Chapter 105
Ever since Jiashan moved into the Duke of Anguo's mansion, Qi had been trying to find ways to talk things out with Jiashan, but unfortunately she had no chance.
Unexpectedly, Zhang finally did something "sensible" this time and actually sent her to express her condolences to Jiashan. It was really like someone offering a pillow to someone who was sleepy, so Qi went to the courtyard where Zhan Yue and Jiashan lived openly.
Unlike his contempt and hostility towards Zhang, Jiashan still had some good feelings towards Qi.
Chen Chu has found out that when she heard that the old lady was seriously ill, it was Qi who secretly sent her maid to look for Jianlan, which gave Jianlan the opportunity to pass on the message to the eunuch in the palace.
Qi played an indispensable role in enabling her and Zhan Yue to return home in time to meet the old lady.
So when she heard that it was Qi who came, Jiashan quickly perked up. To show respect, she asked Dancui to quickly wash her and put on her outer clothes before she called Qi in.
Qi was born into a family of nobles, and her speech and behavior were graceful and elegant. She bowed to Jiashan first, and said softly, "Since Your Highness became pregnant, I have always wanted to visit the Princess's residence, but I didn't get the chance until today. It's really rude."
Qi said this to show her good will to Jiashan. Jiashan was already indebted to her because of the matter of Wen Lao Madam, and secondly, after Wen Lao Madam passed away, the management of the Anguo Mansion's support would be handed over to Zhang.
Although Jiashan did not intend to compete with Zhang for these rights, it would be better to have someone of his own in the Anguo Mansion.
Jiashan originally had his eyes on Zhan Yue's second sister-in-law, Yu, but now that Qi has taken the initiative to extend an olive branch, Jiashan is naturally willing to accept it.
After making up his mind, Jiashan said with a smile: "I have personally seen the gift from the wife of Marquis Qi. It is very generous. I understand your intentions. A married woman should obey her husband. Even if you are impolite, it is not your fault."
The smile in Jiashan's eyes was gentle and intimate, which easily won Qi's favor. Since the princess had stepped down like this, Qi was of course more sensible.
She said softly, "I hope the princess can understand my painstaking efforts."
Jiashan smiled at her and asked Dancui, who was serving him, to bring up a plate of fresh lychees.
There is a saying that goes, "A red dusty concubine smiles, but no one knows that it is the arrival of lychees." Although the cultivation technology of lychees is far superior to that of the Tang Dynasty, it is still difficult to find fresh lychees in this month.
Qi's eyes were fixed on the crystal clear, full fruit. She brushed her hair away from her forehead and said with a soft smile, "I dare not hide it from you, Princess. I came here today to ask for a favor."
Jiashan could guess that Qi's overtures would not be without reason, but she was not bothered. Someone like Qi who was straightforward was more kindhearted than those who were openly aggressive but secretly harmful.
Besides, she and Qi had no friendship to begin with. If their mutual interests were connected, they could get along better for longer.
Jiashan smiled calmly and said gently, "You say."
Qi's eyebrows twisted together, and she said, "If I want to separate from Zhan Shaoying, I wonder if the princess has any good ideas?"
Jiashan never expected that Qi would ask for this, and he could not help but look at her deeply.
Judging from her features, Qi was very pretty. Unfortunately, her face was not small and her jaw was a little wide, which made her facial features look very quiet and reserved.
Jiashan originally thought that Qi came to him because of the bribery in the Anguo Mansion. If that was the case, Jiashan would be happy to lend her a helping hand.
Unexpectedly, Qi was so courageous that she wanted to divorce as soon as she opened her mouth.
This is Yu Ci's marriage!
Jiashan didn't take it seriously, and asked calmly, "Why do you want to separate?"
Qi sighed imperceptibly, and when she looked up again, she said to Jiashan with a half-smile, "I heard that your majesty once wanted to marry the princess to Zhan Shaoying, but the princess declined."
"I have the courage to ask," Qi said calmly, "Why did the princess refuse at that time?"
