Chapter 1095: Chapter 1095

Chapter 1095: Chapter 1094: Everyone’s Schemes

The Duke Weiguo Residence has been in an uproar these past few days.

The people in the back courtyard were already wondering why the Lord Duke suddenly stopped visiting the back courtyard and seemed to be in a foul mood.

With great difficulty, after the Lord Duke had visited the main courtyard where the family head resides, the wife of the Duke suddenly ordered to prepare a courtyard, with standards matching those of the young masters’ quarters in the residence.

This stirred everyone in the Duke’s Mansion, speculating who the courtyard was meant for.

Especially the concubines, who were even more worried and sent people to investigate.

Someone thought of seeking information from the Lord Duke, but they knew his people were always tight-lipped, and nothing would be revealed if they did not wish it.

They had to settle for second best and sought information from Lady Gao, and vaguely heard the news that the Lord Duke had a child lost outside, whom he wanted to recognize back.

All the concubines were on edge because, although the Duke had five sons, none were legitimate. The source of thɪs content is novel⚑fire.net

It was known by everyone that Lady Gao was infertile.

Therefore, the next Duke would surely be chosen from these five sons, meaning everyone had a chance.

Who wouldn’t want to inherit the title? Thus, everyone was putting all their effort into it.

Because the Lord Duke favored his youngest son, the older four were quite bitter, though they thought the youngest brother was still young and posed no threat, so they let it be.

Because of this, there was a delicate balance between the concubines and the young masters, where everyone had a chance, and no one seemed to have the upper hand.

No one wanted to be the first to emerge, so they secretly made their moves in the shadows,

Not expecting this balance to be broken today.

This sudden emergence of the so-called child of the Duke, who exactly is this person?

For the Duke to recognize this person and arrange a courtyard? Does this not indicate that this newly recognized person has the same opportunities as them?

Originally, five people were vying for that position, and now with another person, isn’t there even less hope?

The concubines were dumbfounded, as Song Hong had Lady Gao as his wife, then five recognized concubines, and countless unnamed maids in the rooms.

These recognized concubines had been by Song Hong’s side for long, even the fifth concubine had been with him for seven or eight years.

Lady Gao was benevolent, and any woman Song Hong took in would be accepted into the residence. If she had children, her status would be raised to a concubine.

She treated concubines and their children equally without favoritism.

Otherwise, it wouldn’t be possible to have five sons and three daughters.

If it really were a love affair of the Duke’s outside, and there was a child, would they not want to come into the residence? Why stay outside without a name and status? Isn’t that foolish?

A woman who was pregnant yet stayed outside and secretly raised the child was a novel scenario they hadn’t seen before.

But if the child wasn’t the Duke’s, it didn’t make sense, as the Duke isn’t one to put a green hat on himself willingly.

Furthermore, if the child was brought into the residence, wouldn’t the mother also need to be brought in?

With many contenders and limited resources, how could someone be happy with another contender for the Duke?

Everyone wanted to learn more about this newcomer to the residence, but couldn’t find out much.

However, they learned that the Duke had already arranged with the family clan to open the ancestral hall to recognize the child.

It was also said that there would be a grand banquet to introduce this newly recognized child to everyone.

Various things pointed to one fact: the Duke valued this highly.

Envy grew in everyone’s hearts, as if the sourness reached the sky in the back courtyard.

Still, in the Duke’s Mansion, Song Hong’s authority was so significant that no one dared to challenge it, and even if unhappy, they could only endure silently.

Because Lady Gao, the official wife, had said nothing, what right did the concubines have?

Song Hong was unconcerned with these matters now, busy and willing, as he thought of how after the recognition, the boy would have to call him ‘father’, right?

Song Hong, the night before, ordered his sons to be at the front courtyard early.

Though the order was vague, everyone knew they were to welcome the brother from outside.

Others could let it be, but Song Chongjun, the eldest son, was displeased and complained to his wife, Lady Ruan, in his small courtyard, “Recognizing a son is one thing, but having all the brothers go welcome him? Let Laosi and Laowu do it, but having me, the elder, go too, isn’t that diminishing my fortune?”

Lady Ruan, holding their barely one-year-old daughter, frowned but couldn’t speak ill of her father-in-law, so she advised, “Since father has spoken, it’s inappropriate not to go. Father enjoys seeing brotherly love among you. Laowu is beloved because he’s always respectful to you elder brothers in father’s presence.”

“I say, you should go tomorrow, and even if you pretend, show brotherly harmony. Besides, this person is new to the residence and understands nothing; if we’re polite on the surface, we might form a good bond for future support.”

“If you don’t go, it’s as if you’re pushing him away and making father unhappy. What’s the point?”

Lady Ruan’s words brought Song Chongjun to his senses: “You’re right, tomorrow I will play the part of the eldest brother and show concern for this new brother, also letting father see.”

Saying this, he was eager for the brother to enter the residence, so he could show off.

In other rooms, several concubines were urging their sons to perform well before the Duke tomorrow.

That night, hardly anyone slept well, all anticipating the next day.

Early the next day, all five of the Duke Weiguo’s sons gathered in the front courtyard, where Song Hong was already waiting for them.

After an informal breakfast, Song Hong didn’t show it, but took the opportunity to test the sons.

However, the observant fourth son, Song Chongming, noticed Song Hong’s absent-mindedness, an obvious oversight he ignored, showing his preoccupied mind.

The other sons also noticed, exchanging glances, unsure of their feelings.

The youngest, Song Chongqin, often the most pampered by Song Hong, acting boldly in his youthful innocence, asked, “Father, are you thinking about that brother outside? How old is he? Is he older or younger? Who is his mother? Why wasn’t he raised in the residence like us?”

These were questions the other sons wanted to ask too, and all looked toward Song Hong.