Li Qingmu was taken aback for a moment, he had never even considered this question!

He was a person with a cleanliness obsession, especially in matters of the heart, having a sort of emotional purity.

If he liked someone, it was very difficult for him to like someone else.

Or rather, his feelings were very pure; they were either for you or for her.

This is why, in a past life, even though his relationship with Long Yue wasn’t good, he still treated her well. It was only later that Long Yue truly broke his heart, and after their separation, he found other women.

So now, when Rong Si suddenly asked him who he wanted to become the most noble woman in the world...

How would he know!

But this question was a hurdle he could not bypass.

As long as he was by Rong Si’s side, this question was like a curse, forever unavoidable.

Li Qingmu was a little distressed and said, "Mother, I don’t know!"

Not knowing was the right answer!

Rong Si looked at him with loving eyes and said, "Mu’er’s idea is not bad. Indeed, we shouldn’t let those who are discontent grow in power. The power on Duke Zhen’s side is already substantial, and it’s not good for Nianxi to have a dragon heir. This way, when the time comes to enlarge the harem, you can take a good look and choose someone to your liking, wouldn’t that be fine?"

This was already the best compromise he could strive for at present. Li Qingmu bowed and said, "Thank you, Mother, for your understanding!"

"Ah, my child, one gets weary staying here too long and really doesn’t want to leave. But in the end, one must depart. Mu’er, Mother is going back first, take a good rest and don’t overwork yourself!"

"Yes, Mother, I understand!"

With that, Rong Si left, supported by her nurse.

Zhi Jin followed behind Rong Si, and before leaving, she glanced back at Li Qingmu, her eyes glistening with warmth.

Li Qingmu returned her gaze with a slight smile, and Zhi Jin quickly withdrew her gaze as if electrified and lowered her head to leave.

If Long Yue were to see this scene, she would definitely not help but mock him for corrupting an innocent young girl!

Once everyone had withdrawn, Li Qingmu turned to look at the deep night outside the window. The weather tonight wasn’t great, with heavy clouds slowly drifting, blocking the bright moon and the starry sky, casting a shadow of darkness.

"Yue’er..."

He murmured softly, as if calling out, yet there was no one to respond to his call.

The night passed just like that.

In the morning, the sun was bright, and the spring scenery was splendid, as if last night’s clouds had never existed.

Long Yue got up early and sat at the dressing table.

Long Yue had already learned from last night’s hints that the old madam was a light sleeper and didn’t like to sleep in, so she rose early every day.

But the young ones couldn’t do the same.

The young ones liked to stay hidden under the covers, only getting up slowly when the sun was high, stretching lazily to indicate they had slept soundly and sweetly last night.

Long Yue, being new to the Wei Mansion, couldn’t possibly get up late, could she?

So she got up early to pay her respects and greet the old madam soon.

Yu Zhu, combing Long Yue’s long, dark hair, chuckled in admiration.

"Miss’s hair is so nice, smooth, shiny, and soft. At first glance, she doesn’t seem to be from the countryside, but rather the daughter of a noble family!"

Yu Zhu was just complimenting, but her praise seemed to backfire.

What’s with "not from the countryside, but more like the daughter of a noble family?" Over there, Mrs. Wei, Mrs. Gao, was already suspicious of Long Yue’s background, and saying that gives people more reason to talk.

Dong Mei, sweeping in the courtyard, harbored resentment towards Long Yue’s ruthless methods. Hearing Yu Zhu’s words, she was slightly moved, quickly noting it down to report back to her mistress.

Here, Dong Mei was preparing to cause trouble for Long Yue, while Yu Zhu had already finished styling her hair, arranging it into two doe-shaped buns, with a braided crown and two strands of hair woven into small braids tied with silk ribbons.

Finally, adorned with pearl hairpins, silver ornaments, earrings, and bracelets, a graceful beauty was thus fashioned.

Long Yue admired her gracefully elegant reflection in the mirror, lightly smiling, and Yu Zhu again praised, "Miss is truly beautiful; few can match her when she walks out!"

"Yu Zhu." Long Yue looked at her coolly, thinking the maid was too talkative, unaware that speaking too much could lead to mistakes. She said calmly, "One should know their limits in speaking; some words should be said, and some should not. You must find the balance, or else you’ll only cause trouble for yourself!"

Yu Zhu’s heart tightened, realizing she had been overly flattering. If these words got out, they wouldn’t be good for the lady or herself.

She hurriedly knelt down, frantically kowtowing, "Miss, please forgive me..."

Long Yue watched her quietly as she knocked her head against the floor over ten times, leaving blood marks, and then stopped her.

She glanced lightly at Dong Mei outside, who worked for Mrs. Wei and would surely report back, but having punished Yu Zhu, even if Mrs. Wei wanted to cause trouble, it would be like punching air, with no effect.

"Let’s go!"

She said leisurely, slowly rising and walking out of the room with Yu Zhu’s support.

Oh, the sunlight outside was wonderful; such a day was perfect for spring hunting and play. Unfortunately, she was a noblewoman now and couldn’t venture out alone unless someone organized it.

Walking through the courtyard, she reached the winding corridor, passing through the garden. Up ahead was the lotus pond, a large one that took up most of the garden, blocking the path, leaving only a small stone bridge to cross in the middle.

At this moment, a maiden in a pale yellow outfit was approaching, none other than Wei Yuncai, the girl who had previously provoked her!

Seeing Long Yue, Wei Yuncai let out a cold snort with a face of disdain, displaying her superior attitude. But Long Yue just gave her a faint smile.

With such grace and manners, she won this round again.

Wei Yuncai had her servants with her, and there were workers near the lotus pond as well, but who could guarantee some of them weren’t the old madam’s confidants, watching over the Duke Mansion?

So this scene would surely be reported back to the old madam later.

Long Yue merely watched, as if enjoying a monkey show, teasing her.

Both had to cross this small stone bridge, and Long Yue stepped slightly aside, "Sister, please go first!"

Wei Yuncai snorted, intending to walk over, but suddenly thought of something and flashed a mischievous smile, stepping aside, "Elders first, sister, after you!"

Long Yue wasn’t a naive young girl; how could she not see through her trick? She lowered her eyes with a mocking smile, slightly nodding, "Then thank you, sister."

She turned and went forward, her skirt trailing on the ground, and Wei Yuncai followed closely. Just as she reached the middle of the bridge, Wei Yuncai deliberately stepped on Long Yue’s skirt.

Ordinary people would inevitably slip and fall off the bridge, but was Long Yue that easy to bully?

Not only did she not stop, but she suddenly accelerated.

In an instant, the skirt snatched back from under Wei Yuncai’s feet. Instead, she lost her footing and with an "ah," fell off the stone bridge.

"Sister, be careful!"

Long Yue heard the commotion behind her and hurriedly turned to help, but the momentum was too strong, and she fell in as well.

"Ah, something bad has happened, both misses fell into the water!"

The maids were terrified, frantically calling for help.