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

Under He Zhizhu's reassurance, Qiu Kui was completely at ease.

She feared that she, as the messenger, would ultimately be held responsible.

But He Zhizhu's next words sent a chill down her spine.

"As for whether you said anything unnecessary or made any unnecessary movements when you relayed the message to Wenqin and Wenhua, I, as their master, have no idea."

For some reason, Okra felt despair at that moment.

She suddenly realized that no matter how hard she tried, she could never leave He Zhizhu in this lifetime, unless she died.

As for Qiu Yi, she knew that He Zhizhu would not agree.

---

The next day, Hua Sirong got up early and was told by Wang's mother.

The young mistress of the mansion miscarried, while Concubine Shui gave birth to a son.

Hua Sirong was unsure how to react for a moment, and after a long while, she instructed, "These next few days, everyone in our Qingwu Courtyard should stay in the courtyard if possible."

And putting on the headgear would be simpler.

Hua Sirong herself also chose a light-colored dress to wear, and the others in the courtyard naturally understood the deeper meaning behind it.

At this moment, even Xiaoya and Fufeng dared not show themselves.

It's true that Hua Sirong might be the target of their anger, but if she offends the masters of the Marquis's mansion, they, as servants, risk losing their lives.

Besides, there's Granny Yan watching them like a hawk. Even if they wanted to do something outrageous, they'd have to think twice.

Two days later, it was supposed to be the third-day celebration for the seventh son, who was born to Aunt Shui, but because Yuan Tiaotiao had lost her child, no one mentioned it.

Hua Sirong followed the crowd and went with He San and her group of sisters to see Yuan Tiaotiao.

These past few days, He Zhizhang has been staying by Yuan Tiaotiao's side almost all the time. Wenqin has been sent to the estate, and Wenhua has been confined to her quarters and is not allowed to enter the main house.

This can also be seen as He Zhizhang's attitude.

But when he saw Hua Sirong among the visitors, he unconsciously looked at Yuan Tiaotiao, fearing that she would expose his shameful thoughts.

They were also worried that Yuan Tiaotiao's condition might worsen as a result.

As if Yuan Tiaotiao could read He Zhizhang's mind, although she was still weak, she forced a smile and greeted her younger sisters. She also made a special request to Hua Sirong and said many words of thanks.

He Zhizhang, meanwhile, was being bossed around by Yuan Tiaotiao. Feeling guilty, He Zhizhang naturally went along with it.

On the surface, it seems like the two of them are showing affection in front of a group of younger women.

For a time, the younger sisters in the mansion watched as if they were watching a spectacle, laughing at their eldest brother, saying he was the best husband.

Hua Sirong blended in among them, trying her best not to become a conspicuous figure.

After they left early, citing the reason that they didn't want to disturb Yuan Tiaotiao too much.

He Zhizhang and Yuan Tiaotiao were left in the room, and the atmosphere instantly cooled down.

After a while, Yuan Tiaotiao suddenly asked He Zhizhang, "My cousin is as beautiful as her name suggests. But my health is not good enough for me. Why don't I arrange for my cousin Rong to marry into the household on your behalf?"

"She was my mother-in-law's niece, and I couldn't treat her badly, so I took her into our courtyard as a concubine."

I won't force her to drink contraceptive soup; I'll just register the child in my name after it's born.

"Sir, what do you say?"

He Zhizhang, who had previously been mindful of their marital relationship, couldn't help but look embarrassed now.

"My cousin is already engaged and will be getting married at the beginning of the year."

Yuan Tiaotiao disagreed, "What's so good about marrying outside? How can it compare to being a concubine to our young master?"

“Look at Feiyan outside, she must be incredibly lucky to be able to serve our young master.”

Originally, I was going to bring her into the manor, but Your Highness is not one to cherish women, and you actually stopped me. I don't know how heartbroken Miss Feiyan must have been these past few days.

I don't care, I'm definitely going to bring Feiyan into the manor to take care of her once she gets pregnant.

I just lost a child, and I absolutely cannot bear to let my grandfather's flesh and blood be left to fend for themselves.

He Zhizhang was not fooled by Yuan Tiaotiao's words. He looked at Yuan Tiaotiao with a clear expression and said, "I will say it one last time. Cousin Rong is just a cousin. She will marry into the Jiang family."

As for Feiyan, she will never enter the manor.

Yuan Tiaotiao's face showed little joy upon hearing this.

Seeing that He Zhizhang had left again, saying that there were still things to do in the front yard, he fled as if he were escaping.

She forced herself to lie back down on the bed.

Du Juan came out to serve at the right time, "Young Madam, why are you doing this?"

"The young master already said he wouldn't let that vixen from outside into the house, why are you bringing it up again?"

"If you ask me, you should take advantage of the young master's home to cultivate your relationship with him. Once you've recovered, you can conceive another young master soon."

Yuan Tiaotiao stared blankly at the ceiling, "You don't understand! A man's heart is like duckweed, always drifting aimlessly."

"Now that I have met Feiyan, I will inevitably know his despicable thoughts."

I am not testing you today, but asking for a definite promise.

I intend to use this child's departure and his guilt to completely extinguish his philandering thoughts.

Yuan Tiaotiao suddenly said excitedly, "Mixiang Garden can admit many women, but it absolutely cannot be Hua Sirong."

Du Juan asked in confusion, "Why?"

The young lady seems to be very easy to get along with. Once she enters the Fragrant Garden, she might be even more well-behaved than Wenqin.

Besides, with such a beautiful young lady like Miss Biao in the courtyard, the young master won't go outside anymore and come back rummaging through all sorts of smelly and stinky things.

Yuan Tiaotiao grinned, a sinister smile playing on her lips. "Just assume this is a woman's intuition."

In short, Hua Sirong has no choice but to get married. Even if it's a substitute trope, I'll have to make sure your young master gradually gives it up.”

Du Juan still disagreed, saying, "The young master was heartbroken for you after your miscarriage."

"But after what happened today, I'm worried that a rift may develop between you and the young master."

A few bitter laughs escaped from Yuan Tiaotiao's throat. "What, do you think I still have any expectations for your young master?"

"The fact that I dared to tear off his mask today means I'm prepared to treat him with the utmost respect as a wife."

Moreover, she also sensed that He Zhizhang seemed to have discovered something!

But what does it matter? As long as she doesn't admit it, no one can say that she, as her biological mother, deliberately harmed her child and caused her miscarriage.

Even the picky mother-in-law, Madam Shen, would never believe that Yuan Tiaotiao would gamble away her first child for the sake of her position in Mixiang Garden.

After all, who could believe that there is such a heartless mother!

Who could believe that a princess who relies on her legitimate son to secure her position would be so heartless as to abandon her child?

Unfortunately, time was too short, and she didn't have much time to plan, which made the whole plan seem too rough and aroused He Zhizhang's suspicion.

But she only wanted to kill three birds with one stone: to extinguish He Zhizhang's feelings for Hua Sirong, to prevent Feiyan from entering the mansion, and to deal with Wenqin and the other two. Regardless of whether there was anything wrong with the soup Wenqin had, she would still be held accountable.

It turned out that she was right.

As for asking about the painting, it's a bit of a pity that she remained so calm this time.

Besides, as the mistress of the house, she couldn't possibly take all of the young master's women in one fell swoop.

Otherwise, she would have to expose herself to the public.

"After I rest for two more days, I'll be able to get out of bed. Then I'll ask my mother-in-law for two more good maids, have them groomed, and put them in our master's yard."

"Hmm, we need to pick two more to serve in the study in the front yard."