Chapter 100
The wheels of the car rumbled, the sunset glow faded, and the capital seemed to be immersed in a dark blue water.
Lengshan handed a stack of reports from Western Chu to Wang Shuhuai. Wang Shuhuai put his hands on the small table and read them calmly. The war in Western Chu had come to an end, but it was not completely over. The soldiers were still recuperating at the border, waiting for Wang Shuhuai to take the initiative to attack at any time.
Xie Yunchu was sitting opposite him, looking at him quietly.
Recalling the scene in front of the mountain gate just now, she suddenly wondered why she couldn't act like Chen Yi and act coquettishly with her husband without restraint.
Perhaps it was her sobriety and restraint that made her always keep a distance from Wang Shuhuai, or perhaps there were some grudges that were difficult to let go of that made it impossible for her to completely open her heart to this man.
That day Jiang Fan teased her, if there was really a husband with a good temper who let her boss him around, would she be willing to change? At that time, her throat was obviously choked, and at that moment she knew that she was unwilling. She knew very clearly that she still had feelings for this man.
After four years of living together day and night and supporting each other, Wang Shuhuai hit her heart again and again. She gained so much and understood more. Even though it was impossible for her to love him as desperately as she did in her previous life, she could not remain indifferent. It was time to take off the shackles and slowly walk towards him.
The man in front of her held the newspaper in his hands with his slender fingers, his brows slightly furrowed with a layer of alienated coldness. Sometimes he concentrated on thinking about the war, and sometimes he looked up at her tenderly. After reading the newspaper, Wang Shuhuai raised his eyes and saw Xie Yunchu was a little absent-minded and asked,
"what's on your mind?"
Xie Yunchu shook his head, "Nothing..."
She was wearing a cherry blossom pink jacquard peony satin robe today. Her eyes were like water and her cheeks were rosy. Her fair and tender face suppressed the tender cherry blossom pink color of her body. Wang Shuhuai moved the small table away and leaned over. Xie Yunchu's back was pressed tightly against the car wall, and she looked at him calmly with her eyes open.
Wang Shuhuai supported his hands on both sides of her, his clear and elegant eyes were like an inverted sea of stars, incredibly bright.
Xie Yunchu looked at the handsome face so close to him, and admitted that he was moved for a moment. He slowly let out a breath, and then gently kissed his lips.
This was the first time that Xie Yunchu took the initiative to kiss him. The inexplicable jealousy, regret and even loss he had just felt instantly disappeared. Wang Shuhuai stared at her closely, not daring to move. Her lips were so soft, like idle clouds floating in the sky, gently rubbing against his heart and then leaving.
After Xie Yunchu pulled away, he gave him a soothing look.
Wang Shuhuai was obviously not satisfied with this. His large palm covered the back of her head and gently penetrated into the ends of her hair, controlling her spine, and then he bit her over with unstoppable force. It was dusk, and the cold wind blew in from the gaps in the car curtains and whistled past her ears.
The rough fingertips kept caressing her, and the lingering heat seemed to slowly fall down from her brows, lips, teeth, and even deep into her body. All of Xie Yunchu's whimpers were held in his mouth. She tried to push him away with her hands, but when she touched his iron-hard chest and arms, he rashly used force, and her arms suddenly became limp and dropped down.
Xie Yunchu rested his hands on his shoulders, his body limp, unable to speak for a long time.
When getting off the carriage, Xie Yunchu looked at the hem of her skirt that he had smoothed, her body still trembling. The housekeeper came towards her with a smile and called her "Second Master" and "Second Madam". The man with handsome features stood with his hands behind his back, the bright moon in his eyes, and he looked straight ahead, as indifferent and gentle as ever.
Xie Yunchu cursed him inwardly as a beast in human clothing and followed him across the threshold.
Wang Shuhuai went to the study room to work as usual. Xie Yunchu returned to Chunjing Hall. When he entered, Ke Jieer was lying beside her brother's small table, teaching him how to hold a pen. How could a two-year-old boy hold a pen? He watched his sister quietly. After teaching for a while, Ke Jieer saw that her brother was indifferent and looked frustrated. When he saw Xie Yunchu coming back, he threw himself into her arms and complained.
"My brother is too stupid."
