Chapter 75 [75] Orchid musk fills the air, □□ touches the lips...
【75】/First release
That night, Qian Sijin shared the experience she had gained from reading vernacular novels and operas since she was ten years old, and used countless vivid metaphors to finally help Yun Ran understand the difference between liking something.
She could also confirm that her feelings for Sima Jing were not just ordinary liking, but the love between men and women that her third sister-in-law had described.
She has feelings for Sima Jing.
So when she learned about his past, she felt sorry for him. But when she saw him getting better, she was happy for him.
When she hugs and kisses him, her face will turn red and her heart will beat faster.
When she argued with him or went into a cold war with him, she would feel chest tightness, shortness of breath, and loss of appetite.
When she heard that the Queen Mother was going to give her a palace maid, she would become jealous and angry.
When she parted with him at Baqiao, she would miss him so much and worry about him...
She didn't know where the love came from, but when she looked back, she found that the man had quietly lived in her heart.
Yun Ran understood.
Unfortunately, it was too late, Sima Jing had already left.
"If I had known I should have stayed with my third sister-in-law last night, I could have told him today that I like him!"
Yun Ran clenched his fists and sighed deeply.
Qian Sijin yawned lazily, "Good things never come late. It's not too late to talk about it after His Highness returns. If you're really anxious, write a letter tomorrow and have someone deliver it. They haven't gone far yet. If we hurry, they might receive your letter in two days."
"It's not that urgent."
Yun Ran heard the teasing in his sister-in-law's words, and his cheeks flushed slightly. "Besides, it's better to say this kind of thing in person?"
"That's true."
Qian Sijin nodded, yawned again, and lay down with the quilt in her arms. "I can't wait any longer. I really need to go to sleep. If your third brother knew I stayed up so late chatting with you, I don't know how he would nag me."
Yun Ran also knew it was getting late, so he lay down obediently. "If Third Brother is talking about you, just push the blame on me. I'm also grateful to Third Sister-in-law for guiding me today, otherwise I don't know how long I would have been confused and talking to His Highness."
Qian Sijin burst out laughing: "Oh my dear sister, please stop making me laugh, I really can't stand it."
Yun Ran: “……?”
How did she make her laugh? Third sister-in-law's sense of humor is so strange.
But she didn't say anything else, lest she start talking endlessly. She didn't mind staying up all night, as her third sister-in-law was pregnant.
Perhaps it was because the confusion that had been bothering him for a long time had been resolved, and with Qian Sijin, a warm pregnant woman, sleeping next to him, Yun Ran slept soundly on the first night after parting with Sima Jing.
When she woke up the next morning, Qian Sijin was still sleeping soundly with the quilt in her arms.
Yun Ran knew that pregnant women were heavy and easily tired and lazy, so she got out of bed quietly, said a few words to the maid in Yingziyuan, and went straight back to her Tingxiaxuan.
When I arrived at the door of Tingxiaxuan, I saw a forsythia climbing on the pink wall.
In the warm spring sunshine, the small goose yellow petals sway gently in the breeze, and the tender green branches stretch softly, showing a vibrant look.
"Spring has really arrived."
Yun Ran looked at the flower heralding the arrival of spring, and his heart seemed to be illuminated by the sun, bright and clear.
Despite the efforts of Zheng and others to keep him, Yun Ran stayed in the Changxin Marquis Mansion for seven days before moving back to the Jingwang Mansion.
Firstly, it was the beginning of spring and there were many miscellaneous affairs to take care of in the palace.
Secondly, as the ice and snow melted and the climate warmed up, some small snakes in Liuxian Garden ended their hibernation and started to move around.
Sima Jing usually treasures his snakes the most and regards them as his friends' children. Now that he is on business outside, she naturally has to take care of these little things for him.
Thirdly, she and Sima Jing also have a puppy in the palace.
According to the eunuchs from the palace, Fudouer has been standing at the door of Zhanlu Hall, wagging his tail and looking around every day these days. He looks so pitiful.
As someone who had raised a dog before, Yun Ran could not stand hearing such words. He immediately ordered his people to pack up and return to the palace.
Third sister-in-law Qian Sijin was the most reluctant to leave, so she pulled Yun Ran and said, "Come back and live here when you have time."
Yun Ran laughed: "Of course, of course."
After a pause, he said, "But the Spring Examination is only a few days away. Next time I come back, I'm afraid that Third Sister-in-law's bed will be completely occupied by Third Brother, and I won't have a chance anymore."
