Chapter 50: The Sixth Sense

Shen Mengli shook her head. "I've bought everything I needed. I'm a bit tired and want to go back and rest."

"Alright then, let's head straight back to the estate."

Prince Duan's Estate, Hibiscus Courtyard.

Princess Duan was currently in her room copying Buddhist scriptures. Hearing that the two of them had returned, she quickly walked out of the room.

"Why didn't you two stroll around a bit longer? You're back so early."

Princess Duan glared at Qi Yunyan.

This good-for-nothing boy! He didn't even know how to properly seize the opportunity presented to him on a silver platter to show consideration and foster affection.

Giving birth to a piece of roast pork would have been better than giving birth to you.

Qi Yunyan touched his nose awkwardly, feeling that his mother's gaze carried a hint of hostility.

"After we finished buying our things, fearing that you might have been waiting for us for too long, Mother, we figured there wasn't much else to do and decided to head back first."

After explaining, Shen Mengli showed the few pieces of jewelry she had bought to Princess Duan.

"Mother, take a look. Are you satisfied with these pieces of jewelry?"

Princess Duan had never cared about jewelry in the first place; her sole purpose was to give the young couple more time together to deepen their relationship.

"They are quite nice." Princess Duan nodded perfunctorily.

With that, she instructed her senior maid, Baihe, to store the items in the treasury.

"Mother, if there is nothing else, Li'er will take her leave."

Shen Mengli bowed respectfully to Princess Duan.

Noticing a hint of fatigue between Shen Mengli's brows, Princess Duan waved her hand at the two of them.

"If there's nothing else, you two may withdraw first."

Leaving Hibiscus Courtyard, Qi Yunyan strolled back to Clear Breeze Courtyard.

"Yunyan, where have you been? I couldn't find you anywhere. I've been waiting for you here for so long."

As soon as he stepped through the threshold, he saw Lin Qingyu flutter toward him like a butterfly.

"I heard that you went out shopping with the Heir's Consort. Didn't you say you dislike the Heir's Consort? Why did you still accompany her out? Where do you even place me in your heart?"

Upon learning that Qi Yunyan had gone out with Shen Mengli, Lin Qingyu was furious.

Didn't the Heir constantly claim that he loved her?

Why would he still go out with that home-wrecker, Shen Mengli?

Could it be that he had truly fallen for Shen Mengli?

Unable to accept such an outcome, Lin Qingyu hastily struck first with her questioning.

"Qingyu, I don't like her. The only reason I went out with her was because Mother instructed the two of us to go to the Treasure Pavilion to buy some things. Without Mother's order, do you think I'd be willing to spend a moment longer with her than necessary?"

Lin Qingyu poked Qi Yunyan in the chest with her finger. "A man's words are as deceitful as a ghost's. The Princess Consort telling you both to go together was probably just a front! Her real purpose was to play matchmaker for the two of you. I knew it—the Princess Consort has always looked down on me. She favors that Shen Mengli and has her heart set on her as her daughter-in-law."

They say a woman's intuition is remarkably accurate; Lin Qingyu had inadvertently guessed Princess Duan's true intentions.

"Don't let your imagination run wild. Even if Mother wants to play matchmaker, it would still require me to fancy her for anything to happen. I have already promised you that I will love only you for the rest of my life. My heart is very small and can no longer hold anyone else. Qingyu, stop being angry with me, alright?"

Whatever lingering resentment Lin Qingyu harbored vanished amidst Qi Yunyan's sweet words.

"Consider yourself sensible; I'll let you off the hook this time. If I ever catch you two tangling with each other again next time, I won't let it go so easily."

Qi Yunyan pulled Lin Qingyu into his embrace. "I promise you, there will never be a next time. Unless it's strictly necessary, I will go out of my way to avoid her from now on."

"Yunyan, there is something I'd like to discuss with you."