Chapter 80 Chapter 80 Do you want Miss Meng to be your husband's concubine...
After asking this question, Chen Kouyu felt a little embarrassed. After all, in her opinion, this was already part of the fun of the boudoir, right?
Even though they are all family, this is ultimately the private affair between brother and sister-in-law.
As a young aunt, she was so embarrassed to say such words in front of everyone that her face naturally turned red. She couldn't help but cough lightly to cover up her embarrassment and continued to pick at the spices that had not been completely burned.
The maid next to her replaced Chen Kouyu with a thin and long spoon for scraping off the spice ashes.
Zhu Yinluan was stunned and did not respond for the time being, but was trying to figure out what Chen Kouyu said in her mind.
If she remembered correctly, Chen Kouyu said that there was a medicine in the fragrant dew that Chen Jingzhan gave her called Shufanghua. It was fine if used alone, but when using it, one could not burn the dragon boat, otherwise one would get emotional and get hot.
At this moment, Chen Kouyu found evidence of the burning of dragon boats in the incense burner.
So, Shen Jingzhan did make some moves at the beginning. Zhu Yinluan's heart was pounding violently. Shen Jingzhan actually planned to consummate the marriage.
On their wedding night, no, a few days later, it was their wedding night. It was not an illusion, Shen Jingzhan had indeed added something to the incense burner.
Combined with the use of perfume, that's why she became like that and wanted to make love with him. It turned out that it was not because of his outstanding figure that she was moved.
It was all because of this fragrance that she fell into the trap set by Shen Jingzhan, became his prey, and was eaten up by him.
"Are you sure?" Even though she was sure in her heart, Zhu Yinluan asked again.
She still found it too psychedelic.
Shen Jingzhan took great pains and planned carefully, but every step could not escape his calculations.
Chen Kouyu had finished a thorough inspection. She handed the slender spoon in her hand to the little maid next to her, "I am very sure!"
"My sense of smell is never wrong."
"But this fragrance——"
Zhu Yinluan was just about to say that the incense had been burned several months ago, and someone cleaned the incense burner and added new spices every day, so how could it be found?
Before she finished her words, she was interrupted by Chen Kouyu, "Sister-in-law, I'm afraid you don't know that dragon boat seeds are very valuable. They are harder to find than ordinary ylang-ylang and Hehuanzui. Their scent is subtle and rare. As long as you get a little bit of it, even if you wash it vigorously, the smell will linger for a long time."
"Not to mention, it was burned in an incense burner, so even after several months, the wall still has the smell of dragon boats."
Zhu Yinluan had nothing more to say, "......"
Chen Kouyu saw that she was in a daze and didn't know what was wrong.
Could it be that she didn't know that the dragon boat was burning?
Or was it that my brother was plotted against by someone else?
"So that's how it is." Zhu Yinluan murmured, "I should have thought of it a long time ago."
What should have been thought of long ago, what turned out to be the case?
"Sister-in-law, what are you talking about? Is there something wrong with this dragon boat?" Or did she say something wrong?
Looking at Zhu Yinluan's distraught face, Chen Kouyu couldn't help but worry.
But Zhu Yinluan was in a daze for a while, and then she laughed at herself.
"Sister-in-law, you..." Chen Kouyu didn't understand and signaled the maid to quickly clean up the incense burner on the ground.
The old lady outside came over and said that the eight-treasure sweet cheese and cake porridge were ready and had been delivered to the yard over there.
Knowing that two people are here, I asked where they want to use it?
If it is used here, then Madam Shen will bring someone to deliver it.
"Sister-in-law, where do you want to eat?" Chen Kouyu lowered her voice unconsciously.
She didn't dare to say a word. Although Shen Kouyu still couldn't figure out what had happened, she gradually came to realize that she might have said something wrong and caused trouble.
Zhu Yinluan didn't say anything. Chen Kouyu took the initiative and said that they should go over there to have a snack, as she was afraid that Zhu Yinluan would stay here and continue to look at the things here in a daze.
Seeing that Zhu Yinluan didn't move, Chen Kouyu pushed Zhu Yinluan, took her hand, and led her out.
After walking a few steps to the door, Zhu Yinluan suddenly stopped. She glanced at Jiaohui and then looked back and told Mingya, "Put these fragrant dews away carefully. Don't lose them."
