Chapter 13013 Shengniang, can I kiss you?
Old Lady Xie likes quietness, especially as she gets older. She eats vegetarian food and chants Buddhist scriptures all year round. Except for the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, she does not require her sons and grandchildren to pay their respects to her every day.
She was free today, so she asked the kitchen staff to prepare a sumptuous breakfast early in the morning, and sent maids to each courtyard to tell them to come to the Wenzhai Hall for breakfast today.
Qingtongyuan was now staying at the Marquis's mansion, so Old Lady Xie naturally wouldn't show favoritism and sent someone to pass on the message. Mrs. Qian was so happy that she couldn't stop talking.
Except for the day when Marquis Xie returned home, she talked with Old Madam Xie for a while. After that, when she went to pay her respects, the maids said that the old madam was meditating in the small Buddhist temple and no one was around.
Mrs. Qian was also a Buddhist, so she didn't dare to complain much and had to leave in embarrassment.
She tidied herself up and took Xie Qingyuan and Yun Sheng to Wenzhai Hall. The second and third wives and all the men and women in the mansion were there.
Mrs. Qian was always good at speaking nicely, so she quickly apologized, "It's really the two ladies who are filial to their great-grandmother. I hurried over, but I was still a step too late."
After saying that, she didn't forget to scold Yun Sheng in front of everyone: "It's all because of this girl. She wasted time by dawdling."
Yun Sheng lowered his eyes and said nothing, silently taking the blame.
Old Lady Xie had lived for most of her life, becoming almost a shrewd person, having seen all sorts of demons and monsters. She glanced at the submissive Yun Sheng, then her gaze fell on Mrs. Qian, and her smile faded a little: "You, you really know how to talk with your mouth. Okay, everyone, please sit down. I'm not being polite."
Yesterday was a day off, and today the three nephews and grandsons of the Xie family went to the morning court at dawn. Of course, when Old Lady Xie set the meal, she had to wait until the children and grandchildren had left the court, so the mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, and sisters-in-law started chatting about family matters.
The eldest granddaughter, Xie Yulan, was already sixteen, but her marriage was difficult and she had yet to find a good family. Old Lady Xie was very worried and first asked the Second Lady, "Second wife, we went to the eldest princess's mansion for a banquet yesterday. Did you help Yulan find a suitable husband?"
The second wife's face was full of worry. Chang'an was so young, and she had already found many suitable men of the right age, but she had not found one that satisfied her.
If the couple is of equal status or has a good family background, the husband will be very picky and secretly think that his daughter is not pretty enough. If the family background is slightly worse than that of the marquis, the daughter will be too proud to look down on her.
She sighed softly, "I was so busy congratulating the eldest princess on her birthday that I neglected this matter. I'll invite Madam Dong out for tea in a few days."
After hearing what the second daughter-in-law said, there was nothing that Old Lady Xie didn't understand.
The third wife was like a turtle hiding in her shell and didn't dare to interrupt. After all, the eldest lady's previous marriage was ruined, even though her daughter had no intention of doing so. She had been keeping a low profile in front of the sister-in-law who was in charge of the family for more than half a year.
Furthermore, my master is a concubine's son who has never entered the officialdom. Being a concubine's son is one thing, but his concubine was a maid who climbed into the bed of the old marquis when he was drunk. Old Madam Xie hates her very much.
If the concubine had not been pregnant at that time, it would have been difficult to commit the sin of murder, and this would have left them and their child a chance to survive. However, my husband's concubine was sent to live on the farm by the old marquis as soon as she gave birth to the child.
Perhaps Old Lady Xie still has a grudge in her heart, and she has been cold to the third wife over the years. There is no affection between them. She, as the third wife, is also a coward in the backyard.
It's just that the Third Madam wanted to be a coward, but the Second Madam was furious and refused to let her go. She glanced at her casually and said sarcastically, "The Second Madam is about to reach the age of marriage, and she has inherited the beauty of your sister-in-law. I wonder what good family your sister-in-law has found for the Second Madam?"
The Third Lady suppressed her anger and said with a wry smile, "Third Master doesn't have an official position, so Tinglan's marriage will be more difficult."
