Chapter 32 Does the Crown Princess Have Some Grievance Against Me?

Faced with the maids’ praise, Shen Mengli remained perfectly composed.

She was neither delirious with joy at having gained control of the household nor troubled by the fear that she might manage it poorly.

Shen Mengli had no reason to worry. In her previous life, she had been the principal mistress of the Prime Minister’s residence and had managed the household for more than a decade. Such matters came naturally to her.

The only difference was that the Prince’s household was vast and wealthy beyond comparison with the Prime Minister’s residence, so managing it would likely be somewhat more troublesome than before.

As Shen Mengli flipped through the account books, a surge of delight rose in her heart.

Being entrusted with the household affairs meant that she had, for the time being, secured her position in the Prince’s residence.

She was also surprised that her mother-in-law had handed over control of the household to her so soon. How much trust must she have placed in her?

She remembered how, in her previous life, after her marriage, Shen Mengqing had gone to the Shen residence in tears, complaining about how harshly the Princess Consort of Duan treated her, how she guarded against her, and how she clung to control of the household, refusing to regard her as one of the family.

She and Shen Mengqing were ultimately different. Their paths had diverged from the very beginning.

At Listening Rain Pavilion, Lin Qingyu lay on the bed with her bottom raised while Biyu applied medicine to her wounds.

“Miss, the Princess Consort was far too ruthless. She beat you so badly that your bottom is torn open and you lost so much blood. I’m afraid you’ll need at least several months of rest.”

“That old hag simply dislikes me. She deliberately found an excuse to punish me. I won’t let this go. Sooner or later, I’ll make her pay.”

Lin Qingyu spoke through clenched teeth.

Once she had won Qi Yunyan over, forced Shen Mengli aside, and become the principal mistress of the Prince’s household, she would make certain to torment that old hag properly, repaying her for today’s beating.

Just as Lin Qingyu was lost in her hatred for the Princess Consort of Duan, Qi Yunyan went to Benevolence Hall and fetched Physician Qin.

“Physician Qin, please examine Qingyu and see whether her injuries are serious. She lost a great deal of blood.”

Physician Qin had left early that day. He had known that the Princess Consort would beat Lin Qingyu, but he had not expected her to beat her so severely.

“My lord, Lady Lin’s injuries will require several months of recuperation. She must take care not to let the wounds come into contact with water, and her diet should remain light. I’ll write you a prescription. Send someone to Benevolence Hall to have the medicines prepared, and let her take them for one course. She should also apply the ointment unique to our clinic externally. The results will be much better that way.”

“Thank you for your trouble, Physician Qin.”

When Qi Yunyan heard that Lin Qingyu would need several months to recover, his face filled with heartache.

“Qingyu, it’s all my fault for being too useless. I failed to maintain a proper balance between you and Mother, and caused you to suffer such a beating at her hands.”

“Yunyan, how could I bear to blame you? When all is said and done, it’s because I’m not lovable enough. I failed to win Mother’s affection and made things difficult for you, caught between the two of us.”

Lin Qingyu clasped Qi Yunyan’s hand and spoke with tender affection.

“Qingyu, you’re truly so understanding. With a wife like you, what more could a husband ask for?” Qi Yunyan said, his face filled with emotion.

“Yunyan, you are my husband. If I’m not good to you, then whom should I be good to?

“As long as you love me and treat me well forever, never betraying me, I will never leave you. Yunyan, the two of us will always be together, until the end of time. Won’t we?”

“Fool, I promise you that I will always treat you well. I will love and respect you. Though I am married now and cannot give you the position of principal wife, I promise that you will always be the only woman in my life. I will never allow anyone else to come between us. And any children I have in the future will certainly be yours.”

Qi Yunyan spoke to Lin Qingyu with deep affection.

Lin Qingyu sneered inwardly at his words.

She would never believe a man’s sweet promises.

Besides his love, she also wanted the position of principal wife. Everything that belonged to him had to belong to her alone.

“Yunyan, does the Heir’s Wife have something against me?”