When Zhu Yinluan said the last sentence, her eyes swept across Jiaohui lightly, and then she walked out.
Chen Kouyu stood beside her, looking at Zhu Yinluan's profile. In a trance, it was as if she saw her brother.
Why do I feel that the two of them are becoming similar in an invisible way?
My brother likes to look at people like this the most.
Has your sister-in-law ever done this before?
Chen Kouyu didn't have time to think too much at this moment and hurried to catch up.
On the way here, Zhu Yinluan quickly calmed down and seemed to be in normal condition.
When the old mother beside Mrs. Shen went over there to pass on the message, the matter over there had already ended, so she had no idea what had happened over there.
In addition, Zhu Yinluan's condition had been very unstable during these days, so no one took it seriously. They just thought that Chen Kouyu had knocked over the incense burner and the maids were cleaning it up.
While eating cake porridge, Zhu Yinluan was also very normal - she looked very normal. Chen Kouyu talked to her and she responded. Chen Kouyu felt relieved a little, but she couldn't be completely relieved.
Chen Kouyu was not aware of the matter regarding the fragrant dew and the incense burner.
Zhu Yinluan didn't eat much. She was still a little distracted, and the tea accidentally wet her sleeves. She stood up and went behind the screen to deal with it.
After Zhu Yinluan left, Madam Shen asked Chen Kouyu if she had gotten anything out of Zhu Yinluan when she was away just now, and asked her what was wrong.
Chen Kouyu paused and shook her head, saying no.
Mrs. Shen didn't believe it, "If not, why is she still depressed?" It was obvious that Zhu Yinluan's personality had changed compared to the previous three months.
Become silent and depressed.
If her previous anger was caused by the noble ladies behind the two families gossiping and saying unpleasant things, Princess Feng'an, who discovered this at the time, had already driven them away.
Later, she said that these two families had caused a lot of trouble for her when Shen Jingzhan was investigating the case, and now they are in a very difficult situation.
The Marquis's wife was envious of having such a strong husband to stand up for her. I don't know what she is still worried about. It has been so much time and she is still depressed and silent.
Speaking of being dull and stubborn, during the time she spent with Zhu, Mrs. Shen discovered that she was indeed very tolerant and rarely confided her thoughts to others. No matter how others asked, she would not say anything, and even the slightest clue made it difficult to explore her thoughts.
"My sister-in-law really didn't say anything to me, and I didn't get anything out of her."
"Maybe it's because you're bored?" Shen Kouyu asked Madam Shen to take her out for a walk if she was free, because Shen Kouyu knew very well that now that Zhu Yinluan was in the Shen family, Madam Shen and Shen Jingzhan would not let her leave the yard at will.
In the past, Zhu Yinluan was relatively quiet, but people are not born quiet. If it weren't for the Zhu family's harsh treatment, she would probably have been a bright and lively person.
She couldn't imagine staying in the yard all day, wouldn't she be suffocated? Her brother was so busy and didn't have much time to accompany his sister-in-law, so she was inevitably scared to be alone in the Shen family.
It was only after Chen Kouyu got married that she gradually came to understand Zhu Yinluan.
After all, the Zhao Mansion had become her home, but the Zhao family was still too unfamiliar to her.
She was the legitimate daughter of a marquisate, and her father and brother were both important figures in the court. Even if the two families had no old friendship, it was impossible for the Zhao family to treat her badly.
It's not certain about Zhu Yinluan. She is alone and has no support at home. Even if there is the Shi family, she will not bother to go there.
Therefore, she was alone in the back house and had no one to rely on.
"She is in an unstable mood right now, how dare I take her out? What's more, your brother won't allow it." Madam Shen's voice became lower and lower, asking her if she had forgotten that Shen Jingzhan had instructed her not to let Zhu Yinluan leave the yard.
"Now that Princess Feng'an has returned, mother, it would be nice if you could take your sister-in-law out for a walk more often?" At this point, Chen Kouyu couldn't help but defend Princess Feng'an, saying that she was actually a very good person, and not as bad as people said.
Mrs. Shen nodded perfunctorily and said yes, Princess Feng'an is very good.
"Mother, let's not talk about Princess Feng'an. Just remember what I told you. Take my sister-in-law out for a walk to relieve her boredom. Maybe she will feel better."
Chen Kouyu felt that Zhu Yinluan was bored.
