The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 1022: Chapter 999: Honor Amidst Chaos 67

It wasn’t until the second day when the Xiao family’s affairs spread throughout Prefecture City that Hui Family understood why Anning called upon Liu Li before going to see the Old Master.

The Liu Li family had been living in Prefecture City for generations, with many relatives and acquaintances.

Moreover, the actions of the Old Master and Xiao Jue had made Liu Li resent them deeply, so she was very willing to spread anything against them.

As it turns out, Anning didn’t even need to say anything, everyone knew about the fact that Mr. Xiao and Mr. Four were not the Old Master’s sons.

Even the Yuan Family learned about the matter early in the morning, and Old Mrs. Yuan specifically went to Lao Liu to see Yuan Family, expressing happiness for them in her conversation.

At this moment, Yuan was already heavily pregnant, feeling a bit uncomfortable, and usually too lazy to move. When Old Mrs. Yuan arrived, Yuan was leaning on the couch eating melon seeds.

As Old Mrs. Yuan walked in, Yuan attempted to sit up, but Old Mrs. Yuan quickly stopped her: ”Quickly lie down. Oh dear, your belly is quite big, it shouldn’t be this large at this stage, what’s going on...”

Yuan chuckled: ”My Third Sister-in-law also commented on how big my belly is, worrying it might be twins. She said her first birth was male and female twins, maybe it’ll be the same for me, as there are quite a few such instances in the Xiao family’s ancestry.”

Old Mrs. Yuan thought the same, seeing as Anning’s firstborn had been a son and a daughter, perhaps her own daughter might have twins too.

”Then you must take good care of yourself.” She said to Yuan with a smile: ”You should find a midwife early and hire more wet nurses for the children.”

Yuan nodded and asked the servant to bring tea and snacks for Old Mrs. Yuan.

When the snacks arrived, Old Mrs. Yuan said to Yuan: ”I heard about your family’s affairs from your father, he’s very happy.”

Yuan was taken aback.

Old Mrs. Yuan then whispered: ”About the matter with Mr. Xiao, your father told me that Mr. Xiao and Mr. Four no longer want to acknowledge that old man. Moreover, there’s talk of changing your husband’s status in the family records to being legitimate. If this really gets changed, it would be a great benefit for you all.”

Only then did Yuan realize what Old Mrs. Yuan was referring to.

Regarding this, she just laughed: ”I’m happy about it too, from now on I no longer need to see the faces from West Street, nor constantly worry about when Old Madam will call me over to adhere to the rules, she’s no longer my rightful mother-in-law, just an aunt. I can choose to acknowledge her or not; it’s not like she can overturn the heavens.”

Yuan grasped Old Mrs. Yuan’s hand: ”Mother, our husband has been legitimized, from now on no one can speak about illegitimacy, and even if something happens in the future, our husband...”

She didn’t finish the sentence, but both she and Old Mrs. Yuan understood the meaning.

Old Mrs. Yuan said with a smile: ”I heard there have been even more refugees lately, your elder brother is spending a lot of effort settling them, it seems our Nanyi Prefecture is indeed thriving.”

Yuan knew even more than Old Mrs. Yuan: ”Mother, what matters most is the rise in salt prices after the earthquake in Salt City. Now, all parts of Da Qi except for our three Nan Yi Prefectures are suffering from severe salt shortages. My husband quietly told me, our Nanyi Prefecture has stored away quite a lot of salt, just using this salt can attract many people, and during wartime, we might even use salt to make defending soldiers surrender.”

Besides the happiness in the Yuan Family, Lin Lianshuang was also quite pleased.

She believed Xiao Yuan had the potential to be a dominant leader.

Now occupying a territory, with salt, grain, and weapons in hand, having strategic talents and treating the people like family, additionally, Xiao Yuan is not the kind to show mercy, he can truly be ruthless.

Others believed Xiao Yuan and Xiao Jin were not the biological sons of the Old Master, thinking the evidence was irrefutable, but Lin Lianshuang knew it wasn’t like that.

