Chapter 10
Second wife Jiang almost came out of Qinghui Palace in tears. She found a secluded place and took her anger out on Dou Keling, "You are usually smart. I just said something angry that day. Why didn't you stop me? You made me embarrassed in front of the Duke!" She also ordered Dou Keling to find the eldest grandmother Miao from the main house, and ask Miao to accompany her to the Xie family to pick up Xie Yunchu.
Xie Yunchu sat under the carved window of the embroidered building, holding a cup of fragrant tea and slowly flipping through the account book in his hand.
Aunt Lu was handed over to Second Aunt Li for disposal. Second Aunt was willing to be the bad guy, so Xie Yunchu was happy to let go. Her father asked her to confiscate the accounts embezzled by Aunt Lu.
Take a short break.
The doorman reported that the second wife of the Wang family brought the eldest and third wives to visit.
Coming so fast?
Xie Yunchu slowly put down his teacup, stood up and went out to greet them.
On the way, Xia An asked, "Why is Grandma here too?"
Chunqi replied, "What else could it be? They must have seen that the great grandmother and our grandmother were on good terms, so they asked her to be their lobbyist."
The eldest grandmother Miao was the wife of the eldest uncle of the eldest branch of the family. She lived with the eldest branch of the family in Duke Wang Guo’s mansion. She was usually a lively person, and because Xie Yunchu was steady and kind, the sisters-in-law had frequent contacts. Some time ago, Xie Yunchu said he was ill, and the eldest grandmother Miao came to visit him several times.
Xie Yunchu met Jiang and her two sisters-in-law in the front hall.
Jiang's face was frozen, and she couldn't force a smile for a long time. Dou Keling was being vented by her mother-in-law, and her face was not looking good, but Miao was the only one who was smiling.
The group was led to the old lady's room.
When she got in front of the old lady, Jiang was able to keep her composure and looked much more generous.
"Suddenly, we didn't want to hold a birthday party. As in-laws, we felt uneasy. We came here specially to find out how our master is doing."
The old lady stroked her clothes and smiled, "It's hard for the Duke. The master and his wife are thoughtful. The Xie family is ashamed. It's just that we were busy a little late at night and fell ill and couldn't get out of bed. This is also helpless. We can only ask for your forgiveness, Madam."
Mrs. Jiang and the old lady were negotiating on the side.
Grandma Miao winked at Xie Yunchu, and the two of them went out together and talked under the corridor at the corner.
The eldest grandmother dismissed the servants and looked at Xie Yunchu with a bit of surprise and admiration, "You are really amazing. What skills did you learn to force the Duke to come forward for you?"
Xie Yunchu laughed, "Sister-in-law, you're joking. Grandfather is caring about the younger generation." He thought that the blood-replenishing ointment he made for the eldest princess must have worked.
Miao glared at her and said, "Hide it from me." She took her arm again, more intimately than usual, and whispered, "Good sister, Grandfather knows you've been wronged and has already reprimanded Second Aunt, so don't worry about it. The old lady is willing to come in person, which means she has given in. She is usually not very nice, and you know that. Now that the door has been opened, you can go back with me."
Since the Duke has spoken, how can Xie Yunchu not respond?
And since she was in such a hurry, it must be that the princess was ill. Xie Yunchu didn't dare to delay.
He sat down and drank two cups of tea, then returned home with Jiang and others.
When they got off the car outside the hanging flower gate of Wang's house, Jiang couldn't hide her expression any more. She turned her head and looked at Xie Yunchu with hatred. However, she could only swallow her anger and said stiffly,
"Your grandfather is still waiting for you in Qinghui Palace, go quickly."
Xie Yunchu knelt down to her coldly as if nothing had happened, "My wife obeys your command."
Jiang listened to her calm tone and could not find any fault with her perfect etiquette. She had no way to deal with her. She had been the eldest princess's wife for so many years and had never felt as aggrieved as she was today. She was so angry that she stormed out and Dou Keling had no choice but to follow her.
It was Miao who sent Xie Yunchu to Qinghui Palace before leaving.
The Duke had just lost his temper, but now his face calmed down. When he saw Xie Yunchu, he asked a few questions about Xie Hui. He was relieved to know that Xie Hui was fine, and then he said gently, "Last time you made cakes for your grandmother, she ate very well and the pain went away that day. Unfortunately, she had the pain again today. Please make another plate for her quickly so that I can take it in."
Xie Yunchu bowed his head, "Grandson's wife, I obey your orders."
The servant who had come to pick him up had asked Xie Yunchu about the medicinal materials. When Xie Yunchu arrived at the kitchen in the back hall, everything was already available.
It took an hour to boil a whole pot of blood-replenishing paste. In addition, the recipe and the method of boiling were written down in detail and handed to the Duke. The Duke took the recipe and looked at his eldest grandson's wife deeply, showing satisfaction, "Good child, you are thoughtful."
