Transmigrated into an Ancient M-Preg Novel as the Scumbag Alpha (GL) - Chapter 17

Princess Chuxiang Manor was as leaky as a sieve. Even after dealing with so many people, there were still outside informants among the remaining staff.

However, once the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple arrived at Princess Chuxiang Manor, there was no need for informants to report; news from within the manor had already spread.

Today’s hot topic in the capital—the joke of Princess Chuxiang Manor.

For aristocratic families, a household managed in such a state was naturally a laughingstock.

More often, people mocked Shen Liunian: What if a merchant’s daughter became a Princess Consort? A commoner’s daughter, she can’t even manage a household properly.

The master handles external affairs; how can she be bothered by household chores? The principal wife manages the household’s finances and affairs; therefore, all household matters, big and small, are naturally managed by the Princess Consort.

The fact that servants in the manor committed theft and betrayed their master, and that the Princess had to invite the Ministry of Justice and Dali Temple to handle it, how was that not a sign of the Princess Consort’s incompetence?

In reality, Princess Chuxiang and the Princess Consort had only been married for half a year, and rumors said they were not getting along. The Princess Consort had never been allowed to reside in the main courtyard, so how could she have managed the manor?

Some people, oh, they habitually blame the mistakes of a Qian Yuan on a Kun Ze or a He Yuan.

Whether a Kun Ze or a He Yuan, they are the Qian Yuan’s spouse. To the world, a Qian Yuan’s mistakes are always excusable.

Yun Chenghuai, being new to this world, didn’t understand ancient customs much, but Shen Liunian was well aware of the kind of rumors that would circulate in the capital.

“My lady, rumors have already started in the capital.” After Bei Zhu returned, she stayed by Shen Liunian’s side, serving her.

Only when Yun Chenghuai went to wash up did she have a chance to report on outside matters.

Shen Liunian had already washed up and was leaning on a chaise lounge, covered by a thick fur blanket.

Hearing Bei Zhu’s report, her voice held a hint of sarcasm. “Dog Yun is already the laughingstock of the entire capital. What difference does it make to add an ignorant Princess Consort?”

Princess Chuxiang marrying a merchant’s daughter, Princess Chuxiang under house arrest. For the past six months, most of the capital’s after-dinner conversations were provided by Yun Chenghuai. What’s the big deal about adding another useless Princess Consort?

“But… my lady, with your talent, it shouldn’t be like this.” Bei Zhu said, indignant about the matter.

Given her lady’s performance in the northwest, she had a great future ahead, yet now she was confined to the capital, mocked by everyone, and even bullied by that dog of a Princess.

Shen Liunian glanced at her maid. “Did you see Li Zhaoxian?”

“No,” Bei Zhu shook her head. “When I went, only a young woman was left at the inn. She asked me to tell you, my lady, that the wind is rising tonight, and you shouldn’t sleep too soundly.”

“Tonight?” Shen Liunian frowned. She had started sleeping in the main courtyard today, and Yun Chenghuai was staying over.

Even if they weren’t sleeping together, if she made any move, Yun Chenghuai wasn’t deaf.

“Yes, it is said that the Crown Princess has discovered the whereabouts of Lady Zhaoxian, the Crown Princess of Northern Qi.”

Southern Qin’s Crown Princess Yun Chengji was widely acknowledged as the most outstanding imperial princess of Southern Qin. She was wise, decisive, intelligent, and virtuous. In terms of ability and character, if she were to ascend the throne, she would undoubtedly be a wise ruler for her era.

Unfortunately, her health was poor, constantly requiring recuperation, which led to the succession struggle in the Southern Qin court and intensified factional disputes.

Factional disputes were a means for the Emperor to balance the court, a so-called art of imperial rule. But when the court required factional disputes for balance, how could there be good governance and harmony?

If Crown Princess Yun Chengji’s health were good, Southern Qin would definitely not be in its current state.

Yun Chengji discovering the whereabouts of Northern Qi’s Crown Princess Li Zhaoxian would surely not end peacefully.

