That maid knew that her role was to seduce Prince Linjiang, and she was completely prepared. Unexpectedly, before she could use her means, the matter was so easily achieved.
When she heard Lin Shihengâs undisguised compliments, she was delighted. With shyness on her pretty face, she slightly bowed and spoke in a delicate voice, âThank you, Your Highness, for your compliments.â
The smugness in Mu Qingrongâs eyes increased, she knew that Prince Linjiang would like such appearances.
With her dignified appearance, she smiled generously and said, âThis maid hasnât been serving me for long, but she has always been intelligent and considerate. Itâs a blessing for her to be praised by Your Highness.â
Mu Qingrongâs heart was full of confidence. She knew that Prince Linjiang would never stop until he got his hands on a woman he liked. Otherwise, he wouldnât have kept her with him even after she became the former Emperorâs concubine.
Today, when Prince Linjiang accompanied the Princess Consort back to her maiden home, if it got out that the Prince personally asked her sister for a beautiful maid, it would only be a flirtatious affair for Prince Linjiang, but for Princess Consort Mu Qingling, it would be akin to a hard slap on the face.
This matter would be spread throughout the capital at Mu Qingrongâs behest.
As long as she was a proper woman, she was bound to have a hard time with her husband because of this. Coupled with the maid Poâer stirring up trouble, her future marriage to Lin Shiheng, the Princess Consort who was unfavored by the Prince, wouldnât be a threat at all.
Mu Qingrong had a good plan. Unfortunately, before Lin Shiheng, Prince Linjiang, could speak, Mu Qingling, who was standing beside him with a smile, said, âThis maid does look good. Would sister be willing to give her up and let me take her back to the Princeâs mansion?â
Hearing these words, the smile that hadnât bloomed on Mu Qingrongâs face slightly froze.
Whatâs this?!
Mu Qingling, who wasnât deaf, dumb or blind, should have realized that her new husband was a lecherous man. How could she not be angry and make such a generous gesture?
Mu Qingrong hated it so much, she almost crushed her teeth.
Now that Mu Qingling had asked for this, if she gave the maid away, even if this girl went to Prince Linjiangâs bed in the future, it would be Mu Qingling who was generous and virtuous. Whereas, if she gave the maid away as soon as Prince Linjiang asked, then wouldnât it be the sister, who wasnât married yet, who was sending a woman to her brother-in-lawâs bed?
If such words got out, she would lose her reputation.
She didnât expect Mu Qingling to have such tactics. It really shows that a dog that bites doesnât bark.
(TNote: a dog that bites doesn't bark = itâs a play off the English saying âBarking dogs seldom bite'/ âAll bark and no bite.')
Mu Qingrong was very angry. She enjoyed the life of suppressing Mu Qingrong through Prince Linjiang for too long in her last life. Even now, when she was reborn in this life, Mu Qingling was just a humiliating loser in her eyes.
As long as she cried and acted being wronged, Mu Qingling would be defeated in one fell swoop.
Mu Qingrong always thought so.
But now, the Prince hadnât accepted her, and Mu Qingling still occupied the position of Princess Consort. Even if she had a lot of means to make the Prince pity her, as an unmarried girl, Mu Qingrong couldnât act like that.
She was angry and resentful, but after a glance at Lin Shiheng, who was looking at her with displeasure because of her hesitation, she forced herself to suppress the anger and softly said, âSince Elder Sister likes her, then this maid will be given to Elder Sister.â
After saying that, Mu Qingrong raised her eyes and gave Lin Shiheng a pitiful look, timid and with a touch of bashfulness.
She was born with good looks, and when such a gesture was made, any gentleman would surely be tempted to think of her and place her in his heart.
Mu Qingrong was so confident. But as soon as she laid eyes on Lin Shihengâs face, she saw a scene that nearly drove her up the wall.
The handsome Prince, dressed in splendor, was looking at the Poâer with an appreciative smile. He didn't even blink, and didnât reward Mu Qingrong with a single glance out of the corner of his eye, so naturally he couldnât see the shy gesture she had worked so hard to produce.
The expression on Mu Qingrongâs face froze for another moment.
She even began to regret her decision to introduce Poâer. Originally, she had only wanted Poâer to separate Prince Linjiang and Mu Qingling, and to stain Mu Qinglingâs reputation. However, in this case, Mu Qinglingâs reputation hadn't been damaged at all, and she didnât mind Poâer at all. In addition, her plan to cultivate a romantic feeling with Prince Linjiang had been affected.
Her heart regretted it, but she couldnât show it on her face.
It was only logical. Since Mu Qingrong wasnât married yet, and although Prince Linjiang was her brother-in-law, he was also a male outsider. Even if she occasionally bumped into him, no one would gossip about him. She would just have to say goodbye sooner.
Mu Qingrong wouldnât!
