Chapter 22: You Think You Are Lin Qingyu

Shen Mengqing’s triumphant smile froze awkwardly on her face, caught between wanting to laugh and holding back, making her look somewhat ridiculous.

“My mother misses me and wants me to stay at my natal home for a while.”

“Hasn’t your in-laws been urging you to return?”

Old Lady Zhuo had nagged her countless times, but Shen Mengqing had always bribed her away with silver.

“My mother-in-law told me not to rush back and to spend more time with my mother.”

Shen Mengli knew this was a lie. The old lady of the Zhuo family was notoriously cruel and greedy. For Shen Mengqing to stay at the Shen residence so long, she must have spent a fortune bribing her.

Shen Mengqing, you were so confident just now, but now you can’t even smile, huh?

“Sister, don’t you want to go back and spend time with your husband? Newlyweds living apart might breed resentment.”

“He is also staying here at my family home for now, studying in the study.”

Mentioning Zhuo Hua, Shen Mengqing brightened up again.

Her husband was destined to become the Prime Minister, far superior to that playboy Qi Yunyan.

As for Shen Mengqing, she was destined to be a first-rank titled lady, while Shen Mengli, a discarded wife of the prince’s mansion, was doomed to die sickly within its walls.

At noon, Shen Tao had the servants set the banquet.

Everyone took their seats one by one. Shen Mengli saw Zhuo Hua at the table, dressed in a teal robe, his complexion rosy—clearly enjoying the hospitality of the Shen residence these past days.

“Husband, I want to eat Eight-Treasure Duck.”

During the meal, Shen Mengqing coquetted with Zhuo Hua.

Hearing this, Zhuo Hua picked up a piece of duck with his chopsticks and placed it in her bowl.

Shen Mengqing shot a triumphant glance at Shen Mengli.

So what if you married into the prince’s mansion? Your husband doesn’t even favor you.

Unlike my husband, who is attentive and even feeds me.

“Sister, why don’t you have the heir feed you too?” Shen Mengqing deliberately asked.

Want Qi Yunyan to feed her? Shen Mengli thought, do you think you’re Lin Qingyu?

I’ll just wait and see how you end up.

Raising an eyebrow, Shen Mengli replied, “Why should the heir feed me? As his wife, I should be the one serving him.”

She then picked up a piece of radish with her chopsticks and placed it in Qi Yunyan’s bowl. “Husband, have some vegetables.”

Qi Yunyan: “...”

Could he say he didn’t like radish and ask for something else?

Shen Mengqing smirked inwardly. Qi Yunyan was fastidious; except for dishes served by Lin Qingyu, which he would politely taste, he wouldn’t eat anything offered by others.

He certainly wouldn’t eat the food Shen Mengli served, and might even get angry at her.

Qi Yunyan looked up at Shen Mengli, hesitated for a long moment, then slowly picked up the radish and took a bite.

Well, if he didn’t eat it, Shen Mengli would lose face. It was her wedding return day; she might as well give her some face.

Shen Mengqing’s eyes widened in shock.

How could he eat the food Shen Mengli served?

Isn’t he fastidious?

Where did it all go wrong?

Then Shen Mengqing realized—in the home of her in-laws, getting angry at his wife just a few days after the wedding would damage the reputation of the prince’s mansion. Qi Yunyan must be eating it to preserve the family’s dignity.

“Young master, you’ve eaten the food sister served. If you don’t serve her in return, does that mean you’re unhappy with her?” Shen Mengqing watched Shen Mengli with amusement.

Qi Yunyan certainly wouldn’t serve her. She was just waiting to see Shen Mengli lose face.

“No need. I’ll pick whatever I want myself,” Shen Mengli said calmly.