Chapter 6
After being married for more than a year and a half, his daily meals were all prepared by Xie Yunchu. Even when he was not at home, Xie Yunchu would ask someone to deliver the food boxes to the yamen because he was worried that the food in the restaurant would be too rough.
It seemed like he hadn't tasted his wife's cooking for a long time.
A trace of unhappiness slipped through my heart.
Wang Shuhuai put the bowl down.
The wind leaked in through the open window, and the candlelight in the silver lamp flickered.
Wang Shuhuai remembered what happened in Ninghe Hall just now. He was unhappy that others treated Xie Yunchu as a cook. So should he order her around?
The strange feeling in his heart was quickly washed away. He was not used to speculating about his wife. After all, everyone could see how virtuous she was.
Judging from the reactions of everyone in Ninghe Hall today, she really should take a break.
It was just some food, he didn't care.
The eldest princess has sent a message today, asking him to enter the palace tomorrow, so Wang Shuhuai has no time to take care of him.
The news was not delivered until nightfall. The second master got up early the next morning and hurried to Wang Shuhuai's study to discuss countermeasures. Upon hearing the news, the two younger brothers also came up with ideas for their elder brother. Whenever the eldest princess gave an order, the whole house would be as if facing a great enemy, and even Jiang sent the nanny to inquire about the matter.
The most considerate wife was nowhere to be seen.
Xie Yunchu slept until dawn as usual, while Nanny Lin was anxiously watching.
"My dear, the Second Master has already entered the palace, why are you not worried at all? Even the Madam has ordered people to prepare cakes and ask the Second Master to bring them to the palace to honor the Princess, but you, a virtuous man, don't care."
In the past, for such a big event, Xie Yunchu would have to go to the study in person to take care of it, care about her husband and get first-hand information.
In this life, Xie Yunchu already knew the result, so she was naturally not in a hurry. She looked at Nanny Lin with a bright smile, "Don't worry, Nanny. I had a dream last night. It's a good sign. My wish will come true."
Nanny Lin also knew that it would be of no use.
Wang Shuhuai entered the palace, and the eldest princess met him in the study of Changqiu Palace, accompanied by the Duke. The couple looked at their handsome eldest grandson with satisfaction in their eyes. The eldest princess asked Wang Shuhuai directly which government office he wanted to go to. Wang Shuhuai naturally said that he would follow his grandmother's instructions. The eldest princess rubbed his forehead with her slender fingers and said in a gentle voice that he would go to the Ministry of Works.
Wang Shuhuai's expression did not change at all, and he kowtowed respectfully to express his gratitude.
The Minister of Works is a confidant who has worked his way up under the Princess.
Wang Shuhuai went to the Ministry of Works, under the pretext of taking care of his grandson, but in fact it was another form of restraint. Wang Shuhuai was under the nose of the eldest princess, and what position he wanted to reach and what achievements he wanted to make were all decided by the eldest princess.
The matter was almost settled, but in the afternoon, a major event occurred in the court. Part of the fish scale atlas stored on the island of Xuanwu Lake in the ancient capital of Nanjing was burned, causing an uproar among the civil and military officials in the court. There were two copies of the fish scale atlas, one stored in Nanjing and the other archived in the royal library. Before that, it was looked after by the editor of the Hanlin Academy.
Although it was a pity that the atlas was burned, some people took the opportunity to suggest that these fish scale atlases had been around for hundreds of years and had lost their effectiveness, and it would be better to measure a new one. The national treasury happened to be empty, so it was time to sort out the taxes in Jiangnan and clear out the land and people occupied by the wealthy families. This move naturally infringed on the interests of many Jiangnan officials. The two sides exchanged sharp words and argued for half a day.
Repairing the atlas is a good thing that will last for generations to come. Finally, the emperor discussed with the cabinet and decided to send a deputy minister from the Ministry of Revenue to Jiangnan together with the censor of the Censorate to supervise the construction. The next most difficult issue was the selection of personnel.
If you do this kind of thing well, you will be remembered in history; if you do it badly, you will be infamous, and if you are not careful, your entire family may lose their lives.
Besides, not everyone can go.