Qian Sijin's face immediately turned red, and she hit her: "You little girl, you are making fun of me."
While laughing and joking, Yun Ran returned to Prince Jing's Mansion.
Looking at the familiar plaque and mansion, a sense of belonging and security welled up in my heart.
It turned out that she had unknowingly regarded Prince Jing's Mansion as her home.
Realizing this, Yun Ran lowered his eyes and chuckled.
Seeing this, Qing Ling behind him was surprised: "What are you laughing at, young lady?"
"nothing."
Yun Ran shook his head and looked at the plaque that read "The Imperial Palace of Jing" again. His dark eyes were filled with a bright smile. "I just think it's quite wonderful."
Qing Ling: "Wonderful?"
Yun Ran hummed, "When I first got married last year, I avoided the Prince Jing's Mansion like it was a monstrous beast. But now I feel... quite at peace."
When she said this, Qingling also sensed the difference and sighed softly, "That's right. I was also very scared at the beginning. Now I think about it, I was just scaring myself. Why did you listen to all those nonsense from the outside world and really think that the palace was a den of tigers, leopards, jackals and wolves?"
"Three people make a tiger, and rumors are terrifying."
Yun Ran shook his head, looked at the open red door, and said with a smile: "Let's go back and see Fu Dou'er. The little guy must be worried sick after not seeing him for so many days."
The master and servant went in together.
Before entering the gate of Zhanlu Hall, I heard the crisp and enthusiastic barking of a puppy: "Woof woof woof!"
In the bright sunshine, the yellow, chubby little puppy came running over happily on its four short legs.
The little guy was so excited that he ran to Yun Ran's legs, sniffing and rubbing them, and spinning around happily, wagging his tail.
This clinging energy inexplicably reminded Yun Ran of Sima Jing.
Especially when she picked up the fluffy little guy, it kept rubbing its head against her arms and licking the back of her hand with its tongue.
It's worthy of being the puppy that person gave it to me. It looks exactly like him!
Yun Ran hugged the puppy and said with a helpless smile: "Alright, alright, my dear, I know you missed me, so I'll stew an extra big bone for you today!"
Fudouer: "Woof!"
Just as the man and the dog were about to enter the house, Yun Ran discovered that the plaque at the gate had changed -
The original plaque with gold characters on a red background was changed to black characters on a green background. The three characters "Zhanlutang" on it were vigorous and clear, with silver hooks and iron strokes, and were surprisingly similar in style to the plaque at the entrance of Liuxianyuan.
Yun Ran was surprised: "When did you change it?"
There was already a young eunuch waiting at the door, just waiting for the princess to ask.
"My princess, His Highness changed into it the day he left the capital."
This young eunuch was Chang Chun's adopted son, named Chang En. He was eighteen or nineteen years old, with delicate features and a clever look. "My godfather said that His Highness wanted to give His Majesty a surprise."
Yun Ran was indeed quite surprised.
She held Fu Dou'er in her arms, looked up and read the three words again, and felt that they were even more beautiful than those written by Liu Xianyuan.
"Which shop does this calligraphy artist come from? His calligraphy seems to have become more refined."
Yun Ran didn't understand calligraphy, but he admired his talent: "This calligraphy is very good. Please reward him with ten taels of silver for me."
Chang En was stunned and looked up: "Don't you think the princess doesn't know that this calligraphy was written by His Highness himself?"
Yun Ran: “……?”
Chang En nodded and said, "Among the many courtyards in the palace, only the plaques of Liuxian Garden and Zhanlu Hall were written by His Highness himself."
Even the Shenliu Hall where King Jing lived was decorated with the original plaque.
This shows that in King Jing's heart, the princess and Liu Xian are more important than himself.
“It was actually his own handwriting.”
Yun Ran was dumbfounded, muttering, "Then why didn't he tell me..."
Modesty? Or perhaps a desire to surprise? Or perhaps, perhaps, something unworthy of mention?
No matter what, she likes this new plaque very much.
That night, Yun Ran wrote in a letter to Sima Jing: "I have read the plaque and I like it very much. When you come back, I will give you a kiss."
As she wrote this, she suddenly had an idea and found some rouge to put on her lips, leaving a lip print on the letter paper.
Looking at the small, bright red lip print, Yun Ran was very satisfied.
I couldn't help but wonder, what would Sima Jing's reaction be when he received this letter and saw this lip print?
He must miss her too, right?
Just like she missed him.
It was eight days later when Sima Jing received the letter.
At that time, the salt inspection team had arrived in Jeju. If the waterway was unobstructed, they would reach Yangzhou in ten days.