He immediately ordered someone to send it to the palace.
The people from Changchun Palace delivered the things to the princess's tent. The palace maid found the list and read it quickly, with surprise and admiration mixed in her eyes. Then she knelt down to the people behind the tent and said happily,
"Your Highness, the Second Young Madam not only made the blood-replenishing ointment herself, but she also wrote a recipe, which detailed the steps and how to eat it. It was really meticulous and perfect. From now on, I can make it for you according to this recipe."
There was no sound from inside the tent.
It was not until a long time later that the eldest princess's slow voice was heard.
"She is a transparent person, yes."
The palace maid laughed. There were only a handful of people in the world who could get a “not bad” from the eldest princess.
No wonder, Xie did not hide anything and had no intention of seeking credit or reward. He handed over the prescription without hesitation. It is rare to find such a wise man.
Xie Yunchu always understood one thing: don't try to play any tricks in front of a scheming superior.
When Xie Yunchu handed the things to the Duke, Wang Shuhuai returned to the mansion from the government office area.
The Duke called the two of them into the study on the west side of Qinghui Palace.
The couple met each other under the corridor and went inside together without even having time to talk.
The Duke's serious expression faded a little when he looked at his eldest grandson and his wife, and he asked with a smile, "Huai'er, do you know why Grandfather is looking for you?"
The couple exchanged glances.
Keeping Xie Yunchu here must not be a matter of the court, it can only be a family matter.
But Wang Shuhuai lowered his eyes, "Grandson doesn't know."
Xie Yunchu didn't dare to act rashly in front of his grandfather, so he just stayed there quietly without saying a word.
The Duke stroked his beard and smiled, "Silly child, in three months, you will have to go south. Grandfather called you and your wife here today to tell you that Grandfather is anxious to hold his great-grandson."
As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Shuhuai frowned slightly, while Xie Yunchu blushed. She twisted her handkerchief and buried her face even lower.
The Duke looked at her shy appearance and said cheerfully, "Chu girl, aren't you anxious? Your husband is going to the rich water town in the south of the Yangtze River, so don't take it lightly."
Everyone knows that the Eight Beauties of Qinhuai are famous. Why don't you just say that he is going to that place of brothels?
Xie Yunchu replied dryly, "Grandfather is joking."
Wang Shuhuai turned a deaf ear to his grandfather's ridicule, and then nodded, "Grandfather's teachings, I will remember them."
The Duke doesn't talk much, but every word he says is meaningful.
Xie Yunchu then realized that she had made a contribution today and the Duke had helped her to punish Wang Shuhuai. She didn't know what to say for a moment.
Afterwards, the Duke kept Wang Shuhuai to talk. Xie Yunchu was tired after a day's work, so he was helped back to Chunjing Hall by his maid.
It was dusk and the sky was shrouded in light smoke.
Xie Yunchu walked through the garden full of flowers and trees and returned to Chunjing Hall. He heard a familiar cry from afar. When he parted the branches and looked, he saw Nanny Lin holding a delicate little baby waiting at the entrance of the moon cave.
Sister Ke hadn't seen her mother for a long time, and when she saw Xie Yunchu, she cried even more anxiously. Xie Yunchu missed her daughter so much that she quickened her pace and took a closer look. Sister Ke'er's originally chubby face had become thinner, and her dark eyes were filled with tears. She looked at her mother pitifully and kept struggling in Nanny Lin's arms.
Xie Yunchu also missed her daughter a little, so she immediately reached out her hand. The child couldn't wait to throw herself into her arms, and her feet and arms clamped Xie Yunchu tightly like a pair of pliers, refusing to let go no matter what she said. The tearful little face rested in her mother's arms, smelling the familiar scent of milk, and making a whimpering sound.
Like a complaining kitten.
Xie Yunchu smiled.
"It turns out that Sister Ke can't be spoiled. She only realized she needed her mother after being away from her for a few days."
Sister Ke didn't understand what her mother was saying. She opened her eyes wide and nodded obediently.
Xie Yunchu rubbed the silly girl's head and carried her into the house.
She originally wanted to put the child aside to bathe and wash herself, but Ke Jie'er refused to let go. Not only did she want her mother to hold her, she also nudged her into her arms. Xie Yunchu felt an itch in her heart because of her nudging. She tried to avoid her but still bit her through her clothes. She hadn't fed her for a long time, and it was obvious that Ke Jie'er wanted to eat. Xie Yunchu couldn't resist any more, so she had to carry the child into the inner room, gently unbutton her clothes, wipe her body clean, and then hold her to feed her.
The child found the long-lost sense of security, and only then did he eat and sleep with a grunt.
