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

If Qin Shenzhi came out and saw the red marks left by Xie Qingyu's fingernails on her palms, he would really think that she wasn't nervous at all when she was talking to Qin Lingrong inside.

Looking back now, it's not that he wasn't nervous, he was just trying hard to control himself.

Just like the last time she saw him in her room, she was clearly terrified, but pretended to be calm.

Qin Shenzhi looked at her, who seemed completely unaware of the stinging pain in her palm, and a strange feeling suddenly welled up inside him.

She was used to facing everything alone, and even if she was afraid or panicked, she could only force herself to endure it.

If it were him...

Qin Shenzhi suddenly turned his head, took a deep breath, and then looked at Xie Qingyu again. "Since you have already met my elder brother, sister-in-law, you should go back quickly. If Mother asks, just say that I am taking care of everything here. If she wants to ask anything else, tell her to ask me after I get back." It was rare for Qin Shenzhi to say so much in one breath.

"Hmm." Xie Qingyu nodded. "What's the longest he can be locked up here?"

Qin Shenzhi looked at her face and slowly said, "Five days."

"Forcibly abducting women and forcing them into prostitution, is he only fit to be locked up here for five days? Are those other people the same as him?"

“He is the only legitimate son of the Marquis of Zhongyong, and none of those people are of low status,” Qin Shenzhi said.

"Could you let him stay in jail for a few more days?" Xie Qingyu asked, then seemed to realize that the request was a bit excessive. She lowered her head and stopped looking at him. "I'm going back now."

"Sister-in-law, just focus on eating and sleeping well, don't worry about anything else," Qin Shenzhi couldn't help but hint again.

Unfortunately, Xie Qingyu didn't seem to notice, and her mood remained somewhat downcast. "Hmm."

As Qin Shenzhi watched Xie Qingyu board the Marquis's carriage, he couldn't help but think of her words in prison.

It seems like this is the first time someone has stood up for him.

Even though he no longer cared about the things Qin Lingrong said.

It also seemed that a scar had been smoothed out.

When Xie Qingyu returned to the Marquis's residence, the Marquis's wife was in her courtyard, looking utterly dejected.

Judging from her expression, Xie Qingyu knew that her attempt to ask the Marquis about the situation had probably not gone smoothly.

So, being sensible, they didn't ask.

"How is my Rong-ge'er? What are the conditions like in prison? Has he eaten?" Lady Hou asked Xie Qingyu one question after another upon her return.

“The conditions in prison are really not good. The things Mother prepared will come in handy and allow my husband to get a good night’s sleep,” Xie Qingyu replied. “He has also eaten. With my second brother here, although the place where he is imprisoned cannot provide any special treatment, he can still take care of his food.”

"How is your body? Those people didn't torture you, did they?"

“My husband is the eldest son of the Marquis of Zhongyong. How could they abuse their power, especially with my second brother present?”

"This is the time we need him. It's good that he knows how to help us." Even now, when Lady Hou mentioned Qin Shenzhi, she didn't have a pleasant expression.

"My husband asked me to pass on a message to Mother, telling you not to worry about him. If he needs anything, just tell my second brother and he can bring it to him. He's in prison now, so he's bound to attract attention. We shouldn't go to see him too much."

“That makes sense.” Lady Hou nodded repeatedly. “I was too hasty. It would have been more convenient for that illegitimate son to carry the things than for us to go. The Marquis also said that the Emperor has been somewhat dissatisfied with him recently, and he told us to be careful.”

Xie Qingyu lowered her eyes, realizing the Marquis's attitude.

Perhaps because the eldest son was incompetent and unable to establish an heir, the Marquis had a large group of concubines in his harem and rarely entered the Marquis's wife's courtyard.

As a result of the strained relationship, when her eldest son got into trouble, the Lady of the Marquis had to personally go to the Marquis for advice, and was even scolded in return.

"In that case, you shouldn't go these next two days. I'll ask him again when that illegitimate son returns." Lady Hou waved her hand, signaling Xie Qingyu to leave.

Hearing Lady Hou repeatedly refer to Qin Shenzhi as an illegitimate son, and even showing such disgust that she didn't want to call him by his name, one could easily imagine what kind of life Qin Shenzhi had led before.

Lady Hou was pampered and lived a life of luxury, but she was quite ruthless in her actions.

There were many pregnant concubines in the backyard, but none of the male babies had survived over the years.

The work bears some resemblance to the work of Lady Hou.

It's easy to imagine how difficult it must have been for Qin Shenzhi to grow up to be where he is today.

No wonder he turned out the way he is now.

"Then you shouldn't go out unnecessarily lately. Stay home and copy Buddhist scriptures and mantras. It's a way of praying for your husband so that he can come out sooner." Madam Hou paused when she mentioned Buddhist scriptures.

"Yes," Xie Qingyu replied.

Lady Hou must be possessed. If such a thing could be accomplished by copying Buddhist scriptures, then bad people in the world could simply go to temples to pray more often.

Moreover, judging from what she just said, she clearly knew the inside story, yet she still thought her son was innocent and wanted him to be released as soon as possible.

Spoiling a child is like killing him.

This is perfectly illustrated by Lady Hou and Qin Lingrong.

When Xie Qingyu returned to her courtyard, it was already afternoon.

Because of Qin Lingrong's arrest, the servants in the Hou mansion were all being cautious, fearing that they might inadvertently offend their master at this critical juncture.

Even the concubines in the Marquis's backyard behaved themselves considerably, not daring to cause trouble at this time.

As a result, the huge palace was unusually quiet.

Xie Qingyu ate a simple meal that evening and then turned off the lights and went to bed early.

Xie Qingyu met Qin Shenzhi at the Hou Madam's place the next morning.

Today is the day to pay respects to the Lady of the Marquis.

For once, Madam Hou refrained from her usual sarcastic remarks and instead carefully instructed Qin Shenzhi, "Rong-ge'er is not in good health, and the prison is cold and damp. You must keep a close eye on his condition."

"Also, this is his medicine. The servants have already prepared it, and it's still warm. When you arrive, please have him drink it first." Madam Hou handed the medicine, which had been packed in a food box, to Qin Shenzhi.

Judging from the portion size, besides the medicine, there were also some other foods.

"Hmm." Qin Shenzhi silently took the food box from her hand.

“I have two more pairs of knee pads, which I made for my husband. Let my second brother take them with him,” Xie Qingyu said.

"You've thought of everything. Rong'er's knees really can't stand the cold. Go and get it for him to take with him," said Madam Hou.

Xie Qingyu left with Qin Shenzhi, while Gu Qinglian was kept by the Lady of the Marquis's side to talk.

At times like these, Lady Hou also longs for someone by her side to help ease her emotions.

"Knee pads, did you make them for Qin Lingrong?" Qin Shenzhi asked as they left the Hou Madam's courtyard.

Xie Qingyu glanced at Qin Shenzhi, her meaning clear.

How could she do such a thing for Qin Lingrong?

For some reason, Qin Shenzhi felt a sense of joy after understanding this meaning.

She then immediately realized that the knee pads were just an excuse Xie Qingyu had made up.

Tell him to go to her yard.