Shen Xinyan naturally noticed her abnormality, and when she thought about how difficult it was for her, she felt a little sympathy for her.
However, she still remembered that although Luo Xiuxiu's husband lost his job in the Ministry of Personnel in his previous life, his career was not bad. However, she couldn't tell Luo Xiuxiu about this, so she could only smile and ask her some interesting stories about her little daughter.
Although she was disappointed to give birth to a daughter again, she was still her own flesh and blood after all, so Luo Xiuxiu still cheered up and told her daughter interesting stories. Especially when she saw Shen Xinyan listening with relish, she was shocked and became more interested.
Xu Yuzhi curled her lips slightly.
What can you say about a little girl? No matter how smart she is, she will be someone else's when she grows up. How can she be as good as a son who can take care of you and take care of you until your old age?
After all, she was pregnant, and Shen Xinyan felt a little tired after sitting for less than half an hour.
Luo Xiuxiu and Xu Yuzhi naturally understood what was happening and left immediately upon seeing this.
Although she was pregnant, Shen Xinyan still remembered the promise she had made to the Grand Princess. When she had some free time, she personally selected two beautiful girls and sent them to the Duke of Wei's Mansion.
In just a moment, the two lovely girls were sent back with tears in their eyes.
Shen Xinyan comforted them with kind words and ordered people to send them away again.
Similarly, not long after the people here were sent over, she had only eaten a few snacks before the two girls were sent back again.
Shen Xinyan had no choice but to personally lead the two of them to Wei Junhang's study.
The two beautiful girls did not dare to go in and just waited obediently outside the house. After a while, they heard the voice of the Duke scolding his wife from inside the house. When they listened carefully, they also heard the wife's soft sobs.
The two looked at each other, and their hearts felt a little cold.
Even my wife can't help herself, it looks like this is all in vain.
After a moment, the door creaked open from the inside. The two looked up subconsciously and saw the Duke's wife walking out with red eyes. Her voice became a little hoarse: "Go back!"
The two looked at each other and hurriedly chased after him.
Soon, the Grand Princess heard that the Duke's wife had picked out two beautiful girls, but the Duke not only did not accept them, but also scolded her.
The Grand Princess was so angry that her face turned blue, and she sent people to call Wei Junhang.
"What are you doing? How old are you? You knew she was pregnant, but you didn't treat her well. Instead, you dared to scold her? Aren't they just two concubines? She meant well. If you don't want to accept it, can't you just talk to her nicely? Why do you have to scold her? If you scold her to cause any harm, I will skin you first!"
The eldest princess became angrier and angrier as she spoke, and finally she was so angry that she slapped him on the shoulder.
Wei Junhang stood there obediently and let her hit him. After a while, he said with a smile, "Don't worry, mother. It's my fault. I won't dare to do it again next time!"
"Will you dare to do it again next time?!" The Grand Princess glared at him.
"I wouldn't dare, I absolutely wouldn't dare!" Wei Junhang raised one hand as if swearing.
"Enough, enough. I won't ask you about your affairs anymore, and I won't let Shen care about your affairs anymore, lest you make trouble again next time." The eldest princess glared at him for a long time before waving her hand.
Wei Junhang smiled and used all his tricks to make her happy again, then he walked back to Funing Courtyard with his hands behind his back.
Back in the main room, Shen Xinyan was lying on the couch, and Wei Yingzhi was holding a copy of "Three Character Classic" in her hand, reading seriously to her belly.
"What are you two doing?" He stood and listened for a while. Listening to his daughter's gentle voice of reading, he couldn't help but feel better. He came in and asked with a smile.
"You're back?" Shen Xinyan sat up straight when she saw him and pouted at her daughter. "I don't know where your precious daughter heard this, but she said she wanted to raise her brother from a young age."
