Chapter 22 Return to Xia's House

Xia Xue was carried back that night.

Although Chu Zhenxuan kissed him passionately, he did not go any further.

This made Xia Xue even more certain that Chu Zhenxuan was not capable of this!

Another month passed in such a boring way.

The weather has turned hot.

Chu Zhenxuan has suddenly become very busy recently, leaving home early and returning late, and he basically has no chance to talk to her, which makes Xia Xue feel as if the affectionate man that night was just a dream.

Another day, after Xia Xue got up, she saw Chu Zhenxuan reading a book on the recliner.

"Oh, the sun rises from the west today."

Chu Zhenxuan closed the book, stood up and walked towards her with a half smile.

"Yes, it's time to accompany the madam." As he said that, Chu Zhenxuan stretched out his long arms, pulled Xia Xue into his arms, and gently kissed her on the mouth.

I come when you call me and go when you wave me away. Do you think I am that easy?

If I had known he was going to kiss me, I wouldn’t have rinsed my mouth.

No, I shouldn’t have rinsed my mouth yesterday, the day before yesterday, and the day before yesterday!

Chu Zhenxuan chuckled and shook his head. This little woman was obviously looking forward to it, but she looked awkward.

Xia Xue didn't think about it anymore.

The kitchen brought in breakfast.

Shredded chicken congee, shrimp dumplings, golden coconut rolls and eight side dishes.

Xia Xue glanced at Chu Zhenxuan.

Now you use my kitchen so well!

"Madam, the emperor is going to Qingliang Mountain to escape the summer heat next month and wants me to accompany him. Are you willing to go with me?"

Summer vacation? Of course I'd like to go. I'm almost as hot as pig liver.

But, if the dog emperor also uses wormwood, what if he gets found to have a swollen skin?

Qingliang Mountain is not only cool, but also has great scenery. You would be missing out if you don’t go there.

But when she thought about the damn emperor going away and getting a Concubine Rong, oh yes, and getting some Prince Lu and Li Tingting and the like, it wouldn't be enough to make her upset.

"Madam, this year is the Gengzi Year. In the past, the Gengzi Years were always extremely hot."

Well, it’s okay to be upset. It’s more important not to turn into pig liver.

"Will this be too much of a embarrassment to my husband? Our residence is also at the foot of the mountain. Although it is just a hill, it is still much cooler than the Imperial Palace."

I don't owe you any favor, but you begged me to go.

"Well, it's a bit difficult. Madam is right. The Prime Minister's Mansion still has its advantages. If it's too hot, we can still soak in the hot springs."

Xia Xue:......

Why is it so difficult to talk to you? Isn't that what a man should say? Of course it's not difficult. Just go ahead and do it boldly.

Do you mean I won't go?

If she could add negative points, she would really like to add hundreds or thousands.

After that, Chu Zhenxuan stopped talking and continued to eat.

Xia Xue was no longer in the mood to eat and glared at him angrily.

"lady"

Xia Xue pricked up her ears.

I finally figured it out and decided that I had to go.

"After the court session yesterday, Lord Xia told me that he hoped you would stay at the Xia family for a few days."

Xia Xue:!!!

That's it?

"Recently, your eldest cousin Xia Tianyu came back from the north and was rewarded by the emperor. He was also given a title of Princess of the Grassland. The emperor said that in consideration of the friendly relations with the Hu Kingdom, he should also give her a title and let you go back to persuade your eldest cousin's wife."

The eldest cousin's wife? As far as he could remember, she had been very protective of Xia Xue since she came into the family, treating her better than her older sisters.

It seems that my eldest cousin's wife has suffered a lot of grievances.

I really don’t want to go back to the Xia family now. I just want to escape the summer heat!

Forget it, for the sake of my cousin’s wife, I should go back.

After finishing his meal, Chu Zhenxuan prepared to go out.

Xia Xue was still angry.

Chu Zhenxuan looked at her like a little woman, walked to the door and spoke softly.

"Then Madam, please prepare and go back to the Xia family. I don't know how many days you will need to stay there. Otherwise, Madam, please prepare the gifts for the trip to Qingliang Mountain in advance, in case the emperor is in a hurry to leave and doesn't have time to pack the gifts."

Xia Xue:!!!

