Chapter 87. Saintess Loujiaye, accompanied by her child, storms the main palace. ...

Chapter 90 Loujiaye

The Zhenyuan Marquis's Mansion has now been largely restored. The main hall is magnificent and the courtyard is spacious. Only some small decorations and exquisite places such as the stage and embroidery building built specifically for Su Jinxiu are still being repaired and improved.

The scale of this Marquis's mansion is even better than that of the Feng Mansion. Su Jinxiu lives here, and sometimes when she goes from the main hall to the other courtyard, she has to pass through layers of winding corridors and flower gardens. After walking a little further, her legs and feet feel sore and swollen.

At that moment, Su Jinxiu was bending over the small kitchen table, carefully instructing the cook, "For this crab roe tofu, add less salt, just enough to bring out the crab's freshness." Before she finished speaking, she suddenly heard Xue Xing's hurried footsteps coming from the corridor, accompanied by a crisp reply: "Miss, the Ye family's carriage has arrived at the mansion gate!"

Upon hearing this, Su Jinxiu quickly straightened up. Without giving any further instructions to the cooks, she hurriedly left the kitchen.

The winding path led forward, and the tuberoses in the flower gardens on both sides were in full bloom, their rich fragrance wafting towards her, but she had no time to stop and appreciate them.

After passing the last waterside pavilion, a figure could be seen standing in front of the mansion gate in the distance.

Lan Shexiang wore a peacock blue jacket with gold trim, the inner fabric of which shimmered and shimmered. She had her hair styled in a fashionable high bun, with a jade hairpin wrapped around the center of the bun, which was white and smooth.

Su Jinxiu quickly stepped forward, her gaze first falling on the girl's slightly protruding belly. She hurriedly reached out to take the maid's arm and supported her, her tone full of concern: "Shexiang, be careful and walk slowly."

Lan Shexiang smiled faintly and patted the back of her hand: "Why are you so precious? It's just ordinary walking. Your careful support makes me feel uncomfortable."

Su Jinxiu led Lan Shexiang around the entire Marquis's mansion, kicking away any stones that blocked their way as soon as possible, for fear of causing her to bump into them.

As dusk deepened, the grass and trees became lush and verdant, the moon's shadow grew hazy, and the evening breeze rustled the flower bells. The maids followed lightly behind, creating a scene of serene beauty.

Looking at the well-arranged pavilions and towers, Lan Shexiang suddenly smiled and said, "Qiaoniang, this Marquis's mansion is almost completed. Your wedding date must be approaching, right? When is it set?"

Su Jinxiu gently shook her head: "I only know that it will be around the end of the year. I don't know anything else. Aqin is handling all the wedding arrangements."

“You’re so easy to please,” Lan Shexiang joked. “You don’t have to worry about anything. Just make sure you marry into the family in style.”

Lan Shexiang joked a few more times, then sighed with a smile, "You two have gone through so many twists and turns, and finally you've made it to fruition. It's truly a cause for celebration."

"I remember back in Embroidery Alley, you insisted on calling each other brother and sister, strictly adhering to the separation of men and women, and not doing anything out of line. Who would have thought that you would become husband and wife now? It's really interesting."

Su Jinxiu felt embarrassed by what she was saying and tugged at her sleeve: "Alright, let's not talk about those old things anymore, it's too embarrassing." As she spoke, she gently stroked Lan Shexiang's swollen belly, her eyes full of tenderness, "When this child is born, I will be his godmother. Tiger-head shoes, red bibs, soft satin cloaks, and swaddling clothes embroidered with unicorn patterns, I have embroidered them all by hand, using the softest and most delicate brocade, so as not to hurt the child's delicate skin."

Lan Shexiang patted her hand with a smile: "Look how much our godmother cares. She's probably even more eager for him to come out than I am for him to do so. Could it be that she wants him to come early to add to the joy of your wedding and be a ready-made little wedding attendant?"

The two looked at each other and smiled, their laughter drifting away on the evening breeze.

As they spoke, they reached the kitchen door. Su Jinxiu stepped aside to let her go first: "Knowing that you are picky about your tastes during your pregnancy, I specially asked the cook to prepare your favorite crab roe tofu, stewed sea bass, and yam and red date soup to nourish your blood and qi. They are all light and healthy."

Lan Shexiang smiled and said, "Thank you, Qiaoniang, for remembering that I love to eat these." She paused for a moment, then added with a smile, "By the way, Azhao also went on the autumn hunt with the Emperor today. Perhaps she will run into Shiqin and they can return together."

Su Jinxiu was counting the jars of Drunken Flowing Clouds in the kitchen when she heard this, she quickly looked up and replied, "Really? Then we'll need to add another pair of chopsticks. It'll be more lively when the three of them come back and have a meal with your husband."

