Chapter 038 Chapter 38 (Additional update)

The news that Xu Duanyi brought Xie Qingya to a banquet at the Duke of Huguo's Mansion soon spread throughout the Duke of Huguo's Mansion.

When Xu Duanyi led Bixi to Xiao Baozhu's house, they met Ming on the way, who came out specially to greet her.

Ming was waiting at the moon gate leading to the inner courtyard.

Seeing Xu Duanyi coming from a distance, Ming smiled and called out to him, "Duanyi!"

When Xu Duanyi saw Ming, he also raised his brows and smiled.

"Sister-in-law."

Xu Duanyi shouted for people and quickened his pace.

When she got to Ming, Xu Duanyi smiled and put her hand into Ming's hand that she stretched out to her: "Why are you here, sister-in-law?"

"I heard you were coming, so I came to greet you."

Ming smiled and said something to Xu Duanyi, then took Xu Duanyi's hand and carried her towards Xiao Baozhu's room, like a real sister.

Ming was the wife of the Crown Prince of the Duke's Mansion.

There are quite a few things to take care of today, so I just took some time out to say hello to Xu Duanyi. I have other things to do later.

"Baozhu has asked me countless times this morning if you came or not. I miss you so much."

"It's all thanks to you that you're here. Please look after her for me. You're the only one she'll listen to among all the people in her room."

Ming was still worried just now.

Her mother-in-law was receiving guests, so she had to go to the kitchen to help.

If there was no one watching over Baozhu, she was really afraid that something else might happen on this happy day.

Xu Duanyi came here to help today, so he nodded without hesitation.

"Sister-in-law, go ahead and do your work. I'll keep an eye on Baozhu."

She comforted Ming in a gentle voice.

Ming looked at Xu Duanyi with a smile on her face, and patted Xu Duanyi's hand affectionately.

Obviously he looked very relieved.

She had many acquaintances in the Duke's Mansion and was aware of the news that Xie Qingya came to the mansion with her today. She had also heard about the things that had happened outside before.

He sent the maids who were serving him back a little.

Ming held Xu Duanyi's hand and asked her softly as they walked: "You and Prince Nan'an..."

When Xu Duanyi heard the name, he couldn't help but recall the scene when he was outside before. The heat from his body seemed to still remain on his shoulders, and the same was true on his hands and waist.

What happened before seems like a dream.

It was just as absurd as the dream she had that night.

If she hadn't been here, she would have thought she was dreaming again.

But she was the type of person who would find it ridiculous even if Xie Qingya treated her better in her dreams.

Not to mention, it happened in such a public place.

It's really shocking.

But noticing the look from his sister-in-law, Xu Duanyi quickly put his thoughts aside and smiled: "I'm getting along well with the prince. He takes good care of me."

She always said this when she was out.

In fact, I already have the answer in my heart.

Perhaps it was because there were so many people here, and because Aunt Deng had told him to take better care of her when he came, that this was the case?

Otherwise, if some rumors about them really spread that they seemed to be incompatible, and my aunt found out, it would not be good either.

Thinking like this.

Xu Duanyi didn't think about it anymore.

All the confusion in her heart was cleared away. At this moment, she became calmer and her smile became more gentle.

Ming looked at Xu Duanyi.

She had heard such remarks many times before, but she had never believed them.

I just think Duanyi said this to save her own face.

I don't want others to feel sorry for her.

How can I believe it?

Although the Prince of Nan'an no longer goes to those places of fireworks, he still visits those teahouses and theaters quite often.

But these are not important things, what is important is...

Recently, Duanyi would come to the Duke's Mansion every few days, and sometimes he would be so busy that he would go back very late. However, the Prince of Nannan had never come to pick Duanyi up once.

It's only been half a month since we got married and it's already like this.

If she wasn't afraid of embarrassing Duanyi, she would have asked her husband to call the Prince of Nan'an to the palace and give him a good scolding.

She was worried at first.

I'm afraid Duanyi will come alone again today.

Unexpectedly, a maid came to tell me that Duanyi came with Prince Nannan today. The two of them were very close and seemed to be very affectionate.

She was also shocked by the constant talk among others.

