Chapter 066

Jiashan and Zhanyue returned to the Anguo Mansion. The rain outside was drizzling at first, but later it started to pour down like a downpour.

Zhan Yue's outer robe was almost completely wet. Jiashan, who was protected by him, was not caught in the rain much. However, there were a lot of mud spots on the corners of her skirt, and her shoes and socks were soaked by the rain.

After returning home, Jiashan asked Jianlan to help Zhanyue get a clean piece of clothing.

"Go and make another pot of ginger soup." Jiashan also changed into a new pair of mattress shoes, which Suyu helped him change. She told Dancui, "The rain came suddenly, and it's probably going to be a cold snap. Stew more, and you can drink some to warm your bodies."

Dan Cui said "eh" and left.

The hair of both of them was inevitably wet. Zhan Yue was planning to wash up first, but when he saw Su Yu taking off Jia Shan's hairpin, he asked her, "Do you usually wash your hair first, or take a bath first?"

Jiashan answered casually: "Wash your hair first."

"Okay." Zhan Yue nodded and said with a smile, "Then wait a moment, I'll help you wash it."

Jiashan was slightly startled, and Jianlan and Suyu beside him were also stunned.

Usually women would help their husbands change clothes and wash. Although Jiashan didn't have to do all those things herself because of her status, she didn't need Zhan Yue to serve her personally.

Jiashan was just about to say "No thanks" when Zhan Yue left on his own accord.

Jianlan had already boiled hot water before they returned home. Zhan Yue took off his clothes and went to the inner room to take a bath with the help of Liu Qi.

Seeing this, Jianlan silently took Zhan Yue and Jia Shan's clothes to the bathroom.

She was assigned to the Fourth Master's courtyard after he got married. Although this was due to the trust that Old Lady Wen had in her, she was not a close confidant of the Fourth Master after all, and was even more distant from the princess.

Jianlan was quite tactful and never took the initiative to approach her masters, but just did her own job. At the moment, she was also very tactful and left space for Jiashan and his servant.

Su Yu took off the last pearl from Jia Shan's hair, smiled and said, "The prince consort is really good to the princess."

"I will go and boil a few buckets of hot water later," Su Yu said, "so that the Prince Consort won't be too busy later."

Jiashan said, "Let Jianlan go, you go change your clothes first."

"I see you're all wet too." Jiashan's eyes were filled with a gentle smile as she said, "The weather has suddenly turned cold, and it's easy to catch a cold. Don't get sick."

Su Yu was stunned for a moment before she said, "Yes."

Jiashan seemed to have seen through her thoughts and said softly, "Since the Prince Consort and I are already husband and wife, there is no reason for you to go your own way. I think Jianlan has good character. She is considered the head maid in the Prince Consort's courtyard. If you can get along well with her, it will also make me less worried."

Su Yu nodded and said, "I understand."

After a while, Zhan Yue finished washing and returned to the house. He changed out of his outer robe and put on only an ordinary cloth shirt, with a very handsome face.

Su Yu consciously stepped back, and after a moment, she and Jian Lan came in carrying buckets of water.

Su Yu said, "The princess's hair is long, so it may take some time to wash it. I will be waiting outside. If the prince consort needs any help, please call me."

Zhan Yue said gently, "We are all tired today. Go and have a rest. You don't have to keep watch."

Su Yu looked at Jia Shan again, and when she saw Jia Shan nodded slightly, she said, "Yes."

Zhan Yue brought a small stool and motioned Jiashan to sit on it.

He slowly rolled up his sleeves, looking ready to show his skills.

Seeing his eager eyes, Jiashan couldn't help but ask with a smile: "Have you ever washed someone else's hair before?"

"I washed my grandmother's hair once." Zhan Yue's voice was soft. His hand slowly slid across Jiashan's black hair, and he gently rubbed Jiashan's scalp with one hand.

His force was very light, and he was still talking to Jiashan. Zhan Yue said, "When I was very young. At that time, I had not yet joined the Jinwu Guard."

He scooped a spoonful of hot water, and immediately a warm and comfortable feeling exploded from Jiashan's head.

Jiashan wiped the water drops from her eyes, and the sound was as if she had been soaked in water, soft and fluffy. She asked, "Why did you suddenly come up with this idea at that time?"

"That year, it was my grandmother's birthday," Zhan Yue said in a natural voice, "After my mother passed away, my grandmother has been taking care of me since I was a child. So I suddenly had the idea to take care of her for once."

"I also ordered her a bowl of longevity noodles," Zhan Yue added.

He is a man of long-lasting affection, and he knows how to repay kindness. Princess Ruyang had told Jiashan about these facts once before.

Just listening to him talk about his childhood, Jiashan felt a warm feeling in his heart for no reason. It was as if through Zhan Yue's words, he could create a living little Zhan Yue in his mind.

Those were the past she had no part in.

Jiashan curled his lips and said, "My birthday is in June, so you have to cook a bowl for me."

"Okay." Zhan Yue applied hair oil to her, paused, and then continued, "Will you eat it even if it doesn't taste good?"

His question was silly, and Jiashan said jokingly, "How can it not taste good?"

Zhan Yue scooped another spoonful of hot water and said slowly, "This is not my strong point."

Jiashan suppressed his smile and said, "Oh, I understand."

