Chapter 002: Calling her quite intimately

After returning to the Prime Minister's residence, Xia Lian seemed distracted, while Madam appeared serene and relaxed, always thinking about what to do with the shop in the eastern part of the city.

Given the current situation in the Prime Minister's residence, Xia Lian couldn't understand how Madam had the heart to think about business.

It had been drizzling for about half an hour, and the wind had stopped. It was nice to lie on the daybed and listen to the soft patter of rain.

Since she returned from the eastern part of the city, Ruan Qinghuan had been in a good mood. The lease on that prime location was about to run out, and the surrounding area was bustling with commerce. There would inevitably be times when shop owners needed quick cash, so opening a pawnshop there would surely be profitable.

The more she thought about it, the happier she became. Ruan Qinghuan could almost see the prosperous future of the business.

At that moment, two figures appeared outside the half-moon gate by the window. Liu Yueru was dressed in a plain dress, and a maid held an umbrella over her.

For anyone unaware of the truth, her delicate and fragile appearance might evoke a sense of pity.

However, Ruan Qinghuan knew her well. This act of feigning weakness and playing the victim only worked on He An, the straight-laced man that he was.

In the study, Jiang Chen reported Ruan Qinghuan's outing to He An, who frowned slightly. "She didn't return to the Ruan residence?"

"No, after leaving the eastern street, the princess went to Su's Pastry Shop to buy some snacks and then returned to the residence."

He An frowned, thinking she had gone back to the Ruan residence to complain, but she had only wandered around the eastern street.

Jiang Ming brought some hot tea and reported what he had seen to the Prime Minister. "Sir, I just saw Miss Liu go to Changchun Garden."

Xia Lian harbored hostility towards Liu Yueru. If it weren't for the young miss allowing her into the residence, she would have thrown this woman out long ago.

After entering, Liu Yueru was very polite and courteous, bowing to Ruan Qinghuan. "Yueru greets the young miss..."

"Miss Liu, you're mistaken. We are not familiar with each other. It's better to call me Madam."

"Yueru greets the Madam." Liu Yueru's expression stiffened slightly. "Today, I came to apologize to the Madam."

"I understand that last night, on the day of your and Elder Crane Brother's wedding, he delayed returning to the residence because he was settling me, causing the young miss to spend the wedding night alone. I am at fault and ask for your punishment."

She sure calls him 'Elder Crane Brother' like they're close.

Xia Lian, hearing this, immediately lost her temper and was about to confront Liu Yueru, but Ruan Qinghuan interrupted her. "Xia Lian, this room is too stuffy. Open the doors and windows."

When the doors and windows were opened, a cool breeze carrying the scent of earth floated in. Ruan Qinghuan then asked Xia Lian, "Does that help clear your head?"

Xia Lian nodded blankly, but her anger hadn't subsided. Anyone could tell that Liu Yueru was here to cause trouble.

Standing off to the side, Liu Yueru looked uncomfortable. What she had expected—Ruan Qinghuan flying into a rage and starting a quarrel—didn't happen.

Her unexpected calmness threw Liu Yueru off balance, leaving her unsure of how to continue.

After waiting for a while, Ruan Qinghuan suddenly asked, "Miss Liu, are you done?"

"Ah?"

"I know what you wanted to say. If there's nothing else, you may leave."

Liu Yueru glanced out the window and, by chance, saw a figure outside. Although it was getting dark, she immediately recognized that it was He An.

Her mind raced quickly, and suddenly, Liu Yueru knelt down with a plop, tears streaming down her face. "Madam, it's all my fault for disturbing you and Elder Crane Brother on your wedding night. I truly didn't mean to. Please forgive me and allow me to stay at the Prime Minister's residence for a few days."

"This is hardly necessary, Madam. Since Lord He has brought you back, he has already granted you permission to stay here. As for how long, you should ask Lord He. If he allows you to stay permanently, I will not stand in the way."

