With Multiple Babies, Who Still Wants to Be the Marquess’s Wife? - Chapter 8

Chapter 8: A Master of Deception

Lan Qingxi didn’t want to get involved, but she knew she had no choice.

If she didn’t cooperate, not only would the efforts she made in their earlier conversation be wasted, but given his temperament, he would only make things harder for her.

Taking a deep breath, she performed a deep bow to him. “Thank you for saving me last night, Your Excellency!”

“That kind of grace is unforgettable. After I return home, I’ll be sure to inform my husband and come back to thank you properly,” she added.

After saying this, she stood up and placed her hand in Song Lingyuan’s palm, as if he were helping her up.

With her words, his demeanor became completely serious.

Song Lingyuan glanced at her sideways; her eyes were full of pleading, asking him to let her off the hook.

He had known her eyes were beautiful, but now he realized they seemed to speak.

Feeling a rare softness in his heart, he didn’t push her further, simply saying, “Get in the carriage. I’ll personally escort you home.”

Lan Qingxi didn’t want him to accompany her, but she knew that if she tried to be clever again, he would never allow it a second time.

So she graciously nodded, thanked him softly, and obediently followed him into the carriage.

Song Lingyuan looked at her with a hint of a smile, then closed his eyes to rest.

Lan Qingxi settled in the corner of the carriage, trying to minimize her presence.

Hearing her movement, Song Lingyuan opened one eye to glance at her, snorted softly, and closed his eyes again.

The carriage soon stopped at the gate of the marquis’s residence.

Song Lingyuan had already sent someone ahead to notify Yu Junshu, so when they arrived, Yu Junshu was waiting at the entrance.

Song Lingyuan got out first, extending his hand as a delicate, beautiful hand reached for his.

Lan Qingxi looked down as she stepped out of the carriage, casting a glance at Yu Junshu.

Seeing this scene, Yu Junshu’s pupils contracted for a moment, then filled with joy. He smiled!

Song Lingyuan had chosen Lan Qingxi, which solidified his position as the Deputy Minister of Revenue.

Having served the Zheng family all night, he felt instantly revitalized.

However, the act must go on; he feigned shock as he looked at Song Lingyuan, saying with deliberation, “Thank you for bringing my wife home, Your Excellency.”

Song Lingyuan raised an eyebrow and patted Yu Junshu’s shoulder. “Your wife is indeed remarkable.”

Yu Junshu hadn’t expected such praise from Song Lingyuan. His heart skipped a beat, and he managed a smile.

Song Lingyuan turned to Lan Qingxi with a hint of ambiguity, saying, “I’ll come find you when I have time.”

Lan Qingxi had anticipated this, keeping her head down, her face flushed, and said nothing.

Song Lingyuan chuckled and addressed Yu Junshu, “I don’t like my belongings being touched by others.”

“I don’t prefer overly thin women either. Take good care of her; don’t let her get too thin.”

Though Yu Junshu was capable of the most shameless acts, he also valued his pride. Hearing Song Lingyuan speak so openly in front of Lan Qingxi was a bit humiliating for him.

However, he didn’t dare to rebut Song Lingyuan directly, so he smiled and replied, “Don’t worry, Your Excellency. She’s my wife, and I’ll take good care of her.”

Satisfied, Song Lingyuan nodded and turned to leave.

As soon as he left, Lan Qingxi hurried into the residence.

Yu Junshu thought for a moment, realizing he needed to keep Lan Qingxi in check; otherwise, she might whisper sweet nothings to Song Lingyuan, which would not bode well for him.

He quickly followed her, questioning, “Qingxi, what’s going on here?”

Hearing this, Lan Qingxi stopped, raised her hand, and slapped him hard.

Yu Junshu was shocked when she hit him; he was momentarily stunned.

Lan Qingxi, with tears in her eyes, said, “What’s going on? You still have the face to ask me? Song Lingyuan told me everything!”

“I didn’t believe it at first, but your reaction left me no choice,”she replied.

Hearing this, Yu Junshu’s expression changed slightly. He hadn’t expected Song Lingyuan to say such things to her!

He hurriedly said, “Qingxi, let me explain!”

With tears in her eyes, Lan Qingxi replied, “What’s there to explain? The situation is what it is!”

“If you don’t want to marry me, then don’t. Why degrade me like this?”

“Though my background is humble, I know about propriety and shame. I never thought you, who seemed so gentlemanly, would do something so despicable!”

At this time, the servants in the marquis’s residence were preparing breakfast and were drawn to their argument.

Yu Junshu felt embarrassed and came over to grasp her hand, speaking in a low voice, “Let’s go back to the room and talk.”

Lan Qingxi knew what he would say once they were alone: that she should sacrifice for him if she truly loved him.

She had seen enough of his hypocrisy in the past and didn’t want to see it anymore; it made her feel sick.

Now that this had been revealed through Song Lingyuan, if she didn’t respond appropriately, she would still be manipulated by the mother and son in the future.

She jerked her hand away, her eyes red and face filled with despair. “What more is there to say at this point?”

“Even though I’m just a sheltered woman, I’ve read enough to understand propriety and shame.”

“My mother told me about our engagement when I was young. I’ve liked you for over ten years.”

“I wanted to marry you, but I never expected…”

As she spoke, tears streamed down her face, and she shook her head. “Now that the deed is done, how can I go on living?”

With that, she rushed toward the nearby rockery to throw herself against it.

Yu Junshu was startled and shouted, “Stop her!”

Li Qiu, pale with fear, cried out, “Miss, don’t!”

A servant near the rockery rushed over.

Lan Qingxi collided with the servant’s stomach, and the servant let out a pained cry.

As Lan Qingxi tried to throw herself against it again, Yu Junshu and Li Qiu quickly arrived and grabbed her.

She sobbed heart-wrenchingly, “Let go of me! I want to die!”

Li Qiu also cried, “Miss, don’t do anything foolish!”

Yu Junshu held Lan Qingxi tightly, saying, “It’s not what you think!”

Lan Qingxi didn’t want to hear anything; she only wanted to die, her cries exhausting her.

Yu Junshu had thought about her possible reactions and how to handle her, but he never imagined her response would be this extreme.

He called for a few servants to take her back to her room.

Watching her pale face and vacant eyes, his feelings were complex.

He felt both frustrated by her fierce temperament and somewhat pleased that she loved him deeply.

Sitting by her bed, wiping his tears, he said, “Qingxi, it’s not what you think.”

“It’s Song Lingyuan’s shamelessness; he has had his eye on you for a long time. With my previous status as leverage, I had no choice but to compromise.”

After finishing, he slapped himself across the face, saying, “It’s my incompetence that couldn’t protect you. If anyone is to die, it should be me!”