Lady Liu’s face turned pale, and she stammered as she spoke.
"Master, Concubine thought that since Elder Sister and Yuan'er would likely not return for another two days, there was no rush to tidy up."
In the beginning, that was indeed what Lady Liu had planned.
She intended to let Nanny Liu stay in the countryside for a few days to properly break the spirit of those two wretches.
Once the wedding date drew near, she would have them brought back, preferably straight into the bridal sedan.
They were not to spend even a single second inside the Shen Mansion.
But who could have known that this girl knew martial arts?
She had beaten Nanny Liu and the servants, returning so quickly.
Not only had she gained no advantage, but now she had to prepare a courtyard for this wretch?
Lady Liu was so angry that she twisted the handkerchief in her hands tightly.
Gu Minglan, just you wait; once that little wretch is married off for luck and sent to her grave.
I will surely have you sliced into a thousand pieces.
Shen Shiqian could easily tell she was lying, but right now was the time he needed Lady Liu.
It would not do to expose her in public, so he could only suppress his burning rage and say coldly.
"Since that is the case, why haven't you sent people to tidy up yet? Do you expect me to do it myself?"
Lady Liu hurriedly agreed.
"Yes, yes, yes, Concubine will go arrange it right away."
Shen Qingyuan suddenly spoke up.
"Lord Shen, there is no need for trouble; I think this courtyard is quite good."
Judging by the aura, it felt like the courtyard her mother had lived in before.
However, Gu Minglan did not want to live here; this was the courtyard she had shared with Shen Shiqian after their marriage.
Back then, when she lived here, she had indeed been full of joy.
Now, seeing Shen Shiqian again, she only felt that this main courtyard was somewhat disgusting.
Once the divorce is finalized, she would have it renovated properly before returning to the main courtyard.
"Forget it, Yuan'er, let us go to Minglan Courtyard."
That was the courtyard she had lived in before she was married, and even the name was taken from her own.
It showed how much the father of Gu loved his only daughter.
Upon hearing this, Lady Liu’s heart bled.
That was the most spacious courtyard in the entire Shen Mansion, with the best scenery, aside from the main courtyard.
Currently, it was being occupied by her eldest son, Shen Wenxuan.
Although Shen Wenxuan was currently studying at the Imperial Academy, Lady Liu was unwilling to vacate it for these two wretches.
Shen Shiqian also coughed in embarrassment.
"That courtyard... it is currently occupied by Shen Wenxuan. It would be the same if you went to the Water Pavilion."
Lady Liu felt a bit displeased upon hearing this.
The Water Pavilion was a View-Watching Pavilion built by the father of Gu, with many famous flowers planted below.
The scenery there was lovely, and Lady Liu and her daughter often went to the second floor to admire the flowers and the water.
Lady Liu had originally planned to just tidy up a servant's room for the two of them.
"The Water Pavilion?"
Shen Qingyuan glanced at her mother; what kind of place was that?
Gu Minglan spoke up.
"That is merely a platform for viewing scenery. If my Yuan'er is to live somewhere, she must live in the best."
Shen Qingyuan understood and chuckled softly.
"Lord Shen, do you think that a dignified Princess Consort is only fit to live in a viewing pavilion?"
Seeing Shen Qingyuan use the title of Prince Jing to pressure him for the first time, Shen Shiqian was not annoyed.
Instead, he seemed to heave a sigh of relief.
That was right; as long as this rebellious daughter was willing to marry Prince Jing, it would be fine.
At worst, he could just swap it back to Shen Wenxuan after five days.
Shen Shiqian instructed Lady Liu.
"Move Shen Wenxuan's things to the east wing room first and vacate Minglan Courtyard."
Lady Liu was still somewhat unwilling; Shen Wenxuan was her precious heart.
Having been spoiled for so many years, Shen Wenxuan had developed quite a temper.
Even if these two wretches only stayed for a few days.
If Shen Wenxuan found out upon his return, he would surely throw a massive tantrum.
Lady Liu thought about trying to persuade him further.
"Yuan'er, you cannot say it like that. The Master is also thinking of your reputation.
