Chapter 136 Noble Guests Fill The House (1)
The Fan Hua Town had become the extension of Prince Jing's mansion. This Mid-Autumn Festival, the town had invited the most famous theater in Da Hui from imperial city to celebrate and entertain the villagers. The two big roads, one straight and one meandering, leading to Fan Luo City now had people and carriages travel back and forth. Most of the visitors wanted to see Fan Hua Town, which was rumored to have been renovated like a fairyland. And, at the same time, many people also came to watch the plays they could enjoy once in a lifetime.
So, to maintain order and security within these fifteen days, as Yang Jing Zhi had suggested, Lin Si Yao asked Si Chong to assign his disciples who didn't have any missions from Guangci House to come and keep order. They were grouped, each group had two persons. And, they had installed the watch booths after each thirty or fifty meters to solve the random dispute between the villagers. It was also to monitor the sanitation situation.
For example, when they saw someone spit or litter, they would ask the other to clean immediately. If they saw someone break the trees or pluck the flowers or even get into the pond to fish or catch the shrimps, they would stop them and give them an oral warning. Who repeated their violation would be expelled from Fan Hua Town immediately.
Of course, when they came to Fan Hua Town, there were service stations at the two sides of the town's gate. A maid and a servant were serving at each station. They would remind the visitors what to pay attention to while visiting the Private Mansion, and they also gave the visitors some special gifts: A wooden cup and a simple fabric bag.
There was free tea served at the front of the ancestral hall. The visitors could use their wooden cups to drink as much as they wanted. And the bag was to collect their trash. Most of the people who came to watch the play brought snacks with them like melon seeds or dry fruits. As they weren't allowed to litter in the town, they could put the seed's peels or their food waste into their bags. When their bags were full, they could throw the trash from their bags into a big wooden basket temporarily placed in front of the ancestral hall.
This new and unique method was Yang Jing Zhi's idea. It was how they made the visitors feel the special care from Fan Hua Town for them, also to keep the place clean and beautiful.
...
Xue Li and Feng Ruo Er got off the luxurious horse carriage. They lifted their heads to observe the doorless, arched entrance where hung the horizontal board that read "Fan Hua Private Mansion". Xue Li held Feng Ruo Er's hand. The two bodyguards Jian Heng and Jian Yue were always half a step behind them. They smiled and entered the private mansion.
"I thought it was a small and rural town. I didn't expect to see a strange but unique town like this." Xue Li smiled and nodded.
"Prince Jing's mansion does indulge their daughter, indeed." Feng Ruo Er agreed.
"Incorrect, they really do indulge the daughter of the main wife. Seems it's hard for us to show our sincerity." Xue Li said and looked into the distance.
"Li, do you want to copy Duke An?" When Feng Ruo Er heard Xue Li, she couldn't help but remember Duke An of Da Hui – Liang Xuan Jing. To give his daughter a more comfortable life, he had bought the entire Fan Hua Town and the mountain ranges nearby and made them Prince Jing's Private Mansion.
"Why couldn't I!" Xue Li snapped. The other's father could, why couldn't he? Moreover, no matter how beautiful and attractive Fan Hua Town was, it was Prince Jing's estate. As his son's family lived here, it wasn't different from living with his wife's family. And, as he and his wife were here to visit their son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren, they felt odd as though they were visiting Prince Jing's mansion. How could an emperor, who ruled a whole empire like him, accept that! No matter what, he must build a place of his own here. Even if he didn't have many chances to come here and live with them, it would still be much better than being the nameless guests at Prince Jing's private mansion.
"Darling, why would you do so? Be careful, or else, our son will ignore you." Feng Ruo Er looked at her husband reluctantly. She knew his narrow-mindedness had kicked in. For her, as long as their son was happy, it was all good. She didn't want to think about the other things.
"Why would he ignore me? I'm only doing it for him!" Xue Li retorted stubbornly when he saw that his wife didn't agree with him.
