Chapter 31 She secretly went into the restaurant with her old love...
Jing Yao's birthday was destined to be celebrated in the Jing Mansion this year, but the people in the Jing Mansion didn't remember it. It didn't matter, as this was a very common thing. Ever since she could remember, her father had never celebrated her birthday. It was always her mother who asked the kitchen to cook a bowl of longevity noodles for her.
But this year was a little different. Jing Yao was overwhelmed when she heard that Ming Yi was outside.
Yun Qiao was a little amused: "Auntie, two for one, it seems that one of us is destined to be disappointed."
He Anting and Ye Yunzheng simultaneously asked someone to pass on the message that they would meet on his birthday.
Logically speaking, she is now He Anting's fiancée, and it is not appropriate for her to meet Ye Yunzheng.
"Please reject the prince for me." She hesitated for a moment and said.
Yun Qiao: "Okay, I'll go right away."
After she finished speaking, she walked out of the house and went to the front hall. The nanny beside Cui Fengyun happened to pass by and saw her. After thinking for a while, she followed Yun Qiao stealthily.
I saw Yun Qiao speaking respectfully to Ming Yi: "The young lady said she would not go. Her current status is not suitable. She asked me to thank the prince for his kindness."
Ming Yi's eyes flashed with sarcasm. "Auntie, you left so abruptly. After all, you've lived in the Earl's Mansion for nearly half a year. Madam Gu has always been kind to you. Even if you were leaving, you should have said goodbye before leaving."
Yun Qiao relayed the message to Jing Yao. She hesitated for a moment and said, "That makes sense. These rewards were given to me by Madam Gu. I should be grateful for what I have received. I should go back and say goodbye and make things clear."
Yun Qiao hesitated, "Should Lord He be informed of this?"
Jing Yao felt her waist tighten: "Goodbye, goodbye." For some reason, she always felt that He Anting would not be happy to know about this.
"When does Auntie plan to go?"
Jing Yao held her cheek and said, "Let's go after my birthday."
Because of Jing Yao's current status, she and He Anting can meet openly, but Jing Yao knows that he is a high-ranking official with busy official duties, so she doesn't plan to meet him all the time.
After all, he was interested in her because of his father's order and the matchmaker's words, so she had to position herself properly.
After all, there is a huge gap between their family backgrounds. I heard that the wife of a wealthy family should be able to manage the household chores, serve her mother-in-law and husband, and also take care of the accounts, patrol the village, and handle the worldly affairs.
Not only that, but one must also be proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting.
He Anting is the eldest son of the eldest son in the family, and he has a heavy responsibility. Jing Yao is worried. What can she do? Nothing.
She is now like the farmer walking on the road. A piece of pie fell from the sky, but there was a thorn in it, making it impossible for her to swallow it.
"Miss, Miss, look." Yun Qiao walked in holding an invitation. Jing Yao was puzzled. "What is this?"
"The invitation is to the flower viewing banquet held by the Xue family. You are invited to go tomorrow." Yun Qiao was quite happy.
Jing Yao wasn't as happy as she had imagined. Xue Mansion? The residence of He Anting's former fiancée?
"Girl, are you going?"
Jing Yao pursed her lips and said, "Go." It was sent specially for her. Could it be that Xue already knew about her and He Anting?
The next day, Yun Qiao took the trouble to dress her up. She wore a lilac jacket with lotus pattern, tied her hair into a crescent bun, and simply decorated it with a pearl and white jade hairpin, and also wore a pair of jade earrings.
She held her cheek and admired it for a while: "Let's go."
Fortunately, she was only two months pregnant and her waist was still slender. He Anting meant that they should get married as soon as possible to avoid revealing her pregnancy and causing gossip.
It would be easier to prepare for the birth after the wedding, and He Anting would feel more at ease.
When Jing Yao was walking out, someone suddenly called her, "Yao'er."
She turned around and saw Cui Fengyun leading her second sister towards her. Her second sister Jing Ran was not yet of marriageable age and always bossed her around. The relationship between the two was not very good.
"Mrs. Cui." She was indifferent and knelt down to greet him according to etiquette.
"Yao'er, what are you doing?" Cui Fengyun had a smile on her face, a big change from her previous appearance.
Jing Yao was alert: "The Xue Mansion has sent an invitation, I will go to the banquet."
"Attending a banquet? Then it's a good idea to ask your sister to go with you. Your sister loves to make friends with the noble ladies in the capital, and you never leave the house, so you might offend the noble ladies."
Jing Yao looked at her second sister, who was dressed up beautifully by Cui and had four golden hairpins on her head.
She pursed her lips and said, "Forget it. The Xue Mansion only gave one invitation. If I bring one more person, they will definitely think that my Jing family has to join in the fun."