The Second Madam held her head high and puffed out her chest, instructing, "What you said is quite reasonable, sister-in-law. Third Master's status as a commoner is ultimately a burden to Tinglan. After all, when a woman marries, her husband's family must ultimately act according to her parents' wishes. Don't worry, sister-in-law. Finding a son of an official family is also a good idea. As long as the man is ambitious, nothing else matters. At worst, when the provincial exam results are announced next year, Third Brother and sister-in-law can go and find a noble husband from the list. That would still be a good match."
The third lady forced a smile on her face, but in fact her teeth were about to be broken.
This sister-in-law is really good at slandering her daughter Tinglan. No matter how useless Tinglan is, she is not worthy of that illegitimate son of a loser and a scholar from a poor family.
The prince of Chengguo, who looked down on the eldest lady, came to propose marriage. Men only like beauty, and the idea of marrying a virtuous wife is nonsense.
Seeing the wives making fun of outsiders, Old Lady Xie said with a stern face: "Alright, stop talking. Yulan and Tinglan are both daughters of the Marquis' Mansion. Naturally, they will have Xingzhi's support when they get married in the future."
The Second Madam quickly shut up. The Third Madam's eyes flickered, and she suddenly spoke something her mother-in-law would love to hear: "Old Madam, it's been a while since the Marquis returned home, and he's not young anymore. Do you have a satisfactory candidate for your grandson's wife?"
Yun Sheng, who had been sitting quietly nearby, couldn't help but prick up her ears. She was just hoping someone would distract Xie Zhan and make him forget her quickly.
The second wife glared at the third wife fiercely. This sister-in-law was just looking forward to the marquis's marriage so that she could take away her power as housekeeper.
Old Lady Xie sighed deeply and said unhappily, "I've already asked Xingzhi about this matter, but he refused to get married, saying he had his own plans. He told me, as a grandmother, to just wait and have a great-grandson. I can't say anything more."
Yun Sheng suddenly felt dizzy and almost fell backwards.
Everyone was attracted by her movements, and she quickly came back to her senses and said, "Maybe I didn't sleep well last night, so I dozed off a little just now. I hope the old lady will forgive me."
Old Lady Xie waved her hand, not really caring. Mrs. Qian kept yelling, "What a sin!" and muttered a few words of disgrace.
The Second Madam was delighted. Secretly, she didn't want her nephew Xie Zhan to get married soon, but she had to express her opinion: "Old Madam, the Marquis has his own ideas. But even if he gets married, he still needs someone close to him to serve him."
"I know that too. But it's not very decent to arrange for Xingzhi to take a concubine before the first wife comes home." Old Lady Xie said worriedly.
The Second Madam winked and said, "Old Madam, you are confused. Besides marrying a wife and taking concubines, Xingzhi should have a few knowledgeable maids in his house, right?"
She had arranged two concubines for her son years ago, but she was afraid that he would become addicted to women and neglect his studies, so the two concubines were only of average looks.
Old Lady Xie hesitated for a moment and responded.
Perhaps after my grandson has had sex with a woman and tasted the sweetness, he will be willing to marry a first wife to continue the family line.
Yun Sheng's heart was beating in his throat. Xie Zhan should accept the concubine given by Old Lady Xie out of filial piety.
She secretly glanced at the kind-looking old lady, and for a moment she even thought of asking her for help. But she saw how much the old lady valued her grandson Xie Zhan.
Yun Sheng didn't dare to gamble. She was afraid that no one would believe her, no one would make decisions for her, and she would be put in danger.
After the morning court was over, Mr. and Mrs. Xie Zhan changed into their casual clothes and came to the Wenzhai Hall to pay their respects. After everyone was gathered, the meal was officially served.
Xie Zhan lifted the shaking door curtain covered with pearl beads and caught a glimpse of Yun Sheng chatting and laughing with Xie Qingyuan. Unlike the sad look on her face yesterday, today it seemed as if all her gloomy mood had disappeared.
A pair of eyes curved with a smile, like a crescent moon.
Xie Zhan withdrew his gaze, and his face visibly sank a little.
After dinner, it was not until his grandmother told him about the concubine that Xie Zhan understood where Yun Sheng's good mood came from.
Since his grandmother insisted on doing so, he couldn't continue to refuse. Xie Zhan agreed and noticed that the young lady's voice became much lighter. He remained expressionless on the surface, but sneered in his heart.
How could she have such a sweet dream in broad daylight?
When Xie Zhan returned to Linyuan Pavilion, the four beautiful maids prepared for him by Old Lady Xie were also sent over. They were all plump and slender, each with her own outstanding features.
