WBSGVS Chapter 159 V2

She wondered to herself—was Qingli always this generous? Five concubines weren’t enough? Even the maid she sent over had been promoted?

“You’ll understand once you see her,” the steward said nervously, afraid of sparking her wrath.

As they arrived at the Laurel Courtyard, Mu Lan’er happened to walk out. The steward breathed a sigh of relief and pointed, “That’s Concubine Lan’er.”

“Mu Lan’er?!” Xie Yuning shouted in disbelief, her voice sharp and filled with shock.

Mu Lan’er froze at the sight of her, her face going pale. She lowered her head and whispered, “Greetings, Great-Aunt.”

Xie Yuning’s face shifted. She didn’t like that Mu Lan’er had become her brother’s concubine. Two Mu women in the Xie household? But watching Mu Lan’er bow so timidly, even her concern for her brother didn’t stop her from laughing.

“Another Mu woman in our Xie household—this time as a concubine! How impressive.”

Qingli happened to walk by and heard that last sentence. Her tone turned cold as she corrected her.

“Big Sister, you must be mistaken. That’s not my Fifth Sister, Mu Lan’er. My Fifth Sister passed away recently from a severe illness. This is just a woman my husband picked up along the road—he named her Concubine Lan’er.”

Xie Yuning’s smile faded. She remembered now. She had heard of Mu Lan’er’s death and had even felt a twinge of regret at the time.

She couldn’t bully any of the other Mu daughters—only Mu Lan’er had been an easy target, one she could humiliate without consequence.

So… Mu Lan’er had truly been disowned by the Mu family?

Her excitement dimmed slightly. She shot Qingli a glare and continued inside. “Where’s my brother?”

The steward guided her into the inner chamber. Behind the screen, she finally saw the man lying in bed, barely breathing.

He was in that bad of a state.

Even after all her commotion outside, he hadn’t stirred.

Xie Yuning’s vision went black. She grabbed the bedpost for support, swaying on her feet. Her maid quickly caught her, and after a moment, she steadied herself and cried out in a sharp voice:

“Brother! Wake up! How could this happen to you?!”

She rushed over and pushed him, her voice growing louder. “Xie Rongyun! Wake up! If something happens to you, what am I supposed to do?!”

Xie Rongyun’s eyelids fluttered. He opened his eyes for a moment, glanced at Xie Yuniang, and then slowly closed them again.

He had no strength to speak.

Xie Yuniang’s heart sank, and her legs went weak. She knelt by the bed.

Qingli walked in slowly, not showing much genuine concern, saying, “Big Sister, don’t sit on the floor. It’s cold down there.”

“Are you still worried about the cold floor?!” Xie Yuniang shouted angrily. “Mu Qingli! Aren’t you upset that your husband is like this?!”

Qingli nodded calmly. “I’m upset, of course, but there’s nothing I can do. The doctor said his condition is too severe, and there’s nothing to be done.”

But Xie Yuniang couldn’t feel the sincerity in her words. She felt like Qingli was pleased. She shouted even louder, “You’re lying! How can you be upset?! My brother is your husband, and you don’t even care for him! You’re letting this concubine take care of him—”

“Big sister, be careful with your words!” Qingli’s tone turned cold. “I’m not well, so I can’t take care of him. If you keep speaking carelessly, you’re not welcome in this house!”

“You dare?!” Xie Yuniang’s voice grew sharp. She stood up, trying to impose her authority, but the height difference didn’t add to her dominance.

Qingli chuckled softly. “Big sister, don’t forget, I’m the one in charge of this house. If you say one more thing I don’t like, I’ll have someone throw you out right now!”

Xie Yuniang’s face changed slightly, and she looked at Qingli, seemingly assessing whether she was serious.

Qingli met her gaze with a smile.

After a few seconds, Xie Yuniang realized that Qingli was indeed serious. Fearfully, she looked away and turned to the steward, who avoided her gaze and lowered his head.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to help Xie Yuniang, but with Xie Rongyun in this condition, how could he oppose Qingli? Besides, he wasn’t originally the Xie family’s steward; he had been bought by Xie Rongyun, so his loyalty was limited.