But when she heard Duanyi say this again, her joy overwhelmed her doubts.

No matter what, it's a good thing that Prince Nan'an is willing to accompany Duan Yi here today, and it can be regarded as shutting up the public.

From now on, those people will not be able to make fun of Duanyi behind her back.

Otherwise, Duanyi would live like this after marriage——

She and her husband were really having a hard time sleeping or eating.

"That's good, that's good, that's good." Ming patted the back of Xu Duanyi's hand, as if she was relieved, and said it twice.

Xu Duanyi knew that she was also worried about herself.

She was touched, but didn't want to say it too formally, so she jokingly said, "I have always told my sister-in-law this, but she didn't believe it."

"I'm still worried about you."

Ming gave Xu Duanyi a reproachful look.

In the end, he did not say any more about these things, but only said to Xu Duanyi: "I have sent someone to tell your cousin that he will take care of Prince Nan'an and will not let him suffer any injustice in our family."

Regardless of whether she likes Prince Nannan or not.

But after all, he has now become a decent husband.

Even if she didn't care about Prince Nan'an's face, she had to save Duanyi's face.

When Xu Duanyi heard this, he naturally breathed a sigh of relief.

This is what she worries about most.

Xu Duanyi smiled and thanked Ming.

Seeing this, Ming slapped Xu Duanyi's hand in a stern manner: "Why would you want to see me? As long as I can see that you are fine, your cousin and I will feel at ease."

She didn't think there was anything strange about Duanyi treating Prince Nan'an like this.

Marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog. After a woman gets married, her wealth and honor are all tied to her husband.

No matter whether this man is the one she likes or not.

But husband and wife are one body, they prosper together and suffer together. Duan Yi has always been smart and naturally would not embarrass herself.

While the aunt and sister-in-law were talking.

We have arrived at Mingzhu Pavilion where Xiao Baozhu lives.

From far away, one could hear a lot of voices coming from inside, most of which were compliments to Xiao Baozhu.

Xiao Baozhu actually did not marry well.

Even though Liu Xun was the third place winner of the imperial examination last year, he was now only a seventh-rank editor in the Hanlin Academy, and even his family background was just so-so.

I heard that his father was just the magistrate of Jiujiang Prefecture in Jiangxi Province.

Such an official position, if placed in the capital, is really not even worth looking at. This book is exclusively compiled by the LK team for you. When Xiao Baozhu was about to marry Liu Xun, the noble ladies in the capital laughed at her privately, saying that she was crazy and would definitely regret marrying such a thing in the future.

But no matter how they laughed at Xiao Baozhu's stupidity in private, they would not dare to say that when they really came to Xiao Baozhu.

Xiao Baozhu has a bad temper, but she has such a good family background and someone to support her, so she has always been willful and reckless.

If you really make her angry, being scolded in public would be the least of your worries.

Someone had an argument with Xiao Baozhu before, and when Xiao Baozhu got angry, he just picked up something and threw it at the person.

No matter whether it will hurt anyone.

At that time, there was a famous girl who was hit on the forehead by Xiao Baozhu with a broken teacup.

It's unlucky for that girl.

He was just passing by to help, but he was accidentally hit on the head.

This incident caused a lot of uproar at the time, and Xiao Baozhu was confined to her house for a long time because of it.

She was even called into the palace by Empress Dowager Zhaoyu and scolded.

But the Huguo Mansion was of high status, and the girl's father was just a seventh-rank official. Not to mention asking the Xiao family for justice, after the incident, the girl's parents personally brought people to the Huguo Mansion to kowtow and admit their mistakes.

He just said that it was his own girl who misbehaved and made Mingzhu of the Duke's Mansion unhappy.

He actually put all the blame on his daughter.

This girl doesn't often go out nowadays. I heard that she has a scar on her forehead, which disfigures her.

Many people even forgot her name or what she looked like.

With what happened before, how could anyone dare to provoke Xiao Baozhu in person?

Only compliments.

Xu Duanyi listened for a while without any reaction. She just said to Ming beside her: "Sister-in-law, go and do your work first. I'll take care of Baozhu."

There are many things going on today.

Ming really couldn't afford to delay any longer.

