Chapter 10010 Make her come to me willingly
Yun Sheng had been ill for two days, and Xie Zhan had not appeared since then. Perhaps because he had seen her repeatedly refuse him, he felt that she was tactless, but she was still worried.
She was very tired, so she forced herself to work hard, finishing the embroidery of the handkerchiefs she had left unfinished a few days ago. She asked Ah Xi to deliver them to Madam Liu's shop, and Madam Liu was delighted and cheered.
Yun Sheng's embroidery skills were truly impeccable. Madam Liu priced the handkerchiefs at ten cents each, hoping to reduce the price by one or two cents if no one bought them. However, she didn't expect that the ten handkerchiefs were snapped up by the girls that day, and she made a net profit of one or two ounces of silver.
She was a kindhearted person and had taken the initiative to change her commission to 30/70. Yun Sheng weighed the seventy copper coins heavy in the cloth bag, and her mood, which had been depressed for several days, was like a sunny day after the rain.
Mrs. Qian didn't allow her to go out frequently. The next day, Yun Sheng gave Ah Xi thirty copper coins and asked her to go to the study to buy some mulberry paper.
She went to the study to find Xie Qingyuan. Xie Qingyuan touched the fine paper and felt a tightness in his chest. His eyes were red and he was filled with guilt.
Xie Qingyuan took Yun Sheng's hand, carefully stroking the thin calluses on her fingertips, and sighed softly, "Shengniang, please don't do this for me anymore. Embroidery is not only harmful to your eyes, but it will also cause pain in your shoulders after a while."
Yun Sheng shook his head and smiled, "I'm still young, it's okay. That day in the study, your eyes were fixed on the mulberry paper, so I knew you loved it. And that inkstone, you couldn't bear to take your eyes off it. Inkstones are expensive, so wait a little longer while I save some money, and our lives will surely get better and better."
Xie Qingyuan hugged her tightly in his arms, her silly mother.
In her eyes, mulberry paper might be a rare commodity, but she did not know that the nobles used rattan paper, and even the Chengxintang paper in the palace, which she could not buy no matter how many handkerchiefs she embroidered.
Xie Qingyuan didn't want to let Yun Sheng down, but only if he climbed up and became a superior person, those children from aristocratic families would not dare to mock him, and Yun Sheng could live a good life with him.
Sheng Niang was kindhearted and would surely understand his difficulties. With him protecting her, she would not suffer even as a concubine.
_
The old woman next to the second wife came to Qingtong Courtyard.
In addition to sending a few clothes, there were also some hairpins and jewelry for young ladies. Before leaving, she smiled and said, "It's Princess Shoukang's birthday, and the mansion has sent an invitation, inviting the ladies and gentlemen to come and enjoy the flowers. The Second Madam is kind enough to ask you to come and join in the fun."
As soon as she left, Mrs. Qian prayed and advised Xie Qingyuan to make friends with more people. As for Yun Sheng, she kept the same old advice, asking her to talk less, pay more attention to the rules, and not cause trouble.
If it weren't for the Second Madam's suggestion, Mrs. Qian would not want Yun Sheng to go out at all. That is the Princess's Mansion, where the royal family is located. There will definitely be many distinguished people there, and it would be embarrassing for Yun Sheng, a petty-minded person, to go there.
Xie Qingyuan pursed his lips and didn't tell his mother that those young men from wealthy families looked down on him.
There was chaos in Qingtong Courtyard, and there was also chaos in the Second Madam's courtyard.
She glanced at her daughter, who was sitting on the couch in a rage, and quickly hugged her, coaxing her: "My daughter, what nonsense are you talking about? The eldest princess said she was inviting everyone to celebrate her birthday, but everyone knows that she wants to find a suitable girl for her most beloved grandson, the Duke of Pingyang. How can you just say you don't want to go?"
Xie Yulan buried her head in her arms and cried, "Mother, I'm afraid the whole of Chang'an is laughing at me now. How can I face going out? If I'm criticized again after I go out, I might as well hang myself."
The Second Madam's heart ached: "Don't talk nonsense."
She felt sorry for her daughter and for a moment she felt sorry for the third wife.
Just after the New Year, her daughter reached the age of marriage. She found a good marriage for her. However, on the day of the wedding, the Prince of Chengguo was so blind that he fell in love with the second wife at first sight. He even threatened to go to the third house to propose marriage, and the news spread all over Chang'an.
The daughter lost face, and the second wife was ashamed. She promised in front of the old lady that she had no intention of marrying into the Chengguogong's mansion. The old lady decided that the face of the mansion must not be trampled on by anyone, and neither sister was allowed to marry into the Chengguogong's mansion, so as not to make people laugh at her.
