The clingy concubine ran away, and the sickly prince lost control.

"I don't want to see Pei Shiyuan."

After saying that, Cui Hui picked up her chopsticks again and buried her head in her food.

"Miss Cui, the old lady intends to match you two up; you should consider it. I can't have children, so you don't need to worry about me living in Kangning Pavilion from now on."

Seeing that Cui Hui spoke bluntly, Luo Qingyan also cut to the chase, "Your Highness, you haven't consummated your marriage with me yet, which suggests you don't like me. I actually think you and Your Highness are a perfect match, you two..."

"Stop, Aunt Luo! I'd rather learn to cook from you than marry Pei Shiyuan." Cui Hui waved her hand to stop Luo Qingyan from continuing. "When is Pei Shiyuan not at Kangning Pavilion? I'll choose that time to eat there, so you don't have to bring him."

"Your Highness, we will stay at Kangning Pavilion for the time being." Luo Qingyan lacked confidence; she wasn't sure what Cui Hui was thinking. Was her refusal to marry Pei Shiyuan a test?

She was terrified of Cui Rou. Cui Rou refused to marry Pei Shiyuan, but she tried to cling to him all the time.

Is it true that she says she doesn't want to marry Pei Shiyuan?

Cui Hui glanced at Luo Qingyan and said, "Why are you like this? I'm not marrying Pei Shiyuan, so you don't need to be subservient to me. Are you worried that I'll become the mistress of the Duke's mansion and torment you? Hehe, Aunt Luo, you're overthinking it. I don't have any friends in the capital, so let's just be friends."

Cui Hui extended her hand.

This was the first time Luo Qingyan had ever seen such a poised and elegant woman, and she smiled and returned the handshake.

"Then have the waiter deliver it to me every day! I'll eat at Kangning Pavilion when Pei Shiyuan isn't around." Cui Hui finished the last bite of her dish. "Aunt Luo, your cooking is really good. Are you planning to make a living from this medicinal cuisine shop from now on?"

Luo Qingyan nodded: "Yes, that's all we can do. I can't have children, so I don't ask for anything else."

Even if Pei Shiyuan doesn't want her, a normal man wouldn't want someone who can't have children.

"Yes, it's a bit of a pity, but I don't think getting married is a good thing. I don't want to get married. See these weapons? I improved them all." Cui Hui pointed to a wall on the left, her eyes full of pride.

Luo Qingyan looked up and saw that when she entered, she thought the weapons were from Cui Hui's collection, but they turned out to be the ones she had modified.

"Can I come closer and take a look?"

"Of course." Cui Hui stood up, picked up a short dagger, and in the instant it was drawn, it transformed into a long sword.

"Wow!" Luo Qingyan couldn't help but exclaim.

"Here, have this for you to play with." Cui Hui took a finely carved dagger, only the size of a palm, from the wall.

The dagger handle can be coiled into a flower shape and used as a hairpin.

"Miss Cui, I don't know how to use weapons, this is too expensive," Luo Qingyan refused.

"For your self-defense." Cui Hui placed the dagger into Luo Qingyan's palm and began to describe the other weapons in detail.

Although Luo Qingyan didn't understand, she felt that Cui Hui was shining brightly at this moment, and getting married was indeed not her ideal.

At the end, Cui Hui sounded a little dejected: "I've been in the capital for a while now, but I can't find a job. Being a female guard for the empresses in the palace is meaningless."

Luo Qingyan pursed her lips, indicating her understanding, but also feeling helpless.

After bidding farewell to Cui Hui, it was already dusk when I returned to Kangning Pavilion.

With Luo Qingyan and Pei Shiyuan moving in, Kangning Pavilion became lively.

With fewer rules and regulations, everyone has become very active and unrestrained.

In contrast, the Duke's mansion appeared deserted.

"Sigh, do you think Yuan'er has fallen for Luo Qingyan?" The old lady gazed at the moonlight outside the window.

Upon hearing that Luo Qingyan had moved to Kangning Pavilion, Pei Shiyuan moved there without saying a word.

