Meng Huaisheng said, his face flushed, "Let's not mention that matter anymore."
"Okay, okay, I won't mention it." Yi Qing laughed until tears welled up in her eyes. "How long will you stay in the capital this time? Let me play the host."
Xiao Tian's face turned ashen. The host? A single man and a widow? What kind of host was she going to be?
Was there no man in the General's Mansion to entertain guests?
"No need to go to such trouble. I'll follow my master's instructions." Meng Huaisheng was as honest as ever. "I was extremely shocked when I heard it was you. And when I heard you had a child with the general, I could hardly believe it."
Yi Qing said, "The world is so big that there's nothing strange under the sun. I happened to save General Xiao in Li City. Then later..."
"I don't think you're that kind of casual person." Meng Huaisheng said. "So what exactly happened back then? Did General Xiao force you?"
Xiao Tian's face grew even more unpleasant, but he also pricked up his ears, waiting for Yi Qing's reply.
After all, Yi Qing had always been evasive about this.
"Why would you think he forced me?" Yi Qing was amused by him. "Am I that easy to bully? If he dared to force me, I'd pierce him with a needle and render him useless!"
Meng Huaisheng lowered his head. "After all, there's a physical disparity between men and women."
Yi Qing said, "I wouldn't let myself suffer. Even if I did suffer at that time, couldn't I take revenge on him afterwards?"
"No, what I mean is, you don't seem sad now. Isn't it because General Xiao did something wrong to you before?"
Xiao Tian thought: What an annoying guy! It feels like he's prying into other people's privacy.
In Yi Qing's mind, this was bad. She had shown too many flaws.
But she had always been extremely quick - witted. She lowered her eyes and said indifferently, "I was sad before, but people have to look forward in life. At least I have a son, so I won't be lonely for the rest of my life."
"Sorry, I was just saying it casually. Don't be sad." Meng Huaisheng said quickly.
Yi Qing said, "I know. Don't I know what kind of person you are?"
Just a stupid straight - talking guy who didn't know how to speak properly.
"Then, then how did you and the general get together back then? I don't think you're the kind of person who would accept him."
"You're quite perceptive." Yi Qing said. "I accidentally saved him, and then we fell in love at first sight."
Hearing this, Xiao Tian almost couldn't help but snort. She was talking nonsense.
"Oh." Meng Huaisheng still couldn't quite believe it. "I still can't imagine you being willing."
"Why wouldn't I be willing?" Yi Qing said. "General Xiao isn't an old geezer. Do I suffer a loss?"
"You..."
Xiao Tian blushed involuntarily even though he was in the room.
But Yi Qing thought to herself, if I told you that I borrowed a sperm from Xiao Jinghan while he was unconscious back then, your eyes would pop out.
Forget it. I won't scare this honest guy.
Moreover, she didn't plan to tell anyone this secret, not even Zisu.
So Baozi was truly Xiao Jinghan's son.
It's just that she had never thought of letting him acknowledge his kin before.
Meng Huaisheng stammered, "Well, that's good then."
"Yes, it is good." Yi Qing said calmly. "If I had followed someone else, could I enjoy all these now?"
These words sounded harsh to Xiao Tian.
— She pretended Baozi was his son just for the protection of the General's Mansion.
But then he thought that she wasn't a person who loved wealth. She had no other choice but to do this. Otherwise, how could she fight against the Marquis Mansion?
Thinking of this, Xiao Tian felt a bit relieved.
Meng Huaisheng said honestly, "It must have been tough for you to raise the child alone."
"It would be hypocritical of me to complain." Yi Qing said truthfully. "I have countless servants. My son has even been made a prince with a wealthy and idle position. It's great! Greed will invite retribution."
"You always speak so sharply."
Meng Huaisheng sat for a while longer. When Xiao Tian was almost out of patience, he finally left.
"It's inappropriate for you to be in such a situation." Xiao Tian said to Yi Qing when Baozi went out to play.
Yi Qing gave him a sidelong glance. "Why didn't you think it was inappropriate when you were in my room and sitting on my bed?"
"I didn't! When did I ever sit on your bed?" Xiao Tian said, his face flushing.
Just thinking about that scene made him a bit out of control.
"I sometimes sleep on the couch. Haven't you sat on it?" Yi Qing's eyes were full of charm.
Xiao Tian couldn't stand it and fled in a hurry.
Yi Qing couldn't help laughing heartily.
Thinking of Meng Huaisheng's words, she thought to herself that she had money, status, a son, and Xiao Tian. Her remaining life would be brilliant! She didn't need anyone's sympathy.
Because so many people had come, the Duke Di was also alerted and soon came to the General's Mansion.
Xiao Tian went out to greet him, so Yi Qing didn't know what happened in the outer courtyard.
But with Xiao Tian there, she was very relieved. She calmly stayed in the back courtyard with Baozi until she suddenly realized something was wrong when she felt someone approaching.
Looking up, she saw Lady Di coming in.
Lady Di's expression was strange, a mixture of excitement, guilt, and regret...
Yi Qing sensed something and slowly stood up.
"Madam, do you have something to see me about?"
"Yi Qing, Yi Qing." Lady Di stepped forward and tightly grasped her hand. "If I said that you're my daughter and Yi Weiwei is Concubine Wen's daughter, would you think I'm crazy?"
She had struggled for a long time about how to tell Yi Qing this, but in the end, she just came.
Yi Qing lowered her eyes, her expression calm. "I originally thought it would take you a while longer to figure it out."
Lady Di burst into tears.
"I'm so stupid! I was so stupid! I raised a tiger beside me but didn't know my own daughter was living outside, suffering... I've been deceived for more than twenty years!"
Yi Qing took out a handkerchief and handed it to her, remaining silent.
Lady Di cried for a while, then sniffed and said, "Sorry for making you laugh."
"Madam, you're being too polite." Yi Qing kept a distance from her but wasn't overly aloof. "All of this was the fault of the Marquis Huai'en. You're also an innocent victim. I actually guessed it earlier, but you know, I'm already a mother. I can't immediately develop deep feelings for a mother I've missed for twenty years."
"I know, I understand. I won't force you to acknowledge our kinship right away." Lady Di immediately stated her stance. "We can get along like relatives slowly. What do you think?"
She was so humble that Yi Qing couldn't bear it. She tightly squeezed Lady Di's hand. "Okay, Madam. We'll visit each other often in the future. But there's one thing I may need to tell you in advance..."
"Tell me, tell me."
"About my marriage." Yi Qing said. "You know my current situation very well. I lack nothing and am very free. In the future, I may choose to spend the rest of my life with Baozi, or I may marry someone else. I know you're related to both me and Xiao Jinghan, but no matter from which stance, I don't want you to interfere."