It Was A Fake Marriage, But Jiu Qian Sui Took It Seriously - Chapter 37

Qiu Yue didn’t keep them in suspense and immediately spilled everything she had heard.

It turned out that Madam Lu had gone to pay her respects that morning and asked if Jiang Zhi Li could first take Lu Ci as a concubine. She reasoned that, first, it would be convenient for Lu Ci to take care of him, and second, she worried that some little vixen from outside might seduce him and distract Jiang Zhi Li from his studies.

The Old Madam Lu refused outright. No matter how bad things got, the Yongwang Marquis Household had never done something as disgraceful as taking a concubine before marrying a wife.

That should have been the end of it, but Madam Lu continued to complain on Lu Ci’s behalf, saying that it was improper for a young woman to be in such an ambiguous situation—it would only invite gossip.

The Old Madam was instantly enraged. “She was the one who insisted on getting involved with a man in such a shameful way! If she made that decision herself, then she should be responsible for the consequences.”

Seeing the Old Madam’s temper flare, Madam Lu didn’t dare say another word. But the more the Old Madam spoke, the angrier she became. In the end, she ordered Madam Lu to go back and reflect on her mistakes behind closed doors.

Shen Qing Li didn’t feel much about the matter, but Jiang Yingwan, her mother clapped her hands in satisfaction. If it weren’t for Madam Lu indulging her, Lu Ci would never have had the audacity to do something like this.

Shen Qing Li couldn’t help but ask, “They’re both daughters of the Lu family, but the Old Madam seems to dislike Lu Ci.”

Jiang Yingwan explained, “Of course she doesn’t like her—Lu Ci isn’t even truly part of the Lu family.”

Lu Ci was actually the granddaughter of Madam Lu’s maternal aunt. Her cousin had passed away early, and her family didn’t care about Lu Ci at all. Madam Lu’s mother had taken her in and later even changed her surname.

Shen Qing Li suddenly understood. No wonder Lu Ci was willing to become someone’s mistress—given her situation, the Lu family probably wouldn’t intervene too much in her affairs.

Time passed quickly, and the sweltering summer gave way to the crisp and refreshing air of early autumn.

Shen Qing Li looked at the two embroidered sachets she had finished but had no idea when she would be able to give them away.

“Miss?” Chun Hua was carrying some things outside when she saw her mistress lost in thought again. Lately, she had been spacing out quite often.

Shen Qing Li put away the sachets, glanced around the now-empty room, and whispered, “…Let’s go.”

Today, she and her mother were moving to the Shen residence. A few days ago, the Old Madam of the Lu family had sent over seven or eight portraits of potential suitors. Jiang Yingwan immediately agreed to move out, determined to investigate these candidates properly.

As they leave, not a single person from the Marquis household came to see them off.

Shen Qing Li felt nothing about it, but Jiang Yingwan’s heart ached, and she wiped away her tears.

The Shen residence had been decorated entirely according to Shen Qing Li’s taste. The courtyard had elegant landscaping, and the interior was lavishly furnished.

Jiang Yingwan fell in love with it the moment she stepped inside. “Li’er was right—having a home of our own, where we don’t have to live under anyone else’s roof, is truly liberating.”

They had just finished meeting the household staff when Steward Liu came rushing over.

Steward Liu had been recommended by Shopkeeper Qian, and now, on his very first day serving his new mistresses, he had to deliver such troubling news. He was anxious—this was such a good position, and he didn’t want to mess it up.

Seeing him hesitant to speak, Shen Qing Li immediately knew something was wrong.

Before she could say anything, Jiang Yingwan spoke gently, “Steward Liu, if something has happened, just say it directly.”

Steward Liu took out three invitation cards from his sleeve and hesitated before saying, “Just now, three invitations arrived from the Marquis household… They were from the three families who had originally invited Madam for a tea. But… they’ve all withdrawn their invitations.”

Jiang Yingwan shot to her feet. “Withdrawn? Why?”

She hadn’t been particularly fond of those three families, but there was a big difference between declining an invitation and being turned away.

Steward Liu hesitated before explaining, “For some reason, a rumor has started spreading outside. It claims that Miss Qing Li withdrew from her engagement because she despised poverty and sought wealth, that she caught the eye of someone powerful and now looks down on the Marquis household…”

“Such terrible rumors.”

