A month later, Prince An and his entourage dealt with the flood in Jiangnan and escorted the officials involved back to Beijing. As for officials with greater powers such as the Jiangnan Patrol, Prince An had obtained evidence of all those who participated in the construction of the dike or executed the victims as mobs. Patrol Chen had no idea where the evidence came from, but he could only respond silently when he saw the clear evidence.

After this incident, most of the officials in Jiangnan had to be replaced. Although the court was uneasy because of the turmoil in Jiangnan, the emperor was in a good mood. There were many aristocratic families in Jiangnan, and the relationships were complicated. This purge would disrupt the situation and severely damage the forces behind them. At least they would be safe and stable for three to five years. The emperor took the opportunity to transfer the ministers who were truly loyal to him to important positions in Jiangnan. This was the only thing that made him happy since the incident in Jiangnan.

Xiao Yunrou learned that Prince An and his entourage were about to return to the capital, and Pei Lingfeng would naturally follow them back. She was in a very good mood when she got the news, and even had a happy smile on her face when she entered the Shen's courtyard.

But when she lifted the curtain and entered the inner room, and saw Shen Qingqing making Shen smile happily, her smile faded for a moment, but in an instant it was back to its perfect smile.

Seeing Xiao Yunrou, Shen was in a good mood and smiled, which was rare for her. At the same time, Shen Qingqing's smile became even brighter.

"I haven't seen you for a while. My cousin's wife looks even more radiant than ever."

Xiao Yunrou was wearing a long dress made of valuable silk from the heavenly canopy. The golden chrysanthemums were dotted with sparkling pearls. On her bun she wore a glazed jade hairpin inlaid with large and precious oriental pearls. The delicate oriental pearl earrings and the jade hairpin complemented each other, making her look particularly noble and elegant.

Seeing Xiao Yunrou like this, Shen Qingqing's eyes turned red with jealousy. She had never worn such expensive clothes and jewelry in her life. Even though she was pregnant with the eldest grandson of the Zhong family, her status was only slightly better than that of a concubine. The clothes she was wearing were brought back from the last visit to the Marquis' Mansion. The huge difference between the two, coupled with her relentless hatred for Xiao Yunyan, made her tone even more sarcastic.

"My cousin is not bad. I'm sure Mrs. Zhong will be very happy if she is pregnant with the eldest grandson of the Zhong family. Who knows, she might make her the legal heir when she gives birth to a son?"

"By the way, mother, I have received news that the Crown Prince will be back in Beijing in about five days. I heard that the Crown Prince did a good job this time and will bring honor to our mansion. I am happy when I think of this. I am thinking that when the Crown Prince comes back, we should hold a family dinner to welcome him."

Shen Qingqing wanted to use Xiao Yunrou's appearance to make a point, but Xiao Yunrou made her speechless, and her face was full of gloom. Her husband might have gone a step further, and it was normal for her, a wife, to be happy and radiant, but Shen Qingqing, a concubine, was pregnant and still went out from time to time, fearing that others would not know about her.

Xiao Yunrou knew that the Shen family was very profit-oriented and would never do a business at a loss. Since Shen Qingqing was pregnant, she must have been recognized by the Zhong family. It was no wonder that they had a relationship with the Zhong family. They wished they didn't have this niece before, but now they are as close as mother and daughter. It was ironic to see. As for the promotion, how could the Zhong family want a useless mistress?

Xiao Yunrou smiled indifferently, but Shen Qingqing was particularly offended. Shen Qingqing had never thought that her cousin-in-law, who used to be so kind, could be so rude. It was really hateful that she belittled him openly and secretly.

"You're right. When Feng'er comes back, we'll hold a small party and invite Second Uncle and his family over as well."

Shen was beaming with joy, it was rare for her to find Xiao Yunrou so pleasing to her eyes.

"No one in the capital has dared to put up lanterns and decorations in the past few months. Yesterday, the palace held a birthday banquet for Concubine Chu, so we can also have some fun."

Xiao Yunrou nodded in agreement, and a gleam of light flashed in her eyes when she thought of Concubine Wan in the palace. When she entered the palace during the Mid-Autumn Festival, Concubine Wan had already been released from house arrest. The pampered concubine who was so proud of herself in her previous life could only force a smile now, and the person accompanying the emperor was no longer her. Thinking of the day when she saw the empress's infinite glory, Xiao Yunrou felt refreshed. As long as the Zhong family was unhappy, she would be happy.

Looking at Shen Qingqing again, Xiao Yunrou lowered her eyelids. In her eyes, Shen Qingqing was not threatening at all. Although her situation in the Zhong family was different from that in her previous life, was there anything she could do?

Xiao Yunrou recalled carefully that Zhong Hao's wife in the previous life was not from the capital, but the only daughter of the Shaanxi General. The Shaanxi General had four sons and was not very fond of his daughter. Although no one knew why he married his beloved daughter away, the marriage between the two families did allow the Zhong family to establish considerable influence in the army.

Looking at Shen Qingqing again, Xiao Yunrou felt less impatient. Maybe she could help Shen Qingqing become the young lady of the Zhong family? At least, the Zhong family could no longer marry the general of Shaanxi.

"The Double Ninth Festival is just a few days away, and the prince will be back on that day, so why not set the date on that day? It won't be a big deal."

Although the Jiangnan flood issue is almost over, we are just waiting for the emperor to issue an order to punish those corrupt officials. It is better to keep a low profile at this moment. The Double Ninth Festival is a good day for this.