As the two were arranging the banquet while chatting and laughing, Granny Tanxi, the head of the household, suddenly rushed over, looking flustered and slightly breathless: "Miss! You must go to the main hall quickly! A woman dressed in foreign attire is making a scene, demanding to see the Marquis. The maids can't stop her, and she has already barged into the front hall!"

"A woman from another race?" Su Jinxiu frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "I understand. You go back and stabilize the situation first. I'll be right there." She then turned to Lan Shexiang and said, "Shexiang, wait here for a moment. I'll go check the situation."

Lan Shexiang slowly stood up, supporting her waist, her brows furrowed with worry: "This kind of commotion must be serious. I'll go with you to take a look, so we can keep each other company."

Su Jinxiu thought for a moment and nodded in agreement: "Alright. Then you must be careful and watch your step."

The two hurried to the main hall, where they saw a snow-white figure kneeling before the main seat. She was slender and graceful, with an outstanding figure.

Su Jinxiu and Lan Shexiang took their seats in the main seats in turn. After looking closely, they realized that the woman was the Holy Maiden of the Northern Desert whom they had met once before.

She remained stunningly beautiful, with deep, exotic eyes like a galaxy. Her snow-white robe with gold trim trailed on the ground, making her skin appear almost translucent and her lips as red as cinnabar. She exuded a pure and otherworldly aura, untouched by the dust of the mortal world. She was truly a rare beauty, and anyone who saw her would be captivated.

Su Jinxiu sat upright in the chair, her expression calm and undisturbed.

Standing to the side was Granny Tanxi, an old woman from the palace. Seeing her composure in the face of danger, she looked at her with admiration and immediately stepped forward, saying loudly, "Miss, this is Miss Su, the betrothed mistress of our Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion. If you have urgent business to attend to with the Marquis, just tell my young lady. The Marquis is very busy and may not have time to see you."

Although the woman from another region had an exotic appearance, she spoke fluent and standard Mandarin from the Central Plains. She glanced at Su Jinxiu, a hint of contempt flashing in her eyes: "I have never heard of any woman from the Central Plains who is not yet married being able to presume to call herself a mistress."

Upon hearing this, Su Jinxiu merely chuckled lightly, clearly unwilling to argue with her about this pointless dispute over titles.

Granny Tanxi immediately frowned and warned sternly, "Miss, I already reminded you, if you have something important to say, just say it! The betrothal gifts are all ready, the marriage certificate has been exchanged, and Liancheng's dowry has already entered the manor. Whether my young lady is the mistress of the Marquis's manor or not is none of your business, an outsider! If you dare to utter another sarcastic remark, don't blame me for being clumsy and slapping your mouth!"

The foreign woman was intimidated by the old woman's stern words, her expression changed slightly, and she realized that there was no easy target here. She dared not be quick to argue anymore, but her eyes still held resentment.

Su Jinxiu cast a grateful glance at Granny Tanxi, then looked at the Holy Maiden and said in a calm voice, "Get up and find a place to sit and talk. Otherwise, it will get out that my Marquis's Mansion is abusing its power and mistreating people from afar."

Unexpectedly, the woman refused to rise, remaining kneeling on the carpet. She looked up at Su Jinxiu, her eyes glistening with tears, feigning weakness: "Since you can be called the betrothed mistress of the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion, does the mistress know that your lord and I have already formed an inextricable bond in the Shuomo region? I wonder if my relationship with her acquaintance qualifies me as the betrothed concubine of the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion?"

Granny Tanxi rolled up her sleeves, ready to slap him, but Su Jinxiu stopped her, saying, "Granny, no need for that."

Although Granny Tanxi was angry, she respected Su Jinxiu's sense of propriety, so she nodded as instructed and stepped aside, but kept her eyes fixed on the woman to prevent her from causing any more trouble.

Su Jinxiu tilted her head and sized up the woman below the steps.

She had no doubt about Wen Shiqin, but wondered what kind of interests this woman was plotting on this trip. Scattered clues from the past swirled in her mind, but she couldn't quite make sense of them.

It should be noted that the laws are strict nowadays. High-ranking families must sign marriage contracts and follow etiquette when taking concubines, and they cannot exceed the prescribed limits. For this woman to openly ask to become a concubine in a marquis's mansion is simply too absurd and ridiculous.

Su Jinxiu raised her eyes and gestured to Granny Tanxi to dismiss the idle maids and servants in the hall. She also ordered the servants to close the main hall door to prevent the matter from spreading and attracting gossip in the city, which would tarnish the reputation of the Marquis's mansion.

Only when she, Lan Shexiang, Granny Tanxi, and the foreign woman remained in the waiting hall did Su Jinxiu slowly speak: "What kind of love affair is this? Just because you spout a few empty words of romance, I'm going to let you into the manor as a concubine? If you continue to act like this, tomorrow everyone in the world will come and casually claim to be your concubine, and the concubines of the Zhenyuan Marquis's manor will probably overflow the door and break down the threshold!"