But because of this incident, my daughter was kept in the house for half a year.
Xie Yulan was still sobbing, and the Second Madam beat her chest and said, "Are you blaming me for not giving you a good appearance?"
Then she sighed again: "It's because the prince of Chengguo is unlucky that he can't marry my son. If he marries a virtuous woman, my son will definitely marry a better one."
Xie Yulan fell silent. She had blamed her mother for giving birth to such a handsome brother while she could only be considered dignified.
She said in a daze: "Mother, if you really want to marry a virtuous wife, why does father always run to Aunt Wen's courtyard? After all, men still love beauty."
The Second Madam's expression changed. "So what if your father keeps visiting her? Using beauty to please a man won't last long. Even if she's favored, she still has to kowtow and pay respects to her mother. Ah Yu, remember, a man's love is the least of your worries. You're going to be the wife of a great clan leader in the future. Why lower yourself to compare yourself with a concubine?"
"Cheer up, dress yourself, and go to the banquet with your mother. If you act like a coward, those people will only laugh at you even more."
Xie Yulan said, "Mother, I understand. But I don't understand why you asked those two from Qingtong Courtyard to go there?"
The Second Madam patted her hands and said, "After all, they are relatives of the Marquis' Mansion. Your grandmother said that she would show them more of the world."
_
On Princess Shoukang's birthday, Yun Sheng was helped by Ah Xi to change into a pink dress. After washing her face and combing her hair, the deft Ah Xi combed her hair into a half-up bun and inserted two silver hairpins between her temples.
Yun Sheng looked at himself in the bronze mirror, dressed like this for the first time, and couldn't help but be lost in thought for a moment.
Ah Xi smiled and said, "Madam Yun is naturally beautiful. It's just that it's inappropriate to go without makeup at the Princess's banquet. Fortunately, the Second Madam made thoughtful arrangements and even sent a maid to bring you some powder. Let me put on your makeup for you."
Yun Sheng nodded in surprise.
She had never seen such a scene before. In the past, in the village, except for the daughter-in-law of the headman who could wear gold and silver, most of the other women had plain faces. Some of them who loved beauty but had no money would use burnt matches to draw black eyebrows, but that was all.
Now Ah Xi put on makeup for her, drew her eyebrows, and applied lipstick, and her lips instantly became rosy.
Xie Qingyuan was stunned, and Yun Sheng lowered her eyes shyly. Mrs. Qian secretly cursed her as a vixen, and hated that she was old and ugly, and the Second Madam didn't even invite her to go with them.
Three carriages were ready at the gate of the mansion.
The second and third houses were secretly at odds, so they each took one car, and the other was left for Qingtong Courtyard.
Yun Sheng, feeling uneasy, breathed a sigh of relief when she didn't see Xie Zhan. Unexpectedly, Xie Minghao from the second house said, "Mother, it's getting late. Why don't you send someone to urge my eldest brother?"
The Second Madam glared at him and said, "Shut up! You even dare to make up stories and urge the Marquis to do this."
Her eldest nephew is no ordinary person. To be honest, as his aunt, she is actually a little afraid of him.
Yun Sheng's face was pale, and he asked Xie Qingyuan in a low voice: "Is... is my cousin going too?"
Xie Qingyuan didn't notice her expression and said casually, "The officials are on holiday today, so my cousin should be free and join in the fun."
While he was speaking, Xie Zhanfang turned through the west corner gate.
The Second Lady saw that his attendants had not gone to the stables to get the horses, and asked in confusion, "Is Xingzhi not riding today?"
Xie Zhan nodded, and the attendant hurriedly explained, "Replying to the Second Madam, the Marquis is not feeling well today and it is inconvenient for him to ride a horse."
The Second Lady's heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly expressed her concern: "Since Xingzhi is not feeling well, why not ask a doctor to come and see him? He can just skip the banquet. I don't think the Princess will blame him."
Xie Zhan said calmly: "It's okay."
The Second Madam didn't dare to persuade him, and said with a headache, "Then Xingzhi, please wait a moment, and your aunt will ask someone to arrange a carriage."
"Don't bother, Auntie. My nephew and I can ride in the same car."
After Xie Zhan finished speaking, he lifted his robe and stepped into the car.
He immediately stopped and looked back: "What are you standing there for? Why don't you get in the car?"
Xie Qingyuan's eyes and eyebrows were filled with joy. He excitedly pulled Yun Sheng and said, "Uncle is so thoughtful and caring. You and I will definitely thank him later."