Liu Yueru: “……”

A flash of suspicion crossed her eyes. If Liu Yueru hadn't been standing with her back to the window, she might have thought that Ruan Qinghuan was deliberately putting on a show in front of He An.

Ruan Qinghuan had Liu Yueru's maid help her to her feet. Just as they were about to leave, Ruan Qinghuan suddenly spoke, "By the way, I prefer peace and quiet. If you have any matters, go directly to Lord He. There's no need to come to me for instructions."

She actually told Liu Yueru to go directly to him and even said she wouldn’t object if he allowed the woman to stay in the mansion permanently?

Outside the courtyard, He An narrowed his eyes and turned away.

Liu Yueru quickly left the gate of Changchun Garden but couldn't see any sign of He An. Frustrated, she stomped her foot and glared in the direction of the study, seething with anger.

Back in the study, He An wasn't in a much better mood.

Though he didn't appreciate petty women, Ruan Qinghuan's magnanimity today left him feeling neither happy nor satisfied. And this was his new bride, brought into the mansion just yesterday.

"Jiang Ming, what do you think of the performance the Madam put on tonight?"

Jiang Ming was about to leave but stopped upon hearing this, "Lord, in my opinion, the Madam doesn't seem to be putting on a show. It's Miss Liu... The Madam simply disdains to argue with her."

It was obvious to anyone with eyes that Liu Yueru's words today were meant to provoke the Madam's anger.

Jiang Ming hadn't expected that the Madam, rumored to be the spoiled daughter of a merchant family, could remain so calm and composed, keeping herself in a dominant position.

In Changchun Garden, after sending away the incessantly nagging Xia Lian, Ruan Qinghuan let out a long sigh.

Although she and He An had no real emotional connection, they were still, for the time being, a married couple in name. Having another woman come to provoke her left her feeling somewhat unsettled.

No wonder the original owner had lost her composure. Liu Yueru clearly knew exactly what buttons to push, deliberately provoking her to look like a shrew in front of He An.

Stepping into the bathtub, surrounded by the warm steam, Ruan Qinghuan closed her eyes contentedly against the tub's edge, quietly pondering how to safely sail through the next two years.

Or maybe, just bring Liu Yueru directly into the mansion?

No, that wouldn't work. In the original storyline, in a few days, He An's cousin would also arrive. The two would fight over him, causing a huge commotion until Liu Yueru moved out and the cousin was sent home.

Of course, the drama spiraled out of control partly because of the original owner's actions. In the end, He An was so fed up that he divorced Ruan Qinghuan.

He An wasn't a womanizer at all. In fact, he didn't understand women one bit. With Ruan Qinghuan's drama, along with Liu Yueru and the cousin, the mansion had been in constant turmoil, which led to him divorcing Ruan Qinghuan in a fit of anger.

He’s such a typical straight man—definitely not the type you’d want to spend your life with.

The door opened, and footsteps approached the side of the screen. Thinking it was Xia Lian again, Ruan Qinghuan said, "I already told you, leave Liu Yueru's matter to that clumsy fool He An to handle. You don't need to worry about it."

"Also, tomorrow when we return to your family, just do as I said. Don't mention anything about the mansion. Tell grandmother and your mother that everything is fine. If you dare to say more, I'll punish you when I return."

Though it was meant as a threat, Ruan Qinghuan couldn't help but laugh, "Of course, if you behave yourself, I’ll make sure you have a generous dowry when you get married."

After rambling on for a bit and getting no response, Ruan Qinghuan realized something was off. She suddenly opened her eyes and saw He An, who had just passed through the screen, his expression odd.

His gaze was fixed on the half-exposed upper body of Ruan Qinghuan.

A shrill scream pierced the air, reverberating through the entire mansion. Ruan Qinghuan quickly crossed her arms over her chest and submerged herself in the water. He An finally snapped out of it, turned around, and quickly left the room.