Chapter 046 Chapter 46 (Additional update)

The next day.

Because Xu Duanyi went to bed late last night, he woke up an hour later than usual today.

When I woke up, I still had a severe headache.

I don't know if it's because I didn't sleep well last night, or if the aftereffects of the Xifeng wine are too strong.

After breakfast.

Xu Duanyi was sitting in the east room reading a book.

Shi Yu saw that she was staring at the peach tree outside the window from time to time, but it didn't look like she was admiring the flowers, so she asked curiously, "Master, is there something wrong?"

"Um?"

Xu Duanyi turned around and looked at her with confusion, not knowing what Shi Yu meant.

Shi Yu was straightforward, so he didn't hide it at this moment. He looked at her with a puzzled look and said, "You seem to be in a trance today."

After saying that, before Xu Duanyi could speak, she continued, "When I came back last night, you looked a little strange. Did something happen outside yesterday?"

As Shi Yu was talking, he couldn't help but frowned.

She wondered why Bi Xi didn't tell her if something really happened.

Xu Duanyi would never tell her what happened last night.

When she and Bixi returned to Linfeng Pavilion yesterday, she specifically reminded Bixi not to tell Shiyu and Xiuyu about the matter.

She didn't want too many people to know.

Actually, this is not a big deal, but she is so nervous because she has something on her mind...

But the worst that could happen is that Xie Qingya would just dislike me even more.

Anyway, she already had this self-awareness when she got married.

Thinking of this, Xu Duanyi's inner confusion and uneasiness quietly dissipated a lot.

She let out a long breath.

Sure enough, it was Xie Qingya's recent kindness to her that made her have some inappropriate thoughts, causing her to lose control and become distracted.

It shouldn't be like this.

Fortunately, she and he seldom saw each other on weekdays.

As time goes by, I think Xie Qingya won't remember what happened last night, and they can still get along with each other as before.

Xu Duanyi was already very satisfied that they could live in peace like before and could even talk to each other occasionally.

"Nothing, I was just busy all day yesterday and I'm too tired." She made up an excuse and sent Shi Yu away.

When Shi Yu heard her say this, he didn't think much about it.

Last night was not the night she was on duty, so she naturally didn't know that Xu Duanyi tossed and turned in bed last night and didn't fall asleep until almost early this morning.

At this moment, she saw the very visible dark spots under her master's eyes, and she thought that her master really didn't get enough rest, so she said to Xu Duanyi with a distressed look on her face: "Then you should have a good rest today, and I will tell others not to disturb your rest later."

Xu Duanyi was just about to say yes.

She really wanted to have a good rest today.

Xiuyu walked in. She didn't know what the master and servant had just said. After she came in, she greeted Xu Duanyi first, and then replied to her: "Master, the wife of the prince of the Duke's Mansion is here."

Xu Duanyi heard her say this.

She remembered that her cousin's wife had told her yesterday that she would visit her today.

I thought it was just a casual remark, but I didn't expect my cousin's wife to actually come. I guess it was because she left suddenly last night, which made her worried.

Xu Duanyi naturally did not dare to delay.

He quickly calmed down and said to the others, "Go and invite my sister-in-law in."

After Xiuyu goes out.

Xu Duanyi did not stay in the house any longer. After she tidied up a little, she led her people to the moon gate outside to wait for others.

Xu Duanyi waited at the Moon Gate for a while before he saw Ming coming over surrounded by servants.

"Sister-in-law."

She put on a smile and walked towards the people.

When Ming saw her, she also greeted her with a smile.

"Why are you waiting here? Aren't you afraid of the sun?" Ming said while holding Xu Duanyi's hand.

As he spoke, he looked at her secretly.

Last night, Duan Yi suddenly sent someone to report back, saying that he had left first.

She asked the maid what the reason was.

But that maidservant was clueless.

When she and her husband chased after her, Duanyi had disappeared.

Ming was also afraid that something might happen to her.

If it hadn't been too late yesterday and Duanyi hadn't been taken away by Prince Nan'an, she and her husband should have come to the palace last night to find out what happened.

