Chapter 107: Where is the slightest bit of love between husband and wife?
Pei Chong's face darkened: "There is something going on in the camp tonight, so I've been busy until now."
Ruan Xiaoyue was completely disappointed when she heard this. She pushed him away and wanted to go to bed to rest.
Pei Chong saw this and used up all his good temper: "Ruan Xiaoyue, I came back to give you a chance to step down. This is not the Ruan family. Don't be so rude all the time."
Ruan Xiaoyue raised her eyes coldly: "Yes, this is the Pei family. My husband not only has me as his legal wife and a pregnant concubine, but also an unknown cousin-in-law."
A crisp slap landed, and Ruan Xiaoyue fell on the bed. She covered her burning face and stared at Pei Chong in disbelief: "You dare to hit me?"
Pei Chong sneered: "If you dare to speak nonsense again and bring shame to the Pei family, next time, it won't be as simple as a slap in the face."
There was a rumbling thunder outside. Ruan Xiaoyue had never seen Pei Chong like this before. The coldness in his eyes made him look like he wanted to kill someone. Where was the trace of love between husband and wife?
In this situation, even though she was shaking with anger, she didn't dare to refute a single word.
Pei Chong threw the banknote in her face and said, "From today on, do what a mistress should do and avoid causing trouble. If I am happy, I can give you a child. If you don't know what is good for you, be careful that I will divorce you."
Ruan Xiaoyue: “…”
**
The Jiang family's engagement party is coming soon. Recently, this topic has been talked about on the streets. The Dali Temple Minister is deeply in love with the girl. Even though he knows that the Qi family is in danger, he still overcomes all difficulties and marries the girl from the Qi family.
This version of the story is the most widely circulated and the one that people talk about the most, mainly because people always like to create an image of affection that is the opposite of a cold and sinister person like Jiang Jie.
Such stories are more attractive, and storytellers are more willing to tell them.
Early in the morning, Ruan Qinghuan was awakened by the restless He An. As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw a big face. Then he pecked her on the lips and coaxed her, "Madam, it's time to get up. We are going to Jiang's house today."
Ruan Xiaohuan's eyes were filled with anger: "I'm not going."
Knowing that he had to go out today, he was so busy. She had been busy most of the night and now she was exhausted and just wanted to sleep.
He An rubbed her shoulders and legs, looking extremely funny: "My dear wife, if you don't accompany me, won't I be laughed at?"
"Why?" Ruan Qinghuan was puzzled.
He An shouted in a hoarse voice: "My husband is the first-rank prime minister in the court, and I only have one wife and I am unwilling to accompany him. People will think that my wife doesn't care about me."
Ruan Qinghuan pursed her lips and pretended to be stubborn: "Others can think whatever they want. I'm sleepy anyway and I just don't want to get up."
He'an was not angry. He simply took off the simple clothes he had just put on and moved closer to Ruan Qinghuan. Since the madam was not going, then I would not go either. This was a good opportunity to spend more time with the madam.
As he spoke, he became dishonest.
Ruan Qinghuan was really convinced that he would do this, so she had to get up and wash up.
There were children talking outside the door. It was Zimo and Qingchi. Ruan Qinghuan opened the door and the two children walked in.
The two little guys were dressed very smartly, like young masters from noble families, but their silly and cute looks made people want to laugh.
Zimo threw himself into Ruan Qinghuan's arms: "Mom, uncle said that you and dad are going to take us to the engagement party, is that true?"
Qing Chi, the uncle, immediately ran to He An and said, "My brother-in-law said so."
Ruan Qinghuan looked at He'an in confusion, completely unaware that he was going to take the children with him.
He An waved at the two children: "Of course it's true, but you have to be obedient when you go there. Aunt Xia Lian will take care of you, do you understand?"
Ruan Qinghuan felt that it was inappropriate: "We don't have much friendship with the Jiang family. We just gave the gift and sat for a while before coming back. They are not relatives or friends, so we should not bring them along."
When the two children heard this, they were immediately disappointed. The younger Zimo's eyes immediately turned red, and he pouted. This touched Ruan Qinghuan's soft spot, so he had to take a step back: "Okay, okay, you and uncle will go with us."
**
The Jiang Mansion, which was usually deserted, was crowded with people today. The hall in the courtyard was filled with banquets. Almost all the officials in the capital came, but some of them were of lower rank. After giving their gifts, they left quietly after sitting for a while.
Just the title of Dali Temple Chief Justice makes people feel scared, for fear that one wrong word might bring trouble upon themselves.
At the banquet, Qi Yuanchang was no longer as nervous as before, chatting and laughing with the officials. The Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, who was sitting at a table far away, would glance at him from time to time.
After what happened at the Prince's Mansion, the two of them had a grudge against each other.
When He An and Ruan Qinghuan arrived, the officials who were chatting stood up to greet them. Jiang Jie came out from the backyard and stepped forward: "It is a great honor for our humble abode to have the Prime Minister and his wife here."
He An smiled faintly: "Congratulations to Lord Jiang for finding a good match. I have come here with my wife to share in the good fortune."
Qingchi, who was behind him, pulled Zimo forward like a little adult and bowed politely to Jiang Jie. The two young men said in unison, "Congratulations, Uncle Jiang."
The two children were not very old, and their baby voices immediately amused everyone.
Someone asked curiously, "Whose family are these two young masters from?"
Ruan Qingchi spoke first: "I am from the Ruan family, my name is Ruan Qingchi."
Everyone nodded when they heard this. They heard that there was a little kid in the Ruan family, who was the heir of the second wife. What about the other one?
Who is the other one?
Zimo was a little less courageous and stuck close to Ruan Qinghuan. Qingchi introduced him anyway: "His name is He Zimo, and he is the son of my cousin and brother-in-law."
Everyone: “…”
Some people who were drinking tea spit out a mouthful of tea when they heard the words.
How come the Prime Minister has only been married for less than a year, and now he has such a big son?
He'an did not explain, but motioned Xia Lian to take good care of the two children. He then took Ruan Qinghuan to the seats for the female guests, comforted her, and then went to the male guests' area.
Ruan Xiaoyue was also here today. She sat at another table. Compared to He'an's considerate care, Pei Chong had not cared about her since he arrived at the Jiang Mansion.
In contrast, she felt as if there was a thorn stuck in her throat, causing her great discomfort.
Ruan Qinghuan was the prime minister's wife and was also granted the title of first-rank lady by the emperor.
Not to mention that the Prime Minister personally sent the person here, even if Ruan Qinghuan was not favored in the mansion, no one would have the courage to lose face for her.
As soon as he sat down, someone flattered him: "This woman, if you want to know whether she is good or not, you can tell by her expression and face. Look at the rosy face and graceful demeanor of the Prime Minister's wife. You can tell at a glance that she is pampered by the Prime Minister."
"That's right. Madam He Shao is really lucky. She made great contributions to the disaster relief in Lucheng this time and was awarded the title of First-Rank Imperial Madam. It really makes people envious."
How could Ruan Qinghuan not tell the truth from the falsehood in these words? Even if it was just a joke, she didn't want to spoil everyone's fun: "Ladies, you are joking. Your Excellency is busy with government affairs. It's hard to see him on weekdays. How can he have time to hold me in the palm of his hand?"
It may seem modest, but everyone likes to listen to it.
They envy you in their mouths and are jealous of you in their hearts. This is a common problem for most women, especially in this era of having three wives and four concubines. Among the officials' families, which one does not have three wives and four concubines?
It's just a way of comforting myself by using the title of mistress.