Chapter 49
At the end of winter, heavy snow fell.
The streets of Jinling were difficult to walk, and another wealthy family who had occupied the people's fertile land was imprisoned. The city of Jinling was in a state of turmoil, and this state of turmoil was more of anxiety and fear. After Jiang Cheng's words loosened, Wang Shuhuai took advantage of the situation and captured another family, forcing them to surrender before the end of the year. If they did not surrender, they would not be able to celebrate the New Year.
Wang Shuhuai was unstoppable in Jiangnan with the imperial sword.
Seeing that Wang Shuhuai was capable of handling matters on his own, Liu Qiliang planned to return to Beijing to report on his work. In addition, the Ministry of Revenue was at its busiest, and he was afraid that if he stayed in Jiangnan, others would take advantage of the situation in his head, so he called Wang Shuhuai.
"I will be returning to the capital soon, so I will leave the affairs here to you, Shu Huai. I know you are capable, but you must proceed steadily and carefully. You must find a way to completely take down Jiang Cheng, so that we will have nothing to worry about."
Liu Qiliang was worried that after he left, Wang Shuhuai would cause trouble in Jinling that would be difficult to deal with.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing, but..." At this point, Wang Shuhuai showed hesitation for the first time in official business.
Liu Qiliang asked, "What's wrong?"
Wang Shuhuai's slender fingers were still holding the short family letter, and his handsome face showed a little guilt. "Lord Liu, can you give me three days? I have something important to go back to the capital. I will definitely return to Jinling in three days, and you can go north instead."
As the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Liu Qiliang has extremely well-informed information in the capital. What important matter could force Wang Shuhuai to return to the capital at this juncture?
"But something happened?"
Wang Shuhuai smiled a little, with a gentleness he had never seen before, "My wife is pregnant, I want to go back to see her, I will go quickly and will be back within three days."
Liu Qiliang looked at Wang Shuhuai in great surprise. Is this still the Wang Yunzhi who was so busy that he never saw the sun or knew anything about worldly affairs?
Everyone in Jinling City knows that Wang Shuhuai and his wife have a very good relationship. Liu Qiliang originally thought that it was just a strategy of the two, but now he sees that it is genuine love, which is really rare.
He stroked his beard and smiled cheerfully, "Go ahead, go ahead. You are so busy. Your wife is finally pregnant. You should really take care of her. There is no need to push yourself. I will give you five days."
No matter how fast the horse is, it still takes three days to go back and forth, and there is no time to rest. No matter what, Wang Shuhuai must be allowed to rest in the mansion for two nights, so Liu Qiliang gave Wang Shuhuai some time.
Wang Shuhuai was grateful, and he bowed with his long sleeves, and went out without saying anything, not even changing his clothes, and immediately got on his horse and rushed out of the city. Fortunately, the secret guards had prepared the bag and horse, and two quarters of an hour later, the master and servants rushed to Shitoudu, and then picked a fast boat to cross the river. The group got on the boat to change clothes and eat. Wang Shuhuai took the opportunity to deal with some letters, and went ashore half an hour later, changed to a fast horse and rushed back to Beijing.
Xie Yunchu vomited for four days after she found out she was pregnant. On the fifth day, she suddenly stopped vomiting as much, but felt a little sleepy and mentally fatigued.
Seeing that she was in better spirits than in the previous two days, Nanny Lin prepared some delicious porridge for her.
Xie Yunchu was still pregnant, but the two masters in the palace gave her many good things, the specifications of which exceeded those of Xu Shiwei giving birth to a child. Although Xu Shiwei felt a little jealous, she was careless and caused the premature birth. The elders did not blame her and did not dare to say anything.
The palace obviously attached great importance to Xie Yunchu's baby. The whole mansion treated her as a treasure. Even the big kitchen would send a few dishes to Xie Yunchu every day to help the chef of Chunjingtang change the taste for Xie Yunchu.
The news was quietly delivered to the Xie residence, and Madam Ming rushed to the Xie residence early in the morning with many bags.
