Chapter 95 Chapter 95 "Does Luan'er like me or hate me? ...
Thinking of the series of changes she heard and saw when she went to Zhu’s house last time, Zhu Yinluan’s heart beat faster.
She went up the stairs almost three steps at a time, which frightened Jiaohui and Mingya who were following her. They both formed a circle to protect her.
"Miss, please be careful. There is no need to rush."
After entering and understanding the whole story, I realized that someone had thrown a poisonous beehive in from outside the Shen family's courtyard wall. The poisonous bees were running around and were very powerful, biting many people.
So the maids and servants who were affected burst into tears. Not only were they crying, their faces were badly swollen and covered with bruises. Everyone was worried.
"Who threw it in?" Was it to deal with the Shen family? It was not enough to deal with it openly, but they had to use such despicable means.
"That thief was very fast and slipped away. We have already sent people to catch him."
"Where's the doctor? Have you looked for him?" The little maidservant on the left was stung very badly. Her whole face was swollen and she couldn't speak. She looked funny and pitiful.
"He's gone." The manager who had escaped the disaster hurried over and reported to Zhu Yinluan.
Mrs. Shen, who was not far away, also heard about what happened here and rushed over from Old Lady Shen’s Yunmei Hall to check it out.
On the way here, she had heard that someone had thrown poisonous bees into the Shen family's yard. When she saw Zhu Yinluan standing in the crowd, Mrs. Shen was frightened.
"Why are you back?"
"Still standing here?!" As they spoke, they looked around at Zhu Yinluan.
Although Mrs. Shen's voice was stern and her expression was not pleasant, the care in her words was something Zhu Yinluan rarely felt.
She smiled and reassured Mrs. Shen that there were no poisonous bees when she came.
"There's no guarantee that there will be any left. These snakes, insects and poisonous ants are the most frightening to humans." Madam Shen personally closed the hood of her cloak, covering Zhu Yinluan tightly, and told the maid to send Zhu Yinluan to a safe place first.
"I'll come find you later, you leave first." Madam Shen wanted to ask people to investigate this thoroughly. Zhu Yinluan knew it would be troublesome if she stayed, so she nodded. Besides, the situation was urgent and this was not the right time to talk.
She also went to Yunmei Hall to see Old Madam Shen.
Old Mrs. Shen had just taken some medicine and she looked in good spirits, as if she was not affected by the rumors outside.
She asked Zhu Yinluan to sit in front of her, but before she could say anything, an old lady came running in from outside, saying that she was here to tell her what Shen Jingzhan had said. Zhu Yinluan had been too worried, and now she finally had news about him.
She stood up suddenly, walked a few steps outside and looked over. She didn't see Shen Jingzhan, but saw the old woman who was delivering the message. She was holding a food tray in her hand and said that it was the sweet rice cake that Shen Jingzhan bought for her, and it was still hot.
In addition, there are some small dumplings she likes, with sesame, peanut and walnut fillings.
"Where is my husband?" Zhu Yinluan looked outside and indeed did not see him.
"The prince has been summoned to the palace by His Majesty."
"What are you asking the palace to do?" Shen Jingzhan had been on leave for a long time.
He didn't attend the morning court today, so why was he suddenly summoned?
Zhu Yinluan was really worried and kept asking.
Old Mrs. Shen smiled when she saw her reaction.
Zhu Yinluan was so worried about Shen Jingzhan, and Old Lady Shen was very relieved. In the past, Shen Jingzhan liked her very much, and she seemed very calm.
She is finally anxious today. If her grandson sees it, he will probably be extremely happy.
"I don't know the specific reason, but the prince told you to relax and take good care of yourself. You can rest in the mansion for the next few days."
Zhu Yinluan didn't know what to say, as Shen Jingzhan's subordinate who came to deliver the message had already left.
She stood at the door and looked out for a long time. It was Mingya next to her who reminded her that Zhu Yinluan finally realized where this place was.
She quickly turned back and talked to Old Mrs. Shen.
"You've heard what people are saying outside, right?" asked Old Mrs. Shen.
Zhu Yinluan nodded and said she heard it. She also told Old Lady Shen what happened in the morning, "My grandson's wife was worried, so she came to the Marquis' Mansion to find out the news."
Old Madam Shen looked at her face. Even if Zhu Yinluan didn't say anything, one could see the worry on her face.