As the distance between us grew, the time interval between receiving letters gradually became longer, from three days for the first letter, to five days for the second letter, and now to eight days.
Late at night, when everyone was asleep and the moon was high in the sky, he sat by the window of the inn room and opened the third letter.
The same crooked, scribble-like handwriting was still written densely over three pages, but this time there was a bright red lip print on the letter paper.
When his eyes fell upon the words "When you come back, I'll give you a kiss", Sima Jing laughed dumbly, and at the same time he seemed to recall the little girl's clear and proud voice.
His eyes fell on the beautiful lip print again, and his thoughts were drawn back to every kiss they had had before.
It is soft, sweet, and refreshing like spring water, and you will know its flavor only after you taste it.
His throat suddenly felt hoarse. He held the piece of letter paper with the kiss mark on it, and his nose seemed to be filled with her fragrance.
That heartless fool, knowing that he was away from home and missed her so much, still deliberately seduced him.
Uncomfortable.
I only regret that I don’t have the ability to fly and hide underground so that I can return to Chang’an, hold her in my arms, and kiss her.
Far water cannot quench immediate thirst, you can only rely on your own efforts.
He took out a goose yellow coat embroidered with two lotus flowers from the box, held it in one hand, and carefully stroked the lip print with the other hand, imagining that he could feel her warmth and breath from it.
slowly.
His princess.
His wife.
…
a long time.
The air was filled with the scent of orchid and musk, and it touched her lips, giving it all to her.
***
On the ninth day of the second lunar month, spring is in full bloom, peach and apricot trees are in full bloom, and the three-yearly Spring Examination finally begins.
Talented people from all over the country gathered in Chang'an to attend this feast for scholars.
Although Yun Ran was not a scholar, he knew that his third brother Yun Ze was very knowledgeable. So outstanding that when people heard that he was taking the imperial examination, they never worried that he would fail. Instead, they speculated that he would be the top scorer, or even be selected as the third place winner because of his slender figure and jade-like appearance.
On the day of the exam, everyone in the marquis's mansion came, except my third sister-in-law Qian Sijin.
The apparent reason is to focus on the pregnancy and not go out.
The actual reason is: "I'm afraid of being hated."
"Even though I've been married to him for two years and am pregnant with his child, do you believe there are still a bunch of young ladies out there who hate me for stealing their dream husband and the best son-in-law?"
Qian Sijin touched her slightly bulging belly and hummed lazily, "Who knows, there might be some crazy people cursing me behind my back, hoping that something bad will happen to me so they can seize the opportunity to take the throne and marry into the Marquis's mansion to become the Third Young Master's wife."
Yun Ran was stunned when he heard this: "Not really, right?"
"My sister came back late and didn't know what happened before."
Qian Sijin sneered, "Do you know how nasty those people were when I accidentally knocked down your third brother on the Dragon Boat Festival two years ago and had sex with him in public? Calling me a vixen and shameless was just a mild insult. Some even went so far as to come to my shop and scold me, saying I was fickle, a brothel girl, and that I was crazy about climbing up the social ladder..."
Thinking of the countless insults and abuses during that period, Qian Sijin still feels like she is having a nightmare.
"My father was so angry that he fell ill, and the concubines at home took advantage of the situation to add insult to injury, suggesting that I marry someone far away or become a nun. I was about to pack up and return to Shu when my mother and eldest sister-in-law came to my house to propose marriage."
Qian Sijin couldn't believe her ears at that time.
The Marquis's Mansion actually came to propose marriage.
It was the mother of the head of the family who came to the house with a generous betrothal gift and asked her to be his wife.
Not only Qian Sijin, but the entire Qian family was shocked.
Father Qian recovered from his illness on the spot, and went out to receive his future in-laws with a rosy face. He was so enthusiastic and fawning that it seemed as if he couldn't wait to wear his wedding dress and get into the bridal sedan.
Qian Sijin felt embarrassed even when hiding behind the screen, and she hated her father for being so flattering. Now, even if it was an unintentional mistake, his flattering attitude would confirm that she was trying to climb up the social ladder.
"Now that I think about it, my sister-in-law has always been prejudiced against me. I'm afraid it's because of the ugly behavior she saw my family members that day..."
In a merchant's house, there is no mistress, so the "hostess" who comes out to support the business is also a concubine.
It's really not worthy of being presented in a refined setting.
In the eyes of Li Wanrong, who came from a noble family, they were just a bunch of rabble.
