WBSGVS Chapter 150 V1

Mu Lan’er woke up, expecting her cheeks to feel dry.

She had cried herself to sleep the night before, overwhelmed by sorrow. When she sat up, she assumed one of the maids had wiped her face while she slept. After thanking her, however, the maid looked at her in confusion.

“I didn’t do anything,” the maid replied.

“Huh?” Mu Lan’er was puzzled.

Then, whether intentionally or not, the maid added mischievously, “But, at the hour of the dawn watch, Master came by.”

Mu Lan’er gasped, covering her mouth with her hands, a spark of happiness flickering in her eyes. Did he… wipe away her tears?

But then, she remembered the five new concubines he had taken in, and her joy dimmed once more.

The maid leaned in and whispered, “Miss, I heard that no one called for water in the neighboring courtyard last night.”

“What does that mean?” Mu Lan’er, still unmarried, didn’t understand.

The maid chuckled behind her hand. “When things… happen, water is usually needed afterward. But no one in the adjacent courtyard called for water last night. And judging by how Concubine Zhou was walking this morning, she seems perfectly fine. It looks like Master never touched her.”

This time, Mu Lan’er was truly overjoyed.

Meanwhile, in the main courtyard…

A similar conversation was taking place.

Qiyue frowned. “Master didn’t touch Concubine Zhou?”

Qingli, calmly running her fingers through her long, thick hair, sighed in admiration at how well the original owner of this body had cared for it. It was nice living in this era—no worries about balding.

Hearing Qiyue’s concern, Qingli simply smiled. “No problem. Tonight, arrange for Concubine Xu.”

“Yes.” Qiyue nodded but still felt uneasy. “But why didn’t Master touch her? Is there… something wrong with him?”

Qingli blinked. “Who knows?”

Qiyue: “…”

The more she thought about it, the more she felt it wasn’t about his health. After all, Concubine Zhou was a stunning beauty, similar to Mu Lan’er, but less delicate and more striking.

They had spent a fortune to acquire such a woman, and yet Xie Rongyun had spent the entire night without laying a hand on her? Unbelievable!

Before long, a maid arrived to report, “Madam, Concubine Zhou and Concubine Xu… have come to greet you.”

Qingli nodded. “Understood.”

The maid retreated, and Qingli stood up. Qiyue immediately pushed aside her thoughts and followed Qingli outside.

It was time to put the new concubines in their place.

In the courtyard…

Four concubines sat together, secretly eyeing Concubine Zhou, their expressions tinged with jealousy. However, since this was their first official day, none of them dared to overstep their boundaries.

Meanwhile, Concubine Zhou, the center of attention, looked utterly lifeless.

There was no trace of arrogance, no smugness of having won favor—only a deep sense of disappointment.

Qingli, who knew the truth, almost burst out laughing. She had to clear her throat to suppress it.

At her sound, all eyes turned toward her. The concubines immediately stood and bowed. “Greetings, Madam.”

As concubines, their lives were bound by the contract they had signed. In front of the legal wife, they wouldn’t dare harbor any rebellious thoughts.

Qingli smiled in satisfaction and spoke warmly, “Be seated. There’s no need for such formality.”

“Thank you, Madam.” Their voices were clear and sweet.

Qingli’s smile deepened. “Have you had breakfast yet?”

“Not yet,” Concubine Zhou replied cheerfully, emboldened by Qingli’s friendly tone.

The others also shook their heads.

“Then let’s eat together,” Qingli said.

The concubines lit up with joy. “Thank you, Madam!” They quickly stepped forward, eager to join her.

Meanwhile, news of Xie Rongyun’s new concubines spread like wildfire.

Everyone in town soon knew that his wife had personally arranged for him to take in five beautiful women.

People couldn’t help but sigh.

Hadn’t this couple been the envy of all just a few years ago?

A talented scholar and a noble lady, deeply in love, with no third party between them for three whole years.

Yet now, after just three years, they had succumbed to the pressure of producing an heir.

Many who heard the news shook their heads in disappointment.

But no one was more upset than Lady Mu.

Master Mu, though somewhat displeased, could at least accept it—after all, it was his daughter’s own decision. And for a man, taking concubines was normal.

Lady Mu, however, took it much more personally. Upon hearing the news, she rushed over.

The moment she saw her daughter, she examined her carefully. Though Doctor Zhang had said she had fully recovered, Lady Mu still wasn’t at ease. Once satisfied, her worry turned to anger, and she glared at Qingli.

“What were you thinking?! Why would you allow him to take concubines?!”

Qingli glanced at Qiyue.

Qiyue immediately dismissed the servants and left the room herself.

Only then did Qingli reply, “Mother, if I didn’t, what would Xie Rongyun do about having an heir?”

Lady Mu was momentarily speechless, but then she snapped, “He wouldn’t dare!”

Qingli grinned. “Lan’er is still in the manor.”

The sudden shift in topic caught Lady Mu off guard. After a brief moment of confusion, she asked, “She’s still here? Why hasn’t she gone home yet?”

The question itself made her uneasy.

Before, she hadn’t paid much attention, assuming Mu Lan’er had left already—after all, an unmarried girl staying in her cousin’s husband’s home was completely inappropriate.

Seeing her mother’s shock, Qingli said slowly, “Because her beloved is here.”

Lady Mu was momentarily dumbfounded. Then, realization struck, and her expression darkened.

“She… How dare she?! Does she have no shame?! If it weren’t for you protecting her back then, would she even be alive today? Xie Rongyun’s second wife is not an easy person to deal with—Lan’er could’ve been long gone by now!”

Then, as if another thought struck her, Lady Mu’s face twisted with rage. “Wait—Xie Rongyun… Does he have feelings for her?”

Not waiting for Qingli’s response, she muttered to herself, “Of course! I should have realized this earlier. I trusted him too much back then! That bastard! If he liked her so much, why did he marry you?! Ungrateful scum…”

Fury consumed her as she recalled how, back then, Xie Rongyun had stopped her from taking Mu Lan’er away.

She had thought he was being considerate, not wanting her daughter to be lonely or bored.

But now?

Now it seemed like he had been keeping Mu Lan’er close for a very different reason.

Qingli remained silent, letting Lady Mu vent. When she saw her mother trembling with rage, she quietly handed her a cup of tea.

“Mother, have some tea.”

Lady Mu drank, exhaling slowly. Her rage subsided slightly, but her expression remained grim.

“What do you plan to do?” she asked.

Qingli smiled faintly.

“I plan to adopt a child,” she said. “And then… become a widow.”