After all the other people in the hall had left, the woman from the foreign tribe looked up at Su Jinxiu and readily said, "Madam, please forgive me. My name is Lou Jiaye, and I am the Holy Maiden of the Sacred Desert. Previously, when the Marquis was on official business in the Sacred Desert, he saved my life in a moment of crisis. We fell in love at first sight and have already pledged our lives to each other. You saw me at Mingyu Workshop that day. In the past, day and night in the Sacred Desert, I always nestled by his side, serving him with a smile."

Su Jinxiu found this absurd and ridiculous argument laughable. She turned to look at Lan Shexiang, and both of them understood. They each picked up a Ru kiln teacup on the table, took a slow sip, and looked as calm as if they were listening to someone gossiping.

Seeing their nonchalant attitude and complete lack of empathy, Lou Jiaye hurriedly crawled forward half a step, her voice suddenly rising: "If Mistress doesn't believe me, then let me explain! The Marquis has a crescent-shaped scar on his waist, left from a bear hunt in the northern desert. He doesn't like to sleep with the lights on at night and always kicks off the covers. How could anyone but someone close to him, who is with him day and night, know these private matters?"

"So what?" Su Jinxiu put down her teacup and said calmly, "These are just trivial matters that others can find out with a little inquiry. It's not difficult to buy them from his guards or former subordinates by spending some money."

Lou Jiaye originally thought that his words and his appearance would be enough to sway people's hearts, but he did not expect that the betrothed couple would trust each other so much and remain unmoved.

Su Jinxiu looked out the window. Dusk was falling, and she guessed that Wen Shiqin and the others should have returned from the autumn hunt. Not wanting to waste any more time with Lou Jiaye, she got up to leave. As she walked, she instructed Granny Tanxi, "Granny, send her out properly and don't let her make a scene in the mansion."

Just as she passed by, Lou Jiaye suddenly lunged forward and grabbed Su Jinxiu's leg tightly. Caught off guard, Su Jinxiu swayed slightly. Granny Tanxi immediately tried to pull her away, but Lou Jiaye held on tightly. She looked up and cried out, tears streaming down her face, "Mistress! Even if you don't believe those intimate affairs, I am now carrying the Marquis's child. Surely you believe that now?"

Su Jinxiu looked down at the snow-white pearl hairpin adorning her hair, its shimmering light only making her appear more wretched, and said in a voice as cold as ice: "Let go."

Lou Jiaye, however, held onto her skirt tightly and refused to let go, his cries growing more and more heart-wrenching: "We shared a room together every night in the northern desert, our love was tender and passionate. He personally told me that if I became pregnant, he would take me back to the Central Plains and make me a concubine in his household. That's why I traveled thousands of miles back with him while pregnant!"

Lan Shexiang, having listened to enough of this insane and illogical talk, could no longer bear it. Despite her pregnancy, she stepped forward and grabbed Lou Jiaye's wrist.

Fearing that Lou Jiaye might hurt her in his desperation, Su Jinxiu exclaimed, "Shexiang! Take care of yourself!"

Lan Shexiang didn't let go, his fingertips touching her pulse. After a moment of concentration, he suddenly flung her hand away, sneering, "Your pulse is weak and feeble, clearly you're less than two months pregnant! You returned from the northern desert four months ago. Since then, he's either been busy with court affairs or tending to the repairs at the Marquis's residence. All the servants in the manor are witnesses. How could he have had time to meet with you in secret? In these past two months, you know best which wild man's child you're carrying!"

As soon as Lan Shexiang said this, Lou Jiaye's lie was instantly exposed. Taking advantage of the situation, Granny Tanxi forcefully pried her hands open, called for maids and servants, and prepared to drag her away.

"Mistress!" Lou Jiaye struggled and cried out, suddenly pulling something from her sleeve and raising it high. "Mistress, let's go to the inner chamber! With just one word, I can prove our past love and determine the ownership of the child in your womb!"

Su Jinxiu raised her hand to signal everyone to stop, and said in a deep voice, "Let her go."

Lou Jiaye staggered to his feet, his expression stubborn: "This matter is confidential and can only be discussed between me and the mistress alone."

Granny Tanxi exclaimed anxiously, "Miss, you mustn't! This woman is treacherous; being alone with her might lead to unforeseen trouble!"

Su Jinxiu, however, remained calm and turned to walk into the inner room: "It's alright. You all stay outside and keep watch. I don't think she can cause any trouble."

The two entered the inner room, passing by the carved and gilded screen. Lou Jiaye then handed over a scroll from his sleeve. Su Jinxiu took it and slowly unfolded it. However, after a quick glance, her previously calm expression suddenly shifted, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

Seeing this, Lou Jiaye smiled subtly, then quickly stepped forward, brought his lips close to her ear, and whispered something in a voice only the two of them could hear.