Chapter 33: Gritting His Teeth in Rage-Após renascer e mudar meu destino, minha irmã mais nova legítima se apressa em se casar com uma família humilde no meu lugar(Corvo)

"Qingyu, why would you say that?" Qi Yunyan asked, looking puzzled.

"If the Heir Consort didn't have a grudge against me, why would she speak ill of me to the Princess Consort, causing me to be punished with the rod?"

As Lin Qingyu spoke, her eyes brimmed with tears.

"It was her? Why would she do such a thing? What could she possibly gain from it?"

"The Heir Consort must be jealous that you favor me. To maintain her reputation as a virtuous and benevolent wife who doesn't mistreat concubines, she couldn't act against me openly. So, she used the Princess Consort to do her dirty work. What a deep and cunning scheme she has! She truly wants me dead. If you hadn't come to save me today, the Princess Consort would have beaten me to death. If I were gone, she could easily step in and take my place in your heart."

Hearing this, Qi Yunyan gritted his teeth in fury. "I never imagined she was such a venomous woman. I truly underestimated her."

"Yunyan, your heart is too kind; you don't understand the twisted ways of women in the inner chambers. You have no idea of the endless, treacherous means they use to vie for a man's favor. This time was only a minor warning; I fear that next time, my life will truly be forfeit."

Lin Qingyu sobbed and threw herself into Qi Yunyan's arms. "Although I have become indifferent to life and death and do not fear the end, I cannot bear to part with you. I cannot bear the thought of you living in solitude. Just imagining you alone makes my heart ache. Yunyan, I love you so much. I want to be with you forever, to bear your children, and when we are old, to have our grandchildren playing around our knees, sharing the joys of a family together."

"But I fear this is merely a vain hope. The Heir Consort will not let me be; she cannot tolerate my existence."

Qi Yunyan held Lin Qingyu tightly. "Qingyu, I will not let you die. If Shen Mengli dares to harm you, I will surely kill her to avenge you."

"I do not wish for you to bear the name of a wife-killer. Perhaps... if you were to divorce her, she would no longer be able to harm me," Lin Qingyu suggested.

"I wish to divorce her as well and make you my official wife, but as long as she gives no public cause for fault, I have no grounds to cast her aside."

Lin Qingyu’s eyes dimmed at these words. She had said so much, yet Qi Yunyan still would not agree to divorce Shen Mengli and elevate her status. His words sounded sweet, but if he truly loved her, how could he bear to keep her as a mere concubine?

"Qingyu, although I cannot divorce her for now, I can go to Snow Bamboo Residence and warn her. We shall offer courtesy before resorting to force; if she does not listen after the warning, we need not be polite with her any longer."

Lin Qingyu leaned softly against the man's chest. "Yunyan, I will do as you say."

After soothing Lin Qingyu, Qi Yunyan rose and left for the Snow Bamboo Residence.

Snow Bamboo Residence

"The Heir is here! Did he come specifically to see the Heir Consort? Will he stay the night at Snow Bamboo Residence?"

"I knew the Heir had the Heir Consort in his heart. She is the kindest person I have ever met; what man wouldn't love her?"

"Are we going to have a little heir soon?"

As Qi Yunyan entered the residence, the maidservants whispered among themselves, looking overjoyed.

"Shen Mengli, get out here this instant!"

Qi Yunyan strode into the main hall, his face dark with rage. The maidservants were so startled that their words died in their throats.

Magpie hurried to inform Shen Mengli. "Heir Consort, please come quickly! I don't know who has angered the Heir, but he is waiting for you in the main hall."