But for the noble and prominent Marquis Sanlang to marry into such a family is really like sticking a flower in cow dung.
Even though Qian Sijin is bright and beautiful, and has a proud and upright character, once prejudice is planted, it is not easy to correct it.
"After the marriage was settled, although my family's dignity was preserved, my reputation didn't improve. Outsiders only said that the Marquis' Mansion was kind and righteous. Even though they knew it was blackmail, they still openly gave a merchant's daughter a marriage. I naturally know that this marriage was indeed too high for me, but... I also feel very wronged!"
Qian Sijin gritted her teeth and said, "You don't know, every time I go out after getting engaged, I'm like a thief, afraid of being recognized. There were two times when I accidentally showed my face and was recognized. A group of people surrounded me and mocked me. It really pissed me off!"
"Oh, and those girls who adore your brother actually sent people to my back door to throw dog blood!"
Yun Ran took a deep breath: "Is this too much?!"
"you do not say!"
Qian Sijin later found out about the young lady's residence. She was furious but couldn't afford to offend her. All kinds of grievances and anger surged in her heart. Finally, she simply went to the Imperial College to block Yunze and demanded to break off the engagement with him.
"And then what?" Yun Ran opened his eyes wide, full of anticipation.
"Then……"
Qian Sijin thought of the day when she complained to Yunze with red eyes in the carriage. After hearing this, Yunze took out a handkerchief to wipe her eyes, and then said to her seriously: "No retreat."
She was stunned at the time. Yunze said, "I know you feel wronged, but I am a commoner now and cannot promise you too much."
"But when you marry, I will treat you well. When you pass the imperial examination and become a prime minister, I will ask for an imperial decree for you to silence the world's gossips. I wonder if Madam Qian is willing to give me this opportunity?"
"Wow!"
Yun Ran put his hands on his chin and smiled, "I didn't expect that Third Brother, who looks aloof and proud, can be so good at talking about love."
Qian Sijin blushed, but did not deny it: "I was deceived by his words at that time."
How could the young lady, who was just beginning to fall in love, bear such words? Moreover, the man in front of her was as beautiful as a jade tree and a jade pendant. Such an outstanding man not only did not despise her background, but also wanted to give her the title of wife and ask for the imperial decree -
Who could refuse this?
Qian Sijin felt dizzy as if she was hit by a pie. All she could think about was, let others say whatever they want. If she missed out on such a handsome man because of what others said, that would be a huge loss!
Facts have proved that marrying Yunze has all the benefits except being scolded and envied.
Qian Sijin had no regrets. She rubbed her slightly protruding belly and said, "If you don't attract envy, you're mediocre. It's precisely because I took the initiative and snatched up a popular position that others are so jealous of me. When the spring exam results are announced soon, you can go and take a look. Tsk, the grand ceremony of catching a son-in-law is comparable to a cockfight, and it's very intense."
Yun Ran had also heard about the custom of catching a son-in-law from the list in Chang'an, and he felt a little curious for a moment.
"When Third Brother comes out of the examination room in a few days, will Sister-in-law go to pick him up?" Yun Ran asked.
"No."
Qian Sijin said: "It's better to keep a low profile. It's the same if I wait for him to come back home."
Yun Ran thought about it and said, "My fourth brother and I will pick up my sister-in-law when the time comes."
Qian Sijin smiled and said, "That's great. Please keep a close eye on him for me, and don't let anyone snatch him away."
The two sisters-in-law chatted for a while, and then the eldest sister-in-law Li Wanrong sent someone to invite Yun Ran to discuss the Spring Banquet.
It was a beautiful month of spring in February, and banquets held by the major families in Chang'an City were springing up one after another.
Yun Ran also planned to hold a spring banquet in Prince Jing's Mansion and invite the families of officials from aristocratic families to come. This would not only break the stereotypes of outsiders against Prince Jing's Mansion, but also expand his network and social circle.
But she had never held a banquet before, so she took the opportunity to go home and ask her mother and sister-in-law for advice on the day when she sent her third brother to take the exam.
Zheng and Li Wanrong taught him everything they knew, no matter how big or small.
After the date for the banquet was set, Li Wanrong took the initiative to say, "I'll go to your house early that morning and help you with the preparations."
Hearing this, Yun Ran was so moved that his eyes sparkled: "Sister-in-law, you are so kind!"
Li Wanrong couldn't help laughing when she saw her sister-in-law's cute look.
The desire to have another daughter with Yunyi became stronger and stronger.
