Chapter 149 Xiao Qingyuan Enters Wutong Garden at Night

Princess Ning also felt that it was quite an achievement to find Mu Ge's maternal uncle in such weather. She couldn't help but sigh, "The Crown Princess sent Mu Ge away so that Yuan'er would focus his attention on her! This child, though she seems indifferent, actually doesn't want anyone else to take Yuan'er away, right?"

"Well... this old servant thinks that the Crown Princess might not be doing all this entirely for the Crown Prince's sake."

"Then who was she doing this for?"

"For you, Your Highness."

Princess Ning was stunned: "For me?"

“During the days you were ill, the Crown Princess came to see you every day without fail, rain or shine. Each time, she would watch you take your medicine before leaving. This old servant noticed that the Crown Princess was extremely concerned about your health. You don’t know, but she kept telling people to stop Mu Ge, afraid that Mu Ge would come to your courtyard and upset you.”

Princess Ning sighed, "This child is so thoughtful. I know how filial she is to me. In the entire capital, no one can compare to Tang'er as my daughter-in-law. I'll have to give that scoundrel a good talking-to later and tell him to consummate his marriage with Tang'er as soon as possible. No matter what, the eldest son must be born to Tang'er."

Granny Quan hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.

"What's wrong, Granny? Is there something you want to say but are afraid to say?"

"Well... the young master has been thinking about bringing Chu Yanluo back these past few days. If it weren't for this torrential rain, he probably would already be..."

Princess Ning was furious: "That wretched child! Chu Yanluo has already left with Gu Qianhan, how can he still be so hung up on her? Isn't he afraid that if he brings Chu Yanluo back, she'll cheat on him too? That's right, he already did, he doesn't care at all. He's so stupid that even I, as his mother, don't want to acknowledge him anymore!"

"Your Highness, please calm down."

"Forget it, let's not talk about him anymore. Granny, go and bring my dowry chest over. Let's pick out some nice things together. You can send them to the Princess Consort later. She only has a dozen or so hairpins, and they're all worn repeatedly. We need to give her some new ones."

Granny Quan laughed: "A dozen or so is not enough? You really dote on the Princess Consort from the bottom of your heart!"

"Not enough! And not flashy enough. I think she really likes shiny, sparkly things, so let's pick something with lots of gems for her!"

"Yes, this old servant will go and get it right away."

——

Wutong Garden.

Shen Wantang sat in the main seat, looking at the kneeling Ma Pozi not far away, her expression cold.

"Granny, what were those things found on her?"

"Reporting to the Crown Princess, it is a packet of powder. I have already sent someone to inquire at the pharmacy. This is a special aphrodisiac for men. With this dosage, even the strongest man will succumb to the effects and fall into a state of confusion."

Shen Wantang asked calmly, "Ma Pozi, who are you buying this medicine for at the Prince's residence?"

Her voice wasn't loud, but her aura was powerful and extremely intimidating.

The old woman kneeling below trembled with fear. Without thinking, she betrayed Mu Ge: "Princess Consort, this is not what this old servant wants to buy, but what Miss Mu wants to buy! She wants to give it to the Prince, hoping to use it to become his concubine."

Shen Wantang's tone remained unchanged: "Really? You're not lying?"

"Absolutely not! If you don't believe me, you can call Miss Mu over and ask her. How could this old servant dare to deceive the Crown Princess!"

"Miss Mu has already been taken home by her uncle, so I can't get any information about her from her."

Ma Pozi was stunned. She hadn't expected Shen Wantang to act so quickly. She had only gone out for a short while, and Mu Ge had already been picked up by some uncle!

Ma Pozi knew in her heart that this time it was all over. She had originally thought that Mu Ge's arrival could protect her, but now, Mu Ge couldn't even protect herself.

She collapsed completely.

Shen Wantang waved to Granny Chai: "Take her away and deal with her according to the rules of the manor."

Granny Chai quickly ordered someone to drag Ma Pozi away, give her a beating, and then expel her from the Prince's mansion.

This was the first time that Butler Shen Wantang had used such ruthless methods since taking over.

She was usually very kind and even allowed her subordinates to slack off or make small mistakes. The most she would punish was to fine them a little bit of their monthly allowance.

This time, they beat Ma Pozi half to death and drove her out of the palace, which really frightened a lot of people.

Suddenly, everyone in the Prince's mansion was on edge. Everyone became alert, and even the lazy ones became diligent, while those who had made mistakes became more careful and attentive.

That night, the princess's reward was delivered.

When Shen Wantang opened the box, she saw two gold hairpins and a jade hairpin that was entirely green. Both gold hairpins were inlaid with dazzling rubies, while the jade hairpin was inlaid with emeralds and diamonds.

Under the candlelight, the jewelry in the box radiated a luxurious glow, instantly bringing joy to anyone who looked at it.

Shen Wantang thanked her again and again. Seeing that she was happy, Granny Quan left cheerfully, preparing to go back and tell the Princess that the Crown Prince's wife liked the gift she had given her very much.

No sooner had Granny Quan left than Xiao Qingyuan arrived.

He didn't want to wear a raincoat, so he only carried an umbrella and got completely wet when he arrived at Wutong Garden.

Shen Wantang had no choice but to put down her newly acquired treasures and have her maidservant help Xiao Qingyuan change his clothes and dry his hair.

"Why has the young master come at this time? Is there something important?"

"It's nothing important, I just came to see you and talk to you."

Shen Wantang didn't react to his words, but just smiled and poured him more tea.

Qin Xin and Du Juan exchanged bewildered glances. Why had the young master changed his ways? He was out in the pouring rain at night, trying to talk to the princess.

Something just feels off.

Granny Chai learned the reason from Granny Quan, but she didn't say anything at the moment. She just waited until the maids finished serving the young master and then took them all out, including Qin Xin and Du Juan.

Suddenly, only Shen Wantang and Xiao Qingyuan were left in the room. Shen Wantang immediately understood what was going to happen.

But she remained seated calmly, showing neither panic nor shyness, as if she knew nothing and continued chatting with Xiao Qingyuan as usual.

"Is the young master feeling any better today? Has the fever returned?"

"No, I'm much better now."

Xiao Qingyuan looked at her. Compared to her composure and calmness, he seemed very uncomfortable. He sat there for a while and changed his posture several times, but none of the postures made him feel comfortable.

He seemed somewhat distracted when talking to Shen Wantang.

He felt that Shen Wantang and Chu Yanluo were very similar, not only in appearance, but also in their occasional aloofness and indifference.

Then she felt that the two of them were not alike at all, because Shen Wantang always wore brightly colored clothes and gorgeous jewelry, and she never hid her love for gold and silver.

Chu Yanluo only wore white and the simplest, most rustic wooden hairpin. She was extraordinary and never loved gold or silver.