WBSGVS Chapter 148 V2

She swore she had only accidentally mentioned children.

But when Qingli had said she needed a year to recover, Mu Lan’er had instinctively pushed further.

Maybe I shouldn’t have…

She had told herself to let go of the past, to give up.

But her heart refused to listen.

Especially every time she saw him, elegant, refined, and handsome.

As children, they had been the closest of friends.

She had always dreamed of marrying him.

Yet fate had played a cruel trick. He had become her Third Brother-in-law.

“It’s the middle of the night. Why aren’t you sleeping?”

A low, teasing voice drifted from the pavilion, sending a shiver down Mu Lan’er’s spine.

She turned abruptly, cold sweat forming on her back.

The moon was half-hidden, casting a dim glow, but she could still feel the man’s gaze on her.

She pressed her lips into a smile, stepped forward, and let the fabric on her shoulder slip slightly, as if unintentionally. In a soft voice, she said, “I couldn’t sleep, so I went for a walk. I didn’t mean to disturb you, Brother-in-law.”

Xie Rongyun’s voice was low and steady. “Why can’t you sleep? Feeling guilty?”

As he stepped out of the pavilion, the moonlight revealed his flowing robe, pale, loose-fitting, and strikingly similar in color to the garment draped over her own shoulder.

Mu Lan’er, still stung by his earlier words, glanced at him again. Her heart trembled slightly when she noticed something—the fabric’s pattern was almost identical to hers.

The clothes she wore had been provided by the household when she arrived in a hurry, having brought nothing of her own. Her third sister had been unwell and hadn’t paid her much attention.

Mu Lan’er clenched her fingers tightly and whispered, “I was just thinking about when we were children… You used to tease me for being chubby.”

Xie Rongyun’s expression darkened. He held deep resentment for what Second Master Mu had done and had sworn never to have feelings for Mu Lan’er again. The mere mention of their childhood only reminded him of the catastrophe that had befallen the Xie family. His voice turned cold. “I don’t remember.”

Mu Lan’er’s shoulders tensed, regretting her words immediately. She quickly changed the subject. “Why aren’t you asleep either, Brother-in-law?”

Xie Rongyun hesitated before answering, “Your third sister had a miscarriage and won’t be able to conceive for some time… but I am the only one left in the Xie family.”

Mu Lan’er’s heart ached for him. In a barely audible voice, she said, “I asked Sister, and… she doesn’t seem to mind if you take a concubine…”

“Oh?” Xie Rongyun chuckled, his tone unreadable. He suddenly turned to her and said, “If it weren’t for your father, my family wouldn’t have ended up like this. As his daughter, don’t you think you owe me something?”

Mu Lan’er’s heart pounded wildly. Her legs nearly gave out, and sweat beaded on the tip of her nose. Yet, rather than feeling ashamed or indignant, an odd sense of excitement flickered in her gaze.

Xie Rongyun caught the look in her eyes and let out a cold laugh. “Do you think you’re worthy?”

“…” Mu Lan’er’s face went pale. The flicker of anticipation in her chest was instantly extinguished. With reddened eyes, she stammered, “I… I should go.”

For the next two days, Mu Lan’er didn’t appear.

Qingli didn’t care—if anything, she was hoping something would happen between them. Unfortunately, the Xie household was fiercely protective of Xie Rongyun, making it difficult to catch anything unless they created a scandal as severe as in the previous life. A child born out of wedlock, for example, would be just the thing she needed.

That morning, Qiyue brought a formal invitation. “Madam, the Nie family is hosting a full-month banquet for their eldest grandson. They’ve invited you to attend.”

Qingli unfolded the invitation and skimmed through it. The Nie family was connected to the Sixth Prince’s maternal family. This could be an opportunity to make some important connections. She nodded. “Prepare everything properly, Qiyue. I want everything to be new.”

“Yes, Madam.” Qiyue nodded and prepared to select jewelry from the storeroom.

Before she could leave, a servant from the front courtyard arrived. “Madam, the Eldest Madam has sent over a tonic for fertility.”

“I see. Leave it on the table.” Qingli nodded.

Once the servant placed the bowl on the table and left, Qiyue frowned in displeasure. “The Eldest Madam is becoming more and more brazen.”

Ever since word got out that Madam’s health required a year to recover before she could conceive again, the Eldest Madam had been making snide comments. After being rebuffed several times, she stopped showing up in person and instead resorted to sending ‘nourishing’ tonics just to get under her skin.

Qingli propped her chin in her hand, watching Qiyue dispose of the medicine with an amused glint in her eye. “She’s upset that I haven’t provided an heir for the Xie family.”

Qiyue hesitated before cautiously suggesting, “Madam, if you truly don’t wish to… perhaps it would be better for the Lord to take a concubine? We could ensure that the contract is in our hands, so there wouldn’t be any trouble.”

Qingli’s eyes lit up—finally, someone had said it.

In her past life, the original Qingli had loved Xie Rongyun and had refused to let him take a concubine for three years after their marriage. It was only when she thought she was dying that she had relented, believing she was planning for the future of the man she loved.

Qingli tilted her head as if giving it some serious thought, then sighed dramatically and nodded. “You make a good point. Let’s go find one.”

Qiyue’s eyes widened. She hadn’t expected such a quick agreement and immediately regretted bringing it up. She was about to backtrack when—

Qingli had already stood up. “Make arrangements. This Madam is going out to pick a concubine for her husband.” She lowered her eyes in feigned sorrow. “I can’t let my husband be childless because of me, can I?”

Qiyue clamped her mouth shut and silently went to prepare.

Xie Rongyun returned home after court and immediately asked the steward, “Has my elder sister sent anything over?”

“She has,” the steward replied. “Another fertility tonic for Madam. Yesterday, it was a womb-strengthening soup. The day before that—”

Xie Rongyun nodded in satisfaction. After repeated pressure and reminders, Mu Qingli—who had just lost a child and couldn’t conceive for now, was bound to waver. All he had to do next was have someone subtly guide her thoughts. He would simply place a candidate in front of her and let nature take its course.

“However…” The steward hesitated.

Xie Rongyun shot him a sharp look. “Speak.”

The steward swallowed hard before saying, “Madam was worried about your lineage, so she took the advice of her maid and… bought five women from a courtesan house.”

Xie Rongyun: “???”

He nearly tripped over the threshold, stumbling forward in shock. “What did you just say? She bought five from where?!”

The steward nodded vigorously. “You heard correctly.”

At that moment, they reached the front hall. The five women, having been informed of their master’s arrival, straightened their postures, put on their most charming smiles, and greeted him sweetly.

“Greetings, My Lord…”

Xie Rongyun stepped inside, only to be met with a vision of delicately, coyly posturing women. His breath caught—then he let out a sharp laugh, utterly dumbfounded.

This was not what he had intended at all!

Ever since Mu Qingli had entered his life, nothing had gone as expected. His chest burned with frustration, a strange mixture of anger and humiliation. Without sparing the women a second glance, he stormed into the inner courtyard.

When he finally spotted Mu Qingli, he bellowed, “Qingli! Who permitted you to bring those indecent women into my house?!”

As soon as the words left his mouth, he noticed another figure standing in the courtyard. His heart skipped a beat.

Sure enough, Xie Yuning was standing there, pale-faced and trembling with rage. Her voice was sharp as she glared at him.

“Xie Rongyun! What do you mean by this?! What’s wrong with courtesan women?! It’s not like they aren’t pure!”