The mistress has no feelings, why do you provoke her?

If Xue Qingwan's words just now were half-true and half-false, her feelings for Gu Huaizhou at this moment are now more genuine.

Gu Huaizhou was good-looking, with outstanding features.

His peach blossom eyes held a tender affection when he looked at people, and coupled with his innate nobility, he could easily make young girls fall in love with him.

It was his face and his imposing presence that made Jiang Miaoyin devoted to him.

Xue Qingwan is just a little girl; it's a piece of cake to manipulate her.

As expected, Xue Qingwan blushed and tried to pull her hand away, but Gu Huaizhou held it tightly.

He looked at her with deep affection, like a devoted lover waiting for her answer.

Xue Qingwan was completely unable to resist. When she tried harder, she heard Gu Huaizhou groan and a look of pain on his face.

She panicked immediately: "Cousin, did I...did I hurt you?"

"It's alright." Gu Huaizhou waved his hand, still looking at her affectionately: "I won't force you. I'll wait for you. If you're willing to be with me, just nod. If you're not, I'll tell my mother and have her find you a good family."

Then he released Xue Qingwan's hand.

Xue Qingwan walked out looking completely lost, as if she had lost her soul.

The feeling Gu Huaizhou gave her was something she had never experienced before.

He was so captivating that he completely drew her in.

Jiang Miaoyin did not leave; she only said those words for Gu Huaizhou's benefit.

If she really leaves, wouldn't that fulfill Xue Qingwan's wish?

She sat outside and saw Xue Qingwan looking completely lost, so she glared at her fiercely.

That little slut, she would never allow her to be promoted to a concubine.

Neither Jiang Miaoyin nor Xue Qingwan slept well that night.

One was angry, the other was excited.

As soon as it was light, Xue Qingwan went to Ruyi Residence.

Just as Zhou was being served breakfast, Xue Qingwan entered.

“Auntie,” she called out.

Zhou waved her over, gesturing for her to come forward: "It's kind of you to come see me, please have a seat."

Xue Qingwan pursed her lips, feeling embarrassed to admit that she hadn't come to see Zhou Shi, so she could only pretend to chat with her casually.

They asked her if she was feeling better, and if she had any discomfort.

After a moment of silence, they finally got to the point: "Auntie, does what you said before still stand?"

Zhou didn't react for a moment, and it took her a while to understand what Xue Qingwan meant: "You mean, to be a concubine?"

“I’ll be a concubine.” Xue Qingwan corrected her, “If I’m going to be one, I’ll be my cousin’s concubine, otherwise I won’t accept it.”

Madam Zhou frowned. For someone of her status, being made a concubine was an insult to her.

But if I don't agree, I'm afraid Xue Qingwan won't agree either.

The Marquis's mansion is currently in dire straits. Perhaps elevating Xue Qingwan to the status of a concubine could ward off bad luck.

Zhou had an idea in mind, but she did not agree immediately.

She needs to curb Xue Qingwan's sharp edge, otherwise she'll be hard to control.

"Let me think about this and I'll give you an answer in a few days."

"Aunt, isn't this just a matter of a word from you? What else is there to think about?" Xue Qingwan was very dissatisfied: "Does Aunt think I'm not worthy to be my cousin's concubine?"

Zhou felt angry when she saw her arrogant expression.

She's just a concubine's daughter, what's there to be proud of?

Using Song Wenjun as a shield, she said, "No matter what, we have to discuss it with Wenjun first. She is the mistress of the Marquis's mansion. If we really want to take you as a concubine, it would be a joyous occasion, and the mansion would have to make some kind of arrangements. You don't want to enter the mansion without a word, do you?"

Xue Qingwan thought about it and realized that it made sense, so she kept quiet.

After she left, Zhou had someone invite Song Wenjun over.

On the way here, Li Mama had already told Song Wenjun: "This cousin is really ignorant of her own limitations. She actually begged the First Madam to take her as a concubine. How dare a mere concubine's daughter open her mouth like that?"

Song Wenjun chuckled lightly: "Our cousin has always been proud and arrogant. When she first entered the manor, didn't she say she would never become a concubine? How come she changed her mind in just a few months?"

Others may not know, but Song Wenjun knew it very well.

Xue Qingwan received no allowance in the manor, making it inconvenient for her to do anything.

In particular, she was very ambitious. She always wanted to befriend some officials' wives and young ladies so that she could climb the social ladder and find a government official position for her good-for-nothing father.

She came with high hopes, believing that with her intelligence and talent, she would surely be able to gain a foothold in the capital.

But reality slapped her in the face, leaving her disoriented, especially after her business failed, when she realized how insignificant she was.

Although the concubine was of lower status, she was still the person Gu Huaizhou cherished most.

Only by winning over Gu Huaizhou could she truly gain a foothold.

Madam Li had no idea about these intricacies and simply thought Xue Qingwan was a vixen. She replied with a smile, "She wanted to find a woman from a good family in the capital who could also be the mistress of the house. Isn't that just wishful thinking? She only agreed to become a concubine because she saw that this path was not feasible."

After saying that, fearing that Song Wenjun would be unhappy, he carefully added, "Madam, you don't need to take her to heart. She won't last long if she uses her looks to please others."

Song Wenjun curled her lips; of course, she didn't take Xue Qingwan to heart.

I just didn't expect her to give up so quickly.

She overestimated him.

Li Mama lifted the curtain and let Song Wenjun into the room. Because the household was trying to save money, in previous years, Zhou's room would need to burn six basins of charcoal a day.

Now, there are only two pots left.

The temperature was naturally much colder than in previous years.

She entered the house wearing a fox fur cloak, but Xiao Tao, seeing that the house was not warm, did not let her take it off.

Zhou was unexpectedly enthusiastic, smiling and beckoning Song Wenjun forward: "Wenjun, come here quickly."

The moment she smiled, Song Wenjun knew it was no good.

"Greetings, Mother-in-law." Song Wenjun greeted her before sitting down on the stool by the bed.

Mrs. Zhou leaned against the headboard, looking haggard.

After sighing, she began to complain about being poor: "The household is in dire straits right now, and it's all thanks to you that it hasn't collapsed. Your mother remembers all your contributions."

Song Wenjun simply lowered her head and smiled, without saying a word.

Seeing that she wasn't falling for his tricks, Madam Zhou cleared her throat and said, "Mother knows you're a good child. You wouldn't stand idly by while the household is in trouble, would you? I heard your shop made a lot of money. Take some money from the shop to get through the New Year. We'll make up for it when the household is better off."

It turns out that she was eyeing Song Wenjun's money and property again.

Song Wenjun already suffered a loss once in her previous life, could she afford to suffer another one this time?

of course not.

She smiled slightly at Madam Zhou and said, "Mother is right. As the mistress of the house, I naturally cannot sit idly by when the household is in trouble. I do have money, but if I take it out like this, it will inevitably mess up the accounts. If Mother writes an IOU, there will be no such concern."

"What? Borrow?" Madam Zhou's face darkened instantly, and she said coldly, "Wenjun, tell me the truth. Since you entered the manor, have I ever made things difficult for you? Although you are my daughter-in-law, I treat you better than my own daughter. It's just a few thousand taels of silver. How can you have the nerve to say you're lending it to me? To put it bluntly, you belong to the Marquis's manor, and your property naturally belongs to the Marquis's manor. Even if I don't discuss it with you, I can just send someone to the shop to withdraw the silver for use, and no one will dare to say anything."

Good heavens, is this blatant robbery?