Chapter 20: Moderation
This was the first time Cheng Jinchu hit Yan Yang.
Yan Yang covered his face, tears of grievance burst out.
He had been living happily at home these days, but just now the servant told him that he would continue to go to school tomorrow, and he was very upset, so he took out his anger on the sunflower.
But he didn't expect that his parents would be so angry just because he cut a flower.
"Mom..." Yan Yang covered his face and looked up at Cheng Jinchu with confusion and grievance in his eyes.
Seeing the tears welling up in the little one's eyes, Cheng Jinchu's heart was broken, but she still scolded him ruthlessly: "The sunflower represents your future, and you must win the first prize in the future. Study hard from tomorrow, and I will not let you off if you are lazy."
Yan Yang didn't understand the future, but he saw the stern look on Cheng Jinchu's face and felt scared.
Shen Changze in the corridor frowned in confusion, not understanding why Cheng Jinchu, who always doted on his children, suddenly became so strict.
The next day, Yan Yang was sent to the clan school.
Jiang Shu was in charge of the concubine matter, but Cheng Jinchu ignored it and was busy with the wine shop.
On May 28th, a flower sedan chair entered the marquis's mansion from the side door.
Jiang Shu prepared a banquet, and the family sat together for dinner, which was considered a celebration.
After the banquet, Shen Changze and Xu Lingyi returned to Songlan Garden.
Jiang Shu also got up and went back to the bamboo building to rest.
Cheng Jinchu stared at Shen Changze's departing back, her red eyes full of resentment and unwillingness.
Jiang Shu was afraid that she would cause trouble, so she ordered the servants to guard Songlan Garden and come to her for any problems, and not to disturb Shen Changze.
They were all women, and she knew Cheng Jinchu's thoughts very well.
"You are so generous, I hope you won't regret it in the future." Seeing Jiang Shu's indifferent expression, Cheng Jinchu felt extremely unbalanced.
Jiang Shu glanced at her and said slowly: "He is the Marquis of Jing'an, and it is inevitable that he has three wives and four concubines. You should have understood this when you married him."
But understanding is one thing, but whether you can accept it is another matter.
A moment of spring night is worth a thousand gold, and the lovebirds are overturned by the red waves.
Xu Lingyi was born charming and lovely, and her body under her clothes was even more exquisite and graceful. Shen Changze couldn't take his eyes off her at first sight.
The long night was silent, with the soft jade and warm fragrance in his arms. At this moment, Shen Changze just wanted to love the one in his arms well.
As Jiang Shu said, it was normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines, and he didn't think there was anything wrong with what he did. Her
fair jade arms were hooked around Shen Changze's neck. Xu Lingyi looked up at the man she had been waiting for for many years with deep affection, and took the initiative to kiss him. Shen Changze
responded enthusiastically, and the maid outside the house blushed when she heard it.
The next morning, Xu Lingyi went to Shouyong Hall to serve tea.
Old Lady Shen and Shen's mother symbolically scolded them a few words and drank the tea she served.
It was Jiang Shu and Cheng Jinchu's turn. The maid who served tea was in a dilemma, not knowing who Xu Lingyi should serve first.
As the first come first served, Xu Lingyi walked towards Jiang Shu with the tea and knelt down to salute.
"Madam, please have some tea."
When Jiang Shu took the tea, he saw from a close distance that Xu Lingyi had a tired look in her eyes, as if she had not slept well.
But her complexion was very good, rosy and radiant, like a delicate flower that had been nourished.
When Xu Lingyi stood up to serve tea to Cheng Jinchu, Jiang Shu carefully observed her posture and found that she had a touch of charm.
No wonder they say that girls and women are different. Today she finally understood.
Cheng Jinchu took the tea with a sullen face, but did not drink it.
Xu Lingyi didn't care, but Old Lady Shen reprimanded him a few times.
Cheng Jinchu couldn't bear it, but he didn't dare to say anything back, so he had to find an excuse to leave.
"It's getting more and more outrageous. You don't have the tolerance of a wife at all. I think this family should be handed over to Shu'er."