So he didn't bother to be polite with Xu Duanyi: "Then I'll go get busy first. Thank you for your hard work today."

Xu Duanyi smiled and said no.

Seeing Ming and her maids hurriedly leaving, Xu Duanyi also led Bixi into the house.

…

There are many things to do when getting married.

Although it was not Xu Duanyi's wedding today, she helped Xiao Baozhu with many things.

The rest of the people couldn't stop Xiao Baozhu.

Only what Xu Duanyi said would she listen.

After this morning's work, Xu Duanyi felt that it was even more tiring than her own wedding.

It is past the hour of Si.

Liu Xun had already entered.

Before leaving the pavilion, it was not appropriate for the newlyweds to meet each other, so Liu Xun went to visit Xiao Baozhu's parents alone, and now he was drinking with the guests in the outer courtyard.

And here in the inner courtyard.

Except for some close friends of Xiao Baozhu, the rest were invited by Ming to have dinner outside.

Xu Duanyi is already married.

Logically, she should have gone out to eat.

But Xiao Baozhu refused to let her go.

Xu Duanyi thought that she might need help in the future, and she didn't really want to go out.

A married woman.

It seems that there are only a few words left to say.

Those who don’t have children will talk about their husbands and in-laws.

Those who have children talk about children.

Xu Duanyi really had nothing in common with them, and didn't want to be stared at by a group of people.

Especially today she came here with Xie Qingya.

她都能想到，待會會面臨什麽樣的情景，自是不想過去被人當猴子那樣看。

便索性由着寶珠喊人去與嫂嫂回話，她自己在明珠閣裏，跟蕭寶珠還有幾個眼熟的女郎，一道吃了飯。

吃完飯後。

離蕭寶珠出閣還有一段時間。

徐端宜待會是要陪着蕭寶珠，一道去柳府的，還得再吃個晚宴才能回去。

卻不想麻煩謝清崖再多跑這麽一趟。

他今日能陪着她過來，她就已經十分感激了。

實在不想再麻煩他、耽誤他的時間了。

這會徐端宜便出去與碧溪說話。

院子裏也擺着酒席，供她們這些得臉的婢子們吃用。

碧溪瞧見徐端宜出來，便立刻起身過來了。

“主子。”

“出去說。”

主仆倆說着往外走去。

待走到外面的一株杏樹下。

徐端宜便與碧溪交待道：“你回頭去找下昌豐，讓他與王爺說一聲，只說我待會還要去柳府，得夜裏再回去，王爺吃完飯，沒事的話，就先回去，不必等我。”

碧溪點頭應道：“奴婢這就去。”