If Xiao Yuan and Xiao Jin were not truly the sons of the Old Master, given the nature of both the Old Master and Old Madam, they would never allow them to grow up alive.

Claiming they aren’t biological sons is also due to the Old Master’s actions disgusting Xiao Yuan, leading him to cleanly sever ties. Given Xiao Yuan’s current power, biological or not, it’s entirely up to him to decide.

As for the supposed evidence?

This could be easily handled, by leveraging Nanny Zhou’s grandchildren to make her say whatever is needed. Those letters can be forged, employing people skilled at imitating handwriting, or simply Xiao Yuan replicating the Old Duke’s handwriting himself to draft letters, it wouldn’t be difficult at all.

Knowing this, Lin Lianshuang was even more optimistic about Xiao Yuan.

After considering for a long time, Lin Lianshuang decided to approach Anning.

At this time, Xiao Yuan had sent people to Pingyang Prefecture to negotiate, intending to create an incident in Yuechuan Prefecture through Pingyang Prefecture.

Anning was busy preparing supplies and accounting.

Upon hearing Lin Lianshuang wished to meet her, Anning quickly invited her in.

As Lin Lianshuang entered, Anning put the account book aside: ”Miss Lin, please sit down, Chun Xing, serve the tea.”

Lin Lianshuang smiled, speaking to Anning: ”I wish to request Madam to persuade Mr. Xiao to let me go to Pingyang Prefecture to negotiate.”

Uh?

Anning observed Lin Lianshuang, seeing ambition in her eyes.

”Are you confident?”

Lin Lianshuang nodded: ”Yes, the Magistrate of Pingyang Prefecture studied at the same academy as my brother, I know his temperament. Additionally, I have some knowledge of the terrain in Pingyang Prefecture, I can find a good path and make Pingyang Prefecture have no choice but to lend a route.”

”In that case, I’ll speak to Mr. Xiao.”

Anning agreed with a smile: ”I’ll have someone prepare a few sets of men’s clothing for you, this way it’ll be easier for you.”

Lin Lianshuang stood: ”Thank you, Madam.”

In the midst of speaking, a stewardess was waiting outside to report matters, while other stewards also had business to discuss with Anning; seeing Anning busy, Lin Lianshuang promptly took her leave.

After the steward left, Chun Xing, waiting for them to exit, became hesitant.

”What’s the matter? Is there something?”

Anning continued accounting while asking Chun Xing.

Chun Xing hesitated for a moment before stepping forward: ”Madam, this is just my little concern, I’m afraid... your accommodating Miss Lin may inadvertently breed rivalry.”

Anning looked up at Chun Xing: ”I understand what you’re thinking, but you don’t truly know what kind of person Mr. Xiao is, nor do you appreciate Miss Lin enough.”

Chun Xing bowed her head.

Anning chuckled: ”Miss Lin harbors great ambitions, she’s not someone who only focuses on the backyard affairs, Mr. Xiao shares deep affection with me and wouldn’t ever do anything against me.”

”I was mistaken.”

Chun Xing quickly bowed to apologize.

Anning waved her hand: ”You’re looking out for me, so don’t dwell on it, just focus on doing your tasks properly.”

While Anning spoke with Chun Xing, another steward from the outer yard came to report, Anning listened and then had him take the token and go out.

Thus, it wasn’t until noon that Anning could rest for a moment.

She massaged her forehead, Chun Xing rushed forward to help Anning massage her neck: ”Madam, you’re working too hard.”

Anning smiled: ”It’s temporary, it’s manageable. Right now, Nanyi Prefecture needs more effort until its revival, once the refugees are settled, I can rest for a few days.”

Upon mentioning this, Anning began to worry again: ”The number of refugees is increasing, and food is running short; supporting so many people consumes countless resources daily, it’s truly troubling. I hope Mr. Xiao succeeds this time, in which case there would be a contingency plan.”