Chapter 311 Keeping a Mistress in a Golden House
The next day.
The sky was just beginning to brighten.
A faint ray of morning light silently shone in through the crack in the windowpane.
Outside, there were rhythmic, powerful sounds of wind cutting through the air.
"Ha! Ha!"
Meng Shilan slowly opened her eyes, still somewhat drowsy from just waking up.
Chunxing carried in a basin of steaming water. Seeing that she was awake, she quickly curtsied.
"Miss, you're awake."
Meng Shilan's gaze drifted to the window, and she asked in confusion, "What's that sound outside?"
Chunxing placed the copper basin steadily on the shelf, wrung out a hot towel and handed it over, a slight smile playing on her lips.
"Yes, Miss, it is the son-in-law."
"The son-in-law got up before dawn and has been practicing boxing in the yard for almost an hour."
Meng Shilan paused slightly as she took the towel.
An hour?
She got up, put on a coat, walked slowly to the window, and gently pushed it open.
A chill, carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees, swept over me.
Zhou Congxian stood in the courtyard.
It was late autumn, and the morning chill was biting.
He was only wearing a thin, dark-colored outfit.
His legs were planted firmly on the ground like rocks, and every punch he threw carried the force of thunder.
Large beads of sweat slid down his forehead, along his sharply defined jawline, and dripped onto the ground beneath his feet.
His entire body was enveloped in a layer of white steam, brimming with power.
Meng Shilan watched quietly.
He was lost in thought.
A small, wobbly figure ran out of the house.
"Father! Father!"
Little Fatty rubbed his sleepy eyes and stumbled into the yard.
He had clearly forgotten the fear he felt at Songhetang yesterday; now, all he could see was that towering figure.
He ran up to Zhou Congxian, tilted his chubby little face up, and imitated him by assuming a horse stance.
"ha!"
He imitated his father, waving his chubby little fists and calling out in a childish voice.
The small body staggered backward from the exertion and almost fell flat on its backside.
Its adorable appearance makes people laugh.
Zhou Congxian's fierce offensive came to an abrupt halt.
He bent down, laughing loudly, and stretched out his long arm to scoop the little guy up from the ground.
"Want to learn boxing?"
He lifted the chubby boy high above his head and let him ride on his shoulders.
Little Fatty was lifted high, and his view suddenly opened up, making him excitedly giggle.
Zhou Congxian laughed heartily, "When you're a little older, your father will personally teach you! I'll make you a true man!"
"I'm a real man! I'll protect my mother and sister!" Little Fatty danced with joy, extremely happy.
"Alright! Let's protect Mother and Sister together!"
The morning sunlight shone on the father and son, giving them a warm, golden glow.
The tall man, supporting his tiny son, was laughing and joking around.
That hearty laughter dispelled the last chill of the morning.
As Meng Shilan stepped out of the room, the last vestiges of anger in her heart quietly dissipated.
Zhou Congxian had sharp eyes and spotted her standing under the corridor immediately.
He immediately nudged his son and fawned over him.
"Shi Lan, you're awake."
Looking at his sweat-drenched head and his hair, which his son had tugged at and messed up, Meng Shilan couldn't help but smile slightly.
She didn't say anything, but simply reached over him, took the chubby little boy off his shoulder, and handed him to Chunxing who was standing nearby.
"Take the young master to get dressed, so he doesn't catch a cold."
Then, she glanced at Zhou Congxian and casually pushed him into the house.
"You're covered in sweat, go and wash up quickly."
Her tone remained flat, but it lacked the coldness of the previous night.
"Hurry up, the Chai family is having a polo match at their banquet today, we need to get there early."
Xishan Horse Ranch.
This place was a favorite pastime for the powerful and wealthy in the capital, with its vast grasslands and pleasant scenery.
The two stepped off the carriage from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
This was the first time Zhou Congxian had appeared with her nearly a year after their marriage.
During the time Zhou Congxian was away from the capital, rumors about him had already spread throughout the entire capital city.
There are all sorts of opinions.
Some say that he was dissatisfied with marrying into the Meng family and had long since parted ways with them, going far away to the border.
Some say he angered the emperor and was secretly imprisoned by him.
Even more outrageous, Meng Shilan was murdered by Duke Zhenguo Meng Yushan, and is now merely living the life of a widow.
Zhou Congxian was dressed in a royal blue riding outfit, tall and elegant, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes.
Beside him, Meng Shilan wore a smart apricot-colored riding outfit, which made her skin look as white as snow and her eyebrows and eyes as beautiful as a painting.
The two stood side by side, one heroic and extraordinary, the other beautiful and unparalleled, like a perfect couple, instantly becoming the focus of the entire audience.
Those men and women who had been gossiping behind their backs now wore expressions of surprise and embarrassment.
Zhou Congxian ignored this, he just turned his head slightly and whispered something in Meng Shilan's ear, his expression focused and gentle.
That intimate gesture shattered all the false rumors.
"Brother! Sister-in-law!"
A crisp sound rang out.
Zhou Wanqing, heavily pregnant, walked over quickly, supported by her maid.
As soon as she arrived, she circled around Zhou Congxian without any hesitation, marveling at his appearance.
"Brother, your sister-in-law has been hiding you for so long, I thought you'd become much whiter."
She reached out and poked Zhou Congxian's arm with her finger, saying disdainfully, "Why is it so dark? It looks like a piece of charcoal."
Zhou Congxian's gaze fell on her protruding belly.
When did you have a child?
Zhou Wanqing looked at him with a bewildered expression, as if she were looking at an idiot.
"I've been pregnant for almost six months, brother, and you're only finding out now?"
She turned to Meng Shilan beside her and asked, "Sister-in-law, didn't you tell him?"
Then she turned back and looked at her older brother with a sympathetic look that seemed to say, "You've been abandoned by your whole family."
"The whole family, even the stone lions guarding the gate, know about it. So you, the older brother, are the only ones who don't know?"
Zhou Congxian could only touch his nose and give a vague, perfunctory reply.
"I know, I know, of course I know."
"It's just that... it's been too long since we last met, I forgot for a moment!"
He himself didn't believe this excuse.
"Zhou Congxian! You've finally shown yourself!"
A burst of hearty laughter came from the side.
Chai Sijiu strode over and, without saying a word, threw a heavy punch at Zhou Congxian's shoulder.
"Ouch!"
He clutched his fists, shaking them back and forth, wincing in pain.
"Zhou Congxian! Are you made of iron?!"
While rubbing his hands, he teased with a grin, "I said you've kept this mistress hidden away for quite a while now, how does it feel?"
Looking at his friend's smug expression, Zhou Congxian smiled calmly.
He subtly raised his hand and placed it on his shoulder.
A slight smile.
"It feels great, naturally."
The moment the words fell.
"ah--!!"
Chai Sijiu's smile froze instantly, followed by a bloodcurdling scream like a pig being slaughtered.
"Let go! Let go! Zhou Congxian! It's going to break! My bones are going to break!!"
"Young Master Zhou, I wouldn't dare!"
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