“Okay, okay, your mother will remember it.” Mrs. Shen said.
"Oh, right." Chen Kouyu remembered something, "I heard people say that you, mother, have been close to the Meng family recently?"
Mrs. Shen asked back, “Who did you hear that from?”
"Mother, don't worry about who your daughter heard it from. Just tell me, right?"
Mrs. Shen: "Having asked this, have you heard any rumors?"
Chen Kouyu didn't nod, and then asked, "You don't really want to let the Meng family in, do you?"
The other party was her own daughter, so Mrs. Shen did not hide it, "That's indeed what I meant."
Chen Kouyu quickly advised, "Mother, you'd better give up this idea. My brother will never agree to it."
Because Shen Jingzhan has an obsession with Zhu Yinluan, and what's more, she can also see that Zhu Yinluan likes Shen Jingzhan. If Meng Yun from the Meng family were to come in, there would be no telling how many problems would arise.
"It's impossible for my brother to take in a concubine. It's a waste of effort for you to do all this."
"Why do you only throw cold water on your mother and not think about the offspring of our eldest branch? As the crown prince, your brother will inherit the title in the future, so naturally the more offspring he has, the better."
Zhu Yinluan hadn't come out yet, and Madam Shen lowered her voice, "Think about Zhu's health. She's in such a dangerous situation even with her first pregnancy. She's still suffering from morning sickness after the first three months. I'm really scared..."
Mrs. Shen thought that no one heard their conversation, but she didn't expect that Zhu Yinluan over there heard it all. The reason why she hadn't come out yet was that she had been listening.
"Mother!" Chen Kouyu frowned and said, "Isn't the bloodline of our eldest house enough? Father doesn't just have my brother as his son. All the children born to his concubines are members of the family, too."
"Our eldest branch of the family is already flourishing enough. Why do you have to keep staring at your brother's knees?"
Madam Shen was still persistent in her own thoughts. "Your brother is outstanding. How can others compare to him? Moreover, if Zhu gave birth to a daughter, how would she inherit the title in the future? Would she have to give it to someone else?"
Mrs. Shen looked at how much Shen Jingzhan loved Zhu Yinluan and was afraid that after Zhu Yinluan gave birth to this child, she would not let her have another one. Naturally, she wanted to take precautions.
Moreover, Zhu Yinluan's origin is not good enough. If her child inherits the title in the future, what will happen if the mother's family is not strong enough? The eldest son has many children, so who wouldn't be eyeing the position of marquis?
The other illegitimate sons of the eldest house were also very outstanding. If Shen Jingzhan had not been powerful enough, they would not have been able to be suppressed at all.
"Mother, why do women have to make things difficult for women?" Shen Kouyu really couldn't stand what she said about daughters not being able to inherit the title, but she also knew that if she argued with Madam Shen about this, she wouldn't listen.
She simply used herself as an example, "Mother, look at Zhao Jinbai. He is so weak. If the Zhao family really wants to have an heir, do you think it will work if they give him concubines and maids?"
"Don't talk nonsense. You can't talk about your marriage like this. The Zhao family is weak, and you are at a disadvantage. How can your affairs be mixed up with your brother's?"
"Why can't I do that?" Chen Kouyu asked her to put herself in his shoes and think about it. "You were always unhappy when your father took a concubine. Why did you want to give your brother a concubine? Could it be that you are jealous of your sister-in-law being favored by your brother?"
Madam Shen, “…” She was really angry, but she was her own daughter, so she couldn’t hit or scold her. She had to lower her voice and swallow her anger.
"You don't want the Zhao family to take in a concubine, isn't it because you love your daughter? My sister-in-law is a daughter-in-law, different from a daughter, so you advocate taking in a concubine for my brother."
"You are my daughter, so what's wrong with me thinking more about you?" Mrs. Shen poked her forehead unhappily.
"Oh, mother, I know you are doing this for my own good, but my sister-in-law is also a very good person. Although she comes from a small family, she is very decent in her conduct and in her dealings with others. Now that my daughter is married, you should treat her like your own daughter. If you treat my sister-in-law well, my brother will be happy too."
Chen Kouyu recounted Zhu Yinluan's strengths to Madam Shen again and asked her to think more about Zhu Yinluan's good points.
"Okay, okay, whatever you say is right." Mrs. Shen waved her hands, unwilling to continue this topic.
