Xia Zhiyu, standing in front of them, once again took Hao Ren's arm and smiled brightly, "My dear husband, since your student has brought his mother to stay at our house, we should naturally offer them a warm welcome. Now that I am in charge of all the affairs of the harem, I will personally arrange their accommodation."
Faced with Xia Zhiyu's proposal, Hao Ren could only nod in agreement helplessly.
Liao's eyes were fixed on Xia Zhiyu's smooth, delicate face, which looked much younger than hers, and she was filled with wonder and confusion. Of course, she recognized Xia Zhiyu, but how could the pockmarks on her face disappear? How could she have become so beautiful?
Especially when she saw Xia Zhiyu openly showing off his power in front of her as he was now in control of the affairs of the Duke's Mansion, Liao gritted her teeth in her heart and cast a resentful look at Hao Ren.
She went to great lengths to deal with Jiang Shu, not just to let Xia Zhiyu reap the benefits!
Hao Ren looked away with some guilt.
Liao Lingxi stared at Xia Zhiyu's completely new face in shock, and asked in confusion, "How could Aunt Xia have changed so much in just a few days? I almost didn't recognize you."
Xia Zhiyu gently stroked her cheek, a hint of shyness in her smile: "My husband also said so, that he thinks I have become more beautiful. In fact, all this is thanks to the generosity of the medicine given by the madam. If it weren't for the madam's magnanimity, how could I be so radiant today?"
In that difficult situation, she could only try with a glimmer of hope, but she never expected that the Yu Lu Cream given to her by Jiang Songyi was so effective and could heal the bumps and pockmarks on her face.
Jiang Shu was so generous as to allow her niece to use such precious medicine, and she was deeply surprised by her magnanimity.
However, Xia Zhiyu dared not mention the fact that she had spent 1,000 taels of silver to buy the Jade Dew Cream from Jiang Songyi. She was worried that Hao Ren would think she was extravagant, so she could only be vague and attribute the favor to Jiang Shu.
Upon hearing this, Liao couldn't help but laugh, as if she had just heard a ridiculous joke. Jiang Shu was magnanimous? If she truly was, how could she have monopolized Hao Ren for so many years? The reason she'd fallen into a situation worse than even a concubine all these years was because of Jiang Shu's tyranny and overbearing behavior.
Now, Jiang Shu is in a desperate situation, and she even has Xia Zhiyu as an obstacle, which is really annoying!
Liao Lingxi often studied with Hao Ren, and Hao Ren had already persuaded Jiang Shu to arrange a permanent residence for him in the Duke's Mansion. Therefore, Xia Zhiyu only arranged accommodation for Liao.
She settled Liao in the north wing of the mansion, which was reserved for guests.
Night falls.
Hao Ren stumbled out of Xia Zhiyu's room, recalling Liao's sorrowful eyes from the day before. After all, Liao was his cherished love, the mother of his two children. He couldn't bear to let her harbor doubts, so he quietly headed to the north wing.
Liao had long anticipated that Hao Ren would come looking for her, so she cleverly sent away the maid sent by Xia Zhiyu to serve her in advance, waiting for a private meeting with Hao Ren.
As soon as Hao Ren stepped through the door, Liao rushed forward and hugged him tightly, tears falling like pearls from a broken string. "Hao Ren, have you forgotten me?"
Hao Ren quickly raised his hand and wiped the tears from her face. "Qianqian, you are the only one in my heart. Cousin Zhiyu was strongly recommended to me by Jiang Shu and my mother. I had no choice but to take her as my concubine."
"Just wait patiently for a while. Once Jiang Shu passes away and the Yongding Marquisate declines, I can welcome you into the palace with great fanfare. Not only are you the biological mother of Ling Xi and Yu Yao, but you're also the biological mother of the Duke's son. Zhi Yu is only my cousin. How could she possibly surpass your status?"
At this moment, the sound of branches breaking suddenly came from the window.
It seems like someone is eavesdropping outside the window?
In the north wing, the two people who were hugging each other tightly froze at the same time, and their eyes shot towards the window like lightning.
Liao quickly opened the window and looked out, but found that there was no one outside.
She wanted to go out and check what was going on, but at this moment, a tabby cat suddenly jumped out from the bushes and climbed up the wall nimbly like a light ghost.
Hao Ren walked over, gently closed the window, and smiled calmly, "It's just a cat, why panic? I cleverly avoided everyone when I came here, there's no way they could discover our secret."
Liao Qianqian's originally solemn and cold expression finally relaxed. She turned to face Hao Ren, and that pitiful face appeared again, but she was sneering in her heart.
Hao Ren had once placed her in Xinghua Village, letting her raise his children there quietly. He had also made the same promise to her when he glamorously married the younger sister of the Marquis of Yongding. He said he had no choice, that he was forced.
However, she is no longer the woman who only knows love. She longs for power, status, and wealth! Becoming the wife of the Duke of Protectorate is her true goal!
Hao Ren gently held Liao Qianqian's face in his hands, trying to comfort her. "Just wait patiently for a while. I'll let you and the children return home soon."
Liao Qianqian reached out and hooked his belt, her eyes revealing deep resentment, as smooth as silk. "Hao Ren, I can't wait any longer."
Hao Ren swallowed and felt weak.
The curtains hung lightly, and the candles in the north room burned out.
The night rain beats on the banana leaves, and the spring breeze brings a hint of coolness.
Xia Zhiyu, who was leaning alone in the corner, felt cold all over his limbs and his heartbeat was like thunder.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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