Chapter 61
Gao Zhan chased all the way to the gate of the Duke's Mansion, but was stopped outside by the Wang family guards. The Wang family carriage was parked inside the hanging flower gate, completely blocking his sight.
Xie Yunchu was extremely tired and had been dozing off in the carriage on the way. Wang Shuhuai gave her the soft couch to lie on and sat on the brocade stool below, his deep eyes fixed on his wife.
I had noticed it before, but today the feeling of weirdness is even stronger.
She seemed to have the ability to predict the future.
He thought of that March 15th again...
Seeing that the carriage stopped and Xie Yunchu still showed no signs of waking up, Wang Shuhuai and other elders from the palace left. Fang gently held her in his arms, intending to carry her back to Chunjingtang. This time Xie Yunchu was alert, her hands were placed on his shoulders, his fresh breath lingered on her nose, and their eyes met.
Xie Yunchu subconsciously pushed him away, but Wang Shuhuai did not let go at first. His hands were like iron clamps around her waist. Her waist was too thin and could be easily grasped. Wang Shuhuai's hands passed through and covered her lower abdomen very carefully.
Xie Yunchu was not used to being so close to him, so he immediately stepped back and said, "Second Master, I'm awake, I'll do it myself..."
Wang Shuhuai met her gaze, which was clear and sharp, and the meaning of rejection was obvious. Wang Shuhuai laughed angrily, with the tip of his tongue against his teeth, suppressing a sneer, loosening his hand, stepping out first, and then helping her out of the carriage.
Xie Yunchu sneezed because of the cold wind. Seeing this, Chunqi quickly covered her with a cloak and escorted her back to Chunjing Hall. When they reached the stone path, Wang Shuhuai did not go to the study, but followed Xie Yunchu back to Chunjing Hall. Xie Yunchu heard the footsteps behind her and felt a little worried.
Today's incident happened suddenly, and she really had no time to plan carefully, and she was afraid that she would be exposed.
So what if Wang Shuhuai was suspicious? He couldn't find any traces and he would have no idea that she was reborn. This kind of thing was unbelievable. Whoever she told would probably just say she was dreaming.
The two of them entered the east room together, and Xie Yunchu asked the child first.
The nurse pointed at Xie Yunchu's bed and said, "Sister just fell asleep. She cried a lot at first, but then she fell asleep on top of your bed."
Lying on her pillowcase, I can smell the scent of my mother.
Xie Yunchu's heart softened. He lifted the curtain and went in to take a look at the child. There were still traces of tears under Kejie's eyes. Her little face was pink and rosy, and she was sleeping very well.
She was exhausted, so he didn't kiss her and turned back.
Wang Shuhuai looked at her with the teacup in his hand. Xie Yunchu sat down tiredly and let the maid take off her coat and soak her feet to relieve her fatigue.
Xie Yunchu felt that Wang Shuhuai's eyes were fixed on her, and she felt a little uncomfortable.
"Second Master, it's getting late, why don't you go and rest?"
Wang Shuhuai suddenly asked tentatively, "I'll rest in the backyard tonight."
Xie Yunchu's throat choked, guessing that Wang Shuhuai was suspicious, she pursed her lips and said, "Sister is sleeping here, I'm tired today, please understand, Master."
Wang Shuhuai said nothing, his thin eyelids heavily pressed down, and he just stared at Xie Yunchu motionlessly.
Xie Yunchu didn't feel like soaking her feet anymore, so she lay down on the bed. Chunqi wiped the moisture off her and went out with the wooden bucket.
Nanny Lin noticed something was wrong and signaled everyone to leave.
Only Wang Shuhuai and Xie Yunchu were left in the room.
Xie Yunchu didn't look at him, but leaned back on the pillow. His tone was neither good nor bad, but he was very tired.
"Second Master, I wanted to give you a concubine, but you didn't allow me to. I'm pregnant now, and I'm not feeling well. I really can't serve you."
Wang Shuhuai looked around and said, "Don't you have anything to say to me?"
He spoke slowly and his eyes were deep.
Xie Yunchu's heart skipped a beat and he pretended to be confused, "What do you mean, Master?"
There were several yellow palace lanterns in the room, and the light cast a halo around her. Her face was pale and tender, with a hint of confusion. Her frail expression had removed the coldness that used to be on her brows, and she looked like a young girl with a coquettish expression.
She is pretending with him!
Wang Shuhuai stared at the plump red lips that opened and closed, and suddenly an inexplicable impulse surged in his mind.
"From grandfather's matter to my aunt's matter today, you have always anticipated the enemy. Last time it was a dream, what is this time? I interrogated the maid, Yao Taihe never bought her rouge and powder..."
Xie Yunchu explained, "If he didn't buy it for the maid, then maybe he bought it for someone else? I was just guessing at the time, and I felt something was wrong, so I asked you to investigate. Who knew that you would find out the truth by following the clues. What are you suspecting, Second Master?" Xie Yunchu moved forward and met his gaze.
