Chapter 29029 Will you listen to me later?
"My dear, you've been reading and practicing calligraphy all afternoon and evening. Your eyes haven't had a good rest. It's getting late. Why don't you continue tomorrow?"
Ah Xi was changing the mattress. She lowered the bed curtains, turned her head to look at Yun Sheng, and reminded him in a low voice.
Ever since lunch was over and Manager Bai brought over two enlightenment books and the Marquis's calligraphy copybook, Madam Yun treated them like treasures, holding them in her arms and not wanting to put them down for even a moment.
Yun Sheng was still copying calligraphy. She looked up and said with a smile, "The light is bright, it won't hurt my eyes. I can't sleep right now, so why not practice a little longer?"
Xie Zhan didn't go to London with her last night, and she wasn't sure whether he would come over tonight.
After lunch, Xie Zhan took half an hour to teach her the Thousand Character Classic. Yun Sheng spent the whole afternoon memorizing how to write and pronounce the characters she had learned.
Ah Xi couldn't help but laugh as he listened to Yun Sheng's words. "The Marquis is your husband, not your teacher. Even if you don't learn well for a while, he won't blame you too much."
Madam Yun is such a delicate girl, the Marquis cannot wait to show his love to her.
Yun Sheng shook his head.
While the master and servant were chatting and laughing, Xie Zhan stepped inside. Ah Xi bowed and tactfully withdrew.
Xie Zhan sat down on the couch. He glanced at the books and writing materials on the table, then looked away. "Learning to read is a long-term endeavor. Let's settle down for tonight."
Yun Sheng pursed her lips. She knelt beside him, secretly glancing at Xie Zhan, and said cautiously, "I studied hard all afternoon, and I don't know if I've memorized it. Why don't you check me out, Lord?"
Xie Zhan laughed: "Do you really think I'm your teacher? Can you afford my gift of marriage?"
Yun Sheng knew Xie Zhan was joking. Everything she had was given by him, so what good gift could she give him?
"I... I'll give it to the Marquis later." She was so shy that she almost buried her head in the ground.
Xie Zhan's eyes dimmed, and he seemed to be in a good mood. He stood up and asked, "Will you listen to me from now on?"
"Well, of course I'll listen to you, Lord Marquis." Yun Sheng bit her lip, two blushes appearing on her face.
What happened in bed was not her decision, and Xie Zhan always made her feel ashamed.
Xie Zhan tugged at his clothes and asked Yun Sheng to sit in his arms.
The dim and flickering candlelight reflected on the paper. Xie Zhan pointed at each word with his slender figure, and Yun Sheng read it out.
After seven or eight words, Yun Sheng recognized them all.
Xie Zhan raised his eyes and looked at Yun Sheng's gentle face illuminated by the soft light, slightly dazed.
After a quick check, Yun Sheng only remembered one or two words vaguely.
Xie Zhan urged her to get on the bed, but Yun Sheng didn't even bother to raise her head. Her eyes were buried in the book, and she was still muttering, "My Lord, go to sleep first. I'll review these two words I didn't remember."
The mattress was lifted up, and there was nothing beside him. Xie Zhan glanced at the woman who was still working hard at the desk, and his face darkened.
He frowned and said, "Go to sleep. Do you want me to say it again?"
"I dare not. I'll do it now." Yun Sheng took a last look at the book and silently read the new words twice in his mind.
Xie Zhan looked at him and didn't seem to be angry at all. He was actually a good kid who loved reading.
He chuckled and said, "Come up to my bed, and I can teach you to read."
Yun Sheng's lips moved apart, his face filled with surprise.
She took off her embroidered shoes and slowly climbed onto the bed. Xie Zhan then turned over and touched the small belt tied at the back of her neck.
Yun Sheng's whole body was flushed, and she was almost crying with embarrassment because of Xie Zhan.
The back of her waist felt sore and numb that Yun Sheng loosened her arms. Xie Zhan narrowed his narrow eyes slightly and raised his hand to gently fan her fair and round part.
