The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 76: Chapter 76: The Face-Slapping Time-Traveling Farming Girl 13

Ever since Qi Wenjuan learned that Qi Wenwei was not Anning’s biological son, she no longer felt as close to him as before, and even started to dislike him.

On the other hand, her opinion of Qi Wenshao was gradually changing, and she was getting along better with him.

This time, Qi Wenjuan learned that Qi Wenwei had assumed the posture of a legitimate eldest son and beaten Qi Wenshao.

She was almost driven mad by rage.

In her eyes, Qi Wenwei, being an illegitimate son, had no right or qualification to hit Qi Wenshao.

After all, Qi Wenshao was the legitimate young Master of the Qi Family, while Qi Wenwei was nothing in comparison.

Furthermore, Qi Wenwei had taken her biological brother’s life to achieve his current position, and she hated him deeply for that.

At the same time, Qi Wenjuan felt that Qi Wenshao was pitiful.

Thus, when Anning was going to visit Qi Wenshao, Qi Wenjuan also brought something to see him.

Qi Wenshao’s original residence in Qi Mansion was a desolate place, but since Anning’s arrival, she had moved him to a new place with a large courtyard, elegantly arranged.

The room was personally tidied by Anning, and the decorations were chosen by Anning from the storeroom. The room looked simple, but the items were actually much more valuable than those in Qi Wenwei’s glittering room, and of course, it was also more aesthetically pleasing.

The moment Qi Wenjuan entered the room, she felt refreshed and revitalized.

Anning entered the room and saw Qi Wenshao lying on the bed; as she entered, he immediately tried to get up to greet her, but she quickly approached and pressed him down: ”You lie down; there’s no need for such formalities between us.”

Qi Wenjuan also forced a smile and edged closer: ”Indeed, just rest, brother. Mother and I don’t mind the lack of formalities.”

However, Qi Wenshao seemed dejected: ”The proprieties cannot be neglected; otherwise, Eldest Brother will say again that I don’t understand...”

He hadn’t finished speaking when Qi Wenjuan cursed: ”Nonsense.”

Anning glared over, and Qi Wenjuan immediately obediently stood up properly.

Anning took Qi Wenshao’s hand and softly said, ”My good child, don’t mind these words. Eldest is thoughtless; such words shouldn’t be his to say. Your father and I are here; if there’s anything, we’ll talk to you about it. It’s not his place to lecture you.”

Qi Wenjuan nodded: ”Exactly, he has no right.”

”I’ve brought some medicine for your wounds. Have someone apply it later. Moreover, I’ve asked the kitchen to cook nourishing meals for you these few days.”

Anning smiled gently at Qi Wenshao, her voice notably tender: ”You should recover well, and one day I will hire a martial master to teach you so that you will not be beaten by others anymore.”

While saying this, Anning felt a bit guilty: ”It’s my fault for not taking good care of you, allowing you to be bullied right under my nose.”

Her words warmed Qi Wenshao’s heart, and he felt extremely grateful towards Anning.

”How can this be mother’s fault? It’s not something mother wished for; it’s all my fault for not performing my duties well, which made Eldest Brother angry.”

Qi Wenjuan snorted coldly, turned her head away, and refused to look at Qi Wenshao’s submissive demeanor.

In her heart, Anning was considering whether this child was being too honest and if she should teach him some political cunning.

After talking to Qi Wenshao for a while longer, she stood up to leave.

Qi Wenjuan was reluctant to leave.

”Mother, you go ahead, I’ll stay here to look after Second Brother.”

Anning nodded in agreement: ”Alright, you talk with your Second Brother, see if he needs anything here. If anything is missing, just have someone fetch it for him.”

Qi Wenjuan smiled.

After Anning left, Qi Wenjuan moved a stool and sat next to Qi Wenshao.

With obvious concern, she asked: ”Second Brother, are you in pain?”

Qi Wenshao quickly shook his head: ”It’s okay now.”

Qi Wenjuan inquired further: ”Have you been injured? If you are, quickly have someone call the doctor. Don’t worry too much; your health is what matters most.”

Qi Wenshao smiled: ”Okay, I know.”

Qi Wenjuan then took out a wallet and a fan pouch and handed them to Qi Wenshao: ”I’ve just made these. My embroidery isn’t very good, so please don’t mind it, Second Brother.”

She humbly spoke self-deprecating words, but in actuality, her embroidery skills were truly exceptional.