Little did she know that Cui was waiting for her to say this: "Why don't you give the invitation to your sister? You said you are pregnant and it is not good for you to move around too much. If you bump into something, the prince will not forgive me."
Jing Yao opened her red lips slightly, and Cui directly snatched the invitation from her hand. Yun Qiao said angrily: "Why are you stealing people's things?"
Jing Ran rolled her eyes. "You should be thanking me for doing this for you. How dare a concubine go to a place like this?"
"What do you mean by being a concubine? Our girl..." Yun Qiao was about to talk about her marriage with He Anting, but was stopped by Jing Yao.
Cui held her head high, a hint of contempt in her eyes: "Sister Yao, as your mother, I still have to remind you one thing. As the prince's concubine, you must remember your status. Even if the prince dislikes you, you still have to find a way to make him change his mind. Don't be so ignorant. If your father or Yao'er's career suffers because of you, don't blame me for punishing you."
She had been staying in the mansion for so many days, and the prince came that day and left in anger. The three members of the Cui family were certain that she was kicked out of the Lingyun Marquis's mansion.
The mother and daughter walked out of the house together.
Yun Qiao was dissatisfied: "Miss, why don't you say anything and let them misunderstand like this."
"Although there is a letter of engagement, it is better not to make it public. Don't you know what kind of relationship Cui and my father have?" She couldn't stand their flattering appearance.
And He Anting probably doesn't want to make it public.
The invitation was snatched away. Although she was a little overwhelmed, she had no choice but to turn around and leave. However, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure peeking at the door of the mansion.
"Qingwu." Jing Yao said in surprise.
When Qing Wu saw her come out, he bowed and said, "Miss, our master wants to see you."
He Anting? He's here?
With doubts in their hearts, Jing Yao and Qing Wu walked to a hidden place in a deep alley, and sure enough, they saw a large carriage. She stepped on a stool to get into the carriage, and when she lifted the curtain, she saw He Anting sitting in the carriage, holding a book in his hand, and mist was rising from the incense burner beside him.
"Sir, why are you here?" Jing Yao was surprised.
He Anting put down the book and glanced at her eyebrows: "Are you putting on makeup?"
"Yeah." She said embarrassedly.
He Anting stared at her lips, which were very smooth and had a honey-colored hue, as if she had just eaten fruit, and were juicy and bright. Her lips opened and closed as she spoke.
"Where are you going today?"
Jing Yao hesitated for a moment, then asked him carefully. He Anting smiled and said, "While going out to socialize is essential for officials and their families, one must also learn to select invitations carefully. You don't have to go to every household every day."
"You should know that there are countless banquets in Bianjing City. Today this master is hosting one, tomorrow this duke is hosting one. If you go every day, you will be exhausted."
Jing Yao listened attentively and suddenly understood.
He Anting was pleased to see her serious expression. He had thought that the person who would sleep with him in the future must be a partner who matched him in every aspect. He would take care of the outside affairs while his wife would take care of the inside affairs, just like every other family in the city of Bianjing.
The greatest comfort is a virtuous wife, a successful career, healthy parents and many healthy children.
But he didn't expect that his wife was so much younger than him and so naive and ignorant. But it didn't matter. As a husband, he would teach her well, let her learn the etiquette and rules of the upper class, and see the scenery of different classes.
Jing Yao breathed a sigh of relief. She had been so nervous just now. She felt a little embarrassed about her nervousness, afraid that she would make a fool of herself and be laughed at.
"You don't have to go to the banquet at the Xue Mansion. I don't know Xue Zhongcheng well. He is related to the King of Yin by marriage, and my verbal engagement with the Xue family has just been dissolved. They invited you today, so it's clear they have bad intentions."
Jing Yao felt a little uneasy when she heard this. She seemed to have thought it was simple and had no good intentions. Doesn't that mean that Mrs. Xue might make things difficult for her? "Just now, just now, my invitation was snatched away by Mrs. Cui..."
She looked like she had done something wrong. He Anting frowned and said, "It's okay. I'll ask Qing Wu to stop their car."
Jing Yao hummed: "Thank you."
He Anting seemed to be thinking: "Can you play the piano, chess, calligraphy, and painting, or can you manage the accounts?"
Jing Yao hesitated: "I know a little bit about accounting, but my mother is not in good health. However, the housekeeping is with Cui. I have only heard my mother talk about it, but I have never put it into practice."
"As for the rest... I don't know." Jing Yao said a little embarrassedly.
"Then I will teach you in the future."
Jing Yao exclaimed, "Your Excellency is very busy with official duties, isn't that a bad idea?"
Sure enough, she knew that He Anting still minded, so she lowered her head and pinched her fingers.