As soon as she entered the room, she told Xie Yunchu directly, "I'm here to stay with you for a few days."
Xie Yunchu was naturally happy that Madam Ming wanted to accompany her, but it was a bit too much of a fuss.
"I'm pregnant, not in confinement. I can move around on my own, and the servants in the house are very hardworking. You don't need to worry about anything."
But Mrs. Ming's kindness really moved her.
Madam Ming looked distressed. "I have never been pregnant before, so I don't know what to pay attention to when getting pregnant, but I always hear people say that the first three months are the most important. Shu Huai is not by your side, and your mother-in-law is so unreasonable. I am worried that no one will help you."
Xie Yunchu looked at the gentle and lovely Madam Ming, and suddenly felt sad. He held her hand tightly.
"Don't worry, I'm fine. If you're really feeling uncomfortable, please come and help me."
"Will you come and accompany me while I am in confinement?"
Madam Ming saw that Xie Yunchu was not being distant with her, so she hugged her and said, "My child, I have nothing to do at home. I am either urging your two brothers to study or thinking about you. Your father doesn't have anything for me to take care of. If you have any questions, just write to me."
At 3 p.m., Madam Ming was about to leave. Xie Yunchu stood up to see her off, but Madam Ming pressed her down on the Luohan bed and said, "Lie down."
Nanny Lin sent Madam Ming away and brought back a brocade box. She couldn't help but smile.
"Look, look, this is what Qi Wei gave me when I went to the outer courtyard just now. He said that the Second Master brought it to you from Jiangnan."
The rosewood brocade box embroidered with peonies was opened, revealing a huge golden South Pearl embedded inside. The South Pearl was as big as a pigeon egg, with a full luster and delicate powder, and was very rare.
Xie Yunchu was amazed at first sight, and then he was shocked, "Second Master sent it? Where did he get it from?"
Nanny Lin smiled and replied, "Qi Wei didn't say anything. With our son-in-law's personality, it's impossible to ask him to buy it. It must have been given by a sea merchant. He thought it was good and brought it to you. But you'll know when Second Master comes back and asks."
Xie Yunchu also thought so, "Keep it."
Nanny Lin looked at the dazzling golden beads and urged her, "Young lady, why don't you take them out and have a look?"
Xie Yunchu was stunned for a moment, his eyes fixed there for a moment.
The round golden beads silently emitted their warm luster. Xie Yunchu stared at them for a long time, and his vision gradually became blurred.
She has seen the changes in Wang Shuhuai over the past two months.
He would write letters home and even bring her and her children jewelry and toys from time to time, which were things she had never been able to pray for in her previous life.
What makes a man change?
Could it be that in her previous life, she wrote him letters with every detail, but he was familiar with the situation at home and therefore never replied. But in this life, she didn't care, and he missed his children so he took the initiative to ask about their recent situation?
That's about it.
This made her past life seem like a joke.
Was she wrong? Was it because she was so sincere, so kind, and so perfect that she was wrong?
No.
If he truly loved that woman, how could he watch her following him closely but never being able to catch up with him?
Everything is an excuse not to love.
The golden bead in front of him was covered with a layer of clear and unparalleled luster, and its appearance was gentle and humble, just like Wang Shuhuai.
In this life, she will never drown in this look of tenderness again.
Xie Yunchu never reached out his hand. He just stared at the beads motionlessly and said with a smile, "Such a precious thing should be locked in the cabinet."
Nanny Lin did as she was told.
Because Xie Yunchu needed to rest, the wet nurse and the maids took Ke Jie'er to play in the next room. Xie Yunchu drew a pattern and asked Dong Ning to have someone make a wooden wheelbarrow for Ke Jie'er to play with. Ke Jie'er stood in the round wooden wheelbarrow and ran around the room. As soon as Xie Yunchu closed his eyes, he could hear her clear laughter in his ears.
The sky was gloomy and covered with dark clouds, and it looked like it was going to snow again.
Xie Yunchu lay down with his back against the pillow.
She didn't know when she fell asleep, but when she woke up, she felt as if there was a hot stove behind her. She twisted her waist and felt something poking her, and she woke up immediately.