"I'm not talking nonsense. My brother also thinks that what I did makes a lot of sense. Although my younger brother is still in mom's belly, he can definitely hear us talking. I will read to him first so that he can have a preliminary impression. When he comes out, I will teach him to recognize words. Maybe he can become the top scorer in the imperial examination in the future." Wei Yingzhi said seriously.
Shen Xinyan was surprised. She didn't expect that her son would also be involved.
"Ying'er is a good sister. I'll leave my brother to you in the future." Wei Junhang praised with a smile.
Wei Yingzhi pursed her lips proudly.
"How do you know it must be a younger brother? What if it's a younger sister?" Although she also hoped it was a son, these things were unpredictable. Shen Xinyan still hoped that they could treat each other normally.
"If I say it's my younger brother, then it must be him. You're right to listen to me!" Wei Yingzhi said with certainty.
"It would be nice to have a daughter, too. She would definitely be more obedient than her older sister." Wei Junhang said with a smile.
After her daughter left, Shen Xinyan asked, "Did mother give you any trouble?"
"Of course not, but she just said a few words to tell me not to be mean to you." Wei Junhang chuckled, and then added, "Now in my mother's heart, you are much more important than me as her son."
Shen Xinyan smiled slightly.
It's not that she is important, but the baby in her belly is important. She has this self-awareness.
By the time Wei Minzhi got married in the spring, Shen Xinyan's belly had grown so big that she had to gasp for breath every few steps.
The eldest princess had already ordered people to clear out a room, clean it thoroughly, and invited a midwife to wait in the mansion, ready to welcome the baby in Shen Xinyan's belly at any time.
When Wei Minzhi gets married, Shen Xinyan will show up no matter what to avoid gossip.
Watching Wei Minzhi lying on Wei Chengqi's back and moving away, she gently stroked her bulging belly, tilted her head slightly to look at her daughter who had been supporting her all the time, then looked at her husband and eldest son opposite her, lowered her eyes a little, and a smile slowly appeared on her lips.
At that moment just now, she suddenly felt that no matter what the future held, she had the courage to face it.
The Duke of England's second son was born on a sunny day.
The sun was shining on the ground, casting a thin layer of golden light on the huge courtyard. On the golden light, there were hurried steps coming and going. Until a baby's cry came from the house, the chaotic and hurried steps stopped immediately. The next moment, the man's hearty laughter resounded through the air.
"Reward, reward, great reward!!"
"Congratulations, Duke! Congratulations, Duke!!"
The news that the Duke of Ying had once again given birth to a legitimate son spread to the palace in a short while. Emperor Yuanyou was surprised, and then he smiled: "Junhang is a lucky boy."
The Concubine Ruigui beside him smiled and said, "This child is indeed blessed. Your Majesty, why don't you give him some more gifts to make him more blessed."
Emperor Yuanyou laughed and agreed without hesitation.
Inside the house, Shen Xinyan held her soft little son in her arms, gazing at his sleeping face tenderly, feeling happy no matter how she looked at him.
"My mother said this child looks like me." Wei Junhang said proudly as he sat next to her.
Shen Xinyan looked up at him, then lowered her head to look at her son, and said with a smile: "I wouldn't have thought so until you said it, but now that you mention it, he does look quite like you."
Wei Junhang puffed out his chest, and the smug look on his face became even more intense.
"He also has a noisy temper, which is probably about 70% similar to the Duke."
The smile on the noisy Duke's face suddenly froze.
With the birth of a new baby in the second house, there was a lot of excitement in the mansion. The younger generation stood outside with their necks stretched out, waiting for the people inside to bring the little brother out for them to see.
Even Wei Chenglin, who was the calmest, could not hide his anxiety.
"Oh, Daddy, why hasn't he brought my brother out after so long?" Wei Yingzhi complained.
"Wait a little longer, wait a little longer." Although Lin Fu was comforting her with his mouth, his neck was stretched longer than hers.
When Chunliu appeared holding the big red swaddling clothes, several people gathered around her and talked in a flurry.
"Brother, I am the elder sister."
"I'm the third brother."
"I am Brother Fu."
