"Yun Que, I heard that the Crown Prince didn't go to your room last night?"

Lady Hou had her eyes closed, and the young girl behind her was massaging her shoulders with careful movements. Upon hearing this, she paused, biting her lip timidly, "Reporting to the old lady, the young master has been staying in the study these past few days. This servant... this servant..."

"Never mind, it wasn't your fault anyway." Lady Hou opened her eyes, unsure whether to feel relieved or disappointed.

It's a good thing that my son isn't obsessed with women.

But if Yun Que cannot get close to her son for a long time, wouldn't all her efforts be in vain, and she would only become a laughing stock for that little hussy Shen!

Lady Hou's eyes suddenly darkened. She had no choice but to resort to this tactic. Since the mistaken marriage, their Hou family had become a laughing stock. She was willing to find another wife for the heir, but which noble family of high status would be willing to push their daughter into a fire pit?

In the end, the Marquis's mansion is now just a name, and only Chi Jingyu himself has worked hard and carved out a future for himself.

There were indeed some people of low birth who tried to climb the social ladder, but Lady Hou was proud and arrogant and looked down on them.

In her opinion, her son is capable of marrying a princess!

However, the prince consort could not enter officialdom and had no real power, so she didn't even think much of the princess!

For now, we can only awkwardly drag this out, waiting for everyone to forget about it before bringing it up again.

Her heart was in turmoil when the old nanny whispered, "Madam, Concubine Shen has arrived."

Lady Hou caught sight of the figure in the courtyard and a cold smile curled her lips: "I didn't bother her, but she delivered herself right to my doorstep!"

As Shen Xiwei entered the room, she immediately spotted Yun Que beside the Lady of the Marquis. Yun Que stood there, delicate and timid, with a unique charm.

Shen Xiwei clenched her fists tightly in her sleeves and unconsciously bit her teeth.

Lady Hou was also cruel, finding a substitute who looked almost exactly like Shen Xiwei. The substitute's charming and delicate demeanor was even better than Shen Xiwei's!

Pregnancy is already a sensitive and thoughtful time, and with the changes in her appearance and physique, Shen Xiwei felt even more threatened. Now, with such a powerful opponent on the horizon, how could she possibly be happy?

"Oh, what wind has blown our Aunt Chen here? Didn't I say you weren't required to come and pay your respects? Why aren't you staying in your room? Why have you come here instead?" The Lady of the Marquis raised her eyes slightly, her expression haughty and condescending.

Shen Xiwei, her belly slightly protruding, curtsied and forced a smile: "As a concubine, it is only right for me to pay my respects to the Lady of the Marquis."

Lady Hou curled her lips in disdain: "So you do know you're just a concubine?"

Shen Xiwei was losing face. She had already humbled herself so much, but the other party was still relentless!

"Give Aunt Shen a seat, otherwise if anything goes wrong, you'll blame me!" Madam Hou scoffed and left Shen Xiwei standing aside.

"Yun Que." Lady Hou held her hand, pulled her in front of her, and looked at her with a smile. The latter was flattered and surprised.

"What are your orders, Madam?"

Lady Hou gave her a reproachful look: "Look how nervous you are, girl. I trust you to serve the young master because you are clever and well-behaved!"

As she spoke, she took off the bracelet from her wrist and put it on Yun Que.

The latter quickly shook her head, trembling with fear as she tried to withdraw her hand: "Madam, you mustn't do this, this servant cannot accept it!"

Shen Xiwei's pupils also contracted, and she stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

For a lady of the Marquis to condescend to bestow her own possessions upon a maidservant is an absolute honor!

More importantly, she got nothing on her wedding day. The Lady of the Marquis's actions were clearly a slap in the face to her, and an open declaration that she was not even as good as a concubine!

Lady Hou glanced at Shen Xiwei's slightly ashen face, and the slight annoyance in her heart subsided considerably. Her smile widened, and she feigned a scolding: "If I give it to you, then take it. I say you are worthy of it. Does anyone else dare to say anything?"