"Okay, you can do it."

Shen had a rare conversation with Xiao Yunrou in high spirits, and she also wanted Xiao Yunrou to help Shen Qingqing correct herself. From Shen's point of view, having Shen Qingqing as the head wife and the eldest son of the Zhong family would be of great benefit to both Pei and Shen. She didn't want to know whether Shen Qingqing, the daughter of a petty official, could take the position of young lady of the Zhong family.

After Shen had rested, Xiao Yunrou and Shen Qingqing left. After leaving Zhining Garden, Xiao Yunrou was about to go back to her room. Shen Qingqing followed her quickly, holding her waist and calling out, "Cousin's wife."

Xiao Yunrou raised her eyebrows as she looked at Shen Qingqing's slightly protruding belly, then took a few steps back and moved away from her before standing under the tree.

"My cousin, you have to walk carefully when you are pregnant. It will be ugly if you bump into something. After all, this child is my hope, so I have to take good care of him."

Shen Qingqing frowned slightly as she looked at Xiao Yunrou who was deliberately keeping a distance from her. Then she looked a little unhappy when she heard these words.

"I also know that I can only rely on this child now. I don't know what I will become after the child is born. My cousin's wife doesn't know. If she hadn't discovered that I was pregnant with this child, I'm afraid I would have died at the hands of that devil by now."

Shen Qingqing spoke seriously, her eyes were red and tears were welling up in them.

"What are you talking about, cousin? Master Zhong has no legal wife, and I'm pregnant. Since Madam Zhong didn't let you have the child, it means they value you. After you give birth to the child, you can at least be made a concubine. If you can please Master Zhong, it's possible that he can make you his legal wife. Why are you so sad, cousin?"

Xiao Yunrou sneered at the Zhong family's behavior. It was really shameful for the legitimate wife to have a child before she got married. If the child was really born, it would definitely become a joke among the wealthy families in Beijing. Shen Qingqing would go out to visit guests with her baby on her belly from time to time, and she didn't think about what people would say. It was no wonder that the Zhong family raised a rebellious prince.

"Cousin..." Shen Qingqing felt bitter in her mouth and her face became more and more sad.

"The Madam has been seen by the Young Master again. When the child is born, where will there be any place for me? I secretly heard that the Madam is going to leave the child behind. Cousin, please help me. Even if we can't be together, I always want to see the child grow up safely. What does it matter if I am the legal wife or not?"

Shen Qingqing's words were full of emotion. If someone didn't know the truth, they might just believe it. Xiao Yunrou still believed that it was possible to kill the mother and keep the son. As for the rest, Xiao Yunrou just smiled disdainfully, without showing any emotion on her face.

"Is that true? Have you told mother? Mother loves you so much, as long as she talks to Mrs. Zhong, she will definitely not let anything happen to you."

Shen Qingqing's eyes darkened and she shook her head:

"My aunt was furious because of my affairs, so I dare not let her run around for me. In the final analysis, it was all my fault because I was bewildered that day."

Shen Qingqing still felt a little guilty when talking about this. After all, the person who was supposed to design it that day was Xiao Yunyan, but in the end, someone else was replaced by someone else due to some strange coincidences, and he became the lowest-ranking person.

Shen Qingqing clenched her fists, lowered her head, and tried hard to suppress the resentment and resentment in her heart, thus missing the fleeting sarcasm and disgust from Xiao Yunrou.

"Mother loves you the most, how could she hold a grudge overnight? No matter how angry she is, it will fade after such a long time. If you can't bring yourself to speak up, I can only agree to you. Try to feel out Mother's attitude in the next few days. Mother is much more useful than me if she speaks up."

Shen Qingqing couldn't figure out what Xiao Yunrou's smile was so sincere after a long while. Moreover, she couldn't ask Xiao Yunrou to help her get married. She could only say goodbye and leave, thinking of coming back in a few days.

As soon as Shen Qingqing left, Xiao Yunrou's face turned cold. After returning to Derou Garden, she gave instructions for the Chongyang family dinner before sending Lvyi over.

"Go find someone to spread the news of Shen Qingqing's pregnancy to the whole capital, and don't let anyone find out about it."

If she wanted to make the Zhong family's marriage fail, she had to raise Shen Qingqing and her child. Anyone who loved his daughter would not let the daughter he had raised for more than ten years marry her. Mrs. Zhong wanted to meet, so she didn't believe she couldn't stop it.

Thinking about the young lady of the Zhong family in her previous life, she remembered that she was a woman with a fiery temper. Xiao Yunrou thought for a moment and then instructed:

"Go find the guards that my eldest brother gave me and ask them to check if there are any people from northern Shaanxi entering the capital recently. If so, report back immediately."

Although Lv Yi didn't understand why her master wanted to find someone from Shaanxi, she agreed without asking any questions. Xiao Yunrou looked at the woman's bun tied up by Hongzhuang and smiled:

"I won't keep you for dinner. Go home quickly. That way your wife won't come to the mansion to look for me."

Luyi blushed. Although she had been married for more than a month and no longer had to serve in the Marquis's mansion, she still felt embarrassed to be teased like this. She could only quickly leave the house under the teasing gazes of Qingci and others.

Author has something to say: Pei Da Shizi: Am I still the male lead? ? Where is my role? ? ?

An author who forgot about the male protagonist: Oh⊙?⊙!