Chun Hua was furious. “Who has such a loose tongue, speaking so harshly about our young lady?”

Shen Qing Li, however, remained indifferent. She poured tea for herself and her mother, speaking calmly, “Who else could it be? It must be Madam Lu.”

Jiang Yingwan was also fuming. Whatever little reputation Miss Liu had managed to restore was now completely ruined by Madam Lu.

Shen Qing Li gently comforted her mother, saying things would pass in a few days. But Jiang Yingwan sighed, “Li’er, you’re still young. You don’t understand—rumors are the most dangerous thing for a woman.”

Shen Qing Li didn’t quite agree. In her new residence, she spent her days reviewing accounts, playing music, painting, embroidering, and had even built a large training ground. She was living quite comfortably.

But instead of dying down, the rumors only grew worse.

Even the incident at the fabric shop last month was being brought up again. People were whispering that she had been caught in an indecent act with a man at the shop, leaving even her outer robe behind.

The moment Shen Qing Li heard this, her heart skipped a beat—she had indeed forgotten to take that robe with her.

If someone really had taken it, who knew what else they might do?

She quickly summoned Chun Hua to ask, but Chun Hua said she hadn’t seen the robe since that day.

Qiu Yue was furious. “Who is the shameless bastard spreading such slander about our young lady?”

Chun Hua didn’t say anything, but her expression was uneasy. She suddenly recalled the scene from that day—His Highness, the Duke, standing beside the young lady’s bed, slowly fastening his belt.

She didn’t dare to think too deeply about what had happened between them.

Shen Qing Li set down the account book, her fingers gripping it so tightly that the pages bent out of shape.

…Was Lu Yuan finally going to appear?

After a brief hesitation, she leaned close to Chun Hua and whispered, “Go to the Ninth Prince’s Residence and find Yunsheng. Tell him I need a favor—I want to meet His Highness.”

Chun Hua’s eyes widened in shock. Did this mean…the young lady and His Highness really…

Shen Qing Li gently pushed the stunned Chun Hua. “Go quietly. Try not to be seen.”

That outer robe could not fall into the wrong hands. Otherwise, even if she had a hundred mouths, she wouldn’t be able to explain herself.

She had no one else to rely on. At this point, she could only turn to him for help.

Chun Hua nodded and quickly left.

Shen Qing Li then called in Madam Su and Steward Liu, instructing them to keep a tight watch over the household. These rumors must not reach her mother’s ears.

She also wrote a letter and had Steward Liu deliver it to Shopkeeper Qian, asking him to investigate who was behind these slanders.

Just as she finished giving orders, Chun Hua suddenly rushed back into the room.

She hadn’t even made it to the city gates yet—why was she back so soon?

Ignoring formalities, Chun Hua whispered, “Miss, Miss Liu from the Duke’s Manor has invited you to the residence for a flower-viewing. The carriage is waiting at the entrance.”

Chun Hua made a few exaggerated gestures, but for once, Shen Qing Li couldn’t understand what she was hinting at.

Perhaps Liu Yuyan was worried about the rumors and wanted to accompany her.

Thinking this, Shen Qing Li stepped outside with Chun Hua. Sure enough, the Duke’s Manor carriage was parked by the roadside.

She smiled knowingly and lifted the curtain—only to immediately drop it back down.

Her expression turned strange as she turned to look at Chun Hua in disbelief.

Chun Hua blinked at her and gestured for her to get in.

Shen Qing Li’s face flushed slightly. She hesitated, then carefully lifted the curtain just enough to slip inside.

Inside, it was the Lord Jiu Qian Sui. He was sitting quietly in full court attire. A jade belt accentuated his narrow waist, but the sachet from that day was no longer there.

As she entered, he looked at her and smiled faintly. “Haven’t seen me in a few days and you don’t recognize me anymore?”

Shen Qing Li lowered her head and curtsied. “I do recognize Your Highness. I just didn’t expect to see you here.”

“I could have sent an official invitation, but I doubt your mother would have accepted it.”

She nodded. Her mother still had quite a strong misunderstanding of him.

He leaned in slightly, his voice low and husky. “Your maid said you wanted to see me.”