徐端宜輕嗯一聲。

見碧溪離開，她本想着回去，但先前席間多喝了幾盞酒，難免有些頭暈。

何況裏面還在吃飯，鬧糟糟的，她也不想這會就進去。

便想着在外頭先走一會，吹吹風，把這酒意散一散。

這個時間。

大部分人都還在吃飯。

徐端宜沿着小道慢慢走着，一路上，也沒碰到什麽人。

護國公府占據極大，風景也很好。

徐端宜一路慢行，吹着風，一個人，倒也挺舒适。

待走過一處荷花湖，聽見前邊傳來的吆喝聲，方才反應過來，再過去就是外院男賓們吃飯的地方了。  本書由LK團隊為您獨家整理　　雖已成親，但畢竟這會身邊沒人。

徐端宜也不想過去，免得碰到了什麽外男，回頭惹出什麽沒必要的事情來。

左右消食也差不多了。

酒意也跟着散得差不多了。

徐端宜便繼續準備往回走了。

她卻不知，謝清崖此時也在附近。

這荷花湖中心，有一座水榭，謝清崖這會正在這憑欄喝酒。

他懶得跟那些人接觸，也沒心思跟他們在這虛與委蛇。

尤其有蕭元福和柳尋兩個狼狽為奸的狗東西在，他實在懶得多看他們，索性跟蕭元星随口說了一句，就自己出來喝酒躲清靜了。

這蕭家——

雖然能看的人不多。

但能賞的風景，倒是挺多的。

這荷花湖便是一處極佳的賞景之地。

尤其坐在這水榭之中，這四面八方的風景，都能直接入他眼中。

只是謝清崖沒想到。

竟然會在這風景之中，看到徐端宜的身影。

先前徐端宜從遠處桃林過來的時候，他就看到了，見她一個人慢慢從那邊過來，像是在散步，他也沒出聲。

就這麽靠着憑欄，一錯不錯地望着徐端宜那邊。

水榭風很大。

謝清崖身後的發絲，被風吹得在半空飛舞，偶有幾縷飄到面前，遮了謝清崖的眼。

他卻一眨不眨，依舊這麽看着。

他自知今日鬧出來的動靜很大。

心中也曾自說自語了無數次，不該離徐端宜太近，該遠着些、避着些才好。

卻總是忘不掉，她那夜哭得可憐委屈的模樣。

怕她今日獨自一人過來，又要被人議論嘲笑，所以就這樣，一次次放縱自己，走到她的身邊。

謝清崖的喉間飄出一聲輕呵聲，似自嘲。

眼見徐端宜準備掉頭回去了，謝清崖依舊沒出聲，就這麽看着她離開。

偏巧這個時候，卻又出現了一道，不合時宜的讨人厭的聲音——

“表妹！”

謝清崖一聽到這個聲音，就暗自皺起眉。

能這樣稱呼徐端宜的人，這世上，可沒幾個。

何況還是這麽個難聽的聲音。

循聲看去，果然瞧見是蕭元福那個混賬玩意，謝清崖原本沉靜淡然的臉色，漸漸暗了下來，握着酒盅的手，也逐漸收緊起來。

蕭元福今日亦穿了一身紫衣，瞧着竟是與徐端宜同色。

他原本是被自己的小厮，扶着出來醒酒的。

今日家中小妹大婚。

他倒是對柳尋沒什麽不滿的，柳尋會說話，他很愛聽。

反正小妹嫁誰都是嫁，他們家也不是那些小門小戶，用不着小妹嫁什麽高門世家支撐門楣。

柳尋如此知情識趣，嫁給他又有何妨？

反正他是沒覺得，有什麽不好的，何況這陣子柳尋私下送了他不少東西。

因此今日柳尋大婚。

他也肯賣他一個臉面，帶着他見了不少與他們蕭家來往密切的人，也算是給柳尋擡了身份。

這一來二去，難免喝得就有些多了。

不願讓人看笑話，蕭元福趁着沒人注意，便帶着自己的貼身小厮先出來醒醒酒。

哪想到走出來後，竟瞧見一曼妙身影。

再一細看，這人不是他那才名出衆的表妹，又是誰？

當即，蕭元福色心驟起。

直接推開小厮的攙扶，蕭元福便朝着徐端宜的方向，邊趔趄走去，邊喊道。

徐端宜也聽到了身後傳來的聲音。

她亦認出了這道聲音是誰，還未回頭，徐端宜就已先皺起眉，要說這護國公府，她最不喜歡的人是誰，便是她這二表兄無疑。

與一向能幹、又謹守本分的大表兄不同。

她這二表兄沒本事不說，還是個出了名的纨绔子。

外頭都說謝清崖如何如何，徐端宜卻覺得她這二表兄才是出了名的纨绔子。

風流放蕩，還從不把女人當回事。

她那前二嫂才去了多久？她這二表兄的後院就沒消停過。

幾乎每次來國公府，都能瞧見幾個生臉的女子，都無需問，徐端宜便知道，這些又是她這二表兄新納的女子。

徐端宜看不慣他這模樣。

何況這蕭元福，曾經還對她起過意。

她幼時膽小的時候，就被他哄騙過，若不是謝清崖及時找來，還不知道蕭元福會對她做什麽。

想到這，徐端宜腹中便是一陣反胃，惡心得她喉嚨都開始泛起了酸意。

可她已經不是以前的徐端宜了。

以前的徐端宜碰到事，只會哭，可如今，就算身邊沒有人，她亦不怕蕭元福這個酒囊飯桶。

她轉身看去，看向那個已經離她只有幾步之遙的蕭元福，沒有理會蕭元福臉上那一臉谄媚的笑意，淡淡與人打了聲招呼：“二表兄。”

