Chapter 158 When the young master returns and sees this, he will feel heartache.
Li Huiyan glanced down at the tea in her cup and immediately recognized it as Imperial Longjing, almost letting her emotions slip.
Shen Qingnian had seen Li Huiyan's expression just now, and noticed that her face changed slightly as she stared at the tea.
She glanced at it and took another sip.
This was completely different from the Maojian tea she usually drank.
After all, it was tea served at a banquet, so it's no wonder Li Huiyan had that expression.
They probably felt that as a concubine, she was not worthy of drinking such exquisite tea.
Li Huiyan put down her cup, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, and looked at Shen Qingnian with a faint smile.
"Why did you need my help that day, sister?" Li Huiyan said, her smile unchanged.
"I see that everything in this courtyard is of the highest quality, which shows that the young master treats his sister very well."
Upon hearing this, and seeing the meaningful look in Li Huiyan's eyes, Shen Qingnian understood what was going on.
She frowned slightly, a hint of embarrassment in her eyes: "I was rash and presumptuous with Miss Li that day."
"I thought the prince only liked my appearance, but I never expected that he was truly sincere towards me."
Li Huiyan covered her face and smiled: "No wonder my sister was trying to match me up with the prince back then."
Li Huiyan's words were laced with veiled hostility, and even Hongyu could sense it.
Although Li Xiaoniangzi had a smile on her face, every word she said was a reproach to her aunt.
Shen Qingnian was not annoyed. Now that she was Xie Yanzhi's aunt and had just gone through what happened yesterday, she would never make a mistake in her words or actions.
"I was confused that day. I hope Miss Li will not take offense."
Li Huiyan remained firm: "How could I blame my sister? I'm just worried that she might be hiding something. Look, her eyes are still a little swollen. Has she been crying?"
“If you’re ever wronged, little sister, you can tell me, and I’ll definitely help you.”
When she saw Shen Qingnian today, she noticed that her eyes were swollen, clearly from crying.
This person must have suffered some injustice.
If she still refuses to become Xie Yanzhi's concubine, she would be happy to help her.
“I dreamt of my mother last night and cried for a while. I hope my sister doesn’t find it funny.”
Shen Qingnian answered her so casually, without complaining or asking for help.
Li Huiyan didn't hear what she wanted to hear, and her face gradually showed some impatience.
Just as he was about to speak, Liu Momo came in.
Upon seeing Li Huiyan and Shen Qingnian, she immediately lowered her head.
These are two people she cannot afford to offend.
One is the second young lady of the General's Mansion, and the old lady's favorite granddaughter-in-law.
One was the eldest son's concubine, the apple of his eye.
She immediately bowed and said, "Miss Li, Aunt Qing, the old lady wants you to come to the Wenxin Hall to have a talk."
Shen Qingnian didn't know why the old lady wanted her to speak today.
She was punished there yesterday, and thinking about it now still makes her feel a little scared.
Li Huiyan stood up gracefully and asked with a smile, "The old lady is awake?"
She came to the Marquis of Jingnan's residence to see the old lady, but when she arrived at the Wenxin Hall, the servants said that the old lady was resting.
Hearing that the old lady was still resting, she didn't want to disturb her.
But actually, she didn't want to wait any longer. She had come specifically for Xie Yanzhi, and she couldn't waste time in Wenxin Hall. So she told Liu Momo and brought her maid to Guanlan Residence to find Xie Yanzhi.
Unexpectedly, Xie Yanzhi was not seen.
She turned around and looked at Shen Qingnian, who was still sitting in the chair. Seeing that her face was a little pale, she urged, "Qingnian, let's go over quickly."
"It's not good to keep the elders waiting."
Upon hearing Li Huiyan's words, Liu Momo thought to herself that this young lady Li was quite formidable; with just one sentence, she had pinned the blame on Aunt Qing for disrespecting her elders.
Hongyu felt equally uncomfortable upon hearing this.
She felt even more that this Miss Li was treating her like the mistress of the Marquis's mansion, making the concubine seem like an uncouth outsider.
Seeing that Liu Momo and Li Huiyan were both looking at her, Shen Qingnian stood up. What was meant to happen could not be avoided.
