Chapter 164: Provoking Trouble
Apart from anything else, they still have to show proper etiquette, otherwise it would seem that they are uneducated. Shen Anan bowed lightly and greeted Xiao Ze and the Second Prince's wife.
Unexpectedly, another person got off the carriage, it was Duan Yingying. Her clothes were acceptable, but standing behind Zhou who was dressed in a gorgeous dress, she looked like a maid.
Zhou looked unhappy, but she still forbearingly returned a salute to Shen Anan, “Fourth brother, fourth brother’s wife.”
Xiao Ze looked at the loving appearance of the two people, then turned back to look at Zhou who was looking listless with a unhappy expression. He called Xiao Yuan and walked forward first.
As for the verbal battle that took place in secret, no one else could hear it.
The remaining three female relatives, Shen Anan, Zhou, and Duan Yingying, followed the two of them a few steps behind and went to the palace together.
"Fourth Prince's Concubine, long time no see," Duan Yingying said with a smile, but she could not hide the haggardness on her face.
But before Shen Anan could speak, Zhou suddenly turned around, raised her hand with a cold look and gave Duan Yingying a loud slap.
"As a concubine, do you have the right to speak here? Don't think that just because your husband brought you here, you really think you are the legitimate wife who can sit on an equal footing with us."
Zhou shook her numb wrist and snorted coldly.
Duan Yingying was so angry that she was shaking all over. It was bad enough that she had humiliated her in the mansion, but now that she was in the palace, she was so domineering.
"Princess, I am also a concubine of a certain rank."
I am a lowly person, I am a trader, but this does not include a concubine like me who is listed in the royal book of jade!
Zhou sneered, "There are so many women who have served as concubines in the Second Prince's mansion, and many of them have died young. How long can you stay as a concubine?"
What is Xiao Ze thinking? Everyone knows that once Duan Mengmeng comes in, not to mention her position as a concubine, even her position as the main wife will be in jeopardy. Of course, it will not be so easy for Xiao Ze to touch her.
In comparison, it was much easier to move Duan Yingying's position. Of course, Duan Yingying understood the implication of her words and her face turned terribly ugly.
If they all want to use her, they have to see if she is so easy to control.
She raised her eyes and glanced at Xiao Ze who was walking in front of her. Except for the crisp sound of the slap just now, he did not look back again.
He pretended to be deaf and dumb, just like he had been doing these past few days in the mansion, watching helplessly as she was abused and tortured by Zhou.
Well, in that case, then don’t say she is cruel! !
No matter whose wife she is, she would not be happy if her husband brought a concubine to the palace banquet, as that would be an slap in the face of the wife. After Zhou slapped him, she felt a little relieved.
Shen Anan calmly withdrew her gaze from Duan Yingying's resentful face and turned aside inconspicuously. They were fighting among themselves, so they must not hurt her.
Xiao Yuan spoke lazily, "I didn't know the Second Emperor's wife was so strong. Second brother is so lucky. There are good shows to watch every day."
Xiao Ze was also angry that Zhou had humiliated him regardless of the occasion, and sneered, "No matter how strong you are, you can't compare to Fourth Brother's wife. She doesn't even let Fourth Brother take a concubine. If this gets out, not only will people be jealous, but they will also laugh at Fourth Brother for being henpecked."
"Tsk, second brother is not afraid of his wife." Xiao Yuan said in a mocking tone, "The slap didn't land on your face, so it's just a noise. It doesn't matter."
"Fourth brother can't help but be curious, with so many concubines in your house, how many slaps must be made every day? Second sister-in-law must have broken her wrists, but it's lively, and when she's bored in the future, she can go to second brother's place to relieve her boredom, which is also a way."
"..." Family disgrace should not be made public. Xiao Ze gritted his teeth and was too angry to speak.
"Unlike me." Xiao Yuan continued, "My home is quiet and my wife is free, so she can only pester me every day."
"Boring tight."
"In the future, Second Brother should also take good care of Second Sister-in-law. There are so many servants, you can delegate the slapping work to them, you don't have to do it all by yourself."
"Tsk, why did second brother suddenly walk so fast?"
Xiao Yuan stopped and looked back at Shen Anan, the ridicule in his eyes instantly turned into doting.
After Zhou nodded slightly, she quickly went after Xiao Ze.
Duan Yingying continued to walk slowly.
Shen Anan glanced at her and said, "Your husband and mistress have gone far away, aren't you going to chase them?"
Duan Yingying's tone was exceptionally calm, "You've seen so many jokes about me, and you're still not satisfied? Why are you still being sarcastic and mocking me?"
"Tsk." Shen An said in an anxious tone, this was really wronging her, "I was just telling the truth and kindly reminding Concubine Duan that you were thinking in the wrong direction."
Duan Yingying sneered, Concubine? As a concubine, she is really not even as good as a concubine.
It was only after she married into the Second Prince's mansion a few days ago that she realized how ridiculous Xiao Ze was. She thought that he had some affection in mind when he forced her to have sex with him in the carriage.
Now I realize that he has no feelings at all. He would probably be willing to take advantage of any woman with decent looks and figure.
Because of Zhou's temper these days, he didn't even enter her room.
Shen Anan kindly comforted, “Don’t worry, as long as he and your third sister don’t accomplish anything good, he won’t abandon you completely.”
"Humph." Duan Yingying said in a gloomy tone, "The Fourth Prince's wife is really good at persuading people."
"Didn't he bring you here today for this reason?" Today is the last day of the New Year, and even the palace ladies can go home and rest for two days.
Duan Mengmeng was no exception. She was under surveillance at all times in the palace, and her only chance was when she was out of the palace for a few days.
