Chapter 157 made him like it even more

The next day, Xie Yanzhi got up at the crack of dawn. He had returned to the manor early the night before and still had many things to deal with.

He gently lifted the quilt and put on his boots, but the person on the bed remained motionless, sleeping soundly.

Xie Yanzhi looked at her and recalled what she had said in his arms last night: that she would serve her husband well from now on. He thought to himself that she was a liar.

He reached out and tucked the blanket around her, then stared at her beautiful face for a moment.

It seems he still spoiled her too much.

However, he liked this look even more than his usual aloof and stubborn demeanor.

After he finished dressing and walked to the door, he glanced back at the person on the bed. Seeing that she was still asleep, he strode out.

When Shen Qingnian woke up, the outside of the bed was already cold, and there was only a faint crease on the brocade quilt, indicating that Xie Yanzhi had been gone for a long time.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door, and Hongyu came in carrying a copper basin. Seeing that she was awake, she quickly smiled and curtsied, "Auntie is awake?" Shen Qingnian propped herself up and sat up, "Why didn't you wake me up when the young master got up?"

After all, she had promised to serve him well last night in order to please him and let him rest.

If I adopt this attitude today, I'm afraid I'll upset Xie Yanzhi again.

"The eldest young master instructed that we should not disturb the concubine's rest," Hongyu said with a smile.

The eldest son was truly considerate and doting towards his concubine.

"Was the young master alright when he left?"

Shen Qingnian was afraid that Xie Yanzhi was only calm for a moment and would punish her again in different ways after he finished his shift.

Hongyu didn't know what Shen Qingnian meant by asking that question, but she thought about it for a moment.

When the eldest son left, his expression was very calm, and his demeanor was as aloof as ever, showing no difference.

"The eldest son seems to be doing well."

As she spoke, she came over to help Shen Qingnian put on her clothes, wrung out a towel, and handed it to Shen Qingnian to wipe her face.

Yu Zhu then entered carrying a food box, a smile on her face: "Auntie, breakfast is ready."

Shen Qingnian sat down and looked at the exquisite white porcelain plate and the sumptuous dishes, just like yesterday, with some doubt in her eyes.

Yu Zhu smiled and said, "Auntie, this is made according to the eldest young master's portion."

"Early this morning, the eldest young master informed us that he would be staying at Yuheng Residence for the next few days."

"So now, the food, clothing and daily necessities of our Yuheng Residence are all provided according to the eldest young master's allowance."

As Yu Zhu spoke, she couldn't suppress the smile on her lips.

Last night, the eldest son and Consort Qing reconciled as before, and even the servants' food, clothing, and other necessities were restored.

As Shen Qingnian drank the cordyceps porridge that Yu Zhu had served her, she thought to herself that there were some benefits to appeasing Xie Yanzhi.

At least it allows her to plan her future in peace.

Looking at the two girls in front of her, Shen Qingnian thought of Ling'er.

How should she arrange things for Ling'er this time so that she won't be held back by Xie Yanzhi?

After dinner, Shen Qingnian felt bored in the house, so she asked Hongyu to accompany her for a walk in the yard.

Yuheng Residence was decorated very elegantly, with several crabapple trees planted in the corner.

It is the season when the branches are full of flower buds. The tender green leaves set off the pink and white flower buds, which is a sight to behold.

She walked slowly along the cobblestone path, and faintly heard a crisp laugh coming from the courtyard gate.

Immediately afterwards, a woman dressed in a light green ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) walked over with two maids.

Even though it was just a fleeting glance, Shen Qingnian still recognized Li Huiyan.

Now that she was Xie Yanzhi's concubine, Shen Qingnian was afraid that Li Huiyan would cause trouble for her if she saw her, so she turned to leave.

"Qingnian, my sister!" Li Huiyan took a step back and called out to her from the courtyard gate.

Shen Qingnian paused, somewhat doubting whether she had misheard.

Li Huiyan calls her "sister," but given her status, it seems she doesn't deserve that title.

And her voice was so gentle, completely different from how I treated her the last time we met.

As she slowly turned around, Li Huiyan was already walking towards her with her maid.

"It's been so long since we parted at the manor. I never imagined you'd become the prince's concubine."

Hearing Li Huiyan say this, Shen Qingnian just smiled and didn't say anything.

Shen Qingnian was curious about Li Huiyan's attitude, wondering what she was up to.

Seeing that Shen Qingnian did not speak, Li Huiyan raised the thing in her hand again and said, "I thought that the young master was on leave today, so I came to return the book to him, but the servant of Guanlan Residence just said that the young master is not here."

"Sister Qingnian, is the Crown Prince in your courtyard?"

She had previously borrowed two rare books from Xie Yanzhi's study thanks to the old lady, and she had come today to return them.

He also took the opportunity to see Xie Yanzhi, but to his surprise, he was not there.

When I met the old lady just now, she also mentioned in a roundabout way that Xie Yanzhi had promoted Shen Qingnian to the status of a concubine just two days after returning.

Shen Qingnian then noticed the ancient book in her hand.

Looking at Li Huiyan's face, which seemed to have been made up, and the flowing dress she was wearing, she thought to herself, "I'm afraid returning the book is just a pretext; she probably wants to see Xie Yanzhi."

Xie Yanzhi's actions at Hongxiu Manor last time almost caused this Miss Li to lose face, yet today she still came to his door in such a hurry.

It seems that this Lady Li is truly in love with Xie Yanzhi.

Shen Qingnian shook her head: "The young master left the manor early this morning and is not in my courtyard."

The implication was that Li Huiyan should leave quickly and stop bothering her.

Li Huiyan wasn't annoyed by these words. Instead, she smiled and said, "May I come in and have a cup of tea?"

Hongyu then realized that the woman in front of her was no ordinary person; even though her aunt had given her the order to leave, she still had the audacity to ask for tea.

Shen Qingnian had absolutely no idea what Li Huiyan was planning to do.

She was very polite to me all day, maintaining the dignified demeanor of a young lady.

However, since she has said that, it wouldn't be good to rashly send her away.

Shen Qingnian nodded and stepped aside to make way: "Of course, please, Miss Li."

Li Huiyan smiled and nodded, gathering her sleeves as she walked, looking at the furnishings and decorations of Yuheng Residence.

Today, when the old lady mentioned Shen Qingnian, she was so angry that she slammed her cane on the ground several times. It is clear that she is not favored by the old lady in the household.

However, once she entered Yuheng Residence, she understood why Shen Qingnian was not favored by the old lady.

It's just that this Prince Xie dotes on Shen Qingnian too much.

The Jade Palace is adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, and the tables, chairs, and furniture inside are all made of top-quality pear wood, worth a fortune.

She glanced at the center of the room and saw a canopy bed with auspicious cloud carvings!

Such a courtyard should only be used by the grandmother, but Xie Yanzhi has given it to Shen Qingnian as a concubine!

"Please, Miss Li." Hongyu brought the brewed tea to Li Huiyan.

Li Huiyan immediately recognized the glass cup as a gift from the palace. The Emperor had received two pairs, one of which was in the palace of her sister, Consort Li.

The other couple is probably with this concubine.

Li Huiyan suppressed the strange look in her eyes and smiled as she accepted the glass cup.