Mei Yun didn't mince words and spoke frankly: "There's no need to thank me. I'm helping the Crown Prince, not you. Madam Zheng, you should be able to guess the purpose of my visit today. I long to marry and stay by the Crown Prince's side."
Gu Qinlan stared at her intently, asking seriously, "Are your feelings for Zheng Dinglian really so deep that you're willing to be his concubine for life? Even if your children can't have you as their mother, your status will always be lower than my children's, you'll lose your freedom, be confined to the inner courtyard for life, and you might even be subject to my arbitrary beatings or being sold?"
Mei Yun nodded firmly: "Yes, I am willing to accept. From the moment he saved me from danger, I made up my mind to stay with him for life, and I am willing to pay any price for him."
She once disguised herself as a man to treat wounded soldiers in the army. She was nearly killed by enemy soldiers, but Zheng Dinglian saved her. Her brother learned of her feelings, so before he died, he entrusted her to Zheng Dinglian to fulfill his last wish.
Gu Qinlan kindly advised, "I find it hard to understand your feelings. Although the debt of saving a life is of utmost importance, it is not necessary to repay it with one's body. Besides, you can see that his feelings for you are not deep."
Meiyun firmly retorted, "I don't care. I just want to stay by his side legitimately. Perhaps in your eyes, this is degrading myself, but 'you are not a fish, how can you know the fish's joy?'"
As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly knelt down: "Madam Zheng, please help me. I promise that I will behave myself from now on and will never compete with you. I only wish to stay by his side. Please grant my request."
Seeing her persistence, Gu Qinlan could only agree: "Since you are so determined, then I will grant your wish."
Mei Yun froze for a moment, almost unable to believe her ears: "You...you really agreed?"
Upon realizing this, she was overjoyed and immediately wanted to kowtow to Gu Qinlan to express her gratitude.
Gu Qinlan waved her hand to stop her jubilation: "Don't celebrate too soon. Although I won't stand in your way, whether you can cross this threshold still requires the Crown Prince's personal approval. So..."
She immediately turned to face Fuyu, whose face was burning with anger, and said firmly, "Go and invite the Crown Prince over."
Meiyun quickly interjected, "Isn't it unnecessary for the young master to come in person? Madam, taking a concubine has always been the wife's duty. As long as you agree, the young master will naturally grant it."
Gu Qinlan smiled slightly: "I've already said I won't set obstacles, that's all. Whether you get what you want has never been up to me, do you understand?"
Fuyu sneered, her tone sarcastic: "Shameless thing, I'll teach you a lesson today. Otherwise, you'll always think it's my county princess who's preventing you from getting into bed!"
Gu Qinlan stopped her roar in time.
Fuyu left with a resentful expression and went to invite the Crown Prince.
Gu Qinlan did not let Meiyun get up, but instead continued to read the book in her hands.
Sunlight streamed through the window paper, bathing her in a gentle light and shadow, making her appear even more calm and composed, seemingly indifferent to her husband's taking a concubine.
Mei Yun was puzzled and couldn't help but ask, "You... really don't care?"
Gu Qinlan didn't even look up, smiled calmly, and replied, "What's there to care about?"
Meiyun hesitated for a moment, then said, "If the Crown Prince agrees to my request..."
Gu Qinlan turned a page of her book and said calmly, "What impact would that have on me? I have never depended on him for my life. I have a generous dowry, capable assistants, and independent abilities. Whether he is by my side or not, I can live a good life. If he keeps his promise, I will spend my time with him in peace. If he breaks his promise, it will not be a loss to me. I can continue to be the mistress of the Zheng family, or I can openly propose a divorce and live a free and unrestrained life. My destiny and future are always in my own hands."
These words shocked Mei Yun: "How can you, as a woman, have such unique ideas?"
Gu Qinlan smiled calmly, her gaze gentle: "So what if we're women? Can't we take control of our own lives? Do we have to depend on men to survive?"
She put down her book and spoke earnestly and patiently: "I was born into a merchant family and lost my mother at a young age. I suffered abuse from my mother-in-law and neglect from my father. At that time, I understood that in this world, only those who help themselves can become strong."
“On the day I married into the Duan Prince’s mansion, Zheng Dinglian went to war, leaving me to clean up the mess in the Duan Prince’s mansion. With my wisdom and skill, I managed everything in an orderly manner and won the respect of everyone.”
“When the refugees were besieging us, I also used my own strength to protect the safety of more than two hundred people in the whole mansion. Although Zheng Dinglian’s men also contributed, I believe that even without him, I could have protected these people.”
"As a fellow woman, I'll give you some advice: never entrust your fate to others. People's hearts are fickle, and emotions are fragile. The only person you can completely trust in this world is yourself."
"You possess superb medical skills, and with your talent, you are perfectly capable of living a life no less comfortable than a man. To imprison yourself in a secluded mansion for the sake of so-called love, and to bear the risk of being neglected and abandoned at any time, is, in my opinion, utterly foolish."
"Of course, this is just my personal opinion, and it may not be suitable for you. It is your freedom to choose your lifestyle, and I have no intention of interfering. If Zheng Dinglian agrees to take you as a concubine, what I can promise is that I will not bully you as the principal wife, provided that you abide by the rules and are willing to live an honest and law-abiding life."
After speaking, she picked up the book again and continued to immerse herself in her own world, her expression still calm and serene, as if all the disturbances had nothing to do with her.
Mei Yun knelt resolutely on the ground, her eyes burning with an indomitable flame: "The reason you can say these words is because you don't love the Crown Prince at all!"
Gu Qinlan nodded calmly, her tone resolute and confident: "I have always loved myself the most. Even my husband, or even my future children, cannot surpass my deep love for myself."
Mei Yun was so shocked that she couldn't put into words; she couldn't understand Gu Qinlan's way of thinking.
In her mind, shouldn't women all regard their husbands as their heaven? Yet, Gu Qinlan could say such a thing, which was considered outrageous, with such composure!
She was about to accuse Gu Qinlan when Zheng Dinglian strode in.
Upon seeing her kneeling there, Zheng Dinglian's face immediately turned frosty. "Miss Mei, why are you doing this?"
Mei Yun cast a pleading look at Gu Qinlan, hoping she would speak up to help her out of the predicament.
But Gu Qinlan clearly had no intention of interfering. She closed the book in her hand, rested her arm on the table, propped her chin up, and showed a leisurely, detached expression on her face.
Mei Yun was unwilling to show weakness in front of her, so she mustered her courage and said, "Your Highness, I have fallen in love with you and long to spend my life with you. My wife has already agreed, so I beg Your Highness to lend a helping hand."
As she finished speaking, a blush rose on her cheeks, and her eyes were filled with deep affection for Zheng Dinglian.
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