Chapter 260: She Must Have a Child

Chapter 260: She Must Have a Child

After Cheng Yunshuo confined himself for three days, he emerged from Yuerong Pavilion, and he had changed once again.

He grew quieter, his eyes lost their sharpness, and he appeared more mature.

He did not inquire about Du Ruo's situation, nor did he turn to alcohol or seek comfort from Lu Lingyun to vent his frustrations.

After coming out, he asked about the recent affairs of the Imperial Guards. Learning that Lu Lingyun had secured a few days off for him without jeopardizing his position, he donned his armor and went to his duties.

Upon returning, he made his way to Bishuo.

Perhaps the newly acquired Bishuo was too much to his liking; she had a face strikingly similar to Xing Dairong's, combined with a gentle and understanding nature, skilled at reading the room, and a temperament that wouldn't provoke him, or perhaps for some other reason.

From then on, Cheng Yunshuo only favored Bishuo.

The other concubines in the courtyard no longer received any attention.

Initially, Ling Long couldn't tolerate Bishuo's favor and attempted to use tricks to lure Cheng Yunshuo back to Yaoguang Pavilion.

Unfortunately, it was of no use.

When Cheng Yunshuo saw her, he would only listen to a few of her words, and he paid no attention to the tricks she had learned in the brothel, even scolding her for not behaving like that in the Marquis's Mansion.

After several attempts, Ling Long completely lost heart, watching Cheng Yunshuo visit Bishui Pavilion daily, favoring only Bishuo.

Ling Long went to Qiu Ling to vent her frustrations, cursing that no flower stays red for a hundred days, and Bishuo surely wouldn't last long either.

She waited to see how Bishuo would fare after her downfall, whether she would be any better than the previous ones!

Qiu Ling, however, felt that this time might be different.

It wasn't that Bishuo's methods were so advanced that she could firmly capture a man's heart.

It was that Cheng Yunshuo had changed.

She had grown up with Cheng Yunshuo, from their initial childhood friendship, to seeing him in his youthful vigor encountering true love, and then to one woman after another coming and leaving.

She only felt that since Du Ruo's departure, Cheng Yunshuo had completely changed.

She couldn't pinpoint where he had changed, but she could sense that this time Cheng Yunshuo might not be favoring Bishuo daily out of love; it was as if he was cherishing his last treasure, fearing that it too would become fragile and disappear.

In any case, Bishuo was very much favored in the mansion.

However, no matter how favored Bishuo was, she could not surpass Lu Lingyun.

She sensed Cheng Yunshuo's regard for her and twice tried to get Cheng Yunshuo to help her obtain the servant's deed of sale or to have Nanny Wan removed. But as soon as it involved matters on Lu Lingyun's side, Cheng Yunshuo would immediately change his expression.

He scolded her to respect the mistress, that all the mistress's decisions were correct, and that whatever she did had her reasons.

Bishuo was smart; as soon as she heard Cheng Yunshuo's words, she knew her place in his heart and dared not overstep, obediently keeping a low profile.

Lu Lingyun, hearing about these matters in Bishui Pavilion from Nanny Wan, chuckled lightly.

If Bishuo ever said such a thing once, she would have her standing before her the next day to learn the rules.

After several times, Bishuo became respectful towards Lu Lingyun.

Not daring to show the slightest hint of disdain in her eyes.

"Concubine Li, I heard you used to be a cook for the Crown Prince. Why don't you make a dish for me to taste at noon today?" Lu Lingyun said while tidying up Bishuo.

Upon hearing this, Bishuo respectfully replied, "Yes."

She entered Lu Lingyun's small kitchen, surrounded by Lu Lingyun's people. Everyone watched Bishuo as she worked meticulously and carefully, slicing the fish inch by inch, removing every single bone flawlessly. In the process, she accidentally cut her hand.

"Concubine Li, you've hurt your hand!"

"It's nothing, it's nothing," Bishuo smiled at the other maids and servants, quickly wiping the blood and wrapping it up before continuing to cook.

When a plate of squirrel-shaped sweet and sour fish was served, the maids also told Lu Lingyun about Bishuo's performance.

Lu Lingyun glanced at the wound on Bishuo's hand, picked up her chopsticks, tasted the fish, and nodded with great satisfaction, "Concubine Li's cooking is indeed excellent."

"If the young mistress likes it, I can come and cook for you every day," Bishuo stood respectfully to the side.

She was different from the other concubines.

After witnessing Lu Lingyun's methods, she became respectful and would never reveal any flaws or provide any leverage.

Seeing the obedient and gentle Bishuo, Lu Lingyun put down her chopsticks, "If I have you cook every day, the Crown Prince will surely be upset."

"Young mistress, how could that be? The Crown Prince has instructed Bishuo to serve you well. It is my fortune to be able to cook for you," Bishuo humbly said.

Lu Lingyun smiled, "I appreciate your thoughtfulness. You've already hurt your hand cooking for me today. Later, have Nanny Wan take a box of scar-healing ointment back with you. Make sure it doesn't leave a scar."

"Thank you, young mistress!"

Lu Lingyun let Bishuo go, having disciplined her enough.

After all, she had no grudge against Bishuo.

She wasn't the type to make someone a servant and have them serve her daily. Moreover, if she did so, Cheng Yunshuo would inevitably have complaints over time.

She only wanted peace in her backyard. As for which flower bloomed more brightly or which attracted butterflies every day, she didn't care.

As long as the flower didn't try to extend its vines beyond their pots and take root in her nutrient-rich soil, it was enough.

She was a tree that controlled the core soil, with ample nutrients and sunlight, and she didn't mind allowing the small flowers below to thrive.

Bishuo took a box of scar-healing ointment from Lu Lingyun and returned.

After returning, Nanny Wan kindly offered to apply the medicine for her, but Bishuo declined, saying she could do it herself.

After hearing this, Nanny Wan snorted, "This is good stuff, don't waste it," and left.

After she left, Bishuo immediately threw away the scar-healing ointment Lu Lingyun had given her.

Good stuff, good stuff, even if she knew it was good, she wouldn't use it!

When Cheng Yunshuo returned in the evening, she casually showed him the wound on her hand.

Cheng Yunshuo indeed asked her what had happened.

Bishuo hesitated a few times before mentioning that she had hurt her hand while cooking for Lu Lingyun today.

After saying this, she watched Cheng Yunshuo's expression carefully. Seeing that he only responded indifferently, telling her to be more careful in the future, she completely understood her place in Cheng Yunshuo's heart.

Outsiders claimed Cheng Yunshuo loved and cherished her, but in truth, he didn't care for her at all.

From the start, he saw her as a stand-in for someone else, and even the initial rush of meeting her had faded.

Bishuo kept mulling over her place in the Marquis's Mansion, thinking over her standing and situation.

In the end, her brow smoothed, and she knew what she had to do.

She decided she needed a child.

Counting on Cheng Yunshuo's shaky affection wasn't enough; she needed a child to secure her future.