Having spent years visiting and learning martial arts from various martial factions, Leng Shuang was used to giving either straightforward or no comments on things. Seeing that Qin Yunuan was in a trance, she said at the sight of Maner’s back, “She looks good. No wonder my brother cares about her so much.”
Before Leng Shuang, Leng Wu, her brother, was the one to protect Qin Yunuan closely. Thus, it was understandable that Leng Wu became closer to Maner. But what Leng Shuang said revealed that Leng Wu seemingly had a crush on Maner a long time ago.
“Your brother…?” Qin Yunuan drawled deliberately while leisurely having the tasty green bean soup.
“My brother?” Leng Shuang seldom said such a long sentence. “Although my brother merely works as General Leng’s bodyguard, he has an official title, sixth-rank Armed Guard. Given this, he may be qualified to chase after your servant girl, right?”
With a puff, Qin Yunuan swallowed the green bean soup in her mouth. Considering Leng Wu’s official rank, he was indeed beyond Maner’s reach rather than vice versa.
Qin Yunuan hadn’t thought of that Leng Wu was an official. She only deemed him as the most skilled guard among all 18 shadow guards of Leng Changxi. So, before she was honored with a title, she had ordered a sixth-rank official at will, and this man worked as her all-time guard?
Qin Yunuan subtly shifted a topic instead of directly answering Leng Shuang’s straightforward question. Shortly, they arrived at the Prince Ning’s Mansion. Recognizing the carriage of Third Young Madam, the doorkeeper solicitously took over the gag rein and placed the wooden stairs.
Just taking a few steps, Qin Yunuan saw that Qing Zhu, Princess Ning’s servant girl, was coming towards her. Qing Zhu said, “Third Young Madam, you’re back. Princess Ning has prepared a good meal in the Muwei Courtyard. Prince Ning is going out for a feast tonight. Princess Ning is unwilling to have dinner alone, so she invites Third Young Master and you to eat with her.”
Although it was known to all in the Prince Ning’s Mansion that Princess Ning loved the bustle and hustle of the family life, Qin Yunuan felt something different about the invitation this time. But hearing that Leng Changxi would go together with her, she became less worried.
When she arrived at the Muwei Courtyard, two lines of servant girls already stood outside, ready to take orders. The first course, fried beef with tomato sauce, was already served. Beef was Leng Changxi’s favorite, and he never had enough of this course.
“Look, sister Yunuan is coming.” A young voice as clear as the bell sound reached Qin Yunuan. Hearing this, she knew it was Ruan Ruyi. Qin Yunuan turned down her request at noon yesterday, but now she sounded as if she had no censure or dissatisfaction at all. Qin Yunuan frowned. The young servant girl near the door opened the floral bead curtain to let Qin Yunuan walk in. Just stepping into the room, she put on a tender and gentle smile again.
“Sister, you are also here.” At the first glance, Qin Yunuan saw Ruan Ruyi who didn’t look away from her. Then she turned her head and said, “Concubine Tang is here, too.”
Concubine Tang said nothing and just nodded. She now acted like an elder, not the flattering woman yesterday morning anymore.
Princess Ning sat gracefully in the middle. A set of delicate silver tableware was before her, including chopsticks and spoons. Even the tableware which contained over 100 tools used for eating hairy crabs was all made of silver. The tableware handles were carved with small but lifelike winter sweet. The three-dimensional hollow design looked gorgeous.
Concubine Tang was so jealous of Princess Ning because of this unique set of tableware, which Prince Ning especially found for her. She had nothing to do but felt envious. After all, Princess Ning was his wife while she was just a concubine. Normally, a concubine had to obey orders, but today…
Concubine Tang turned her head to Qin Yunuan. Leng Changxi was not here, and Qin Yunuan, whose mother was a concubine, looked so comely that she must be timid. Thinking of this, Concubine Tang said without fear, “Prince Ning is out tonight. I assume that sister must eat alone, so I take Ruyi to accompany her. We are not like you, Third Young Madam. You are outside all day long. I don’t know what makes you so busy. ”
This time, Qin Yunuan didn’t tell Princess Ning in advance that she would go out. It was because Leng Changxi directly gave her a jade token with which she could walk freely out of the Prince Ning’s Mansion. Moreover, Qin Yunuan was simply suspicious that the account books of the three shops were falsified. She had no evidence yet, so she didn’t want to inform Princess Ning of this without careful consideration.
“It’s indeed my fault that I didn’t spend time accompanying mother. However, mother has handed over three shops to me, so I don’t want to let her down. I was out to check these three shops today. It’s really my fault not to accompany mother.” Qin Yunuan curtsied only to Princess Ning. She was telling Concubine Tang that she merely apologized to Princess Ning who was her only mother-in-law. Concubine Tang was just a concubine, and this was none of her business.