What if he finds out that he is a fool? Jing Yao made a bitter face and retreated a little.
However, He Anting had his own plans for this matter. He thought about it and decided that it would be best to get married after her child was stable, which would be the month after next, which would be when she was four months pregnant.
By then, nothing will be visible once the wedding dress is covered. Otherwise, he will be worried if it takes too long.
There are still two months before the wedding, so this is the perfect opportunity for us to spend more time together and get to know each other.
As for being busy with official duties...it doesn't matter, just ask your subordinates to share the burden when you come to see her.
"No, it just happened that I picked up a picture album today. Come here." He Anting stretched out his hand to motion her over.
Jing Yao stood up obediently and prepared to sit beside him. He Anting put his arm around her waist with great sincerity. Their eyes met, their breathing intertwined.
The originally spacious carriage suddenly became narrow, and they could smell each other's scent.
He Anting's eyes suddenly became deep. He exerted a little force with his big palm, and the girl's soft buttocks sat on his strong legs. The girl's soft and fragrant body in his arms suddenly made He Anting hug her tightly.
Jing Yao found that he really liked holding her in this position, with her back against his chest, as if her whole body was embedded in his arms.
"Focus." A low voice sounded in her ears, and Jing Yao felt the vibration of his chest.
The two of them pressed against each other, and the temperature in the car suddenly rose.
Jing Yao's face flushed and her eyes looked around. Although it was not the first time for the two of them to be close, she always felt that it was not appropriate to be so serious.
"Don't move." He Anting reached out and gently patted her lower back. Frowning slightly, Jing Yao felt a little aggrieved. "I didn't move."
He Anting coughed lightly, feeling a little uneasy. "Look at the picture album."
Jing Yao said "oh".
He Anting's low and gentle voice of explanation suddenly rang out in the carriage. He explained to her carefully from the painter, dynasty, and painting style. The picture album was vivid and not boring. Coupled with his in-depth and easy-to-understand explanation, Jing Yao would definitely be able to learn outstandingly under his teaching.
Lord He deeply agreed with this and enjoyed the feeling of personally teaching his wife. After all, his father was a great scholar admired by countless students, and he himself was once the top scholar who won the top spot in the imperial examination six times in a row.
"Do you understand?" He didn't expect her to remember it the first time, as long as she understood it.
He didn't respond after he finished speaking, and then lowered his head. Jing Yao was leaning on his chest with her eyes closed, breathing shallowly and evenly.
He Anting's face darkened. Just then, Jing Yao tilted her head and nodded in the air before waking up in shock.
"Yeah, I see."
He Anting: "..."
He laughed in anger and said coldly, "Then Yaoyao, repeat it once more."
Jing Yao was silent for a moment and smiled awkwardly. Being his wife was so tiring.
Since she couldn't repeat it, He Anting punished her by making her copy the Analects.
Jing Yao was reluctant. Was she getting married or taking the college entrance examination? What would happen if she didn't get married?
He Anting saw her embarrassed look and reminded her seriously: "Study hard and gain wisdom. I am not asking you to be like other mistresses, but I hope you can broaden your horizons."
It seems that the road to educating one's wife is long and arduous.
It was almost time, and even with the ice in the carriage, it was not suitable to stay for long. Jing Yao was helped out of the carriage by Yun Qiao. He Anting also got out of the carriage and whispered, "I will check in two days. If you haven't finished copying..."
Jing Yao looked up at him with Xueyan's face, and was also curious about what would happen if he didn't finish copying.
He Anting leaned over and whispered in her ear: "The Mr. Horn you bought last time is still with me."
Mr. Jiao? Jing Yao's face went from bewilderment to a flushed red. She remembered the embarrassment of that day. Why did he still keep that thing? Jing Yao was ashamed, angry, and embarrassed.
He Anting raised the corner of his lips and watched her return home.
That day, after returning home, he went to Zhenyueju. The Princess of Pingyang fell ill. She said that she was angry and her heart was blocked. She was wearing a headband and sighing on the bed.
I heard that he cried to his father in the ancestral hall again yesterday.
After He Anting left, the sisters He Qingxuan and He Qingwan were both in the inner room. The county lady was leaning against a soft pillow and drinking medicine.
When He Qingxuan saw her eldest brother coming over, a complicated expression appeared on her face. Her mother had told her the whole story, and she had never expected...
"What are you doing here?" The county lady snorted coldly. Not only was she opposed to this marriage, she was also opposed to her adopted son.
Her clear-minded life was destroyed in an instant.
He Qingwan was young and couldn't control her mouth. She asked anxiously, "Brother, are you going to marry...that vixen?"
My future sister-in-law is my current brother-in-law's concubine and is pregnant with his child. What a complicated matter. If I really marry into their family, how can I meet them for a family reunion?
