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

"What does Fifth Brother think?" Prince Ling pressed.

When Shen Wang's gaze fell on Xie Qingyu, his expression did not change, only the hand resting on his leg slowly began to tap.

“I shouldn’t refuse what Your Majesty desires, but Qingyu was a gift from Mother Consort. Since the last poisoning, I’ve only had this one capable person to take care of my daily needs, which is really…” Prince Shen looked troubled. “If Your Majesty likes her, Qingyan can be given to you. The people Mother Consort gives me are all beautiful, and I’m sure Your Majesty will like them too.”

When Ling Wang heard his words, his eyes flickered, and he quickly said, "Since you say so, I, the Emperor, will definitely not take away your capable people. You can keep all the whispers and whining."

"Why are you getting involved? When we return to the palace, you'll be given plenty of people. What use are the people around the Fifth Prince?" Although the Consort spoke reproachfully, there was no real sense of accusation.

"I was just joking around with my fifth brother. I didn't expect him to be so attentive to the person beside him." The Prince of Ling smiled again, appearing magnanimous. "Besides, the Princess Consort is pregnant..." The Prince of Ling's gaze fell on the Princess Consort beside him, his eyes seemingly filled with love.

Following his gaze, the Imperial Concubine looked at Princess Ling and, after thinking for a moment, decided not to say anything excessive. "Your father's intention is that there's nothing we can do. We'll find two capable women who can share the burden with your princess."

Prince Ling remained silent this time, and Princess Ling bit her lip without looking up.

Luo Qingran was furious looking at the palace maids who had already stood to the side, but she couldn't say a word.

It's understandable that Princess Ling is pregnant and cannot serve two people, but the Noble Consort is fully aware of her situation...

Luo Qingran had no words to express her bitterness. She fixed her gaze on Prince Shen, hoping that he would refuse like Prince Ling, even though she knew it was unlikely.

"You three, mother and children, seem to be enjoying a harmonious life together; I truly envy you!"

"Rise, all of you." The Emperor walked away, refusing their bows, and went straight to the Imperial Concubine, helping her to her feet. "Sit down, all of you."

The Emperor turned and sat down next to the Imperial Concubine.

"What are you all talking about? It's so lively!" The Emperor looked at the Imperial Concubine with great interest.

"The wild game His Majesty sent was too much for me to eat by myself. Since it's all close by on the estate, I had my second and fifth sons and their spouses come over," the Consort explained.

"They should eat together more often; that will strengthen the bond between brothers. I still remember when they were young, they would fight right in front of me while eating in your palace." The Emperor seemed to be recalling a funny incident from the past.

"I was young and ignorant back then," Prince Ling said with a perfectly timed expression of embarrassment. "I didn't expect Father to still remember."

His words opened the floodgates for the emperor to speak.

Perhaps it was because he rarely saw such a heartwarming scene elsewhere that it reminded him of some things from the past.

"Back then, you were the most mischievous. Taking advantage of your mother's favor, you bullied the Fifth Prince quite a bit." Although the Emperor said this, his face was full of satisfaction with his son.

He remembered that he also favored the fifth brother a little more at that time, otherwise, the little guy would not know how to fight back when he was bullied so badly by the second brother.

"Fortunately, my father stood up for me." Prince Shen looked at the emperor with admiration in his eyes.

This glance reminded the Emperor of how the Fifth Prince was when he was young. Every time the Emperor made a decision for him, the Fifth Prince would look at him with his round eyes, as if to say, "How are you so amazing?"

Apart from the eldest child who died young, none of these children were as close to him as the fifth child.

Unfortunately, as they grow older, they become increasingly uncontrollable.

None of his sons were easy to deal with after they grew up; they all coveted his position.

The prince's smile faded slightly upon thinking of this.

However, seeing the fifth brother, who was clearly sickly and no longer as healthy as before, still made me feel a little uncomfortable.

Looking up, she saw two palace maids dressed differently standing behind Princess Shen. "Did you prepare this for the Fifth Prince?"

"Yes, the fifth prince is not in good health, so it's good to give it to him first, and then there will be more people to take care of him." The imperial concubine's expression was normal, as if she were a mother who was genuinely thinking about her son.

"That's right."

"Your Majesty, please join us for a meal. It's been a long time since the Second Prince and the Fifth Prince have eaten with you like this," the Consort said, and a quick-thinking eunuch brought over new bowls and chopsticks.

"After all these years, I still feel most relaxed and comfortable here with you." The Emperor sighed with emotion.

The Imperial Concubine's expression changed slightly, but she quickly recovered, saying, "If His Majesty likes it, that's good."

Xie Qingyu watched this nominal family eating together, and realized that all six of them had their own agendas.

On the surface, they appear harmonious and friendly, but in reality, they are scheming against each other.

There is genuine affection involved, but when faced with real interests, the genuine affection that binds them together is simply insignificant.

After the meal, the emperor was seen off, and the imperial concubine also told them to go back and rest.

Prince Ling and Prince Shen walked out side by side until they reached the garden gate, where they stopped. "The maidservants around Fifth Brother are truly well-trained."

Prince Shen ignored his gaze and said calmly, "Since you like it so much, I'll send one to you when I get back, so as to ease the burden on my sister-in-law."

Ling Wang's gaze shifted meaningfully from Xie Qingyu, "If it's not this one, then there's no need."

King Shen smiled but remained silent.

Feeling awkward, Prince Ling turned and left, with his maid supporting his pregnant wife.

Luo Qingran, who was behind Prince Shen, listened to what the two of them had to say. Based on Prince Shen's attitude, she even had some thoughts about Xie Qingyu's status in front of Prince Shen.

Even so, she didn't take Xie Qingyu seriously at the moment; what mattered were the two palace maids who followed her back.

These two palace maids are different from Xie Qingyu and the other three. They were originally there as maids to take care of Prince Shen.

These two, however, need to be given official titles and 'served'.

Luo Qingran couldn't help but take a step forward, lagging half a step behind Prince Shen, and asked, "What do you think of these two people my mother sent...?"

“Since Mother Consort has given them to us, they’re considered part of the inner courtyard. You can arrange things as you see fit. For now, they’re in the garden; find them a place to stay temporarily.” Prince Shen’s seemingly indifferent attitude towards the two of them brought a smile to Luo Qingran’s face. She cautiously probed, “Then I’ll put them in the courtyard next to Your Highness…”

"I am still not fully recovered, so I'm leaving these matters to you. Since you have nothing to do in the garden, it would be good for them to stay with you and keep you company." Shen Wang's words made it clear that Luo Qingran was in charge of everything, which dispelled her initial unease.

Once under her command, she won't allow anyone to cause any trouble.

Even if he had ideas, he would have to wait until she was pregnant.