Wang Shuhuai grew up with extensive knowledge and read a wide range of books when he was young. Because of his noble status, he was allowed to enter the royal library and had seen this album. Secondly, he was nominally the grandson of the eldest princess. With this status, he could intimidate the group of local tyrants under him. Thirdly, Wang Shuhuai had outstanding abilities and a calm temperament, and was simply the best choice for this matter.
Court officials above the third rank unanimously recommended Wang Shuhuai, the emperor also approved of him, and the princess had nothing to say.
The document from the Ministry of Personnel came down quickly, promoting Wang Shuhuai to the fifth rank of Yuwenlang of the Jiangnan Qingli Division of the Ministry of Revenue. He would first observe the government affairs of the Ministry of Revenue for three months, and then take up the post after the national policy of clearing the land was decided.
Wang Shuhuai was busy until the evening of the next day before he returned home. As soon as he arrived at the study, his long-serving servant Minggui poked his head out of the window, looking a little hurried.
"Master, my sister has a high fever. We just called a doctor. The young mistress asked me to get some medicine."
It turned out that Sister Ke was sick. No wonder there was no sign of Xie Yunchu. Wang Shuhuai immediately changed into casual clothes and returned to the backyard. It was two quarters past the hour of You, and the sky had darkened. Dark clouds gathered in the sky. A heavy rain was about to come. Wang Shuhuai's steps were obviously a little faster than usual. He calmly and urgently entered the east wing of Chunjing Hall.
The room, which was neither too big nor too small, was packed with people and the atmosphere was depressing.
Sister Ke was lying on the small couch with her eyes closed. Her cheeks were abnormally flushed, her brows were wrinkled, and her little red mouth was pouting as she rolled around on the couch restlessly.
The wife was sitting in front of the bed, methodically changing the child's wet wipes and applying them to her neck and armpits to help her reduce her fever.
Hearing the servants greeting her, she turned around and gave Wang Shuhuai a tired smile.
"Second Master is back." Then her eyes never lingered on him for even a moment.
Wang Shuhuai couldn't describe the feeling in his heart and walked over.
Xie Yunchu told Chunqi to turn Kejie over. She pushed the child's clothes up high, revealing her snow-white, plump back. She dipped her jade-white fingers in the tea oil that she had prepared earlier and began to massage Kejie's spine.
The child screamed, resisted and twisted his body when she pinched him.
Chunqi and Xia An pressed Ke Jie'er at the head and tail. Although Ke Jie'er was small, she was very strong. She pushed hard against Xie Yunchu's chest with her pink little feet.
Xie Yunchu pinched it once, and a large red spot appeared on its back. When she let go, the little guy slipped out of her hands like a loach.
Chunqi and the others felt distressed when they saw the child crying so hard that they hesitated to use more force. "Madam, is this okay?"
They had never seen such a treatment before and it was too stressful for the children.
Xie Yunchu looked calm and said, "It will come naturally." In her previous life, there was a palace banquet, and the little princess of a noble family had a high fever. She saw with her own eyes that a female imperial physician in the palace used this method to reduce the child's fever.
Sister Ke cried clearly and aggrievedly, and stuck her little butt up, refusing to let Xie Yunchu continue no matter what.
At this moment, a pair of big hands reached out, one pressing her flapping knees, the other pressing the back of her neck. No one knew what method Wang Shuhuai used, but the child couldn't move.
She looked up with grievance, and when she saw her father, she cried even louder.
Xie Yunchu glanced at Wang Shuhuai, and Wang Shuhuai also raised his eyes, and their eyes just happened to meet.
Xie Yunchu continued to massage the spine.
This time the child had no energy left but to cry.
Fortunately, the child started sweating and the temperature dropped soon. Xie Yunchu breathed a sigh of relief and a large layer of sweat broke out on his forehead.
Chunqi quickly took a handkerchief to wipe the sweat off her face. Wang Shuhuai on the other side also made way and asked Nanny Lin to wipe the sweat off the child and change her clothes.
The servants left at some point, and only the couple were left in the room. Their eyes fell on Sister Ke at the same time.
The fever subsided and the child slept soundly.
