be pleasant.
"I can accept letting Madam Bai into the house, drinking the tea she serves as her greeting, but you must promise me that ninety percent of our householdās inheritance goes to Zhouāer." Madam Lu gritted her teeth.
Song Zhiqingās face turned dark.
Ninety percent, why not just rob it?
Besides, how old are the children, how old is he, to be talking about inheritance now, is she cursing herself to an early death?
Song Zhiqing said displeased, "Xin Niang, weāre still young, and the children are still little. Isnāt it too hasty to discuss the inheritance now?"
But Madam Lu replied, "If it were just Zhouāer alone, Iād never be in a hurry, even till death. But itās not just him. Besides, itās only fair, to speak honestly. Isnāt this how the Song Family will divide things in the future?"
She never believed that a concubineās child would receive the same share of the inheritance as a legitimate child. Even getting ten percent would be generous. In some families, concubineās children wouldnāt receive any inheritance at all.
Madam Luās words undoubtedly pierced Song Zhiqingās heart and lungs. He hated his own background the most, yet now he created another son with the same background.
Song Zhiqing felt an indescribable bitterness.
"Donāt you trust me?" he said with difficulty, clearly feeling her words were coercive.
Madam Lu looked at him, tears rolling down her face, "I trust you, but what have you brought me in the end? Nothing but a charming Concubine and a pair of twins, all without my knowledge. Song Zhiqing, how can you expect me to trust you?"
Song Zhiqing felt somewhat at fault.
"Am I asking for these for myself? Itās only for Zhouāer and his sister. My deep affection has been betrayed, and that doesnāt matter, Iāll swallow my bitterness and pain. But for my children, I donāt want them to suffer from favoritism in the future."
Song Zhiqing said awkwardly, "Why are you saying these things? Iām not refusing to divide. The distinction between legitimate and illegitimate is clear. Letting ninety percent go to the legitimate heir is also proper." He thought, maybe he could privately give Yiāer and the others some support later on.
Madam Lu silently shed tears.
"Weāll divide it as you say." Song Zhiqing said, "Shall we have Madam Bai come tomorrow to serve you tea?"
Madam Lu saw him agree and didnāt argue further, simply saying tiredly, "As you say. How could I possibly chase her and her children out?"
Song Zhiqing flattered her a bit, "I know you wouldnāt, you are always the most virtuous and considerate." He paused and added, "But how come I hear that the courtyard sheās staying in is the South Guest House?"
Madam Lu sneered inwardly and said indifferently, "Brother Qing, elder brother and sister-in-law are intent on transforming the Song Family, and they emphasize rules and etiquette immensely. Madam Bai has yet to be officially introduced by the Lady, staying in the guest quarters is only proper. Would it be right to put her in our manor? If word got out, they would say that our third household lacks decorum, that you, husband, donāt handle matters according to propriety, and would that be a nice reputation?"
Song Zhiqing stiffened.