She looked like she was worried about Shen Jingzhan as a person, not her husband, Master Shen.
Originally, Old Lady Shen wanted to test Shen Jingzhan, but she was afraid of hurting Zhu Yinluan's heart. This pregnant woman is the most delicate.
Besides, she knew Zhu Yinluan's past character and personality. She was not the kind of person who flattered the powerful and looked down on the weak. She was a down-to-earth person.
Thinking of this, Mrs. Shen finally did not ask.
She comforted Zhu Yinluan, "It is normal for the court to be in turmoil. Tinglan is a high-ranking official at a young age. It is natural that he will become a target of public criticism when he is ordered to serve the emperor."
After hearing what Old Lady Shen said, does that mean everything is fine?
But the capital was in turmoil, and the emperor had called Shen Jingzhan away, but Zhu Yinluan still couldn't calm down.
After all, it is no longer a trivial matter.
"My husband—"
Zhu Yinluan was about to speak after careful consideration when she heard footsteps outside. She quickly turned around to look, and her heart became gloomy again. How could she expect it to be Chen Jingzhan? She already said it wasn't him.
Mrs. Shen saw that Zhu Yinluan looked depressed and didn't understand why, so she asked if she was feeling unwell, or if she had just been stung by a poisonous spike.
As he spoke, he asked someone to call the doctor over.
It was Old Lady Shen who raised her hand to stop him, "You don't have to go. Granddaughter-in-law is fine. I'm just worried about Ting Lan. I can't let it go in my heart, and I can't calm down on my face."
Madam Shen heaved a sigh of relief and patiently coaxed Zhu Yinluan, "Tinglan is fine, but your father-in-law is protecting you."
Old Madam Shen gave a look to the old lady she trusted next to her, and Yunmei Hall was cleared out inside and outside.
After hearing what Mrs. Shen said and seeing her face relax, Zhu Yinluan finally began to believe that Shen Jingzhan was most likely fine.
If something happened, Mrs. Shen could keep her composure, but Mrs. Shen couldn't be so calm, right?
Is he really alright, or is he just pretending in front of her?
Zhu Yinluan stared at Madam Shen for a long time, which made Madam Shen laugh. "Could it be that Yinluan thinks that I, as your mother-in-law, am deceiving you?"
"My daughter-in-law doesn't dare, but the rumors are spreading like wildfire outside, and I... can't let it go."
Doesn’t the saying go like this: If a tree stands out in the forest, the wind will destroy it?
What's more, Shen Jingzhan is so outstanding.
There were no outsiders here, so Madam Shen told Zhu Yinluan directly, "Don't worry, Ting Lan is very smart, nothing will go wrong. How can you take the rumors outside seriously? If you really listened to the nonsense of those villains, it would be your own belly that would be hurt. You are getting pregnant, what if something unexpected happens?"
Zhu Yinluan was reluctant to express her opinion on matters concerning the court, even in front of the women of the Shen family.
After a long while, Zhu Yinluan said, "My wife knows."
"Yeah." Madam Shen nodded and urged her to taste the cakes that Shen Jingzhan had sent back to her, and then teased Zhu Yinluan with a smile.
She said that she was her biological mother, and now she had to rely on her blessing to eat the cakes bought by Shen Jingzhan.
Zhu Yinluan smiled when she learned that there was no real accusation or malicious intent in Mrs. Shen's words.
This smile made me feel a lot more relaxed.
The three of them sat together and talked. Ever since Old Lady Shen changed her prescription, her spirit and energy have become better and she is not as easily drowsy as before.
She was so happy that Zhu Yinluan came back today that she didn't take a nap at noon. Not only did she get up, she also asked someone to set up cards, saying that she was going to teach Zhu Yinluan how to play.
Just when they were worried about being short of one person, the wife from the second house came and took the right seat for the card game. She also brought her daughter-in-law and held her grandson. Old Mrs. Shen played with her great-grandson for a while.
The Shen family was not what she thought. There was laughter and joy everywhere. She thought that if something happened to Shen Jingzhan, everyone in the Shen family would be worried, but no one seemed to be worried?
Especially the second wife, Shen Jingzhan was implicated this time, is there "evidence" that the second wife Shen Jiaxian made friends with the young leader of the frontier?
The second wife did not look worried at all. After all, Shen Jiaxian had been exiled before, and she had been at a loss for what to do for several months.
