Dad, open the door. I'll bring your mistress back for you.

"Go back to the Duke of Qing's mansion and borrow a carriage."

Hearing this, Qin Qimei couldn't help but look puzzled. She asked hesitantly, "Mother, why do we have to use another family's carriage to go to the Shen family's ancestral temple to pick up the Shen family's daughter? Aren't our own carriages enough?"

Faced with her daughter-in-law's question, Mrs. Shen felt nervous. She naturally couldn't say it directly that she couldn't call the Shen family's carriage at all.

Helpless, he could only force himself to save face, and replied impatiently with a tense face: "The Duke of Qing's Mansion is Wan'er's maternal grandfather's home. It is reasonable for us to borrow your mother's carriage. If we don't use it now, will we wait until the third brother brings the concubine back?"

When Qin Qimei heard her mother-in-law mention the matter of taking a concubine for her husband again, her heart suddenly tightened and her eyes turned red in an instant.

Tears welled up in her eyes, as if they would fall at any moment.

Her lips trembled slightly as she stammered, "Mother, I've already promised to bring Wan'er back, but I just haven't found the right time. Why are you forcing me like this? It would be better for me to settle this matter myself here in Songhe Hall today!"

After saying this, she began to sob.

When Mrs. Shen saw this scene, she couldn't help but feel a headache coming over her.

She was filled with regret and wondered why she could have entrusted such an important matter to this simple-minded and confused third daughter-in-law.

However, at this moment in the Shen family, he had neither manpower available nor sufficient money, and he couldn't even call a carriage.

In this case, we still have to rely on Qin Qimei to handle this matter.

So, Old Madam Shen could only helplessly coax her softly, "Wan'er is destined to rise to prominence in the future. Bringing her home this time is truly a golden opportunity. I made this arrangement because I consider that as Wan'er's mother, it would be inappropriate for you not to contribute your part. Do you wish to see Wan'er only recognize me as her grandmother and no longer recognize you as her mother?"

These words hit Qin Qimei's heart like a heavy hammer, causing her to tremble all over, and fear and worry instantly surged into her heart.

She frowned, her face filled with worry as she whispered, "Wan'er once told me that a fortune teller told her she was destined to have a brother. For nearly a year now, my husband has mostly been resting in my daughter-in-law's room, but there's still no sign of pregnancy. I guess Wan'er must be blaming me for not being able to protect her..."

Having said that, she couldn't help but sigh slightly.

When Mrs. Shen, who was sitting beside her, heard this, the words that Master Lechen had said before emerged in her mind - Feng Ming had already left her.

So, Old Madam Shen secretly sighed, and her mind became more and more certain that Shen Jingwan was the Master of Phoenix Life.

Then, Madam Shen spoke slowly, her tone calm, "Wan'er has always been a kind-hearted and sensible child. I don't think she would harbor any grudges or resentment. From now on, we just need to take good care of her and treat her well."

Upon hearing this, Qin Qimei quickly nodded in agreement, saying, "I understand the logic behind this. Please rest assured, mother. I will go back to the Duke of Qing's mansion and borrow a carriage."

Before she finished speaking, she didn't even have time to return to her yard to change her clothes, and she hurried straight to the Duke of Qing's Mansion.

About an hour later, when Mrs. Shen finally saw the carriage at the gate of the mansion, her face instantly became gloomy and dark as the bottom of a pot.

Not only does this carriage look old, but it is also covered with a thick layer of dust, making it look extremely dilapidated.

Qin Qimei saw this and knew something was amiss. She hurried forward and stood beside Old Madam Shen, explaining nervously in a low voice, "The Imperial Concubine in the palace suddenly fell ill, and my stepmother and my two sisters-in-law brought Master Ziyuan to the palace to visit her. Therefore, there are very few carriages left in the Duke's Mansion. These one or two are still relatively good..."

Old Madam Shen sighed heavily and took a small step forward with a slightly heavy step.

Qin Qimei, who was standing by, breathed a sigh of relief when she saw this. She hurriedly stepped forward and carefully helped Madam Shen get into the carriage.

After getting on the carriage, Mrs. Shen couldn't help but frown and looked at the scene inside the carriage with disgust.

I saw that the inner wall of the carriage was covered with patches, and the paint on the seats had long since peeled off and became mottled, making it look particularly shabby.

However, Mrs. Shen just pursed her lips tightly and did not say anything.

Afterwards, Qin Qimei got on the carriage.

As soon as she got on the bus, she quickly took out a handkerchief from her bosom and carefully wiped the already somewhat worn seat.

Only after she had wiped the chair clean enough to be acceptable did she respectfully invite Madam Shen to take a seat.

Madam Shen slowly sat down, cleared her throat, and said, "After all, the Imperial Concubine is your elder sister. She is now ill in bed. It is reasonable for you to go and visit her."

Upon hearing this, Qin Qimei quickly bowed and replied, "Yes, mother, you are absolutely right. Once my daughter-in-law brings Wan'er back, I will immediately submit a sign to the palace requesting an audience."

Hearing Qin Qimei's answer, Old Madam Shen nodded in satisfaction and continued, "Remember to bring Wan'er with you when you go to the palace this time. She's her aunt, and you two should visit each other more often to build your relationship."

Qin Qimei nodded repeatedly, indicating that she would definitely do it.

Then, Madam Shen seemed to recall something important and asked, "I wonder what kind of illness Concubine Qin is suffering from this time? Why hasn't the outside world heard any news at all?"

Qin Qimei sighed softly and replied in a low voice, "Alas... it's all because of the Third Prince's troubles. Ever since the First Prince returned to the capital for the Emperor's birthday last year, he has remained there, never returning to his fiefdom. Now, even the First Prince's wife has been brought back to the capital. The Imperial Concubine took the opportunity to try to get the Third Prince back as well, but His Majesty flatly refused. And then His Majesty decided to raise the Fifth Prince under the name of Concubine Wei. The Imperial Concubine was overwhelmed by these continuous blows and fell ill."

When Mrs. Shen heard this, her heart began to beat fast.

You know, Concubine Wei is the most favored concubine at the time, and now the Fifth Prince has been adopted by her. It seems that the Fifth Prince will have a bright future.

In addition, there is the eldest prince who is eyeing the throne, and the situation is complicated and unpredictable.

Therefore, it is too early to jump to conclusions at this moment.

"Since the Imperial Concubine hasn't ordered you to visit the palace, then you should just pretend you know nothing about this matter. After all, this isn't something to be happy about. If you rashly go to the palace, I'm afraid you won't be able to help, and will only cause more embarrassment and trouble."

Old Madam Shen frowned and warned in a serious tone.

Qin Qimei was very confused as to why her mother-in-law, who had just urged her to bring Shen Jingwan into the palace, suddenly changed her mind, but she knew it was not appropriate to ask too many questions at this time, so she nodded respectfully and agreed.