Marrying a concubine and swallowing her dowry? The mistress turns around and marries a high-ranking

Chapter 17

Liu Manman is very dissatisfied with the Cai Ni Courtyard where she is currently living.

It was not only small, but also located in a remote corner of the Marquis's residence.

Shen Lingjun's Weixia Courtyard, located on the central axis of the Marquis's residence, was spacious and grand, making it the standard residence for a principal wife.

Liu Manman felt that she was Qin Shaoze's true wife, and moreover, since she was now in charge of the household affairs, she should be living in Weixia Courtyard.

It wasn't that she wanted to compete with Shen, a woman from the inner quarters of the house, but what was rightfully hers was rightfully hers, so why should she give it up?

Qin Shaoze looked at Shen Lingjun.

He always granted Liu Manman's requests, but he found it difficult to ask Shen Lingjun for help right now.

Shen Lingjun accepted Liu Manman as his second wife, voluntarily emptied his dowry to treat Old Madam Qin's illness, took the blame for Old Madam Qin's incompetence, and was even stripped of his power to manage the household, which was handed over to Liu Manman...

Since this arranged marriage, Shen Lingjun has suffered a great deal of injustice.

Qin Shaoze went to the battlefield the day after his wedding and had hardly spent any time with Shen Lingjun. He was unaware that Shen Lingjun was such a kind, tolerant, gentle, and compliant woman.

Although she doesn't shine as brightly as Liu Manman, she is even more heartbreaking.

Seeing Qin Shaoze hesitate, Liu Manman immediately became unhappy. Her eyebrows furrowed, and she gave a warning snort.

Qin Shaoze immediately surrendered and had no choice but to bite the bullet and speak to Shen Lingjun.

“Lingjun, Manman is right. She's different from ordinary women confined to the inner quarters; she's skilled in medicine and often needs to prepare medicines herself. A small space really isn't enough. Giving Weixia Courtyard to her will make it easier for her to produce more miraculous medicines to heal the sick and save lives. It would be a good deed on your part…”

Shen Lingjun chuckled without any hint of a smile.

"She's only just walked in, and she already wants me to make room for her."

She actually wished she could move out of Weixia Courtyard and live somewhere more remote, where it would be quieter and more convenient for her to get things done.

But she had to keep up the act; otherwise, it would be too suspicious if she moved out happily.

Liu Manman didn't like hearing this: "What do you mean by making room for me? Shaoze and I are truly in love. Your marriage to him was just an arranged marriage and doesn't count at all. Your place should have been mine!"

She saw Shen Lingjun as a victim of the feudal system and felt pity for her, which is why she reserved the position of the Marquis's wife for Shen Lingjun. But she had to let Shen Lingjun know who the real mistress of the Yongning Marquis's mansion was!

Shen Lingjun nodded: "Okay, then I'll move to Yufei Courtyard."

The only empty courtyard in the Yongning Marquis's residence is this one, which is located in the most remote part.

She added, "Rui-ge'er will move there with me too."

Liu Manman's expression changed immediately.

She'd forgotten all about that!

She had originally thought that after marrying into the Marquis's mansion, she would have more opportunities to spend time with Qin Xuanrui.

Yufei Courtyard is so remote, wouldn't it be inconvenient for Qin Xuanrui to move there with Shen Lingjun?

On the surface, Shen Lingjun is Qin Xuanrui's biological mother, and Qin Xuanrui had always lived with her. Now that Shen Lingjun, as his mother, is moving in with her "biological son," no one can say anything.

Liu Manman's face turned pale. She wanted to stop them, but she couldn't bring herself to speak.

Shen Lingjun ignored her and left.

Shen Lingjun brought up Qin Xuanrui on purpose.

Ever since she learned that Qin Xuanrui was not her biological child and had no maternal affection for her, she no longer wanted to waste any time or energy on him.

I wish he would get as far away as possible.

However, she couldn't be the one to kick people out; only Liu Manman could take them away.

Liu Manman is Qin Xuanrui's biological mother. Shen Lingjun doesn't believe that Liu Manman can keep such a calm demeanor!

Sure enough, as soon as Shen Lingjun left, Liu Manman anxiously turned to Qin Shaoze.

"Shaoze, I don't want Xuanrui to stay with her anymore. You promised me before that after we got married, you would transfer Rui'er to my name. When can I call Rui'er my son?"