The old woman in the courtyard went to Xie Zhan worriedly and said, "My Lord, how are we going to deal with the four young ladies?"
Xie Zhan said calmly, "It's not right for me to immediately turn away the person my grandmother sent me. I'll just find a secluded courtyard and have them move in."
Mrs. Hua nodded, and when she heard the noise of four people outside clamoring to see the Marquis, her head began to buzz again.
At noon, Xie Zhan took a break and wanted to take a bath and change clothes. He had already stepped into the wooden tub prepared in the bathroom. Two maids lowered their eyes and carried a tray in.
The change of clothes had been placed on the wooden rack behind the screen. Seeing the two girls still standing there, Xie Zhan frowned unhappily and said, "What are you standing there for? Why don't you get out?"
A maidservant was a bit bolder. She walked around to the back of the tub and tried to take off the robe Xie Zhan was wearing. She said softly, "My Lord, let me help you bathe."
Just as she finished her words, before her hand touched Xie Zhan's shoulder, he grabbed her wrist with his backhand. He then threw her out heavily, scolding her coldly: "How dare you! Who gave you the courage?"
The two maids were terrified and quickly knelt down and kowtowed, begging for mercy, "Please calm down, my lord, please calm down. We...we were sent here by the old lady today. She instructed us to serve you well."
Xie Zhan's eyebrows were throbbing, and he shouted to the outside of the door: "Bai Yuanbao, get in here!"
With a creak, the door opened wide, and a chubby servant really crawled and ran in.
Bai Yuanbao knelt on the ground with a plop, bowed and said, "My Lord, what do you want me to do?"
Then Hua Pozi came in and knelt with him.
Xie Zhan sneered, pointing at the two trembling women beside him: "Who allowed you to let anyone in? If you don't want to do this job, I will send you to the countryside to retire tomorrow."
Bai Yuanbao was horrified: "My Lord... please calm down. I have been serving you since I was little, so I will serve you for the rest of my life."
After saying that, he raised his hand and slapped himself in the face.
Bai Yuanbao has a miserable life. How could he not be anxious when the Marquis is still a virgin at his age? The old lady gave him a beautiful maid and then sent someone to punish him. Bai Yuanbao thought that since the Marquis kept her, maybe that was his intention?
He made up his mind and let the two in. After all, Madam Yun was ungrateful and reluctant, and the Marquis was hot-blooded, so he was afraid that the Marquis would get sick from holding it in.
Xie Zhan glanced at him and said unhappily, "Alright, stop pretending. If you dare to act like this again, you won't be allowed to stay with me."
Hua Pozi was also a little uneasy and said, "Forgive me, my Lord. I am also at fault in this matter."
The person has been properly placed, but he can't just be a decorative vase forever, right?
The two girls volunteered to come to her, and Hua Pozi took the opportunity to agree to their wishes.
Xie Zhan glanced at the two of them with an ambiguous expression and reminded them, "Hua Ai, you should have a plan in mind on how to respond to the old lady."
Hua Pozi was stared at by Xie Zhan, and she broke out in a cold sweat. She swallowed her saliva and said hurriedly, "Yes, yes, Lord, don't worry. This old servant knows."
Immediately, she glared at the two girls fiercely and dragged them out, who were in a panic and seemed to be frightened.
Bai Yuanbao bowed and smiled flatteringly: "My Lord, I will continue to serve you in bathing."
Xie Zhan's anger had mostly subsided, and he glanced at him.
Bai Yuanbao understood and hurried forward to serve.
Frankly speaking, the maids sent by my grandmother were both very pretty, not inferior to Yun Sheng. However, the two girls were dressed lightly and their clothes were disheveled, but Xie Zhan remained calm and had no desire at all.
Bai Yuanbao helped Xie Zhan undress and couldn't help but ask, "My Lord, if you really wanted Madam Yun, why endure this hardship? She's unwilling now. Why not announce her death first, then settle her down at the manor? I doubt Xie Qingyuan would notice anything. Or why not give him a few hints? I think she's a restless woman, and I'm afraid she might have ambitions to climb the social ladder."
Xie Zhan scoffed, "What's the point of forcing her to commit to him and have her face somber all day? Since she loves and trusts Xie Qingyuan so much, I will make her despair and suffer so that she will happily serve me again."
