Granny Li was somewhat surprised, after all, she had heard about the Duke of Chengen's family coming to annul the engagement a few days ago. She had thought the Duke would care a lot, but she didn't expect...
Shang Yunlan sensed the surprise in Li Mama's expression and smiled slightly: "Mama, you're overthinking it. My daughter is not someone else's place to complain. I want to find a husband for An'an. Her happiness is the most important thing. High-class families may seem glamorous, but life can be tough. What I want most right now is to recover my health as soon as possible and be An'an's support for the rest of my life."
Upon hearing these words, Granny Li was deeply moved—the world was tough, especially for women. Not to mention the daughters of powerful and wealthy families, even princesses of the royal family were mostly used as bargaining chips in marriage alliances. Those who genuinely loved and valued girls like the Duke could be counted on one hand.
Seeing this, Shang Yunlan pressed her advantage and dropped the bombshell: "So, even if An'an is going to keep male lovers, I don't think it's a problem, but..."
Seeing Shang Yunlan's troubled expression, Granny Li quickly said, "Don't worry, my lord, please speak."
Shang Yunlan sighed dramatically, looking quite distressed: "An'an brought back a musician with a special identity yesterday. He's ostensibly keeping a male concubine, but in reality, he's there to monitor and spy on her. But that boy is really... really a troublemaker. Starting tomorrow, I'd like to ask the nanny to take care of An'an, while also keeping an eye on that boy to prevent him from seducing her."
Li Mama smiled and said, "My lord, there's no need to worry. Since the county princess has a plan, I will keep a close eye on the musician. You can rest assured."
...
The next morning, Qiao Xiuyu wanted to go to Mingyue Tower again.
Bai Lu politely but firmly stopped him, saying, "The county princess is probably not awake yet, so it's not appropriate for you to go over there, sir."
Qiao Xiuyu looked at the already bright sky and asked in confusion, "Although it's almost spring, it still gets light late. It's probably already past Chen Shi (7-9 o'clock). How could the county princess not be up yet?"
It was practically a blatant declaration: "You scheming fellow, you wouldn't be trying to prevent me from seeing the county princess, would you?"
Bai Lu: "...This servant is not lying to you. The county princess always gets up late, around 11 o'clock. You should wait a little longer."
Qiao Xiuyu: "...?"
Late 9 AM? ? ? Why is this person so sleepy?
But then I thought about it again. The masters of this huge Zhenguo Duke's Mansion are just the two siblings, so there's no need for them to pay their respects. They can indeed sleep as late as they want.
He sighed, "Then show me around the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion."
Bai Lu had already received instructions from Shang Shaoyan that she could bring people to any place except the interior of Mingyue Tower, Shang Yunlan's Yunxiao Courtyard, and the former residence of the old Duke and Duchess, so she did not refuse.
Throughout the journey, Qiao Xiuyu observed carefully.
The exotic flowers and plants in the courtyard, the carved beams and painted rafters and the pavilions and towers all around... everything is exquisite and luxurious.
As Qiao Xiuyu passed by the martial arts training ground, she paused in her tracks: "The county princess actually knows martial arts?"
Bai Lu smiled and said, "That's right. Before the old Duke and his wife passed away, they were teaching the county princess martial arts. The Duke is in poor health, so he cannot learn martial arts. Besides, the Shang family ancestral precept says: 'Shang family daughters should not learn needlework, but should learn martial arts.' You may not know, but the first head of the Shang family was a woman. The county princess is very skilled. Three months ago, she single-handedly defeated five adult men."
Qiao Xiuyu nodded, but she didn't quite believe it.
Looking at He Yang's bright and slender appearance, he didn't think she was capable of taking on five people at once, so he didn't take this incident to heart.
As the two walked and talked, they ran into Yan Xuening when they returned to the central courtyard.
...
Yan Xuening has been so worried these past few days that she has lost her appetite and can't sleep well. She is terrified that tomorrow she will be sold by Shang Shaoyan, carried into the Qing'an Marquis's mansion in a small sedan chair, and live a miserable life from then on...
Fortunately, the letter my mother sent through someone arrived this morning, saying that she would come in a few days to personally arrange my marriage.
She was frightened by Shang Shaoyan a few days ago and dared not leave the courtyard, let alone the mansion. Today, after receiving her mother's confirmation, she felt more at ease and was finally in the mood to go out for a walk.
The maidservant who accompanied her was named Yingge, the one Shang Shaoyan had placed beside her.
Yingge followed Shang Shaoyan's orders every day to exaggerate how bad Shang Yunlan's health was, which made Yan Xuening finally give up completely.
“My mother will be here in three days, and only then will I feel a little more at ease.” Yan Xuening found a place to sit in the corridor. “That Chengen Duke’s Mansion is shameless. They actually dared to make my cousin a concubine. Don’t they even know if they are worthy of her…”
If Shang Shaoyan were present, he would definitely praise her, saying, "My cousin is becoming more and more sensible." After all, Yan Xuening's family doesn't have much power. Since she wants to ride on the coattails of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, she has to be obedient and follow the Duke's arrangements.
Yan Xuening has come to terms with things these past few days. She knows that Shang Shaoyan and she share a fate where they rise and fall together, so she has naturally become much more obedient. Besides, deep down, she is not really willing to wait for Shang Yunlan, that sickly man, to finish his mourning period.
Yingge offered a perfunctory reassurance: "Yes, the Cheng'en Duke's Mansion really has a face as big as a basin."
It was at this time that Qiao Xiuyu came into Yan Xuening's sight.
Yan Xuening had never seen such a handsome young man before—except, of course, Shang Yunlan. This young man possessed a refined and proud air, yet also exuded a gentle charm. He was handsome and tall; she wondered whose son he was.
Thinking this way, she asked the same question.
Yingge knew who this was, of course, and felt there was nothing wrong with saying it: "This is a musician whose family has fallen on hard times. The county princess kindly brought him back, wanting to have him teach her the zither."
These words were spoken tactfully, and although Yan Xuening wasn't particularly clever, she still understood the implication and naturally realized that this was Shang Shaoyan's male favorite.
Why is Shang Shaoyan keeping a gigolo?
She was somewhat unhappy, feeling that Shang Shaoyan's actions would affect her marriage. Besides, he wasn't from a powerful or wealthy family, so no matter how handsome he was, it wouldn't matter. Yan Xuening's face immediately fell.
Qiao Xiuyu, who was not far away, noticed Yan Xuening's change of expression and a question mark slowly appeared above his head.
Bai Lu, who was standing nearby, reminded him at the right moment: "That is Miss Yan, who is staying at the mansion. She is not very smart... When she came out of the courtyard, the county princess told her that the young master should not worry about her."
Qiao Xiuyu: "..."
Don't think I don't know you've been holding back your "not very smart" comment.
Qiao Xiuyu thought to himself, "He has always been unruly and loves freedom. How could he possibly listen to He Yang?"
Tell him to ignore this not-so-bright person, right?
Ha, he's determined to meet this person!
So, Bai Lu watched as Qiao Xiuyu frowned, then raised his head and walked gracefully toward Yan Xuening.
Bai Lu smiled slightly behind Qiao Xiuyu—as expected, the county princess was right. This young man's brain isn't very sharp; if you want him to go east, you have to make him go west.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