She turned around, and the person behind her noticed her movement and opened his eyes as well.
Xie Yunchu met a pair of calm and deep eyes.
In the darkness, the man had handsome features and bright and gentle eyes.
He stared at Xie Yunchu without moving. A soft light came in from the window, shining faintly around her body, delicate nose, plump red lips, and a pair of clear black eyes. Only now did he realize that she was really beautiful. Wang Shuhuai gently lifted her thick hair and leaned over to kiss her neck. Xie Yunchu shuddered, turned around completely, and pressed her fists against his chest.
"Second Master, I'm pregnant."
When she raised her arm, all her black hair was lifted up, almost covering Wang Shuhuai's cheek. He buried his head in her neck and deeply breathed in her fragrance, the scent he had been longing for day and night.
"I know..." His voice was dark and hoarse. He wrapped his arms around her slender body and couldn't help but hug her in his arms. Xie Yunchu was not in a position to do such a thing now, so she naturally couldn't let him do whatever he wanted. Besides, there was no need to do that now. She pulled out all her arms and moved back.
Wang Shuhuai raised his eyes.
Their eyes met.
Xie Yunchu's voice was gentle but firm.
"Second Master, I will give you a concubine."
Wang Shuhuai was stunned as if struck by thunder.
"What did you say?"
His deep eyes slowly narrowed, and his facial features became extremely sharp.
Xie Yunchu repeated, "Second Master is young and full of vigor, so it will be inconvenient for me to serve you in the future. I will pick two beautiful concubines for you to accompany you to the south, so that you will have someone to take care of you."
Xie Yunchu was not so anxious originally, it was just because Wang Shuhuai reacted so strongly at this moment. Since he gave her respect, she might as well be a good wife.
Wang Shuhuai didn't believe what he heard at all. He sat up silently. In the darkness, the man in a white shirt was as tall as a mountain. He stared at Xie Yunchu with deep and aggressive eyes, as if he didn't know her.
Xie Yunchu also sat up with him, her hair covering her chest and back, covering her charming figure, leaving only a clean and bright face. She looked at Wang Shuhuai gently,
"Only one thing, Second Master, you have to promise me that I am your legal wife and no one can surpass me. You didn't allow me to ask for a divorce in the first place. As long as Second Master does this, we can respect each other and live in peace."
The implication was that if he couldn't do it, she would divorce him.
There was a buzzing in Wang Shuhuai's head. Every word Xie Yunchu said was like a knife stabbing into his heart. The pain seeped into his limbs and bones. His lips suddenly turned horrifyingly pale.
He couldn't believe it. He ran back thousands of miles, only to be poured a bucket of cold water on his head.
Wang Shuhuai subconsciously wanted to blame her, but he quickly reacted.
No woman would be willing to take a concubine for her husband. How could she do such a thing when she was pregnant?
It must be his foolish mother who did something stupid.
Wang Shuhuai stared at her, trying to control his emotions, "Is this what you want, or what does mother want?"
Xie Yunchu was stunned. This was always the mother-in-law's idea.
She said calmly, "It's what I meant, and it's also what my mother-in-law meant."
To Wang Shuhuai, this meant that Jiang was forcing Xie Yunchu.
His wife had just become pregnant, and the baby was not yet fully developed, when his mother committed this despicable act.
Wang Shuhuai's face turned blue with anger. He took a deep breath and soothed Xie Yunchu in an extremely gentle tone.
"You take a good rest first, I still have things to deal with."
After saying this, he got off the bed in his clothes, took his coat from behind the screen, dressed quickly, and went outside.
Nanny Lin heard voices coming from the inner room, so she waited for Wang Shuhuai to leave and then came in.
"Girl, what's wrong?"
Xie Yunchu smiled and said, "Nothing. By the way, what time is it?"
"It's the beginning of the evening hour, it's still early, but it's snowing outside and the sky is gloomy."
