Chapter 17 Chapter 17 “It’s embroidered with auspicious dragons and phoenixes, it’s…
Arriving in front of the house, Jasmine said loudly to the two maids in the corridor, "Master is dirty and needs to take a bath first. I am here, Auntie, so you can leave."
"yes."
After the servants at the door had left, Jasmine breathed a sigh of relief, entered the room, and closed the door.
Turning around, I saw that the Duke had stripped himself naked and was sitting in front of the bed.
Although they had been honest with each other countless times, Jasmine still couldn't bear to look at the scene before her.
The Duke obviously heard what she and the maid said, and said, "Help me take a bath."
The Duke felt that he didn't have to take a bath, but since his concubine thought he was dirty, it didn't hurt to take a bath.
Besides, the Duke really loves to bathe in the same tub with his aunt. If he didn't think his aunt didn't like it, the Duke would be happy with it.
The Duke strode towards Jasmine, carried her on his shoulders, and went into the back room.
Jasmine never expected that the news of her fainting and using a folk remedy to cure a stubborn disease would spread to everyone in the Duke's Mansion in a blink of an eye!
Jasmine glared at Shancha fiercely.
Shancha: "Auntie doesn't want to use it, and I didn't spread the word. Why are you glaring at me?"
Forget it. Jasmine decided to ignore it. Let the rumors spread. Who knows, maybe knowing she's sick will make them treat her better in the future.
She was right. The day after Shan Cha applied the plaster to her, the masters of the mansion came to visit her with gifts.
Jasmine said it was a misunderstanding, but no one believed her. Jasmine could only accept everyone's advice one by one.
The fourth young master's wife was the last one to arrive.
"He looks a little pale. What did the court doctor say?"
Jasmine no longer wanted to explain how she had dismissed the eldest young mistress and the others, or how she had told the fourth young mistress, "Thank you, fourth young mistress. Jasmine is fine. It's just a minor illness that will heal on its own in a few days. The court doctor came to see her and said she's fine."
"That's good."
Upon hearing this, the Fourth Young Master's wife smiled and said, "Auntie, there's no one around. Why don't I stay and talk to her to relieve her boredom?"
Of course, Jasmine said, "That couldn't be better."
The Fourth Young Master's wife saw that Jasmine was of the same age as her, so she asked and found out that they were only two months apart.
The Fourth Young Master's wife talked about her and the Fourth Master. Jasmine liked to listen to gossip and listened with great interest.
Jasmine knew that the Fourth Young Master's wife and the Fourth Master had only been married for less than a year. They had grown up together and had been inseparable since they got married.
But she didn't expect that the Fourth Young Master's wife came to complain to her today.
The Fourth Young Master's wife said that the Fourth Master had a concubine before he got married. The Fourth Young Master's wife was unhappy about it, so the Fourth Master sold the concubine. But unexpectedly, not long ago, whether it was a coincidence or the concubine did it on purpose, the Fourth Master actually met the concubine.
The Fourth Master felt sorry for this concubine, so he bought her a house and secretly kept her outside.
Jasmine asked curiously, "How did Madam find out? Could it be a misunderstanding?"
"It can't be a misunderstanding. I saw it with my own eyes, and that woman is the same girl who used to be in the mansion." The Fourth Young Master's wife said shyly, "I didn't know in the first place, or... or maybe the Fourth Master didn't want to be with me for a few days..."
They were all experienced people. Jasmine understood immediately. Not wanting the Fourth Young Master's wife to continue to be embarrassed, she took over the conversation: "Then the Madam questioned the Fourth Master? What did the Fourth Master say?"
The Fourth Young Master's wife pouted, wiped her tears and said, "The Fourth Master and I had a quarrel... Aww..."
Just as she had said the first words, the Fourth Young Master's wife threw herself into Jasmine's arms and burst into tears.
Jasmine gently soothed him for a long time before the Fourth Young Master's wife spoke again, "Guess what the Fourth Master said? He actually called me a jealous woman, saying he'd promised me to drive her away and told me not to kill her. But Jasmine, he was the one who promised me that he only wanted me and would never take a concubine. What does he mean now? Jasmine, do you think all men fall in love with every woman they meet?"
This question was difficult for Jasmine to answer. Jasmine shook her head and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Madam Fourth Young Master, you forgot that Jasmine is just a concubine."
The Fourth Young Master's wife seemed to have just realized something and quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, Jasmine. I didn't mean to. I don't know why I brought this up with you."
Jasmine waved her hands quickly, "It's okay. The Fourth Young Master's wife said that because she's willing to treat Jasmine as a sister. Jasmine couldn't be happier."
The two smiled at each other. The Fourth Young Master's wife suddenly asked, "Jasmine, do you really just consider yourself a concubine of the Duke?"
Jasmine forced a smile and said, "What else?"
