)

  After leaving Lao Feng Xiang, Qi You Song let go of Hua Ru Chu's hand, but he didn't intend to let her get into the sedan chair and return to the mansion. Instead, they continued walking forward.

  It wasn't until a while later that Qi You asked, "Why did you say that?"

  He asked her suddenly, and Hua Ru replied without thinking, "I just thought of saying it at the time, so I said it."

  "You care about Qi Zhen."

  "It's okay, I guess." Thinking back to the day of the wedding when Qi Zhen left and said those words, at that time she thought Qi Zhen had an ulterior motive, but these past few days have been enough for her to understand that little girl didn't have any ill intentions towards her. Probably in the entire household, only she was sincerely hoping for his brother's happiness.

  "I just think you should be happy to marry a good family, even if it's with ulterior motives, as long as they treat Qi Zhen well."

  He really thinks that emotions are too luxurious for the people of the world, as long as Qi Zhen can live a stable life with children by his side, he has no other desires, and it is absolutely impossible for Qi Zhen's temperament to calm people down.

  "Where are we going?" After walking for a while, they were almost at the end of the main street. Hua Ruochu asked, and if they went any further forward, they would have entered the imperial palace area.

  Qī Yòu stopped in his tracks and swept a glance around, not unexpectedly catching sight of several tails. The Second Prince had always kept a close eye on him, and his words and actions today were probably already reported to the Second Prince's desk.

  "Let's go back home."

  "Good."

  Just as Qi You thought, the second prince's desk was laid out with all the words and actions of Qi You and Hua Ruochu at Lao Fengxiang, not a single word was missing.

  The second prince, Yun Yang, pondered the words for a while, leaning his body back, and mentally filtered through the usable candidates, wondering who would be best to send to the Qi Manor to propose.

  "Yongyong, thinking?" A woman with beautiful eyebrows and eyes, smiling confidently and sweetly, wearing a luxurious and elegant dress, walked in from outside the door.

  The study of the Second Prince was off-limits to ordinary people, but she could enter freely without needing to be announced or knock on the door. The name of the Second Prince was one that even his wife couldn't call out loud, yet she called it out with such familiarity and closeness. In the mansion of the Second Prince, whoever saw her would have to pay their respects first, but this person didn't need to follow those rules, which just goes to show how important this person was in the heart of the Second Prince.

  It's rare that the self-confidence and charm emanating from this woman is even more dazzling than her exquisite clothes, having seen many weak and dependent women like willows in the wind, such a woman has a fatal attraction to men, especially when she also has a clever and intelligent mind.

  The only one who could get such special treatment from the second prince was his concubine, Tao Jia.

  Wen Yunyang pulled her onto his lap and sat down, handing her the note. "Jiajia, take a look."

  Tao Jie took over the note and leaned into the man's arms, examining it carefully. "Do you want to take down the Qi Manor?"

  "How are you?"

  She let go of the note and wrapped her arms around Wenyang's neck, she was very clear that she could be confident but absolutely not overly dominant, that would only make men disgusted, how could a clever person like her make such a mistake? "Wenyang, do you want to drive a wedge between the Qi family?"

  Holding the person in his arms, Yun Yang smiled and said, "Qi You is my big brother's most trusted person. If Qi You loses his trust, it will be impossible for the Qi Manor to turn over, not to mention that Yun Yang's strength will also be greatly damaged. Among the Crown Prince's faction, I only value two people, Qi You and Mo Wen. I am willing to do something that can cut off his arm and make him bleed a lot."

  "How can Qiyou have such a great effect?"

  "No, she didn't, but what I wanted wasn't something she could do much about either. As long as we can get Qi Zhen to marry into our family and make it public that her husband's family is from our branch, we'll have planted a small thorn in Wen Yudan's heart. It won't be anything big for now, but as for Qi You, he will never trust him like before."

  Tao Jiahao lavished praise on her, with a proud look on his face as if he had won an honor. "This plan is absolutely brilliant! I didn't think of it at all! Yuyang, have you chosen someone?"

  "It's still being thought out, no rush, this plan will be very beneficial once it's used."

  Tao Jia leaned in and kissed the corner of Yun Yang's mouth, smiled and said: "My husband is the most powerful man in the entire Southern Dynasty. The Crown Prince just happened to be born earlier than you, occupying that position, otherwise... humph..."

  Wen Yunyang couldn't help but smile, feeling extremely pleased with himself. He was glad that he had met Tao Jia first and got to keep such a clever and beautiful woman by his side. With her stunning looks and sharp mind, the few ideas she casually came up with had already brought him a fortune. Wasn't this just heaven favoring him?

  Chasing her lips and kissing them, sucking heavily several times before reluctantly leaving, "At this time, you come to tease me, Jiajia, are you doing it on purpose, huh?"

  Tao Jia's face turned red as she fell into the man's arms, her eyes dazed and confused. The charming and seductive atmosphere made Wen Yuyang want to forget everything and take care of this little demon in the study room.

  "Sir, will you go to my place for dinner tonight?"

  Looking at the hourglass, Yun Yang pulled her up, "There's nothing important today, I should spend more time with my beloved consort."

  Tao Jia laughed coquettishly, putting her hand into the palm of a man two sizes larger than hers, "Hubby, don't call me Ai Fei again, or else we won't get along."

  "Xun Yang tightly grasped her hand to comfort her, 'You've already done very well, doing your part is enough, no need to cater to her every whim. For my sake, Jiajia, you've already suffered a lot.'"