The little hand grabbed Xie Yunchu unconsciously. Xie Yunchu lowered his eyes, a little angry and embarrassed, and pulled her away. After a while, she clamped her hand again, and clamped it tightly. Xie Yunchu couldn't do anything with her.
In order to coax the child to sleep, the lights in the inner room were not turned on, and only the dim candlelight outside seeped in. After a tiring day, Xie Yunchu sat on the edge of the bed, leaning against the pillow and gradually fell asleep.
I don't know how long it took, but I vaguely heard a light cough.
Xie Yunchu opened his eyes subconsciously and caught a glimpse of Wang Shuhuai, standing tall outside the curtain in a black robe. He must have accidentally seen the scene inside, so he put the curtain down again, making a crisp clash sound.
Wang Shuhuai had already turned sideways, and Xie Yunchu's face was flushed red.
He immediately put the sleeping child on the bed, hastily closed his clothes, and left the inner room as if nothing had happened.
Wang Shuhuai had already sat down in the armchair on the east side and looked up at her.
Eyes met.
Xie Yunchu sat down randomly opposite him and poured herself a cup of tea. Then she slowly calmed down and glanced at the copper clock. She had slept for an hour without realizing it.
As husband and wife for two lifetimes, Xie Yunchu knew Wang Shuhuai's habits very well. She smelled the scent of soapberry on his body just now, which showed that he had bathed. It was unusual for the Duke to speak personally.
Wang Shuhuai must have come to share the room with us.
Xie Yunchu also knew that he couldn't delay it any longer.
I still feel a little unhappy.
It was an April night, and the chill wind was bone-chilling. Xie Yunchu, who had just come out of the inner room, felt a little chilly. His thick black eyelashes drooped, and a tuft of hair fell by his ear without him noticing.
Wang Shuhuai spoke first with a slightly magnetic voice.
"Thank you for your hard work today." His well-proportioned hands rested on the table without moving, and even his sitting posture was meticulous.
It's about making ointment for the eldest princess.
In the past, Xie Yunchu believed that her husband was gentle and considerate, but now she knows that he is just being polite.
She also politely replied, "It's my duty." Just now, Nanny Lin nagged her about Wang Shuhuai helping to look after the children these days. She wanted to learn from him and say thank you for his hard work, but then she thought that as a father, it was his duty to take care of the children, so she didn't mention it.
The tiredness on Xie Yunchu's face had not completely faded away, and her voice was somewhat lazy. Wang Shuhuai raised his eyes to look at her. Her pretty face was immersed in the light, lively and beautiful. The collar of her shirt was wrinkled, obviously grabbed by the child. The scene just now flashed through his mind again, and Wang Shuhuai looked away.
"Have you had dinner?" Xie Yunchu asked.
Wang Shuhuai still had a gentle and indifferent look on his face. "I've eaten at my grandfather's place." Then he changed his mind and asked, "You haven't eaten yet?"
Xie Yunchu lifted her hair and said, "Well, the child was very busy and delayed me."
She was not hungry, she just wanted to see how Wang Shuhuai would react.
In the past, the couple had a tacit understanding about such matters. To be exact, Xie Yunchu never gave Wang Shuhuai a chance to embarrass herself. She was longing for her husband, so she approached him tenderly and affectionately early on, so there was no need for so many twists and turns.
Wang Shuhuai was indeed silent.
Keep waiting, it seems urgent.
I left directly, with my grandfather's instructions still ringing in my ears.
Wang Shuhuai chose a compromise reply.
"You go ahead and do your work. I'll come over later."
This was already an order, leaving no room for Xie Yunchu to refuse.
He stood up and prepared to leave.
Xie Yunchu followed him and saw him off. When they reached the antique display case, she looked at her tall and handsome husband. The palace lantern cast a layer of hazy light around him. She called out softly,
"Second Master."
Wang Shuhuai turned his head and looked over.
My wife was standing gracefully in an apricot long dress. The dim yellow light shone on her head, and her graceful figure was clearly visible.
Wang Shuhuai turned around, his heroic figure straight, "What's wrong?"
Xie Yunchu recalled that in her previous life, she urged him to have sex with her, but Wang Shuhuai dismissed her nonchalantly and decided to come to her room for two days every month. Although he gave her a reasonable explanation at the time, she still felt somewhat disappointed afterwards.
The scene from his previous life overlapped with the man in front of him, and Xie Yunchu had the idea of retaliating.
"Second Master, I know you are very busy with official duties and paperwork, and you can't always spare time to accompany me."
"No matter how anxious I am, I have to understand you."
"How about this? From now on, you can sleep in my room on the first and fifteenth day of every month, and you can go about your business the rest of the time. It's a win-win situation. What do you think?"
Wang Shuhuai's deep eyes suddenly became as sharp and bright as ice and snow.
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