Chapter 31: A Mere Effort-Após renascer e mudar meu destino, minha irmã mais nova legítima se apressa em se casar com uma família humilde no meu lugar(Corvo)

Qi Yunyan offered a bitter smile and said nothing more.

"Very well, I am weary. You may both retire; I wish to rest."

The Princess of Duan waved her hand at those below. Shen Mengli curtsied and turned to leave. As she stepped out of the Furong Courtyard and headed toward the Xuezhu Residence, she heard Qi Yunyan calling her from behind.

"Shen Mengli, wait."

She stopped and turned around. "Is there something else you require, Heir Apparent?"

"I..." Qi Yunyan hesitated before continuing, "I have a favor to ask of you."

"Are you asking me to tend to Lin Qingyu’s injuries?" Shen Mengli raised an eyebrow.

In truth, she did not need him to say it; she knew exactly what he wanted. Aside from Lin Qingyu, she could think of no one else who would cause him to make such a fuss.

"Would you?"

"Heir Apparent, even if I go, I cannot be of much help. Her injuries are merely superficial; what you need to do is simply hand her a bottle of golden ointment. That would be far more effective than anything else."

"Qingyu has lost so much blood. I need you to examine her so that I can be at ease."

Shen Mengli truly did not want to get involved in the affairs between Qi Yunyan and Lin Qingyu. If she cured her, she would receive no real benefit, and if anything went wrong, Qi Yunyan would surely lay all the blame at her feet. It was a thankless task. Furthermore, the Princess of Duan had been angered to the point of fainting precisely because of Lin Qingyu. Since the Princess had been so kind to her and had entrusted her with the management of the household, going to treat Lin Qingyu felt like a betrayal.

"Heir Apparent, if you are truly worried, simply send a servant to the Tongji Hall to summon a physician. I am not skilled in treating external wounds; you would be better off seeking someone more qualified."

Seeing her reluctance, Qi Yunyan did not press the matter further.

"Shen Mengli..." The man shifted uncomfortably before saying, "I apologize for today. I did not mean to doubt you; I was simply too worried about my mother. I am sorry for judging you by your appearance."

Shen Mengli accepted his apology. "I did not take it to heart. At my age, it is only natural that people would doubt my medical skills. I understand."

"Thank you very much for saving my mother today."

"It was no trouble at all. There is no need for such formality, Heir Apparent."

He had expected her to feel aggrieved, to make a scene, or to seize the opportunity to demand something from him, given her known fondness for money. He had not expected her reaction to be so calm, as if she had merely performed a trivial task not worth mentioning. His perception of her seemed to have shifted slightly.

After taking leave of Qi Yunyan, Shen Mengli returned to the Xuezhu Residence. Not long after, Baihe arrived carrying a box.

Baihe bowed respectfully. "Princess Consort, the Princess has instructed me to deliver the account books and the keys to the household to you. I have placed them here; please accept them."

Once the handover was complete, Baihe curtsied and departed.

Xique, Ginkgo, and the other maids gathered around in curiosity. "Princess Consort, you are truly remarkable. You have been here only a few days, and the Princess has already entrusted you with the management of the household."

"It just goes to show how much the Princess favors you to have relinquished control so quickly."

"Princess Consort, I dare say that in the capital, you are the only one so valued and loved by your in-laws. Other new brides must endure discipline and trials from their mothers-in-law; it is impossible for them to become the mistress of the house in less than three to five years. If this were known, everyone would certainly envy you."