Chapter 162 It's not like I'm giving my last words...

"You mean..." Madam Ma thought for a moment, "...that she stay in the mansion and stop doing those businesses outside?"

Ma Peizhen nodded and said, "She gave birth to a child, which is a disgrace to the Marquis's mansion. Aunt can use this as a reason to lock her up legitimately. This matter is too big, Uncle and the old lady will definitely be furious, and they will no longer listen to Yao Qingling."

Mrs. Ma thought about it for a moment, but still felt it was inappropriate: "But..."

Ma Peizhen said, "The news of Qingling's pregnancy hasn't spread outside yet. If we keep her locked up in the mansion and prevent her from seeing anyone, no one will know."

"Those shops are making money right now, which is perfect for Qingqi's dowry. If Auntie adds a little more, wouldn't Qingqi's dowry be quite substantial?"

After thinking about it, Ma realized that this solved her problem.

"What you said does make sense."

This would kill two birds with one stone: it would completely suppress Yao Qingling, preventing her from causing any more trouble, and it would also save her a large sum of money for her dowry.

At Mulan Courtyard, Yao Qingling had just returned to her residence.

It rained today, and the weather is getting colder.

As soon as she entered, He Yin handed her a hot towel, pointed to her face and hands, and told her to wipe them.

It can be very troublesome for pregnant women to catch a cold.

Yao Qingling smiled. It's really good to have someone in the manor who knows medicine.

Since He Yin arrived, she has only sneezed a few times, and those were because her nose was itchy.

She had just wiped her hands and hadn't even exchanged a few words when the head maid of Dan Gui Courtyard came to deliver a message, summoning Yao Qingling over.

The maid's tone was unfriendly and arrogant.

Lou Yue was angry and couldn't help but say a few words, but Qing Ling said calmly, "What happened that you absolutely have to send me over?"

"You'll find out when you get there." The maid knew what it was about and was deliberately staring at Yao Qingling's stomach. Xia Chan walked over and blocked her view.

The maid's lips curled into a disdainful smile; what she was trying to hide was obvious to everyone.

Qingling handed the towel to He Yin and said, "I'll change my clothes and then go."

The maid said, "Miss's clothes aren't dirty, you don't need to change. Madam is still waiting, so please hurry up."

As he spoke, he clapped his hands, and two burly old women rushed in, while four strong and powerful guards stood at the door.

If Yao Qingling refuses or resists, the old women will take action and drag her away.

Those guards were keeping an eye on that formidable little girl.

But what the people of Dan Gui Courtyard didn't know was that with Lin Shiyuan's departure, Lin Qiao also left.

This was something Qingling and Lin Shiyuan had agreed upon.

But now, Qingling really has no one left who can fight.

Yao Qingling glanced down at the hem of her skirt.

Because of the rain, the hem of her clothes and her shoes got dirty.

Even a blind person can tell that rain will wet your clothes. It's so obvious, how can it not be considered dirty?

Lou Yue's face turned red with anger. She clenched her fists, stood in front of Qing Ling, and snapped at the maid, "What do you mean by this? Are you going to kidnap her if she won't go?"

The maid didn't even glance at her, and arrogantly said to Qingling, "Miss Qingling, please don't make things difficult for us. If you lay a hand on her and hurt her, we will not be responsible."

She was implying that if the baby in her womb was harmed, she shouldn't feel bad.

Qingling glanced at the maid slowly, her eyes filled with a chilling intent.

Suddenly, she smiled calmly, as if she didn't care at all.

That's enough.

Even if I changed my clothes, they would get dirty again by the time I got to Dangui Courtyard.

All that effort for nothing, and the old woman in the courtyard even had to wash an extra set of clothes.

Qingling dusted off her clothes and stood up: "Then let's go."

Xia Chan raised her hand to stop her: "Miss, you can't go."

It's obvious they're up to no good.

When did they only think of Miss when something good happened at Dan Gui Courtyard?

Qing Ling gave a cold laugh: "What's there to be afraid of? The Lady of the Marquis isn't going to eat people. Don't keep her waiting."

She took Lou Yue and He Yin with her, while Xia Chan stayed in the courtyard to watch over them.

As he left, he gave Xia Chan a wink.

