With Multiple Babies, Who Still Wants to Be the Marquess’s Wife? - Chapter 3

Chapter 3: When One Becomes Despicable, One Becomes Invincible

Lan Qingxi did not kneel but stood there with an innocent expression, timidly asking, “I don’t know what I did wrong today to make Mother so angry?”

Madam Zheng replied angrily, “How can you still ask! As the wife of the Marquis, you should not be flaunting yourself all the time. You’ve shamed the entire Marquis’ family!”

Lan Qingxi allowed Madam Zheng to scold her. After Madam Zheng finished, she said, “Yesterday, I found a handkerchief at the corner gate. I don’t know if it belongs to Mother.”

She then took out a handkerchief with a plum blossom pattern and handed it to Madam Zheng.

Seeing the handkerchief, Madam Zheng’s eyebrows twitched because it was hers. She had been to the Tai Fu’s residence yesterday for another matter.

She looked into Lan Qingxi’s simple and innocent eyes, unsure whether Lan Qingxi knew something or was just returning the handkerchief.

Madam Zheng snatched the handkerchief from Lan Qingxi’s hand and said coldly, “I lost a handkerchief, and it turns out you found it.”

“Why didn’t you return it to me as soon as you found it?”

Lan Qingxi answered softly, “I came to see Mother yesterday, but Mother was busy and didn’t meet with me.”

Madam Zheng’s expression slightly faltered. She knew Lan Qingxi had come to see her yesterday. However, she had always regarded Lan Qingxi with indifference, seeing her as someone to be seen or scolded at will.

Although Madam Zheng was somewhat displeased, she felt somewhat guilty about the handkerchief issue, so she didn’t insist on making Lan Qingxi kneel.

She said in a cold tone, “You were born into a humble family with no manners and experience. You need to learn more etiquette to avoid making a fool of yourself when you go out.”

“Don’t think I’m scolding you; I’m doing it for your own good!”

Lan Qingxi had heard this kind of talk many times before. In Madam Zheng’s eyes, coming from a merchant background made her inherently lowly. But they still loved the money she brought and always found ways to make her spend it.

Having been subjected to their criticism many times before, and fond of Yu Junshu, Lan Qingxi endured it despite her displeasure.

When she later discovered their true nature, she had already stopped moving with them.

As Madam Zheng spoke now, Lan Qingxi treated it as just empty talk, dismissing it inwardly but responding seriously, “Mother is right.”

Her obedient attitude greatly pleased Madam Zheng, who continued, “Since you entered the family, my health has been poor.”

“Yesterday, I had a master divine my condition, and he said it was due to you. Only the Medicine King Temple’s Medicine Buddha can resolve it.”

“If you are truly filial, you should go to the Medicine King Temple outside the city and bring back a Medicine Buddha statue for me.”

Lan Qingxi sneered inwardly upon hearing this. As expected.

Her previous misfortunes had all started with a visit to the Medicine King Temple. After that incident, they had exploited her thoroughly, making her pay everything.

She was somewhat puzzled, “But Mother just said I shouldn’t go out and flaunt myself…”

Madam Zheng glared at her and said, “Is this the same as your running around outside all the time?”

“If it weren’t for your inauspicious presence, I wouldn’t be feeling unwell.”

Lan Qingxi knew she couldn’t avoid this task. If she refused, Madam Zheng would find another reason or excuse to force her into it.

Madam Zheng wanted to bring Zhao Yan’er over while she was away and also wanted to tarnish her reputation.

Moreover, this task was tied to an unresolved mystery from her past.

So, she had to go.

Thus, she said, “Alright, I will do as Mother says.”

When Madam Zheng heard this, she felt somewhat reassured and said, “Alright, you should go and invite the Medicine Buddha tonight.”

Lan Qingxi feigned surprise and said, “Ah, go tonight?”

Madam Zheng glared at her and said, “The sooner you bring the Medicine Buddha back, the sooner I’ll feel better.”

Lan Qingxi lightly bit her lip and said softly, “Alright, I’ll go.”

Madam Zheng was somewhat satisfied with her response and waved her off, “Okay, get ready and go out!”

Madam Zheng felt a bit itchy on her wrist but didn’t think much of it. She lightly scratched it and didn’t notice the swelling or redness.

Li Qiu wanted to say something but was stopped by Lan Qingxi’s glance.

Lan Qingxi turned around and obediently left. However, when she reached the door, the corners of her lips slightly curved up, and her beautiful eyes were filled with mockery.

She knew she would encounter Yu Junshu, so she concealed all her emotions when she lifted the door curtain.

As the curtain opened, Yu Junshu was indeed standing in the courtyard.

He had a handsome face with sword-like brows, starry eyes, a high nose, and thin lips. Despite his striking appearance, his eyes betrayed a deep coldness and cunning.

When he smiled, these traits softened considerably. He spoke gently, “If your elder says something to you, just endure it.”

“He is my elder, so he is also your elder. Whether he scolds or punishes you, it’s all for your own good.”

Lan Qingxi had heard such words before.

She had once naively hoped to be good to Madam Zheng and treat her as her own mother, but unfortunately, these two were venomous snakes at heart.

She had given everything for them and only received the insult “fool” upon her death.

She whispered, “The elder asked me to go to the Medicine King Temple to pray to the Medicine Buddha.”

Yu Junshu was not surprised at all: “The elder’s health hasn’t been good recently, so this is something a daughter-in-law should do.”

Lan Qingxi gently tugged at his sleeve and blushed, “But today is the fifteenth…”

Yu Junshu looked at her blushing, shy demeanor as she tugged at his sleeve and remembered that he had once mentioned he would consummate their marriage on the fifteenth. Her embarrassed and blushing appearance made it hard for him to be harsh.

Unfortunately, although she was beautiful, her status was too low to be his wife; she was only suitable to be his stepping stone.

Her beauty made him want to sleep with her, but reason told him that her greatest value was in remaining intact, so he could only endure.

He reached out and lightly pinched her face, “The elder’s health is important. We are husband and wife, so there’s no rush. There will be plenty of time in the future.”

Lan Qingxi’s face reddened further at these words, and she softly said, “Alright, I’ll be away for a few days. You need to take care of yourself, husband.”

Yu Junshu nodded slightly and watched her leave.

Lan Qingxi took Li Qiu to a secluded place. Li Qiu, with reddened eyes, said, “Miss, they’re being too harsh!”

“To pray for the Medicine Buddha at the Medicine King Temple, one has to kneel in front of the Buddha for seven days and nights!”

“In the whole capital, those who seek the Medicine Buddha usually send servants to do it. No one asks the main lady of the house to do it!”

Lan Qingxi, knowing all this, remained silent, her eyes deep in thought.

Li Qiu continued, “Moreover, the Madam of the Marquis is as strong as an ox. Where is she sick?”

Lan Qingxi replied calmly, “No, the Madam was not ill before, but starting today, she will face a serious illness that is worse than death.”