Xie Yunchu was a little tired after all the trouble. Wang Shuhuai, who had just finished a round of intrigue in the palace, also looked a little tired, which was rare.
Neither the couple said anything.
In the past, it was always Xie Yunchu who started the conversation and Wang Shuhuai would respond.
Now Xie Yunchu didn't want to pay attention to him, and the atmosphere became a little cold.
After a moment of silence, Xie Yunchu glanced at the sky and asked softly, "Second Master hasn't had his meal yet, right?"
Wang Shuhuai's eyes fell on his wife. The bright light cast a shadow around her. Her cheeks were particularly clear and white, and her eyebrows were as thin as black, as thin as a trace of smoke. She clearly showed some fatigue. He said in a calm voice, "I'm not hungry. You eat first. I'll stay here to watch over Ke'er."
Being assigned to an external post is a big deal. In the past, she had been involved in every detail. But today, she had sat for such a long time without saying a word. It must be because of the child that she was delayed. Wang Shuhuai would wait to tell her after dinner.
Since he said so, Xie Yunchu went to the opposite wing to eat. She was worried about her child, so she quickly ate half a bowl of rice and put it down, then hurried to the east wing.
There were lightning and thunder outside the window, the sky was bright and dark, and a warm light inside the house broke through the night.
The child was still crying, perhaps because she was frightened. Wang Shuhuai held the child in his arms, and gently patted her back with his large hands to comfort her. The child leaned on his elbow and gradually stopped crying. His figure was as firm as a pine tree, and the untouchable moonlight between his brows was blurred by the light and turned into fireworks of the world. The scene was surprisingly harmonious.
Xie Yunchu just stood there in a daze.
In her previous life, after she had hosted a birthday banquet for her mother-in-law, she became ill due to overwork and the doctor said that she would not live more than half a year. At that time, Wang Shuhuai had just become the Prime Minister, and it was the most glorious time for the family. She had both a son and a daughter, was favored by her parents-in-law, had a harmonious relationship with her sisters-in-law, and her husband was so capable. Everyone in the capital envied her, but she was about to pass away when her good days were just beginning. One can imagine how frustrated and decadent she was.
For many days and nights, she prayed that her husband would sit beside her bed, hug her and comfort her, or at least hold her hand and say a few comforting words, or at least give her a cup of tea and accompany her silently for a while.
No, never.
He went out early and came back late, came in a hurry and left in a hurry, and said in a gentle and indifferent tone, "Don't think too much, just rest", and then left her with an untouchable back.
Bitterness and sorrow suddenly poured into his eyes. Xie Yunchu raised his eyes in self-mockery and forced himself to swallow back the tears.
The rain poured down from the sky with rumbling thunder.
The lush vegetation was blown to pieces in an instant.
Summer came quietly on this dull rainy night.
Xie Yunchu stepped in, his tone unconsciously becoming a little colder.
"Give me the child, you go and have your meal." She lowered her eyes and did not even look at him.
Wang Shuhuai raised his eyes. From his angle, he could only see her thick long eyelashes. He handed the child to her without answering her. He took the initiative to say,
"I was promoted to Deputy Director of the Jiangnan Qingli Division of the Ministry of Revenue."
Xie Yunchu had known about this for a long time, and he tried to force out a smile, "I heard about it," and then added, "Congratulations, Second Master."
Wang Shuhuai could hear the perfunctory tone in her voice.
He looked at her quietly for a while. He was not used to finding fault with his wife, so he patiently said,
"I will go to the Ministry of Revenue to observe government affairs for three months, and then go south. Everything at home depends on you."
He also said the same thing in his previous life.
At that time, Xie Yunchu felt lost when she thought that her husband would leave Beijing in three months. She hinted to him to stay in the backyard, as she also wanted to have a son as soon as possible.
Now, after hearing these words, she was no longer moved at all.
Xie Yunchu placed the child on the bed and said absentmindedly, "Second Master, don't worry. I will take good care of the family."
Wang Shuhuai looked at her soft profile. She gently covered her daughter with a thin quilt. She was still the familiar good wife and mother, but she felt a little different.