Xie Yunchu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He picked her up and sat on the Luohan bed and explained,
"My brother is still young. When Ke'er was his age, he couldn't hold a pen. So, Ke'er will write first and show it to my brother when you're done, okay?"
Sister Ke's eyes rolled around, and she immediately slipped down from her mother's arms, sat behind her own small table and began to write. Brother Er looked at the blank rice paper in his hand, then looked at his sister. He came to his sister curiously, and watching her write every stroke very seriously, his little face frowned, and he fell into thought.
Xie Yunchu was helpless with his son. He was quiet and taciturn. Most of the time he would play quietly by himself and would not even glance at anything he was not interested in. In this respect, he was very much like Wang Shuhuai.
After reading a book with the two children for a while, she let the wet nurse take over and coax them to sleep. Xie Yunchu took half an hour to bathe and comb her hair. She stood behind the screen with her snow-white jade feet in soft shoes. Chunqi squatted down to wipe the water droplets on her toes.
At this moment, the light at the door dimmed and a tall figure came to the screen.
The couple's eyes met.
Wang Shuhuai's eyes clearly showed that he was still unsatisfied.
Xie Yunchu pretended not to see it and walked past him leisurely back to the bedroom. A quarter of an hour later, Wang Shuhuai took a shower and couldn't wait to get into her bed.
Xie Yunchu half-heartedly agreed to his request.
After a while, thinking about what happened during the day, Xie Yunchu was still a little embarrassed.
"Wang Shuhuai, you were not like that before." The voice was muffled in the throat.
Wang Shuhuai really wouldn't have done that before, but now he has lost his bottom line for her unconsciously. Seeing her calling him Second Master sometimes and calling him by his name sometimes, he felt a little annoyed. He held her tightly in his palm, squinted his eyes and moved closer, "Call me husband and let me hear it..."
Xie Yunchu curled her pretty face and kicked him.
But this kick was like inviting a wolf into the house, and no good would come of it to you.
As the Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching, the academy was on holiday and I woke up late the next day.
Xie Yunchu stayed in bed for a while and refused to get up. Jiang had now completely given up the idea of tormenting her daughter-in-law. She only had to show up in the upper room on the first and fifteenth days of the month, and there was no restriction on the time. Everyone was at ease.
I was busy preparing Mid-Autumn Festival gifts for Tonghao's family in the morning, and in the afternoon I went to the Liuli Hall as usual to join in the fun.
But I would have thought that when today was over, I would see Wang Shuya standing under the carved window wiping her tears.
Wang Shuqin also sat there sullenly without saying a word.
The other sisters-in-law were about to ask the reason, but when they saw Xie Yunchu coming over, they all gathered together and pulled Wang Shuqin to ask what was going on.
Wang Shuqin glanced at Wang Shuya, who was staring out the window in a daze, and sighed.
"Some time ago, when the academy opened, Shuya met a young scholar named Huo Ying. Later, Shuya ran into him a few times on her way home from school, and they became familiar with each other. Yesterday, Fourth Aunt discussed with Shuya and asked her to meet the Third Young Master of Ninghou Mansion during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Shuya refused and made a fuss all night. Before dawn today, she ran to the Glazed Hall and sat there until now."
Xie Yunchu was surprised. "Is he a student from the Imperial Academy? How come I don't know him?"
Wang Shuqin looked ashamed, "I also saw it accidentally. Shuya didn't ask anyone to tell me, so I couldn't say anything."
Xie Yunchu's face darkened slightly. One was the eldest daughter of the Duke's Mansion, and the other was an ordinary scholar who had not yet passed the imperial examination. How could the Fourth Madam be satisfied with this marriage?
Probably because she heard people talking about her, Wang Shuya turned around with red eyes and said in a sharp voice, "I don't care. If it wasn't for him that day, I would have been beaten to a pulp. So what if his family background is ordinary? As long as he has good character, I will marry him."
At this time, a burst of sneers came from outside the corridor, "Good character? Which eye of yours can see that he has a good character? You idiot, you fool, he has been eyeing you for a long time and has been waiting for you!"
The fourth wife walked in angrily, waving a feather fan.
