Chapter 13: Seeking One's Own Trouble

The magpie, unable to stay silent any longer, quickly stepped forward and angrily rebuked her.

“I’m not... I didn’t...”

Qiu Xiang wanted to argue further, but Shen Mengli had already grown impatient and commanded the servant beside her:

“You two, drag her out immediately.”

Hearing this, Qiu Xiang collapsed weakly to the ground and was pinned down by the two servants.

“Young Madam, are you hungry? Shall I bring you something to eat?” Ginkgo, sensing the tense atmosphere, stepped forward to speak.

“All right, thank you, Miss Ginkgo,” Shen Mengli replied.

“Not at all, Young Madam, it is my duty,” Ginkgo said respectfully.

“Everyone else, those who have nothing to do, please leave.”

The three maids who had been sent along with Qiu Xiang, having witnessed Shen Mengli’s reprimand, were now like frightened birds, afraid Shen Mengli would turn on them next.

They dared not defy her, and despite Lady Liu’s orders to stay close and watch over her, they bowed their heads and left one after another.

Now, only Shen Mengli and the magpie remained in the room.

“Young Madam, the Young Master has never truly spent time with you to see your virtues. That’s why he’s been deceived by that concubine. If you both spend more time together, the Young Master will surely come to love you,” the magpie soothed, worried about Shen Mengli’s mood.

“Magpie, with a face as wrinkled as an orange, I’m not worried about my lady. You don’t need to trouble yourself with needless worries.”

“After all, I married into the Wang residence for wealth and honor, not for Qi Yunyan himself.”

“Whether he has feelings for me or not, I don’t care.”

“Let’s just close the doors and live our lives peacefully,” Shen Mengli said, patting the magpie’s hand with a smile.

At that moment, Ginkgo entered carrying some food. She handed a bowl of bird’s nest porridge to Shen Mengli.

“Young Madam, I was worried you might eat too much tonight and have trouble digesting, so I had the kitchen prepare some bird’s nest porridge for you. Be careful not to burn yourself.”

Shen Mengli accepted the porridge. “Thank you for your kindness, but you don’t need to serve me. You may leave now.”

“Yes, Young Madam.” Ginkgo bowed respectfully and then withdrew.

Shen Mengli stirred the porridge with a spoon and took a small sip.

The bird’s nest porridge was sweet, smooth, refreshing, and perfectly palatable.

Recalling her previous life when she married into the Zhuo family, she didn’t even have a simple steamed bun to eat, let alone bird’s nest porridge.

She had been hungry all night and had to work the next day.

Nothing was as comfortable as this now.

Once again, she sighed inwardly—this time marrying into the Wang residence was truly the right choice.

Late at night, inside the residence of the Princess of Duan.

“Did she really say that?” the Princess of Duan asked in surprise.

Ginkgo nodded. “Yes. Despite the maid’s provocations, the Young Madam remained calm and did not take it to heart.”

“She didn’t make a scene, even with the groom absent?” the Princess of Duan asked incredulously.

“Your Highness, the Young Madam neither argued nor scolded the Young Master. After finishing her late-night meal, she went to rest.”

The next day, Shen Mengli rose early to pay respects with tea to her father- and mother-in-law.

She arrived at the Hibiscus Courtyard where the Princess of Duan resided, and after announcing her arrival, the chief maid Baihe came out.

Baihe bowed. “Young Madam, the Princess requests your presence.”

Guided by Baihe, Shen Mengli and her attendant entered the main room.

Glancing around, Shen Mengli saw no sign of Qi Yunyan, who must still be indulging in Lin Qingyu’s tender embrace.

She had already prepared herself; his absence did not affect her mood.

The Duke and Duchess of Duan were seated at the main seats.

Following the proper etiquette taught by Nurse Lin, Shen Mengli knelt on the cushion and performed a deep bow toward them.

“Daughter-in-law Shen Mengli pays respects to Father and Mother. Wishing you both health and peace.”

Upon finishing, she accepted the tea Nurse Lin brought and offered it to the Duke.

“Father, please have some tea.”