WBSGVS Chapter 155 V2

A soft sound came from the window. When Qingli turned to look, he was already gone.

She yawned again, closed the window, and turned to go back inside.

The Next Evening

Xie Rongyun returned to the manor drunk. Though tipsy, his face was still deeply furrowed with frustration and suppressed anger.

He reeked of wine, face flushed, slumped over a servant’s shoulder. The young man said carefully, “Sir, we’re home now.”

But Xie Rongyun scowled. “Who told you to bring me back? Didn’t I tell you to go get more wine?”

The servant winced but said nothing, quietly carrying him toward the inner courtyard.

Qingli, hearing the commotion, came out—just in time to witness the scene.

The young servant knew she was the true mistress of the household, so as soon as he saw her, he nervously bowed and said, “Madam, Master wasn’t in a good mood today and went out drinking…”

“I understand,” Qingli replied calmly, her expression serene, as if the man weren’t drunk but had simply come home from dinner.

The servant secretly let out a sigh of relief. At least she wasn’t angry. He lowered his voice and asked, “Shall I take the master back to the main courtyard?”

Just then, the concubines were rushing over. Seeing that the first to arrive was Concubine Zheng, Qingli said, “Take him to Concubine Zheng’s room. Have her tend to him properly.”

The servant froze for a second—he hadn’t expected the Madam not to look after the Master herself.

Concubine Zheng beamed with joy. As she had her people support Xie Rongyun, she turned and said to Qingli, “Thank you, Madam. I will take good care of the Master.”

The Madam was truly generous—what a blessing!

They couldn’t afford to let her down. They had to get pregnant soon.

Seeing Zheng’s sincere gratitude and the possessive glint in her eyes as she looked at Xie Rongyun, Qingli finally allowed herself a slight smile and nodded in encouragement.

The other concubines, who had arrived late, saluted with regret. They weren’t angry—after all, they were the ones who didn’t get there in time.

Only Xie Rongyun, now the focus of five women’s attention, felt a chill run down his spine, despite being drunk. He shivered.

Concubine Zheng noticed and grabbed his hand with a bright smile. “Master’s cold—what are you waiting for? Hurry up!”

“Yes, ma’am!” The servant nodded and obediently led the way inside.

Of course, the last to hear the news was Mu Lan’er—whose position in the household didn’t really allow her to be informed. She arrived much later, only catching a glimpse of the hem of Xie Rongyun’s robe as he was taken away. Seeing the group of concubines surrounding him, she was so angry she nearly cried. Then she saw her third sister, whose face still carried a faint smile.

She couldn’t hold back. “Third Sister, how could you let the concubines take Brother-in-law away like that?!”

Qingli heard her voice and turned slightly to glance at her.

Just that one look sent a jolt of fear through Mu Lan’er, dispelling the irritation on her face. She dug her nails into her palm to steady herself.

Ever since her affair with Xie Rongyun began, she’d been afraid to face her third sister. She’d come this time because a maid told her Xie Rongyun had returned drunk, and she panicked.

Just last night, he had been in the study with Concubine Zhou. She’d cried herself to sleep, only managing to drift off at dawn. She didn’t even know if he’d come to see her today.

She felt miserable. She’d been hoping he’d come and comfort her, but not only did he come home drunk, he was now surrounded by those women. And Qingli—her noble, legitimate sister—just let them take him?

Qingli’s voice turned cold. “Do you have a problem with it?”

Mu Lan’er quickly shook her head and forced a smile. “Of course not… I’m just worried that you might be upset.”

“Oh.” Qingli gave a flat, expressionless reply and walked away without another word.

She guessed Xie Rongyun’s foul mood today had to do with the failed plan involving the Sixth Prince. He’d probably been scolded. The Fourth Prince was incompetent, and unless the Sixth Prince died or the Third Prince fell from favor, he’d never rise in rank.

Mu Lan’er stared blankly at Qingli’s back and called out, “Third Sister!”

But the woman didn’t even turn around.

Mu Lan’er bit her lip, ready to pout a little. But then she noticed a few servants casting her meaningful looks—there was something strange, almost heated, in their gazes that made her flush with embarrassment. Her face changed, and she quickly left.

It wasn’t just her imagination. Her sister had grown colder toward her recently. Could it be that…

Back in her courtyard, she couldn’t stop thinking about it. Anxious, she suddenly realized something.

Of course. She’d been living in her brother-in-law’s house for quite a while now and hadn’t gone home. Anyone would be able to guess what was going on by now.

So that’s why the servants had looked at her that way?

But it wasn’t her fault!

She had always been the one closest to Xie Rongyun when they were younger. Qingli had only come into the picture later. If the Xie family hadn’t fallen on hard times, why would he have proposed to Qingli instead?

Qingli hadn’t objected back then—wasn’t that a silent agreement?

She consoled herself with that thought. Even if she’d be just a concubine in the future, at least the main wife was her cousin. She wouldn’t be treated like a common concubine, always afraid of being cast aside.

Especially since Xie Rongyun loved her.

If it weren’t for the need for secrecy, would those concubines have had any chance of taking him away?

Her heart began to race as her thoughts spiraled.

She didn’t want to keep living like this—without status or respect, being looked down on by the servants.

She’d been avoiding her sister because she feared the truth would come out. But now that it had… maybe it was time to make her move.