Volume 1, Chapter 18: Turning the Tables-A senhora ficou viúva por três anos e se casou novamente com o príncipe frio e impiedoso, sendo amada profundamente(Pêssego das flores)

At this thought, Madam Qin walked over to Qin Lang and slapped him across the face.

"You unfilial son! What is that look in your eyes? Are you intending to devour Qingqian?"

"Although your marriage was decided by your elders, have you forgotten that you grew up together? Back then, how protective you were of her! Whenever you had something delicious or fun, she was the first person you thought of. If anyone dared to bully her, you were always the first to rush to her defense."

"When you were about to be wed, you were filled with joy. You even personally selected every single one of the betrothal gifts!"

"But now, look at you. You return after three years away, acting like a completely different person, glaring at her with cold contempt, and even... even..."

"You are going to freeze Qingqian’s heart!"

Qin Lang lowered his head slightly. His face burned with pain, but his heart felt as if it were being squeezed by an invisible hand.

Recalling his youth, he too had once been deeply moved by Shi Qingqian. Back then, her beauty was legendary, and her talent was renowned throughout the capital; she was the rare woman whom everyone regarded as perfect in both grace and intellect. What man could possibly resist such a captivating beauty?

But people change, and the root of this change lay with Qin Mojue. That man was simply too brilliant, too dazzling and outstanding. As long as he lived, the Emperor would never allow the Marquis of Yong'an’s estate to hold any real power. And even if he were gone, given the current political climate, it was highly unlikely the Emperor would entrust power to the Qin family again.

Qin Lang saw the situation with crystal clarity. Even if he possessed ambition and a burning passion, in the end, he would likely be just like his father—spending his days idling away in the manor, a nominal Marquis in name only. Therefore, if he wanted to make a name for himself in the treacherous court and climb the ladder of success, the only shortcut was to secure a marriage with a royal princess. Once allied with the imperial family, he would be firmly bound to them, and from then on, wealth, glory, and high office would surely flow toward him like a rising tide.

However, the path to the pinnacle of power came at a steep price: he had to personally sever the remnants of his affection for Shi Qingqian.

Deep in his heart, compared to the intoxicating allure of power, a woman was as light as a feather, not worth mentioning. With this realization, Qin Lang’s eyes regained their cold, resolute chill, and he looked at Shi Qingqian with a dark, brooding gaze.

After lecturing Qin Lang, Madam Qin turned to Shi Qingqian. "Qingqian, Lang’er has merely been bewitched by that vixen! Rest assured, I will be the one to uphold justice for you in this matter."

"Once Lu Hongzhao gives birth, I will drive her out of the estate. We shall raise the child under your name, and you shall be its mother! That will be the greatest revenge against Lu Hongzhao."

"As for Lang’er, for the sake of the affection you shared in your youth, could you please not make a scene? After all, if this matter becomes public, Lang’er’s future will be ruined. You and your husband are one..."

"Mother-in-law, Qingqian will no longer be 'one' with the Heir. I have already told Grandmother; today, I am seeking a formal separation."

Shi Qingqian interrupted before Madam Qin could finish. She had clearly seen the flash of malice in the older woman’s eyes and had no intention of wasting time feigning civility. Her mother-in-law appeared to have renounced the world to live among incense and Buddha statues, but in reality, she was merely avoiding the messy affairs of the estate. She left the management of all household matters to Shi Qingqian simply because she did not want to spend her own dowry to subsidize the estate or feed Marquis Qin’s endless parade of concubines. The original owner of this body had been blind to this, but Shi Qingqian saw it with perfect clarity.

"A... a separation? Qingqian, do you know how difficult it is for a separated woman to find a good husband? You will have to endure the judgmental whispers of the world. Why must you bring this upon yourself?"

Madam Qin’s eyes widened, her face full of shock and anxiety. She had never expected Shi Qingqian to be so resolute. A separation was different from being cast out; it required the return of the dowry. But the estate was currently penniless—where would they find the money to replenish her dowry? She dreaded the thought that her own dowry might be used to fill the gap.

Shi Qingqian raised her chin slightly, her eyes filled with stubborn determination. "Mother-in-law, having seen the Heir's heart clearly, why should I continue to suffer in this marriage that exists only in name? As for the judgment of others, I have a clear conscience and do not fear their idle gossip."

Hearing the word "separation," Qin Lang’s brows knit tightly, but he remained silent. He wanted to cast her aside, but a formal separation was out of the question.

Madam Qin hurriedly grabbed Shi Qingqian’s hand, pleading urgently, "Qingqian, don't be impulsive! Lang’er is just momentarily confused. Once he comes to his senses, he will surely regret this. You two have so many years of history—how can you just break it off like that? If you separate now, there will truly be no turning back."

Shi Qingqian gently pulled her hand away and shook her head slightly. "Mother-in-law, my mind is made up. There is no need to say more. Out of respect for our shared childhood, I do not intend to make this matter public. Replenishing my dowry and granting the separation is the greatest concession I can make to the Heir. I do not wish for things to turn ugly, so I hope you will grant my request."

Madam Qin sensed the threat in Shi Qingqian's words, and her expression turned unsightly. She had never imagined that the usually gentle and yielding Shi Qingqian could be so firm, carrying an undeniable sense of pressure.

"Ha! What if I refuse the separation? Shi Qingqian, it is true that I instigated Little Fu to kill Nurse Zhao. I did that entirely for your own good!"

Qin Lang curled his lips into a smile at Shi Qingqian and continued, "Nurse Zhao, as your wet nurse, saw you having an affair with a stable hand. If that news got out, your reputation would be utterly destroyed! I only wanted to help you cut the weeds and pull up the roots for the sake of our past feelings. Though the method was a bit cruel, it was ultimately out of deep love for my wife!"

Qin Lang had thought it through. Even though everyone in the Qin family knew these words were nonsense, so what? Whether it was his grandmother, his father, or his mother, even if they knew the truth, they would only side with him. After all, this matter concerned the face of the estate and his own future. Even if it meant discarding Shi Qingqian, his family would choose to protect him.

Sure enough, after Qin Lang finished speaking, the Marquis and Madam Qin exchanged a glance.

The Marquis’s previously panicked face gradually calmed. Madam Qin sat back in her seat, assuming a lofty posture, and said, "Qingqian, you know that Mother lives a life of incense and Buddhas, detached from worldly affairs, so there are many things I do not know. It turns out you misunderstood Lang’er; he did all this to shield you! You are the one who has done wrong—how can you turn around and blame him, demanding a separation? Mother believes that since it is a misunderstanding, it is best resolved by speaking it out. From now on, the two of you should live your lives well and stop this nonsense!"