“哎呀，叫什麽二表兄，多見外，昭昭跟寶珠一樣，喊我二哥就行，咱們可是一家人。”蕭元福邊說，眼睛邊看向徐端宜。

他今日是真的喝多了。

這要擱平時，他是決計不敢這樣大膽的。

酒壯慫人膽。

蕭元福被酒精刺激得，只覺得自己的膽子都無端變大了許多，再一看徐端宜，蕭元福只覺得她成親之後，竟是越發明豔好看了。

打小徐端宜就生得好看。

蕭元福幾乎是第一次見到他這位表妹的時候，就驚豔不已。

他比徐端宜要大六歲。

耳濡目染，他對男女之事，啓蒙也早。

當初徐端宜剛從遼東回來，他眼看着跟個玉人似的小表妹，便心裏癢癢，恨不得把人親了抱了才好。

不過這些年，他這心思，倒是歇了許多。

他雖然混賬，但也知道有些人碰不得，他這表妹從前被許配給文昭表哥，差點就是要做皇後的人。

雖然文昭表哥不在了，但她依舊還是他那姑姑的心頭肉……他要真碰了他姑姑的心頭肉，恐怕就連他爹娘和祖母都護不住他。

徐端宜要真一直待在那瓊玉高樓之中，蕭元福自然也不敢對她生出什麽歪心思，保不準還得把人當神女似的供着。

可誰能想到。

他這玉人似的表妹，如今居然嫁給了謝清崖那個浪蕩子！

蕭元福自是不會把謝清崖放在眼中。

只想着，就連謝清崖那種人都能得到表妹，他有什麽不能的？而且那謝清崖一看就不怎麽喜歡他這表妹，也不知道他這表妹，究竟知不知道這男女之間的妙處。

蕭元福簡直越想，心頭便越熱。

看着徐端宜的目光，也變得越發放肆起來，只恨不得把人抱在懷中，好好親上幾口。

他這眼神透露出來的露骨之意，令徐端宜腹中那股子惡心感，愈發強烈了。

她當下就冷下臉。

也懶得跟蕭元福搭話，徐端宜直接同他身邊的随從說道：“二表兄喝醉了，你帶他回屋去醒一醒酒，今日府中賓客衆多，女眷也有不少，若惹了不該惹的，回頭吃罪受罰，你擔待得起嗎？”

那小厮一聽這話，自是心下顫顫。

他忙點頭哈腰，跟徐端宜道着是，轉頭便要去扶蕭元福。

“二爺，咱們快回去歇息吧。”

可蕭元福現在正是色膽包天的時候，哪裏會聽一個随從的話？不僅再次甩開了他的手，還欲往徐端宜那邊靠過去，嘴裏還喃喃念着：“表妹，我的好表妹，哥哥頭疼，你……”

“——啊！”

徐端宜眼見蕭元福過來。

玉似的臉，當即就沉了下來，她已擡起手，準備直接扇蕭元福一巴掌，好讓他好好清醒下。

She was not someone he could touch.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Yuanfu suddenly let out a strange cry, covered his forehead, staggered back, and showed a look of pain on his face.

This scene is really weird.

Xu Duanyi looked dazed, apparently unable to react to what was happening.

Until Xiao Yuanfu covered his forehead and said angrily: "Who, which bastard dared to attack me!"

Only then did Xu Duanyi notice that there was a wine cup at Xiao Yuanfu's feet, but because it had hidden in the mud and made no sound, Xu Duanyi did not notice it.

Following the direction of the wine cup, Xu Duanyi suddenly looked behind him.

Then I saw Xie Qingya walking along the small bridge, coming over from the waterside pavilion.

He still looks lazy and slack.

Regardless of the fact that he was in the Duke of the Guard's Mansion and that he was beating the Second Young Master of the Duke of the Guard's Mansion, he still nonchalantly replied lazily, "I was the one beating your grandpa, so what?"

As he spoke, he walked to Xu Duanyi's side, then turned his shoulder and hid the person behind him.

Then he glanced up and down at Xiao Yuanfu's foolish appearance, and sneered: "Xiao Yuanfu, what did you want to say to my princess? Why don't you tell me first?"