Chapter 150: In the Previous Life, the Sorrow of Grand Princess Ryan

This is the Lady of the Duke of Xingguo!

In her previous life, this woman seemed to have no direct connection with her, yet her presence was felt everywhere. Qin Wanru even had a strange feeling that the moment she encountered the Lady of Xingguo, her fate had already been sealed.

That vague sensation of her life being manipulated by unseen hands, gradually pushed toward an abyss, left her helpless and desperate—yet the identity of the final puppeteer remained hidden.

Unexpectedly, she met the Lady of Xingguo here, much earlier than in her past life.

Last time, she had no chance to attend the banquet hosted by the Princess Dowager of Rui’an, so she never met the Lady of Xingguo there.

Some mysteries that were once impenetrable suddenly became clear; this woman was dangerous! That was the conclusion drawn from two lifetimes.

The Lady of Xingguo did look unwell, but it wasn’t anger or fury that colored her face—it was worry, a deep, anxious concern, even a hint of panic.

She was quite beautiful, and this worried expression lent her not only the composure of a noblewoman but also a trace of kindness. It seemed she sensed someone watching them from the roadside. She lifted her head and met Qin Wanru’s eyes. Though she did not recognize Qin Wanru, she was familiar with Yan Xulan, who met her gaze in return.

Despite the heavy burden of her worries, she offered a polite, slight smile before quickly averting her eyes and hurrying away.

When the Lady of Xingguo looked at her, Yan Xulan hastily covered her mouth and bowed to the side.

Only after the Lady of Xingguo and her entourage left did Yan Xulan breathe a sigh of relief. “Don’t you think the Lady of Xingguo carries an imposing presence?”

“Seems so,” Qin Wanru replied calmly.

“I’ve heard that the Duke of Xingguo’s mansion is her domain. She runs the household with impeccable order and is very capable. The eldest daughter, Shao Yanru, is a dignified and gentle person. Next time we meet, I’ll introduce you. She’s truly wonderful—completely different from Di Fenglan,” Yan Xulan explained.

Indeed, the reputation of Shao Yanru, the eldest legitimate daughter of the Duke of Xingguo, had always been excellent. A sharp smile curved Qin Wanru’s lips; she looked forward to meeting Shao Yanru again.

When the two arrived at the banquet, it had not yet begun. Qin Wanru searched for Shui Ruolan and spotted Qionghua waving from afar. She parted ways with Yan Xulan and approached Shui Ruolan’s side. Upon reaching her, she realized their table was very close to the main seat—right in front of them.

After sitting beside Shui Ruolan and before she could speak, a restless child who had originally been seated at the main table suddenly jumped down and ran toward her, calling out warmly, “Sister!”

The child threw himself into Qin Wanru’s arms.

Qin Wanru quickly stretched out her hands to catch him, and as she leaned back, if not for Yujie supporting her from behind, they might have both fallen.

“Young Master Hao, please be careful!” a young woman anxiously chased after them. Qin Wanru glanced over and saw it was not the nanny who had previously shown ill intentions toward Hao’er.

“I want to sit with sister!” Hao’er climbed onto the chair next to Qin Wanru, shouting and struggling to push away the woman’s grasping hand.

“Just let him sit there!” The Princess Dowager of Rui’an said cheerfully from the main seat. Seeing the two children sitting together—both exquisite and lovely—was truly a pleasing sight.

With the Princess Dowager’s approval, the young woman dared not object further and stood behind Hao’er.

Hao’er was delighted to see Qin Wanru, chattering nonstop. The little boy swung between anger, frustration, and grievance, causing Qin Wanru to smile; where did such a small child get so many emotions?

From his words, Qin Wanru understood that the Princess Dowager of Rui’an had been angry earlier, apparently reprimanding the people of the Duke of Xingguo’s household and firmly insisting that Hao’er remain at the mansion.

Recalling how the Lady of Xingguo had hurried away earlier, she guessed it was to report this matter to the matriarch of the household.

The Lady of Xingguo’s haste, even neglecting proper decorum, seemed to indicate she was entirely unwilling to leave Hao’er there, as if the Duke of Xingguo’s family truly cherished the child and did not want him to suffer outside.

So even if she had breached etiquette, others would only see her as kind-hearted.

A glint of coldness flickered in Qin Wanru’s eyes; she did not truly believe the Lady of Xingguo was so benevolent.

Gently touching Hao’er’s hand, she asked softly, “Hao’er, can you tell sister your name?”

“I am Shao Yuanhao!” Shao Yuanhao puffed out his little chest proudly.

Qin Wanru frowned. In her memory, there was no trace of this child at all. Given that Qin Yuru later became connected with the Duke of Xingguo’s household, and the servants often spoke proudly of the family, she should have remembered such a significant figure.