But looking at Duanyi now, it doesn't seem like anything is wrong.

Ming heaved a sigh of relief.

Xu Duanyi could naturally feel that her sister-in-law was looking at her, as if to see if she was okay. She guessed it was still because of what happened last night.

She smiled and said nothing, then led the group towards Linfeng Pavilion.

On the way.

Accompanied by Xu Duanyi, Ming admired the scenery along the way. When they arrived at Linfeng Pavilion, tea and snacks were already prepared.

Ming was not impressed by the scenery along the way, but when he saw the dazzling array of exquisite snacks, his eyes lit up: "These snacks look good."

Bixi smiled and continued, "Aunt Deng knew you were coming and prepared it for you."

"Aunt Deng?"

Under Xu Duanyi's guidance, Ming sat down on the bed by the window.

She looked at Bixi and asked this.

But after all, she was in charge of the government's income and was good at making friends. She had a general idea of ​​​​the situation of some of the people in the government who had close contact with her.

Before Bixi could answer, she looked at Xu Duanyi beside her and asked, "But what about the aunt who was with the Grand Princess in the past?"

Xu Duanyi was holding a bamboo spoon and scooping tea for someone. Hearing this, she smiled and replied, "That's right."

That's all.

She glanced at the snacks on the table and told Bixi, "Go to the kitchen and tell them to prepare a few more boxes of cakes."

"The chefs in the palace are good. When you go back, please remember to bring some for my grandmother and Xile."

Xile is Ming's twin children.

Xi is the eldest daughter and is six years old this year.

Le is the second son and he is four years old this year.

Xu Duanyi likes her two little nephews and nieces very much.

Every time she went to the Duke's Mansion, she would bring some things for the siblings.

When Ming heard her say this, she naturally agreed with a smile.

Bixi waited for the two to finish talking, then replied with a smile: "It has been prepared a long time ago. Aunt Deng has already told the servants in the kitchen to send it over in a while."

What does she mean by this?

Not only Xu Duanyi could understand it, but Ming could understand it as well.

Ming was drinking tea. When she heard this, she said to Xu Duanyi, "It seems that Aunt Deng treats you well."

There will be no outsiders here.

Naturally, there was no need for Ming and Xu Duanyi to speak those official words as they would to other people.

She came today.

In addition to what happened yesterday, I also wanted to see how Duanyi was doing in the Nan'an Palace.

It should have come a long time ago.

But after Duanyi got married, the next thing was Baozhu's wedding, and she was really too busy to handle it, so it was delayed until today.

Now it seems that everyone in the palace is really respectful to Duan Yi.

only--

Ming has sharp eyes and a careful mind.

From the moment she entered the house, she felt that it didn't look like there was another person living in it.

Although there are some things that belong to the King of Nannan.

But for some things, you can tell at a glance whether they are often used.

After all, Ming had been married for many years, how could she not notice these things? She felt a little depressed. It seemed that Duanyi's relationship with the Prince of Nan'an was really as rumored.

But she didn't expect that these two people didn't sleep together.

But it's hard to say this kind of thing directly.

She was afraid of smearing Duanyi's face.

This book is compiled exclusively for you by the LK team. Moreover, Duanyi's marriage into the Nan'an Palace was inseparable from them.

How could she have the nerve to tell Duanyi these things?

While Ming was thinking and worrying, she heard Duanyi asking, "Sister-in-law, are you here because of what happened last night?"

When Bixi saw them talking about what happened last night, she led everyone away.

So as not to disturb their conversation.

After hearing this, Ming put her thoughts aside and looked up at Duan Yi.

"Exactly."

Ming did not hide it either.

Similarly, she did not let Duanyi know that she had noticed something in the room. She just pretended not to notice anything, put down the teacup, and continued talking to Duanyi.

"Last night, when your cousin and I got the news and went out, you were already gone."

"I heard that the prince came to pick you up?"

Xu Duanyi did not hide it and nodded, "The prince came to pick me up."

"Yesterday, when I wanted to go to the women's house to look for my sister-in-law, I met some scholars on the way. Among them was Mr. Li from the Hanlin Academy. I have some connections with him, so I drank a cup of wine with him."

