Quick Transmigration: Drama Queen's Daily Life-Chapter 767 - 756: The Substitute Younger Sister

"Prince, people from the Qin Mansion have come to offer condolences."

"Qin Mansion? Who?" Duan Huaijin appeared puzzled.

"It is Wang Yanran, the granddaughter-in-law of Minister Qin, and the cousin of the Princess Consort."

Duan Huaijin had some recollection of this name, one of the few who was reported to have treated Ye Qiu kindly in the past, and thus his face softened slightly: "Let her in."

Wang Yanran was waiting outside the Prince Wang Mansion, her complexion looking terrible, her eyes red as if she was about to collapse, supported by her husband Qin Ting, who looked worried.

"How could this happen? How could it be so sudden?" Wang Yanran murmured, "It must have been them, they must have wronged her again, made her sad, and that’s why she left us so young."

"You shouldn’t speculate wildly, getting too emotional isn’t good for the baby in your belly." Qin Ting looked at her worriedly.

"How can I not speculate? Back when we were hunting at West Mountain, Prince Li and Ye Xia were so bold, they must have done something again, otherwise why every time I send a letter, I receive no reply? Why haven’t they let me see Ye Qiu for so long?"

"Calm down, what’s done is done, talking more won’t change anything. Even if Prince Li did something wrong, can we question him? He is the Regent King now. Even if he discarded Ye Qiu to establish a new concubine, no one would say anything against him. You need to consider our child and your in-laws, there’s no need to offend Prince Li now." Qin Ting reasoned with her, feeling sorry for his sickly cousin.

"Young Master Qin, Lady Qin, our Prince invites you inside." The arrival of a servant from the Prince Wang Mansion made Wang Yanran stop arguing with Qin Ting, suppressing her anger as she walked into the hall.

Seeing Ye Qiu lying so peacefully inside the coffin, servants on both sides weeping and burning paper for her, Wang Yanran instantly broke down in tears, barely able to stand.

When Duan Huaijin arrived, he saw the heart-wrenching scene of Wang Yanran grieving, feeling a sense of warmth, knowing that even though the Ye Family did not love Ye Qiu, at least this cousin genuinely cared for her.

"Prince Li," Wang Yanran managed to suppress her resentment to give a respectful salute, though her expression remained unpleased.

"Go and pay your respects to her, I believe she’ll be very happy," Duan Huaijin said somewhat entranced, staring at Ye Qiu in the yet-to-be-sealed coffin.

Wang Yanran didn’t want to start a conflict with Prince Li in front of Ye Qiu’s spirit hall and remained silent, but after paying the respects she could no longer hold back. Her usually gentle eyes sharpened, "Prince Li, I have a few words to ask you, may I have a moment in private?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Ting sighed quietly, knowing that Wang Yanran’s next actions might very well offend Prince Li and potentially bring disaster to both the Qin and Wang families, yet he didn’t stop her. There are things if not cleared, would remain a lifelong knot in the heart. Now that Yanran is pregnant, it’s paramount not to over-tax her mind, and speaking out might just relieve her.

"Let’s go to the side hall," having guessed that Wang Yanran wouldn’t easily give up the moment she entered the mansion, Duan Huaijin said, "Ask whatever you want now."

"Prince Li, when did my cousin die? What caused her death? Did you have anything to do with it? And what about her wet nurse and maids? Why aren’t they here?" Wang Yanran confronted fiercely, which frightened her husband Qin Ting.

Contrary to expectations, Prince Li did not get angry but showed a face full of guilt and anger, "Qiu’er passed away yesterday afternoon. Her wet nurse and two maids were already arranged elsewhere, hence they are not here. As for the reason of her departure, if you must blame someone, blame me and the Ye Family!"

"Is it because you fell in love with Ye Xia that led my cousin to die from grief?"

"I’ve never loved Ye Xia, don’t talk nonsense." Duan Huaijin glared at her angrily.

"Not love?" Wang Yanran sneered, "If the Prince didn’t love her, why did he act that way at the West Mountain Hunting Ground? Why did he publicly slight cousin’s face? Do you know how many people in the capital have been mocking her? Do you know how sad she has been since then? Do you know that she couldn’t even get out of bed for many days after? You’re telling me now that you don’t love Ye Xia, then why did you do that initially?"

"I..." Duan Huaijin felt deep regret thinking about that past event, "I didn’t mean to hurt her, I just wanted to make her jealous, to make her care about me."

"So you used the way of hurting the cousin. Don’t you know about her health condition? Don’t you know that every time she gets upset it’s like a death knell for her? Doctor Liu has said long ago, in cousin’s condition, her emotions cannot be too unstable, otherwise, it’s hopeless to save her. Prince Li, don’t tell me you didn’t know!"

Duan Huaijin was bewildered: "I truly didn’t know."

Wang Yanran smiled sarcastically again: "The Prince didn’t know? A prince doesn’t know about his Princess Consort’s health condition? Even if the cousin had concealed it from you before, hasn’t she been unwell over this past year? Has the Prince never called for an Imperial Physician for her? Never asked even once?"

Wang Yanran’s words pierced Duan Huaijin’s heart like a needle. How could he possibly not know? Doctor Li had indeed informed him of the diagnosis later on, but he did not pay attention, he thought she was all fine.

In reality, he was mistaken. Her body had long been in ruins, no longer able to endure his various torments, every word he said to her, every act became her death knell.

He knew he was wrong, truly knew his mistakes. If time could be reversed, he would definitely treasure her, and never recklessly speculate and hurt her heart again.

"Prince, I really feel unworthy for the cousin. Why did she have to meet someone like you?" Wang Yanran said with immense sorrow, "I will go accompany my cousin now, I won’t disturb the Prince anymore."

Duan Huaijin was completely stunned by what Wang Yanran said, unable to react for a long while.

Ye Qiu saw Wang Yanran, summoning Little Golden Crow to fly in front of the spirit hall, chirping at her.

Wang Yanran was taken aback: "Little Red Bird? You came too, can’t you bear to leave your master?" 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"Chirp chirp." Little Golden Crow landed on her shoulder, transferring a stream of Spiritual Energy to protect her belly.

"Huh?" Wang Yanran felt her belly suspiciously, she had just felt it warm, was it an illusion?

"What’s wrong?" Qin Ting looked at her anxiously.

Wang Yanran shook her head: "It’s nothing, let’s go back." After saying that, she looked at Little Golden Crow again, "Little Red Bird, are you going to come with me?"

Little Golden Crow circled around her twice, eventually landing on the coffin.

Wang Yanran sighed: "It’s good for her to have you accompany my cousin, knowing how devoted you are, she would definitely be happy."