Chapter 2002 Yun Sheng dared not to meet his uncle

The eighth day of July is the big day when Marquis Dingbei returns to the city to report on his work.

After breakfast, Yun Sheng sat under the paulownia tree and did some needlework. Her husband's undershirt was torn, and she had some free time, so she sewed a few stitches for him.

Xie Qingyuan stepped forward and walked into Mrs. Qian's room. Mrs. Qian leaned out and glanced at Yun Sheng. Seeing that she was doing her work quietly, she quickly closed the door.

She went to the inner room and took out a large box. After a while, she took out a gray purse full of patches from the corner. The crisp sound of copper coins jingled. Mrs. Qian carefully counted out thirty copper coins and handed them to her son, while still giving him some instructions.

"Your cousin is coming home today. My son cannot miss this good opportunity. Buy some paper for studying and return home early from the market."

Xie Qingyuan agreed, and then said, "Mother, since coming to Chang'an, Sheng Niang has been staying indoors all the time. Today, I want to take her out to see the world."

Mrs. Qian cursed Yun Sheng inwardly, calling her a foxy woman, but she didn't want to offend her son. She knew Yun Sheng's personality wouldn't allow him to bring up such a topic.

So when Yun Sheng learned that Mrs. Qian agreed, she was stunned for a moment. Xie Qingyuan scratched her nose lightly and said with a smile, "I said that mother didn't have any bad intentions. She must have been holding it in for the past few days."

There was a maid waiting by her side. Yun Sheng lowered her eyelids slightly, and a little powder spread on her earlobes.

The maid Ah Xi also wanted to go with them.

Before Yun Sheng could speak, Xie Qingyuan looked over with dissatisfaction. He originally wanted to have a romantic relationship with Sheng Niang and did not want to bring an annoying maid with him.

Ah Xi was sent here by the steward a few days ago. He said that the old woman beside the second lady was negligent and forgot that there were three masters to serve in Qingtong Courtyard, so he transferred Ah Xi to serve Yun Sheng.

She served very attentively, unlike the other two maids who looked down on others. She treated Yun Sheng as her master and followed him like a shadow.

Xie Qingyuan couldn't control Ah Xi, and there was a hint of stiffness on his handsome face.

How can a servant like you be so contemptuous of others?

Yun Sheng gently tugged at Xie Qingyuan's sleeve and said softly, "Husband, please let Ah Xi come with us. She can still help us carry things, right?"

At this point, the three of them went to the West Market together.

Apart from the day she entered the city, Yun Sheng had not properly visited the shops in Chang'an. When she walked on the streets, everything she saw was new to her and her eyes were too busy to take it all in.

Xie Qingyuan first took her into his study. The shopkeeper, fiddling with his abacus, quickly glanced up and asked, "Pen, ink, paper, and inkstone, what would you like to see, my dear?"

“How much is white hemp paper?”

"Six cents a piece. If you want more, I can give you a discount of five cents."

Xie Qingyuan and Yun Sheng both gasped.

The shopkeeper smiled and said, "Sir, you and your wife are from out of town, right? The price is the same in Chang'an. Why don't you take a look at the mulberry paper, three coins a piece, and I'll give you a discount, just as a returning customer."

In my hometown, even the housewives felt the pain of paying for mulberry paper at a penny a piece.

Xie Qingyuan touched the white hemp paper reluctantly, and finally said to the shopkeeper: "Then please help me wrap ten sheets of mulberry paper."

"Okay, I'll give you twenty-five cents." The shopkeeper instructed the waiter, and after a moment he packed the food and handed it to Xie Qingyuan.

Of the thirty copper coins given by Mrs. Qian, only five were left.

After leaving the study, Yun Sheng keenly noticed Xie Qingyuan's depressed mood.

Thinking of how he had reluctantly put down the white linen paper, Yun Sheng pursed her lips. She thought, "If I don't think of a way to earn money, relying solely on the support from the Hou Mansion won't be sustainable in the long run. They're just staying here temporarily, not begging for money."

She smiled again and went to hold Xie Qingyuan's hand: "The sun is a bit hot, let's go back, husband, there's no need to go shopping."

Xie Qingyuan felt a little ashamed because he was short of money.