The rain was getting heavier and heavier, until it was pouring down.
After saying everything that needed to be said, Wang Shuhuai got up and went to the west wing to have his meal. After a while, Xie Yunchu also came out of the wing.
At this time, Minggui was holding a box wrapped in cow felt, standing under the porch of the back house and asking Wang Shuhuai across the yard, "Second Master, it's raining heavily, will you stay in the backyard tonight?"
Minggui was anxious as he watched Wang Shuhuai and Xie Yunchu sleeping in separate rooms. Today he would take this opportunity to act like a scoundrel. After all, he was sent by the mistress and the master, so he was not afraid of offending Wang Shuhuai.
The hearty and honest voice came through the rain and reached the ears of the couple.
One stood at the threshold, and the other stood at the corner pillar.
They looked at each other through the rain curtain.
Wang Shuhuai stood with his hands behind his back, his posture upright. His moist tone seemed to be covered by a layer of mist, and he was so handsome that he seemed otherworldly.
There was a hint of early summer tranquility in his eyes as he stared at Xie Yunchu. He wouldn't have cared in the past, but he had been rejected by Xie Yunchu last time.
The things had been delivered. After all, they were husband and wife, so Xie Yunchu had no reason to push them away. She called out to Nanny Lin in a slightly embarrassed tone, "Mammy, go and take it."
The sound of this statement dispelled the dullness of the summer night.
Xie Yunchu felt sticky all over, so he went to the bathroom to change his clothes. When he came out, he saw Wang Shuhuai leaning against a half-new pillow and reading a book.
Xie Yunchu was still somewhat annoyed, and couldn't pretend to be nothing and chat with him. Since he was busy, he simply went into the inner room.
Wang Shuhuai noticed the bead curtain shaking, looked up and saw Xie Yunchu sitting on the bed folding clothes.
She was wearing a thin moon-white jacket, her expression was gentle and peaceful, and time seemed to flow more slowly for her.
Wang Shuhuai continued reading, and when he looked over again, Xie Yunchu had his back to him and was lying on his side.
He was a little surprised.
In his memory, as long as he was around, Xie Yunchu would either serve him at his side or look through the account books, and would not go to bed until he finished his work.
Wang Shuhuai sat in silence for a while, closed the book, blew out the light and went inside.
Xie Yunchu was not asleep. She heard rustling noises behind her and felt a little uncomfortable. She couldn't do such a thing with Wang Shuhuai calmly yet. She needed time to slowly fade away the resentment brought from her previous life.
The mattress behind him sank and Wang Shuhuai got on the bed.
Xie Yunchu pretended to be woken up by him, turned over and sat up, she lifted her hair and tried her best to make her tone sound normal.
"Second Master, the doctor has said that children are most likely to have a fever at night. I am worried, so I will just sleep in the green gauze cabinet tonight so as not to disturb you."
In his previous life, Wang Shuhuai used countless excuses like "it would make you sleep poorly" to reject her invitation to stay overnight.
Wang Shuhuai's quiet eyes deepened, and his thin lips slowly straightened.
The same words don't seem to make any difference when spoken out loud, until you understand how they feel when they happen to you.
Xie Yunchu obviously intended to avoid him. Wang Shuhuai never made things difficult for his wife, but now he was testing her.
"With the wet nurse and Nanny Lin taking care of Sister Ke, Madam, there is no need for you to do everything yourself."
Then, Wang Shuhuai moved to the inside and motioned to her, "If you are really worried, you can sleep on the outside."
Xie Yunchu was in a dilemma. Wang Shuhuai looked as gentle and calm as ever, but Xie Yunchu could feel the pressure from the future Prime Minister.
He never forces anyone to do anything, and he would agree to almost anything she said. Could it be that his abnormal behavior today is because he is in a hurry to have a child?
Xie Yunchu said coldly, "I don't feel well today." The implication was that they could not share the same room.
Wang Shuhuai's eyes darkened. If he had only sensed it before, today he completely felt his wife's rejection. His calm eyes rarely showed a hint of sneer.
"Really? You were also feeling unwell on the night of the 15th?"
Xie Yunchu felt a lump in his throat.
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