He Qingwan couldn't accept it. It was too strange. Moreover, the woman was very scheming and her character was questionable. How could her He Mansion allow such a questionable woman to enter?
He Anting glanced at her calmly, his eyes warning: "He Qingwan, who are you talking to? I didn't discipline you enough, did I?"
"It's not your turn to dictate my affairs."
He Anting's majesty as the head of the family was fully revealed at this moment. He was not too close to his sisters, nor did he listen too much to his mother. All this was because his father passed away early, and he needed to take on the burden of the family early.
Her two younger sisters were also most afraid of her, but fortunately he used both kindness and strictness, and she did not distance herself from her relatives on a daily basis.
The county lady sneered: "You are here to show off your power again, right?"
"Mother, since you are ill, let's discuss the marriage in two days." He Anting knew her best. His mother didn't dare to get angry with him, so he could only retreat and show a pitiful attitude.
"By the way, son remembers that you have a set of headgear."
The county lady was alert: "Why, are you going to give it to that foxy girl?"
"Son, remember that's what you prepared for your future daughter-in-law." He Anting pointed out calmly.
"Absolutely not." The county lady refused outright. He Anting paused and stopped pressing. He didn't expect to get it directly, but good things take time, so he just wanted to give his mother a heads-up in advance.
"Then mother rest and recuperate."
He said a few more words of concern, but when he saw that the county lady didn't want to pay attention to him, he got up and left.
"Brother." He Qingyun chased out.
He Anting turned around with a calm expression: "What's the matter?"
"Are you...really with Jing? Did she seduce you? Brother, don't let her fool you."
He Anting's eyes were deep: "A'er."
"You went to great lengths to falsely accuse Jing Yao of adultery and ask Imperial Physician Han for medicine."
He Qingxuan's expression changed: "Brother, I..."
"No need to explain. I'm very disappointed in you. Even if you don't like her and have prejudices against her, I understand. But harming others is not acceptable. The He Mansion cannot tolerate cruel and ruthless people."
"Jiangnan is being sent abroad. You and Ye Yunzheng should go together."
…
Jing Yao looked at the piles of papers in front of her, and her beautiful eyes lost their luster. This shouldn't be the case.
She should take good care of her pregnancy like an ordinary woman. How could she copy like a student until her hands are sore?
She tried to use fatigue as an excuse, but unfortunately the doctor said that her pulse was as strong as an ox and her qi and blood were sufficient. Jing Yao thought that it was probably because of the medicine and the man. It was indeed true that men were like the best tonics.
The day before her birthday, He suddenly had to go out to buy some medicine. Thanks to Jing Yao's medicinal herbs, He's sick body was restored and she is in much better spirits this year.
When Jing Yao turned around, she caught a glimpse of a figure out of the corner of her eye, which scared her.
Ye Yunzheng looked haggard and had an untidy beard. He had lost a lot of weight in just a few days. He stood on the street looking at her with a haggard look. Jing Yao looked at him in surprise and doubt.
"What's wrong?" He asked her.
"Nothing, mother. Wait for me. I'm going to go buy something." Jing Yao sent He away, walked through the crowd, and came to Ye Yunzheng. "Sir, why are you here?"
Ye Yunzheng lowered his eyes and looked at the beautiful woman in front of him. Her beauty had not diminished, and she was even more charming and enchanting. She did not feel any pain from being forced.
Yes, the baby in her belly is not her own, so she naturally won’t worry. The corners of Ye Yunzheng’s eyes gradually turned scarlet.
He forced a smile: "Seeing you are doing well, I feel relieved."
Jing Yao lowered her head and pinched her sleeves, feeling emotional in her heart. She had always felt guilty towards the prince, and the prince was really good to her. She had never forgotten how happy he was when he learned that she was pregnant.
Moreover, when such a thing happened, the first reaction of ordinary men would be to think that the woman was seducing others, but the prince did not do that. He was determined to take her away.
"Prince, are you...sick? If you are, go see a doctor and get some rest." She asked cautiously.
Ye Yunzheng felt a chill in his heart, but he said softly, "Yes, I'm worried that Yao'er is not here. I haven't had a rest or a meal in two days. Can Yao'er accompany me to have a meal at the restaurant in front?"
Jing Yao hesitated for a moment, just to have a meal, and then nodded: "Okay."
Then she and Ye Yunzheng walked into the restaurant.
On the second floor, Qi Yue caught a glimpse of the two and said with a smile, "Uncle, why does Ye Shizi look like he's lost his soul? That girl next to him looks so familiar."
He Anting stood up upon hearing this, walked to the window and looked downstairs.
Then he saw the person who was supposed to be in the mansion walking in with the person he least wanted to see.
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