Wang Shuya stood up and said with a stern face, "My mother has a twisted mind. She thinks everyone is a bad person. Anyone who gets close to me is plotting something bad. You really shouldn't be a wife in the Wang family. You should go to the Dali Temple and be a junior official."
The more gentle a person is on a normal day, the harder it is to stop him when he gets really stubborn.
When the fourth wife heard this, she was both angry and amused. She stood upright in the middle of the glass hall, pointed at her and shouted,
"You are such a heartless little bastard. I have been so worried about you, but you don't know what is good for you. You can't tell the difference between a friend and an enemy. Believe me, I will send someone to test him, and the truth will surely be revealed!"
Wang Shuya refused to give in. "I know exactly who he is. I have my own eyes. You don't need to be smart."
This statement is quite outrageous.
No one expected that Wang Shuya would become as stubborn as a bull.
The fourth wife's chest heaved, and she pointed at her and the stunned crowd and said,
"See, you always say she is the most obedient and docile, but in fact, she doesn't care. You can torment her without saying a word. Once you touch her reverse scale, she will be more ruthless than anyone else."
At this time, the third wife also came in and waved to the fourth wife, telling her not to worry.
"Let's put the Ning family's affairs aside and send someone to investigate the scholar first. If he really wants to plot against our girl, he will be punished."
Wang Shuya burst into tears upon hearing this and yelled at everyone, "I finally found someone who understands me, and you guys are trying so hard to break me up. I have to live my own life, so what does it have to do with you?"
Upon hearing this, the fourth wife's suppressed anger suddenly burst out and she said angrily,
"Okay, Wang Shuya, if you are really capable, from today on, leave the Wang family and make a living on your own. I wonder if Huo Ying will still be willing to flatter you."
Wang Shuya was stunned. "Mother, are you forcing me?"
The fourth wife laughed in anger, fanning herself very fast in the autumn sun. She was silent for a while, exhaled a breath, and calmed down her tone.
"I didn't force you. I couldn't stop you from marrying him, and I didn't want to stop you. But I have something I need to tell you clearly. You are a daughter of the Wang family, and you have to consider the family's reputation and interests. Other girls would at least marry into a noble family of equal status, but you insist on marrying a nameless, small family. Where does the Wang family stand? Where does your parents stand?"
"We worked so hard to give birth to you and raised you, and we hold you in our hands like our precious darling. We don't want you to degrade yourself, eat the dregs of other people's food, and use the money I worked so hard to save to support other people."
"Of course, if you insist on thinking that man is your true love and that he is the one for you, I won't stop you. But I'm telling you, there will be no dowry, and you are not allowed to marry into the Wang family. I'll choose a more ordinary house, and you'll marry there, and you'll live a hard life with them from now on. If you're still thinking about your family supporting you and wanting to get ahead by relying on the Wang family, it's impossible!"
The fourth wife had always been proud and arrogant, and she was determined to find the most outstanding husband for her only daughter. However, she did not expect that her daughter would fall in love with a poor boy from some unknown corner. Her strong will was instantly shattered, and even her spirit was mostly gone.
Wang Shuya suddenly felt as if she was doused with water and stood there in a daze.
The Third Wife listened to the Fourth Wife's words and agreed with them.
"Shuya, we don't disagree with you choosing a man of your dreams. This man's origins are unknown, and his intentions are unclear. You can't trust him easily. Even if we take a step back, he is really a good person. If you are willing to marry, the Wang family has nothing to say, but your aunt also wants to tell you that now that you are deeply in love, everything seems like spring. When you really start to live, it will be firewood, rice, oil and salt. They can't afford your silk and satin, nor can they buy your rouge and powder. If you are like your other sisters, you can marry into a noble mansion, and your children will have a bright future. You don't have to worry about anything. You will have servants to serve you, and elders on both sides will help you. You will enjoy endless wealth and glory for the rest of your life. If you marry into a poor family, after your child is born, you will have to climb up step by step again, and you may never be able to reach the wealth you were born into. Are you willing? Think it over before making a decision."
Wang Shuya stopped talking altogether.
The incident happened in the academy, and Xie Yunchu was closely related to it. She felt uneasy, so she immediately pulled Wang Shuqin aside and asked quietly,
"How far have they come?"