Now... I feel relieved.
Zhu Yinluan was puzzled and finally said nothing.
The second wife's daughter-in-law was holding the child next to her. Madam Shen and Old Lady Shen were sitting opposite each other. Opposite Zhu Yinluan was the second wife. The four of them started playing cards.
Zhu Yinluan doesn't play often, so her hands are not very experienced and her movements are slow, so the three men waited for her patiently.
The second wife's daughter-in-law looked at Zhu Yinluan with envy and couldn't help thinking in her heart that this man was capable and his status in her husband's family had risen accordingly. The child hadn't even been born yet, and not only was his mother-in-law tolerant of him, but even the ancestors of the family were showing him favoritism.
Zhu Yinluan was born in a small family, she had no family background, and it was all thanks to Shen Jingzhan that she was able to gain glory and enter a high-class family, becoming one of the top noble ladies.
The fate of each person is really different.
While the second wife's daughter-in-law was distracted, the game of cards here had already been completed.
Zhu Yinluan was not familiar with the game, and even though her parents wanted to let her win, she still lost.
"Brother Zhan's daughter-in-law is really fast at transferring money." Zhu Yinluan handed the banknote to the second wife, and this time she was the first to push the card.
The second wife didn't answer and said, "Just now I was just warming up, so don't count it. If you lose again next time, I, your aunt, will charge you."
Zhu Yinluan was wondering what to do?
But Mrs. Shen gave her a look to ask her to take it back.
Zhu Yinluan thanked the second wife.
She played more seriously in the second game, but still lost, because no matter how familiar she was with the game, she could not compare to these ladies who played cards all day long. They not only played cards, but also guessed the cards. Whether it was throwing cards or placing cards, it was very particular.
It wasn't just the second game, but also the third game. Zhu Yinluan kept losing for the entire afternoon. Madam Shen also lost, but not as much as she did.
Old Lady Shen and the second wife won a lot of money, especially the second wife, who was grinning from ear to ear, and wondered if Zhu Yinluan had deliberately let her win today, which made Zhu Yinluan laugh and cry.
In the past, Zhu Yinluan would never have dared to play cards, let alone such a big card.
Thanks to the foundation given to her by Shen Jingzhan and the Shen family.
She never imagined in the past that today she would be able to play cards with the noble ladies of the capital and lose so much money in an afternoon without blinking an eye.
She no longer cares about winning or losing when playing cards, she just wants to have fun. In the past, she would not even dare to think about it.
But I just lived this comfortable life, and it was extremely leisurely and enjoyable.
"Why don't we draw lots to change positions? Maybe it will be better if we change them."
Old Mrs. Shen is in good spirits and smiling, so she must continue playing.
Zhu Yinluan said she didn't want to change, but the second lady asked her to change. Mrs. Shen said to just draw lots. When the lots were drawn, Zhu Yinluan and Mrs. Shen switched places, and the second lady and Old Lady Shen were swapped.
But he was not familiar with the cards. Even though Zhu Yinluan had learned a lot in the afternoon and changed positions, he still lost in the end.
I lost really badly. I managed to win one or two rounds in the afternoon, but I didn't win anything until before dinner. I lost everything.
Mrs. Shen couldn't help laughing, wondering if she was tired from fighting, but she looked fine.
"I'm sorry that my wife is not good at playing cards..."
"What's there to be embarrassed about? Let's just have fun playing with Brother Zhan's daughter-in-law."
After the change of positions, the second wife and Old Lady Shen were still "equally matched", with Lady Shen winning a little less and Zhu Yinluan Chunchun losing money.
"You were a little harsh today, so please return some of it to my wife." The second wife handed some silver notes to Zhu Yinluan.
"Aunt, this won't work. I have to accept the loss," she said.
Mrs. Shen did not mention Zhu Yinluan this time, but echoed her words that it was better to accept defeat when one is willing to gamble.
"Okay." With so much money, she could almost buy a shop, so the second wife was happy to accept it.
My impression of Zhu Yinluan has changed a lot, not because of her poor card skills, but because she can afford to lose.
In the past, when she played with some noble ladies in the capital, her face changed after she lost three or two games in a row. If the number increased to six or seven, she would definitely start to make excuses, either changing seats or not playing anymore because of something at home.
Zhu Yinluan came from a humble family, but was not poor.