He said hoarsely, "What are you doing? Hold it by yourself. Didn't you say you'll obey me?"
The buttocks that were spanked by the man trembled slightly, forming an arc in the air. Yun Sheng shrank her body, bit her lip, and forced herself to do as he asked, suppressing her shame.
Xie Zhan pinched Yun Sheng's slender waist with his big hands and looked at the pitiful shrunken part in the dim candlelight.
The moment he sank down, Yun Sheng could see this scene without even lowering her head. Her almond-shaped eyes were wide open and she could not utter a word for a long time.
Xie Zhan almost broke her.
Yun Sheng turned her head away, and Xie Zhan turned her face away. He looked displeased: "What are you hiding for? Turn around and look. Aren't you here to learn calligraphy?"
"Let's learn tomorrow... tomorrow, My Lord." Yun Sheng panted softly, with intermittent moans coming out of his throat.
She could barely hold him back, how could she be so busy with everything else?
Xie Zhan said nothing, just galloping and whipping. Suddenly, his lips pressed against Yun Sheng's ear. No one knew what he said, but Yun Sheng's earlobe instantly turned red and dripped blood.
"Have you remembered the words I taught you?" Xie Zhan's Adam's apple rolled, and he rolled Yun Sheng's hot earlobe into his mouth again.
Yun Sheng shook his head wildly, feeling ashamed and angry.
He wasn't teaching her to read out of kindness, it was clearly... it was clearly...
The next day, Yun Sheng woke up with a dry and astringent throat. She rang the bell and called Ah Xi in a hoarse voice to come in and serve her.
Ah Xi was shocked and hurried to pour water for Yun Sheng. She complained a little, "Madam Yun is so delicate, why doesn't the Marquis show some mercy?"
Look at this throat, he can't even speak, it's obvious that he suffered a lot last night.
Yun Sheng's face flushed, and he tried to cover it up a little: "No...nothing happened. The Marquis was teaching me to read, and I lost my voice from reading so much."
Ah Xi is not stupid. How could the Marquis leave such a delicate girl alone and teach her how to read and write for the whole night?
She knew Yun Sheng was shy, so she quickly kept quiet.
_
Zhao Yaoyao stayed in the marquis's mansion. Xie Yulan's marriage was still unresolved, and Xie Tinglan had reached the age of marriage.
The two girls in the mansion were already looking for marriage partners, so adding Zhao Yaoyao was just a convenience.
A few days later, Xie Tinglan celebrated her coming-of-age ceremony. The third wife was very concerned and invited Quanfu Ren to comb her daughter's hair early in the morning.
Yun Sheng and Zhao Yaoyao went to Xie Tinglan's room to see her give her a gift. The eldest lady, Xie Yulan, was not there, but she had her maid bring a pair of fine head ornaments.
She has always been secretly competing with Xie Tinglan over the marriage. The servants in the mansion did not dare to gossip about them in front of her, but Xie Yulan knew what they were thinking.
Everyone says that the second lady is beautiful and will marry into a wealthy family in the future.
Xie Yulan looked at the bronze mirror and touched her face, when suddenly the bronze mirror shattered all over the floor.
She immediately thought of Xie Qingyuan, the toad who wanted to eat swan flesh and didn't know how to live or die. He was only worthy of entertaining her, but he even wanted to covet her. He was so ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth.
Xie Yulan called her personal maid over loudly and ordered her coldly, "Go, burn all those letters for me."
Thank God, the girl finally realized that keeping these things would be a nuisance.
Zhao Yaoyao didn't have anything precious in her hands, so she embroidered a handkerchief herself and handed it over, saying, "It's just a small token of my appreciation, please don't despise it, Madam."
Xie Tinglan scolded her: "We are all sisters, there is no need to dislike us."
Yun Sheng received a lot of rewards from Xie Zhan. When she came, she picked out a pair of high-quality bracelets. Xie Tinglan joked, "Big brother is really good to his sister-in-law. He doesn't hide anything from her."