The Yun family is good-looking. Even if A Zong is a boy, he will be handsome and good-looking. If he has a daughter, who will be as beautiful and smart as his sister-in-law, his life will be even more perfect.
The Spring Banquet at Prince Jing's Mansion is scheduled for February 25th.
Before this, Yun Ran was not idle either. He sent out invitations and prepared his own banquet, while also actively participating in Beppu's banquets to learn from their experience.
On February 17, the day before the end of the Spring Examination, Yun Ran went to the Duke Su's Mansion for a banquet.
This was the eighth banquet Yun Ran had attended this spring, and he was quite familiar with it.
She also recognized most of the guests at the banquet. Even if there were some she didn't know, as long as she took a closer look, the host would immediately introduce them to her.
——Who says she has the highest rank among all the women in the Chang'an aristocratic families?
However, at the banquet at the Duke Su's Mansion, she had a high rank but a low seniority, so when she saw the wife of the Duke Su, she had to politely call her "Auntie".
This aunt was very kind, with fair and delicate skin and a gentle look. She was very cordial when she saw Yun Ran, just like an ordinary relative. She asked her about her well-being and whether she was used to living alone in the palace.
Yun Ran thought that Sima Jing was able to serve as an official in the court today thanks to the recommendation of Duke Su, so he treated the Duke's wife with great respect and answered every question he asked.
After a few conversations, they got along very well.
After drinking a cup of tea, the Duke's wife took Yun Ran to visit the mansion's garden, and also met the owner of this mansion in the garden -
Sima Jing's cousin, Duke Su.
"My Lord, this is Princess Jing."
The Duke's wife introduced them with a smile, her arm around Yun Ran. "Look at her, she's so beautiful! You and His Royal Highness Prince Jing are simply a perfect match, a match made in heaven."
Yun Ran and Duke Su made a junior bow: "Greetings to my uncle."
Duke Su looked her up and down and nodded, "No need to be so polite, niece-in-law."
While he was looking at Yun Ran, Yun Ran was also looking at him.
Duke Suguo looked to be in his forties. As a member of the Sima clan, which was famous for its beauties, even at his age, he still had thick eyebrows, handsome eyes, a beautiful beard, and an elegant demeanor.
After a few simple pleasantries, Yun Ran was about to leave when Duke Su pointed to the chessboard in the pavilion and said, "If you have time, niece, would you like to play a game with me?"
Yun Ran was stunned: "...Me?"
Duke Su nodded: "Yes."
Yun Ran said embarrassedly, "To be honest, I grew up in the countryside and I don't know how to play chess."
Duke Su was slightly surprised: "You don't know how to play chess?"
Yun Ran knew that for noble ladies from aristocratic families, music, chess, calligraphy and painting were essential skills, but she was just a "noble lady" from a self-taught background and really didn't know any of these.
"Well, the best I can do is five-in-a-row. I really don't know how to play Go. I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, uncle."
I never thought that the next moment, I would see Duke Su stroking his beautiful beard and saying, "Let's play Gomoku."
Yun Ran: “……?”
She looked up in surprise and met the eyes of Duke Su. She suddenly realized that playing chess was fake and something was real.
After a moment's thought, she nodded: "Okay."
Soon, the chessboard was cleared, green smoke curled up, and the two sat opposite each other in the pavilion.
The Duke's wife considerately ordered the servants to prepare tea and snacks, and the servants retreated ten meters outside the pavilion.
Yun Ran plays the black piece——
Perhaps it was because Sima Jing often wore dark clothes, so between the two, black and white, she subconsciously chose black.
With two "clicks", each of them placed their chess pieces. Duke Su also spoke and asked about Sima Jing's recent situation.
Yun Ran has received three reply letters so far. Compared with the thick stack of letters she received each time, the other person's reply was concise and to the point.
Every time he would just tell her where he was and where he would be tomorrow, everything was fine, and told her not to worry.
It's really boring.
Now that Duke Suguo had asked, Yun Ran simply replied, "Your Highness's letter from the day before yesterday said he had arrived in Jeju, and all was well. He should be in Yangzhou in half a month."
Duke Su nodded calmly, placing his chess piece down while sighing, "I'm very pleased to see Your Highness regain his spirits and no longer be depressed. I think the spirit of the late emperor can rest in peace in heaven."
Hearing the string music, one can understand the elegant meaning.
Yun Ran's eyebrows twitched slightly, and he looked at Duke Su sitting across from him: "Uncle, I heard that when the late emperor passed away, he was still talking about my prince. Is that true?"
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