Old Madam Shen looked at the second wife counting money and said to Zhu Yinluan with a smile, "When Tinglan comes back, ask him to teach you how to play cards."
"Husband?"
"Yes." Madam Shen continued, "Tinglan is very good at playing cards. He is good at both literature and martial arts, and is good at playing the piano, chess, calligraphy and painting. He is usually among the best."
The second wife said, "If my wife gets the true teachings of Zhan Ge'er, then I, your aunt, won't dare to play with you."
"Sister-in-law, you're not so unable to afford to lose, right?" Madam Shen said that Zhu Yinluan had lost so much today, and she would have to make some of the money back later.
The second wife said, "Why are you waiting to hone your card skills?"
"In a few months, when the baby is born, I will definitely send you a generous gift."
Mrs. Shen smiled and said that this was more like it.
As they were talking, footsteps were heard outside. Zhu Yinluan was watching the maids sorting the cards, slightly distracted. Unexpectedly, a gentle voice was heard from outside, and she was slightly startled.
The body works faster than the slow brain.
Who else could the person who walked in around the screen be but Shen Jingzhan?
He strode in with strong long legs, and a faint smile as warm as spring breeze hung on his face.
Not to mention Zhu Yinluan, even the second wife, Mrs. Shen, and the second wife's daughter-in-law thought that he was really confusing.
"Is Zhan'er back?" The second wife told him that Zhu Yinluan had lost badly in the card game today.
"Really?" Shen Jingzhan first greeted the elders in the inner hall, and then sat next to Zhu Yinluan.
"While I was not at home, my grandmother, mother, and aunt bullied my wife alone?"
Old Mrs. Shen asked him to ask Zhu Yinluan whether she was bullied.
Madam Shen and the second wife naturally echoed what Old Lady Shen said, and asked Shen Jingzhan to ask if there was any bullying.
Without waiting for Shen Jingzhan to ask, Zhu Yinluan, who had come to his senses, was the first to say that there was no bullying.
"Did Luan'er have fun today?" He sat down next to her and subconsciously reached out to touch her face, but was afraid that she would be angry, so in the end he didn't touch her and only touched the tassels of her hairpin.
"I'm happy today..." She felt the fresh breath coming from him and felt an unreal sense of security.
Shen Jingzhan came back just like that?
I thought he...he was summoned to the palace like last time, and he couldn't show up or go home for many days.
So fast?
"How much do you lose to Auntie today? I will give Luan'er double the amount."
"No need..." Zhu Yinluan didn't want to talk about this anymore. When she turned around, she gave Shen Jingzhan a look, signaling him not to say anything more.
The maids outside said that the table had been set in the front hall and asked everyone to move forward.
Zhu Yinluan went to help old lady Shen, while Shen Jingzhan went around to the other side. The two of them were on the left and right. Seeing the two of them right beside her made old lady Shen happy.
Lord Shen from the front hall also came back. In addition, the elders from each branch were also present.
At the dinner table, everyone was happily chatting about family matters while eating, and no one mentioned what was happening outside the capital.
Compared to her previous experience at the Wei family, when Wei Ruzhuo got into trouble and the Wei family was in a panic, the people of the Shen family were too indifferent, as if Shen Jingzhan would never get into trouble and there was no such thing happening outside.
Zhu Yinluan didn't want to show her fear and ate her meal as usual. Shen Jingzhan was beside her picking up food for her. He also asked her if she had eaten all the sweet rice cakes today.
The reason why he asked the person to send it back late was not because of something else, but because he tasted a piece first and felt that today's sweet rice cake was too sweet, so he asked the store to reduce the malt sugar and make it again, so he asked the person to send it back late.
No one mentioned the affairs of the court, and Zhu Yinluan's subsequent conversation carefully avoided the question she wanted to ask most.
She said she ate a lot, and today the parents also ate with her. It tasted very good and everyone liked it very much.
Even though she said that, Shen Jingzhan was still not satisfied. He kept asking her, "Does Luan'er like it?"
Zhu Yinluan glanced at him and said, "I like it."
In order to repay Shen Jingzhan's love, she picked up a piece of crispy spareribs placed in front of her for Shen Jingzhan, which was her favorite recently.
Shen Jingzhan looked at the spareribs she brought over and couldn't help but laugh.
Ever since he married Zhu Yinluan home, Shen Jingzhan has changed his previous cold appearance and is always smiling.
