Quick Transmigration: The Green Tea Mistress's Guide to Seduction - A Master's Handbook

"Why don't you ask Madam Hou? She would definitely not want the eldest son to do such a public thing with you," Hongdou said softly.

“That’s a good idea.” Xie Qingyu nodded. “But if the Lady of the Marquis makes a move, my husband will know that I was the one who told him. Will he become even more distant from me and stop coming into my courtyard?”

Hongdou couldn't see Xie Qingyu's expression, but from her voice, she could tell that Xie Qingyu was indeed aggrieved.

"Otherwise, Madam, you could try asking the Second Young Master. He's clever; he might have a solution," Hongdou said softly.

In the mirror, Xie Qingyu smiled, but her tone was still somewhat fearful, "Isn't this... not a good idea? If someone sees me going to see him, I'm afraid it will be hard to explain."

“Going in the evening should be fine. Just like last time, I’ll bring some thank-you gifts. If anyone sees us, we can say we’re going to express our gratitude,” Hongdou said.

"Then I'll have to come with you. I knew I hadn't misjudged you; you really are someone who can share my burdens." Xie Qingyu's tone was full of praise.

Hongdou lowered her head somewhat shyly.

I wonder what the second young master's attitude is towards her idea.

After the matter was settled, Xie Qingyu had Tingling accompany her shopping after finishing her meal.

There wasn't much in her storeroom that was presentable.

Since this time we're using the pretense of needing his help, we need to put on a good show.

Xie Qingyu brought a lot of money this time and bought a lot of things that looked nice but were not very useful, only picking out the expensive ones.

Tingling was somewhat surprised by Xie Qingyu's extravagant spending, but because of what she had said wrong that morning, she didn't dare to ask.

Tingling had bought quite a lot of things, and she was almost overwhelmed with them. Xie Qingyu wanted to buy some more, so she went into a teahouse and booked a private room. She told Tingling to put the things in the Hou Mansion carriage parked at the street corner before coming back. Xie Qingyu ate some pastries and drank some tea to replenish her energy before continuing her shopping.

Before entering the teahouse, Xie Qingyu hadn't expected to run into Qin Shenzhi there.

To be precise, it was her unilateral view of Qin Shenzhi.

Xie Qingyu was drawn in by the sound of voices outside the window.

Xie Qingyu's room was not on the street; it faced the back street, and outside was a river.

There is a small path next to it, which should be convenient, as it can sometimes lead directly from the street to the river.

The voices were coming from this alley, directly below Xie Qingyu's window.

It started with a woman's voice, "You've worked hard today too. These are pastries I made myself. I made a little extra. Take them and share some with the other Imperial Guards later."

"You've worked hard. No wonder Mother always praises you for your skill and dexterity. Whoever marries you will be very lucky." As soon as the man's hypocritical and mocking voice rang out, Xie Qingyu immediately knew his identity.

Xie Qingyu sat by the window and quietly glanced down. Sure enough, she saw Qin Shenzhi in a black robe embroidered with golden cranes, and the woman standing in front of him.

The woman was facing Xie Qingyu, and Xie Qingyu could see her face; it was none other than Gu Qinglian.

Xie Qingyu never expected to witness such a good show.

Judging from Gu Qinglian's attitude, she and Qin Shenzhi should be quite familiar with each other, to the point that they have even gone so far as to send each other pastries made by hand.

She's not even a blood cousin. Qin Shenzhi is an illegitimate son of the Marquis's family, and the Marquis's wife sees him as a thorn in her side.

Logically speaking, Gu Qinglian should be on the same side as Madam Hou, so the current situation must indicate that there are some problems.

While Xie Qingyu was pondering, Gu Qinglian spoke up again, "Stop making fun of me. My aunt doesn't have to worry about my eldest cousin getting married now, so she's dragging me into it. My marriage is still a long way off."

"How could you just disappear like that? Someone as well-behaved as you, I don't know how many men would want to marry you." Qin Shenzhi said with a smile, "It's just that your mother has better plans for you."

Gu Qinglian was initially excited by the first part of the story, but upon hearing the last part, she immediately became dejected.

“If I am unwilling, my aunt will not say anything. I am my mother’s only child, and my aunt is still mindful of past relationships.” Gu Qinglian looked at Qin Shenzhi, hoping that he would give some response.

Unfortunately, Qin Shenzhi seemed not to understand, saying, "Your mother is doing this for your own good. It's windy by the river, so you should go back quickly. I also have to go on duty."

"Alright, remember to eat the pastries." Gu Qinglian smiled innocently and turned to leave.

After Gu Qinglian left, Qin Shenzhi weighed the food box in his hand, the smile on his lips disappeared, and he suddenly turned around and looked up at the window where Xie Qingyu was.

Xie Qingyu instinctively tried to dodge, but it was too late; she met Qin Shenzhi's gaze directly.

Qin Shenzhi probably didn't expect that the gaze from inside the room came from Xie Qingyu.

At this moment, his face carried a sinister and intimidating look, making people tremble when he looked at them.

He is completely different now than he was in the Marquis's mansion. Even when Xie Qingyu met him in his courtyard that night, she had never seen him like this.

Not to mention when he was with the Lady of the Marquis.

Qin Shenzhi was completely different in front of Lady Hou; he was low-key, reserved, and unassuming, as if he had concealed all his sharpness.

Now that his true self has been revealed without any concealment, even Xie Qingyu almost couldn't accept it.

Fortunately, when Qin Shenzhi saw the person in the room clearly, he quickly restrained his aura. Although he still looked somewhat intimidating, he was not as frightening as before.

"So it was my sister-in-law upstairs. I thought some fugitive was secretly watching me." Qin Shenzhi's words were a veiled insult.

"I originally intended to rest and have some tea at the teahouse, but I didn't expect to see you here. It's rare to see you with your cousin," Xie Qingyu teased.

Qin Shenzhi narrowed his eyes, his gaze towards Xie Qingyu carrying a hint of probing. "Sister-in-law, what are you saying? Didn't you see us yesterday morning when we paid our respects?"

“I’m not talking about that kind of meeting. My cousin Qinglian is skillful and clever, and I think she’s a good person. You are only a few months younger than your husband, and you’re also at the age to get married.”

Qin Shenzhi sneered, "After being my sister-in-law for two months, you're already worrying about my marriage. It seems you've had a rather leisurely two months. Why don't you find something to do?"

Qin Shenzhi did mean to scare her a little, but he didn't expect that Xie Qingyu's face would turn pale immediately after he said those words.

One sentence wouldn't have caused her to react like that.

Something's wrong.