Minglan Courtyard is currently occupied by Shen Wenxuan. After all, he is the Eldest Legitimate Son of the Shen Family; it would not sound good if an elder sister occupied her younger brother's room.
Although the Water Pavilion is a View-Watching Pavilion, the rooms inside are complete and furnished quite comfortably; you will certainly not be wronged."
"The Eldest Legitimate Son of the Shen Family?" Shen Qingyuan raised an eyebrow.
"Concubine Liu, if I remember correctly, my mother only gave birth to me. That so-called Shen Wenxuan must be a child of a concubine.
A concubine's son occupying the courtyard of his legitimate mother before she was married, and now that the legitimate mother has returned.
Instead of voluntarily giving it up, he expects the legitimate mother to live in a viewing pavilion? Is this the rule of the Shen Family? Is this the etiquette taught by my father?"
With every word she spoke, Shen Shiqian’s expression grew uglier.
He used to think Lady Liu was quite good, but now he felt she was somewhat lacking in class.
After all, being born to a concubine, she still lacked a sense of grandeur.
"Liu Ruyan, have my words lost their weight?"
He had already made the final decision, yet Liu Ruyan was still here nagging.
Lady Liu had been submissive for many years, so no matter how unwilling she was, she did not speak again.
Only, the hatred for Gu Minglan in her eyes grew deeper.
Shen Qingyuan looked at the Resentful Qi on Lady Liu and patted her shoulder as she left.
"Concubine Liu, make sure you clean it thoroughly."
Lady Liu did not dodge, nor could she lash out.
She was so hateful that she twisted her handkerchief until her hands turned red without even realizing it.
Shen Qingyuan looked at the small flame she had extinguished on Lady Liu’s shoulder and nodded with satisfaction.
It looked like the Resentful Qi was quite heavy; she was almost turning into a Fierce Ghost.
She, Shen Qingyuan, was also a kind person, so she would kindly give her a helping hand.
When Nanny Liu sees a ghost tonight, she might as well count her in too.
Anyway, there was already some Karma between her and that place.
After finishing this, Shen Qingyuan finally revealed a hint of a smile.
"Then Lord Shen, rest early. My mother and I will go wait at Minglan Courtyard. Please also trouble yourself to have dinner sent to Minglan Courtyard."
Having said that, she helped Gu Minglan up, turned, and left, never looking at Shen Shiqian again.
Not until their figures disappeared outside the courtyard gate.
Did Shen Shiqian slam the cups and plates on the table to the floor, causing a harsh, shattering sound.
"Unfilial child! Unfilial child!"
He collapsed into his chair, looking at the mess on the floor, a sense of uncontrollable panic rising in his heart.
Something was different; that rebellious daughter was different from before.
The Shen Qingyuan of the past was small and would only smile and reach out for a hug when she saw him.
But now, it was as if she had become a different person; how could she be so heartless toward him?
What on earth had she experienced in the countryside?
Inside Minglan Courtyard.
Shen Wenxuan’s things had already been cleared out by the servants.
At this moment, they were busy rearranging everything in a flurry.
Gu Minglan and Shen Qingyuan walked into the courtyard.
Gu Minglan looked at the familiar yet strange plants and trees, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
Shen Qingyuan helped Gu Minglan sit down in the main room.
"Mother, you rest first; I will go take a look."
She walked around the courtyard herself, secretly placing several protective Runes, and only then did she feel at ease.
The Death Qi on her mother had not yet dissipated; it was always better to be careful.
It was just that the Talismans she brought down from the mountain were still too few.
After visiting Prince Jing's Mansion tomorrow, she would have to go buy some materials to set up a Magic Array to be secure.
Dinner was soon delivered; although it could not compare to what the Master ate, it was at least a few extra dishes.
The mother and daughter finished their meal in silence, and Shen Qingyuan served Gu Minglan until she rested before returning to the side room.
Shen Qingyuan sat cross-legged on the couch, not sleeping, but continuing to meditate and regulate her breath.
As the night grew deeper.
Shen Qingyuan suddenly opened her eyes.
Outside the courtyard wall, there were two extremely light footsteps quietly approaching.
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