  "What you said is nonsense, I have chosen you, and I am willing to be a concubine for you, even if it costs my life, I would willingly offer it up with both hands."

  "Jia Jia..."

  At the entrance of the study, the two were embracing each other sweetly. Not far away, at the corner, the imperial concubine's fingernails had dug into her palm, her eyes cold as if frozen in the coldest winter month... Tao Jia, Tao Jia...

  Qifu, Qiyu and Huaru felt the different atmosphere as soon as they entered the second gate. They exchanged a glance, what happened when they left the mansion?

  Yahuan saw that the two of them had stopped in their tracks and were approaching to pay their respects, Qi You's voice was cold as he asked, "What has happened?"

  Going back to the main story, at noon on that day, Third Madame suddenly started bleeding. Since Third Master was not in the mansion, Qi, the housekeeper, took Old Madame's token and entered the palace to invite an imperial physician. However, they still couldn't save the fetus. Both Old Madame and Old Master scolded them severely.

  Hua was shocked at first, didn't Third Aunt's fetus stabilize already? Plus the fetal calming medicine she sent over, logically speaking it shouldn't have been a problem again, but still ended up in miscarriage?

  "Husband, I'm going to visit Third Aunt."

  Qī Yòu had the intention to let her rest in the house first, but in front of outsiders, he was still not used to speaking much, and after a slight pause, he nodded, "Let's have dinner together tonight."

  "Yes, I'll have the girls get everything ready."

  He took a glance at her without leaving any trace, and Qi You stepped away. He still didn't like how Ruchu was so proper and respectful to him, which made him feel even more distant.

  At this time, the busiest period has passed, and there are still many people in the three rooms. The several concubines of Third Uncle have all come to pay their respects, and the illegitimate children have also come one after another to show their filial piety. Hua Ruoyu slightly lowered her head, covering up the coldness at the corner of her mouth. At this time, Third Aunt should be thinking that she wants to stay alone and not see anyone. These people are intentionally coming to add trouble for Third Aunt.

  It would be better if she had never gotten pregnant in the first place, just a misdiagnosis.

  It's better to have a false joy than to own it and then lose it.

  All along the way, there were people paying their respects, but Hua Ru didn't respond and hurriedly walked towards the Qi Shen's residence.

  Xing'er happened to come out to help her master deliver a message, and saw her rushing up to pay her respects, "Your servant has seen you, young master."

  "No need for courtesy, how is Third Aunt doing? Is it convenient for me to pay a visit?"

  "Remembering the chaos of that day, and those bowls of blood water, Xing Er's eyes turned red. She thought to herself that Master seemed a bit too calm, and with a sob, she said 'Slave is very worried about Master, but from start to finish, Master didn't shed a single tear, Young Master. Slave begs of you, please go and persuade my Master not to hold it in, it will harm his body.'"

  "But I won't comfort anyone." Hua Ru saw that Xing Er's tears were welling up in her eyes, looking like they were about to fall at any moment. She hastily added "I'll try my best, you go and inform them first, see if Third Aunt is willing to see me."

  "Yes, yes, I'll go now, you wait a moment."

  Xing'er lifted the curtain and entered the house. Soon, the curtain was lifted again, and Xing'er led several excited Daoist masters to invite you in."

  Hua Ru Chu took a deep breath in the dark, walked in with a worried face, and there was still a bloody smell that hadn't dissipated in the room. The person lying on the bed, except for their pale complexion, was unexpectedly calm.

  "Third Aunt, I just returned to the mansion, are you... all right?"

  Qishen quietly looked at her and suddenly smiled, "Coming and going with so many people, probably only your concern has a few true feelings inside."

  Without waiting for Hu Ru to respond, Qi Shen looked at the personal maid beside her, "Send them all away, I'm not going to die just yet. It's a bit too early for you to come before me and wail in mourning."

  "Yes."

  "Also go down, you others who are waiting in the house."

  Several young maids did not dare to speak up and put down their work in hand, retreating out.

  Judging from her attitude, Hua Ru's scalp felt numb. She mustn't tell her the secret, she didn't want to at all.

  "Yun Shu, go and keep watch outside."

  "Yes."

  The house was finally left with only two people, Qi Shen waved her hand and said, "Come closer and keep me company."

  Hua Ru sat down on the edge of the bed she pointed to, quietly waiting. At this time, what Qi Shen wanted was just a listener.

  "I used up the good medicine you sent over, what a waste, there's still some left, you can take it away later."

  "I still have some left, Third Aunt, you're still young, don't give up so early."

  She touched the fine lines at the corner of her eyes and laughed coldly, "Still young? Compared to Laojun's two newly acquired concubines, I'm almost old enough to be their mother."

  Looking at Hua Ru Chu's bewildered face, Qi Shen calmed down and said, "When I first entered the manor, I was also your age. For several years, I couldn't get pregnant, but later I finally had a daughter. After that, my belly never moved again. Heaven pitied me, and I finally got pregnant again after turning thirty. It's so hard to come by, and I thought I was clever and capable, but in the end, I still couldn't keep it. You say, can I persuade someone who is not ruthless and cruel to avenge my poor child who didn't even have a chance to see me?"

  P: They are all people who promote the development of the plot. (If you like this work, welcome to subscribe and reward, your support is my greatest motivation.)

  More chapters are available at the website strongly recommended ad-free full-text reader

  Bookworm Building updates the fastest, no pop-up window, please collect Bookworm Building (.co).