1 Illegitimate Son of the Luo Family

It was the third year of Yuanping.

The wind was biting cold, and fluttering snowflakes filled the sky.

Clouds of smoke billowed across a small courtyard located in the northwest corner of the Chengguo Residence.

Luo Qingzhou was squatting by the brazier at the door in thin clothes. One of his hands was holding onto a bodice1 that had a peony embroidered on it while the other hand was fanning the fire vigorously to encourage it to take hold.

Luo Qingzhou had picked up the firewood from outside. The ground outside was covered with wet snow.

After the flames dried the wood, the dried wood rapidly caught fire.

Luo Qingzhou coughed several times from the smoke. He waved the fan in an attempt to fan the smoke away from him and then sat down by the brazier. He dried the bodice by fanning it over the fire while he stared blankly into the flames.

Three days earlier.

When he woke up, he realized that he had transmigrated to this place.

He was at Mo City in the Great Yan Empire.

He was the third son in the Chengguo Residence, but he was an illegitimate son.

Luo Qingzhou was a gentle and frail-looking scholar.

In ancient times, the status of a concubine's son and a legitimate son were worlds apart.

If he was the son of a woman without status, his status would be even lower.

From the memories of the original host, Luo Qingzhou realized that his status was even beneath that of an illegitimate son.

Three years ago.

His mother brought him to the Chengguo Residence and they stayed there.

The head of the Chengguo Residence, Luo Yannian, gave him the status of an illegitimate son. However, Luo Yannian did not give his mother status.

Even until last year, when his mother suddenly passed away, she was not even given the status of a concubine.

In private, the servants in the residence were all discussing his background.

"His mother is a woman from the countryside. Who knows whether he's really Old Master's son? He does not bear the slightest resemblance in appearance to Old Master at all."

"Old Master is indeed kind. In my opinion, the mother and son are liars and should be chased out of the residence."

All of the original host's memories were bad.

Luo Qingzhou sighed and flipped over the bodice.

What kind of young master was he? In the entire Chengguo Residence, no one treated him as one.

Even the maidservants and servants were dressed better than him. Even in winter, they could burn coal to keep themselves warm.

As for him…

It was winter, but he was dressed in a thin coarse robe. He sat in the tiny, dilapidated courtyard by himself. No one cared about him.

How pitiful!

Although he had transmigrated, his body and memories had fused together. Hence, Luo Qingzhou felt as if all these had happened to him.

He felt a plethora of emotions. He felt repressed, bitter, aggrieved, and hateful.

Indeed, he also felt hatred.

His mother was only in her thirties. She was originally very healthy, but last year, she died unexpectedly from a severe illness.

She died only two days after contracting the illness.

Clearly, there was something amiss.

The original host's soul had mysteriously wandered away from his body, which was why he could take over his body.

There was definitely something strange about it.

Luo Qingzhou knew that members of large families schemed against each other and were even willing to kill to obtain benefits.

However, he did not expect to encounter something like this as soon as he transmigrated.

It was impossible that he could be a rich young master who abandoned himself to a life of pleasure and peacefully accept whatever came his way.

However, he was alone. He had no backer nor power. How could he get himself out of his plight?

"Young Master, Young Master! I have good news for you!" A crisp and melodious voice rang out.

Following that, a frail-looking maidservant dressed in emerald green clothes ran into the small courtyard, carrying cold air behind her as she entered. She had a delicate face with childish features. At that moment, her face was filled with excitement.

Xiao Die was his only maidservant.

Back then, because Xiao Die had done something wrong, she was almost thrown into the well by the First Madam. However, Luo Qingzhou's mother saved her.

From then on, she became the mother-son duo's maidservant and was very loyal to them.

However, because of that, Xiao Die was often bullied by the other maidservants and servants in the residence. She often had bruises on her body.

"What good news?"

Luo Qingzhou asked as he observed the frail-looking girl.

To him, what good news could there be in the residence?

It would be the new year soon, so Luo Qingzhou guessed that the butler would either allocate a few more silver ingots to him or make a new set of clothes for him.

After all, they would have to pay a New Year's visit to relatives together. Wearing tattered clothes would not only embarrass the Chengguo Residence but also First Madam.

As the mistress of the Chengguo Residence, the First Madam—Madam Wang—detested it when others discussed about her morals behind her back.

However, this was not what Xiao Die wanted to say.

Xiao Die said excitedly, "I overheard Old Master talking to a guest outside the living room earlier. First Madam was also there, and she mentioned you. It seems to be about your marriage, Young Master. You're already an adult this year, so you can tie the knot!"

Luo Qingzhou was stunned. "My marriage?"

In this era, everyone got married early.

Moreover, once he got married, he would be able to get his own properties. In fact, he would be able to move out and live by himself. That would give him a lot more freedom.

However, he knew that First Madam would not be so kind as to allow him to get married and get the Luo family's assets.

He was the son of a concubine and could not inherit many assets. Moreover, he could not inherit Luo Yannian's noble title. Despite that, he was still a son of the Luo Family. The Chengguo Residence was a large household and owned many businesses. Giving him a house and some properties was nothing to them.

However, based on his memories relating to the past three years, Luo Qingzhou knew that there had to be something more to this.

Even if First Madam was generous to those maidservants and servants, she would definitely not be generous to him.

Xiao Die said, "After you get married, we'll move out! I can do the work of three people. I promise to take good care of you and your wife."

"I wonder which woman you'll marry, Young Master. With your status, she must be the daughter of an affluent family. I'm sure she'll be a stunner!"

Xiao Die was already fantasizing about her future life.

At this moment, Butler Wang's voice suddenly came from outside the door. "Is the Third Young Master here? Old Master and Madam want to see him."

Luo Qingzhou suddenly had a bad feeling.

However, he did not dare to hesitate. He stood up, handed the bodice over to Xiao Die, and walked out of the courtyard.

Xiao Die's eyes widened as she stared at the bodice in her hand. She was stunned for a moment before her face flushed crimson.

How could Young Master steal her undergarment? This was a woman's undergarment. She had washed it and left it in the room earlier…

Luo Qingzhou walked out of the small courtyard.

A slightly plump middle-aged man stood outside the door. He was dressed in a gray brocade robe.

He was the Second Butler of the Chengguo Residence, Wang Cheng.

He was said to be a relative of First Madam.

Butler Wang was different from the others. No matter who he was speaking to, he was very polite. He was even polite to Luo Qingzhou, the illegitimate son who everyone disregarded.

"Third Young Master, you should have a change of clothes. You still have to meet important guests later."

Butler Wang smiled and bowed slightly. He was very polite and respectful to Luo Qingzhou. No fault could be found with him.

"Butler Wang, which guest do I have to see?"

Luo Qingzhou lowered his head and followed behind. He deliberately pretended to behave humbly and cowardly, and he spoke in a cautious tone.

That was how the previous host behaved.

Butler Wang smiled and said, "You'll know when you go, Third Young Master."

Luo Qingzhou's eyes flickered, but he did not ask further.