Wang Shuqin understood Xie Yunchu's concerns and laughed, "Don't worry, sister-in-law. It was the first day of school when Shuya accidentally fell off the car and he helped her up. After that, the two of them just looked at each other a little more. Until yesterday, there was a debate on scriptures in the Imperial Examination Hall across the street. Shuya and I watched for a while outside. Huo Ying seemed to have performed well and got a scroll of scriptures. When Shuya wanted to give it to her, she confiscated it and took me back. But she probably had some thoughts in her mind."
After hearing the whole story, Xie Yunchu had the same concerns as the Fourth Madam. Wang Shuya was naive and had never seen any big storms. The Fourth Madam protected her very well, so she was really easy to be deceived.
It seems that we have to find out the details of Huoying no matter what.
That night, Wang Shuhuai came back and told her about her plan.
"After all, something happened near the academy, so I had to lend a hand, otherwise Fourth Aunt would blame me."
Wang Shuhuai didn't take it seriously. "I'll ask Qi Wei to check it out. But marriage is not like other things. We have to respect her wishes."
When Xie Yunchu heard this, the corners of his eyes curled up, "If Sister Ke grows up and insists on marrying a poor boy, will you agree?"
Wang Shuhuai's face darkened.
Xie Yunchu looked at him with a smile.
You see, unless something happens to you, the words you say sound light and irrelevant.
Wang Shuhuai hesitated for a moment and said, "I don't agree."
Xie Yunchu nodded, "That's right. We worked hard all our lives to earn this family business, not to give it away for the benefit of others."
When he thought about the possibility that his daughter might be cheated in the future, Wang Shuhuai could no longer be as calm as before. He turned around to look at the little girl. She was playing Gobang with her silly brother. Sister Ke was quick to learn everything and she learned different tricks every day. She was just smiling with two deep dimples on her lips, and she was completely unaware of her parents' worries.
Wang Shuhuai felt quite powerless.
"When Sister Ke grows up, if she doesn't want to get married, we shouldn't force her."
Xie Yunchu agreed with a smile.
After saying these words to Wang Shuya, the Fourth Madam never cared about her again.
Although she has devoted a lot of energy to Wang Shuya, if Wang Shuya is really willing to give it all, the Fourth Madam will also be ruthless.
The Fourth Wife has always been kind to her children, but she will not allow them to trample on her kindness.
Wang Shuya initially thought her mother was just trying to scare her. The fourth wife ignored her for several days and even showed a bad face on the Mid-Autumn Festival.
"After all, it's your own decision and you bear all the consequences."
Wang Shuya felt a little panicked.
Xie Yunchu sent Qi Wei to check on Huo Ying's true strength. Qi Wei watched Huo Ying for a few days and saw that Huo Ying studied in the academy during the day and invited a few friends to the restaurant for drinks at night. During the conversation, he even boasted that he knew the girl from the Wang family and was about to make a breakthrough. His friends didn't believe him, so Huo Ying vowed that he could ask Wang Shuya out for a meeting.
Later, Huo Ying really sent someone to deliver a piece of letter to the girls' academy, which contained a piece of small calligraphy with flowers in a hairpin that could please the girls.
Wang Shuya took her mother's words into consideration and naturally asked the person to return the things. She said on the surface that men and women should not touch each other and were not allowed to have any more contact, but she felt a little uncomfortable in her heart.
Huo Ying became anxious when he saw that Wang Shuya was not taking the bait. He continued to wander on the tree-lined avenue connecting the Imperial Examination Hall and the Academy, hoping for a chance to meet Wang Shuya while looking for a new target.
After a few days, he got his chance and met an official lady. The official lady couldn't take her eyes off the elegant Huo Ying. Xie Yunchu found the right time and quietly took Wang Shuya to an inconspicuous carriage. The carriage passed by Huo Ying silently. Wang Shuya saw with her own eyes that Huo Ying gave away the hairpin calligraphy that she had rejected to someone else. She almost popped her eyes out and was so angry that she wanted to go down to argue with him, but was stopped by Xie Yunchu.
"Are you making such a fuss because you're afraid that others won't know about your relationship? He's not a good person, just know it in your heart, and don't be easily deceived by others in the future."
Wang Shuya looked anxious and nodded reluctantly, now she had completely put her mind at ease.