As handsome as he was, the people in the Shen family were afraid of him and always thought that it was bad to see him smile. But after seeing him so many times, they got used to it.
But Shen Jingzhan usually just smiled lightly, but today he actually laughed out loud.
I was used to paying attention to the elders over there, and I was puzzled to see Shen Jingzhan smiling so happily.
Didn’t Zhu Yinluan just pick up some crispy spareribs for him?
To be honest, the smile is a little worthless, "......"
It is simply hard to imagine that this is the most difficult to bribe minister to the emperor in the capital, who is unwilling to accept the daily necessities of life.
Even if you throw the spare ribs to the puppy raised by the Shen family, the puppy might not want to eat it.
"......"
The two people involved were still eating without realizing it.
After dinner, Zhu Yinluan and Shen Jingzhan naturally stayed in the Marquis' Mansion.
The courtyard still remained the same as when the two left, with someone cleaning it every day and it was spotless.
When Zhu Yinluan came back, she no longer felt the suffocated feeling she had before.
Perhaps because she was thinking about other things at the moment, when she arrived at the inner room, she hurriedly sat down and asked Shen Jingzhan if something happened.
But he grabbed her wrist, pulled her into his arms, let her sit on his thighs, buried his head in her shoulder bones, and took a deep breath of her scent.
Zhu Yinluan, who was sniffed, "......"
"Speak." She urged him anxiously.
Shen Jingzhan still didn't speak, she couldn't help but push Shen Jingzhan's handsome face, pushing him a little further away.
But there was a desk behind her, and no matter how hard she pushed, Shen Jingzhan remained the same, and she could not completely push Shen Jingzhan away. She leaned her back against the desk, with a faint smile on her lips, looking at her lazily.
Zhu Yinluan felt a little embarrassed when he looked at her, and her face flushed. She pursed her lips and turned away.
"Don't do that anymore. Speak quickly."
"Luan'er is worried about me?"
Zhu Yinluan, "......"
"no."
"Then why do you keep asking about my safety?"
"Because you are my husband, we have the same interests and share the same honor and disgrace. If anything happens to you, I will be doomed too."
"So you're worried about something happening to yourself." The man who was originally smiling suddenly looked lonely, and his tone became desolate as well.
Even though she knew he was most likely acting, Zhu Yinluan's heart still tightened as she looked towards him.
But when you really look at him, you find that he doesn't seem to be pretending. He has his eyes downcast and looks like he has a lot on his mind?
Zhu Yinluan frowned, "Stop teasing me, are you okay?"
"I have already informed His Majesty that this matter has nothing to do with Luan'er. What the people in the capital said is true. Everything that happened to the Zhu and Wei families was done by me, especially the inhumane things done by Wei Ruzhuo. Everyone in the capital knows that they wronged you in the beginning."
"It's my fault..." His voice sounded serious and sincere.
For a moment, Zhu Yinluan was really frightened.
Her frown deepened.
"The emperor sympathized with my hard work since I entered the court, and gave me a favor, promising me that he would only punish me and not implicate the Shen family or Luan'er."
"The imperial edict will come down tomorrow."
Zhu Yinluan didn't believe it at first, but when she heard the word "imperial edict", she panicked again, thinking that Shen Jingzhan would not lie about this, right?
She said, "You! Are you serious? If so, why is it so?" Didn't Madam Shen say that Lord Shen would protect Shen Jingzhan?
Could it be that everything the Shen family did today was just a trick to deceive her in order to comfort her?
"So Luan'er, the night before we are about to part, can you tell me the truth?"
He raised his eyes to look at her, his pupils looked extremely sad and a little dejected, which made Zhu Yinluan feel as if they were really going to part.
Plus, his tone was so serious, Zhu Yinluan felt as if something was really going to happen?
Could it be true?
"you......"
"I just want to hear the truth. Luan'er, don't be afraid of hurting me. If you really hate me, just tell me directly."
"About everything you do to me, whether I like it or not..."
He laughed as he spoke, but this laugh had the kind of beauty that flashes across a flower in the night, the only bad thing was that it disappeared so quickly.
"...I am so excited that I can't control myself."
"so..."
He pulled her hand to touch his eyebrows, and rubbed his handsome face against her palm, causing Zhu Yinluan's heart to tremble.
"Does Luan'er like me? Or does she hate me?"
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