She can't keep hiding in Yuheng Residence and never see anyone, can she?
“What Lady Li says is true. Liu Momo, let’s go.”
Li Huiyan went out first, and Shen Qingnian followed.
As Shen Qingnian walked, she saw Li Huiyan suddenly stop and turn around to look at her, clearly waiting for her.
Shen Qingnian lifted her skirt and walked up.
Seeing that Shen Qingnian had followed, Li Huiyan started walking again.
From Yuheng Residence to Wenxin Hall, she walked side by side with Shen Qingnian the whole way.
They would occasionally admire the flowers and plants with smiles on their faces, and the two looked like close girlfriends.
As Shen Qingnian was about to step onto the threshold of the Wenxin Hall, Li Huiyan suddenly turned around, took Shen Qingnian's hand, and said gently, "Qingnian, be careful."
To onlookers, this action appeared magnanimous, composed, and appropriate.
Shen Qingnian was somewhat flattered. She glanced at Li Huiyan; it seemed this young lady Li was going to...
The old lady, sitting at the head of the table, paused for a moment upon seeing this scene, her fingers, which were holding prayer beads, trembled slightly, and she felt very gratified.
Li Xiaoniangzi knew that Shen Qingnian was Yan Ge'er's concubine, but she not only did not resent Shen Qingnian for taking Yan Ge'er away, but was also so generous and considerate towards Shen Qingnian.
Indeed, she was dignified and generous, very suitable to be the mistress of this marquis's mansion. The more she looked at her, the more satisfied she became.
Looking at Shen Qingnian again, he found her even more displeasing.
"Madam."
"Madam."
Li Huiyan and Shen Qingnian both curtsied.
The old lady smiled and said, "Please sit down, please sit down."
Of course, this was said to Li Huiyan.
Upon hearing that Li Huiyan had gone to Guanlan Residence, she specially asked someone to summon Shen Qingnian as well.
Firstly, she wanted to see how Li Huiyan would react when she saw Shen Qingnian.
Secondly, it was also a deliberate attempt to intimidate Shen Qingnian, so they simply left her hanging.
I heard from Madam Xue that yesterday, Yan Ge'er was willing to disobey his own mother in order to protect her.
She actually managed to drive Yan Ge'er to such madness; keeping her around will only cause him more trouble.
Shen Qingnian had anticipated that this trip would not be easy. She kept her head down, her face showing no sign of anything unusual, and stood there obediently.
Li Huiyan had already sat down, but seeing that Shen Qingnian was still standing, she got up and went over to her, gently taking Shen Qingnian's hand and pulling her towards her chair: "Qingnian, come and sit down too."
Then she said to the old lady, "Old lady, Qingnian is now also a member of the young master's household. If she gets hurt standing up, the young master will be heartbroken when he sees it."
Shen Qingnian was somewhat surprised, not expecting Li Huiyan to speak up for her.
However, there's something off about what he said.
This only intensified her suspicions.
Upon hearing Li Huiyan's words, the old lady's kind face instantly darkened.
Li Xiaoniangzi is right. Yan Ge'er is so fond of her, he can't bear to see her being treated coldly.
They might feel resentful towards her as their grandmother.
Oh, what a menace!
Seeing that Shen Qingnian still refused to sit down, she said in a deep voice, "Since Miss Li is asking you to sit, why are you still being so coy!"
Hongyu was startled. It was clearly the old lady who wouldn't let her aunt sit down, but now she was blaming her aunt for being coy!
Li Xiaoniangzi isn't the mistress of this household. Does she think that just because she tells the concubine to sit, the concubine can sit? It's really quite ridiculous!
However, judging from that situation, could it be that the old lady intends for this Miss Li to become the heir's principal wife?
Hongyu was frightened by her own conjecture.
This young lady Li is no simple character. She keeps defending her aunt in her words, yet she can easily push her aunt into a pit.
If she were to become the mistress of the house, the concubine's future would likely be...
She couldn't help but glance at Shen Qingnian.
Shen Qingnian remained calm, bowed respectfully, and then sat down next to Li Huiyan.
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