Yun Sheng's hands and feet were cold. She had just seen clearly that Xie Hou was looking at her with a heavy gaze over her husband and talking to her.
What on earth does he want to do in broad daylight?
Yun Sheng was absent-minded and let Xie Qingyuan pull her into the carriage. Considering her husband was there, she figured Lord Xie wouldn't behave excessively.
She carefully lifted the hem of her skirt and sat diagonally opposite Xie Zhan.
The man glanced over with his sharp eyes, a hint of a smile between his fierce brows.
Yun Sheng pretended not to know and looked around restlessly.
Xie Qingyuan couldn't contain his excitement. "Uncle, you are so kind as to condescend to ride with us. I would like to thank you."
Their family's status is awkward, so he is often bullied and ridiculed when he goes out to visit friends. If everyone sees Xie Hou riding in the same car with him later, they will definitely understand Xie Hou's attitude. Didn't they see that Xie Minghao's face turned darker just now?
Xie Zhan's eyes swept over Yun Sheng's trembling body, and he smiled and said, "They are all my nephews and nieces, so there is no need to be polite, Yuanlang."
Xie Qingyuan then gave another round of compliments.
Seeing Xie Zhan's frown, as if he was feeling unwell, he asked with concern, "Is your uncle still feeling unwell?"
"Indeed, my old headache has come back again." Xie Zhan leaned back and said casually.
Yun Sheng's heart was in a knot, and her hands, which were pinching the hem of her skirt, were covered in cold sweat.
Xie Qingyuan's eyes lit up. "It's a headache. If you don't mind, you can ask Sheng Niang to help massage it. My nephew is usually tired from studying, and she always helps him to relieve his fatigue."
Xie Zhan concealed the coldness in his eyes and immediately raised his voice: "This Marquis does not despise it, but I am afraid that Madam Yun will not be willing."
"Uncle, you're joking. Why wouldn't Sheng Niang be willing?"
Xie Qingyuan gently pushed Yun Sheng twice and said, "Mother Sheng, please sit closer and help your uncle with his headache."
Yun Sheng felt bitter in her heart, and she stammered, "I..."
"If Madam Yun is in trouble, I will not force her." Xie Zhan spoke slowly.
Xie Qingyuan said awkwardly, "It's not difficult, it's not difficult." He looked at Yun Sheng in confusion and urged, "Mother Sheng, come sit over there quickly. Don't keep your uncle waiting."
Yun Sheng lowered her eyes and smiled bitterly. Her husband knew nothing, and she didn't blame him.
Xie Hou... did it on purpose.
She murmured a "yes," and sat down beside Xie Zhan, massaging him like that afternoon after the rain. Yun Sheng didn't know what he was trying to do, and her heart was in turmoil, with nowhere to rest.
Xie Zhan closed his eyes, feeling relaxed all over.
The young lady's outfit today is eye-catching. Her rosy cheeks, willow eyebrows and delicate nose are highlighted by a plain pink skirt, making her look like a juicy, full and ripe peach.
Xie Zhan wanted to take a bite and see how sweet she was.
Although her plain cloth dress had its own unique charm, he had to admit that he liked her more in this outfit today.
Then he thought of her being tactless and refusing to serve him in the backyard. Xie Zhan's brows turned a little colder. This matter was not her choice.
They looked at each other in silence all the way. Yun Sheng's tense spirit relaxed a little since he got on the carriage. They had arrived at Princess Shoukang's mansion.
Xie Qingyuan was the first to get out of the car, and the sound of noisy laughter could be heard faintly from outside the curtains. Yun Sheng's breathing slowed down a bit, and she stopped moving, not even wanting to say hello, just wanting to get as far away from Xie Hou as possible.
Breathing in the same carriage with him, besides fear and panic, there was also disgust.
Yun Sheng had been sleeping uneasily these past few nights, often waking up in a cold sweat. She couldn't help but think of that noon, when it seemed as if a foreign object had invaded her body, and a feeling of despair seemed to be about to consume her.
"You've forgotten the rules. Do you really not want to see me?"
Yun Sheng lifted half of the curtain, but before she could take a step forward, Xie Zhan, who had opened his eyes at some point, grabbed Yun Sheng's other hand.
"Everyone outside is watching. If you are not afraid, just grab your niece." Yun Sheng shook off his hand and pretended to be calm.
Xie Zhan let her go and laughed in anger: "Do you really think that I dare not, and use this matter to threaten me?"
The young lady's skirt was still swaying, and he glanced at her coldly: "Go down."
She was reluctant, but Xie Zhan insisted that she come to him willingly.
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