Old Lady Shen looked at Jiang Shu, her eyes full of expectation.
After being respected and raised by Jiang Shu for six years, Old Lady Shen had long been accustomed to luxury. After more than a month of hard days, she couldn't stand it anymore.
Especially since Old Lady Shen was sick and needed to take medicine every day.
In the past, Jiang Shu always looked for the best medicinal materials and tried every way to reduce the bitterness so that she could drink it more comfortably.
But now the medicine is so bitter that she wants to die.
Jiang Shu was unmoved and said sincerely, "Being the head of the family is not a joke. Changing positions over and over again makes people laugh. Grandmother, please don't mention it again."
"I'm doing this for your own good. Don't be polite!" Old Madam Shen was very unhappy when her face was rejected.
The head of the family is the head of the family. Only when she is in charge of the family can she be the head of the family and hold her head up and stand up straight.
However, Jiang Shu was unmoved and seemed to not care. This made Xu Lingyi very confused. It was not
until she returned to Songlanyuan and learned about the inside story of the head of the family from the servants that she understood.
"No wonder Madam is unwilling to be the head of the family. The rumors outside are true." Xu Lingyi sneered in surprise.
In recent years, it has been rumored in the capital that the Jing'an Marquis's Mansion was for money, so he lowered his status and married the daughter of a merchant.
This seemingly glamorous and honorable Marquis' Mansion is actually an embroidered pillow.
Xu Lingyi was a little confused, not knowing whether she had made the right or wrong bet.
But the matter was done, there was no way to regret, and she could only move forward.
In order to thank Jiang Shu, Xu Lingyi embroidered a round fan and personally delivered it to Tingzhulou.
"Madam, Aunt Xu is here." Tan Yu reported.
Jiang Shu was not surprised: "Let her come up."
Xu Lingyi stepped on the stairs and went up, staring at her feet carefully and not daring to look around.
Although she was well prepared, she was still shocked by the luxury of the house when she entered.
No wonder the Marquis's Mansion was willing to marry Jiang Shu despite being criticized. This wealth is really fascinating.
"I have seen Madam." Xu Lingyi put away her thoughts and saluted respectfully.
Jiang Shu was burning incense, her movements were elegant and unhurried, and her focused look was very charming.
"Please sit down. I'll be there soon." Jiang Shu motioned for her to wait a moment.
Xu Lingyi sat down as he said and watched Jiang Shu burn incense quietly.
Finally, after finishing the last step, Jiang Shu closed the incense burner, wiped his hands with the water brought by Tan Yu, and then talked to Xu Lingyi.
"Madam, I will never forget your kindness, but I am too poor to repay you. I can only embroider a round fan to express my gratitude. I hope you will not dislike it."
Xu Lingyi nervously handed over the round fan, fearing that Jiang Shu would not like it.
She had chosen the best silk and carefully embroidered a peony. But compared with the things in Jiang Shu's room, it was really not worth mentioning.
"Summer is coming, and your fan is really timely." Jiang Shu took it and shook it lightly.
Seeing this, Xu Lingyi breathed a sigh of relief. I hope
you don't dislike it.
"Chu Yu."
Jiang Shu called out, and Chu Yu took a brocade box from the dressing table and opened it.
A translucent jade bracelet lay quietly inside.
Jiang Shu took out the jade bracelet, held Xu Lingyi's hand, and put it on her wrist.
Xu Lingyi was a connoisseur of goods, and she could tell at a glance that the bracelet was valuable. She said nervously: "Madam, this is too valuable, I can't accept it."
"This is a meeting gift for you, just keep it." Jiang Shu patted the back of her hand with a gentle smile.
Xu Lingyi felt her wrist was hot, but she couldn't help but feel happy.
Women all love jewelry, and she is no exception.
"Is the marquis satisfied with you?" Jiang Shu asked.
Xu Lingyi was stunned for a moment, and said shyly: "She should be satisfied."
"That's good. Since you have entered the mansion, you should serve the Marquis well and give birth to a child as soon as possible so that you can have someone to rely on." Jiang Shu looked calm, without a trace of jealousy.