The Fourth Young Master's wife continued, "I just can't understand it. No woman would be willing to share her man with others. Take Concubine Liang in the palace, for example. She follows His Majesty. If His Majesty even glances at another concubine, let alone someone else's, Concubine Liang would threaten to hang herself. I can't accept it either. How could your concubine accept it?"
Jasmine smiled bitterly: "But Jasmine is different from the imperial concubines in the palace. Jasmine is just a concubine. If she doesn't accept it, even if she hangs herself, I'm afraid no one will care."
The Fourth Young Master's wife said, "No way. I see that the Duke is quite special to you. Jasmine, you haven't noticed, have you?"
Jasmine took a long while to respond, her face stiff as she said, "Fourth Young Master's Madam, please don't make fun of me. The Duke is about to marry a wife, and Jasmine dare not have any improper thoughts."
The Fourth Young Master's wife looked at the door, confirming it was tightly closed. She said, "Back then, the Imperial Concubine was only a concubine in the Qiandi Palace. If the Imperial Concubine hadn't dared to think or act, how could she be where she is today? I don't believe that the Imperial Concubine is content to be a concubine for the rest of her life, give birth to a bastard son, and then always be overshadowed by the legitimate son."
Jasmine was so frightened that she quickly covered the Fourth Young Master's wife's mouth and begged her, "Stop talking. Jasmine doesn't even dare to think about these things. Jasmine just wants to live a peaceful and stable life in this backyard. It doesn't matter if we don't have children."
This time, it was the Fourth Young Master's wife who was left speechless by her.
Seeing that she didn't seem to be pretending, the Fourth Young Master's wife said, "You can think about it. If Auntie was not favored, I would never say this to Auntie, but the situation is different now. Auntie is favored, so you can think about it."
The Fourth Young Master's wife spoke in a clear voice and with a sincere gaze, Jasmine sensed her sincerity. They were of similar age, and it felt as if they were truly good sisters who had known each other for years.
Jasmine didn't want to disappoint the Fourth Young Master's wife's kindness, so she nodded: "Then I'll think about it."
The fourth young master's wife clenched her fist to encourage her.
Jasmine also understood the principle of reciprocity, and in turn encouraged the Fourth Young Master's wife, "Madam, if you're unhappy, don't compromise. Talk to the Fourth Master properly. Madam and the Fourth Master have a very close relationship, and the Fourth Master will definitely listen to you."
What Jasmine didn't expect was that three days later, the Fourth Master actually brought the concubine in through the small door.
The Fourth Young Master's wife cried until her tears dried up, but she was a lady from a wealthy family and could not do anything like throwing a tantrum.
Jasmine was very confused. Logically, the Fourth Master and the Fourth Young Master's wife had been friends since childhood. Even if the feelings between the man and the woman had faded, at least there was an old relationship. The Fourth Young Master's wife was the legitimate daughter of the former Minister of Personnel, Wu Ziyong.
The old lady didn't cause any trouble to the Fourth Master, which meant that she acquiesced.
The key point is that the Fourth Young Master's wife is delicate and timid, and she won't confront the Fourth Master head-on. But the Fourth Master is determined to let the concubine come in.
Jasmine couldn't think of any other possibility except that the Fourth Master loved that concubine too much and the old love was too unforgettable.
When the Fourth Young Master's wife came to see Jasmine, Jasmine could only give her a caring look.
"Jasmine, he's been taking his concubine out for three days in a row. I'm curious what they're doing, but I don't dare go alone. Can you accompany me?"
The fourth young master's wife held Jasmine's hand, looking so pitiful.
Jasmine was embarrassed: "Madam, it's not that Jasmine doesn't want to, it's just that it's not easy for a concubine to go out."
The Fourth Young Master's wife said, "If it's really difficult to go out, then how can the concubine go out? If the concubine can go out, you must have been formally invited to a banquet by the Duke. Doesn't Jasmine consider me a sister anymore?"
Jasmine waved her hands quickly, "Of course not. I'm just afraid the Duke will blame me when he returns."
The Fourth Young Master's wife said, "Don't worry, it's only noon now. We'll be back before 3 p.m. The Duke won't find out. If he does, I'll take full responsibility and say I forced you to do it. Good Jasmine, please."
Jasmine relented.
Half an hour later, the two of them set off in a carriage.
Jasmine opened the window a little and looked out. She couldn't take her eyes off the bustling scene outside.
It had been two months since she returned with her master, and she hadn't left the Duke's Mansion. Occasionally, she and Shancha would stand on the porch fence and peer over the wall, but they only saw birds fluttering across the sky.
"Jasmine."
Jasmine was startled, her hand loosened immediately, and she turned around.
The Fourth Young Master's wife asked her worriedly, "Why did the Fourth Master take her to Concubine Liang's clothing store? The clothes there are all exquisite and expensive, prepared for the ladies and wives. Ordinary people only go there to order wedding dresses. Jasmine, do you think it might be..."
As the Fourth Young Master's wife spoke, she began to wipe away her tears again.
