"Madam, Miss Suihuan has been settled in Tingsong Residence."
Madam Xiao's maidservant reported, "Madam Shen personally delivered the person there. They had breakfast there and I heard that she also made an appointment with Princess Zhaoning to stroll in the garden in the afternoon to pick lotus flowers and gather wild vegetables."
“Even if a country woman wears brocade robes for decades, she can’t change her impoverished appearance.”
Xiao scoffed.
This is a royal estate, and yet she always runs to the mountains to pick those worthless wild vegetables every time she comes.
Anyone who didn't know better would think that the Prime Minister's mansion had mistreated her, and that she couldn't even afford to eat vegetables.
It was breakfast time, and Li Chenghai and his wife were also there.
Hearing the servant's words, Li Chenghai frowned. "Could she have ulterior motives for suddenly approaching the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence?"
His Majesty intends to choose between Prince Yun and Prince Ning to re-establish a crown prince, and the Marquis of Zhongyong and his son are deeply trusted by His Majesty, so they have influence over the emperor.
Could it be that Lady Shen intentionally approaches the Marquis's residence in order to find out His Majesty's thoughts and plan for her children and grandchildren to succeed him?
Madam Xiao disagreed, saying, "You overestimate her abilities. She doesn't have that kind of skill."
He's just shameless and used to competing; seeing that his neighbor lives comfortably, he wants to take advantage of them.
Don't you feel ashamed?
"If you're afraid of the eldest son's wife rising to prominence, the right thing to do is to have a child to please your father."
I've heard that looking at mountains and rivers can soothe the mind and is beneficial for conception. This imperial estate has beautiful scenery; you should go out and explore it more often.
Of his two sons, the Prime Minister favored Chenghai. However, if Chenghai had no successor, the Prime Minister would never hand over the Prime Minister's mansion and connections to Chenghai.
Upon hearing this, Li Chenghai thought of Ye Zhengqing.
The Imperial Estate is nestled in the mountains, with picturesque scenery; it is indeed a wonderful place. He has never had any affairs with Ye Zhengqing outside.
Perhaps it's worth a try.
Just thinking about it makes a certain place hot.
Unaware of her son's thoughts, Madam Xiao looked at her daughter-in-law, Madam Su, and said, "You have been married to Cheng Hai for many years, yet you have not borne him a single child. You have truly failed in your duty."
Cheng Hai is kind and wants to protect you, so he has always refused to take a concubine, but you cannot feel at ease betraying his good intentions.
Chenghai is finally taking a break from official duties, so you should spend a few days with him and let him relax. If he still can't have a good time this year, then you shouldn't hold onto your position as his legal wife any longer.
Madam Su hurriedly knelt down, her eyes dark and brooding. "Mother's reprimand is correct. I will work hard and am grateful for Mother and husband's protection."
Madam Xiao glanced at her and said, "Get up. Don't kneel all the time. If word gets out, people will think that I, as your mother-in-law, am mistreating my daughter-in-law."
“My daughter-in-law has never thought that way; it’s all because she’s useless.”
However, Madam Su did not dare to actually get up.
Madam Xiao was very satisfied. After thinking for a moment, she said, "I remember you have a younger sister who is still unmarried. She came along this time as well."
"yes."
“Cheng Hai’s concerns are not without merit, so you should try to bring your sister and Xie Tingzhou together.”
Once a marriage alliance is established, the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion will naturally be closer to them, and the eldest branch of the family will not be able to take advantage of their influence.
She was extremely beautiful, and in the past, every word and action of hers was that of a noble lady from an aristocratic family. However, when it came to her mortal enemy, the Shen family, she could never remain calm.
Madam Su's eyes narrowed. "But I've heard that Xie Tingzhou is very difficult to approach..."
He was someone who didn't know how to cherish women, and his own younger sister wasn't very smart.
"You're truly useless. If you can't even handle this simple matter, how can you be Cheng Hai's capable wife?"
She trembled slightly when scolded by her mother-in-law, but she wasn't really scared. She quickly said that she would listen to her mother-in-law.
Li Chenghai's thoughts were pulled back by the conversation between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. He reached out and helped Su Shi up.
He said to his wife, "Get up. Mother meant no harm; she was just trying to help us."
However, we can take this opportunity to take care of our health.
There were quite a few imperial physicians with him this time, so he needed to find a trustworthy one to examine Su Shi.
If Su has health problems, then he should indeed consider finding another woman.
He, Li Chenghai, may not have the ability to have children, but he cannot be without children.
Su then displayed another obedient demeanor.
After finishing their breakfast, the two returned to their room. Li Chenghai, thinking about his earlier reverie, said to Madam Su, "Regardless of whether the eldest son's close relationship with Marquis Zhongyong is what I think, you go with them later and think of a way to make them turn against each other."
He wanted to have a secret rendezvous with Ye Zhengqing, so he had to send Su away.
Ye Zhen was unaware that he had only agreed to the Shen family's request, and that this had already drawn the attention of the second branch of the Prime Minister's household.
After Ms. Shen left, she went to bed to catch up on her sleep.
Lunch was prepared by the imperial kitchen, and the servants from each courtyard would go to the kitchen to collect their meals.
If you want to cook for yourself, you can give some money to the kitchen staff and cook for them yourself.
The emperor and empress regarded this trip as a reward for their officials, and therefore did not restrict everyone's participation.
Ye Zhen didn't want to be treated specially and had no intention of giving her any special treatment. At noon, Yin Yue went to get her lunch.
After using it briefly, she took a nap for half an hour and was fully recovered.
Wanxing came in and whispered, "Miss, I saw Li Chenghai and Ye Zhengqing enter the mountain one after the other."
Ye Zhen's eyes flickered.
So bold?
You can't even contain yourself after just arriving?
"Send someone to follow them from a distance."
She then changed into clothes that were easier to walk in the mountains and waited to keep her appointment with Madam Shen.
Madam Shen was very punctual; she appeared outside Tingsong Residence with several servants at the appointed time.
Seeing Ye Zhen's attire and the fact that she had even prepared a vegetable basket, she knew that Ye Zhen was genuinely open to going into the mountains, and the wrinkles on her face broke into a smile again.
But when Su appeared in front of her and Ye Zhen, her smile vanished instantly.
Madam Su said, "I've heard that the First Madam is going into the mountains again. I haven't been there yet, so I'd like to go with you. Is that alright?"
Shen didn't want her to come along, but Li Heng had sternly warned her that no matter how much they fought at home, they couldn't lose their harmony outside and become a laughing stock for outsiders.
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