Chapter 19: Marrying a Virtuous Wife

“That Lin Qingyu is just relying on her good looks. But apart from her face, what else does she have that’s worth noticing? A good wife is chosen for her character, not her appearance.”

“How do you know Qingyu is only pretty? She’s kind, gentle, talented, and has a noble temperament. She’s been very good to me.”

The Princess Consort of Prince Duan tapped Qi Yunyán’s forehead with her finger:

“You’re the heir to our Duan Prince Mansion, immensely powerful. If she doesn’t treat you well, who else would? What you see is only what she wants you to see. If she truly had a noble character, would she have urged you not to go to the wedding? Would she have encouraged you to abandon the heir’s bride on your wedding night? Can you swear to heaven that she wasn’t involved when you left the heir’s bride that night? Son, you’re being foolish!”

Qi Yunyán, feeling both indignant and helpless, said, “Qingyu didn’t make me leave the heir’s bride; it was just a coincidence. As for Shen Mengli, I hurt her, and I can make amends to her, but I will never fall in love with her.”

“So how do you plan to make it up to the heir’s bride?”

His tone softened slightly. “I haven’t figured that out yet. When I do, I will make it up to her properly. Rest assured, a true man keeps his word; I won’t go back on it.”

The Princess Consort’s expression brightened. “I don’t care how you plan to make amends, but tomorrow’s return visit, you must accompany the heir’s bride. You can’t stand her up again because of Lin Qingyu. You must not only accompany her but also honor her properly. That’s also about upholding the prestige of our Prince Mansion.”

“All right, I promise.”

After speaking, Qi Yunyán turned and left the Lotus Courtyard.

The next day.

Qi Yunyán wore an icy blue brocade robe and went to the Snow Bamboo Residence.

“Today, I’ll go with you for the return visit.”

Shen Mengli bowed to him. “Thank you, Young Master.”

“You don’t need to thank me. This is what I should do as your husband.”

Shen Mengli was a little surprised. She thought he had forgotten he was her husband. Didn’t his heart always belong to Lin Qingyu? Why was he so agreeable today?

What Shen Mengli didn’t know was that the Princess Consort had given Qi Yunyán a stern warning beforehand; otherwise, he might have really refused to accompany her.

After Shen Mengli finished dressing, the two of them left together.

In the carriage.

Although they rode in the same carriage, the distance between them was as vast as the Milky Way.

Qi Yunyán kept far away from Shen Mengli, as if afraid she would cling to him.

Seeing this, Shen Mengli sneered and rolled her eyes silently.

“On our wedding night, I didn’t intend to abandon you and cause you to be ridiculed. Qingyu was ill, and I was too worried about her, which left you alone. I was wrong to do that. I apologize and hope you can forgive me.”

Shen Mengli was quite surprised by his sincere apology.

After some thought, she guessed the Princess Consort must have said something to make him apologize.

Shen Mengli smiled and shook her head. “I’ve long since forgotten about that. Young Master, you need not worry. I understand and bless your feelings for Miss Qingyu.”

Qi Yunyán’s doting on Lin Qingyu was something she had known in her past life.

She married him only for the power of the Prince Mansion, not to join their circle.

No matter whom Qi Yunyán loved, she did not care.

After all, she did not love him.

Looking at her indifferent expression, Qi Yunyán thought to himself:

Could it be, as Mother said, that she does not like me at all?

He had thought before that she was playing hard to get, like other women trying to seduce him.

It seemed he had overthought it. She truly didn’t like him.

Thinking this, he felt inexplicably relieved and more at ease.

“You’re very different from Qingyu. She is as pure as a chrysanthemum, elegant and indifferent to worldly possessions. But you seem to enjoy these things—jewelry adorns your head and body everywhere.”