Although Qin Xuanrui only has her as his biological mother in his heart, she still doesn't want Qin Xuanrui to call other women "mother," not even fake ones!

Qin Shaoze was stumped by Liu Manman's question.

Old Madam Qin originally planned that after Liu Manman entered the family, a year or two later, when the storm had passed, she would have Shen Lingjun "die of illness" in the Marquis's mansion. This way, not only could Shen Lingjun's dowry be preserved, but Qin Xuanrui could also be legally transferred to Liu Manman's name and become Liu Manman's legal mother.

Qin Shaoze also approved of the plan.

But now that Shen Lingjun has emptied her entire dowry to pay for Old Madam Qin's medical treatment, the Marquis's mansion no longer has any reason to take her life.

Qin Shaoze felt a pang of pity for Shen Lingjun, but he didn't want her dead. The Marquis's mansion could afford to support another lady.

But this means that Qin Xuanrui and Liu Manman will not be able to reunite as mother and son.

Liu Manman got angry when she saw Qin Shaoze hesitate and not speak.

"Qin Shaoze, what do you mean? You're not planning to go back on your word and not keep what you promised, are you?"

Qin Shaoze quickly replied, "Of course not, but this matter cannot be rushed. The Shen family still believes that Qin Xuanrui is her biological son, so how could they possibly give him to you?"

Liu Manman glared at her: "Then what do you suggest we do?"

Qin Shaoze thought for a moment and said, "We've just gotten married, so we can't do anything to Shen Shi right now. Let's wait a while and find a reason to send Shen Shi to the estate or the Buddhist temple. That way, Rui Ge'er can recognize you as his mother."

He felt this was the best way; it wouldn't kill Shen Lingjun, but it would still get Qin Xuanrui away from her.

Liu Manman was still dissatisfied: "How long do we have to wait? I want Rui'er to live with me now! He moved to Yufei Courtyard, which is so far away from Shen Shi, and it's so difficult for me to see him!"

Qin Shaoze was driven to desperation by Liu Manman's antics, and in the end, he had no choice but to agree to help her find a way to talk to Shen Lingjun.

......

The next day, Shen Lingjun moved from Weixia Courtyard to Yufei Courtyard, the most secluded corner of the Marquis's residence.

Yufei Courtyard was so remote that it was almost detached from the Marquis's residence. Because it was too far from the main gate and the two side gates, there was a small gate for easy access to the Marquis's residence.

This is exactly what Shen Lingjun wanted.

Living here, she can have the greatest degree of freedom.

Qin Xuanrui was very unhappy about moving to such a remote and desolate place, and kept grumbling and complaining.

Shen Lingjun ignored him and settled down on her own.

Not long after, Qin Shaoze arrived.

As soon as Qin Xuanrui saw Qin Shaoze, he immediately went up to him and complained, "Dad! I don't want to live here! This courtyard is so small, the house is so old, it's not comfortable to live in at all! And it's so far away, it will take me half a day to walk to see you and Grandmother!"

Qin Shaoze also felt sorry for Qin Xuanrui. He hugged Qin Xuanrui and turned to Shen Lingjun.

“Lingjun, I want to discuss Xuanrui with you… This Yufei Courtyard is indeed too remote. It’s fine for adults, but it’s not suitable for children. Xuanrui is only three years old. If he lives so far away, he will become estranged from his father and grandmother in the future.”

Shen Lingjun's eyes held a hint of mockery: "So, what does the Marquis intend to do?"

Qin Shaoze said, "I want Xuanrui to move to my Ganlin Courtyard. Of course, you are still his mother; he will just be living there."

He couldn't suggest that Qin Xuanrui move in with Liu Manman; that would be too suspicious. It was more reasonable for him to move in with his father. Anyway, Ganlin Courtyard and Weixia Courtyard were next to each other, so there wasn't much difference.

Shen Lingjun immediately refused, and her attitude was quite vehement.

"No way! If Rui-ge moves to Ganlin Courtyard, won't he become estranged from his mother?"

She cried uncontrollably, "My lord, besides the empty title of Lady of Yongning, I have nothing left. No dowry, no power to manage the household, no husband's favor, and even our original residence has been taken away... Now I only have this one child, Rui'er, who is my only support! I absolutely cannot lose him!"

Ha, she raised their son for three years, after all. If they want Qin Xuanrui away from her, they'll have to bleed a little!