Chapter 21 Xiao Qingyuan Apologizes

Shen Wantang then accepted the butler's keys and ledger.

Granny Quan completed her task and left quickly.

Qin Xin and Shu Xiang, along with several of the head maids, all gathered around, looking at Shen Wantang with a mixture of shock and admiration: "Princess Consort, the Princess Consort truly likes you! She handed over the steward's keys to you so quickly!"

"Yes, Princess Consort, you are the first in our capital to do this. Other new brides would need at least a year or two to become the head of the household! You have only been married into the family for three days and you have already become the head of the household. Everyone will envy you."

Shen Wantang remained calm and composed, showing no smugness at having obtained the housekeeper's key, nor any worry about not being able to manage the household properly.

After all, she was already very skilled at managing the household in her previous life.

However, the Prince's mansion is large and powerful, so managing it may not be as easy as before.

She touched the bunch of keys and felt a sense of security. She had finally gained a foothold in the Prince's mansion, and her future looked promising.

However, she was quite surprised that she gained her mother-in-law's trust and the power to manage the household so quickly.

In her previous life, Shen Mingxuan never managed to get the power to manage the household. She even went back to her parents' home many times to complain, saying that the princess treated her like an outsider and was wary of her. She would rather drag her sickly body to manage the household herself than let her manage it.

The maids were all overjoyed and offering their congratulations when a little maid rushed in to report, "Princess Consort, the Prince has arrived."

The room fell silent instantly.

Shen Wantang spoke softly, "Please invite the young master in."

As soon as she finished speaking, the maid lifted the curtain, and Xiao Qingyuan walked in.

Granny Chai immediately led the maids away to avoid disturbing the couple.

This was the first time Xiao Qingyuan had taken the initiative to step into this courtyard since their wedding.

Inside the room, neither of them spoke for a long time.

Outside, several maids were whispering about why Xiao Qingyuan had come.

"Has the young master discovered how wonderful the young mistress is, so he's come to consummate their marriage?"

"I think so. If you ask me, the Crown Princess is the most beautiful woman. She is more beautiful and more real than the one who was a nun. There is no reason for the Crown Prince not to like her."

"The Crown Princess is not only beautiful, but also quite talented. Have you ever seen the books she read? They are all very complex and profound, but she has marked and annotated every single one of them, and she can understand them all!"

"If the young master and the princess consummate their marriage, will our royal residence be blessed with a new baby?"

"Oh dear, go to the kitchen and tell them to prepare water, lots of water!"

...

Inside the room, Shen Wantang was unaware of the many things her maids had imagined. She got up to pour tea for Xiao Qingyuan, and seeing him hesitate several times before speaking, she roughly understood his purpose.

But he didn't speak, and she didn't ask him either.

After all, he didn't have a good impression of her, and might even think she was taking over his place. If she took the initiative to talk to him, and he mistakenly thought she liked him, that would be bad.

Xiao Qingyuan originally wanted Shen Wantang to take the initiative to speak to him, but after he stood there waiting for a long time, Shen Wantang didn't say a word. She just stood there quietly with her head slightly lowered, as if she could stand with him like this forever.

He was extremely anxious, and with no other choice, he could only speak first: "Shen Wantang, I..."

As soon as he opened his mouth, he inexplicably felt that he had already lost in terms of momentum.

It's strange, why would he lose to a woman who seems so humble, submissive and insignificant?

He had already spoken, so Shen Wantang naturally couldn't leave him hanging any longer. She curtsied slightly and said, "Your Highness, please speak."

"I brought Yanluo back, as you probably already know."

"Yes, I know."

"I want to ask you, since you can revive Mother, can you save Yanluo?"

"What's wrong with her?"

"She was frightened, had been experiencing abdominal pain and bleeding, and fainted this evening."

In her previous life, Chu Yanluo lost the child in her womb.

However, her miscarriage did not occur at this time, nor in the Prince's mansion, but at the Jixin Nunnery. She was drugged by someone arranged by Shen Mingxuan, and she almost lost both her body and her unborn child.

But since the exchange marriage, many things have changed in this life, and Chu Yanluo's situation can no longer be judged based on the previous life.

"Your Highness, I am not skilled in protecting a pregnancy and I am afraid I am unable to help. Your Highness should find another doctor who is skilled in this area for Miss Yanluo!"

Shen Wantang didn't know what Chu Yanluo's current condition was. If it wasn't serious, even if she cured Chu Yanluo, Xiao Qingyuan might not be grateful to her, and she wouldn't get any benefits. Moreover, she might even incur her mother-in-law's displeasure. However, if she didn't cure Chu Yanluo, Chu Yanluo might end up like in her previous life, unable to keep the fetus and damaging her health due to the miscarriage, making it impossible for her to conceive again.

Xiao Qingyuan will probably hate her to death then, and Chu Yanluo will hate her too. After all, in their previous life, the two of them hated Shen Mingxuan to the extreme. They dug countless pits and tripped up countless obstacles for Shen Mingxuan, making her the laughing stock of the entire capital.

Shen Wantang didn't want to get into trouble. When faced with a problem like Xiao Qingyuan's, the best thing to do was to protect herself. Even if it could be cured, she had to say it couldn't.

Moreover, instead of seeking medical help from the imperial physician, Xiao Qingyuan came to her, the Crown Prince's wife, to treat the woman he had brought back from outside and help her with her pregnancy. It was as if he had lost his mind.

He was confused, but Shen Wantang was not.

"I have already sent someone to invite the imperial physician who is skilled in preventing miscarriage, but he may not be able to come for a while."

Xiao Qingyuan's tone carried a hint of sincerity: "I saw that when you were giving my mother acupuncture just now, you were very skilled and the effect was immediate. My mother woke up right away. I think you might be able to help Yanluo, at least by giving her a few needles to stop the bleeding."

"Consider it a favor I owe you. If you ever encounter any difficulties in the future, no matter what it is, I will help you."

He believed that the offer he made was already very attractive, and no one would refuse it.

However, Shen Wantang was not moved at all. She still lowered her head and said respectfully and obediently, "I really want this favor from the young master, but unfortunately, I am really powerless to do it. Acupuncture is not a panacea. My mother's condition is very suitable for acupuncture emergency treatment, but Miss Yanluo's condition is not suitable for acupuncture. If the young master does not believe me, you will know once the imperial physician comes and asks."

A hint of disappointment flashed in Xiao Qingyuan's eyes, but he also knew that it was very inappropriate for him to come here to ask Shen Wantang for help.

So he wasn't angry when he got this answer.

He turned and walked out. When he reached the door, he finally apologized to her: "I'm sorry. I was narrow-minded to question your medical skills before. I shouldn't have judged you by your appearance."

Shen Wantang said softly, "It's alright. It's normal for the young master to have doubts because he doesn't understand me. I don't blame you."

"Thank you for saving my mother."

"Your Highness is too kind. It is what I should do."

Looking at her calm demeanor, Xiao Qingyuan gained a new understanding of her, and he finally understood why his mother had chosen her as the Crown Prince's consort.

She seems to be really special.