With Multiple Babies, Who Still Wants to Be the Marquess’s Wife? - Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Taking a Concubine Right After the Wedding

Li Qiu sniffled and replied, “They’re really bullying people. I went out as you instructed, Miss, to see what was happening, and saw the heir bring a young woman back to the mansion.”

Lan Qingxi wasn’t surprised by this at all.

In her previous life, Yu Junshu had also brought Zhao Yan’er back to the household on this very day.

She took out a handkerchief to wipe Li Qiu’s tears and smiled, “I thought it was something more serious.”

“Yu Junshu has never treated me like his wife. It’s only natural for him to bring another woman back.”

Hearing this, Li Qiu became even more upset, and tears fell faster. “If the heir had brought home a beautiful or noble-born woman, I could accept it.”

“But the woman he brought back isn’t as pretty as you, nor does she have your grace.”

“The worst part is, though her clothes are decent, they look like they were stolen.”

“What angers me is that the heir must be blind! You’re so beautiful, yet he treats you like this while protecting that woman.”

What she didn’t tell Lan Qingxi was that the young woman had been pushed earlier, and Yu Junshu had immediately shielded her in his arms.

When Madam Zheng had made things difficult for Lan Qingxi, Yu Junshu had said all the right things but never actually protected her.

Li Qiu had previously wondered if there had been a misunderstanding when Yu Junshu sent Lan Qingxi to Song Linyuan. But now it was clear—there was no misunderstanding. Yu Junshu simply had feelings for someone else.

Li Qiu used to think Lan Qingxi was enduring much hardship after marrying into the marquisate, but she felt it was bearable since Yu Junshu was at least gentle.

Now she thought, “My lady has suffered too much!”

Yu Junshu must be truly blind!

The more Li Qiu thought about it, the angrier she became.

Lan Qingxi found her reaction amusing. “I’m not even angry, and yet you’re this upset!”

She wiped away Li Qiu’s tears and said, “Relying on a man is like expecting a pig to climb a tree.”

“From now on, we’ll focus on living well for ourselves and not expect anything from him.”

Li Qiu, still red-eyed, said, “But Miss, you’re only seventeen. If the heir is already acting like this, how will you manage in the future?”

Lan Qingxi’s gaze turned cold and distant. “As long as I survive, I’ll manage.”

She changed the subject and asked, “You said the heir was protecting that woman. What exactly happened?”

Li Qiu explained, “Yesterday, the Marquis brought Concubine Qin and her son back to the mansion. He saw that the Qiulan Courtyard was well-prepared, so he had the mother and son stay there.”

“But actually, the heir had prepared that courtyard for the woman he brought back.”

“Since the mother and son had moved in, the heir was furious and tried to kick them out.”

“Concubine Qin went crying to the Marquis, and he came to scold the heir.”

“When they were arguing, the woman said something unpleasant, and Concubine Qin’s son pushed her.”

“The heir immediately held the woman in his arms, protecting her securely.”

Lan Qingxi raised an eyebrow slightly. This had not happened in her previous life.

In her past, Concubine Qin hadn’t returned to the household on this day. At that time, Lan Qingxi had just been injured, and Yu Junshu had kept things quiet when Zhao Yan’er entered the estate.

This incident, however, wasn’t harmful to her. In fact, it might even help Concubine Qin gain a deeper understanding of the people and events in the marquisate.

She said, “Let’s go out and take a look.”

Li Qiu was momentarily stunned, but Lan Qingxi calmly added, “No matter what, I am still the heir’s wife in this household.”

“If the heir wants to take a concubine, he’ll still need my consent.”

Wasn’t Yu Junshu always professing his deep love for her in front of her? Lan Qingxi was curious to see how he would act this time.

As she and Li Qiu arrived at the courtyard, the argument between the Marquis and Yu Junshu had just about concluded.

Lan Qingxi didn’t say anything, simply gazing at Yu Junshu with teary eyes.

At that moment, Yu Junshu was still holding Zhao Yan’er in his arms. He was in a dilemma, unsure whether to let her go or continue holding her.

Seeing Lan Qingxi arrive, the Marquis remarked, “You’ve come at the right time, daughter-in-law. Did Shu’er inform you that he wants to take a concubine?”

Lan Qingxi didn’t answer the Marquis. Instead, she turned around and walked away.

Yu Junshu, who had spent a great deal of effort appeasing Lan Qingxi earlier, felt a shiver run down his spine at her reaction.

He quickly released Zhao Yan’er and called out, “Qingxi, let me explain!”

As he was about to follow her, Zhao Yan’er tugged on his sleeve. “Young Master, does the Lady dislike me?”

Zhao Yan’er had been utterly stunned when she first saw Lan Qingxi.

Lan Qingxi was so beautiful that when she approached, Zhao Yan’er thought she was seeing a fairy from the heavens.

Before this, Zhao Yan’er had always considered herself quite attractive, but standing next to Lan Qingxi made her feel ashamed of her own appearance.

She feared that if she didn’t hold onto Yu Junshu now, she would be thrown out of the marquisate.

Yu Junshu was her only chance at rising in status, and she didn’t want to return to her previous life.

Hurriedly, Yu Junshu reassured her, “Qingxi is always generous; she’ll definitely like you.”

“It’s just that bringing you into the household was a bit rushed today, and I didn’t tell her beforehand. She couldn’t accept it all at once, which is why she reacted this way.”

“You go and rest for now.”

Just as he was about to leave, the Marquis remarked, “You’ve only been married to Qingxi for just over a month, and the red silk from the wedding is still hanging around the house.”

“People say I’m a philanderer, but even I didn’t take a concubine until three years after marrying your mother.”

“You truly are my son—you’re even better at this than I was back then.”

Yu Junshu: “…”

He shot a cold glance at the Marquis and left.

The Marquis then turned to the servants. “What are you standing around for? Hurry up and move Concubine Qin’s belongings inside!”

At once, the servants busied themselves with moving things.

The relationship between the Marquis and Yu Junshu had never been good.

In his youth, the Marquis had been a spoiled playboy, and now in his older years, he was nothing more than a dissolute elder.

While other fathers would take pride in having an exceptional son, the Marquis found Yu Junshu unbearably annoying.

The reason was simple: Yu Junshu always sided with Madam Zheng and meddled in his affairs far too much.

Though the Marquis was the head of the family, the mother and son controlled the household finances, limiting his spending and freedom.

Because of this, he could hardly stand the sight of Yu Junshu.

From the perspective of the capital’s notorious old playboy, Yu Junshu taking a concubine just a month after marrying was something even he couldn’t imagine doing.

It was ironic, considering Yu Junshu always preached about propriety and decency, yet his actions were utterly disgusting.

The Marquis took Concubine Qin back to his courtyard and shut the door behind them.

Zhao Yan’er, left standing alone at the courtyard entrance, felt lost. This was her first time entering the marquisate, and she was entirely unfamiliar with her surroundings.

Her only support was Yu Junshu, but he had abandoned her to chase after Lan Qingxi. In her panic and fear, she couldn’t hold back her tears, which started streaming uncontrollably.