Qin Wenyuan listened to his mother's words, but he became more and more confused. He looked at Old Madam Qin and frowned, "Mother, I think this matter should be investigated thoroughly. We can't deny Ling Meng just based on Sheng Yunrong's one-sided statement."

After hearing this, Madam Qin's face darkened and she said, "Wenyuan, are you questioning me?"

Just then, Xiang Zhu came in with a dish covered with lush green lotus leaves, which gave off a faint fragrance.

She placed the dish on the table and said softly, "Master, old lady, this is the 'Cuckoo Occupying the Magpie's Nest' sent by Madam."

Qin Wenyuan's eyes fixed, and when he saw the dish, his face suddenly turned ashen.

His eyes widened, anger burning in them, as if he wanted to devour the dish. He stood up suddenly, overturned the table, and the dishes fell all over the floor, with the soup splashing everywhere.

"Sheng Yunrong, you are so brave!" Qin Wenyuan shouted angrily, his voice full of suppressed anger.

Madam Qin looked calm. She looked at her son with a hint of helplessness in her eyes. She said slowly, "Wenyuan, please sit down first and let me explain slowly."

Qin Wenyuan sat down angrily, but his anger had not yet subsided. Xiang Zhu saw this and hurriedly picked up a broom to clean up the mess on the ground.

"Wenyuan, do you know why Sheng Yunrong sent this dish?" asked Old Lady Qin.

Qin Wenyuan snorted coldly: "She is clearly mocking Ling Meng, saying that Yunrong's position as the principal wife is unstable and has been usurped by an outsider like her!"

Madam Qin shook her head and sighed: "In fact, Sheng Yunrong sent this dish to remind us that Ling Meng has been missing for many years, and her position has long been replaced by Sheng Yunrong. And she did this for your own good."

"For my own good?" Qin Wenyuan widened his eyes and looked at his mother in confusion.

Madam Qin nodded and said, "Yes, Wenyuan, Lingmeng has been missing for many years and her life or death is unknown. You are always thinking about her, which makes you hesitant about marriage. Sheng Yunrong wants you to let go of the past, face reality, and cherish the happiness in front of you."

Qin Wenyuan was silent for a moment, with many conflicts in his heart.

"Mother, I understand." Qin Wenyuan said slowly, with a hint of determination in his eyes, "I will let go of the past and cherish the happiness in front of me. But Sheng Yunrong's actions are really too much."

Madam Qin smiled and patted her son's hand: "Wenyuan, I know the pain in your heart. But you must remember that there will always be many disappointments in life, and we must learn to face and accept them. Although Sheng Yunrong's actions make you unhappy, they are also for your own good. You must learn to be tolerant and give her a chance."

Qin Wenyuan nodded silently, and the anger in his heart gradually subsided. Seeing this, Xiang Zhu quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Xiang Zhu rushed back to Sheng Yunrong's inner room, panting and kneeling on the ground, with beads of sweat oozing from his forehead. Sheng Yunrong was sitting on an exquisitely carved wooden chair, wiping her forehead gently with a silk handkerchief in her hand. When she saw Xiang Zhu coming back, she frowned slightly.

Sheng Yunrong gently rebuked, "Xiang Zhu, what are you doing? Running so fast is not decent."

Xiang Zhu took a breath for a moment, straightened his clothes, and whispered, "Madam, Xiang Zhu has something important to report."

Sheng Yunrong nodded slightly, motioning Xiang Zhu to stand up and talk. Xiang Zhu stood up and stood respectfully in front of Sheng Yunrong.

"Madam, the old lady didn't blame you at all. Instead, she lectured me. I seemed a little unconvinced, but the old lady's eyes were firm, so I didn't dare to say anything."

Sheng Yunrong smiled slightly, with a hint of satisfaction in her eyes: "The old lady is indeed very righteous and knows how to weigh the pros and cons. So, have you found the lost sachet?"

Xiang Zhu shook his head: "Not yet found, ma'am. I have sent servants to search everywhere, but no clues have been found so far."

Sheng Yunrong's face darkened slightly, but she quickly regained her composure: "It's okay. Since the sachet was lost, there must be a reason. Xiang Zhu, if someone finds the sachet, you must bring him to me."

Xiang Zhu nodded: "Yes, ma'am. I will follow your orders."

At this moment, Sheng Yunrong's eyes flashed with a sharpness, and she slowly said: "In this Qin Mansion, undercurrents are surging, and people's hearts are hard to predict. Xiang Zhu, you are my most trusted maid, I want you to pay more attention to the affairs of the mansion, especially those who have ulterior motives."

Xiang Zhu nodded seriously: "Madam, don't worry, Xiang Zhu will definitely be more careful."

Sheng Yunrong said again: "You go down and ask someone to bring some tea. I want to be quiet for a while."

Xiang Zhu retreated in response, and when she turned around, she secretly glanced at Sheng Yunrong. Sheng Yunrong's expression became solemn, and the lady must have a deeper plan in her mind.

…

At dawn the next day, the morning glow illuminated the Jinghong Garden of the Qin Mansion, creating a scene of tranquility and harmony.

Sheng Yunrong gently woke up Qin Moyuan who was sleeping soundly on the bed and said with a smile: "Yuan'er, it's time to get up. We are going to the temple to pray for blessings today. Don't be late."

Qin Moyuan rubbed his sleepy eyes, and when he saw Sheng Yunrong's gentle smile, a warm feeling surged in his heart. He hurriedly said, "Mother, I'll get up right away."

After breakfast, the two set off with their entourage.

Along the way, Qin Moyuan secretly observed Sheng Yunrong. She was wearing a lavender silk dress with an emerald green cape on the outside. She walked lightly and gracefully. Qin Moyuan couldn't help but sigh that his mother was as beautiful as a person in a painting.

When they reached the foot of the mountain, Sheng Yunrong said to Qin Moyuan, "Yuan'er, let's walk up the mountain. On the one hand, we can exercise our bodies, and on the other hand, we can enjoy the mountain scenery in early autumn."

Qin Moyuan nodded in agreement, and the two began to climb. The air in the mountains was fresh and cool, refreshing. Along the way, Sheng Yunrong and Qin Moyuan chatted about family matters.

Sheng Yunrong asked, "Yuan'er, do you think this trip is enjoyable?"

Qin Moyuan smiled and replied: "Mother, I am very happy to go out with you. This is the first time I go out with you. I cherish this opportunity very much."

Sheng Yunrong showed a relieved smile on her face and said, "Yuan'er, do you know? Since you came to the Qin Mansion, I have treated you as my own child. Although there is no blood relationship between us, my love for you is no less than that for your biological mother."

Qin Moyuan's heart warmed up, and his eyes couldn't help but moisten. He held Sheng Yunrong's hand tightly and said, "Mother, I know, and I am very grateful for your love and care for me. I will work hard to become a promising person and make you proud of me."

As they were talking, they unknowingly arrived in front of the temple.

Sheng Yunrong suddenly heard someone calling her, she immediately stopped and looked back.

A woman dressed in gorgeous silk came slowly. She walked briskly, with a proud and arrogant expression on her face. Sheng Yunrong immediately recognized that she was Jiang Xiangxiang, the wife of the cloth merchant who supplied cloth for the royal family.

Sheng Yunrong smiled slightly, looking relaxed. She came from the richest family in Luling, had rich business experience, and had already established a firm foothold in the capital.

Although she had many enemies, she never took people like Jiang Xiangxiang seriously.

"It's Sister Jiang. What a rare guest." Sheng Yunrong's voice was soft, but with a hint of subtle sarcasm.