RPAGF Chapter 16 The Identity of a Concubine
Chapter 16 The Identity of a Concubine
After the passion subsided, I gradually regained some rationality.
Only then did Marquis Anyang realize that the naked woman in his arms was actually Chu Ruohan's dowry maid.
What's wrong with me? Could it be that I've been vegetarian for too long?
How could I have slept with her in a place like this?
Baoling was also extremely ashamed and hurriedly put her clothes on.
She originally intended to seduce the Third Young Master, but unexpectedly, she lost her virginity to the Marquis after getting drunk. This Marquis was far too impatient!
Luckily it's nighttime, so no one should have seen it!
Looking at the woman whose clothes were half-exposed and who looked like a delicate flower, Marquis Anyang felt a complex mix of emotions, including regret for his impulsive behavior and a strange sense of excitement.
He coughed lightly, trying to break the awkward silence: "This matter must not be made public. I... I will give you a proper title."
Bao Ling was overjoyed and nodded hastily, but a hint of cunning flashed in her lowered eyes.
Marquis Anyang held a high position and wielded great power. Although he was a bit old, he was still in good physical condition.
Being a favored concubine means enjoying endless glory in the future.
Marquis Anyang was unaware of her thoughts. It was truly disgraceful for him, as her father-in-law, to have taken a liking to his daughter-in-law's dowry maid.
The news of Marquis Anyang and Baoling's affair in the courtyard quickly reached Tingxue Pavilion. Madam Gu had already gone to bed, and Granny Wang hesitated for a long time before finally going in to report it.
The next morning, upon hearing the news, Gu's mother's face instantly darkened, and she slammed her teacup heavily on the table, splashing tea that soaked the tablecloth.
"Don't be a shameless slut, flirting with men right there in the courtyard..." Mother Gu trembled with anger.
Granny Wang hurriedly stepped forward and gently soothed Madam Gu, saying, "Madam, please calm down. Your health is important. She's just a lowly servant; don't upset yourself."
Madam Gu leaned back in her chair, her chest still heaving violently. She simply couldn't understand how both father and son had been seduced by the maid.
She closed her eyes for a moment, then slowly opened them. "Go, bring that vile maid to me. I want to see what kind of seductive tricks she's using."
Granny Wang obeyed the order and left. Before long, she brought Baoling back.
When An Yang arrived, Bao Ling was already on the verge of death, curled up on the ground, her bloodied fingers trembling, her body covered in bruises, and she was almost unconscious.
Upon seeing this, the Marquis of Anyang felt a pang of pity, but at the same time, an uncontrollable rage rose within him. He had merely favored a maidservant.
"What are you doing?" Marquis Anyang shouted angrily at Madam Gu. "As the mistress of the Marquis's mansion, how can you be so intolerant?"
Madam Gu raised her eyebrows and retorted in a shrill voice, "A lowly maidservant dared to do such a thing as climbing into someone's bedchamber; she should be beaten to death. If she is not severely punished, won't all the maidservants in the Marquis's mansion follow suit? What kind of decorum would that be?"
"My lord, save me..."
When Baoling saw the Marquis of Anyang, it was as if she had grasped a lifeline. Tears welled up in her eyes and almost fell, making her look pitiful.
"Damn you, you slut! Even in this state, you still can't resist trying to seduce men! Drag her out!"
Granny Wang immediately stepped forward and dragged him away.
"Stop!" Marquis Anyang shouted, his brows furrowed and his gaze coldly fixed on Madam Gu. "I want to take Baoling as my concubine."
Having been married for many years, Gu's mother knew An Yanghou's temperament very well. At this moment, she clearly sensed that he had become angry.
But she just couldn't swallow this.
At this moment, Aunt Zhao and Chu Ruohan rushed over.
When Aunt Zhao saw Baoling's miserable state, she was secretly shocked. The Lady of the Marquis was really ruthless. How could she beat someone like this?
She took two steps forward and softly advised, "Madam, please calm down. There are only the two of us in the manor. The Marquis has finally found someone he likes, so let him take her in."
Upon hearing this, Gu's mother glared angrily. This fat pig had stolen her power to manage the household and was now making sarcastic remarks.
Unable to gain the Marquis's favor herself, she wanted to bring in someone to get in her way.
Marquis Anyang snorted coldly, "You're not even as magnanimous as Concubine Zhao."
Mother Gu was so angry at these words that she trembled all over, her lips quivering slightly, but she was speechless for a moment.
Chu Ruohan looked at Bao Ling's hands, where her nails had been pulled out. In her previous life, she had also experienced this excruciating pain in her fingers, as if it were piercing through her body and soul once again.
Turning to ask, "What kind of status does Father want to give Baoling?"
Before Marquis Anyang could speak, Madam Gu interrupted, "A title? What title does a lowly servant girl want? She's only fit to be a maidservant."
Aunt Zhao, however, added fuel to the fire, saying, "A maidservant's status is too low. She should at least be a concubine. The Marquis's harem hasn't seen any new women for a long time."
After pondering for a moment, the Marquis of Anyang nodded: "Then let her be a concubine."
Chu Ruohan continued, "After all, she was my dowry maid, with a clean background. Even if she is to be a concubine, she should be a virtuous one."
Upon hearing this, Baoling's eyes lit up; it was still her mistress who cared for her.
"A good concubine? Absolutely not! A lowly maidservant is already blessed enough to be allowed into the household as a concubine; to even dream of becoming a good concubine is utterly delusional!"
Gu's mother's face turned bright red, her eyes filled with anger and resentment.
The Marquis of Anyang's previously calm expression instantly darkened again.
"When did it become your place to interfere with my decision? Baoling is obedient and docile, and my mind is made up; she must be my concubine."
He's spoiled her too much all these years. She's so jealous. He only favored one woman, and he beat her up like that.
Madam Gu stomped her feet in anger, glaring fiercely at Baoling, "You vixen, you must have used some kind of sorcery to bewitch the Marquis like this."
Bao Ling shrank to the side, not daring to speak, but there was a hint of smugness in her eyes.
Seeing this, Chu Ruohan said softly, "Mother, Baoling has been by my side since she was a child. I know her to be of good character. Your opposition is unbecoming of a mistress of the house."
Seeing this, Granny Wang hurriedly said, "My lord, Madam's actions are also for the sake of the reputation of the Marquis's mansion. If Baoling were to be given a title so easily after doing such a disgraceful thing, the rules of the mansion would be in chaos in the future."
"Madam used to be a virtuous woman. It was only because of the instigation of those around her that she did such a thing," Aunt Zhao said, feigning to advise while simultaneously sowing discord.
"In my opinion, we should send Granny Wang to the estate so that Madam can get rid of this wicked servant."
Upon hearing this, Gu's mother flew into a rage, pointing her finger at Aunt Zhao and cursing, "You wretch, stop spouting nonsense and sowing discord here!"
Aunt Zhao seemed not to hear, but lowered her head slightly, nervously clutching the hem of her clothes with both hands. Although she did not speak, she put on a pitiful appearance, as if she had been bullied but dared not utter a sound.
Marquis Anyang frowned, his face full of annoyance and exhaustion. He stared at Gu's mother, the gentle and virtuous woman beside him in his memory seemed to have vanished.