"Hey, don't argue with me!"
"Why? Why? Let me take a look first. Let me take a look first..."
"Hey, stop touching me, it would hurt the little master!"
"Did you hear that? You're going to hurt my brother!"
"It wasn't me who touched him, it was him!"
"It's not me! You are wrongly accusing me!"
"That's you!"
"Wow..."
The arguments were eventually drowned out by the baby's loud cries.
***
Time flies. When the little one, who was made to cry by his enthusiastic brothers and sisters just after he was born, was gradually able to stand steadily with the help of something, Shen Xinyan had already completely controlled the entire inner house of the Duke of England's Mansion.
The eldest princess' attention had long been attracted by her young grandson, and she no longer paid much attention to the affairs of the mansion.
The autumn wind is blowing, the weather is getting cooler, and it is time for the hot spring manor to make money.
It was a rare free day, so Shen Xinyan and Yang went to the hot spring resort in the suburbs of Beijing that they had partnered with Xu Sumin.
She had originally planned to come alone, but unexpectedly she met Yang. When Yang heard that she had actually booked a seat, she shamelessly wanted to come along. Shen Xinyan naturally would not reject her face because of such a small matter, and readily agreed.
"This place is truly full of ingenuity. No wonder similar manors have been opened one after another, but none can compare to this one." Yang sighed as her sister-in-law strolled leisurely in the manor.
Shen Xinyan smiled slightly.
For all these years, no one except Wei Junhang knew that she also owned a share in this estate, and she had no intention of publicizing it.
"Come, second sister-in-law, I'll take you to a place you have never been to." Yang suddenly said mysteriously.
"What good place?" Although it was a place she also occupied, Shen Xinyan did not come here very often, so she asked curiously.
"When I came back last time, I discovered a hot spring cave with what looks like a small waterfall inside. At night, the moonlight shining on the waterfall is extremely beautiful. There is also a plum forest planted near the entrance of the cave. Although the flowers may not be in bloom at this time, it's nice to go and take a look." Yang said with a hint of pride.
Shen Xinyan was also a little curious: "If it's so wonderful, I should go and take a look."
"That place is very hidden. I think few people have discovered it yet. This manor is really full of surprises!" Yang said as she led the way.
The hot spring villa here is divided into small courtyards of different sizes and structures. The courtyards are separated by a long distance and are independent of each other.
However, there is also a large open area in the manor. If the guests in each courtyard are bored of staying in their own courtyard, they can go out and enjoy the scenery.
"Look, this is it, that's the cave I mentioned!" After walking around in twists and turns for a long time, the two of them finally arrived at a quiet place.
Shen Xinyan looked in the direction she pointed and saw a hidden cave entrance not far away.
"I'll take you to see the small waterfall first, and then to see Merlin." Yang proudly led her into the cave.
Just by standing at the entrance of the cave, one could hear the sound of flowing water. The two walked some distance inside, and suddenly a woman's scream of "Ah" came from inside, and then the sound seemed to be blocked by something.
The two looked at each other, hesitated for a moment, and finally walked a few more steps into the cave together.
"Well, ah... you, you be gentle, ah..."
"It can't be light..." The woman's suggestive moan accompanied by the man's low panting slowly entered the ears of both men.
The two men's faces changed, they stopped subconsciously, then turned around abruptly and ran away like the wind.
Before escaping, Shen Xinyan inadvertently glanced at the two figures entangled together in the hot spring water. In an instant, he felt as if struck by lightning.
"It's them again! They are so shameless!" After running for a long distance, Yang cursed softly while panting.
Again? It seems she recognized it too.
Shen Xinyan wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked up at her.
"It's okay if it happens once, but why does it happen again for the second time? It's really... They are a good couple, why can't they just go back to their room and do whatever they want? Why do they have to stay outside and cause trouble?" Yang spat, with a look of disgust on her face.
"Yeah, my heart is full of excitement too!" Shen Xinyan sighed.