The more Lady Liu thought about it, the more pleased she felt, and the look she gave Steward Chen lost some of the panic from just a moment ago.
It even carried a trace of imperceptible pity.
She reckoned Prince Jing was truly on the verge of death, unable to even hold on for these next five days.
That must be why this old thing was in such a frantic rush to come and pick someone up.
"Yes, yes, yes, Steward Chen is right! It is a blessing Shen Qingyuan cultivated over eight lifetimes to be able to go to the Prince's Mansion and serve His Highness! I will go call her right now!"
Lady Liu was now desperate for Shen Qingyuan to be taken away immediately so that she could properly torment Lady Gu.
Steward Chen saw through her little schemes clearly; his expression remained calm as he spoke to correct her.
"Madam, you should use the word 'serve' less in the future. Miss Shen is the Prince's principal wife; she only needs to manage the household. As for serving, there are servants to do that."
Lady Liu continued to nod with a smile.
"Yes, yes, I will go call that girl over right away."
Lady Liu did not take Steward Chen's words to heart.
They were just polite pleasantries, after all. Could someone brought in for a wedding for luck really be treated like an ancestor?
Lady Liu turned and wanted to head toward Minglan Courtyard.
Steward Chen hurriedly called out to stop her.
"No rush. We shall follow Miss Shen's habits; I can wait."
If it weren't for the fact that he was a man and it was inconvenient to enter the inner courtyard directly,
Steward Chen would have wanted to follow Lady Liu to invite Miss Shen personally. That was the Prince's hope, after all!
Lady Liu felt a bit strange, but as she walked, she convinced herself otherwise.
It was likely just the good upbringing of the Prince's Mansion, not wanting to leave a bad reputation outside.
Once she actually entered Prince Jing's Mansion, she would have to behave herself regardless of whether she was a dragon or a tiger.
Did Shen Qingyuan, a mere wedding-for-luck bride, really think she was a Master?
Lady Liu had already calculated everything in her mind; once Shen Qingyuan entered the Prince's Mansion for the wedding for luck,
she would immediately spread rumors in the capital that the girl was a husband-killer who brought misfortune to her father and mother.
By then, even if Prince Jing didn't die, the Prince's Mansion would deal with her, and she wouldn't be able to walk out alive.
✦✦✦
Inside Minglan Courtyard.
Seeing Lady Liu return, with obvious smugness still on her face, Shen Qingyuan raised an eyebrow faintly.
"What is Concubine Liu back for? Did you finish your business and come back to get slapped?"
Lady Liu's face darkened at her words.
However, she was in a good mood today, so she didn't lash out, only smiling insincerely:
"Steward Chen from Prince Jing's Mansion is here to take you to the Prince's Mansion to pay your respects. Come with me quickly; don't keep the honored guest waiting."
Shen Qingyuan chuckled, supported her mother, and stood up.
"Pay my respects? Very well. It is a good chance to go and see how Prince Jing is doing."
Since they sent someone to pick her up, it seemed Prince Jing had already woken up.
Based on his internal condition, Shen Qingyuan had originally thought he would need to sleep for three days and three nights before waking.
It seemed the extra drop of essence blood she added to the talisman she gave him had taken effect.
Seeing Shen Qingyuan's relaxed tone,
as if she were going to see an ordinary acquaintance rather than a dying Prince,
Lady Liu felt annoyed. She could not stand to see Shen Qingyuan doing well.
Even if it was only for a moment.
Looking at the mother and daughter's intertwined hands, Lady Liu said mockingly:
"That's right, I advise you to cherish this last bit of time. If Prince Jing dies, you will have to be buried with him immediately."
Shen Qingyuan pulled her mother toward the front courtyard.
As she passed Lady Liu, she left behind a remark, neither light nor heavy.
"So, Concubine Liu, you are hoping for Prince Jing to die at every moment. Don't worry, I will pass these words on truthfully."
Lady Liu was terrified and hurriedly spoke up.
"You wretched girl, don't talk nonsense! His Highness Prince Jing is a man destined for a long life."
Shen Qingyuan stopped and glanced back at her.
"Oh? That doesn't sound very sincere, Concubine."