Jiashan raised his eyelids and glanced sideways at Qi.
She smiled: "You are good at talking."
It is rare in Jiashan that people are left speechless like this.
Zhang thought Qi was easy to bully, which shows that Zhang really never knew how to judge people.
If Zhan Shaoying was just selfish and cowardly in his previous life, then after the incident at the mourning hall, he became accustomed to the bad habits of being insatiable and never satisfied.
From a selfish point of view, Jiashan felt sorry for Qi.
It was she who should have been trapped in the quagmire of the Duke of Anguo's Mansion, but she artificially changed the cause and effect, and she was saved, but dragged another innocent girl into the water.
If Qi was the same person as Zhan Shaoying, or if Qi and Zhan Shaoying were in love, then Jiashan would probably feel better.
But Qi was clever and unwilling to go along with Zhang, and she was also unable to grow old with Zhan Shaoying.
Jiashan sighed slightly, forced a smile, and said, "This matter won't be resolved in a short time. But since you've asked, I'll keep an eye on it for you in the future."
"After all, your marriage to him was arranged by our father," Jiashan said briefly, "You should understand that it is not easy to resolve this matter."
Jiashan does not make promises easily, but if it does, it will certainly not break its promises at will.
Qi knew in her heart that her request was actually a bit unreasonable, and it was precisely because of this difficulty that she went to Jiashan to surrender.
She couldn't talk to her parents about this matter. Although her personal maid was loyal, she couldn't give her any advice. She could only find the eldest princess and try.
The eldest princess was not only favored by the emperor, but also resourceful and had once shared the same suffering as the emperor.
Sure enough, I didn’t find the wrong person!
Qi lowered her eyelids slightly and said politely, "Thank you for your trouble, Princess."
Jiashan smiled faintly and replied, "Just think of it as me repaying your kindness as your consort."
Qi knew that Jiashan was talking about the incident with Lady Wen, and wanted to say "it's just a small effort", but after thinking about it, she swallowed the words.
Of course, it is a good virtue to not repay a favor, but she is in need of help right now, so why should she be polite?
Qi smiled and said, "There is one more thing. The Crown Prince's wife asked me to ask the princess. Please give me a reply so that I can report it to her."
When Jiashan heard that it was Zhang, she knew that she had nothing good to say. She raised her eyebrows slightly, her profile was beautiful and elegant, and she asked gently, "What?"
Qi smiled and said, "Madam Crown Prince wants to ask, how long does the princess plan to live in the Anguo Mansion?"
Zhang's original words were "You should try to hint at it and see when this big Buddha can move." Qi did not reply in the same way, but she also ignored the word "hint at it".
Jiashan was almost amused by Zhang's insight. She had originally discussed with Zhan Yue and planned to return to the princess's mansion tomorrow, but she couldn't do as Zhang wished.
Jiashan's tone was casual and lazy. She answered arrogantly, "Tell her that as long as I want, I can stay in the palace as long as I want, let alone the Anguo Mansion."
Qi smiled and said, "Yes."
A few days later, Jiashan relayed Qi's words to Zhan Yue.
Zhan Yue, like Jia Shan, had never thought that Qi would want to divorce directly. He did not show any strangeness on his face, but just said: "Let's not talk about whether this thing can be done. After the divorce, she will be a remarried woman and it will be difficult for her to be accepted by a good family."
Jiashan didn't like what he said, so he said, "What's wrong with a remarried woman? Emperor Wu of Han's mother was also a remarried woman, and she still enjoyed the same splendor and honor."
"Zhan Shaoying is not a good man, and Zhang is short-sighted," Jiashan said. "For her, divorce is a good choice."
Zhan Yue glanced at her and said, "Since the princess has said so, how dare I disobey."
"After you give birth, I will help her with this matter." Zhan Yue said.
Jiashan looked up at him and asked softly, "Do you have any idea in mind?"
