Chapter 23 Only after losing something do you realize how important it was.

Although Tao Ye lowered her voice, she did not avoid Kai Xingxiang.

Although Zhan Xingxiang didn't hear clearly, she could tell from her expression that the matter was serious, and she immediately felt uneasy.

"Taoye, speak louder, let me hear you. What exactly happened? Is it related to my second brother?"

Tao Ye glanced at Qing Ling, who remained silent, her face showing restraint.

Taoye followed her mistress, her eyes lowered, remaining quiet.

When Zhan Xingxiang saw the two of them looking so bad, she was right; it was indeed related to her second brother!

She was angry that her second brother was so clueless and had hurt her sister-in-law's feelings.

"Second sister-in-law, let's go find Mother and ask her to take charge of Second Brother!" Zhan Xingxiang said, pulling Yao Qingling to find the Grand Princess of Deyang. Qingling was dragged a few steps by her, but she didn't let her actually go.

"Xingxiang." Yao Qingling stopped, looking troubled. She glanced at the guests in the garden and said heavily, "Mother is entertaining the guests; we can't let her be spoiled. Wait until the banquet is over..."

She paused, her voice suppressed and slightly choked, "Mother will naturally find out after the banquet."

Noble families planted spies in each other's residences, and even the Left Censor-in-Chief's residence had spies from the Duke's residence. If things had progressed quickly, the Grand Princess of Deyang should already be aware of it by now.

But Yao Qingling couldn't make a scene in front of the Grand Princess right now.

Not only will they not receive sympathy, but they will also be reprimanded by Princess Deyang.

Zhan Xingxiang couldn't stand it anymore, and on the day of the divorce, she would speak up for her. Zhan Xingzhuo's behavior was absurd, but because Qingling was of low status, the Duke's Mansion didn't care about the grievances she suffered. However, as time went by, Qingling endured humiliation day after day, and the Duke's Mansion would feel somewhat guilty towards her.

Since Zhan Xingzhuo became Xiao'er's tutor, he has been visiting the Wang family every two days. Zhou Zhining has been quiet these past few days. Based on Qing Ling's understanding of her, she won't remain silent forever.

She simply couldn't stay in the Wang family.

She will definitely find a big opportunity to get Zhan Xingzhuo to bring her out of the Wang family again.

Zhou Zhining returned to the Wang family with a bad reputation and received the family's punishment. She must have resented Qingling and would have tried to get revenge.

The Spring Banquet was her best opportunity.

If Qing Ling loses her temper and makes a scene in front of the Grand Princess of Deyang, the Grand Princess will become dissatisfied with her and will no longer support her.

If Qing Ling calms down, Zhan Xingzhuo won't give her a good look; he'll just blame Zhou Zhining's suffering on her.

However, Qingling no longer cared about Zhan Xingzhuo's attitude towards her. Qingling had anticipated that Zhou Zhining might cause trouble, so before leaving, she gave Taoye some instructions on how to behave in front of Zhan Xingxiang.

Tao Ye was very clever and handled it very well.

"Second sister-in-law..." Zhan Xingxiang looked at Qingling apologetically. Second sister-in-law is so good, how could second brother bear to let her down?

"Second sister-in-law, I'll go with you to find second brother in a bit, and I'll definitely give him a good scolding to wake him up!"

Zhan Xingxiang was furious, getting angrier the more she thought about it. She was angry that her brother was so clueless and was going to break her sister-in-law's heart!

Yao Qingling's smile was very forced.

The seventh young lady of the Xiao Prince's Mansion came to find Zhan Xingxiang with several young ladies from noble families. Yao Qingling glanced at them and forced a smile, saying, "Xingxiang, I want to rest for a while. You and the seventh young lady go and have some fun."

"Second sister-in-law..." Zhan Xingxiang was worried about her. Yao Qingling gently shook her head. Zhan Xingxiang didn't want anyone to notice anything, so she left with Miss Xiao Qi.

As soon as Zhan Xingxiang left, Yao Qingling's expression turned indifferent, but sadness could still be seen between her brows.