The more attentive Yun Sheng was, the more embarrassed he became. He pulled her to the stall in front and asked, "Old man, how much are your candied jujube apricots?"

"A bowl of three cents."

Yun Sheng went to pull Xie Qingyuan, but he had already given her a copper coin and put the spoon in her hand: "Eat, Sheng Niang."

"Where's the three cents?" Yun Sheng felt a little distressed.

Xie Qingyuan forced a smile: "It's nothing, just eat, and remember not to tell mom about it later."

All the money spent is her husband's love, how can Yun Sheng dare to waste it?

The three of them turned the corner and saw a crowded crowd. The wide and empty avenue in the middle was blocked by people.

The people had happy faces, and a few young ladies with blushing faces were peeking out, and their chattering voices reached Yun Sheng's ears.

"Mother, hasn't Marquis Xie's procession entered the city yet?"

"You shameless bastard, don't you think I don't know what you're thinking? A toad wants to eat swan flesh. You can never dream of a god-like figure like Xie Hou."

"Oh, mother, what nonsense are you talking about? Marquis Xie was the great general who drove away the Turks. Is it not okay for me to admire his demeanor?"

As the young lady finished speaking, the sound of horse hooves like thunder came from far away and shook the bluestone road beneath their feet for a few breaths.

Two rows of vanguard cavalry led the way, holding high a red flag with the word "Thank you" fluttering on it, looking majestic.

Xie Zhan, riding a tall horse, was in the lead. He was wearing armor, had his hair tied up and a crested hat on, and held a sword at his waist.

The young lady was talking to herself again: "Marquis Xie is really handsome, but I really don't dare let people look at him too much. No wonder he can stop the Turkic children from crying at night."

When Yun Sheng heard the words "Xie Hou", her feet seemed to be frozen. She took a quick glance that night, and after several days, she thought she had just had a dream.

Her legs felt weak, and she tried to pull Xie Qingyuan's arm, her breathing quickening: "Husband, let's go back early."

Xie Qingyuan had been craning his neck to admire his distant cousin, oblivious to Yun Sheng's expression. Excited, he casually pointed at her and said, "Sheng Niang, let's not rush back. We were so lucky to have bumped into our cousin returning to the city. Come over and meet him, too, so you don't accidentally bump into him and be disrespectful later."

Yun Sheng was speechless. How could she dare let Marquis Xie see her face like this? Moreover, she had lied that day.

Xie Qingyuan ignored her and pulled her to the front.

Yun Sheng wanted to turn her head to cover her face, but someone kept pushing her from the side. When she turned around, she bumped into Xie Hou who was riding towards her.

The pair of phoenix eyes that frightened her seemed to glance at her again inadvertently.

He had long eyebrows that reached his temples, with sharp brow peaks. A cold light flashed in his deep eyes, and his face was intimidating without any anger.

In broad daylight, Yun Sheng felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, with the cold spreading from the soles of his feet.

Why was Marquis Xie...looking at this? Did he recognize her? She had also learned the rules of the Marquis's mansion over the past few days. Maids were not allowed to leave the mansion at will.

Xie Qingyuan finally realized something was wrong when he touched Yun Sheng's cold palm. He took Zao Xing's hand and took out a square handkerchief from his bosom to wipe the honey residue from the corner of her mouth.

"What's wrong, Shengniang? Are you feeling unwell?"

"No... nothing," Yun Sheng said perfunctorily, quickly lowering her eyes. The horse's hooves rose from her sight, gradually moving further away, and the intimidating gaze above her head also disappeared completely.

The honor guard was still marching, and Han Ting, the General of the Central Army, who was following Xie Zhan, was recalling the white-faced man and the girl who called herself a "maid" that night.

Thinking of their intimate behavior, he realized it belatedly and was furious. "My Lord, that girl is really bold. She actually tricked us. I didn't look closely that night, but I saw that she and the man beside her were not dressed like servants. Could it be that a relative from one of the families has been staying at the Marquis' Mansion recently?"

The General of the Household kept talking, but when he saw Xie Zhan frowning, he quickly shut up.

Then he said in a deep voice, "When did I ever say I believed her?"

Han Ting stared thoughtfully. The Marquis pretended to let the man go even though he didn't have a letter. What else could it be if he didn't have other thoughts in mind?