Ye Anning was a person who was strict with her children; Qi Wenjuan was taught by a famous embroidery woman, and her embroidery skills were among the top in Suzhou City’s boudoir circles.

After Anning arrived, she personally taught Qi Wenjuan some special stitching techniques, and now her embroidery work was no less impressive than those well-known embroiderers.

The wallet she embroidered for Qi Wenshao was exquisitely crafted, with birds and flowers so lifelike they almost seemed real.

Qi Wenshao was particularly fond of it at first sight, promptly placing it beside his bed, then examining the fan pouch, which was also particularly elegant.

He smiled and thanked Qi Wenjuan: ”I really like it; my sister’s embroidery skills have become even more outstanding.”

Qi Wenjuan smiled for a moment: ”As long as brother likes it, when I have time in the future, I’ll make some more for you. If there is anything you need, you can send someone to tell me, and I’ll make it and send it over.”

”Alright.”

Qi Wenshao did not decline further.

Meanwhile, Anning returned to her room and directly summoned Qi Wenwei.

Qi Wenwei entered the room and gave Anning a perfunctory greeting.

Anning watched him coldly, making Qi Wenwei somewhat uneasy.

Anning gestured to Qi Wenwei: ”Come here.”

Qi Wenwei wanted to retreat.

He felt as though an ancient beast was eyeing him, covered in cold sweat and experiencing a spine-chilling fear.

”Come here.”

Anning was getting impatient.

Qi Wenwei had no choice but to walk forward a few steps; Anning pulled out a feather duster from behind her and started whipping Qi Wenwei: ”Now tell me, what are propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame? What books have you read? Where have all your studies gone?”

Qi Wenwei was unexpectedly hit hard by Anning, stunned and unable to dodge, taking several hits.

Anning cursed while beating him: ”How old are you now, daring to act like a master? You even dare to take your frustrations out on your brother, have you really grown so capable? Good, good, you hit your brother today, are you planning to hit me tomorrow? Or your father? When the time comes, if your courage grows bigger, why not just kill us all?”

Qi Wenwei was so terrified that he knelt down with a thud.

Even as he knelt, Anning did not spare him, fiercely whipping him a few more times before throwing the feather duster aside, gasping for breath, her trembling finger pointing at Qi Wenwei: ”You know that an elder brother is like a father, but do you realize respect for elder and care for younger siblings? Tell me, how did Wenshao offend you? Your actions were harsh as if he was your enemy rather than your brother.”

”Mother, I dare not.”

Qi Wenwei nodded deeply, his head remaining bowed: ”I had no such thoughts; I just wanted to teach the younger brother some discipline so he wouldn’t disgrace us.”

”Disgrace us?”

Anning scoffed coldly: ”You know about disgrace? Acting beyond your parents to discipline your brother, isn’t that disgraceful?”

Qi Wenwei defiantly argued: ”I am the legitimate son, and he is a bastard. Legitimate and illegitimate are different, I the elder and he the younger; there’s a natural order, thus it’s only right for me to discipline him.”

Anning suddenly stood up, slapping Qi Wenwei across the face: ”Then, is it also right for me to discipline you?”

”Lady...”

Qi Rui had just stepped into the room and witnessed Anning slapping Qi Wenwei, shocked and upset, quickly intervened: ”If the son is at fault, just teach him, why must you be so angry? What if you harm your health?”

Anning pushed Qi Rui away, pointing angrily at Qi Wenwei: ”You ask him? I called him here to teach him some discipline, but he refuses to accept it and even argues with me. I didn’t realize that my own son would be so stubborn when his mother questions him.”

”Yes, yes, it’s his fault.”

Qi Rui, smiling, appeased but signalled with his hands for Qi Wenwei to leave.

Anning glared: ”If he dares to leave, he might as well not have me as a mother.”

Qi Wenwei remained kneeling, not daring to stand: ”Son dares not.”

Anning caught her breath: ”I ask you, what does filial piety mean? Let me tell you, filial piety, first is to be filial, second is to be compliant, to comply with everything from the parents, never to defy. Have you achieved that?”

Qi Wenwei hesitated, not daring to reply.

Anning continued: ”Regardless of whether your younger brother is legitimate or illegitimate, he is your father’s flesh and blood. If he errs, you should inform the parents, let the parents punish him. Taking matters into your own hands to beat him, isn’t that slapping the faces of me and your father? This shows that you have no parents in your heart, pitiable is my past struggle to give birth to you, and now you come to affront me, I might as well not have given birth to you.”