Just as Xie Yunchu was about to say something, Qiu Sui suddenly rushed in from outside and reported to Xie Yunchu,
"Miss, it's bad. Just now, the Second Master left the courtyard and ran into Nanny Xiu from Ninghe Hall. Nanny Xiu said that the Second Master and the Second Madam invited him to Ninghe Hall. I asked around and found out that yesterday the Third Young Madam instigated Madam to choose a concubine for our Second Master. Today, Madam was selecting maids in the courtyard. Now that she heard that the Second Master was back, she rushed over to call him over. It must be for that matter."
Qiu Sui was extremely anxious.
Nanny Lin's expression suddenly fell, "The girl hasn't given birth yet, and that old hag is too abominable. No," Nanny Lin turned her head to look at Xie Yunchu, and said firmly, "Young girl, we have to think of a way. We must not let the mistress succeed."
Wang Shuhuai was just about to go look for Jiang, but when he heard that Jiang was also looking for him, he sneered and went to the upper room without saying a word.
When he stepped into Ninghe Hall with a weather-beaten body, he saw his mother and father sitting together in the armchairs above, and two delicate maids standing behind the screen in the corner. Wang Shuhuai saw the clue at a glance. He stepped forward and bowed calmly.
"Greetings, father and mother. What does mother want from me?"
Mrs. Jiang was so distressed when she saw that her son had no cloak but only a dark blue robe that she wiped away her tears.
"My poor son, is this how Mrs. Xie treats you? She doesn't even prepare a thick piece of clothing for you?" He looked at the second master with his eyes and sighed, "It can be seen that Shu Huai really needs someone to love."
The second master couldn't persuade his wife, so he sighed, "If you want to do this, I won't stop you. I just have one thing to say: before the legitimate son is born, the concubines will drink contraceptive soup."
Jiang nodded repeatedly, then looked at her son tenderly.
Wang Shuhuai had a gentle smile on his face and looked at his mother calmly.
"If mother has any instructions, please tell me directly."
Jiang smiled and pointed at the beautiful young maid standing behind the screen.
"Ms. Xie is pregnant, so it's inconvenient for her to follow you south. Your father and I mean that we should arrange two maids to serve you, so that we can rest assured."
Wang Shuhuai didn't even glance at the two maids, but looked at Jiang with a half-smile.
"You are such a good mother."
Jiang felt that her son's tone was a little off, "Huai'er?"
Wang Shuhuai's face was icy. "For so many years, as your son, I have never eaten the soup you made yourself, nor have I worn the clothes you made yourself. If there is one thing that bothers you, it is that you spared no effort to arrange a concubine for me. Does mother really care about me, or does she care about the dignity of your mother-in-law?"
Jiang had not expected her son to say such a thing. Her face turned pale and red, and anger suddenly jumped out from her brows.
"Huai'er, you have always followed the rules, how could you say such outrageous words?"
Wang Shuhuai was in a hurry and didn't want to waste time talking to her. He stood up and stood in the hall with his hands behind his back, looking at Jiang, his face was dull and he called out,
"Someone come."
Nanny Ming and Steward Ming walked in with their heads lowered.
One of them was the steward of the Second Master, and the other was Jiang's trusted nanny, but Wang Shuhuai was able to control them because he was the one who had the final say in the Second House.
His face was indifferent with almost no emotion, he just gave the order word by word in a cold voice,
"First, from now on, the master and the mistress are not allowed to interfere in the affairs of Chun Jing Tang."
"Secondly, the Madam's room is empty, so these two maids will keep her company. Aunt Ming, you should send these two to my father's room tonight. I believe that with them, the Madam's life will be more lively in the future."
Wang Shuhuai realized that his mother was too idle and was therefore unhappy with her daughter-in-law all day long.
The blood color on Jiang's lips disappeared completely in an instant, and she almost slipped off the armchair, "Shu Huai, you are crazy."
The second master was also startled. He quickly stood up and glared at his son, "Look at what you are saying. It is your turn to intervene in your father's affairs."
Wang Shuhuai said coldly, "I don't want to care, but I don't want to come back from a long journey exhausted and have to deal with these dirty things. If my father can control my mother, it won't affect me. Since my father can't control her, I have to step in and do it for her!"