In her last life, she had experienced all the glory and insults. The pride and luxury of being a favored concubine, the pain of becoming a concubine after the death of the previous Emperor, and the pain of being nearly sent to the Cold Palace.
In her previous life she still had the modesty of a lady of the house at this point in time, but now Mu Qingrong had long forgotten her reputation after she experienced the status of a favored concubine using her other status as a former Imperial Consort.
Whatâs the use of reputation? Can she enjoy that splendor all her life with it?
As long as she had power and authority, even if her reputation was poor, so what? Just like in her last life, she couldnât enter the palace as a concubine, but with a word from the Emperor, she could change her identity and name, and easily take the position of favored concubine.
Mu Qingrong knew that the Emperorâs favor was the most important thing. Even when she killed Mu Qinglingâs two children, she was still firmly protected. Not only that, but Lin Shiheng even killed Mu Qingling, his wife, personally, in order to protect her.
Even if countless palace maids and eunuchs saw it, everyone in the world only knew that Mu Qingling died of a sudden illness. If she hadnât deviated for a moment and thought of a way to fake a pregnancy in order to get the Empress position, she wouldnât have been abandoned by the Emperor.
Mu Qingrong wouldnât dare to resent Lin Shiheng, who had killed her in her previous life. She only hated Mu Qingling, hated her for stealing her place and her glory, and if she, Mu Qingrong, hadnât refused it, how could Mu Qingling possibly take the position?
Mu Qingling owed her in her last life, and she had to get it back in this life.
At all costs!
Mu Qingling didnât know that Mu Qingrong was filled with thoughts of how she was going to let her die sooner and give up her position. Seeing that this third sister had the cheek to refrain from initiating her withdrawal, she was simply exasperated.
Even if Mu Qingrong had been spoiled, it was impossible for her to not know the rules, and it was impossible for her not to know the difference between a man and a woman.
It's just a chance encounter. What's the point of sticking around? She doesnât want her reputation, but the other younger sisters need it!
Mu Qingling had some anger in her eyes. She swept a glance at Mu Qingrong and spoke in a cold tone, âI have to go with the Prince to pay my respects to Mother, so Iâll say goodbye to younger sister for now.â
Mu Qingrong was stunned, a little uncomfortable with Mu Qingling who was treating her in such an assertive manner. Wasnât she afraid that Lin Shiheng would get annoyed with her?
The beautiful young girl seemed to be a little aggrieved by her elder sisterâs tone of voice, and water sprang up in her beautiful eyes as she softly said, âSister hasnât returned to the residence for a long time, Qingrong really misses...â
See, how kind I am. and how much I cherish our sisterhood.
This will surely set off Mu Qinglingâs indifference and ruthlessness.
She knew that Lin Shiheng was disgusted by people who were indifferent to beautiful women...
Mu Qingrong gave Lin Shiheng a resigned look with tears in her eyes, and froze again.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âFine jade hands, touching my heart. I wonder if Poâerâs hands truly feel like a weaving of clouds.â
The beautiful maid blushed with embarrassment at the compliment, which made Prince Linjiang look at her even more.
Mu Qingrong stiffened for a moment and immediately raised her voice a little, with a slight sob in her tone.
âThis younger sister thought, Elder Sister would miss her family as much as..."
As she said that, with red eyes, she glanced, seemingly unintentionally, at Prince Linjiang, expecting him to feel pity for her sobs.
However, Lin Shiheng was still looking at Poâer attentively, not turning his eyes to look at her.
Obviously, he didnât see that his own Princess Consort was making things difficult for Mu Qingrong.
Mu Qingrong, who had long been accustomed to seeking Lin Shihengâs help whenever there was a problem, nearly suffocated in her throat. The most annoying thing was that she wasnât the favored concubine of her previous life, but a mere unmarried girl. She couldnât even cry and beg Lin Shiheng to settle the matter as he had done in her previous life.
And Mu Qingling, who had been suppressed by her in her previous life and didnât even leave the Empressâs bedchamber much, was coldly saying, âI know that younger sister wants to catch up with me, but since the Prince is here and younger sister hasnât been married yet, you should go back to the courtyard for now. When I have a chance, weâll catch up properly as sisters.â
Who wants to catch up with you!?
Mu Qingrong gnashed her teeth with hatred. However, when her aggrieved eyes turned, Lin Shiheng, who could help her, was still talking to Poâer.
âAre you really a maid? With such beauty and cleanness of character, even the fairy in the sky canât compare.â
His expression was full of sincere admiration, âPoâer, Iâm afraid that, after seeing you, I wonât be able to see anyone else.â
Such a waste of effort! Mu Qingrong was furious.
She reassured herself that it was alright, Poâer pleasing the Prince was a good thing. As she had taught her before, Poâer would surely find every opportunity to compliment her as the Third Young Lady and make the Princeâs eyes turn to her.
Having consoled herself, Mu Qingrong felt a little better.