You’ve already planned to take my mother with you, but you’re still pretending to be so deep. What a sultry man you are!

Chu Zhenxuan: Stifling?

Chu Zhenxuan: What new word is this?

But he knew what "訷" meant, so it was definitely not a good word!

Chu Zhenxuan: +40.

Xia Xue packed her simple bag and took Fu Yuqing, Meng Ya and Xia Chun back to the Xia family early the next morning.

The Xia family is large, with a total of sixteen branches including the main branch and the side branches. There are seven branches in Ancheng, Kyoto, with four main branches and three side branches.

Xia Xue is the daughter of the third wife. Her father is the director of the Imperial Hospital and her mother is deceased. Her mother's family is a merchant family. Although their status is slightly lower, they support 70% of the Xia family's expenses.

It was precisely because Xia Xue's mother's family was a merchant family that after Xia Xue married Chu Zhenxuan, she used all her family's strength to help Chu Zhenxuan.

Once you are in power, it is easier to control.

But can the Xia family still control Chu Zhenxuan today?

Xia Xue sneered.

difficult.

While he was thinking, Xia Xue's carriage had already arrived at the door.

The first lady, the second lady, the fourth lady, the mistresses of the three branches of the side branches, and concubine Jia from the third room were all waiting for her at the door.

Looking at this situation, you can tell that Chu Zhenxuan is doing very well now.

Of course, Xia Xue was very considerate in this regard. Her relationship with Chu Zhenxuan was not stable, and she would have to rely on the Xia family in the future, so she naturally could not be negligent.

So, as soon as she got off the carriage, Xia Xue greeted everyone one by one, just like she did before she got married.

The eldest lady held Xia Xue's hand warmly and said, "Xue'er is so considerate. She is already the mistress of the Prime Minister's Mansion, but she is still so polite."

"Aunt, you're joking. Even if she is the current Empress, she still has to recognize her closest relatives, her mother's family."

"Although the reason is so reasonable, it still depends on the person. Our Xue'er has always been sensible and reliable, and the help at home is not in vain."

"Xue'er will always remember the kindness of the aunts."

After a round of hypocritical greetings, Xia Xue returned to the room she had lived in before she got married.

Aunt Jia followed her all the way without saying a word. When they entered the garden of the third room, she realized that Aunt Jia's eyes were already red.

"Auntie!" Xia Xue stepped forward and hugged her neck. Although Auntie Jia was her stepmother, she treated her like her own daughter.

"Why has Xue'er lost so much weight? Did she suffer injustice in the Xiangfu?"

"Of course not. The Prime Minister is very good to me."

Xia Xue patted Aunt Jia on the back to comfort her.

"Then how come we have been married for several years and still haven't had any?"

Aunt Jia lowered her head to look at Xia Xue's belly.

"The Prime Minister said that he would come back from Qingliang Mountain."

"He wants to take you to Qingliang Mountain?"

Xia Xue nodded.

Only then did Aunt Jia feel relieved and she stopped crying and laughed.

Those who can go to Qingliang Mountain in the palace are all the emperor's favorite concubines, and those foreign officials who can go to Qingliang Mountain are all people who are at the peak of their careers recently. Naturally, if Prime Minister Chu is willing to take Xue'er with him, it means that he still cares about Xue'er.

"By the way, why don't you see Xia Lu?"

Xia Lu is Aunt Jia's only daughter and Xia Xue's half-sister.

When Xia Lu was mentioned, Aunt Jia's tears, which had just been held back, burst out again.

"What happened?"

"The old lady insisted that Xia Lu participate in the show selection next spring."

"Enter the palace?" Xia Xue frowned, "Xia Lu is simple and innocent, she cannot enter the palace."

What a joke! The palace is a place where people are eaten to the bone. With Xia Lu's personality, she won't survive for a few days if she goes in.

"Of course I am unwilling, but Xia Qianxiang from the first wife's house is already grown up, and it will be time for her to enter the palace in two years. The old lady might want to let Lu'er scout the way first, so that when Xia Qianxiang enters, things will be smoother." Aunt Jia said softly.

"What did Dad say?"

"I don't know how the old lady did your father's work, and your father actually agreed." Aunt Jia's tears fell.

"Don't worry, Auntie. I'll go back and talk to the Prime Minister. I'll do my best to protect Xia Lu."