Chapter 35: Heart-Wrenching Agony

Qi Yunyan finished speaking without even catching his breath.

"..."

Shen Mengli nodded repeatedly, "Everything shall be done as you say."

*So, are you finished? If you are, can you please leave now...*

Seeing Shen Mengli’s expression, which suggested she would agree to whatever he said, Qi Yunyan suddenly found himself at a loss for words.

Why wasn't she sad at all? Shouldn't she be acting heartbroken? Why wasn't she following the script? This made it impossible for him to continue.

"Heir Apparent, do you have any other instructions?" Shen Mengli asked, puzzled by his constipated expression.

"In any case, just see to it that you behave yourself." With that, Qi Yunyan stormed off with a dark expression.

Behind him, Shen Mengli heaved a sigh of relief. The plague god had finally departed.

The next day, at the Listening Rain Pavilion.

"Biyu, go to the kitchen and bring me some chicken soup," Lin Qingyu said, her face deathly pale.

Her backside was battered from yesterday’s punishment, and she had lost too much blood; she needed the chicken soup to replenish her vitality. As she thought of this, a vengeful glint flashed in her eyes. That old hag had struck with such cruelty; one day, she would surely make her pay.

"Biyu, where have you gone?" Not seeing Biyu for a long time, Lin Qingyu shouted toward the door. "Honestly, you’re always quick to show up for meals and rewards, but when there’s work to be done, you’re nowhere to be found. This wretched girl really needs a lesson."

After waiting for a while, Biyu finally ran in from outside.

"Mistress, you called for me. What are your instructions?"

Biyu had noticed that ever since Lin Qingyu was beaten, she had become irritable and temperamental, making Biyu afraid to face her. But there was no help for it; since Lin Qingyu was her mistress, she had to bite the bullet and ask.

"Where did you run off to?" Lin Qingyu asked with a gloomy face.

"This servant had a stomachache and went to the latrine."

Since Lin Qingyu had offended the Princess Consort, she was left with only one maid to serve her. Lin Qingyu’s demands were so difficult to satisfy that Biyu barely had time to even use the restroom.

"A lazy person always has a thousand excuses," Lin Qingyu snapped.

Biyu’s face flushed red, but she dared not retort and could only stand there blankly, waiting for orders.

"Why are you still standing there? Go to the kitchen and bring me a bowl of chicken soup!"

Biyu nodded hastily and scurried toward the kitchen.

"Steward Li, Concubine Lin wants some chicken soup; serve me a bowl," Biyu said, putting on airs before the kitchen supervisor.

"Miss Biyu, you’re here. If you need anything, just send someone to tell us, and we would have delivered it to you. Why trouble yourself to come all this way?"

Upon seeing Biyu, Steward Li beamed, terrified that any slight lack of hospitality might lead to trouble for her. There was no helping it; everyone in the manor knew that Concubine Lin was the Heir Apparent’s favorite. Even if the Princess Consort detested her, as servants, they could hardly afford to give her a cold shoulder. The Heir Apparent was the future master of the Prince’s residence, and his favorite concubine might one day become a secondary consort. If she curried favor now, she might find it useful later.

Biyu was somewhat displeased by Steward Li’s words. Everyone knew she was the only maid left at the Listening Rain Pavilion—why bring up a sore subject? If she had anyone else to send, she wouldn't have come all this way herself.

Just as Biyu was about to put on more airs, the voice of Xique echoed from behind her.

"Steward Li, is the chicken soup for the Heir Apparent’s consort ready yet?"

Steward Li looked at the two of them, caught in a dilemma. "I’ve checked, and there is only one pot of chicken soup left."