This was the most incredible thing for Wang Shuhuai, and he didn't know what he was doubting.
There is no trace of anything.
"What did you say when the imperial physician felt your pulse?"
At that time, everyone's attention was on the imperial physician, but he was the only one who kept staring at his wife. He was worried that the Yao family would become desperate and hurt Xie Yunchu.
Xie Yunchu paused and said thoughtfully, "I saw my aunt spit out some black blood. I was a little worried, so I told Doctor Fan. Doctor Fan has been walking around the palace for many years and has seen more storms and waves than I have. He must have noticed something and took blood to test for poison. This is Doctor Fan's credit."
Wang Shuhuai narrowed his eyes.
Prince Xin said that every time she lied, she would hesitate.
The same is true now.
But her words were so flawless that Wang Shuhuai couldn't refute her.
You can't force her.
Wang Shuhuai warned himself like this, forcing himself to suppress the evil thoughts deep in his heart, and changed the subject, "I'm going to Hezhou tomorrow."
Xie Yunchu was a little caught off guard, secretly relieved, and asked casually, "How long will it take?"
Xie Yunchu felt a little scared when he looked into his deep eyes, and wished he would leave for some time.
Wang Shuhuai replied calmly, "Maybe five or six days."
Not long either.
Xie Yunchu was a little disappointed. "Then I'll ask Nanny to pack your luggage for you."
Nanny Lin heard this and immediately went to the inner room.
There are new clothes made in the sewing room in the closet.
Wang Shuhuai keenly sensed his wife's disappointment and felt upset.
Are you just waiting for him to leave?
Seeing Xie Yunchu yawning frequently and thinking that she was not feeling well, Wang Shuhuai controlled his temper, decided not to make a fuss about it, and got up and left.
In Qinghui Palace, the princess instructed the nanny and others to place Wang Yining in a side hall. She was reluctant to let her go back to the courtyard where she lived before her marriage, so the couple returned to the inner hall. After washing up, the princess lay on the couch, looking a little depressed, and did not speak for a long time.
The Duke changed his clothes and came over, intending to lie down.
The eldest princess suddenly spoke up, "Tell me, am I wrong..."
The eldest princess was dealt a heavy blow by her daughter's experience.
The Duke was also sad. He sat at the head of the bed and looked at his wife. "We, as parents, hope that our children will marry someone of equal status and have no worries about food and clothing. It's true, but man proposes, God disposes. Your Highness, please don't blame yourself."
The eldest princess frowned and sighed, "Now I feel uncomfortable and a little bit jealous. What do you think we should do about Xu'er?"
The Duke said, "Forget it. Having a daughter-in-law who comes from the Governor-General's Office of Liangjiang is not necessarily good because her achievements are so great that they threaten the ruler. There are so many noble families in the capital, let Jiang Cheng pick any one he wants."
The princess spoke with regret, "Jiang Cheng is a rare man who is both insightful and shrewd. He is a great hero."
The Duke knew that the eldest princess was secretly trying to seize the throne, but he hoped that his wife would not get involved in that mess.
"Jiang Cheng is indeed outstanding, but marriage is marriage. We cannot decide the affairs of the younger generation. The Jiang family woman is spoiled, and our Xu brother is a man who does not easily give in. If the two of them live together, it will definitely be a waste of time. Let's not let the marriage end up as an enmity."
Like the Yaoguo Mansion today.
After hearing this, the princess gave up all her thoughts.
"I'll listen to you." Just as she was about to lie down, she suddenly thought of Xie Yunchu. She looked at the Duke calmly.
"I have been in politics for so many years and have experienced all kinds of ups and downs, but I have never been so lucky to have such a person who can fill in the gaps for me when I least expect it. I like Chu girl very much."
The Duke smiled and said, "Your Highness has granted so many marriages, but only Huai'er and his couple can be considered perfect."
The eldest princess felt hurt by the Duke, she snorted and said in feigned anger, "Brother Huai should thank me."
"That's inevitable."
The night was late, so the younger generation was exempted from the morning and evening visits the next day. Xie Yunchu was sleeping soundly when Nanny Lin came in with a brocade box and woke her up nervously.
"My dear, a maid has just come to Qinghui Palace and said that it is a reward from Her Royal Highness the Princess to you. She also said that a gift from an elder cannot be refused and asked you to accept it."
Xie Yunchu propped himself up in a daze, leaning against the pillow for a long time, his eyes fell on the rosewood and gold-painted brocade box.
"Open it and see what it is."
Nanny Lin sat down beside the bed and opened the brocade box. On the top were two land deeds. Xie Yunchu took them. These were two farms, one in Jiangnan and the other in Tongzhou. The land was large and the location was also very good.