Jiang was so angry that she covered her handkerchief and cried, "I am your real mother, why are you so mean?"
Wang Shuhuai had no intention of listening to their nonsense. He bowed to the two elders and turned to leave.
As soon as the others left, Jiang stopped crying and pointed at the two maids and ordered Nanny Ming, "It's all Dou's fault that she instigated me. Send them to Kuang'er." This meant that she didn't want the second master to take a concubine.
After all, Nanny Ming was Jiang's confidant, and she couldn't bear to see the two elders suffer from Wang Shuhuai's anger, so she agreed immediately.
Unfortunately, Wang Shukuang was afraid that his wife would make trouble for him, so he only accepted one. The other came back crying, knelt in front of Jiang and said,
"Please accept me, Madam. You have given me a chance in front of so many people. If I were to retreat like this, I would be laughed at and even my parents would lose face. I would have no choice but to die."
Jiang was so angry that she cried. The maid threatened to commit suicide, but Jiang could not bear to see a life die like that. In the end, she scolded her maid severely and pushed the maid towards the Second Master. The Second Master had not had a concubine for many years. She was stunned for a moment. This is a story for later.
Besides, when Wang Shuhuai left, Qiu Sui and others helped Xie Yunchu to come up with ideas.
After thinking it over, Chunqi still couldn't think of a solution. Desperate, he suggested that Xie Yunchu go to the palace to ask the eldest princess for help.
Nanny Lin smiled bitterly, "The Princess doesn't care about such trivial matters."
At this moment, Qiu Sui suddenly gritted her teeth and knelt in front of Xie Yunchu, "Master, I have a way."
Xie Yunchu looked at Qiu Sui in surprise, "Oh? Tell me about it?"
Hearing Qiu Sui speak, Nanny Lin and others all looked over.
Qiu Sui calmed down and said, "Miss, instead of watching the Madam place people around the Second Master, it is better for you to arrange them yourself. At least they are easier to control and will remember your kindness in their hearts."
After Qiu Sui finished speaking, no one spoke in the room for a long time.
Chunqi, Xia An and others looked at Qiu Sui as if he were a stranger, and were so surprised that they were speechless.
"Qiu Sui, listen to what you are saying. You are stabbing a knife into my heart!" Xia An was so angry that she jumped up and down.
Qiu Sui said anxiously, "This is the only solution I have. Second Master is far away in Jiangnan. Am I going to watch him have a woman outside?"
Xia An became angrier as she listened, "You are simply crazy, possessed..." She raised her hand to pull Qiu Sui away. Seeing this, Chun Qi quickly pulled Xia An away, blocked her behind him, and questioned Qiu Sui,
"Qiu Sui, anyone can say these words, but we are the girl's confidants, so we can't say such things."
Qiu Sui choked up and said, "It is precisely because we are the girl's confidants that we have to think about her."
Chunqi looked at her in disbelief. She didn't believe that this was the girl she grew up with.
Qiu Sui cried, and Chun Qi also started crying.
Dong Ning stared at Qiu Sui coldly and turned his face away.
Nanny Lin, on the other hand, slowly changed from being angry and suspicious at first to sneering, "Qiu Sui, you're not saying that it's best for the young lady to choose a personal maid who knows her well, and that person should preferably be you, right?"
Qiu Sui's face turned red with embarrassment, the handkerchief in her hand was twisted into a ball, tears streamed down her face, and she lay on the ground sobbing.
Xia An was so angry that he shouted, "How dare you cry? Get up, you traitor."
Xie Yunchu, who had been watching coldly, narrowed his eyes suddenly when he heard the word "traitor".
After her rebirth, she has been thinking about one thing. In her previous life, Aunt Lu and Xie Yunxiu took a fancy to Wang Shuhuai and wanted to replace her, so Aunt Lu must have placed a pawn around her.
Who is this chess piece?
