"You are finally here. Let's talk tomorrow if you have anything to say. There is plenty of time. Biyun will not leave this time, right?" said the old lady with a smile.
Before An Zhongtao could speak, Shen Biyun said, “I didn’t say anything, it’s just that time passed so quickly, I didn’t expect it to be dark!”
An Zhongtao also nodded and said yes.
No one spoke. An Qingran didn't think much about it. It was normal for her aunt to chat with her father.
Two days later, Shen Biyun sent An Zhongtao a quilted robe, which she said she had sewn herself.
An Zhongtao was a little surprised: "This... I have enough clothes to wear, and there are special people in the mansion to make these, so you don't have to do it yourself. You made a piece of clothing so quickly, did you stay up late?"
"Well, I didn't stay up late. I just noticed that your clothes don't fit you anymore, and your robe is still old..." Shen Biyun was embarrassed to say the following words. Such a big general's mansion depends on the general for its livelihood, but she made the general look so miserable.
An Zhongtao sighed: "It's not that they didn't do it well, but I like to wear old clothes, which don't fit me well. It's because I've lost some weight recently and I've been busy..."
"So, cousin, don't mind. I'm just sitting around doing nothing. Since I treat this place as my home, it's my duty to do some housework. Don't scold me and don't be polite. Just accept it!" As she spoke, she pushed it forward and stuffed it into the general's arms.
An Zhongtao was a little troubled about this cotton robe. He didn't know whether to accept it or not. Logically, the clothes he carried with him were taken care of by his own woman. This cousin was a guest. Even though she was the master here, he couldn't really treat her as his own family.
Seeing his hesitation, Shen Biyun smiled and said, "Cousin, you are so grown up, why are you not as good as before? At that time, we were brothers and sisters and got along frankly. We just let things happen as they should. There was no need to think about these things. Do you remember that time when your shirt was torn and I helped you mend it, but you didn't wear the new one, saying that the mended one was not noticeable and was no different from the new one!"
An Zhongtao smiled when he heard this: "Yes, your female workers are excellent."
"Yes, my ambition is higher than the sky, but my life is more fragile than paper. I always feel that I am no worse than others in every way, and I have high aspirations to run a family. At that time, Qin Shulin's family was not well-off, so I thought, with me, I planned, how could they not go from bad to worse, but I didn't expect..." Shen Biyun couldn't continue talking here, and tears fell one after another, like beads.
The more she cried, the sadder she became. All the past memories came back to her mind. She couldn't stop crying. An Zhongtao was not good at coaxing people. Seeing her at a loss, he couldn't help but say, "Don't cry... It's all over. Isn't it better now?"
Shen Biyun nodded and continued crying.
An Zhongtao held the jacket, not knowing what to do for a moment, while Shen Biyun cried very sadly. Her body swayed a few times, and she seemed a little unstable. An Zhongtao couldn't help but reach out to support her, and Shen Biyun fell into his arms: "Cousin, why do you think I have such a miserable life..."
"It will be fine, everything will be fine." An Zhongtao still patted her shoulder clumsily, feeling sorry for her in his heart.
*****************
The general's mansion was so small that it was impossible for no one to see Chen Biyun and An Zhongtao moving around, and it was impossible for no one to suspect anything. Especially since Chen Biyun was such a beauty. Although she was a widow, she was still pitiful to behold. She was many times more beautiful than the concubines.
There has never been any talk of sex between men and women, let alone that they were so close. However, considering the face of each family, no one said it openly.
An Qingran, however, had no idea about all this, because she was studying hard in the yard, and she and Rendong rarely went out. Rendong didn't practice martial arts, she just accompanied her, occasionally helping to wash needles, make targets, etc. She admired the young lady more and more, so she did whatever she asked her to do, and was happy to be with the young lady, avoiding trouble and no trouble.
Even so, I still heard some discussions when I went out.
She didn't tell An Qingran for fear of distracting her.
She just told her about An Yanran and An Ranyue, saying that the two of them are still together and seem to be doing well on the surface.
Lian Jinrong seldom leaves the courtyard anymore, and the other concubines are also very quiet now.
An Qingran knew that they had no qualifications to compete with her mother.
Now she felt that she could relax for a while.
However, she did not expect that a potential threat gradually surfaced.
****************
Lian Jinyu was not aware of the affair between her husband and his cousin. It was just that the two of them were late for dinner that day because they were having soup. Lian Jinyu was very tired all day and she didn't have the time to care about it. Besides, she didn't even think about it. Every day, the general came to her room in the morning and evening to check on her as usual, and occasionally accompanied her to rest. When he was not in her room, he stayed in the study most of the time, and occasionally went to the concubine's room. She had no opinion on these, it was normal. She couldn't serve him with her body, and she couldn't let him hurt his body. Besides, those concubines were just tools to her. Every family was like this. It was because he was afraid that his wife and concubines would get pregnant that he took two more wives.
But these past two days, Nanny Hong seemed to have something to say, but she always hesitated to speak.
What Lian Jinyu is most concerned about now is the due date of the baby. She can't remember it accurately, so she asks Nanny Hong to prepare in advance just in case.
Finally, Madam Hong said, "Madam, if I don't say this, I really can't hold it in any longer!"
Lian Jinyu nodded: "Yes, I know, you have been holding it in for several days. If you have anything, just tell me now. We should solve everything at once before I give birth!"
“Madam, this Miss Shen, do you really intend to keep her in the general’s mansion forever?”
"The old lady and the general have already decided on this matter, and there will be no changes. Besides, I agreed to it at the time! If you have any questions, just tell me!"
"I heard rumors from the maids that Miss Shen often went to the general's study. At first, she brought soup, and later she brought food and so on. Finally, I heard that she made a set of clothes for the general. She stayed in the general's study for a long time before coming out. Some people said that she hugged the general and refused to let go..."
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