Princess Ning smiled gently and said, “I’m not meant to blame you. I’m just worried that the weather is so hot. Going out will wear you out.” Then, she asked a servant girl to serve Qin Yunuan a bowl of cooling sweet pear soup. “Pears in the soup are picked up from our manor in the suburbs and then directly sent there. They are quite fresh. Have a try.”
Qin Yunuan wore a sweet smile and kept expressing her thanks. When she held a small spoon, ready to taste it, Princess Ning said, “Hold on. Use my spoon.”
Princess Ning pointed at the unused small silver spoon near her hand. The smile on her face was even more amiable.
Because of this, Ruan Ruyi and Concubine Tang both were stunned. Princess Ning was obviously showing her favor and preference for Qin Yunuan. Also, she was warning them not to play tricks. For a moment, Concubine Tang thought Princess Ning was in fact smart and shrewd at the sight of the elusive expression in her eyes. But later, seeing the innocent and kind smile of Princess Ning, Concubine Tang gave up this idea.
“Thank you, mother.” Qin Yunuan took over the spoon with great respect and held the delicate handle to spoon up the soup. It was refreshing, suitable for cooling people down.
Princess Ning smiled with satisfaction. When looking at Concubine Tang, she remembered something and asked, “Oh, just now, you said you would tell me something important, and this was about Yunuan. Since Yunuan is here, you can directly speak it out.”
Hearing this, Qin Yunuan smiled and said in an exciting and kind voice, “Right. Concubine Tang. Just say it out. If I do anything wrong, I will correct myself.”
Just now, Princess Ning and Qin Yunuan showed their extremely close relationship. Besides, the former had a strong preference for the latter. Under such circumstances, how could Concubine Tang say it out? She was embarrassed and squeezed Ruan Ruyi hard in secret.
Ruan Ruyi knew that she had been pushed to a fiery pit, but she had no choice but to jump in. She got up her courage and said, “It’s about the three shops in the eastern Royal City.”
Princess Ning put on a poker face. “What else do we need to talk about this? I have already given them to Yunuan.”
“It is right because she takes over the shops that things were all messed up this afternoon.” Ruan Ruyi kept saying, “Mother, you don’t know how resolute Yunuan is. At noon, she directly went to shops and ordered to fire managers. Workers in shops were all dissatisfied and didn’t want to work in the embroidery shop anymore.”
Qin Yunuan chuckled. She already expected that Concubine Tang and Ruan Ruyi wouldn’t give up those three shops. “Sister, you are really well-informed. This just happened at noon, and now, you know it clearly.”
Princess Ning frowned. “Yunuan, is that true?”
Qin Yunuan took a glance at Ruan Ruyi and Concubine Tang. They two were happily waiting for Qin Yunuan to deny so that they could present more evidence to prove her absolutely wrong. Qin Yunuan directly answered, “Yes, mother. It’s true.”
Princess Ning made a small move but said nothing. It seemed that she was waiting for Qin Yunuan to finish her sentences.
“Mother, please allow me to explain.” Qin Yunuan calmly gave a full explanation of what happened today and kept her chin up slightly. “Mother, if you don’t believe what I’m saying, you can carefully check the account books I bring home. Then you will know how many profits were unreported. Also, you will understand why Concubine Tang and sister hold the grudge after I take over these three barely profitable shops and why they always want to take them back.”
Qin Yunuan didn’t mean to be straightforward and vicious like this. But she knew what attitude Princess Ning took towards Concubine Tang and Ruan Ruyi. Therefore, she had to clarify her attitude to prevent Ruan Ruyi from doing the same thing she did yesterday. More importantly, she remembered that Leng Changxi warned her to stay away from people who had relations with Leng Chang’an.
“What are you talking about?” Ruan Ruyi was embarrassed and said, “How can we know how many profits those shops generate? We just want to run idle shops well so that we can make a contribution to our family.”
“Run them well?” Qin Yunuan sneered. “Those three shops are not as narrowly profitable as reported. Instead, they are way better and fairly lucrative. I keep the account books outside. Mother, if you want to take a look, I will take them in now.”
Princess Ning put down the chopsticks and said in a serious voice. “You mean that the three managers I send to run shops steal my money and pocket it, don’t you?”
Qin Yunuan was also serious and nodded. “Yes.”
Princess Ning was so angry that her face turned red. “How dare they! It’s still unclear whether people in our mansion have pocketed more.”
After Princess Ning finished her sentence, Qin Yunuan clearly noticed that Concubine Tang trembled suddenly.
