Chapter 41: Truly Stupid or Faking It
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Qi Yunyan asked awkwardly, “Heir, may I ask what it is?”
“Please, go ahead.”
“About Qingyu coming to your residence—could you refrain from mentioning it to Mother? She has never liked Qingyu, and I do not want her displeasure toward Qingyu to lead to punishment.”
Shen Mengli had thought Qi Yunyan was about to discuss something important. She had even prepared herself to listen attentively. In the end, it was only this.
Did he take her for the sort of petty gossip who loved running to others with tales?
She had no interest in meddling in their affairs.
With that much free time, would it not be better spent practicing her calligraphy?
Shen Mengli nodded at Qi Yunyan. “There is no need for the Heir to worry. I am not one to spread tales.”
Having obtained her promise, Qi Yunyan took Lin Qingyu and left Snow Bamboo Residence.
Before departing, Lin Qingyu gave Shen Mengli a smug smile. Its meaning was unmistakable.
The Heir belonged to her. Even as his principal wife, Shen Mengli could never take him away.
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“Princess Consort, the Heir is far too partial. That brothel woman came looking for trouble with you, yet he acted as though he had seen nothing. His heart is completely with her.”
After the two had left, Magpie spoke indignantly.
“This is hardly the first time you have learned that the Heir loves Lin Qingyu. Given his behavior, I am not surprised in the least.”
“Princess Consort, are we really going to let this go? Why did you agree not to report her to the Princess Consort just now? You have allowed that woman to profit for nothing. I truly feel wronged on your behalf. The Heir’s eyes must be covered in filth; he cannot see a single one of your virtues.”
Shen Mengli tapped Magpie lightly on the forehead. “They have already left, yet you are still fuming. Do not make yourself ill over it—that would be the true waste. I have no desire to involve myself in the affairs between the Heir and Lin Qingyu. They may do as they please, so long as they do not create trouble for me in managing the household. If that happens, I shall burn incense in gratitude.”
“Princess Consort, you are simply too mild-tempered. That is why the woman dares to trample all over you. In another household, a concubine who dared to defy her superiors like that would have been dragged away by the principal wife and beaten long ago.”
“Enough. Let us stop discussing those two.”
The following day.
As usual, Shen Mengli went to Hibiscus Court to pay her respects to the Princess Consort of Duan.
“Li’er, I heard that woman went to Snow Bamboo Residence yesterday to give you trouble?” the Princess Consort of Duan asked with concern, clasping Shen Mengli’s delicate hand in hers.
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Shen Mengli raised her brows in surprise. The news had reached Mother so quickly. It seemed her control over the prince’s household was remarkably firm.
Nothing that stirred within the estate could escape her notice.
Now Qi Yunyan would not assume that she had been the one to complain, would he?
“Mother, Mistress Lin came to Snow Bamboo Residence yesterday specifically to pay me a visit. It seems she took your earlier words to heart.”
The Princess Consort of Duan let out a cold snort. “She calls it a visit? I call it picking a quarrel. I told her to pay her respects to you every day, not to seek out your displeasure and make life difficult for you. Is she truly stupid, or merely pretending? Does she not understand plain speech?”
“I truly cannot imagine what Yan’er sees in that woman. She has him so completely bewitched that he has lost all reason. I have scolded him, berated him, and even beaten sense into him, yet none of it has had the slightest effect. I heard that he even defended her yesterday and went to question you. It is enough to infuriate me to death.”
Shen Mengli patted the back of her hand. “Please do not be angry, Mother. The Heir is simply too guileless and has been deceived for the moment. I believe that sooner or later, he will see Lin Qingyu’s true nature and understand all the painstaking concern you have shown for him.”
“I hope so. Oh, by the way, Li’er, when do you intend to ask Yan’er to give you a child?”
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