Although she could foresee Zhou Zhining's antics and Zhan Xingzhu's reaction, today was the first time the couple had appeared at the Duke's mansion in two years. They had just recently displayed their "affection" in public, yet he hadn't considered her at all and left without even saying goodbye.

He never considered what others would think of her if he abandoned the guests and left her alone there.

He could leave without hesitation, but Yao Qingling couldn't leave right after him. She represented the second branch of the family, and she had to stay to maintain appearances and avoid arousing suspicion, lest she ruin Zhan Xingxiang's plans.

"Miss..." Tao Ye looked at her worriedly, "What do we do next?"

What should I do if my son-in-law gets angry at her and hurts her again?

Yao Qingling had already come up with a plan and said, "He's not the most important person right now. What about Lin Qiao?"

Taoye said, "I told her to wait at the side gate. Shall we go now?"

Yao Qingling glanced at the young master of the Xincheng Marquis's mansion, who was enjoying tea alone in front of the peony garden.

When Minglu came to speak with her maid just now, she didn't avoid the Crown Prince, so he...

Qingling thought for a moment and said to Taoye, "Go to the side gate first, I'll be there shortly."

Taoye nodded and withdrew.

Yao Qingling moved lightly and walked to the side of the heir of the Marquis of Xincheng.

"Your Highness." She bowed, and the Prince of Xincheng returned the bow, "Second Young Madam."

Yao Qingling looked at his expression; it was clear and bright, but there seemed to be a hint of regret in his eyes.

Qingling then realized that this young master must know about Zhou Zhining.

She smiled tentatively and asked, "I just saw Xingzhuo talking to you. I wonder what you talked about that made you so interested?"

The Crown Prince of Xincheng thought to himself, "That's not what this lady wants to ask."

He smiled slightly: "Just some random things. Doctor Zhan knows a lot, we can chat about anything, he's very interesting."

Yao Qingling smiled.

Zhan Xingzhuo achieved the third-highest rank in the imperial examinations; had it not been for the Zhou family's affairs that held him back, he would have already risen to a higher position. He is a talented man, and the Grand Princess of Deyang refuses to give up on him.

But she didn't want to hear these perfunctory words.

She went a step further: "I saw Minglu come to see him. He must have had something urgent to attend to, which is why he left so suddenly. Please forgive him for spoiling the young master's enjoyment."

"It's alright." The prince took a sip of tea, not particularly concerned. He bent down towards the flower bed, and gently lifted a blooming peony with his finger. "This flower is beautiful."

Watching from the side, Yao Qingling felt even more that this young master was a reasonable person, but she still had to say something more.

She said, "Whatever Xingzhuo has to do, please enjoy the flowers and don't tell anyone."

The young master straightened up and gave her a deep look: "Don't worry, young mistress, I'm not one to gossip."

Yao Qingling nodded, exchanged a few more polite words, glanced in Zhan Xingxiang's direction, and said with a smile, "There's the Flower King of Cailu Hall over there. Since the young master likes flowers, why don't you go and take a look?"

After giving directions, Qingling bowed and left.

The heir of the Marquis of Xincheng felt even more sorry for her as he watched her retreating figure.

Zhan Xingzhuo must have such a good wife to protect his reputation, which is why he can be so indulgent.

Sigh, it's only after losing something that you realize how important it was to you.

He shook his head and walked towards where the Flower King was, his hands behind his back.

Over here, Yao Qingling walked towards the side gate, thinking to herself that when she spoke earlier, she said, "I saw Minglu by his side come looking for him, so he must have left in a hurry." This meant that Zhan Xingzhuo did not tell her why he left.

She, as a lady, didn't even know what had happened, but she guessed what it was.

With the intelligence of the heir of the Marquis of Xincheng, he should be able to discern such subtle linguistic expressions.

Yao Qingling asked the heir to keep quiet, to save face for the Duke's mansion; but what she revealed to those in the know was that she was not respected.

If the divorce doesn't go smoothly, the public opinion of powerful and influential families can help her.