Chen Kouyu wanted to speak again, but Zhu Yinluan came out.
"Sister-in-law!" She hurriedly went up to her and said that if Zhu Yinluan didn't come out, she would soon eat up all the cake and porridge.
"I don't like sweet things, so just eat more, aunt." Zhu Yinluan smiled at Chen Kouyu.
"Then I have to thank you, sister-in-law. Just ask the kitchen to make more of what you like to eat. You have a healthy body now, so you can't let yourself suffer."
"Yeah." Zhu Yinluan nodded and moved the Eight Treasures Sweet Yogurt in front of Chen Kouyu.
Madam Shen asked her to eat slowly, "If it's not enough, I'll make more for you."
"......"
After dinner, Chen Kouyu was about to leave.
Mrs. Shen wiped her tears and sent the person to the door.
Shen Jingzhan was really busy. After Zhu Yinluan took a bath tonight, she still didn't come back.
Originally, she thought that since Jiao Hui had already received the news, she would definitely let Shen Jingzhan know.
But I didn't expect that Shen Jingzhan still didn't come back.
Perhaps the government is really too busy.
Zhu Yinluan intentionally waited for a while, wanting to wait for Shen Jingzhan to come back and confront him, but Shen Jingzhan still didn't come back. Even without burning the calming incense, she felt a little sleepy and fell asleep.
Shen Jingzhan did get the news, but was tripped up by matters at the imperial court. Because someone was in the court's party, someone had died. When the news came from the Shen family, he was still in the prison of the Ministry of Justice, watching the coroner perform an autopsy.
He first asked how Zhu Yinluan was doing.
"The young lady seems to be in a good mood, but she is waiting for you tonight, and I'm afraid she wants to..." showdown with you.
Shen Jingzhan hummed calmly and watched the coroner cut open the body.
"Has the person sent out to investigate Feng'an received a reply?" Shen Jingzhan asked.
The guard said, "I was just about to tell you about this matter, and I'm back now."
Shen Jingzhan didn't ask in detail, but just moved his gaze and looked at the other person.
His guards nodded.
As expected, Shen Jingzhan waved his hand and said, "The court has been busy these days, please send more people to look after her."
"Yes." The subordinate said there would not be any mistakes or omissions.
"Yeah." Shen Jingzhan said calmly.
In the next few days, Zhu Yinluan did not see Shen Jingzhan either.
Didn't even come back at night.
Because she heard from Mingya that he didn't return home.
Not only did he not return home, he also stopped sending her cakes and other things as usual.
Instead, he sent someone to tell her to have a good rest.
Zhu Yinluan could also ask someone to pass a message to him, but this matter involved privacy, so she thought it would be better to tell Shen Jingzhan in person.
Therefore, I didn't urge him too much and just waited for him to come back.
She didn't believe that Shen Jingzhan wouldn't come back, it was just a matter of time.
Old Mrs. Shen’s illness has not been cured yet. Now it is autumn and winter is approaching. She is feeling more and more lazy and her hair has turned a lot whiter.
She often saw Zhu Yinluan and asked her to come over and talk.
Mrs. Shen was very attentive and asked her if there was any problem between her and Shen Jingzhan?
Zhu Yinluan knew that Madam Shen and Old Lady Shen were both shrewd people, and she was afraid that she could not hide it from them. If she said that everything was fine, they would definitely not believe it.
So, she found an excuse, "My husband said a few days ago that after my sister-in-law got married, he would have time to rest and take me to the lake, but now he is getting busier and busier, and I can't see him anymore, so..."
Zhu Yinluan lowered her little face, and Old Mrs. Shen couldn't see the emotion in her eyes.
After looking at Zhu Yinluan for a while, I actually believed what she said.
"The affairs of the Yao family are complicated, and there are not many people available in the court. I heard from your father-in-law that His Majesty intends to thoroughly clean up the court structure this time. Ting Lan is in charge of the Censorate, so he is very busy."
"You've been married for less than half a year, and you've been apart for more than you've been together. It's no wonder that you're unhappy. Don't worry, Ting Lan has you in his heart. He probably misses you more than you miss him."
Zhu Yinluan smiled slightly and said, "Grandma is right. It's because my granddaughter-in-law is ignorant."
"You are the same age as Yu'er, and you are relatively young, but you are much more sensible than her." Zhu Yinluan served her medicine with great dedication and dedication, more dedicated than most people in the family, and Old Lady Shen liked her more and more.