"Sister, please get dressed quickly and don't laugh at me." Yun Sheng laughed and said a few words perfunctorily.
Is Xie Zhan good to her?
It should be good. She has enough food and clothing, and can even learn to read and write. What else can she not be satisfied with?
If she said something bad to everyone in the house, she would probably be ungrateful.
Yun Sheng shook his head, not wanting to think about it too much. There was nothing wrong with just living life in a muddled way.
Zhao Yaoyao was lively and active. She watched the Marquis's family handle the coming-of-age ceremony, and she envied them, saying, "The Marquis's family is indeed a century-old family. They value rules and regulations. They're not like the merchants in Shu who just prepare a meal and call it a day."
"Sister Sheng, how are you guys doing? Is there anything fun?"
After she finished speaking, Xie Tinglan pushed her arm. Zhao Yaoyao had just mentioned something she shouldn't have mentioned, and said apologetically, "Sister Sheng, I..."
"It's nothing. The girls of the county magistrate's family probably do the same thing."
Yun Sheng's face was calm and he smiled at the two of them.
Poor families in the countryside can hardly get enough food to eat, so how can they have the time and energy to hold a coming-of-age ceremony for their daughters? They are considered lucky if they can just have something to eat.
Yun Sheng never had a coming-of-age ceremony.
The Marquis' Mansion was holding a banquet today, and Xie Zhan returned home early from the southern suburbs camp.
Even though Third Master Xie was a commoner, the dignitaries of Chang'an gave him gifts and took seats at his table out of respect for Lord Xie Zhan.
Behind a screen, the male guests were drinking until their faces were red and their necks were thick, while the female guests were sitting together chatting.
A noblewoman complimented Old Lady Xie, "You are truly blessed. Both of your granddaughters are in their prime. Tinglan has reached the age of marriage today, and it's time for you to meet someone new. Marquis Xie has lived in Chang'an for a long time now. I wonder if you have any noble daughters in mind for your grandson's wife?"
"Yes, old lady, my niece is still unmarried. She is virtuous and sensible. I think she is a perfect match for Marquis Xie."
Old Lady Xie felt a pang of pain in her heart and her face froze.
She glanced lightly at Yun Sheng who was sitting quietly on the side. He had his brows lowered and looked compliant. He seemed to be sensible and not someone who was spoiled by his favor.
She gets angry when she talks about Xie Zhan's marriage.
My grandson is already old, and there are few young girls of fifteen or sixteen who are a good match for him. Now he takes a concubine before he even gets married. Which girl from a good family would be willing to marry him?
If he is not allowed to take a concubine, there will be no great-grandson in the future.
Things have come to this, it would be better for her to put it on the table herself.
Old Lady Xie sighed softly and waved towards Yun Sheng, "Come here and meet the ladies. Don't be disrespectful."
Yun Sheng was nervous, stood up and walked over to greet everyone one by one.
Everyone was startled and hurriedly chased after her, saying, "Old Lady, who is this..."
"Don't worry if you laugh at me, this is the concubine Yun that the Marquis recently took in. She is quite obedient and polite."
The sound of people gasping for air could be heard in the hall, and everyone looked at each other. The ladies who had just been enthusiastically talking about their nieces, nephews and daughters quickly shut up.
If a man already has a beloved concubine, the wife who comes in later is bound to be resentful. Wives who love their children naturally want to avoid the idea. Only those who aspire to marry into a wealthy family don't mind it much; after all, who doesn't have a few concubines?
For a moment, everyone laughed and said, "Don't worry, old lady. If the Marquis is willing to take a concubine, then when he meets a girl he likes, he will naturally be willing to marry her too. Why should you worry about not having a great-grandson?"
Old Lady Xie forced a smile.
Suddenly, a noble lady stared at Yun Sheng carefully, her mouth opened in surprise, and she exclaimed: "Isn't this the fiancée of Mr. Yuan from the mansion? How...how could she be..."
