I fulfilled the female supporting role's wish and I succeeded

Chapter 165 Do You Know (60)

An old maid led her through a long corridor, around several exquisite courtyards, and finally stopped outside a remote courtyard.

The courtyard gate was closed and the walls were covered with green ivy, making it look particularly quiet, yet also a bit desolate.

The old lady said expressionlessly, "Miss Sheng, you will live here from now on. Don't wander around if you have nothing to do."

After saying that, he turned and left without even looking at her.

Minglan stood alone at the gate of the courtyard, holding the bag tightly in her arms, with an indescribable feeling of grievance in her heart.

She pushed open the gate and walked in.

In the yard, several old trees cast mottled shadows. The ground was paved with bluestone slabs, and moss grew in the cracks, making it look a little damp.

The doors and windows of the main room were closed, and a few faded lanterns hung under the eaves, swaying gently in the breeze, making creaking sounds, which added a bit of desolation.

Minglan walked into the main room. The room was dimly lit, the furnishings were simple, and the air was filled with a musty smell.

She was just a concubine despised by Qi Heng and a chess piece abandoned by her family.

"Miss," Xiao Tao's voice came from behind, with a hint of worry, "Please sit down and rest for a while."

Minglan turned around, looked at Xiaotao's red and swollen eyes, and forced a smile.

Xiao Tao is her personal maid she brought from the Sheng family, and she is also her only support in this cold Duke's Mansion.

"Xiao Tao," Ming Lan said softly, "I'm fine, don't worry."

Xiao Tao walked to her side, helped her sit down on the chair, and said distressedly, "Girl, you haven't had a good rest for several days. Go to bed early."

Minglan shook her head. How could she sleep?

She closed her eyes, and Qi Heng's cold face appeared in her mind, and her heart ached.

"Where is the young master?" she asked softly.

Xiao Tao hesitated for a moment and whispered, "I went to ask around, and the young master said he fell asleep in the study."

Minglan didn't say anything else. She knew that Qi Heng didn't want to see her.

She stood up, walked to the table, picked up the teapot on the table, poured a cup of water, but found that the tea was already cold.

She put down the teacup, walked to the bed and slowly lay down.

The bed was hard, the bedding was thin, and it smelled damp, making her feel uncomfortable.

She tossed and turned, unable to sleep. This wasn't supposed to be like this.

princess mansion

Lin Qinshuang rubbed her eyebrows and sighed deeply.

The sound of cicadas outside the window is disturbing.

She stood up, walked to the dressing table, and looked at her slightly haggard face in the mirror.

"I wonder how Ze'er and Feng'er are doing now..." She murmured to herself, with a barely perceptible tremor in her voice.

Even after receiving their letters home to report their safety, her heart as a mother was still hanging in the air, unable to land.

And Molan has been depressed ever since they went to war. She locked herself in her room and refused to take a step out.

Lin Qinshuang's eyes fell on an account book on the table, which was the account book of Yuyan Hall.

Perhaps, letting Molan take over Yuyan Hall can divert her attention and cheer her up again.

Lin Qinshuang had an idea in her mind and got up to go to Molan's yard.

The light in Molan's room was dim, and the air was filled with a faint scent of agarwood.

Molan sat by the window, staring blankly out the window, her eyes empty, as if she had lost her soul.

Lin Qinshuang gently pushed open the door and walked to Molan.

"Mo'er," Lin Qinshuang's voice was soft and full of concern, "Mom is here to see you."

Molan did not react and remained in the same posture.

Lin Qinshuang sighed with heartache, sat down next to Molan, and gently held her hand.

"Mo'er, mother knows you're upset, but you can't keep going on like this."

Molan's fingers moved slightly, but she still didn't speak.

"Mother has an idea. She wants you to take over the management of Yuyan Hall."

Molan finally reacted. She slowly turned her head with a hint of doubt in her eyes.

"Yu Yan Tang?"

"Yes," Lin Qinshuang nodded, "You have always liked rouge and powder, and you are quite experienced in these things. Mother thought that letting you manage Yuyan Hall might make you happier."

Lin Qinshuang paused and continued, "Mother is also thinking about setting up a factory that specifically employs women, giving them a chance to make a living."

Molan's eyes gradually lit up and her expression became excited.

"Employ women to work?"

"Yes," Lin Qinshuang smiled, "Life is not easy for women in this dynasty. It's good to be able to make a living of your own."

Molan finally smiled and held Lin Qinshuang's hand tightly. "Mom, I will do my best. Thank you."

Lin Qinshuang patted Molan's hand with relief, "Silly child, why are you thanking your mother?"

After Sheng Hong came back from court, he went straight to Shou'an Hall to pay his respects to Old Madam Sheng, and then went to Lin Qinshuang's courtyard.

He pushed open the door and saw Lin Qinshuang and Molan talking about something, both of them with smiles on their faces.

"What are you so happy about?" Sheng Hong asked with a smile.

"Honglang, you're back," Lin Qinshuang stood up and greeted him, "I was discussing the affairs of Yuyan Hall with Mo'er."

"Oh?" Sheng Hong raised an eyebrow. "What happened to Yuyan Hall?"

"I want Mo'er to take over the management of Yuyan Hall. I also want to reopen a factory and hire some women to work."

Sheng Hong nodded, "This is a good thing. It's also good for a woman to have her own livelihood."

Lin Qinshuang smiled and said, "Honglang, do you think so too?"

"Of course," Sheng Hong said, "but this management thing is no joke. Is Mo'er up to the task?"

Molan stood up, her eyes firm, "Don't worry, Daddy, I will do my best to live up to your expectations."

Sheng Hong nodded with relief, "Okay, Daddy believes in you."

He paused, then added, "At today's grand court meeting, the emperor mentioned that Feng'er and Ze'er had recaptured the two states, and his face was filled with joy."

Lin Qinshuang and Molan were stunned when they heard this.

"Really?" Lin Qinshuang's voice trembled a little, and tears flashed in her eyes.

"Of course it's true," Sheng Hong smiled. "The emperor also praised Feng'er and Ze'er as young talents who will become great in the future."

Lin Qinshuang couldn't hold back any longer and tears welled up in her eyes.

Molan's eyes also turned red, and her heart was filled with joy and pride.

"That's great, that's great..." Lin Qinshuang choked up, "My son..."

She held Molan's hand tightly, trembling with excitement.

Molan also held Lin Qinshuang's hand and comforted her silently.

Sheng Hong looked at the scene in front of him, his heart filled with emotion.

He walked over to Lin Qinshuang and patted her shoulder gently, "Okay, don't cry, this is a happy event."

Lin Qinshuang wiped her tears and smiled, "Yes, it's a happy event."

She looked up at Sheng Hong, her eyes filled with gratitude, "Thank you, Mr. Hong, for telling me this good news."

Sheng Hong smiled and said, "We are all family, there is no need to thank me."

He paused, and then said, "When Feng'er and Ze'er return triumphantly, we must celebrate properly."

"Yeah," Lin Qinshuang nodded heavily.