Chapter 34: Being a Concubine Isn’t So Bad After All

Chapter 34: Being a Concubine Isn't So Bad After All

Xing Dairong fell ill, and the two, who had been in a cold war, immediately reconciled.

Cheng Yunshuo took care of her tirelessly throughout the night and even took leave from his duties with the Imperial Guards the next day to attend to her wholeheartedly at home.

After the previous outburst, Xing Dairong's personality had changed significantly.

She no longer acted as arrogantly or recklessly, refraining from throwing tantrums at him and becoming much gentler toward Cheng Yunshuo.

This made Cheng Yunshuo feel heartbroken. He felt guilty for his past coldness towards her and treated her even more tenderly.

However, there was still something unspoken between them. They chose not to address it directly, pretending it was all behind them. This reconciliation brought their relationship to an unprecedented level of closeness. People from Yaoguang Pavilion said that Cheng Yunshuo now cherished Xing Dairong like a precious gem.

No one was allowed to mistreat her.

Lu Lingyun, however, was indifferent to this.

It didn't matter to her who bore the child; after all, the child would be recorded under her name and raised by her.

Xing Dairong was different from other women, but she lived in the same era as everyone else, unable to change the grand scheme of things.

Lu Lingyun believed that if Xing Dairong could find her place, she wouldn't mind having a cup of tea with her as a concubine and giving her a dignified treatment as a concubine.

After all, what she and Xing Dairong were fighting for was different. She wanted control over the entire marquisate household, while they were competing for the man.

Whether it was Xing Dairong or Aunt Qiu, they were all the same in her eyes. They were never her enemies, merely pawns.

Hearing that Xing Dairong was ill, she sent a doctor and medicine to her.

She wasn't in a hurry, but Aunt Qiu was desperate.

The mistress said that a fortunate child would soon be born. It mattered greatly whether the child came from her womb or Xing Dairong's.

She was just a concubine without the master's favor, and without a child, she couldn't establish herself in the marquisate for long.

Every day, she watched the activities at Yaoguang Pavilion, wishing she could snatch the man away directly, but she knew it was futile.

She wasn't Xing Dairong, able to lure a man with just a glance.

Three days passed, and Yaoguang Pavilion was as sweet as honey, while Aunt Qiu was burning with anxiety.

Today, she finally found Cheng Yunshuo taking a stroll with Xing Dairong in the courtyard and hurriedly approached them.

"Your Highness."

"Sister Qiu Ling," Cheng Yunshuo acknowledged her with a nod.

Qiu Ling had been by his side recently, and their relationship had grown closer. Even though Cheng Yunshuo hadn't shared a bed with her, he no longer deliberately distanced himself from her as before.

After all, she had once served him intimately, and living together harmoniously was the best outcome for him.

Cheng Yunshuo's attitude toward her brightened Qiu Ling's spirits. What surprised her even more was Xing Dairong's reaction to Cheng Yunshuo's behavior, which didn't flare up as it used to.

Xing Dairong only frowned slightly, not engaging in any jealousy with Qiu Ling.

Seeing this, Qiu Ling boldly approached her, "Sister Xing, how is your health?"

"Who's your sister?" Xing Dairong glanced at her irritably.

Though she wasn't causing trouble, she certainly wasn't going to give Qiu Ling a pleasant face.

Qiu Ling realized that Xing Dairong was still jealous deep down, despite her changed demeanor. She had an idea and continued to provoke her, "We both serve His Highness in the marquisate. Even if you don't have a formal status here, we are still sisters."

Sure enough, Xing Dairong felt as if she had swallowed a fly upon hearing this.

"Will you stop it!" Xing Dairong suppressed her anger.

Qiu Ling's eyes filled with grievance, "Your Highness, I didn't mean it that way. I meant that Sister Xing should have a formal status in the marquisate so that we can take care of each other."

A formal status?!

Wasn't this putting Xing Dairong in her place?

Again and again, and now this! Enough was enough!

"I've discovered you're nothing but a green tea bitch. You come looking for trouble when others are minding their own business. I'm not even bothering with you, yet you still act so low! Do you enjoy being despised?!"

Xing Dairong unleashed a torrent of angry words, but then she heard Cheng Yunshuo gently call her name, "Dairong."

Xing Dairong felt wronged and was about to cry. Afraid that Cheng Yunshuo might not understand Qiu Ling's insinuations, she grabbed his hand and stomped her foot anxiously, "Yunshuo, did you hear what she said? She wants me to be a concubine like her! She's such a green tea slut, how can she be so despicable, tormenting me every day!"

But Cheng Yunshuo understood.

And he thought about it seriously.

"Dairong, you cannot remain without a formal status in the marquisate."

Xing Dairong stopped her tirade in disbelief, staring at Cheng Yunshuo in shock.

What did Cheng Yunshuo mean...

Did he also want her to become a concubine?

Yes.

That was exactly what Cheng Yunshuo thought.

He was no longer the impulsive young man who believed that love alone could surpass everything in the world.

The repeated arguments had gradually dulled the passion, and now that he had official duties, Cheng Yunshuo, who was increasingly entering the secular world, realized that Xing Dairong's current position by his side was no longer appropriate.

Xing Dairong could not remain with him without a proper title for her entire life.

He needed to give Xing Dairong a legitimate status; this was not only for his own peace of mind but also for hers.

Of course, Xing Dairong could only become a concubine.

For he already had a nominal wife.

Xing Dairong could only be a concubine.

"Are you asking me to be your concubine...?!"

Xing Dairong looked at him with shock and anger.

Cheng Yunshuo stared at her seriously and said, "Dairong, being a concubine isn't bad. In the future, you can move around openly in the Marquisate, and everything in the Marquisate will have a share for you. You won't be upset because Qiu Ling gets new clothes while you don't. Lingyun is kind and benevolent; she will treat you well."

"Cheng Yunshuo! You beast!"

Xing Dairong pushed Cheng Yunshuo away and ran off in anger.

Seeing Xing Dairong storm off again, the instigator Qiu Ling quickly added, "Your Highness, Miss Xing's temper..."

Before she could finish her provocative words, Cheng Yunshuo immediately chased after her.

"Dairong!"

"Dairong!"

Seeing Cheng Yunshuo's devoted behavior, Qiu Ling stomped her feet in frustration.

Why does he still need to placate her!

Someone who doesn't understand their place should be left alone for a while!

How could Cheng Yunshuo bear to leave Xing Dairong?

He still cared deeply for her. He knew that Xing Dairong would not accept this directly today, so he needed to comfort her properly.

"Dairong, listen to me carefully."

"I won't listen! Go away, go away! Go to the Autumn Fragrance Courtyard, go to Lu Lingyun, go wherever you want! It's all lies, everything you said is a lie!"

The two started arguing again, separated by the door of the room, and everyone else in Yaoguang Pavilion rushed out.

Qingfeng asked the accompanying Qiu Kui, "What happened again?"

"Sigh, don't ask." Qiu Kui looked exasperated.

"Just now, I met Sister Qiu Ling in the courtyard. She suggested that Miss Xing become a concubine..."

Qiu Kui recounted what had happened in the courtyard to the others.