Chapter 126: Turning Wang Qingrui to Our Side

After everything that had happened during this period, Wang Qingrui’s perspective had long since undergone a gradual shift.

Previously, she had assumed that Shen Zhifeng was a man of decent temperament. Being a Duke, and with his daughter granted the title of a Lady of the County, she believed following him would lead to a promising future. She imagined that if she could bear him a son or daughter, and should those children prove successful, the Wang family might rise in status along with them.

To her dismay, after entering the Duke’s mansion, she discovered that her daily expenses were actually lower than before she was married. As a concubine, her monthly allowance was pitifully small, and the number of maids and matrons assigned to serve her had been cut in half. If Shen Zhifeng did not come to stay the night, she was provided with only two dishes and a bowl of soup, leaving her feeling as though she had withered away.

What pained her most was that the funds used to subsidize the Duke’s mansion’s accounts were coming from her own Wang family! As the daughter of a merchant, she had been taught from a young age to weigh the costs and benefits of every action, and it was clear that this was a losing investment. Moreover, as far as she knew, Master Wang’s expectations had also come to nothing; the Wang family had not seen their status skyrocket as a result of the marriage alliance with the Duke’s mansion.

What she found most unbearable, however, was living what felt like a widow’s life every day. The first few times had been fine, but just as her interest was piqued and she prepared to employ the techniques her mother had taught her, she discovered that Shen Zhifeng was impotent! Every night, after a few minutes of superficial activity, he would be finished before she had even begun. She would lie there in the dark with her eyes wide open, listening to his thunderous snoring, her heart filled with an unspeakable repression and agony. Her mother had clearly told her that this was a strenuous activity that should take half an hour and leave one drenched in sweat, bringing a woman immense satisfaction and happiness.

It was all a lie! She felt nothing but emptiness.

There was no money, no happiness, and today’s attitude from Shen Zhifeng had made it clear that there was no affection either.

After Xiaoqiu returned with the news, she acted decisively according to Shen Qingyun’s instructions and slipped quietly into Jianjia Courtyard that night.

Shen Qingyun observed the woman before her. She had changed into a maid’s uniform, yet it could not conceal her alluring and vibrant curves. The calculation in those eyes told her that this was not a woman easily manipulated. Shen Zhifeng and the Old Madam had clearly miscalculated.

Shen Qingyun did not rush to speak. She sat quietly, sipping her tea slowly. The flickering candlelight cast a hazy, ethereal beauty over her cold, elegant features, and her long, drooping eyelashes cast shadows that made her expression unreadable. Wang Qingrui’s knees, pressed against the floor, began to ache, and her expression shifted from one of initial confidence to growing unease and anxiety.

Finally, she could no longer hold back and spoke first: "Eldest Miss, aren't you going to ask why I wanted to see you?"

Shen Qingyun looked up at her and asked nonchalantly, "Why?"

Wang Qingrui’s face stiffened. Gritting her teeth, she decided to be direct: "Eldest Miss, I heard that you used to be in charge of the household affairs. I can help you reclaim the management of the Duke’s mansion."

She had expected Shen Qingyun to show interest, but to her surprise, Shen Qingyun merely scoffed: "What use is this management power to me? Do I have nowhere else to spend my money?"

Wang Qingrui was left speechless by this reaction. She had no other bargaining chips, and she knew better than anyone that Shen Qingyun was telling the truth. Whoever held the keys to the household had to pay for its deficits out of their own pocket.

Wang Qingrui couldn't help but feel deflated. She probed tentatively, "Eldest Miss, then why did you agree to see me?"

Shen Qingyun’s eyes were clear and carried a hint of innocence: "I wasn't planning to see you; it was you who wanted to see me."

Wang Qingrui was choked up once more. She licked her dry lips, finally realizing that the young girl before her was not as simple as she had imagined, but rather, unfathomable. Knowing when to yield is the mark of a wise person, so she bowed respectfully and lowered her voice: "I beg you, Eldest Miss, please help me."

"Help you? What is in it for me?"

Seeing that Shen Qingyun didn't even ask what kind of help she needed—clearly aware of her motives—Wang Qingrui, who had originally intended to seek an alliance, took a deep breath and resigned herself to her fate: "I will do whatever you arrange, Miss."

Shen Qingyun did not answer immediately. Instead, she silently scrutinized her until a thin layer of sweat formed on the woman's back. Only then did she nod slightly and say in a low voice: "Since that is the case, I can tell you a piece of news: the woman in the residence you visited today is already pregnant."

At this, Wang Qingrui truly panicked and hurriedly asked: "Miss, what should I do?"

She had chosen to become a concubine in the Duke’s mansion because she believed she would be the only one. If a woman outside were to bear Shen Zhifeng’s child first, wouldn't she be usurped? Especially now that she was being kept in check, she had seen too often how miserable a concubine without her master’s favor could be in the inner court.

Shen Qingyun sighed: "You do seem pitiful. Since that is so, I will point you in a direction."

Yicui, who was standing nearby, stepped forward and handed Wang Qingrui a packet of powder.

"When my father comes to your place, add this to his drink. Use about a quarter each time. Rest assured, there will be no immediate symptoms."

Wang Qingrui accepted the powder with hesitation, then steeled her heart and tucked it into her bodice: "Miss, when will the Duke come?"

"That is not for you to worry about. Go back and wait."

Wang Qingrui finally revealed a trace of a smile, then couldn't help but ask: "And the woman outside?"

"She cannot threaten you. I will take care of it."

Seeing Shen Qingyun speak with such certainty, Wang Qingrui exhaled in relief and slipped back the way she came.

Watching her retreat, Shen Qingyun shook her head almost imperceptibly. Wang Qingrui was still too impatient and lacked composure. The Duke’s mansion still needed the Wang family’s money; how could Shen Zhifeng truly ignore her for long? Within a few days, he would inevitably visit her. But perhaps she had been truly frightened; when Shen Zhifeng had gripped her throat, she had felt she could no longer breathe, as if death were imminent. Such fear made it hard for her to find peace.

Yicui asked: "Miss, what if she betrays us?"

Shen Qingyun smiled faintly: "It doesn't matter. The powder alone cannot be traced to anything. If she dares to do such a thing, I will make her regret it."

Yicui nodded and urged: "It is already late, Miss. You should rest. Don't you have to go to the General’s Mansion tomorrow?"

"Very well." Shen Qingyun rubbed her temples; she was indeed weary. She needed to sleep quickly, for the old General Han was returning to the frontier, and she had to go and see him off at dawn.

Outside the window, Han Feng patted Han Yu on the shoulder: "Have you decided? When are we leaving?"

Han Yu gazed at the tightly closed window of Shen Qingyun’s room, a sharp pain sliding through his heart. He whispered, "Wait a little longer."

Han Feng sighed: "How much longer must we wait?"

Han Yu did not answer, continuing to stare at the window, as if he could see Shen Qingyun’s silhouette through it. He forced a bitter smile: "Soon."