Seeing her husband fuming, Feng Ruo Er felt both annoyed and amused. She shook her head. "Li, our son's not a boy anymore. Moreover, his marital skills are much more profound than the others. He knows what is best for his family. If you sincerely want him to live happily, don't interfere with his business. Even if you do want and have that intention, you need to talk to him before making any decision. If our son disagrees with you, I will be on his side."
"I'm worried about him. No matter what, he's the Blood Union's Crown Prince. I don't blame him if he stays in Da Hui, but he's living on his parents-in-law's property. It... If he lives like this, where's his masculinity?"
"Li! If you remain unreasonable, I will stay here and never come home." As Feng Ruo Er recognized that reasoning couldn't make him change his mind, she resolutely pulled a serious face, threatening him.
"You dare!" When Xue Li heard that, he glared at her. Ever since she found her son, this woman had started to neglect him. They had decided to return to their empire after the Mid-Autumn Festival as he couldn't leave the palace for a long time. And now, she declared to "not go home" to threaten him!
"Yeah, I don't dare, so you shouldn't get mad. We should hurry to get inside and find our precious grandchildren. It's been half a year we haven't seen them. I wonder how big they are now!" Being married to him for so many years, how could Feng Ruo Er not know his thoughts? She changed the topic and pulled his hand, walking to the town with a smile.
"Welcome, is this the first time you've visited our Fan Hua Town? Please accept this gift! Do you need to find a place for your horse carriage and feed your horses? If you need the service, it'll be fifty coins a day." Xin Lan, the maid, who was serving at the town's entrance smiled and asked Xue Li's group of four.
"What? We have to pay to park the carriage?" Xue Li arched his sword-like brows. Who's idea was this? They even want to charge for this?
"Yes Sir, it's the rule in Private Mansion. The horse carriages from the other places have to pay the fee for food and caring service. It's fifty coins per day." Xin Lan didn't change her face, replying respectfully. When Yang Jing Zhi suggested creating the patrol teams, she also thought about this rule. Xiao Heng thought it was really reasonable so he added it into the list of rules for visitors who would visit the town from the first day of the month right when the theater began to perform.
"So we have to do the same even if we come here to see your masters?" Xue Li was interested in this rule. Determinedly, he brought the small chair behind the maid's counter to Feng Ruo Er so she could rest. He looked like he was here to have a long conversation.
Chapter 136 Noble Guests Fill The House (2)
"Aren't you here to see the Private Mansion and the plays?" Xin Lan and Lin Fang, the two maids, exchanged looks then asked the others carefully.
"Um... It's like this... We're your Master's family members. We're here to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival together. Do you need to go and notify someone?" Xue Li had never talked humbly like this to the servants. And now, he was using a negotiating tone to talk with a maid, which confused Jian Heng and Jian Yue who were standing by him. Feng Ruo Er smiled at the others as she nodded and received the cup of hot tea Lin Fang handed her. She enjoyed the tea.
"Family members?" Xin Lan was a little worried, giving Lin Fang a look. They didn't look like Prince Jing's people. Whose family members were they? Guye's side?
"As you're the distinguished guests of the private mansion, please follow Xin Lan." Xin Lan walked around the table, giving the four a curtsy then talked to Xue Li. She turned to ask Lin Fang. "I'll be right back. Don't forget to remind the visitors of things they need to pay attention to." Lin Fang shot her an assuring look. Then, Xin Lan smiled, signaling Xue Li's team to follow her.
"What do we need to pay attention to?" Xue Li was curious.
Xin Lan listed him the requirements mostly for the visitors during the time the theater was here to perform. Eventually, she smiled, explaining. "Please excuse Xin Lan, although you're our Master's family members, please cooperate with us and follow the things you need to pay attention to during your stay in the Private Mansion."
Xue Li smiled and nodded. A well-thought and well-spoken maid, excellent! He turned around and checked Jian Heng who was wearing an emotionless face, walking behind him. He thought that it would be the match arranged by heaven if she married that taciturn young man.