Jasmine hurriedly tried to appease him, "Could it be that the little concubine just wanted to take a look, and that's why the Fourth Master brought her there?"
The Fourth Young Master's wife said, "If he doesn't buy anything when he goes, the concubine will still be angry with him. The Fourth Master is very concerned about his reputation. It's not his style to go in and come out empty-handed."
After all, she later learned that the red wedding dress that the master prepared for her was also from Concubine Liang's clothing shop, and she was also a concubine. How could she explain this?
Jasmine asked, "If the Fourth Master really prepares a banquet for the concubine, what will Madam do?"
The Fourth Young Master's wife covered her face and started crying again. Her red, tear-filled eyes showed nothing but sadness.
Jasmine hurriedly advised dryly, "It's not worth it to hurt yourself crying."
The Fourth Young Master's wife had learned that the Fourth Master had taken his concubine to Concubine Liang's clothing store today. Naturally, the Fourth Young Master's wife's carriage was also heading to the store.
The Duke's Mansion and the tailor shop were not far from each other, and the carriage stopped while they were talking.
Jasmine stopped talking, parted the curtain a little, and peeked out with one eye.
Not seeing the sign for Concubine Liang's clothing store, she turned around and asked the Fourth Young Master's wife, "Is this the place?"
The fourth young master's wife pointed to the window on the other side of her car: "This way."
As the Fourth Young Master's wife spoke, she carefully opened the curtain a little. Jasmine leaned over and took a look outside, then she was stunned.
A magnificent three-story hexagonal building with carved patterns stood on each corner, with lanterns bigger than a pig hanging on each corner. In the magnificent first-floor hall, a number of noble ladies lined up.
Looking out along the line, Jasmine found that there were still people waiting in line in carriages or sedan chairs.
Jasmine couldn't help but look up at the sky. The second floor was covered with Xiangfei-colored gauze, probably where guests changed clothes.
Jasmine was just about to try harder when she glanced at the third floor.
"Jasmine, look, isn't that the Duke?"
Jasmine retracted her head and looked in the direction the Fourth Young Master's wife had pointed. She actually saw her grandfather!
Jasmine subconsciously moved away from the car window and made a silencing gesture to the Fourth Young Master's wife who was speaking.
Jasmine covered her pounding heart, and after a while she opened a small gap to look.
She was not mistaken; it was indeed the Duke. Beside the Duke sat a young man, and behind him stood Zuo Hechunli, and behind the man stood many other people.
The two men were dressed casually, but their demeanor was not concealed. They were sitting in a tea room next to the hexagonal building, gazing at the scenery outside the window while drinking tea.
At this moment, four people hurried out from the hexagonal building, led by a gorgeously dressed girl and three servants holding wooden boxes.
Those wooden boxes were the same as the ones the eldest young lady gave her.
The four of them went straight before the Duke, and the beautifully dressed girl opened the wooden boxes one by one for the Duke to see.
Jasmine could not hear any voices, but she saw the Duke stand up and concentrate on choosing from the wooden box.
The Duke pointed at one of the boxes, and the beautifully dressed girl carefully picked up the clothes in the box and unfolded them.
The Fourth Young Master's wife exclaimed, "It's a wedding dress! It's embroidered with a dragon and a phoenix, symbolizing good fortune. It's for the Duke's wife."
The Fourth Young Master's wife said this and immediately went to see Jasmine. She said apologetically, "Jasmine, are you okay?"
Jasmine shook her head: "I'm fine."
Jasmine's face was filled with joy as she continued, "The Duke prepared a wedding dress for one of my concubines, and now he's personally chosen one for the Luo family's wife. It's truly my great fortune to have found such a good husband."
The Fourth Young Master's wife looked at her with tears in her eyes and a face full of emotion, and was a little at a loss.
The Fourth Young Master's wife heard her say, "In the future, Jasmine will definitely get along well with Madam Luo and serve the Master together."
Jasmine went to see the Fourth Young Master's wife, only to find that her smile was a little stiff. Jasmine asked, "Madam, have you found the Fourth Master?"
The Fourth Young Master's wife then said, "No, the Fourth Master should have finished shopping and left."
"If that's the case, let's hurry back home," Jasmine said worriedly. "The Duke didn't go to the camp today, so he'll probably be back home after shopping."
The fourth young master's wife nodded: "Okay."
Jasmine had seen enough outside and stopped looking. She sat upright, imitating the Fourth Young Master's wife's manners.
The carriage started moving again.
Suddenly, the carriage jolted. Jasmine nearly crashed headfirst into the opposite wall. Fortunately, Shancha was quick to save her.
Xizhi asked loudly, "What's going on?"
The driver hurriedly replied, "Madam, the carriage's wheel is cracked. I'm afraid it won't be able to move for a while. You and your aunt should go downstairs and find a teahouse to sit in. I'll go back to the mansion and get another carriage."
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