Yun Sheng lowered her eyes and tightened her grip on the hem of her skirt.
Old Madam Xie cast a sharp gaze at Mrs. Qian, who quickly stepped forward and said awkwardly, "This is truly a joke for the ladies. Yun Sheng was originally my goddaughter. I really liked her, so I casually suggested this marriage. As long as the two children treat each other as siblings, I won't force it. She's lucky to have won the Marquis's favor."
The ladies covered their faces and laughed, and for a moment, their eyes, each with their own thoughts, swept over Yun Sheng.
Yun Sheng suddenly felt a little breathless. She was sitting in the corner, and no one cared if she went out for some fresh air.
Zhao Yaoyao looked at her slender back as she left, and felt a sense of desolation.
The ladies were all talking about the Marquis's future wife. Sister Sheng must be feeling bad about it. Zhao Yaoyao felt a little distressed.
Bored, Xie Yulan said goodbye to her mother and quietly left the room. Ever since she was old enough to understand, she had disliked such occasions. The ladies always praised Xie Tinglan's beauty, but when it came to her, they seemed to have no words to say, and could only praise her for her dignity and courtesy.
When Mrs. Qian saw her leave the table, she couldn't help but feel worried. Her husband Yuan must succeed.
The male guests did not dare to tease Xie Zhan and only said congratulations.
The eyes of the Duke of Pingyang darkened a little, and the fist hanging at his side gradually clenched.
He was a little confused. He had originally wanted to try his luck and meet the beauty again, but he didn't expect that she had become Marquis Xie's concubine.
The Duke of Pingyang naturally did not believe what Mrs. Qian had just said, and he was even more disbelieving that Yun Sheng went to Marquis Xie to offer himself to him in order to climb up the social ladder.
_
Ah Xi followed Yun Sheng closely, and the master and servant sat on the stone steps beside the waterside pavilion.
She glanced at the gloomy Yun Sheng and comforted her, "Madam Yun, please don't worry. The Marquis has not yet decided on a wife. I see that the Marquis dotes on you very much. You must seize the opportunity and give birth to a child for him as soon as possible. Once you have established yourself in the Marquis's mansion, you won't be afraid even if the first wife comes into the house."
Yun Sheng forced a smile. She touched the purse hanging on her waist and felt more and more suffocated and annoyed.
As the master and servant were talking, neither of them expected that two people were quietly standing behind them.
Xie Yulan winked at the maid. The shame brought by the thirty slaps given by Bai Yunsheng was lingering in her heart day and night.
She thought to herself that God had really let her fall into his hands today.
The maidservant felt guilty and nervous, but after being glared at by Xie Yulan twice in succession, she tiptoed lightly, made up her mind, and slowly stretched out her hand.
At the critical moment, Ah Xi suddenly turned around, her eyes wide open, and she was frightened.
When the maid heard her exclamation, she thought Ah Xi had seen through her thoughts. She was already feeling guilty, and the stone under her feet slipped. She stumbled and fell into the pond.
Her center of balance was unstable, and she subconsciously grabbed "Yun Sheng's" dress, splashing back and forth twice, and two circles of water splashed in the pool.
Ah Xi grabbed Yun Sheng's hand tightly and said anxiously, "Mrs. Yun, I can't hold on any longer. Please come up quickly."
Yun Sheng lifted up her skirt, which was soaked and heavy, and she stepped on the water stones and slowly climbed ashore.
After wiping her face in the water, when the maid opened her eyes and saw who she had pulled down, her eyes went dark and she fell back into the water.
Xie Yulan fluttered her arms and legs, really wanting to slap this maid who was more of a hindrance than an aid.
She was furious and annoyed, and shouted at Yun Sheng and his servant on the shore, "What are you still standing there for? Hurry and rescue me."
Ah Xi said angrily, "Madam Yun, I think that maid just wanted to push you into the water!"
The eldest lady is not on good terms with Madam Yun, and it might be her who instigated it.