Xie Yunchu laughed, "Your Highness is really generous."
"And here's more!" Nanny Lin counted the stack of banknotes at the bottom with an expression of extreme horror, not daring to speak loudly. "Fifty thousand taels, young lady, a full fifty thousand taels of banknotes." Nanny Lin held the hot note in her hand.
Xie Yunchu was also stunned.
Nanny Lin put the deed inside and closed the brocade box, her eyes showing worry, "Your Highness may be generous, but this gift is too expensive."
Xie Yunchu felt the same way. She had relied on herself for everything since she was a child, and no one had ever helped her. Suddenly someone threw a stack of banknotes at her, and she was stunned.
She quickly calmed down and analyzed.
"What do you think Her Royal Highness the Princess will do if I return the gift now?"
Nanny Lin reacted quickly, "She will be unhappy."
"That's right." Xie Yunchu thought of the temper of this princess and couldn't help but sigh, "She always keeps her word. Everyone else is eagerly waiting for her reward, but I'm pretending to be noble here. Her Highness doesn't like it."
In front of the superiors, what they like to see is being obedient, capable of doing things, and without any unnecessary twists and turns. Xie Yunchu has the experience of two lifetimes and is well aware of the eldest princess's temperament.
Xie Yunchu made a decision, "Keep it."
Nanny Lin no longer had any burden in her heart and smiled. "You've been complaining about your lack of money lately. Your Highness, this is a timely relief."
Xie Yunchu smiled. She had previously given a silver note of 10,000 taels to Qiao and repaid the dowry. She was quite short of money. Summer vacation was approaching and the Caohe River was about to be diverted. She had to prepare for the warehouse mall as soon as possible.
"Your Highness's family background is indeed extraordinary."
"I want to build a solid foundation in the future."
You will be comfortable and your children and grandchildren will be protected.
With the industry, we also have the confidence.
Xie Yunchu sorted out the accounts for a while in the morning, and at noon Wang Yining sent another thank-you gift. Wang Yining was very smart. This thank-you gift was not for Xie Yunchu, but for Ke Jie'er. In addition to a set of valuable jewelry, there were also two shops, which were said to be a dowry for Ke Jie'er.
Not only Xie Yunchu, but the third wife also received a thank-you gift from Wang Yining, which was also given to the younger generation Wang Shuqin, only with one less shop than Xie Yunchu's.
It would be difficult for both of them to refuse.
No one dared to disturb Wang Yining in the first two days. She looked unhappy and kept wiping tears all day long.
Later, the third wife went to take a look and saw that she looked depressed, so she ordered the women in the family to
"Think of a way to cheer her up. If she continues like this, she will lose her god."
Only after Doctor Fan helped Wang Yining to remove the remaining poison did she feel more energetic.
After a nap on the 20th, Xie Yunchu went to visit Wang Yining, who had moved back to her own yard.
When Xie Yunchu entered, Wang Shuqin was also inside, and both of them complained.
"We are all after our aunt's money."
Wang Yining showed a bitter look, "Girls, please let me feel relieved. I owe you such a big favor, I almost want to kneel down. Please have pity on me, and I will feel at ease if you accept it."
Xie Yunchu looked at Wang Yining's face. His eyes were so red and swollen that he couldn't help it. He forced himself to smile and pretend that it was over in front of others, but who knows how sad he was in private.
After all, he is the child's father.
Not long after, Jiang Fan and Shen Yi came to visit. It turned out that they heard the news that something happened to Wang Yining, so they came to visit the palace. The two young ladies also had some friendship with Wang Yining, so they brought gifts today.
Wang Yining politely invited the two to sit down. She was lying on the kang bed in the warm room and it was inconvenient to move. She asked the maid to move a long table to the kang bed and let Xie Yunchu lie on it. Wang Shuqin and the other two sat down under the kang bed.
"Don't be polite when you come to my place. I'll be happy if you do as you please."
Chen Yi sat next to Xie Yunchu, Wang Shuqin leaned against Wang Yining's side, Jiang Fan sat in the middle, and the five of them sat around a long table, on which were placed spring fruits, salted peanuts, a stack of crystal sashimi, spring rolls and some desserts.
After a while, the maids brought each a bowl of ginseng and bird's nest soup.
Chen Yi took it in his hand and blew on it, "Oh, now that we are here, Princess, we are all greedy."
Wang Yining has always been cheerful and generous, and is used to hosting in front of others. She was the leader among the girls when she was young. Shen Yi and others who are younger than her also grew up admiring her charm.
Chen Yi advised Wang Yining, "According to me, there is no construction without destruction. You will have good fortune in the future after surviving a great disaster. Just enjoy yourself and don't suffer any more humiliation."
Jiang Fan winked at Chen Yi, "You are just making trouble. I heard that Prince Gao stayed outside the palace gate all night last night. There are ungrateful men and long-term lovers. We can't just kill them all with one stick."