"It's really hard for a general to retire from cooking." Jiashan smiled and said, "I remember your birthday came before mine. Let me show you my skills first."

Zhan Yue asked gently, "Can you do it too?"

"Yes," Jiashan smiled with her eyes curved, her eyebrows and eyes bright, "I am probably better than you."

Zhan Yue said nothing, but took the cloth and helped her wrap up her long hair. Jiashan's hair was of good quality, black and thick, and when it fell down, it looked like fine willow leaves.

Zhan Yue couldn't help but stroke her satin-like black hair. He said, "Then I'll wait."

Jiashan smiled and said, "I won't let you down."

After washing his hair, Jiashan went to the bathroom to take a shower. When he came back, Zhan Yue had already taken off his outer clothes. He was only wearing an inner garment and was standing in front of the bed, spreading the quilt with a double dragon and phoenix pattern.

Hearing footsteps, Zhan Yue knew without turning back that Jia Shan had returned. He said, "It's cold at night. I'll add another quilt."

"You like to toss and turn when you sleep at night," Zhan Yue said calmly, "I'll tuck the quilt in for you."

When Zhan Yue revealed this little habit, Jia Shan's face turned red, but her tone became softer. She said, "Okay."

The two of them got into bed with their clothes on.

Jiashan leaned his back against a large pillow, wanting to wait until his hair was dry before going to sleep.

Zhan Yue was reading a book in his hand. He had to go to the Five Military Commandery tomorrow. Last winter was not very peaceful. The harvest was not good, but the taxes were strict, which led to some minor disturbances in Yuzhou and other places.

Taxation is also an old problem. Since the time of Emperor Taizong, many civil servants have been eager to roll up their sleeves and fight in court meetings over this issue.

Since the current emperor ascended the throne, he has actually reduced some unnecessary taxes and levies, but if there are natural disasters or man-made disasters, many people will still be displaced.

Your Majesty has been worried about this matter recently. Coincidentally, several major inspectors are also going to Beijing to investigate. Both the government and the public are arguing about this.

Seeing Zhan Yue's frown getting more and more unnatural, Jia Shan gently poked him and asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Zhan Yue grabbed her hand and stroked it in his palm, saying with a smile: "It's just a small matter in the government."

Since this matter concerned state affairs, Jiashan did not ask any more questions. She smiled slightly and said softly, "I want to find a good family for Suyu. Do you think there are any good candidates?"

"Su Yu." Zhan Yue chewed the name slowly in his mouth. He smiled and asked, "How old is she?"

"It's almost Double Ten." Jiashan sighed and said, "Suyu is already quite old. When I was little, she took care of me the most. But I don't want to delay her because of me."

Meeting and parting are common things, but Jiashan's voice gradually became softer. She said, "To be honest, I really don't want to leave."

Zhan Yue held her in his arms and patted her back carefully.

He paused for a moment and said, "Liu Qi is 22 years old and still unmarried, so he is a perfect match for Su Yu."

"Liu Qi?" Jiashan was stunned.

Liu Qi is Zhan Yue's foster brother, and is also one of the people he trusts most in the Duke of Anguo's Mansion.

Jiashan and Liu Qi have met many times in the past few days. In his impression, he has a handsome appearance, a square face, and does not seem like a bad person.

Zhan Yue said: "Liu Qi and I grew up together, and there will be no mistakes in character. If she marries Liu Qi, Su Yu can still be by your side as a housekeeper and daughter-in-law, so you don't have to be reluctant. If -"

He paused, half-closed his eyes, and said softly: "If there is anything strange about Yuankang, you can always call Su Yu back."

"Also, it would be better for the people around me and the people around you to get to know each other as soon as possible, instead of making such clear distinctions." Zhan Yue opened his thin lips and in a flash he had analyzed several plans for Jiashan.

The last one coincided with what Jiashan had just said to Suyu.

Jia Shan smiled, leaned on his chest and said, "It's a good idea. I'll ask Su Yu tomorrow. After all, it's her lifelong event, and we can't make a decision privately."

"Okay," Zhan Yue nodded and said, "As you wish."

"I also want to tell Liu Qi something." He put down the book in his hand, looked at Jiashan and said, "Let's go to sleep?"

Jiashan said "OK", and Zhan Yue got out of bed and put out the candle.

The night was gloomy and the whole room was pitch black. Only the moonlight filtered through the window lattice and refracted onto the ground.

Jiashan lay inside, but did not fall asleep.

In order to prevent the cold wind from blowing in, she and Zhan Yue lay back to back tonight, with the sound of shallow breathing always in their ears.

Jia Shan was silent for a long time. After a while, she turned sideways carefully and looked at Zhan Yue's back which was as broad as a mountain.

She slowly lowered her eyes.

Feng's sudden appearance today was like a needle piercing her heart, making her tormented.

The roots of Jiashan's eyelashes trembled silently a few times, and her thin lips opened quietly, just about to say something that she had been considering for a long time.

But then Zhan Yue also turned over.

He smiled, looked at her steadily and said, "It's better for the two of us to sleep together."

Zhan Yue's eyes were calm, like a god with no desires or requests, but his body betrayed him.

He walked over honestly, kissed Jiashan's forehead gently, and said softly, "Making longevity noodles is not my forte. Princess, do you want to see my other strengths?"