Yun Sheng also realized it belatedly. She pursed her lips and looked at the master and servant struggling in the water. She whispered, "You and I will go and call for help separately."
The pond is not deep, so it looks like no one can drown in it.
Xie Tinglan wanted to push her down, but Yun Sheng was not so kind, so he asked her to suffer in the water first.
She shouted perfunctorily, "Ah Xi and I can't float on water either. Madam, please wait a moment while I find someone to rescue you."
Xie Tinglan looked at the backs of Yun Sheng and his servant as they left without looking back, her face full of disbelief, and she seemed to be about to faint.
After walking a little further, Yun Sheng went to the pavilion to fix her makeup, while Ah Xi went to call for help. After all, she couldn't really let the lady hold a grudge against her again.
She ran quickly, shouting that someone had fallen into the water.
The Duke of Pingyang who followed out accidentally bumped into Ah Xi. He recognized that she was Yun Sheng's personal maid. Without asking any more questions, his face changed and he pulled his feet away.
Seeing the beautiful figure in the pool, Duke Pingyang jumped in without thinking.
Xie Qingyuan was searching for Xie Yulan, holding the medicine in his hand. He was getting irritated because no one showed up. Everyone was here today, so he couldn't miss this opportunity.
When he ran into Ah Xi, he stopped and hurriedly pulled her over to ask, "What did you say? Sheng Niang fell into the water?"
Ah Xi really disliked Xie Qingyuan. He rolled his eyes silently and said impatiently, "Mrs. Yun is from the Marquis's room. I hope Mr. Yuan will be careful with his words."
"I'm asking you, did Sheng Niang fall into the water?"
"It's not our Madam Yun, it's the eldest lady." Ah Xi shook off Xie Qingyuan's arm, feeling that he was inexplicable.
Xie Qingyuan was stunned for a moment, then his face lit up with joy.
Since there was no medicine to cure him, falling into the water was a good thing. It seemed that even God was helping him.
He took a step and hurried to the edge of the pool.
Xie Yulan, shivering from the cold, was held in the arms of the Duke of Pingyang. When she parted her hair and saw the person coming, she said happily, "Duke, why are you here to save me?"
The Duke of Pingyang opened his eyes and stared at Xie Yulan's face in shock. He blurted out, "Madam, why are you here?"
After muttering to himself, his hand loosened and with two splashes, Xie Yulan fell into the pool again.
The maid finally swam over and hurriedly called out, "Girl."
Xie Qingyuan rushed to the shore and looked at the distraught Duke Pingyang in the pond. Fearing that the other party would ruin his plans, he gritted his teeth and jumped in with determination.
Most of the boys in the village can float in water. Xie Qingyuan swam to Xie Yulan's side along the hem of her skirt floating on the water. Xie Yulan was choked by the water and coughed repeatedly.
She raised her eyes and looked over, and scolded coldly: "Get lost, I don't need your help."
The maid also glared at Xie Qingyuan fiercely. She tried to pull him away, but she was not as strong as Xie Qingyuan.
Xie Qingyuan sneered in his heart. She wanted to get rid of him, but there was no way.
He held the soaked Xie Yulan tightly in his arms, and regardless of her struggles and scolding, he held her and swam towards the shore.
The screams of the people who followed Ah Xi were getting louder and louder.
Xie Yulan had her hair disheveled and her clothes were soaked, highlighting her graceful curves. Her plump breasts were pressed tightly against Xie Qingyuan.
The second wife in front listened to the pointing and talking of the crowd, and then looked at her daughter's appearance. If it weren't for the maid supporting her, she would have fallen to the ground with her eyes black.
Xie Qingyuan finally carried Xie Yulan ashore, and the Duke of Pingyang, who had come to his senses, followed closely behind.
Xie Yulan didn't care about her own embarrassment, and raised her hand to slap Xie Qingyuan hard.
When Yun Sheng came over, he saw this scene from afar.
She was dazed when a slender and strong arm suddenly crossed her waist, and Xie Zhan brought Yun Sheng to his side.