"I didn't expect that the wine was actually Xifeng wine. After I drank it, I felt a little dizzy."

"Are you okay?"

When Ming heard this, her face changed.

She didn't know this.

Although she did hear her husband talk about Duan Yi's meeting with the scholars last night, they didn't know that Duan Yi was actually drunk.

Xu Duanyi smiled at her soothingly, and then said, "It's okay. I asked Bixi to help me to the gatehouse immediately, and then the prince came."

"It's not bad..."

Ming heaved a sigh of relief.

"I saw you suddenly left yesterday, so I guessed that something happened to you, so I came to see you today. I'm fine, I'm fine."

Now that last night's confusion has been resolved, Duan Yi is fine again.

Ming also put the matter aside for the time being and told Xu Duanyi another purpose: "Your cousin deliberately stayed at home today and dragged that bastard Xiao Yuanfu to the ancestral hall to be punished."

Xu Duanyi had long guessed that Xiao Yuanfu would go through this.

She didn't feel any emotion when she heard this, and just continued to talk to him as usual: "Is everything ok?"

"What's going on?"

Ming sneered, "Your cousin has long been displeased with his usual behavior, and he has long wanted to punish him severely. In my opinion, someone like Xiao Yuanfu would have caused trouble sooner or later. If it weren't for your cousin, I really want to..."

Ming subconsciously wanted to talk about dividing the family property.

Her husband is a very good man, capable and not interested in women. She has been married to him for so many years and has never regretted it.

But the mess in the Duke of Huguo's Mansion is enough to make anyone shake their head.

Not only is my grandmother old and frail, she also likes to be extravagant.

Every month, the expenses for her yard are like running water, tens of thousands of dollars, and she wants the best of everything.

If there is one thing that is not to her liking.

She was about to make trouble.

My mother-in-law is shrewd and calculating, but she never thinks things through.

As for Xiao Yuanfu——

That goes without saying.

The women in his yard are almost as numerous as a small harem. They are always full of smoke and haze and are not in a proper state.

And my father-in-law...

Still lustful despite his age.

If it weren't for his mother-in-law's strict supervision, his backyard would probably be the same as Xiao Yuanfu's.

Outsiders think that she lives a good life.

Her husband loves her, she has a pair of obedient and sensible children, and she also has a lot of money in her hands.

Which lady in charge could be as straightforward as her?

But who knows the grievances in her heart? She has no words to express her suffering.

When Ming thought of this, she felt very uncomfortable. She stopped talking and just sat aside drinking tea.

However, Xu Duanyi could guess what she was going to say next.

She also often went to the Duke's Mansion, so she naturally knew what her relatives looked like.

Don’t even mention sister-in-law.

Even she usually doesn't want to interact with them.

She held Ming's hand and patted it gently.

There was a look of comfort in his eyes.

When Ming looked up, she could see the comfort in her eyes. Her heart warmed, and the annoyance that had been lingering in her heart was somewhat relieved.

"Look at me, why am I telling you all this? After all, your eldest cousin is watching over you. No matter how much trouble he makes, he won't be able to cause any trouble."

After Ming gave a simple summary, she did not tell Xu Duanyi about the troubles of the Duke of Huguo's Mansion.

I just smiled and said to her, "It's been a long time since we've sat down and talked like this. I have to bother you for a while today."

Otherwise, if she goes back now, her grandmother and mother-in-law will definitely catch her and make trouble again.

She doesn't want to suffer like this.

Xu Duanyi naturally guessed it, and she smiled and said "OK": "I'll ask the kitchen to make a few more dishes that my sister-in-law likes."

“That’s a good feeling.”

Ming smiled and said, "I've heard that the chefs in the Nan'an Palace are good. I'm lucky enough to have a good meal today."

Ming only said that she would disturb him for a while, but she didn't actually stay in the palace for too long.

After all, she had a lot of things to do, and it was not easy for her to find time to have a few hours of free time.

She didn't want to go back and deal with those messy accounts, but she couldn't really ignore them.

Got to go back.

After all, she is still the head lady of the Duke's Mansion.