The Wang family was worried that Huo Ying would ruin Wang Shuya's reputation, so they naturally thought of a way to drive him out of the capital and send him to other places. This is a story for later.
Ever since the emperor made up his mind to conquer Chu, Wang Shuhuai has been appearing in and out of the palace like a dragon that can't be seen.
Until one day in late August, Wang Shuhuai came home very late. He held his half-asleep wife in his arms, pressed his slender body against her back, and whispered,
"Meng Luchuan is unwilling to be defeated by me, and is determined to fight a decisive battle with the Great Jin. The Western Chu court is full of opposition, and the civil and military are not united, and it has become a mess. It is a good time for us to make a concerted effort. If we take down Western Chu and strangle the throat of Longxi, our Great Jin will be able to trade with the Western Regions unimpeded. Western Chu has several horse farms with good water and grass, so our Great Jin will no longer have to worry about good horses. Today's court will discuss sending troops to Western Chu soon. Your Majesty has appointed me to supervise military affairs, and I will leave Beijing soon."
He had been through thick and thin in his life and had never been bound by anything, but now, looking at this gentle little woman, he felt a strong attachment in his heart.
Xie Yunchu's eyelids drooped when he heard this.
In the previous life, Wang Shuhuai conquered Chu for the second time and it took him a year to completely conquer Longxi and Yizhou. Xie Yunchu knew that he would win sooner or later, so he didn't take it too seriously. He just responded vaguely and moved lazily in his arms.
"I understand. I will prepare luggage for you tomorrow."
Wang Shuhuai felt a little upset when he heard her indifferent tone. He was reluctant to leave here, but she was sleeping soundly. He couldn't help but wake her up.
"Two doctors from the Ministry of War and more than a dozen generals from the Five Military Commands are also going on the expedition. Tonight, everyone is drinking farewell wine at the restaurant. During the meal, someone revealed that whenever they go on a long journey, their wives always send their confidants to keep an eye on them, fearing that they will mess around outside. Yun Chu, do you have any plans?"
Xie Yunchu raised his eyelids with difficulty and said weakly, "I don't have any plans."
Wang Shuhuai has always been a clean man, so why should she worry about this? He doesn't even want the one that comes to his door, so why would he go out and look for one? Besides, as long as a man wants to do this, a woman can't control it at all.
Wang Shuhuai felt a tightness in his chest. He pressed his thin lips against the back of her neck and sucked gently back and forth. His breathing was heavy and suppressed.
Wetness moved along her back, causing goose bumps. Xie Yunchu regained consciousness slowly, turned around in his arms, and looked at him for a while. "Second Master, if you feel uncomfortable, just tell me. This is not your first time to go to war, and I am used to it. Of course, after you leave, I will go back to the temple to pray for you and hope that you return safely."
There was no discernible change in her tone.
Wang Shuhuai pursed his lips, feeling upset. During the banquet today, when his colleagues mentioned going to war, they always complained about their wives crying at home. In contrast, Xie Yunchu was always very calm every time he left Beijing. Wang Shuhuai stared at her with gloomy eyes, and an idea popped up in his mind.
"Yun Chu, if I die in battle, will you remarry?"
Xie Yunchu muttered something, and now he was completely sober.
This topic has always been a knot in her heart.
After her death, he would definitely remarry, even if that person was not Xie Yunxiu, it would be someone else.
Even if Wang Shuhuai has her in his heart, as time slowly heals the wound, sooner or later he will be able to live peacefully with others. The Duke and the Princess are the best examples.
He needs a virtuous wife to manage his huge family business.
In other words, if he died in battle, would she spend her whole life guarding Wang Shuhuai's tablet?
She had never thought about it before, but now seeing Wang Yining and Gao Zhan focusing on having fun, perhaps as time goes by and she meets someone she likes, she will accept that he lives a shameless life.
She is still young, she still has plenty of good times, and she still has plenty of money to spend. Why should she spend the rest of her life holding on to a tablet?
Be more open-minded and have a higher vision.
No one is irreplaceable.
Facing the man with burning eyes in front of him, Xie Yunchu said seriously, "Don't give me the chance to remarry."
Wang Shuhuai listened to her well-considered answer, his face darkened, and he angrily pulled open the curtain and walked out.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
