Shi Momo first claimed she had the intention but lacked the strength, then adopted a condescending, charitable tone, wishing Gu Qianying to accept her authority over the household.
Having managed the backyard affairs for many years, how could she willingly relinquish this power?
If she didn't, the matter at hand couldn't be resolved smoothly. Moreover, from Gu Qianying's words earlier, she had pondered for a long time and arrived at an answer: Gu Qianying knew of a highly skilled divine physician who could cure her, or perhaps Gu Qianying herself had a way to treat her illness.
She finally saw a glimmer of hope for survival, and how could she let it go?
A shameless, cruel, and ruthless consort, how could she be her match?
The current concession was only temporary; she believed that in the future, she would make Gu Qianying repay tenfold what she had taken.
"With this item, can I truly take charge of all household affairs?"
In the silence, Gu Qianying suddenly looked at Nangong Mo and asked faintly.
"Yes, but even without this item, the Consort can still inquire about any matter in the household."
With him around, such trivial matters were not a problem.
Gu Qianying did not listen carefully. After understanding Nangong Mo's meaning, she immediately asked again, "In other words, can this Consort also inquire about, restrain, or even reallocate the daily expenses of the household?"
"Naturally!"
Nangong Mo replied curtly.
"If that's the case, then from today onwards, Shi Momo's daily meals will be changed from delicacies to plain congee. Her daily expenses will also be halved. In addition, the number of maids serving her should not be excessive. Your Highness, is this permissible?"
Nangong Mo glanced at Shi Momo, then turned to Gu Qianying, "Yes, as long as my wife is happy, anything is possible."
Nangong Mo said this very seriously, but to Gu Qianying, it sounded extremely hypocritical.
In her opinion, all men were pigs!
For the present moment, he was merely saving face and suffering.
However, Gu Qianying did not know that when Shi Momo ate plain congee, Nangong Mo was also eating the same. Only when dining with Gu Qianying would Nangong Mo have the small kitchen prepare delicacies, or he would cook himself, all to make Gu Qianying happy. He also did this out of consideration for Shi Momo's genuine care for him after his mother's death.
"Since Your Highness has said so, it would be unreasonable for me, your concubine, not to act spoiled. Therefore, after today, Miss Lan will stay to serve Shi Momo. Her daily expenses in the manor will not only be the same as Shi Momo's, but she will also have to kneel before me in the front courtyard for an hour every day. What do you say?"
"Alright, as you wish."
Nangong Mo's reply was simple and direct. He only cared that she was happy.
But in Gu Qianying's eyes, this was clearly the behavior of a scumbag!
Disregarding the wet nurse who had raised him for many years, and the childhood sweetheart Lan Qingqing, he was eager to gain favor with her, all for the tiger tally in his grandfather's hands. Such a selfish man, wasn't he a scumbag?
"Since that is the case, I thank Your Highness."
Gu Qianying said with a forced smile, then left with the injured maid Cai Xia.
Her words were like sharp blades, scraping painfully at Shi Momo's face.
Shi Momo clutched the quilt tightly, her hatred fermenting like yeast.
Even though she had considered that Gu Qianying might truly save her life, the deep-seated hatred in her heart could not be dispelled.
Lan Qingqing, who had fainted and woken up again, cried heartbrokenly upon learning that her fate was worse than that of a third-rate maid.
Du Chun comforted her several times, but did not say anything about seeking justice for Lan Qingqing.
After all, in Du Chun's opinion, Nangong Mo had taken a step back by allowing Qingqing and him to remain in the manor.
He also knew that this was the Ninth Prince's manor, and Nangong Mo was the Ninth Prince!
He was still a little scared thinking about his impulsiveness earlier.
As Gu Qianying left with Cai Xia,
Passing through the courtyard, she glanced up at the osmanthus trees filling the garden, remaining silent.
"Chop down all the osmanthus trees in the courtyard. I don't like them!"
Bai Qi pushed Nangong Mo, following Gu Qianying. Nangong Mo spoke.
Gu Qianying's footsteps suddenly stopped. She turned to look at Nangong Mo and asked him, "Your Highness dislikes osmanthus trees?"
"Mm." Nangong Mo offered no explanation.
He naturally disliked whatever his wife disliked!
"Oh."
Having asked what she wanted to know, Gu Qianying said no more.