Wang Yining immediately spit a few times when she heard that. "Go away, don't even mention the idea of getting married. I wouldn't dare to do that even if I had nine lives."
Everyone laughed, but there was sadness in the laughter.
Everyone knew that Wang Yining was depressed and was trying to find a way to cheer her up.
Chen Yi said, "I think the princess should just follow the example of Princess Lin Yang of the previous dynasty and never get married. She can keep eight or ten male concubines. I wonder how happy she would be."
Jiang Fan pinched Chen Yi's cheek and said, "Don't try to instigate the princess to do bad things. The princess is such a dignified person, how can she do such a foolish thing?"
"Who said it was nonsense?" Wang Yining has now come to terms with it, and said with her hands on her hips, "I'm still angry, so I'm going to live like this."
Chen Yi couldn't help laughing, "That's right, men can also enjoy their body and mind..."
Wang Shuqin heard that the atmosphere was not right and stood up quickly.
"Looks like I have to stay out of the way and let you crazy people talk nonsense."
Wang Yining smiled and urged her to go, "Go, go, go back to your boudoir and embroider. We are all people who have been through the mud, and we don't want you to be tainted by vulgarity."
Shen Yi also joked, "After you leave, we can talk without any scruples."
Wang Shuqin was so angry that she pinched Shen Yi's face, and then she clapped her hands and left.
Xie Yunchu hadn't gotten enough sleep yet, so he leaned against the pillow and dozed off, letting the others make noise.
Seeing the two of them chase Wang Shuqin away, Jiang Fan spat a few words, "You are just bullying a little girl."
She advised Wang Yining, "Don't think about anything, just take care of your body."
Shen Yi asked Wang Yining, "Are you really not going to get married?"
Wang Yining calmly shook her head and said, "I won't get married."
Chen Yi said seriously, "Okay, tomorrow I'll ask my wife to go to the military camp and take a look. If there are any guards that I like, I'll introduce them to the princess."
Wang Yining smiled, pinched her handkerchief and said with disdain, "Forget it, that man in the military camp stinks, I don't like him."
Jiang Fan said, "Then find a beautiful scholar..."
Chen Yi rolled his eyes and pointed at Xie Yunchu, "Yes, just follow the book Huai Xun from Yunchu's family. She is full of fairy spirit and smells good even when you kiss her."
When Xie Yunchu saw that she had provoked him for no reason, he grabbed a pillow beside him and threw it at Shen Yi's face.
"Why are you pulling me!"
Chen Yi took the pillow and poked Xie Yunchu's face, "You just like to act pretentious. Your family's Shu Huai acts pretentious, and you act pretentious too. Do you two have anything to say to each other at night?"
Jiang Fan blinked at the side, "You still have time to talk at night?"
Shen Yi spread his hands, "That's right."
Xie Yunchu laughed angrily, "I should have kept Shuqin and slapped both of you."
Wang Yining remembered something and stared at her niece-in-law seriously, "You are pregnant now, so you can't let Shu Huai do whatever he wants. Your own health is more important, understand?"
Xie Yunchu didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "That's not the case."
Chen Yi glanced at her sideways, "Nothing? He is either in Jiangnan or out of Beijing every day, are you relieved?"
Xie Yunchu didn't know what to say. "I'm relieved that the Second Master won't do anything rash." She responded casually.
The three of them couldn't help but praise Wang Shuhuai for being clean and self-disciplined, and being a model of a gentleman.
Xie Yunchu smiled but said nothing.
Soon it was getting late and everyone was about to leave. Wang Yining asked the maid to bring some rouge and powder as a return gift to Shen Yi and the others.
"This was originally a tribute from the palace. I don't need it now. Take whatever you need."
Wang Yining now goes out with a plain face and has stopped thinking about dressing up.
The maids brought several boxes of various rouge and piled them on the long table. None of them had been opened, so that Shen Yi and others could choose.
Chen Yi and Jiang Fan each selected what they needed. Seeing that Xie Yunchu didn't move, Chen Yi picked out a lipstick for her.
"Hey, this one matches your lip color."
Xie Yunchu took it and smelled it, "This fragrance is very light, it smells good."
Wang Yining said, "It's the fragrance of pear blossoms, when you eat it..." When Wang Yining said this, his tone paused and he swallowed.
Women apply lipstick and men eat lipstick, which is a boudoir pleasure.
Jiang Fan and Shen Yi knew it well and did not respond.
Xie Yunchu, on the other hand, had no experience and laughed.
"It's edible. I'll try it."
Shen Yi glared at her, "Silly girl, this is not for you to eat..."
Xie Yunchu's face froze for a moment, then he slowly understood what was happening and put down the lipstick.
She and Wang Shuhuai had never played such tricks before, and there was no need to do so.
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