He closed his eyes and immediately said, "When the sun sets, ask Minister Lu to come see me."
Bai Yuanbao thought for a moment. This Minister Lu was openly a member of the Crown Prince's party. He usually collected beauties from all over the world for the Crown Prince, who then presented them to Emperor Yonghui.
Emperor Yonghui had only the Crown Prince and Princess Anle as his children, apart from the eldest princess who died young. His descendants were few and far between. To protect his empire, Emperor Yonghui would confer consorts into the palace every year in the hope that they would give birth to more princes.
However, he was too old to do the job. Furthermore, old age breeds fear of death and a desire for immortality. The filial prince, far from fearing the Emperor Yonghui's birth of another prince and thus undermining his position as Crown Prince, instead recommended a Taoist priest to the Emperor, who daily refined elixirs for him in the Taiji Hall, earning the Emperor Yonghui's favor.
In fact, Minister Lu is their Lord's man.
Bai Yuanbao guessed about 70% of Xie Zhan's intentions and said with a fox-like smile, "My Lord, your plan is brilliant. I am ashamed to be inferior to you."
_
Yun Sheng was indeed in a good mood today. Even she was distracted for a moment when she saw those four beautiful maids.
She wasn't so self-righteous as to think that Xie Zhan didn't marry because of her, nor was she so narcissistic as to think that Xie Zhan couldn't do without her. She guessed that Xie Zhan was just looking for something new, and coupled with her repeated rude remarks, he kept thinking about her in his heart.
Whether it was his wives, concubines, or beautiful maids, Yun Sheng hoped that they could attract his attention.
Xie Qingyuan noticed that Yun Sheng's appetite for lunch was better than in the past few days, and his face seemed to smile a little more. He raised his lips and said teasingly, "Why are you so happy today? Did you pick up some silver on the road?"
Yun Sheng blushed and said with a smile, "No."
She immediately spoke again, "I embroidered a few more handkerchiefs. Sister Liu said they sold well. It won't be long before I can buy you that inkstone."
Xie Qingyuan put away the smile on his face, feeling even more guilty towards Yun Sheng. He had no other choice. Only if he became a superior person could Yun Sheng live a good life with him.
Sheng Niang is gentle and sensible, and she will definitely understand how difficult it is for him.
He looked into Yun Sheng's smiling eyes and suddenly said, "When the sun sets, I'll take you for a stroll in the garden. We've been in the mansion for a long time, and when I think about it, I haven't been with you to enjoy the beautiful scenery. It must be my negligence, isn't it?"
Yun Sheng leaned into his arms and immediately felt hopeful about the future. She shook her head and said, "My husband, please concentrate on your studies. I don't blame you."
Xie Qingyuan laughed heartily, liking Yun Sheng's gentleness and thoughtfulness very much.
In the afternoon, he reviewed his lessons and Shounuo took Yunsheng for a walk in the small garden.
Xie Qingyuan looked around and saw that no one was around, so he went to hold Yun Sheng's hand. Yun Sheng was embarrassed to struggle a few times, so she let him go. She was shy about his closeness and refused to say it, but she was also happy in her heart.
At this time of year, the peonies in the mansion are in full bloom.
The two of them held hands, talked and laughed, and looked very close to outsiders.
Not far away, Xie Tinglan, the second lady of Xie family, who was digesting her food with her maid, stared at the two people holding hands tightly, not knowing what she was thinking.
The maidservant kindly reminded, "Girl, let's go back. Mr. Xie has a fiancée. I felt it was inappropriate for you to speak to him twice before. We must avoid suspicion."
She immediately lowered her voice and said, "Besides, he comes from a poor family and has a mother like that. He has no power or influence. If the Third Madam knew about this, she would definitely not allow you to have any contact with him."
Xie Tinglan was playing with the flowers in her hand out of boredom. How could she not know what the maid said?
Her mother lived a miserable life in the Marquis's Mansion, and naturally hoped that she could marry into a wealthy family, so as to bring honor to their third branch and suppress the second branch.
She did have some feelings for Xie Qingyuan.
On the day she first met and picked up his handkerchief, Xie Tinglan felt that this man was really handsome. Perhaps because of his different background, he did not have the arrogance of a child from a wealthy family. Instead, he was polite and did not dare to look at her more than once. Then there was the incident of her giving him an umbrella on a rainy day.
