WBSGVS Chapter 146 V1

A weak body makes everything difficult.

Even eating was uncomfortable, especially in the lower abdomen, where the pain made her nauseous.

Still, Qingli forced down a small bowl of meat porridge, struggling to hold a conversation with Madam Mu for a while. But she soon couldn’t bear it any longer. The moment she lay down, dizziness washed over her, like the sensation of being drunk, only worse, leaving her limbs weak and powerless.

Before long, she drifted into sleep.

Madam Mu couldn’t bring herself to leave and sat beside her, watching. Her daughter had suffered greatly. Women had always had a hard life, bearing the burden of childbirth, yet many were born frail. Countless young girls, with a single misstep, could be lost forever.

July, worried about Madam Mu tiring herself out, urged her to rest on a nearby couch.

That entire afternoon, Madam Mu remained at the Xie household.

It wasn’t until nightfall, after dinner, that she finally left in a hurry.

However, Doctor Zhang stayed behind, insisting he wouldn’t leave until Qingli had fully recovered.

Qingli gladly accepted his care, focusing on her recovery.

The original host of this body had been emotionally troubled, but not to the extent of being bedridden for so long. This prolonged weakness had to be caused by the medicine she had taken.

Unfortunately, the original host had never studied medicine, and the drug didn’t seem like anything serious at first glance—nothing lethal.

Qingli let the matter go for now, prioritizing her health.

During this time, she saw no visitors.

With Doctor Zhang’s prescriptions, her condition gradually improved. Within two days, she could take a few steps on her own. The maids in her room were sharp-witted; seeing her recovery, they showered her with endless flattery, making Qingli laugh and boosting her spirits even more.

Meanwhile, Xie Rongyun left on the third day.

It had been three years since he ranked first in the imperial exams. Now, as a sixth-rank official in the Ministry of Revenue, he managed taxation across different regions—a demanding job.

By this time, the pain in Qingli’s lower abdomen had vanished. Though she still lacked strength, her once pale complexion had regained color. With a little makeup, she looked even healthier.

During this period, Mu Lanyu visited her multiple times. Qingli only saw her once—on the second day after Xie Rongyun left.

Seventeen years old, at the age where a girl was blooming into womanhood, Mu Lanyu was undoubtedly a beauty. More than that, she possessed a natural charm, yet her features remained innocent and delicate, making her distinct from the aloof, aristocratic young ladies of the time.

It was no wonder Xie Rongyun kept her in mind. Once he had fulfilled his duties and gained enough trust, he started plotting how to make her his.

Two days earlier, Madam Mu had already given Mu Lanyu a stern warning, leaving her shaken. When she saw Qingli, she immediately put on a sweet, obedient smile and called out, “Third Sister, are you feeling better?”

Her voice was soft and gentle.

If she weren’t so eager to become someone’s concubine, Qingli might have liked this girl.

Studying her for a moment, Qingli smiled and pulled her close in the same warm manner as the original host would have. “Much better. I haven’t had the chance to take care of you these past few days. Have the maids been serving you well?”

Mu Lanyu quickly nodded. “They’ve been very attentive. Third Sister has always been excellent at managing the household.”

Qingli patted the back of her hand reassuringly. “I heard from Rongyun about what Second Uncle did. He has always been reckless. You’ve suffered because of it.”

“Third Sister…” Mu Lanyu’s eyes reddened as she gazed at her pitifully, full of grievance.

Qingli’s father had always gone to great lengths to plan for her future. When he noticed she was fond of Xie Rongyun, he worked even harder to clear the Xie family’s name and support them.

But Mu Lanyu’s father? He only saw his daughter as a tool to be sacrificed for his own gain.

Qingli sighed before speaking firmly, “No daughter of the Mu family should ever become someone’s concubine! My mother already spoke to my father about this when she last returned home. He will talk to Second Uncle. You don’t need to worry. When my mother comes to visit me again, she will take you back to our family. From then on, I will personally arrange your marriage. How does that sound?”

Mu Lanyu froze, her gaze locking onto Qingli.

Her heart clenched as if someone had grabbed it tightly, making her chest ache.

“What’s wrong? Don’t trust me?” Qingli asked, still smiling. “Rest assured, I will find you a proper husband—someone who will respect you, where you’ll be the rightful lady of the house.”

Mu Lanyu wanted to laugh.

Why say all this now?

She was already seventeen, had been rejected from marriage twice, and carried the reputation of bringing misfortune to her husbands. Anyone paying the slightest attention would know.

What “ideal husband” could she possibly find now?

Especially after seeing that man again, she realized it wasn’t just one-sided love.

With such thoughts in her heart, how could she ever marry another?

Biting her lip, Mu Lanyu lowered her head as if struggling with the decision. In her mind, she recalled the message that man had sent before he left, telling her to stay here and wait for him to return.

Xie Rongyun’s attitude toward her wavered between cold and warm, yet just a little warmth from him was enough to make her heart race and her mind spin.

The only person she felt guilty toward was the woman in front of her.

But emotions were not something she could control.

After much deliberation, Mu Lanyu finally smiled gratefully. “Thank you, Third Sister, but I don’t want to trouble Aunt. I’d rather stay here with you for now.”

The smile on Qingli’s face faded. She looked at Mu Lanyu without saying a word.

Mu Lanyu’s heart pounded violently.

For a moment, she felt utterly exposed—her hidden thoughts laid bare, leaving her embarrassed and ashamed. Clenching her fingers, she hesitantly asked, “Third Sister, is something wrong?”

“Nothing. As long as you’re happy.” Qingli smiled faintly, letting go of her hand.

If it weren’t for the need to keep up appearances, she would have beaten Mu Lanyu right then and there.

Her refusal made it abundantly clear—she couldn’t bear to leave the Xie household, nor could she bear to leave Xie Rongyun.

As if there were no other men in the world?!

But then again, Qingli realized she had been too naive.

Mu Lanyu had chosen this place for help, but how much of it was truly for protection? And how much was it to let a certain someone see her vulnerability?

The only reason no one in the Mu family had noticed was that their household wasn’t steeped in scheming and intrigue. If this had been a family well-versed in inner-court struggles, someone would have seen right through her and torn her apart already.

Still, Mu Lanyu had played her hand well.

In the original timeline, Xie Rongyun had eventually risen to the position of Grand Chancellor—the highest rank in the empire. And Mu Lanyu? She had become the Grand Chancellor’s wife.

All of this had been possible because Xie Rongyun had sided with the right emperor.

At present, the empire was under the Jin Dynasty. The current emperor had been on the throne for nineteen years, making him just over fifty—a relatively long reign for an emperor.

Naturally, his sons were growing restless.

Years ago, the First and Second Princes had perished in their struggle for power. Now, the remaining princes competed in the shadows.

The Third Prince was ruthless and met the worst fate.

The Fourth Prince was seen as a fool—no one took him seriously. Yet, he was the one who ultimately claimed the throne.

Among them, the greatest threat was the Sixth Prince. The Fifth Prince had been born weak and was immediately dismissed from the competition. But the Sixth Prince, the legitimate son of the empress, had been raised as the crown prince in all but name.

However, the emperor was paranoid and refused to officially appoint an heir. Instead, he deliberately pitted his sons against each other.

For now, everything seemed stable. But soon, the empire would descend into chaos.

Back in her previous life, the original Qingli had worried that Xie Rongyun might back the wrong prince. She had even consulted her father about it.

But in reality, Xie Rongyun had hidden his true allegiance so well that she never suspected he had placed his bet on the seemingly incompetent Fourth Prince.