Transmigrated as a Stepmother: Time to Bring the Family to Prosper!-Chapter 375: Becoming a Concubine

He Zhanghua cheerfully ran up to her mother, facing her mother’s reproach with a mischievous smile, lively and adorable, her spirited charm making it hard for anyone to scold her.

"Your mouth, you can’t be so disrespectful in front of guests in the future." Mrs. Qi admonished her daughter while smiling apologetically at Qin Yao.

Qin Yao shook her head, politely indicating she didn’t mind, and proactively brought up some amusing stories about Qi Xian and Gongliang Liao in the village, serving as an explanation for Qi Xian’s temporary guardian.

Everyone in the room listened, and from time to time, Qin Yao’s unique dry humor elicited laughter, creating a very harmonious atmosphere.

Only Mu Ling, sitting across from Qin Yao, kept staring at her, eyes full of curiosity.

Qin Yao picked up her teacup and tactically sipped, while Mrs. Qi took over the conversation, bringing up He Zhanghua.

After a long silence, Mu Ling finally spoke up, beckoning He Zhanghua to come over, patting her head with a satisfied look, he praised, "Your genuine heart for the Princess, if the Princess knew, she would certainly be very happy."

She knew that the words He Zhanghua said outside to Qin Yao were meant to be heard.

Qin Yao continued to sip tea, aware that the little girl wanted not just her to hear those words.

But children from official aristocratic families and ordinary civilian homes were starkly different; her own Si Niang only knew to want candied haws, while He Zhanghua was already planning her future.

He Zhanghua looked up in surprise at Mu Ling, "General, really? Would the Princess be happy?"

Mu Ling nodded, looking at her, a rare gentle smile on her face.

Seeing this, Mrs. Qi followed up with many yearning words about the Princess.

Mu Ling then continued, "If Madame is tied up by affairs and can’t go to the Capital, I can take your young lady to her maternal family outside the Capital for the New Year, and pay respects to the Princess, conveying your greetings through the young lady. I think the Princess would be delighted to meet such a bright child."

Upon saying this, Mu Ling sighed, intentionally or unintentionally mentioning the Princess Huixiang, who had married far away for alliance.

"Since the Commandery Princess went to the Northern Territory, the Princess has longed for her day and night, feeling despondent for a long time. If the young lady would stay by the Princess’s side, it might alleviate some of her longing."

Upon hearing this, He Zhanghua, who had been all smiles, suddenly froze; after all, she was still a child, unable to control her emotions. She quickly shook off Mu Ling’s hand and ran back to her mother, snuggling into her arms.

Afraid that she might be taken to become someone else’s daughter, she only wanted her own mother!

Mrs. Qi amusingly patted her daughter’s back, then turned to ask the maid beside her, "Is it time for her nap again? This lazy girl must be sleepy. General, please don’t mind."

The maid, quick-witted, hurriedly agreed, confirming that it was indeed time, and led He Zhanghua away.

The room’s atmosphere became awkward, Mu Ling’s expression turned somber. She had always reserved her arrogance only in front of the Princess; with Mrs. Qi, she couldn’t even bother to pretend.

She sneered lightly, saying, "You keep saying you’re concerned about the Princess and want to ease her worries. But in the General’s view, it’s just lip service. You don’t truly want to share the burden for Princess!"

She abruptly stood up, "In that case, I still have other important tasks to attend to. I’ll take my leave!"

With a perfunctory nod, she took her sword and left!

The maids’ and servant girls’ faces changed greatly, hurriedly looking to the mistress, unsure if they should give chase.

Mrs. Qi’s face was not pleasant either. She let out a long breath, steeling herself, she got up and personally chased out, "General, please wait, Zhanghua admires you the most and had prepared a sword dance to perform for you during dinner, hoping for your guidance..."

Her voice faded into the distance, but Qin Yao, with excellent hearing, caught Mu Ling’s cold snort, "Your lady is precious, this General doesn’t deserve to advise!"

So...

Qin Yao: Nobody’s paying attention to me anymore, huh? 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Oh, there’s still a maid named Chunhua staring at her awkwardly.

Qin Yao wasn’t someone lacking awareness. She put down her teacup, picked up the exquisite pastries on the table, and ate as she asked,

"It’s getting late, and since Madame has matters to attend to, I shouldn’t bother anymore. Just wondering how my husband is doing over there, could Chunhua please help to check?"

Chunhua first said she wouldn’t dare let her be called sister, then agreed, stepping outside to summon a runner boy to inquire.

Qin Yao waited about a quarter of an hour, and the boy returned, panting, saying things were wrapping up on the other side.

Prefect He originally wanted them to stay for dinner, but Qin Yao had already instructed not to linger, and though Liu Ji felt regret, he firmly declined.

Coincidentally, as the boy arrived, Liu Ji took the chance to take leave.

Gongliang Liao wasn’t too happy about him leaving, but Liu Ji could only appease with a smile, saying he would stay in the Prefecture for the next few days. If the teacher needed him, he could just send someone to call, which finally soothed the unhappy old man.

Liu Ji took leave of Prefect He and was led by a house servant to wait outside the side gate, when he soon saw Qin Yao walking over briskly, carrying a package of pastries Chunhua had packed for her.

"Let’s go." Qin Yao nodded at Liu Ji, who politely thanked the servant and Chunhua, then made a gesture of invitation, indicating his lady should go first.

To outsiders, he appeared to be a handsome scholar who loved his wife and understood etiquette!

Chunhua blushed, bowing her head in shyness, returning the bow: "Mr. Liu, Mrs. Liu, take care."

The couple walked out of He’s family side gate and were greeted by a bustling alley with many vendors hawking their wares. The couple exchanged a glance, both wanting to speak, slowing their steps tacitly, strolling as they walked.

Qin Yao signaled Liu Ji to speak first.

Liu Ji awkwardly coughed twice, saying, "The official praised my exceptional looks, asked what talents I had, and mentioned someone from the Princess’s entourage was here today, in the backyard. You should have seen her, but that’s not the point!"

"The point is..." Liu Ji suddenly became bashful, lowering his voice near her ear, "I must clarify I’m not narcissistic, but I feel like the official was looking at me strangely."

Qin Yao raised an eyebrow, "Strangely how?"

Liu Ji shook his head, unable to describe it but felt as if the official was planning to sell him off.

Seeing no answer, Qin Yao joked, "Planning to dress you up and offer you to the Princess as a concubine?"

Liu Ji was almost frightened to death by her words, raising his hand as if to cover her mouth but feared being hit, so he could only glare at her, "Wife, watch your words!"

Qin Yao laughed heartily, "Just kidding, how could the Princess be interested in you, but..."

She slightly narrowed her eyes, the darkening in her gaze, "The He family couple seems to be eager to curry favor with the Princess."

She spoke softly, so much so that Liu Ji, so close, didn’t hear it clearly, only catching the words Princess and curry favor.

But the couple had their tacit understanding, and Liu Ji guessed what she was implying, shrugging nonchalantly, "It doesn’t concern us two commoners anyway."