The Sickly Regent Prince Who Was Abandoned as a Substitute Bride

"My lord, I feel much better..." Liu Qiqi blushed and her heart raced as she recalled the lord's madness last night.

"Qiqi, there's something I want to ask you..." Dongfang Zheng was somewhat embarrassed, but worried that Dongfang Wan'er would complain to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion... "The First Madam's dowry..."

As soon as Dongfang Zhenggang opened his mouth, Liu Qiqi immediately became alert.

“My lord, I only kept it safe for my sister when she was unwell. Do you not trust me now?” Liu Qiqi said.

“Don’t talk nonsense. It wasn’t the First Madam who said it, but Wan’er. She’ll be coming of age in a few months, and according to the rules, her mother’s dowry should be returned to her,” Dongfang Zheng explained.

"My lord, as you know, I have been managing the household affairs and dealing with all sorts of social obligations for so many years. Your meager salary is hardly enough..." Liu Qiqi said aggrievedly while wiping away her tears.

"You've worked hard, Qiqi. I know that, so..." Dongfang was waiting for her to continue. He had already guessed what Liu Qiqi was going to say next, but he still wanted to hear what she was going to say.

"So I used a little of my sister's dowry. And as you know, my family is not very large, and Zhu'er is almost of marriageable age. I want to leave the dowry to Zhu'er..." Liu Qiqi said aggrievedly, tears welling up in her eyes, making people feel sorry for her.

"Yes, Father, my sister agreed to give me Mother's dowry as part of my own!" Dongfang Mingzhu added. She knew in her heart that the dowry from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was extremely generous, and if she could obtain it, her position in her husband's family would be much more secure. The Duke of Zhenguo's dowry was so abundant; how could she easily return what her aunt had promised as her own dowry…

“Yes, my lord, my sister is the youngest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo. Would she be short of money? If you could talk to her, my lord…” Liu Qiqi looked at Dongfang Zheng tentatively. She knew that Dongfang Zheng had always doted on Dongfang Mingzhu. As long as he spoke up, the matter should not be difficult to resolve.

"Our Zhu'er is going to marry the eldest prince, my lord!" Seeing that Dongfang Zheng seemed to be hesitant, Liu Qiqi directly threw out her last trump card.

The eldest prince, Ye Jingchu, is the Empress's son and has a high chance of becoming the Crown Prince or even the Emperor in the future. If Zhu'er could marry him, she would truly rise to a higher social status. And this dowry would become Zhu'er's capital to establish herself in the palace.

“Alright, I will speak to the First Madam.” Upon hearing that Zhu’er was to marry the First Prince, Dongfang Zhengyi did not hesitate to compromise.

On Dongfang Wan'er's side...

"Young Miss..." Qiuqin rushed back in a hurry.

"Is everything settled?" Dongfang Wan'er asked anxiously.

"It's all taken care of, Miss. Don't worry, everyone in the streets and alleys will know about the Marquis's affairs by tomorrow..." Qiuqin covered her mouth and chuckled.

Dongfang Wan'er smiled with satisfaction: "Very good! Where's the medicine? Did you buy it?"

"I've bought it. I'll go brew it right away." Qiuqin took the medicine packet and turned to walk towards the kitchen.

"Yes, go quickly," Dongfang Wan'er urged. The medicine she had prepared this time was specifically for Lu Wanning to detoxify. What others considered an incurable disease was a piece of cake for Dongfang Wan'er. With the combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine, she believed her mother would recover soon.

As night fell, the main hall was brightly lit. Dongfang Zheng, Liu Qiqi, Dongfang Mingzhu, and Wang Yu sat around the table, looking at the vegetarian dishes laid out before them, none of them had any appetite.

Moreover, Dongfang Wan'er even took away the cooks from the kitchen, who were originally from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion...

"Zheng'er, that girl Wan'er actually managed to get the Duke's mansion to cut off our food supply!" Wang Yu put down his chopsticks with a displeased expression.

"Yes, Mother, I saw with my own eyes the people from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion moving things into Wan'er's room..." Dongfang Zheng was used to enjoying all kinds of delicacies, and suddenly faced with these simple meals, he found it hard to swallow.

Liu Qiqi and Dongfang Mingzhu also couldn't eat, since they had already had a special meal prepared in the courtyard.

"Wan'er is usually a very sensible girl. Liu Qiqi, you must have upset Wan'er yesterday, that's why she cut off my bird's nest!" Without saying another word, Wang Yu vented his resentment on Liu Qiqi.

“Mother, Miss is always so arrogant and domineering, how could I dare to make her angry…” Liu Qiqi could only reply with a feeling of grievance.

"Alright, alright, I get angry just looking at you. You don't act like a proper matriarch at all." Wang Yu had always disapproved of her son marrying a singer, but now that the woman was pregnant, she had no choice. After all, family scandals shouldn't be aired in public, so she could only vent her dissatisfaction on Liu Qiqi.

"Yes, Mother!" Liu Qiqi replied softly, her head lowered, not daring to look her mother-in-law in the eye. It was normal for the old woman not to like her because of her humble origins.

Dongfang Zhengze watched all this silently. He understood his mother's prejudice against Liu Qiqi, but he also felt sorry for the injustice Liu Qiqi had suffered. However, he chose to remain silent because he knew that his mother held a very important position in this family.

At this moment, Wang Yu spoke up again, "Zheng'er, let Wan'er come out and have dinner with us." She was thinking about the delicious bird's nest and wondered if she could take this opportunity to talk to Dongfang Wan'er.

"Steward Zhou, go and invite Miss Zhou!" Dongfang Zheng instructed, following his mother's request.

"What? You want me to dine in the main hall? Aren't I still under house arrest? This isn't quite right, Steward Zhou..." Dongfang Wan'er asked in surprise. She knew perfectly well what they meant by calling her over. Heh, she wouldn't go...

"This is the old lady's wish, and the Marquis has also agreed. Miss, you don't need to worry, you are no longer under house arrest," Steward Zhou replied respectfully. He dared not offend this young lady, lest he bring trouble upon himself.

"I've already eaten, I won't go..." Dongfang Wan'er refused directly...

Butler Zhou's lips twitched as he looked at the delicacies on the table. He sighed inwardly, the contrast was too stark. On one side was simple food, on the other, a lavish banquet.

In the main hall...

"What? She's not coming..." Dongfang was a little unhappy...

"Yes, Lord Marquis, the young lady is having her meal..." Steward Zhou told the truth and reported what she was eating!

"Ouch, my bird's nest! My chest hurts! Zheng'er, it's all Liu Qiqi's fault. Why did she have to cause trouble for Wan'er for no reason..." Wang Yu clutched his chest.

"Mother, Mother, don't worry, I'll go talk to Wan'er and ask her to send you some bird's nest!" Dongfang Zheng quickly comforted Wang Yu...

"Wang Mama, help me back. Just looking at them makes me angry..." Wang Yu glared at Liu Qiqi and Dongfang Mingzhu...