"In my opinion, the young master has deep feelings for Consort Luo, but they have never consummated their marriage. I don't understand it. Perhaps it is not love between a man and a woman."

"That's what Granny Zheng said."

"I tried to matchmake Yuan'er and Cui Hui, but neither of them appreciated it, which made me offend two people at once." The old lady felt caught in the middle and in a difficult position.

Is it really that difficult for the Cui and Pei families to form a marriage alliance?

After thinking for a moment, Granny Zheng said, "Madam, didn't Liuyue say that Miss Cui often goes to Kangning Pavilion for meals? Now that the young master is staying there, perhaps their increased contact will change their previous opinions."

The old lady nodded: "The fact that Hui'er is willing to go to Kangning Pavilion to eat shows that she doesn't dislike Yuan'er very much."

"That's right! Madam, please don't worry, give them some time. Miss Cui is mature and steady, and she and the young master are a perfect match." Granny Zheng said many comforting words to make the old lady happy.

"But Qingyan is in Kangning Pavilion. I originally thought that Qingyan would be sensible and take the initiative to move out of the Duke's Mansion, so that the young master could have the opportunity to come into contact with Cui Hui and other women. Now that they are all together, will it affect Hui'er's feelings for Yuan'er?" The old lady was a little worried.

Hui'er was strong-willed and would not accept that her husband would favor other women before they were even married.

"Liuyue came back this afternoon to get some things and said that Miss Cui treated Aunt Luo very well. When she arrived, Aunt Luo was personally delivering food to Miss Cui," said Granny Zheng.

"Qingyan is quite sensible." The old lady was very satisfied with Luo Qingyan. "Only when wives and concubines are harmonious can the household be peaceful. Zheng Mama, help me go for a walk."

On an autumn night, a gentle breeze brings a refreshing and pleasant feeling.

Although Pei Shiyuan and Luo Qingyan moved out at once, making the mansion seem deserted, it was also a rare moment of peace and quiet.

The quiet breeze dispels the day's restlessness, and the heart calms down as well, occasionally punctuated by the chirping of crickets.

The old lady closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and relaxed completely.

"The second wife always goes to bed early, why hasn't she turned off the lights yet tonight?"

The old lady opened her eyes and saw that the courtyard of the second house was brightly lit.

"Madam, look, that figure looks familiar." Granny Zheng looked up and saw Madam Qian walking out with a figure.

"It's Qian Fanghai." The old lady walked into the shadows, wanting to hear what they were saying.

Qian Fanghai opened the Deyue Restaurant across from Kangning Pavilion, deliberately targeting their main branch.

"Sister, Luo Haitang didn't betray me."

Luo Haitang has already proven with her actions on the bed that she did not betray him.

Luo Qingyan is truly incredibly resourceful.

Qian Fanghai was annoyed.

"Keep your voice down, don't let your brother-in-law hear. Why did you let Luo Haitang place the order? Couldn't you have found someone else?" Madam Qian questioned. Luo Haitang, an unmarried girl, was secretly having affairs, just like the girls in the Drunken Red Chamber.

"The sisters have a grudge. If Luo Qingyan goes to court, she can only sue Luo Haitang. Even an upright official can't settle family disputes, so let the sisters fight it out." Qian Fanghai didn't mention that he also wanted to try Luo Haitang.

Luo Haitang's kung fu is indeed remarkable, comparable to the girls in Drunken Red Mansion. She must have learned from a master.

"Luo Qingyan was able to sense it and even manage to swap the silver ear fungus back. It must have been Pei Shiyuan who did it. What does a woman like her know?" Qian Fanghai gritted his teeth, unwilling to admit defeat. He couldn't possibly be inferior to a mere woman.

"The fact that they were able to detect it in advance means that Deyue Restaurant has its own informants." In the darkness, a sharp glint flashed in Qian's eyes. "Is there anyone suspicious around you?"

"Sister, I'll go back and check, but I lost five thousand taels today. You'll have to lend me some."