Xie Yunchu's face did not show the anger that everyone expected. Instead, she asked Qiu Sui in a gentle voice,
"Qiu Sui, tell me the truth, are you really willing?"
Qiu Sui was stunned. Seeing that Xie Yunchu didn't look angry, she thought that Xie Yunchu was really moved by her persuasion. Her eyes were red with shame and helplessness.
"My Lord, I have been serving you since I was little, how could I have second thoughts? I have no improper thoughts about you, my Lord, I just want to consolidate your favor. When a girl from a wealthy family marries out, which girl doesn't bring a few maids with her? I am sincerely thinking about you."
Xia An's eyes widened bloodshot and he was about to curse again, but Xie Yunchu raised his hand to stop him.
Xie Yunchu said calmly, "Please allow me to think about it again."
Xie Yunchu didn't give a definite answer, and Qiu Sui was unsure, but having taken this step, there was no turning back. She tried to persuade him a few more times, and Xie Yunchu nodded indifferently, telling her to go and have a rest. He also dismissed everyone else, leaving only Nanny Lin.
Nanny Lin was still staring at the direction Qiu Sui left, her eyes pierced with poison, "Young lady, you won't really let her serve the son-in-law, will you?"
Xie Yunchu pressed his forehead, his expression somewhat calm, "Let her try."
Qiu Sui proposed to follow Wang Shuhuai south at this time. Was it really her own idea or the intention of the master behind the scenes? Xie Yunchu was unsure and had to put out the bait to attract the big fish.
"In addition to Qiu Sui, pick another person to go with you to check and balance each other."
Nanny Lin saw that Xie Yunchu had given up on Wang Shuhuai and knew that she could not persuade him, so she finally shook her head and sighed.
Xie Yunchu called all the young maids of Chunjingtang to the courtyard and asked who was willing to serve the Second Master. Everyone knew what serving meant. With a figure like Wang Shuhuai, how many women could remain calm? Two maids knelt down with hesitant faces and blushing.
Since he was moved, there was no point in keeping them, so Xie Yunchu didn't plan to be picky. He simply sent the two of them and Qiu Sui to the door of the study.
When Wang Shuhuai came back from the upper room, he saw three delicate and lovely maids shivering from the cold at the door of the study.
Ice chips covered his body, and his clothes fluttered.
Wang Shuhuai walked slowly over, and everyone knelt one by one. Wang Shuhuai asked them to stand up, and then his eyes fell on Qiu Sui.
"Did Madam give any instructions?" In the past, Xie Yunchu often sent Qiu Sui to deliver food boxes. Wang Shuhuai recognized her at a glance.
Qiu Sui looked at the tall man in front of her. The pressure from him almost hit her in the face. She didn't dare to look him in the face. Her face flushed slightly. She lowered her eyes and glanced at the old woman who followed her.
The old woman was another nanny in Chunjingtang, named Nanny Gui.
Nanny Gui smiled and bowed, "In reply to Second Master, these are the three maids that Second Mistress picked for you. She said they will serve you in the future." After saying this, she lowered her eyes.
Qi Wei was standing nearby, confused. "What do you mean by serving your daily life?"
Aunt Gui laughed dryly, "Just to be the Second Master's concubine."
Qi Wei was dumbfounded and glanced at Wang Shuhuai.
His profile was cold and sharp, making it hard to understand.
It was pitch dark, and the dim yellow glass lamp gradually broke through the night, burning out a ball of light.
The light meets the night, leaving a dark shadow.
Wang Shuhuai stood tall in the shadow.
The cold wind whistled past, and large flakes of snow fell on his shoulders, covering his clothes little by little, bringing the chill into his bones.
Wang Shuhuai's face was calm, almost indifferent, and his deep eyes were like a pool of stagnant water, unable to stir up a single ripple.
He couldn't tell what he felt in his heart, he just felt empty, nothing could be gained. His eyes were fixed on Qiu Sui, watching the maid holding the hem of her clothes awkwardly, shy and uneasy. Suddenly, a deep-buried anger emerged in his eyes.
"All the slaves who betrayed their masters, take them away and beat them to death!"
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