Wouldn’t Li Zhaoxian’s people coming to see her drag her into trouble?

It was indeed unwise to scheme with a tiger. If Yun Chengji discovered her connection with the Northern Qi Crown Princess, all her plans in this capital city would come to naught.

Shen Liunian’s thoughts drifted, her brow slightly furrowed.

Yun Chenghuai entered the room and immediately noticed Shen Liunian’s state. She took a few steps closer and asked, “Madam, is something wrong?”

When she came out after washing up, no one noticed her. She had overheard some of the conversation between Shen Liunian and her maid.

My sister Yun Chengji discovered the whereabouts of the Northern Qi Crown Princess? The novel didn’t mention this part?

So, could the Northern Qi Crown Princess still meet with Shen Liunian? The real world was different from the novel; the world was constantly changing. She couldn’t rely solely on the novel’s plot.

The novel’s plot could only provide a general direction, and it was constantly changing. After all, from the moment she arrived in this world, some things began to change.

Shen Liunian’s thoughts were interrupted by her. She said coolly, “Nothing.”

Yun Chenghuai didn’t expect Shen Liunian to tell her anything. A day of interaction certainly couldn’t outweigh half a year of malicious treatment.

She smiled indifferently. “Madam, are you worried that there’s no one available in the manor?”

Shen Liunian picked up the small bowl next to her and sipped the soup inside. After a while, she said, “My Shen family servants have already taken over various positions in the manor. The brokers’ office will bring people tomorrow, and the manor will return to normal in a few days.”

By having the brokers’ office send servants before the Ministry of Internal Affairs could dispatch their own, and with the deeds of sale for those servants in hand, they would be much easier to manage than the Ministry of Internal Affairs’s servants. At that point, Princess Chuxiang Manor would be more or less as solid as an iron barrel.

Shen Liunian would naturally hold the deeds of sale in her hands, and the manor’s inner courtyard would then be completely under her control.

The people in the front courtyard were manor officials and guards; those in the inner courtyard could hardly influence them, but bribery was possible.

Now that Yun Chengji had discovered Li Zhaoxian’s whereabouts, it would be difficult for her to leave Southern Qin, and her cooperation with the Northern Qi Crown Princess was undoubtedly scheming with a tiger. At that point, the northwest would have no choice but to take a side.

Given the drastic change in circumstances, should she still proceed with her original plan?

If Li Zhaoxian’s people came to find her tonight and were discovered, she would have no way to defend herself.

Shen Liunian’s gaze rested on Yun Chenghuai. She had originally intended to send Dog Yun away, but to prevent Li Zhaoxian’s people from having an opportunity, it seemed she would have to keep Dog Yun.

Dog Yun herself—oh, no, Yun Chenghuai—saw Shen Liunian thoughtfully observing her, and had a few thoughts, but not many.

“Madam, you’ve worked hard with the manor’s affairs.” Yun Chenghuai pretended to be polite and refined.

Her public persona was entirely self-created. When she was happy, she was polite and cultured; when unhappy, everyone went crazy together.

She could pretend when she wanted to, but when she didn’t, she was direct and frank. She had no fixed persona; it all depended on her mood.

Yun Chenghuai had simply matured too early, losing her protection prematurely and living under others’ roofs. If she didn’t stand up for herself, what else could she do?

Therefore, upon realizing she had transmigrated, she quickly assessed her situation and promptly devised countermeasures.

Today’s start was smooth, and she was in a good mood. She knew that Shen Liunian was the biggest contributor, and she had to cling to this “big leg” and not let the other party shake her off.

So, acting a bit subservient, she half-squatted in front of Shen Liunian. “Should I massage Madam?”

She blinked, her innocent and simple appearance making Shen Liunian momentarily stunned.

Qian Yuan and Kun Ze had a strong mutual attraction. As she drew closer, the scent of citrus and agarwood wafted over, fresh and sweet with a hint of depth.

Shen Liunian awkwardly pulled back her leg. She still had Dog Yun’s mark on her. Just her proximity made her heart tremble slightly, and the back of her neck began to feel warm.