Wait until the afternoon.

After lunch, the two talked again, and Ming said goodbye to Xu Duanyi. This book is exclusively compiled by the LK team for you. Xu Duanyi knew that she had a lot of things to deal with, so she didn't try to keep her. She just stood up and said to Ming: "Then I will accompany my sister-in-law out."

"Need not."

Ming didn't give in: "It's too sunny now, don't let the sun shine on you."

She also noticed the dark circles under Duanyi's eyes and couldn't help but frown: "Go back and have a good sleep, don't tire yourself out."

Xu Duanyi smiled and agreed, but insisted on sending Ming out.

Ming had no choice but to agree.

The aunt and sister-in-law walked towards the gatehouse together.

On the way, Ming said to Xu Duanyi, "You should not go to the Duke's Mansion for the time being. It is full of smoke and miasma, and you will not be bothered by it."

Xu Duanyi hadn't originally planned to go, but now he nodded and agreed.

Ming deliberately lowered her voice and said, "Don't worry about Prince Nan'an. Your cousin will watch over Xiao Yuanfu and will not let him offend him."

Xu Duanyi felt relieved.

The voice became softer: "Thank you, sister-in-law and cousin."

"There's no need to talk about this between you and me." Ming said this while holding Xu Duanyi's hand.

"Duan Yi, you..."

Ming spoke subconsciously.

When Ming met Xu Duanyi's bright black eyes, she suddenly fell silent again.

"Sister-in-law, what's wrong?"

At this moment, Xu Duanyi had no idea what Ming was thinking.

Suddenly, she stopped talking halfway and started asking questions.

"not."

Ming came to his senses.

She looked at Xu Duanyi and changed her words, saying, "I just want to tell you that if the Prince of Nan'an treats you badly, remember to tell me. You are not without someone behind you. Even if the Marquis is gone, you still have me, your cousin, and your aunt. We will all protect you."

It was hard for Xu Duanyi not to be moved after hearing these words.

Her heart felt warm, her eyes became a little swollen, and her heart was filled with rich emotions.

"Sister-in-law, I know." She said softly to Ming.

Seeing her bright and charming smile, Ming felt even more upset.

She couldn't help but hold Xu Duanyi's hand, sighed, and said, "It would be great if Prince Wen Zhao was still here."

Now that Duan Yi is the empress, naturally she would not end up like this.

Ming was deeply saddened.

"Sister-in-law."

Xu Duanyi gently shook Ming's hand without saying anything more.

Ming realized that she had violated a taboo, and said hurriedly, "I was wrong, don't take it to heart."

Xu Duanyi naturally didn't take it to heart.

Of course, she also hoped that the prince brother was still alive. If the prince brother was still alive, then these things would not have happened now...

My aunt would never be like this.

Xie Qingya would not have fallen into this state.

Even His Majesty...

The prince will definitely be able to weigh all the issues.

The two never mentioned the matter again.

Xu Duanyi escorted Ming to the screen wall, and personally took the box of cakes that had been prepared in advance from Bixi and handed it to Ming.

"If Ah Xi and Xiao Le like it, my sister-in-law will send someone to tell them, and I will have them prepare it at home and send it over."

"This is a gift from you, so they will naturally like it."

Ming accepted it with a smile, and said to Xu Duanyi, "When I have time, I will bring them to see you."

When Xu Duanyi heard this, he smiled and agreed.

The two talked for a few more words, and then Ming left in the carriage.

Xu Duanyi watched the carriage leave and was about to go back when he saw another carriage suddenly approaching the screen wall. Judging from its appearance, it was from Changning.

Bixi also saw it.

At this time, I couldn't help wondering: "Why did the girl come back at this time? It's not even time for her to get out of school yet."

This book is compiled exclusively for you by the LK team. Xu Duanyi also felt strange.

I don't know why Chang Ning came back at this time, but no matter what it is, she naturally can't leave at this time.

Xie Changning didn't know Xu Duanyi was here.

So when the carriage stopped, she got off with red eyes, helped by Fuqiu. When she saw Xu Duanyi, she was completely stunned.