He muttered in a low voice: "Luofu has a husband!"

He glanced at his own lord, only to see him looking straight ahead, as if he heard nothing.

Han Ting thought to himself, his voice must be too low!

_

Yun Sheng followed Xie Qingyuan back home absentmindedly.

Servants were busy on the path. After asking, I learned that Marquis Xie had returned home a quarter of an hour ago. After paying his respects to the old lady, he changed into court clothes and was now in the palace to meet the emperor.

The second wife was busy preparing a dinner to welcome him.

At the end of the Shen period, an old woman came to Qingtong Courtyard with a message, saying that the old lady asked them to go and have dinner together, and also to formally meet the people in the mansion.

Mrs. Qian was overjoyed. She gave her son a lot of instructions and told Yun Sheng coldly to behave himself and talk less.

Yun Sheng's legs softened, and he spoke with difficulty: "Mom, I feel a little unwell, how about..."

Mrs. Qian immediately interrupted her and said coldly, "The old lady is willing to see you because she is giving you face. Why are you making such a fuss?"

Xie Qingyuan also asked her to be patient.

Now that things have come to this, Yun Sheng can only hope that Lord Xie will be magnanimous and not bother with her, or that he is a noble man with many things to do and has forgotten her long ago.

Because the weather was hot, the second lady placed the banquet in the Shuyu Hall. The three of them, led by a maid, passed through several hanging flower gates, listened to the gurgling streams on both sides, and then climbed up the goose egg-paved green steps.

Yun Sheng lowered his eyes and followed behind Mrs. Qian in small steps. As he passed by the female relatives, his eyes caught sight of a silk dress with golden hairpins and jewels.

She only heard the maid lean over and say, "Old Madam, a distant guest has arrived."

Old Lady Xie leaned on the couch and asked Mrs. Qian to come forward and ask some questions.

"I haven't been feeling well lately, and I haven't been kind enough to treat a distant guest. Since you and I are distant relatives, please feel free to stay here. I heard from the second son's wife that your husband will be dead next year, so she told him to just focus on his studies. If you three need anything for food and clothing, just ask the second son's wife for it."

"Ah," Mrs. Qian burst into sobs. "According to seniority, I should call you Grandma. If it weren't for Yuanlang's imperial examination, I wouldn't have the nerve to come to your house. Grandma, please be at ease. The Second Madam has made arrangements very well and thoughtfully."

Old Lady Xie smiled and waved her hand, saying, "Call the two children over here so I can take a closer look. I think they're about the same age as my grandchildren, so they should be able to play together."

"How is the old lady?" Yun Sheng followed Xie Qingyuan in paying her respects.

Old Lady Xie took a closer look and said, "Both children are good-looking. In the future, they can just take charge of the Hou Mansion. There is no need to be restrained."

After saying that, she turned her head and looked at Xie Zhan on the side: "This is your cousin, the Marquis. He just returned home today."

Xie Qingyuan was in high spirits, and he sincerely expressed his admiration for Xie Zhan. He then said, "My cousin is back in the city today. He is really a great man. It's just the right time for Sheng Niang and me to run into him."

Xie Zhan seemed to be in the mood, and he raised his sharp eyes slightly.

"Shengniang? Is that your sister?"

He was asking Xie Qingyuan, and his eyes inadvertently fell on Yun Sheng. Yun Sheng clenched his palms and sweat dripped down.

Xie Qingyuan's ears turned red. "She's not really my sister, but... she's my fiancée. When my nephew graduates from high school next year, I'll officially marry her."

Seeing Yun Sheng in a daze, he hurriedly pushed her twice and whispered, "Sheng Niang, this is your cousin, call for help."

Yun Sheng's voice was weak and he kept his eyelids lowered.

"Meet my cousin...uncle."

"What? I am a monster, how can I eat you? Raise your head." Xie Zhan said in a deep voice, seeming displeased.

Yun Sheng's eyelashes trembled, and after a few shudders, he slowly raised his eyes. Xie Hou's gaze was as cold as a blade, just like the snake's tongue in his dream that night.

Her breathing paused for a moment, and she managed to calm herself down.

"Yun Sheng doesn't dare. I've met my uncle."

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