The cousin's family is extremely wealthy; she deserves to be a concubine.

A mocking smile flashed across Yuan Tiaotiao's lips as she continued, "The New Year is just two or three days away. I was thinking of bringing you into the manor; it would be better than the men running back and forth."

"Miss Feiyan, don't you think so?"

Feiyan was almost in tears, but she could only grit her teeth and say, "This lowly concubine is nothing more than a plaything for others to enjoy, both before and now."

How could she possibly have the face to enter such a fine place as the Marquis's mansion? Today, the Lady of the Heir Apparent has already condescended to tread upon this humble place.

The fact that you have shown me such kindness today is a blessing I have accumulated over ten lifetimes. How could I dare to offend your eyes by going to your residence?

Yuan Tiaotiao naturally wanted to bring this person back to the Marquis's mansion so that he could make a living under her nose, which was better than letting him escape her control outside.

But this wretched woman named Feiyan actually rejected her kind offer; she really doesn't know what's good for her.

Du Juan was Yuan Tiaotiao's mouthpiece; she dared to say the things that Yuan Tiaotiao couldn't say.

"What kind of good person could a woman like you, who is so eager to curry favor with the powerful and wealthy, be?"

Now that our master is so generous as to allow you into the manor, you still dare to be so arrogant. I don't know if you're truly clever or just plain stupid!

"You need to understand that for people like you, entering the manor is your only way out."

Du Juan even stepped forward and kicked Fei Yan hard in the waist.

Feiyan gritted her teeth, trying not to make a sound.

Just as Dujuan was about to speak again, a voice came from outside the house greeting the young master.

Yuan Tiaotiao and Du Juan exchanged glances and knew that He Zhizhang had come to the rescue.

Yuan Tiaotiao glanced at Feiyan, who was kneeling on the ground, her eyes growing even colder.

With Du Juan's help, she stood up and bowed to He Zhizhang, who had just entered the room.

"Why has my husband come?"

During the Lunar New Year, I was thinking that it must be a bit lonely for my sister Feiyan to be alone in the outer courtyard.

I happened to have some free time today, so I came here to pick up my sister Feiyan and take her home.

Did my husband come all the way here to pick us up?

He Zhizhang wanted to see through Yuan Tiaotiao's gentle and kind smile to discern her true thoughts.

Unfortunately, nothing was found.

"Flying Swallow?"

He Zhizhang was puzzled at first, then it dawned on him and he suddenly understood.

Instantly, a smile appeared on his face, and he reached out to take Yuan Tiaotiao's hand and led her to the head of the table.

"It's freezing cold here, and you're already carrying a heavy load, what are you doing here?"

He first helped Yuan Tiao Tiao sit down, then glanced at Fei Yan kneeling there. "As for Fei... Fei Yan, her status is too low to enter the mansion."

Yuan Tiao Tiao let out a surprised "Oh dear," not knowing whether it was true or not.

She replied, "But she is, after all, your woman. She follows you without any official status, and I am worried that this Miss Feiyan will be wronged."

And if Miss Feiyan gets pregnant in the future and gives birth in the outer quarters, wouldn't that be an illegitimate child?

"I am your wife, how can I stand by and watch our family's bloodline flow away to the outside world?"

He Zhizhang was deeply moved. "I know you mean well."

"Don't worry, Feiyan will never bear my child. Keeping her in the outer quarters is just another place for me to go when I'm feeling down."

Yuan Tiaotiao was skeptical, but knowing her place, she glanced at the sky outside, stood up, and smiled at He Zhizhang, saying:

"Since you've made your plans, I won't cause you any trouble. I see it's getting late, so I'll head back to the manor now."

"Sir, would you like to come with me, or come later?"

He Zhizhang also stood up. "I'll see you out first. I'll take care of some things and then come back to the manor to have dinner with you."

Yuan Tiaotiao smiled and agreed. With He Zhizhang's help, the couple walked past Feiyan affectionately.

Fei Yan was left lying on the ground, with He Zhizhang's words, "She will never give birth to my child," echoing in her ears, which made her feel fearful and cold all over her body.

After an unknown amount of time, He Zhizhang returned to the main house.

"What are you still kneeling for? Get up and serve me!"

Feiyan quickly wiped her face, hunched over, and came to He Zhizhang's side, carefully serving him.

He Zhizhang grabbed Fei Yan's chin and applied slight pressure.

Feiyan frowned slightly, but dared not break free even a little.

After a long pause, he finally managed to utter the word "Master".

He Zhizhang uttered two words, "Feiyan?"

Feiyan's face turned pale instantly, and she knelt down in front of He Zhizhang, "My lord, I know I was wrong."

The Crown Prince's wife asked me my name, and in my haste, I gave her my former name. Please punish me, Your Highness.

To everyone's surprise, He Zhizhang chuckled twice, "Feiyan is good."

From now on, you will be called Feiyan (Flying Swallow). Forget about the name Feihua (Non-Flower).

Feiyan dared not ask any further questions, and only respectfully replied, "Yes, I have remembered."

He Zhizhang gestured for Feiyan to stand up, and then warned her, "Don't have any unrealistic thoughts about things you shouldn't be thinking about."

"Your status means you're destined to never enter the Marquis's mansion."

But don't worry, you've been with me all this time, I won't let you suffer. I'll arrange a good place for you in the future."

Seeing that Feiyan did not respond, He Zhizhang said in a good mood, "Don't underestimate the matriarch of a big family. If a nobody like you really enters the mansion, you might die mysteriously in a few days."

"I'm doing this for your life."

Feiyan forced a smile, "Yes, Your Highness, I have remembered your words."

He Zhizhang: "It's good that you remembered it."

"Alright, help me change my clothes. I've suddenly become interested."

Feiyan's face flushed slightly...

Yuan Tiaotiao, who had just gotten into the carriage, was not in a good mood.

Du Juan couldn't help but advise, "The young master knows his limits, you should be happy, young mistress."

Yuan Tiaotiao said with a cold face, "I should be happy. But look at Feiyan's face, I can't be happy at all."

Du Juan asked cautiously, "That Miss Fei Yan, I think she looks a bit like the cousin from Qingwu Courtyard. I don't know if I'm just seeing things?"

Yuan Tiaotiao scoffed, "They're more than just a little bit alike!"

No wonder our young master dared not bring her into the manor; he was planning to keep her as a mistress in a gilded cage outside."

Du Juan asked doubtfully, "There is clearly a proper person in the manor. With the young master's status, it shouldn't be difficult for him to take in Miss Rong, an orphan girl from a merchant family."

Yuan Tiaotiao paused for a moment, then said again, "Who knows what these men are thinking!"

"I now hope that your young master will take the real cousin into the harem. It would be better than keeping a substitute outside. I find it really disgusting."

Du Juan muttered seemingly casually, "I wonder if Miss Rong knows how our young master feels about her."

Yuan Tiaotiao's eyes were sharp. "If we really bring Cousin Rong into our courtyard, it would be better, at least I'd be able to control her."

It's better than your husband keeping a mistress and not letting me bring her home, not even being able to touch her.

As for whether the young lady knows the young master's thoughts or not, what does it matter?

"Since your young master is keeping such a mistress outside, it must be because he and his cousin Rong are not meant to be, hence this desperate measure."