Xie Yuniang’s face turned pale, but she wasn’t a fool who only knew how to charge forward. She had been bold because of her brother and sister-in-law’s backing.

Now that her brother had fallen, and with their public position compromised, things would definitely get harder for her. If she offended her sister-in-law, and if Yu Zhi took another concubine, she would really have no place to turn to.

She held her anger back, forcing a smile as if everything had been a joke. “Oh, you know how I am, always speaking without thinking. Please don’t hold it against me, sister-in-law…”

Mu Lan’er, who had been watching the whole time, felt a hollow ache in her heart, almost wanting to laugh.

How fortunate.

With the support of the Mu family, she had enough backing to remain calm, even with her husband in such a state. She could even make Xie Yuniang smile at her.

But once, she could have been this calm too!

As Mu Lan’er wallowed in self-pity, she suddenly felt a chill run through her. When she looked up, she saw Xie Yuniang staring at her. She instinctively took a step back, but it was already too late.

Xie Yuniang snapped, “Lan’er, you’re just a concubine. What are you standing there for? Can’t you see my brother’s face is dirty? Go get some water and clean him up!”

Mu Lan’er looked at Qingli.

Qingli was turned slightly to the side, and Mu Lan’er could feel her seeking help!

But Qingli didn’t respond, standing still, her gaze fixed on Xie Rongyun’s miserable state, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Earlier, in front of outsiders, she hadn’t dared to look at him like that.

Xie Yuniang noticed and grew more arrogant. Not daring to direct her anger at Qingli, she turned it on the weaker Mu Lan’er. She stood up, her sharp nails poking at Mu Lan’er’s head. “Are you looking at me? Go quickly!”

“I’m going now!” Mu Lan’er, poked by her, recoiled and hurried out without delay, leaving a trail of wet tears behind her.

That evening, the Xie mansion fell silent early.

Many servants had been dismissed because Qingli had sold some off. With fewer masters to serve, they weren’t needed anymore. In the past, the original mistress had kept up appearances for Xie Rongyun, but now, she no longer had to.

Soon, she would be a widow, so it was best not to be too conspicuous.

After Qiuyue left the room, Qingli continued to lie lazily. Then, a faint “creak” sounded, and a dark figure appeared at the curtain.

Qingli had not blown out the candle.

She lifted the curtain and stepped out. Nie Xiao immediately stepped back a few paces, carefully looking at her attire to confirm she was in nightclothes. He quickly looked up, muttering, “You knew I would come. Why didn’t you dress properly?”

Qingli looked down at her tightly wrapped nightclothes and paused for a moment. “I didn’t know.”

“Then why didn’t you blow out the candle?” Nie Xiao asked.

Qingli smiled. “I didn’t want to blow it out. What are you going to do about it?”

Nie Xiao pursed his lips, a smile involuntarily curving at the corners of his mouth. He glanced at the person beside him, his voice tinged with amusement. “Xie Rongyun will never get up again. Are you happy?”

Qingli smiled brightly. “I’m happy!”

She sat down and poured two cups of tea, signaling for him to come and drink.

Nie Xiao walked over in just two steps, his movements quick but almost stumbling. He picked up the cup and cautiously asked, “I handled this matter so well. Will you grant me a favor?”

Qingli blinked innocently. “You ruined my husband, and now you want me to do you a favor?”

Nie Xiao’s expression shifted, looking at her in shock. He hadn’t expected her to turn on him so quickly. He pursed his lips, furrowing his brows, and under the trembling candlelight, a hint of nervousness and confusion showed on his face.

“You said…” He tried to explain.

Qingli coughed lightly and turned her face away, suppressing her laughter. “When did I say that? Don’t accuse me of things, or I’ll be a widow, won’t I?”

Nie Xiao’s face reddened as he grew desperate. He stood up, facing her, his voice losing control. “You did say it! Besides, widows can remarry in the Jin Dynasty—”

“Pfft—” Qingli couldn’t hold back her laughter when she saw how flustered he was.

Nie Xiao immediately stopped explaining, his gaze fixed on her. He smiled helplessly, but there was no anger in his expression.