Later, he held the umbrella and pushed the swing for her. They chatted happily, and the ripples in Xie Tinglan's heart increased a little more. She was different from the children of wealthy families he had met before.
However, Xie Tinglan also knew her limits. She knew that he had a fiancée, but she couldn't help but want to say a few more words when they met.
She pinched off the peony petals and Xie Tinglan sighed, "Let's go back."
Yun Sheng turned her head and saw Xie Tinglan's profile. She shook Xie Qingyuan's arm uncertainly: "Husband, is that the Second Lady? Since we've seen her, should we go up and say a few words?"
Xie Qingyuan felt a little guilty, but he had completely understood what his mother had said. Even if he married someone else, Xie Tinglan would never be a good choice. His father, the Third Master, was a commoner and would not be of any help to his career.
Therefore, even though the Second Lady was gentle and beautiful, Xie Qingyuan planned to avoid suspicion in the future to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.
"I see the Second Lady has gone far away, even if..."
Before Xie Qingyuan could finish his words, Xie Tinglan suddenly turned around. She took a few steps forward and said with a smile, "Madam Yun is really perceptive. I was a little full from dinner, so I came out for a stroll. Are you and Mr. Yuan also coming out to explore the garden?"
Yun Sheng smiled and said, "Yes, the heat has subsided and the weather is refreshing at this time."
Xie Tinglan nodded at her perfunctorily, her eyes fixed on Xie Qingyuan beside her.
Ever since she came over, he had been turning his head away and hadn't glanced at her, which was very different from the previous times when he had met her and was chatting and laughing.
Xie Tinglan is not stupid, what is there that she doesn't understand?
She sneered inwardly. She had misjudged him. Either Xie Qingyuan felt guilty about Yun Sheng and regretted what he had done before. Or, like other noble families, he looked down on her father's status as a commoner.
In this case, she will avoid suspicion with him in the future. The decision she just made in her mind was the right one, and she will not regret it.
Xie Tinglan closed his eyes and said, "It's getting late. Madam Yun and Mr. Yuan can continue shopping. I'll be leaving first."
Xie Qingyuan heard the coldness in her words, and his heart was still lost for a moment.
Yun Sheng also saw that the other party didn't want to talk more, so he tactfully stopped trying to keep him.
It was not until Xie Tinglan walked away that she realized that she had lost an earring.
She pushed Xie Qingyuan and said in embarrassment, "I'll find a time tomorrow to send it to the Second Lady, but I don't know her well."
Yun Sheng called out twice before Xie Qingyuan just gave a perfunctory "hmm".
He was a little absent-minded. It turned out that this was the case with Madam Xie Er in her heart. However, Xie Qingyuan quickly shook off this bad mood and suddenly wrapped Yun Sheng in his arms, holding her tightly.
His Sheng Niang is the best and will never leave him.
Yun Sheng's cheeks were as red as the clouds in the sky. She hurriedly said, "Oh, you're still outside, husband. Be careful not to be seen."
Seeing her shy look, Xie Qingyuan immediately became distracted and deliberately teased her, "According to Shengniang, is it okay to do it in the room?"
"My husband knows that's not what I meant."
Yun Sheng hid in his chest, and Xie Qingyuan felt his bones soften. He gently held Yun Sheng's face, staring at her cherry lips. A thirst welled up in his throat, and he impulsively asked, "Sheng Niang, can I kiss you?"
Unlike his previous rejections, Yun Sheng just blushed and said nothing.
She had already been touched by Xie Zhan, and she always felt indebted to Xie Qingyuan. Yun Sheng didn't know if Xie Zhan would let her go completely, so she wanted to kiss him for the first time with her husband.
Let her do whatever she wants for once. She doesn't want to care about Xie Zhan or Mrs. Qian.
Yun Sheng didn't say anything, and Xie Qingyuan knew that she agreed.
He was overjoyed and moved his face closer, staring at her soft lips infatuatedly.
Yun Sheng blushed shyly, and her eyelashes trembled slightly.
The moment she raised her eyes, her pupils shrank in shock, and she saw Xie Zhan standing in the pavilion opposite. His face was gloomy and terrifying, half of his face was hidden in the shadows of dusk, and there was a cold and murderous aura.
Yun Sheng screamed in shock, her heart beating so fast that it jumped into her throat. She subconsciously pushed Xie Qingyuan out of her arms.
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