Chapter 18: Magnanimity

“Shen Mengli, what kind of look is that?”

Qi Yunyan was so infuriated and embarrassed that he was nearly seething with rage.

“Nothing, nothing,” Shen Mengli hurriedly waved her hand. “You can ask a servant to bring your clothes now.”

“Aren’t you going to leave?”

“This is my room; shouldn’t you be the one to leave?”

Qi Yunyan raised an eyebrow. “The entire mansion belongs to my family.”

“Fine, you’re impressive. I’ll leave then.”

Shen Mengli stormed out of the room in a huff.

After Qi Yunyan changed, he went to the Lotus Courtyard to confront the Dowager Princess.

Inside the Lotus Courtyard,

“Mother, did you have someone slip medicine into my tea?” Qi Yunyan asked with certainty.

“You brat, I heard you’ve been cozying up to the Crown Princess. When will you let me hold a grandchild?”

The man bristled at the accusation. “That’s not true! Who told you that?”

“The people I sent told me everything—they said you’ve consummated your marriage with the Crown Princess. You’d better treat her well from now on.”

Qi Yunyan recalled the two guards stationed outside the door earlier and blushed.

“Don’t listen to their nonsense. I haven’t consummated with that woman. I was just fooling them, or else they would have stayed at the door all night.”

“You little scoundrel,” the Dowager Princess slapped his arm. “I gave you the chance, and you didn’t seize it properly.”

“Mother, don’t waste your breath. You know I like Qingyu. I have no feelings for Shen Mengli.”

The Dowager Princess slammed the table in frustration. “That Lin Qingyu is just a concubine, an unpresentable woman. How could she compare to the Crown Princess? How dare you choose her over the Crown Princess?”

“Even if Qingyu is a concubine, I like her. As for Shen Mengli, no matter how noble her status, I do not like her.”

“Can liking someone fill your stomach? Affection is useless; compatibility is what truly matters. The Crown Princess is the right one for you. She’s the bride I painstakingly selected for you. You’re driving me mad.”

“I don’t care. To me, liking someone is what matters most. Shen Mengli isn’t my type.”

The Dowager Princess rolled her eyes. “As if the Crown Princess likes you that much.”

“If she didn’t like me, why would she marry me?”

“A man like you, who already has a favored concubine before marriage, which girl would want to marry you? If it weren’t for the power of our family, and others forcing her to climb the social ladder by marrying you, do you think she’d willingly marry you?

“I don’t care what you think. Since you’ve married her, you should treat her well.

“If you ever pull a stunt like last time—running away from your bride on your wedding night—I won’t spare you.

“You may think you’re carefree leaving your bride behind, but you’ve caused the Crown Princess to be mocked and gossiped about. Is that the conduct of a true man?”

Qi Yunyan’s expression shifted.

“Even so, have you ever heard the Crown Princess complain about you?

“If she truly wanted favor, she would have consummated the marriage earlier to bind you to her. Why would she help you with the medicine? Why would she let you leave just like that?

“She knows you don’t like her, yet she’s willing to let you go. Isn’t that generosity and magnanimity worthy of your respect?”

Qi Yunyan was stunned. His heart had only been occupied with Lin Qingyu and had never considered Shen Mengli’s feelings.

Now, calming down, he realized the hurt he had caused Shen Mengli.

The Dowager Princess knew her son well. Despite his cold exterior, he was kind and gentle deep down.

Seeing that he had taken her words to heart, she continued,

“When you came to offer tea this morning, you treated her poorly, yet she still spoke well of you to me. Don’t you think she is magnanimous and kind?”