Yun Sheng looked back and saw Xie Zhan's face was gloomy. He asked her, "Why were you so stunned when you saw Xie Qingyuan hugging another woman?"
"I..." Yun Sheng had no way to defend himself. Xie Zhan was always moody.
She pursed her lips and explained in a low voice: "My Lord, you must have seen it wrong. I wasn't stunned."
Yun Sheng just didn't expect that Xie Qingyuan would jump down to save Xie Yulan. He always felt that something was wrong.
Xie Zhan snorted twice, and the force of his hands holding Yun Sheng became stronger.
"Ayu, Yuanlang is your savior, what are you doing?" The second wife stepped forward in a hurry, and it seemed that she was almost mad at her troublesome daughter.
"Mom..." Xie Yulan sat on the ground, crying in grievance.
She sobbed and pointed at the Duke of Pingyang, saying, "Mother, it wasn't Xie Qingyuan, it was the Duke of Pingyang who saved my daughter."
The Duke of Pingyang looked at a loss. He opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but when he looked at Yun Sheng who was fine in the crowd, he swallowed the words back.
Xie Zhan narrowed his eyes, his expression unclear.
"Madam, is there some misunderstanding here? It was clearly Mr. Yuan who carried you up here!" The mother of the Duke of Pingyang stepped forward and pulled her son behind her.
Everyone in Chang'an knows that Madam Xie's marriage is difficult. If she takes advantage of this to blame her family, she will have no place to cry. She has chosen a noble lady for her son a long time ago.
Mrs. Qian beside her was so anxious that her mouth was foaming. She didn't know how such a mistake could have happened in something her son had arranged.
Xie Qingyuan saw that things were going badly. He gritted his teeth and immediately knelt before the Second Master and his wife, kowtowed, and said, "I have long been fond of the Madam. Today, I saw her drowning, and in a moment of desperation, I rushed to her rescue. I hope the Second Master will not despise me and marry the Second Madam to me."
After he finished speaking, he kowtowed three more times.
His emotions were so sincere that the people watching the show turned around and praised his deep affection.
The second master had always admired Xie Qingyuan's talent. He kept a tense face and said nothing. The second lady's spit in her heart seemed to have almost drowned Xie Qingyuan.
Xie Yulan glared at Xie Qingyuan fiercely and said coldly, "You're dreaming. Don't think that by saving me, you can climb up the ranks of the Marquisate. I don't need you to save me at all."
Xie Qingyuan turned around and crawled to her side again, coaxing her gently: "Madam, is it because I have done something wrong recently that you are angry with me?"
At her son's signal, Mrs. Qian pulled out a stack of letters from her bosom, sat on the ground and started to cry. She pointed at Xie Qingyuan's nose and cried, "You unfilial son, how could you do such a thing in private? I was wondering whose girl it was, but it turned out to be the eldest lady. In this case, you must take full responsibility."
The mother and son sang in unison, and Xie Yulan collapsed on the ground, her blood running cold.
"This, isn't this something that the two of them have already exchanged privately?"
"Xie Qingyuan and his son are truly shameless in their quest to marry into the Marquis's mansion. I wonder how this lady ended up in this situation?"
"Mrs. Xie is also unruly. She actually had an affair with a man in private!"
Old Lady Xie covered her chest with her hands, her shaking hands supported by her maid, and she ordered the housekeeper to send the guests away.
What was supposed to be a coming-of-age ceremony turned out to be a huge joke for the Marquis's family.
The second wife's eyes were red, and she snatched the letters from Mrs. Qian's hand one by one like a madman. She glanced at a few lines and saw the deep love in the letters between the two. For the first time, she regretted giving birth to this daughter.
She would recognize her daughter's handwriting even if it turned into ashes.
She gave her many warnings and instructions, hoping that she could become the wife of a wealthy family, but she didn't listen to a word her mother said.
The Second Madam's legs went limp and she fainted before Old Madam Xie.
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