While talking, he asked the old lady next to him to get a set of headgear for Zhu Yinluan.
When Zhu Yinluan saw the material of the headdress, she found out that it was actually top-quality jadeite, and she quickly said it was too valuable and she dared not accept it.
"You are young and need to clean up more. Please accept it." Old Mrs. Shen gestured to the old lady to hand it to the little maid beside Zhu Yinluan, without giving her another chance to refuse.
In this case, Zhu Yinluan could only express his gratitude.
After having lunch at Old Lady Shen's place.
I bumped into the old mother next to Madam Shen and said she was just looking for her.
What did Zhu Yinluan ask?
"Madam will take you out to the theatre."
"Go out to see a play?" Was it because of what Chen Kouyu said that day?
"I am pregnant now, and my mother-in-law loves me so much that she doesn't let me manage the household affairs. In a few days, it will be the time to pay the monthly allowance, and my mother-in-law is busy, so I am afraid I won't go to the theater, right?"
"We have already made an appointment at the theater. Madam, you should go. Today, not only is Madam here, but there are other families as well. The invitations have already been sent. If you don't go, Madam will be alone, right?"
Someone else’s? Zhu Yinluan was about to ask which one it was.
But the old mother urged her to go quickly, saying that it would waste time.
Zhu Yinluan had no choice but to follow.
She was in the same carriage as Madam Shen. Madam Shen asked her questions as usual, and Zhu Yinluan answered them honestly.
As she asked, Mrs. Shen asked, like Old Lady Shen, if anything had happened between her and Shen Jingzhan.
Zhu Yinluan still responded with the same wording.
Mrs. Shen did not suspect anything after hearing this. She looked at her for a long time, and Zhu Yinluan let Mrs. Shen look at her.
He said he was going to some opera troupe, but actually he was just going to the Meng family.
Zhu Yinluan looked at the plaque of the Meng family and felt that Mrs. Shen might not just bring her out to watch a play today.
Mrs. Meng was very welcome to the two. She made preparations early and personally brought people to the door to greet them.
Although the Shen family is powerful and the Meng family is inferior, they are not much inferior. However, Madam Meng is very fond of Madam Shen.
Miss Meng Yun was wearing a goose yellow dress and had her hair tied up in a flowing bun. She stood next to Madam Meng, looking extremely gentle and well-behaved.
He first greeted Mrs. Shen, and then greeted Zhu Yinluan.
The opera troupe was not the same one that Zhu Yinluan had seen before, but the performance was also very good. She was feeling depressed, but as she watched, she became fascinated without realizing it.
During this period, Mrs. Shen looked at her many times, but she didn't notice.
Madam Meng spoke to Madam Shen, "The young mistress of the prince doesn't seem to be very pregnant. It's almost four months, right?"
"She's thin and didn't eat much in the past, so this is the case." Mrs. Shen responded, "Maybe it will be obvious when the month is a little later."
At this point, Meng Yun handed over the peeled pastry, "Madam, this is very crispy and tastes great, would you like to try it?"
Zhu Yinluan turned sideways and looked over. "Thank you, Miss Meng."
"You are too polite, Madam. Please continue watching the show."
Mrs. Shen looked at the interaction between the two and said nothing.
"......"
Dinner was naturally eaten at the Meng family's house. The Meng family had obviously put a lot of thought into it, and everything from the food to the pastries was exquisite.
Zhu Yinluan felt much better after watching a play today, and she ate more at dinner.
After the meal, Mrs. Shen took Zhu Yinluan away without staying too long.
On the way back, the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law were talking. At first, everything was fine, but as they were talking, Mrs. Shen asked her what she thought of the people in the Meng family?
Zhu Yinluan's eyelashes twitched, "Not bad."
"How is it good?"
"Mrs. Meng is kind, and Miss Meng is gentle." Zhu Yinluan was more specific.
Madam Shen continued, "Meng Yun is indeed a good girl. She is one of the most distinguished ladies in the capital. I think she is the best, not only in appearance, but also in talent..."
After a lot of talking, Mrs. Shen stopped to drink tea.
Zhu Yinluan clenched the heater in her hand, pursed her lips and asked,
"Mother-in-law, do you want Miss Meng to be your husband's concubine?"
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