"What for? Naturally, I'd like you to invite the Duke to my courtyard for a visit."
Aunt Liu's eyes sparkled with affection, her beauty and gentleness were captivating, and her every gesture and expression exuded charm.
Su Qingyu's eyes revealed a sense of detachment. "But Father said you've spoiled Third Brother and has placed you under house arrest. Aunt, you should calm down and reflect on your actions in seclusion!"
"What do I have to reflect on? Ping'er isn't just my son. Just bring the Duke here for me, and I will make sure the princess doesn't know that this matter is related to you."
“But my father hasn’t set foot in your yard for half a year, so I can’t guarantee he will come.”
"It's alright. Just go and say a few good words for your aunt. If you can't come, I won't blame you."
Su Qingyu nodded slightly and left.
The maid Cui'er asked with some worry, "Auntie, do you think the Duke will come?"
Aunt Liu smiled and said, "What cat doesn't eat fish? After eating vegetarian food for so long, it's time to crave meat."
Aunt Liu quickly took a bath and changed her clothes, putting on a light gauze dress that accentuated her slender waist.
She sat on the pillow on the bed, looking like a sickly beauty, her face haggard and pitiful.
Su Zhen had planned to stay in the study after finishing his calligraphy practice, but Su Qingyu brought him ginseng soup and casually mentioned that she had run into Aunt Liu's maid on the street that day, who was calling for a doctor at Changchun Hall.
Su Qingyu didn't say much, just left after saying a few words.
Su Zhen looked up at the sky, thought about his good-for-nothing illegitimate son, and finally sighed before heading to Aunt Liu's courtyard.
The night was hazy, and the roses in the courtyard were in full bloom. A gentle night breeze carried their fragrance.
Su Zhen pushed open the door and stepped past the screen with its eight-treasure peony vines.
Aunt Liu had just taken her medicine and handed the bowl to Cui'er.
Cui'er took back the medicine bowl and said worriedly, "Auntie, please don't think such things anymore. Your health is the most important thing."
Aunt Liu gave a bitter smile, "Ping'er has gone off to play somewhere now, and even the Duke doesn't want to see me. What does it matter whether I'm healthy or not..."
"Master...Master!" Cui'er noticed the extra person and quickly bowed slightly.
Su Zhen waved his hand.
Cui'er and Aunt Liu exchanged a glance, then took the medicine bowl and left, closing the door behind them.
"I heard you weren't feeling well? Are you feeling any better?"
On the bed, Aunt Liu lay half-reclined, her gauze dress outlining her graceful and voluptuous figure beautifully.
Su Zhen's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, but he stopped and sat down on a chair some distance from the bed.
Aunt Liu gave him a few coquettish glances, but did not answer him.
She simply turned over and faced away from him.
Su Zhen frowned slightly, not wanting to argue with her.
He carefully examined the room; he hadn't set foot there for half a year.
The furnishings and layout are almost identical to before, except that there is now a calligraphy piece on the wall.
That was a few years ago, he and Ping'er completed it together, or rather, he did most of the work.
Thinking of the peaceful and gentle days we once shared, my heart softened a little.
Just as he was about to get up and go check again, he heard Liu's barely audible sobs.
Su Zhen sighed softly and pondered for a moment.
He took off his outer robe and shoes and lay down beside her.
"Why are you crying?"
He turned her around and reached out to wipe away the tears from her eyes.
Aunt Liu, her eyes brimming with tears, her face unadorned, pure and simple like a chrysanthemum in September, threw herself into Su Zhen's arms and wept.
"My lord, I haven't seen you for so long. Please don't be angry with me, okay?"
Su Zhen didn't speak, his body stiffening slightly. With such a warm and soft woman in his arms, it was impossible for him not to feel a flutter in his heart.
"My lord, please don't be angry with me anymore. I haven't seen you for half a year, and I really miss you."
I miss you so much?
Su Zhenjue felt something strange in his chest.
Jingyi had never expressed her love for him so sincerely and passionately before.
At all times, she was dignified, elegant, and poised.
They are a married couple, but they lack the everyday warmth and camaraderie of a typical married couple.
Su Zhen's heart fluttered. He hadn't been to her courtyard for a long time, and he had indeed neglected her these days.
But it was all because of the anger caused by the illegitimate son.
“Master, I know Ping’er did something wrong, and you have punished him. Although I am his concubine, you are still his father.”
"You only punish me, which I find unfair. For the past six months, I have lost my appetite and can only inquire about your well-being from the servants."
"Now that I see you still so dignified and imposing, I can finally rest assured."
"However, I am still somewhat heartbroken. If I had known that you would only come to see me when I was ill, I should have fallen seriously ill long ago..."
"You're talking nonsense again. Today I heard from Qingyu that she saw your maid go to the clinic outside. What exactly is wrong with you?"
She placed Su Zhen's hand on her chest. "My lord, my chest feels uncomfortable. But with you here now, I feel much better."
Aunt Liu leaned against Su Zhen's chest. "Master, Qingyu is a good child. If she hadn't mentioned it, you probably wouldn't have come to see me."
"She has been close to the princess since childhood. Please do not mention this matter in front of the princess. I am afraid that this will cause a rift between the princess and Qingyu. I do not want to affect their mother-daughter relationship."
"Alas... If only I had such a sensible daughter, but unfortunately I am not blessed with that..."
Su Zhen thought that his daughter would soon come of age. A feeling of longing welled up in his heart. Although he already had Qingyu, she was not his own flesh and blood.
Whenever I walk down the street and see those milky white porcelain dolls, I stop and can't help but tease them.
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