At this moment, in her understanding, her dislikes coincidentally matched his. She assumed it was just a coincidence.
On the way, she met Steward Qi. Steward Qi bowed and passed her, then reported to Nangong Mo, "Your Highness, a eunuch from the Emperor's side has come to deliver an oral decree, stating that three days after the wedding, you are to bring the Consort to the palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager."
"Mm, I understand!"
As Steward Qi delivered the message, Gu Qianying's eyes flickered.
A moment later, Nangong Li had Bai Qi push him back to the sleeping quarters.
Gu Qianying was applying medicine to Cai Xia in her room.
Cai Xia was overwhelmed with gratitude and repeatedly declined, but she could not overcome Gu Qianying's stubbornness.
"From today onwards, you will serve me personally!"
Gu Qianying put down the medicine box and got up to wash.
Cai Xia, supporting herself on the bed, got up with difficulty and knelt to express her thanks.
She was originally a maid working in the storeroom, constantly dealing with icy water, scorching sun, and filth, and eating only stale food daily.
She thought she would live out her life in such a manner.
But she never expected that her fate would change.
As Cai Xia knelt, Gu Qianying helped her up.
"There's no need for such formality. Your performance today was excellent, and this Consort is very satisfied. This Consort is a person who rewards and punishes clearly. As a reward for your performance today, how about some practical gifts?"
Cai Xia was bewildered until she saw the entire small chest of gold and jewelry, and was stunned.
"It's not this Consort's property, so you don't need to be polite. Take whatever you like!"
Cai Xia: "..."
In the evening, Nangong Mo, who wanted to have dinner with Gu Qianying, was repeatedly shut out for two consecutive days. Even during the day, he rarely saw Gu Qianying.
Not only that, but Gu Qianying, under the pretext of researching a prescription to treat Nangong Mo's legs, moved into Mingyue Pavilion with her maid Cai Xia.
She began to live a life of seclusion.
In another courtyard within the Ninth Prince's manor, flowers were planted, making it like spring all year round. In winter, willow leaves swayed in the wind, and in summer, plum blossoms exuded fragrance, truly a unique sight in the manor.
The Mingyue Pavilion here was originally reserved by the elders of the manor for the future consort.
Therefore, it was only natural for Gu Qianying to reside there with her maid Cai Xia.
The next night.
Nangong Mo, unable to figure out the reason, irritably pulled Nangong Li into the main hall and drank all night.
"Tell me, why is the Consort unwilling to pay attention to me? Did I do something to upset her?"
After a cup of wine, Nangong Mo's cheeks were slightly flushed.
He wore a loose, dark black robe, with a belt casually tied around his waist, exposing his collarbone and chest. He leaned lazily in his wheelchair, his extremely handsome face etched with worry.
Beside him, Nangong Li held a wine pot, leaning crookedly in a chair. He wore a luxurious brocade robe, and although his attire was neat, his disregard for his image, having removed his shoes and socks, exposing his bare feet, was truly carefree.
"Could it be, Ninth Uncle, that you haven't 'torn open your clothes and been honest with each other,' which is why the Ninth Consort is so unsatisfied and unwilling to talk to you?"
"..."
An empty wine cup was thrown towards Nangong Li. Nangong Mo said with a dark expression, "She is not a superficial person."
After drinking half a pot of wine, Nangong Li said indifferently, "But she is a woman, after all."
Nangong Mo put down the wine cup in his hand and looked at Nangong Li, "Then what is your solution?"
Nangong Mo casually threw the wine pot behind him. The pot fell and shattered. He came forward barefoot, leaned across the table, and said with a grin, "This matter is simple. Use a honey trap. Of course, this beauty would be you, Ninth Uncle, hehe."
Nangong Mo pushed away Nangong Li's enlarged face in front of him with disdain. He remained silent for a long time.
Just as Nangong Li was about to fall asleep on the spot, he heard Nangong Mo murmur, "Alright, arrange this matter."
Supporting his head with one hand, Nangong Li, overcome with sleepiness, immediately woke up: "Really?"
"Really!"
"Then what's there to say? Come, come, Ninth Uncle, quickly, quickly..."
Nangong Li fumbled all over Nangong Mo.
Nangong Mo slapped his hand away with a dark expression: "Quickly what?"
"Quickly take it off!"