Lady Liu was afraid that Shen Qingyuan would actually tell Steward Chen what she had just said.
She couldn't care about anything else and hurriedly spoke.
"How could it not be sincere? I am willing to eat vegetarian meals in front of the Buddha hall every day to pray for His Highness Prince Jing's health!"
"Oh?"
Shen Qingyuan raised an eyebrow, surprised that Lady Liu would go to such lengths just to keep her from repeating those words.
But since Lady Liu was so sincere, she would naturally have to satisfy her.
Shen Qingyuan stepped forward and patted Lady Liu on the shoulder.
At the same time, she tapped a sliver of contract power into her body.
She smiled with a bit of mischief.
"You said it yourself, you know.
Since you are so sincere, Concubine Liu, I will believe you. It is a deal; I have high hopes for you."
After saying this, Shen Qingyuan took her mother straight to the front hall.
Lady Liu followed behind, trembling with fear, until she saw Shen Qingyuan finish talking with Steward Chen without making any accusations.
Only then did she finally set her heart at ease.
As for that nonsense about eating vegetarian meals and chanting to Buddha, Concubine Liu was just saying it for show.
However, Lady Liu did not expect that
from that day on, for some reason, she could no longer eat meat; she would vomit as soon as she tried.
Even when Master Shen ate meat and came near her, Lady Liu felt nauseous and wanted to vomit.
In the end, she had to build a Buddha hall at home and chant to Buddha every day before she felt slightly better.
Of course, that is a story for another time.
✦✦✦
At this moment.
Steward Chen was sitting in the front hall and spotted Miss Shen from afar.
Steward Chen hurriedly stood up, walked over in a few steps, and bowed in salute.
"Greetings, Miss Shen. Is this Madam Gu?"
Shen Qingyuan corrected him.
"Steward Chen, this is my mother, whose surname is Gu."
Don't associate my beautiful mother with that Scum Father.
Steward Chen was sharp and immediately caught Shen Qingyuan's meaning, quickly changing his address.
"Greetings, Madam Gu."
Gu Minglan nodded slightly, returning the greeting with perfect etiquette, neither humble nor arrogant.
"Steward Chen is too kind."
Steward Chen nodded in satisfaction; that was the demeanor a principal wife should have.
Unlike that concubine, who was full of petty, small-minded airs.
"Miss Shen, Madam Gu, the Prince is waiting quietly in the mansion, and the carriage is already prepared. Shall we set off now?"
Then, as if remembering something, he took a small box from his sleeve.
"I came to visit without submitting a visiting card first. This is a gift for Miss Shen; I hope you will accept it."
Steward Chen's respectful posture made Lady Liu's eyelids twitch.
The Steward Chen from just a moment ago didn't seem like this.
Why did he look a bit like one of her own bootlickers now?
（Lady Liu shed wide noodles of tears: Steward Chen, I still prefer your arrogant and cold demeanor from before, with that Prince's Mansion dominance.）
Shen Qingyuan looked at the box; it contained a small cluster of golden fortune.
Before even opening the box, Shen Qingyuan knew it must be something good, so she naturally accepted it with a smile.
Seeing Lady Liu stretching her neck to peek over,
Shen Qingyuan very generously opened the lid directly.
It revealed a jade pendant of excellent quality inside.
The jade pendant looked crystal white throughout, with fine carving; it was top-quality mutton fat white jade with great luster, clearly worth a fortune at a glance.
Lady Liu felt a sour ache of envy in her teeth.
Not to mention her, even the madams she usually associated with rarely had jade pendants of such quality.
It was likely an item bestowed upon Prince Jing by the palace.
If she had known the Prince's Mansion was so generous, she shouldn't have brought this little slut back; this jade pendant should have been for her Yao'er.
Lady Liu was now both jealous and suspicious. Even if Prince Jing's Mansion was truly wealthy,
wasn't this a bit too generous?
If one had to calculate it, it looked more like life-buying money.
Sure enough, Prince Jing was dying; he was likely using this jade pendant to trade for his life.
Thinking this, Lady Liu gave up the idea of snatching the jade pendant.
Once her Yao'er became a palace consort, she would have whatever she wanted; why would she care about this small, broken piece of jade?
✦✦✦