Zhan Yue smiled and lowered his eyelashes: "Actually, it's easy to do. The word marriage and separation cannot be spoken by the Qi family. It has to come from Zhan Shaoying's mouth."
"Or, if Zhan Shaoying has done something seriously immoral, then it would be reasonable for the Qi family to ask for a divorce."
Zhan Yue asked: "Is that right?"
His mind worked so quickly that somehow Jiashan suddenly remembered his previous life.
At that time, her relationship with Zhan Shaoying had not completely broken down. Zhan Shaoying came to her house and questioned her, asking her why she never told him about the things in her heart since they were already married.
Zhan Shaoying's words were sharp and well-reasoned, almost making Jiashan believe that it was his own fault.
Jiashan has been strong for most of her life, and rarely shows weakness in front of others. Of course, she has shed tears in front of Emperor Zhang He, but usually there is a reason or something to ask for.
Very rarely is it simply because they want to rely on their father.
She also wondered why she couldn't open her heart to Zhan Shaoying and tell him her true feelings even though she had been married to him for eight years.
Today I suddenly understood a little bit.
Zhan Shaoying is not Zhan Yue, and she can never be Zhan Yue. Zhan Yue is always able to tolerate her unconditionally and even listen to her opinions.
He could always protect her from wind and rain without any reason, and hold her firmly in his arms. With him, she didn't have to learn how to strategize, and could enjoy his tenderness and love as a matter of course.
Jiashan's cheeks turned pink and her bright eyes couldn't help but bend up.
Zhan Yuezheng looked at her calmly, and couldn't help but ask with a smile: "Why are you looking at me like this all of a sudden?"
"What's that?" Jiashan said with a chuckle.
Zhan Yue remained calm, his eyelashes curled slightly. He ruffled Jiashan's black hair and said in a low hoarse voice, "You look at me as if you are looking at a very precious treasure."
Jiashan's heart was filled with tenderness. He curled his lips and said seriously, "You are very precious."
Zhan Yue's Adam's apple rolled, and he held her slender shoulders in his arms. He said, "You are trying to trick me into doing something for you with sweet words again."
Jiashan laughed, turned around and hugged his thin waist.
Zhan Yue's waist was strong, with bulging muscles, like a sturdy tree stump. When Jia Shan suddenly hugged him, his waist trembled suddenly, and Jia Shan then gently stroked it along the trace of his trembling.
This action made Zhan Yue's heart burn, but he couldn't vent it, so he could only keep touching her belly. His lips slightly opened: "In another month, this little guy will be born."
"Yes," Jiashan nodded and said, "In recent times, the force with which he kicks my stomach has obviously increased. He must be an active child to be so naughty."
Jiashan raised his head and inevitably discussed with Zhan Yue the issues that all those who are about to become parents will discuss.
She asked, "Do you like boys or girls?"
Zhan Yue smiled and explained the situation to her carefully, "Girls are delicate and can't be beaten or scolded. If it was a boy, I could still barely uphold the authority of a father."
"However, Ah Li and Ting Ge'er are both boys, and they were very naughty when they were young," Zhan Yue said, "Girls are pretty and lovely. So it seems that girls are more popular."
After talking for a long time, he suppressed both treasures, which was equivalent to saying nothing. Jiashan was about to make a joke, but heard Zhan Yue's tone soften, so he said timidly: "If it's twins, that would be the best."
Twins too!
Jiashan couldn't help but chuckle and said, "You are so beautiful."
Zhan Yue just tapped her lips lightly, his voice slightly hoarse: "It doesn't matter if it's not."
"If it's a boy, I'll give him a sister in the future. If it's a girl, I'll give him a brother."
"Who wants to add it?" Jiashan blushed and said with trembling eyelashes.
She looked so cute and lovely that Zhan Yue approached her lovingly, lifted her hair and kissed her cheek gently.
Jiashan leaned on his warm chest with his eyes slightly closed.
In the distant night, her lips were as red as buds, and her face was as beautiful as the lush peach blossoms in late spring in March.