Ling Xiao, the only legitimate grandson of Lord Shoukang, is fourteen years old this year.
Ling Xiao was originally an engineering college student in the modern world, on the verge of starting a job, when an accident caused him to travel back in time to inhabit the body of the two-year-old young master of the Marquisate, Ling Xiao, where he has remained ever since.
Having been an orphan in his previous life, Ling Xiao felt no sense of separation or sadness when he arrived here. Reborn into a wealthy Marquisate, with a refined and handsome appearance, he quickly adapted, often reciting poetry and songs with ease.
In this life, Ling Xiao was born with good looks. Though he hasn't fully grown, he already displays a graceful demeanor. Thanks to his parents' appearances and the luxury he's known since childhood, he presents the image of a handsome young man at the age of fourteen.
The only flaw is that his mother died young. When Ling Xiao was four, Madam Ling passed away after giving birth to his legitimate sister, Ling Zhi, leaving behind a son and daughter.
Madam Ling actually led a tragic life, which begins with the previous generation. She was originally the daughter of Wei Daixue, the Duke of Jingguo. Wei Daixue's wife, Ling Ya, was the younger sister of Lord Ling. After marrying Wei Daixue, Ling Ya had a son and two daughters. The eldest daughter married the second prince, and the youngest daughter married Ling Ruxue, the only son of Lord Shoukang.
This union was originally intended as a good one, as the two families were close. In this generation, Lord Shoukang had only one son, so it seemed natural to choose a daughter-in-law from his relatives. With the good wishes of both elders, Wei Zhuang was granted marriage by the recently ascended emperor. She entered Lord Shoukang's household in a grand ceremony.
In her youth, Wei Zhuang had met her cousin from her uncle's family several times and was somewhat familiar with him. Lord Shoukang had always been kind to her, so how could she imagine that her marriage would be anything but happy? But things did not turn out as she hoped.
Ling Ruxue did not like Wei Zhuang at all.
Even Ling Xiao, in retrospect, could not understand his father's feelings. Wei Zhuang was good-looking, gentle, dignified, well-read, from a reputable family, and a relative—yet Ling Ruxue simply did not care for her.
Many years later, Ling Xiao understood that perhaps Wei Zhuang was too perfect and dignified, which caused Ling Ruxue to keep his distance.
If there had been no love, it would have been manageable—few couples in that era had love, and it was normal for a man to take a concubine. However, less than a month after his wedding, Ling Ruxue pursued Xia Lan, Wei Zhuang's dowry maid, effectively delivering a stinging insult to the Wei family.
Xia Lan was scheming, knowing that her mistress and the son-in-law were not on good terms. She was attractive and well-tempered, so she often made herself seen, serving Ling Ruxue attentively. Soon, she caught his attention.
Barely a month after the wedding, with the wedding decorations still fresh in the Shoukang Mansion, Ling Ruxue wanted to take a concubine. Yet, he dared not openly admit that he preferred the dowry maid; Lord Ling would have broken his legs.
Ling Ruxue didn't voice it outright, but privately he and Xia Lan grew inseparable. Wei Zhuang kept to her own quarters, rarely seeing her father-in-law, and as a new bride steeped in the virtues of modesty and duty, she did not complain.
So the situation dragged on.
Lord Ling, noticing his niece's deteriorating health and low spirits, questioned whether the staff was neglecting her or if the food was unsatisfactory. Wei Zhuang smiled and insisted it was fine, but Lord Ling was not deceived.
Eventually, Xia Lan became pregnant. Lord Ling sent her to a servant's quarters, and, in a fury, scolded Ling Ruxue, even taking up the family rod to discipline him. "What shame do you bring on us!" he raged. "To disgrace the family after only a few visits to a maid!"
Ling Ruxue, still young, protested angrily when he heard Xia Lan was sent away, declaring, "I only want Xia Lan!" This exhausted Lord Ling's patience. Ignoring blood, he beat him until silence reigned.
Afterwards, he comforted Wei Zhuang, promising justice and urging his son to treat her well. Wei Zhuang tearfully agreed, reluctant to stir up trouble or complain to her family. But Lord Ling, filled with regret for his mistreated niece, punished Ling Ruxue yet again, this time leaving him in silent remorse.
This was the danger of lacking a woman's authority at home. Wei Zhuang was young and soft-spoken. If the household had been managed by a capable matron, things might not have escalated. But the damage was done.
Lord Ling's plan to send Xia Lan to a servant's quarters in hopes of "losing" the pregnancy failed when, after months of hard work, she gave birth to a son.
When Ling Ruxue returned with Xia Lan and the child, Lord Ling nearly lost control. Yet, faced with his own bloodline, he begrudgingly accepted the child. He brought Ling Ruxue to Jingguo Mansion, explaining tearfully that he would respect their decision in the matter.
The Jingguo Mansion, aware of Ling Ruxue's faults, accepted the situation, and with both families' compromise, Xia Lan and the eldest grandson of the Ling family were permitted to remain. Lord Ling, however, gave a strict order: Ling Ruxue must remain with Wei Zhuang's courtyard nightly, and only after a legitimate son was born could he even consider Xia Lan's position.
When Ling Ruxue eventually asked for Xia Lan's status, Lord Ling rebuffed him, declaring, "A maid remains a maid. Dreams of a title? You're foolish to think a child's birth will change her rank."
Then, Lord Ling invited his widowed elder sister, Madam Shi, to help manage the household. Strong-willed and capable, she soon restored order. As the elder sister of the house and once a matron of rank, she scolded her brother for his tolerance of this mess. She quickly traveled north to the Marquis's mansion, restoring the home's reputation and even catching the emperor's notice, who remarked on Lord Ling's renewed vigor.
Ling Xiao was born during this time. With a doting mother and his great-aunt's protection, he thrived. Then, at the age of two, he died—though only Ling Xiao himself knew this. Just as he was about to attend an interview in his past life, he arrived here, hearing a woman crying, "My poor son..."
Ling Xiao immediately cried out, signaling he was alive!
With care and attention, Ling Xiao grew, remaining silent at first to understand his surroundings before speaking. His delayed speech became the foundation for his reputed intelligence in the future.
Life steadily improved. Xia Lan and Wei Zhuang each bore daughters, the concubine-born Ling Yi and the legitimate Ling Zhi. Sadly, Wei Zhuang passed away shortly after giving birth.
From then, Lord Ling personally took charge of Ling Xiao's upbringing, while Madam Shi raised Ling Zhi and Xia Lan's children. Though Madam Shi disliked Xia Lan's children, she recognized the need for proper upbringing in the household.
As for Xia Lan, Lord Ling and Madam Shi remained cold toward her. Wei Zhuang's passing, while not her fault, left a lasting resentment.
Now, Ling Xiao is fourteen years old...