"The Emperor keeps a close eye on Miss Duan San, and he only has the chance to see her during the New Year holidays. You are her biological sister, so it won't arouse the Emperor's suspicion if you do."
Duan Yingying's face paused, her steps became much smaller, and her expression was frozen.
Shen Anan looked back at her, "What's wrong, Concubine Duan won't leave."
Duan Yingying glanced at Xiao Yuan, who had never spoken a word from beginning to end, and Shen An's pretended innocence, and suddenly felt endless envy.
How great it would be if she could have a husband like this.
"Shen An'an, you are so lucky!"
"I haven't seen my third sister since I got married. I happened to be in the palace today, so I won't accompany the Fourth Prince's wife. I will go to my third sister's place first."
Shen Anan blinked, looking at Duan Yingying's departing back, the clarity in her eyes slowly faded away.
Xiao Yuan leaned closer to her ear without her noticing, "She said, you are so lucky to marry me, what do you think, Madam?"
"..." Shen Anan retracted her gaze and shook her head, "You heard it wrong. She said I was lucky, but she didn't say the first few words."
"Do you know why she went to see Duan Mengmeng?"
Xiao Yuan's face was cold, "What does it have to do with me? Madam has just tried so hard to stir up trouble. Shouldn't she know the truth?"
Shen Anan smacked her lips, "I reminded you specifically because I was afraid you wouldn't be able to bear it. If I stop it now, it should still be in time."
Duan Yingying's malice had been completely aroused by Zhou and Xiao Ze, and her few words only accelerated the development of the situation.
"What do you think she can do?" Shen Anan couldn't help but feel curious.
Xiao Yuan hooked his arm around her neck and continued walking forward. "What you should think about most is how to be better to me and fulfill your responsibilities as a wife."
"This is in the palace, how can this be allowed?" Shen Anan tried to slap her hand away, but Xiao Yuan held her tighter.
"Madam, aren't you curious about what Zhou said last time at the Second Prince's Mansion?"
Shen Anan suddenly remembered that he said he would tell her when he returned home that day, but maybe they had a quarrel and then he didn't mention it.
She blinked and looked at Xiao Yuan.
"Call me husband, like Zhou did, and I'll tell you."
“…”Like Zhou?
Shen Anan pursed her lips and said with a fake smile, "You don't have a concubine. If you did, I would definitely fulfill your wish."
She slapped him in the face and then asked softly, "Husband, was it right for me to hit you like that?"
“…” Xiao Yuan touched his face unconsciously, the smile on his lips slightly restrained, and he pulled Shen Anan to continue walking forward while talking to her.
He never liked talking about these gossips, but he never thought that now that he was married, it would become a bridge for him to get closer to Shen Anan.
Shen Anan's eyes widened when she heard this, "She and Xiao Ze are in the carriage?"
Xiao Yuan nodded slightly, "The people sent saw it with their own eyes."
"...No wonder Zhou hates Duan Yingying so much. Any wife would find it hard to accept such a disgusting thing happening to her."
Not only did her husband take a concubine, but he even had sex with her in... a carriage before marriage. Zhou would probably feel sick every time she saw that carriage in the future.
Duan Yingying is really courageous and will do anything to gain power.
Xiao Yuan looked at her interested almond eyes and felt that his gossip was worth it. On the way to the main hall, the two chatted about this topic for a long time.
"So, you deliberately provoked Xiao Ze that day?" Shen Anan asked in surprise.
Xiao Yuan nodded slightly, "Duan Yingying's thoughts are written on her face. It would be a pity not to help her."
But she is Mr. Duan’s granddaughter after all, Shen Anan thought, does he really have no concerns?
"You should know why Xiao Ze married Duan Yingying, right?"
"Yeah." He nodded lightly, his tone so indifferent as if it had nothing to do with him.
It was as if the man who was so gentle and considerate to Duan Mengmeng in her memory had never existed.
"Are you really willing to do that?"
Her sudden question made Xiao Yuan pause and look back at her, "Madam, are you doubting my loyalty?"
His sudden expression of feelings always made Shen Anan difficult to respond, leaving her silent and heartbroken.
"Princess, there is no need to doubt my loyalty. I am clean both physically and mentally." He stretched out his index finger and hooked it around her little finger, then continued walking forward.
It was difficult for Shen Anan to connect the him now with the him that night with bloodshot eyes and anger, as if it was not him who got angry when he heard that she was leaving that night.
Xiao Yuan did not mention her leaving after the New Year. He spoke to her gently and lovingly, just like when they first got married.
He said that the countless days and nights after getting married were their opportunities. If he wanted to keep her by his side, he couldn't hold her too tightly, but should loosen up appropriately and give her the growth and freedom she wanted.
As long as the rope is in his hand, she will come back one day.
Or maybe the image of her lying silently in the rocking chair in his dream was too vivid to frighten him.
When we arrived at the main hall, the emperor had not yet arrived. Liangpin was the most favored concubine in the harem, and today the emperor had shown mercy and allowed her to attend the palace banquet.
The emperor did not have many children. Apart from the adult princes who went to Shu for various reasons, there were only a few princesses who married out. They were all extremely polite and sat in their seats without moving after greeting Shen Anan and Xiao Yuan.
Only the eldest princess of the Yongning Marquis' Mansion spoke to Shen Anan.
No matter what they felt in their hearts, Xiao Ze and Zhou agreed calmly, and the atmosphere was harmonious for a while.
Concubine Liang sat in the upper seat, next to the dragon throne.
As soon as Shen Anan appeared, the smile on her face faded, and she stared at her unfriendly. She had heard about Jing'er's affairs.
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