Chapter 43: The Best Days Are Yet to Come

She needed to find more opportunities for Yan’er to spend time with the heir’s wife. Only then could they properly cultivate their relationship.

Once their feelings had deepened, everything would fall naturally into place. Would she still need to worry about them not having enough children?

The Princess Consort of Duan thought gleefully that she truly was a genius.

Before long, Qi Yunyan entered from outside.

“Mother, why did you summon me?”

“Can’t you come visit me when there’s nothing you need?”

Qi Yunyan wiped away a nonexistent bead of sweat from his forehead. “Mother, how could you say such a thing? How could your son possibly think that way?”

“Hmph. At least you know better.”

The Princess Consort of Duan’s haughty, coquettish expression amused Shen Mengli so much that she burst out laughing.

Hearing her laughter, Qi Yunyan shot her a murderous glare.

Shen Mengli: “…”

“A few days ago, the proprietor of the Treasure Pavilion told me that they had acquired a batch of rare treasures. You and the heir’s wife will go inspect them for me and choose a few.”

“The two of us?”

Shen Mengli and Qi Yunyan exchanged a glance at the same time.

“You heard me correctly. The two of you. You may leave now.”

“Mother, I think—”

Qi Yunyan was about to say more, but the Princess Consort of Duan cut him off at once.

“I don’t care what you think. Just do as I say.”

With that single sentence, she blocked his refusal before it could leave his throat, leaving him no choice but to agree reluctantly.

Seeing the man wilt like a dejected puppy, Shen Mengli almost laughed despite herself.

As though she herself had been eager to go with him.

The two of them arrived at the Treasure Pavilion by carriage. The proprietor immediately came out to greet them upon seeing the carriage bearing the emblem of the Prince of Duan’s residence.

“My lord, my lady, your presence honors our humble establishment.”

Qi Yunyan impatiently waved a hand. “There’s no need for pleasantries. I heard you recently acquired a batch of rare treasures. Take us to see them.”

The proprietor repeatedly bowed and assented. “My lord, this way, please.”

He led them to the display counter. “My lord, these are the pieces.”

What caught the eye were exquisite and beautiful ornaments of every kind: bracelets, hairpins, headdresses, rings, necklaces—everything one could wish for.

Qi Yunyan took one glance and lost interest. “They’re all things women like. Shen Mengli, take your time choosing. See if there’s anything you like. I’ll pay for it. I’m going to look at something else nearby.”

With that, he signaled for the proprietor to show him the jade vases placed to one side.

Shen Mengli thought, If I say I like everything, are you planning to buy it all?

In her previous life, Shen Mengli had been a first-rank titled noblewoman and was frequently bestowed all manner of treasures by the Emperor. Her standards were exceptionally high; she had seen more than enough fine things. Faced with the Treasure Pavilion’s collection, all she could say was that it was merely ordinary.

Uninterested, she picked up a jade bracelet to examine, then touched a pair of ruby earrings. She intended to choose a few passable items and give the Princess Consort of Duan an answer.

A familiar voice sounded beside her.

“Elder Sister, what are you doing here all alone?”

Shen Mengli turned her head and saw Shen Mengqing.

Shen Mengqing was dressed in a crimson silk skirt, her appearance striking and vivid enough to dazzle the eye.

“Little Sister, what brings you here as well?”

“I didn’t want to come at first, but my husband insisted on giving me a gift and told me to visit the Treasure Pavilion.”

There was unmistakable pride in Shen Mengqing’s voice.

She had indeed possessed a discerning eye and acted decisively, securing for herself the future wife of a prime minister.

Moreover, her husband was attentive and considerate, treating her with gentle affection in their daily life. Aside from temporarily having little money, he had no other faults.

And his lack of money was only temporary. Before long, he would pass the provincial examinations, and in the future he would be ennobled and rise to the position of prime minister.

Her good days were still ahead of her.

Unlike Shen Mengli, who had married that heir of the Prince of Duan—a man blind to true worth, who favored his concubine and neglected his wife, utterly bewitched by that courtesan from the pleasure quarter.

Perhaps Shen Mengli had not even consummated her marriage with him yet, let alone experienced any tenderness or affection between husband and wife.

That heir of the Prince of Duan probably could not even be bothered to spare her a glance.

“Elder Sister, what have you taken a fancy to? Would you like your little sister to pay for it?”