Chapter 374 Xiao Qingyuan's word doesn't count

Princess Ning couldn't help but scold her: "Qingxi, don't talk nonsense in front of the guests! Your sister-in-law may have a humble background, but even heroes don't care about their origins. Your sister-in-law is just the heir apparent of the Prince's mansion, so there's no need to worry about her background. She's more than a match for your brother!"

"Furthermore, Nan Shi is not yet married. It's inappropriate to use her as a comparison! You must never say such a thing again!"

Xiao Qingxi pouted: "I knew it, Mother will still side with Shen Wantang, an outsider! Fine, I'm too lazy to argue with you!"

"Nan Shi, let's go sit in my yard. There are people here, and the smell is awful. I feel nauseous."

After she finished speaking, she turned and left.

Liu Nanshi gave a curtsy to Princess Ning and then followed her away.

Princess Ning looked somewhat embarrassed. She looked at Shen Wantang, wanting to apologize on behalf of her daughter, but then felt that what her daughter had said was too harsh, and that even her apology as a mother seemed pale and powerless.

Shen Wantang smiled gently at her: "Mother, please rest well. I'll be going back now. By the way, I asked someone to prepare your favorite drunken crab and lotus leaf porridge for lunch. You've probably gotten tired of meat these past few days, so I'm giving you a change of pace today."

Princess Ning felt that Tang'er was too sensible, and felt even more affection for her: "Alright, Tang'er is very thoughtful. You can go back now. If you want to go out to meet friends or go out to play, just go ahead. You don't need to inform me."

"Yes, thank you, Mother."

Shen Wantang smiled and agreed, then left with her maid.

As soon as she returned to Wutong Garden, Qin Xin leaned in and whispered, "Princess Consort, I just came back from the Princess's place. After Miss Liu entered the Princess's courtyard, the Princess sent someone to invite the Prince over. The three of them are talking together now."

Shen Wantang nodded, calmly washed her hands, then sat down at her desk, opened Gu Qianhan's calligraphy copybook, and began to practice calligraphy.

She had switched to a wolf-hair brush, and felt it was easier to use, so she wrote with more care.

Seeing that she was so focused on practicing calligraphy that she didn't even care about Xiao Qingyuan and Liu Nanshi being alone in the same room, Qin Xin became a little anxious: "Princess Consort, Miss Liu is not yet married. It is quite inappropriate for her to be with a man like the Prince!"

Shen Wantang said without looking up, "There's nothing wrong with it. Isn't the princess here too? They're not alone together."

Qin Xin stamped her feet anxiously: "What if the princess is just covering for them? You don't know how gentle Miss Liu is in front of the prince. She's like a peacock with its tail feathers spread!"

Shen Wantang was concentrating on practicing calligraphy when she heard Qin Xin's words. She said casually, "Miss Liu is like that to everyone, it doesn't matter. Besides, you overestimate the princess. She won't cover for others."

Qin Xin thought and thought for a while, then knelt down: "Your Highness, if I may presume to speak, that Miss Liu clearly has ill intentions towards Your Highness. She comes from a noble family and has the reputation of being the most talented woman in Dafeng. If Your Highness takes a liking to her, your position as Your Highness's wife will be in jeopardy!"

Shen Wantang finally put down her pen, turned to look at her helplessly: "Get up and talk. I know you're doing this for my own good. Say whatever you want to say. I don't blame you."

Qin Xin didn't get up. Her eyes were red, and her voice was low: "The young master always talks about divorcing his wife. I'm afraid... afraid that one day he really will..."

"Are you afraid he'll really divorce me?"

Qin Xin didn't dare to answer, but she lowered her head, tacitly agreeing with Shen Wantang's words.

No, it won't.

Shen Wantang's tone carried a calming power: "Xiao Qingyuan's decision on whether to divorce his wife is not up to him."

Qin Xin said worriedly, "I know this matter isn't something the young master can decide alone, but what if the princess also takes a liking to Miss Liu?"

Shen Wantang smiled gently: "Don't worry, my mother likes me the most. She has no interest in anyone else. Besides, I am so filial to my mother, so her love for me is genuine. Otherwise, my position as the Crown Prince's consort would have changed hands long ago."

“Miss Liu is not married yet, and this is not a new thing. She was not married before I married into the Prince’s Mansion. Mother never considered her either.”

"Could it be that now that I've managed the Prince's mansion so well and been so filial to my in-laws, they've kicked me out and replaced me with Miss Liu?"

Qin Xin nodded: "You're right. The Prince and Princess wouldn't be willing to replace you with someone else. I misunderstood in my haste. No matter how good Miss Liu's background is, it's not even one ten-thousandth as good as yours."

Shen Wantang reached out and helped her up, saying with a smile, "It's an indisputable fact that she comes from a good family, but I don't need to compete with her in that regard. Besides, you've overlooked one thing: even if the prince divorces his wife and marries another, given Miss Liu's prestigious family background, she wouldn't be willing to marry him."

Qin Xin's gloomy heart instantly brightened: "That's right, Miss Liu definitely won't marry the prince. That would be very bad for her reputation. She has many better choices than the prince!"

"But she treats the Crown Prince very differently. Crown Princess, I am absolutely certain that she is deliberately trying to pique the Crown Prince's interest in her!"

"Since she could not marry the prince, why did she do this? She was demeaning herself for no reason and ruining her reputation as the most talented woman."

Shen Wantang's eyes turned slightly cold: "What else could it be? She just wants to disgust me."

Yesterday, when Shen Wantang went to Fazhen Temple, she brought Du Juan with her. Qin Xin did not come along, so she did not know what happened yesterday.

Shen Wantang didn't explain further. She sat back down at her desk, picked up her pen again, and continued practicing calligraphy.

Qin Xin didn't bother her this time. She quietly left and went to Xiao Qingxi's courtyard to listen for any noise.

Inside the room, Xiao Qingyuan and Liu Nanshi were having a very pleasant conversation.

The two talked about everything from poetry and songs to the vicissitudes of life, and then from stars and the moon to antiques and calligraphy.

Their shared noble birth, luxurious lifestyle, and aloofness that disregarded money made them quickly regard each other as kindred spirits.

"I only learned today that the young master is quick-witted and insightful. There are only rumors that Gu Qianhan is a genius, but I have never heard of the young master's talent. If you ask me, the young master is really too low-key and reserved. Otherwise, the young master would definitely be famous throughout the world."

"Not at all, Miss Liu, you flatter me. I only have a rudimentary understanding of poetry and literature. On the contrary, Miss Liu is even more intelligent than rumored. You are exceptionally talented, have a heart for the world, are not bound by petty love affairs, have lofty aspirations, and a broad mind. You are truly a model for women!"

"Your Highness's praise makes me blush. Although I have some knowledge of poetry and literature, I am far inferior to Your Highness. If I ever encounter any books that I cannot understand, may I ask Your Highness for help? I hope Your Highness will be generous in teaching me."

"I dare not presume to offer my guidance, but if there is anything you do not understand, we can discuss it together and pool our wisdom."