Xia Chan nodded slightly.

This is all a show, put on for outsiders.

Let's see how the young lady returns victorious after winning a great battle.

As soon as Yao Qingling entered Dan Gui Courtyard, the back gate closed.

Some of the servants in the courtyard were secretly glancing at her, as if they were looking at something strange.

Qingling stopped and said to the group, "It's raining, aren't you going to take shelter? Or is the Lady of the Marquis ordering you to work even in the rain?"

The head maid behind her felt that Yao Qingling was making a last-ditch effort and urged her in a cold voice, "Miss Qingling, don't waste time, Madam is waiting in the room."

Qingling glanced at her, then lifted her skirt and continued forward.

As they walked, they chatted idly: "Why the rush? The Marquis's residence isn't that big; it's just a few steps away. It's not like the Marquis's wife is giving her last words..."

"Miss Qingling, please watch your words!" the maid interrupted loudly. "This is extremely disrespectful. I will tell Madam."

Qingling exclaimed, "Oh, you're quite the protector of your master, it's a pity you're not in my courtyard. But I don't want someone as fierce as you. If you came to my courtyard, you could only work as a cleaning maid."

The maidservant took a deep breath in anger, clenching her fingers tightly, thinking to herself: Just you wait, you'll get what's coming to you soon enough. She's only putting on a brave front now; who knows how panicked she is inside.

Inside the house, not only were the Lady Hou, the Old Lady, and the Marquis of Zhongyong, but also several concubines, Yao Qingqi, Ma Peizhen, and even several young masters and mistresses who didn't usually manage household affairs.

With the addition of their respective maids and servants, the spacious hall felt crowded due to the sudden arrival of so many people.

When Yao Qingling entered, she was taken aback by the large number of people: "The Mid-Autumn Festival hasn't even arrived yet, and so many people are already here."

Every chair was occupied. Yao Qingling looked around but there was no place for her to sit.

She turned to Lou Yue and said, "Go and get me a chair."

The old lady's emotions had already been stirred up by Madam Ma. Seeing Qingling's carefree appearance, she couldn't help but think that she had been corrupted by the prostitutes outside.

She grabbed the teacup beside her and threw it at Qingling: "Yao Qingling, such an important matter, and you're all grinning like that, don't you know any shame? Have you no face at all!"

Lou Yue blocked the teacup, and it fell to the ground at her feet, leaving a trail of water and broken porcelain shards.

Lou Yue blocked the teacup, scraping her arm and drawing blood. He Yin quickly took out her medicine and applied it to the wound.

Everyone: "..."

At this moment, how could those two still play the role of the injured and the healer on the spot?

Yao Qingling craned her neck to examine the injury, leaving everyone else standing aside.

Do they even respect people anymore?!

The old lady trembled with anger: "Are all the maids you keep so ill-mannered?!"

"Madam, with such a master, what good things can they learn?" Madam Ma glanced at the old lady, determined not to let Yao Qingling steer the conversation astray.

She took a deep breath and beckoned to Qingling: "Qingling, come here."

Yao Qingling remained standing and said, "Madam, it's too crowded there. I'm afraid I might accidentally step on someone. Just let me know if you need anything."

Ma's face hardened: "Fine, then let the doctor come."

From the moment Yao Qingling entered the room, she stared at her stomach.

Although her clothes were loose, her protruding belly was quite noticeable as she walked and the clothes swayed.

You can tell without even needing to see a doctor.

Madam Ma glanced at the female physician; this was the reason why Yao Qingling insisted on inviting her to the mansion.

This female doctor is covering for her lie!

At the time, Yao Qingling said that she was busy with official business and was overworked, so she needed to have a female doctor with her to treat her.

It's infuriating that they've been fooled by her time and time again!

To prevent Yao Qingling from making excuses, Ma wanted the doctor to tell her the truth about Yao Qingling's pregnancy.

At her command, the maidservant guarding outside went to bring the doctor inside.

Lady Hou said, "Go and see if she is pregnant."

As soon as he finished speaking, the rustling sounds in the room grew louder, and his gaze swept back and forth over Qingling's stomach.

Pregnant? !

The news was like an explosion, exploding in everyone's minds.