A child of such noble status, the grandson of the Princess Dowager of Rui’an—why had she no recollection of him?

Thinking of what had just happened, a cold sweat broke out on her back. Could it be that this child had indeed met with misfortune, which was why the entire Duke of Xingguo’s household never mentioned him afterward?

Biting her lip to suppress the shock, she recalled a major event from her previous life—a scandal that rocked the capital: the Princess Dowager of Rui’an became a nun.

The Princess Dowager, the emperor’s own aunt and a person of great prestige, suddenly chose to renounce worldly life. Rumor had it that not only did the emperor plead with her, but even the Empress Dowager came repeatedly to persuade her, yet no matter who tried, the Princess Dowager remained steadfast.

The Empress and Empress Dowager were firmly opposed but eventually converted the back garden of the Rui’an mansion into a temple, open to the public, allowing the Princess Dowager to practice her faith within her own residence.

In her previous life, Qin Wanru did not understand why someone of such exalted rank would abruptly choose to become a nun. What could have been so unbearable?

Now, considering that Shao Yuanhao was the Princess Dowager’s only blood heir and recalling how dotingly she cared for him, it was likely that she was truly devastated.

Judging from today’s circumstances, someone must have plotted against Shao Yuanhao. He was the legitimate heir to the Duke of Xingguo’s estate, his status akin to Chu Liuchen’s.

If the Princess Dowager had fought for him to become the next heir to the dukedom, success would have been likely. Thus, his existence obstructed the path of the current Duke and Duchess of Xingguo.

In an instant, Qin Wanru pieced her thoughts together. If there were anyone who would not want to see this child, besides the Duke and Duchess themselves, she could find no one else.

Because she had long suspected the Duke of Xingguo’s household, Qin Wanru had thought through all possibilities without hesitation. Yet she also realized that no direct evidence linked the current Lady of Xingguo to the matter; otherwise, she wouldn’t have appeared merely hurried and concerned, not panicked.

“Will you be living at the Princess’s mansion from now on?” Qin Wanru asked with a smile.

“Yes, living here, with my grandmother!” Shao Yuanhao blinked his big eyes and spoke with a mouthful of fruit, cute as could be.

“Won’t your grandmother miss you?” Qin Wanru wiped the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief.

“My grandmother...” The boy’s eyes darted, hesitating. It was clear he felt reluctant to part with her.

This must be a significant reason why Shao Yuanhao had been raised in the Duke of Xingguo’s mansion for so many years.

“Don’t you want to live with the Princess Dowager?” Qin Wanru asked, her watery eyes bright.

“But Hao’er can’t bear to leave grandmother, uncle, big sister, and big brother!” He lowered his head, looking a little sad. It was obvious that everyone in the Duke of Xingguo’s household was good to him, deeply so. Otherwise, a child wouldn’t miss them so much.

This entire family truly knew how to pretend!

Qin Wanru smiled coldly in her heart. She wouldn’t condemn everyone outright, but surely a few among them were not to be trusted. It was dangerous for Shao Yuanhao to remain there.

Why harm him not in the Duke’s mansion but under the Princess Dowager’s watchful eye? The obvious aim was to prevent the Princess Dowager from blaming the Duke’s household. If the incident had happened there, she would only blame herself.

In her previous life, it must have been a special turning point that caused the tragedy at the Princess Dowager’s place, driving her to despair and renunciation.

These people were truly ruthless!

“You have so many people in your family!” Qin Wanru exclaimed.

Shao Yuanhao nodded proudly, his face lighting up with a toothy grin.

“But grandmother is only one person—so lonely!” Qin Wanru smiled with him, then lowered her head somberly, stealing a glance at the Princess Dowager seated above, her face filled with sorrow and difficulty.

“Grandmother has only Hao’er now. If Hao’er doesn’t want grandmother anymore, how lonely she would be!”

“Grandmother has only Hao’er?” Shao Yuanhao pouted, troubled. His smile vanished as he glanced sideways at the Princess Dowager with Qin Wanru.

Having been raised mostly in the Duke of Xingguo’s mansion, he rarely visited the Princess Dowager’s place and always felt that his grandmother was less kind. Sometimes she scolded him, which upset him, while his grandmother, uncle, older brother, and sister never did.

But now, seeing how lonely his grandmother was in such a large household, Shao Yuanhao suddenly felt guilty. His chubby little hands twisted nervously.

Just now, his grandmother wanted him to stay here, but he had resisted. Was she upset?

Page by page, the story unfolded—a tale woven with power, affection, and hidden dangers beneath the veneer of nobility.