Xiao Zhen led He Qingyi towards Shuiyue Manor. The Third Concubine saw this, stamped her foot, and was about to follow, but Xiao Zhen stopped her and instructed, "You don't need to come along."
"Yes, General."
The Third Concubine watched the backs of the two as they departed, grinding her teeth viciously. "Vixen! What do you mean by visiting the Eldest Miss? You're clearly using the Eldest Miss as an excuse to seduce the General. Shameless!"
He Qingyi walked behind Xiao Zhen, "Your estate has no mistress. When guests arrive, there's usually no one to host them."
"Normally, Man'er is responsible for entertaining guests. Last night, she drank too much, and we were remiss in attending to Miss He. I ask for your understanding." Xiao Zhen understood that He Qingyi was implying that it was beneath the dignity of the concubines to host guests.
"The Eldest Miss is, after all, an unmarried young lady. Many matters are inconvenient for her to handle," He Qingyi said softly. "The General's mansion needs a mistress."
Xiao Zhen stopped and looked coldly at He Qingyi, "Do you wish to be the mistress of the General's mansion?"
"Yes," He Qingyi stated openly. "The General needs someone to look after the Eldest Miss in the General's mansion and, at the same time, manage all the affairs of the General's mansion. And I need the status of the General's wife."
"There are stewards in the household," Xiao Zhen continued walking forward.
"But their status is insufficient, and they cannot help the Eldest Miss much," He Qingyi's voice was unhurried, possessing a natural elegance. "As for myself, I come from a family of physicians. My ancestors have served as imperial physicians for generations. Though I am not talented, I have some understanding and can ward off some of the underhanded tactics."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhen's expression turned even colder, rather than pleased. "Are you saying that Man'er's poisoning some days ago..."
"Great General, the Old Madam once revealed her intention to poison the Eldest Miss. I refused and warned the Eldest Miss, albeit subtly. I believe the Eldest Miss understands. After all, I cannot explicitly tell the Eldest Miss that the Old Madam intends to harm her, can I? If the Eldest Miss is astute, she will know to guard herself. If the Eldest Miss is not clever enough and brings this matter to the Old Madam's attention, how could the Old Madam spare me? As a mere medical practitioner, how would I dare openly oppose the Old Madam of the General's mansion?"
"So, you were unaware of Man'er's poisoning?"
"I was unaware, but I had a premonition," He Qingyi continued. "Currently, there is almost no one in the mansion who can harm the Eldest Miss. However, the General's mansion is complex, and someone is always needed to manage it. The Great General needs someone to serve as the face of the General's mansion, and I need a prominent status. Why not cooperate?"
Xiao Zhen suddenly realized that this young lady from the He family truly possessed courage, daring to directly ask him for the position of General's wife. Did she know how difficult that position was to hold?
"Do you know what the title of General's wife entails?"
"I will certainly guard the General's mansion for the General and protect the Eldest Miss," He Qingyi said softly. "I do not ask for much, only for a title. And the General happens to need such a person, doesn't he?"
Xiao Zhen fell silent for a moment, then smiled, "The waters in this General's mansion are far deeper than you imagine."
He Qingyi stood facing Xiao Zhen, "Qingyi has long decided to live and die with the Eldest Miss. If the Eldest Miss lives, I live; if the Eldest Miss dies, I die."
Xiao Zhen finally looked at He Qingyi properly. He had assumed that He Qingyi merely sought the glory of the General's mansion. It seemed that was not the case.
"Why Man'er?"
"She is by no means an ordinary young lady of a noble family; her future is bound to be limitless. I have no other special skills, but I am quite discerning when it comes to people," He Qingyi stated neither humbly nor arrogantly. "I enjoy wealth and status, and I enjoy power in hand, but I prefer wealth and status that I earn myself, not what others give me. After all, what others give can be taken back at any time, while what one earns is truly one's own."
"Do you believe Man'er is someone who can help you earn wealth and status?"
"General, you are mistaken," He Qingyi corrected. "It is not that the Eldest Miss can help me earn wealth and status, but by following the Eldest Miss, I am certain to earn the wealth and status I desire."
"How can I know if your words are sincere?"
"The Eldest Miss will believe my sincerity."
Xiao Zhen had to admit that He Qingyi had struck his weak point. He had delayed remarrying precisely because he feared another Madam Wang appearing in the household, or another Old Madam. Now, He Qingyi's arrival seemed to resolve his pressing need.
"Very well, I shall trust you this once," Xiao Zhen stopped walking. "I can grant you the title of General's wife. However, if you do anything to harm Man'er, I will make you regret it for the rest of your life."
"Thank you, General, for your fulfillment. I will certainly do my utmost to protect the Eldest Miss."
"We are approaching Shuiyue Manor. You may go on," Xiao Zhen turned around. "Tomorrow, I will send a matchmaker to propose."
Xiao Man was groggily waking up. Sensing someone sitting beside her, someone whose presence was unfamiliar, she instantly reacted, precisely seizing the person's throat.
"Eldest Miss." He Qingyi, her face pale with fright, quickly called out.
Only then did Xiao Man see clearly that it was He Qingyi sitting by her bed. She immediately released her grip, "It's Aunt He by the bed. I thought it was someone else."
He Qingyi touched her neck, still feeling shaken. "I came to see you. Your head maid said you were still asleep. I was worried you had a headache from drinking, so I thought I'd apply some ointment to relieve it. I hadn't even gotten close..." Sud an Novel Network
Xiao Man glared at Ying Xue. That foolish girl was clearly setting He Qingyi up. She knew how vigilant Xiao Man was, that she would attack anyone who approached with an unfamiliar presence, yet she deliberately let He Qingyi in.
"Thank you for your concern, Aunt. I am fine."
He Qingyi placed the ointment down. Seeing Xiao Man getting up to dress, she immediately took the clothes hanging on the screen and began to help Xiao Man dress.
Xiao Man was startled. "Aunt, I can do it myself."
He Qingyi withdrew her hand. "I saw the General today and spoke with him for a while. He was the one who brought me to Shuiyue Manor."
Xiao Man dressed herself while saying, "Aunt, if you have something to say, just say it."
He Qingyi stepped back two paces and knelt, performing a deep bow to Xiao Man. Xiao Man's expression remained unchanged, "Aunt, what is this for?"
"I am willing to serve the Eldest Miss as my mistress and offer my utmost service to the Eldest Miss."
Xiao Man stepped forward and helped He Qingyi up. "Aunt, please get up. You mustn't joke like this."
He Qingyi remained kneeling, "Eldest Miss, I am not joking, but serious. Please, Eldest Miss, accept me."
"I am merely a young lady of the General's mansion."
"I naturally know the Eldest Miss's status. However, I also understand that the Eldest Miss is by no means ordinary and will undoubtedly soar to great heights in the future. Therefore, I have come to seek refuge."