"Sister-in-law, sister-in-law?"

She stammered and called for help, her mind going blank.

Fuqiu didn't expect that the princess would be here.

She was also startled at the moment. After helping the girl to stand steadily, she hurriedly lowered her head and greeted Xu Duanyi first.

But the smile on Xu Duanyi's face froze when he saw Xie Changning's red eyes.

"What's going on?"

She strode towards Xie Changning, looked at his red eyes, frowned, and asked in a deep voice, "Who bullied you?"

This was the first time Xu Duanyi showed such an expression to Xie Changning.

Xie Changning was shocked.

But after reacting, she was even more afraid to let her sister-in-law know.

Her hands unconsciously clasped the music sheet that her sister-in-law had given her that day. She shook her head at Xu Duanyi and said, "No, no one bullied me, yes, yes..."

"Today, I didn't pay attention in class, so the teacher scolded me."

She was nervous.

She was not good at speaking to begin with, and this would make her stutter even worse.

After she finished stammering, her face turned red.

Xie Changning was afraid that Xu Duanyi would be angry, so after he finished speaking, he hurriedly said to others: "Sister-in-law, sister-in-law, don't be angry. I, I will, I will be obedient in the future."

Would Xu Duanyi believe her?

But Changning was so anxious that tears welled up in his eyes again.

Knowing that she was timid, Xu Duanyi was also afraid that she would scare her and make her afraid to speak, which would be even worse. She sighed inwardly, but finally put her mind at ease, softened her expression, and spoke to the person: "So that's how it is."

"Then you go back and rest first." She said to Xie Changning.

After finishing speaking, Xu Duanyi asked Xie Changning again: "Do you want me to accompany you back?"

Xie Changning naturally said no.

She came back early on purpose because she didn't want to be seen by her family and cause trouble. When she saw her sister-in-law here and was discovered by her, she was extremely nervous.

Afraid that I can't hide my thoughts.

How dare she ask her sister-in-law to accompany her back?

She was originally worried that her sister-in-law would not let her go back so easily, but unexpectedly, she agreed right away.

"Then go back and have a good rest. I'll come back to see you."

After Xu Duanyi finished speaking, he asked Fuqiu to help Xie Changning go back first.

Almost as soon as the master and servant left, Bixi frowned and said in a low voice, "I think this matter is not simple."

Xu Duanyi was still looking at Xie Changning's back as he left. Hearing this, he also said, "Changning loves reading the most. How could he not listen carefully?"

Finished.

She then asked Bixi: "Did you see the book in her arms just now?"

"The music score you gave her?" Bi Xi took over the question and saw her master nod. However, she didn't know what secrets were hidden in it.

Bixi looked puzzled.

"The girl takes this music sheet with her every day when she goes out. I don't see anything wrong with it."

Xu Duanyi said: "The surface of the music score is wrinkled today."

"What?"

Bixi was slightly startled.

She hadn't noticed this detail before.

Xu Duanyi looked at Xie Changning walking away and said in a deep voice, "Changning has always cherished this book. The wrinkles on the surface are definitely not her work."

"Something must have happened in the school today."

Thinking of my previous doubts.

At that time, she thought that Changning spent all his time in her yard except for going to school, so she focused her attention on Changning.

I thought it was some black-hearted servant or maid in the mansion who treated Chang Ning harshly behind other people's backs.

But after searching for a while, I didn't find anything.

I didn't see anything wrong with Changning.

At that time she thought that she might be wrong, maybe Changning just didn't like being touched by strangers.

Now it seems.

This incident most likely happened where she went to school.

It was still unclear what had happened to Chang Ning, but Xu Duanyi's usually gentle and smiling face was now completely devoid of smile.

Seeing that Chang Ning was no longer visible in the distance, Xu Duanyi said to Bixi, "Go back and call Fuqiu over."

In Changning, she couldn't force people to speak.

But as Changning's personal maid, Fuqiu could not have been unaware of these things.

Bi Xi had been in the palace for a while and had fallen in love with this girl from the bottom of her heart. Naturally, she could not stand by and watch her being bullied, so she quickly responded.