"I wonder how old you are this year?" If he gets the thought, he must take action immediately. Although it was a little direct when he asked such a question, who was he? He was the supreme emperor of the Blood Union. Would he mind such trivial things?
"..." Xin Lan was a little confused, blinking. She didn't know how to answer such a question. She was a little worried. As the other looked like a righteous gentleman, he wouldn't want to make her his concubine would he? She had joined the mansion at the same time with Chun Lan, so she wasn't a young girl anymore.
When this year ends, she would turn seventeen. Half a year ago, because of a personnel shortage in the private mansion, she, Feng Ting, Xin Zhi, and the other three servants including Lin Fang were sent here by the Elder Wangfei to help Chun Lan with the chores around the private mansion. They were all the first-grade maids. This time, Chun Lan was afraid that the new maids wouldn't be able to deal with the difficult guests so she asked Xin Lan and Lin Feng, Xin Zhi and Jiang Qi to wait at the entrance to the private mansion to welcome and remind the guests.
It was the first and only time Fan Hua Town was open to welcome the people around to visit the town and enjoy the performance at a large scale. They wouldn't want to see any unwanted events happen.
Although she had to bear the difficulties of a maid's life, she didn't think being a maid is more painful than being someone's concubine. At least, she was much happier than the concubines and Yiniangs stuck in the harem and struggling against each other. She loved her job and current life here. Especially, as she had been living half a year in the private mansion, she was more determined to be a maid for the rest of her life and stay here forever.
"Girl?" Xue Li felt funny studying absent-minded Xin Lan. Noticing his wife's annoyed eyes, he whispered in Feng Ruo Er's ear, "Jian Heng's twenty-six years old already. If I don't find him a wife, his father will rise from his grave and deal with me."
Jian Heng and Jian Yue were Jian Qiu's son and daughter, who was the first-grade imperial guard of Blood Union's palace. Twenty-four years ago, in the bloody fight against Xue Ying, Jian Qiu got the merit of protecting the Emperor. However, he got shot by a poisoned arrow, which took his life.
Before he died, he only asked Xue Li to take care of his three-year-old son and daughter. However, ten years ago, after one month being missing in a mission outside the palace and when she came back, Jian Yue had closed her heart. When she was at the right age to get married, she had resolutely denied all kinds of men Feng Ruo Er had introduced her to. If she were forced, she would kill herself. Seeing her being so stubborn, they finally gave up on her marriage. Although she didn't say a word, they vaguely guessed it would be something related to that event. However, they didn't know who the damned man, who deserved one hundred stabs, made her decide to close her heart for the rest of her life.
Jian Heng was a clumsy, wooden and slow of speech man. They were afraid that if they let him find a woman himself, he wouldn't be able to do that. However, the girls Feng Ruo Er had introduced to him had all blamed him for being so dull. They rejected him. And then, after several failed attempts, he became even more silent.
Feng Ruo Er finally understood and nodded. She had thought that Xue Li wasn't that sort of man so why did he notice a maid he had just met for the first time? It turned out... Would it really work with him randomly matching the red thread like this?
"My apologies, Xin Lan was disrespectful. The house ahead is our Masters' home. May this maid know who you want to meet?" Xin Lan took the chance to change the topic in hope that the others wouldn't stare at her anymore.
"Your Guye." Seeing her being timid, Xue Li didn't mind the fact that she avoided his question. No matter what, he got plenty of time as they would stay here for fifteen days. He wasn't afraid that she would run away. He was just afraid that taciturn Jian Heng wouldn't get it.
Chapter 137: Matchmaking
Ah? Su Shuilian looked at Xue Li, stunned. He, her father-in-law, meant what she understood, right? Matching Xin Lan and Jian Heng?
"What? Daughter, don't you think they're a perfect match?" Xue Li laughed, looking at Su Shuilian, asking.
"Not that... But they... have just met for the first time." If the two were willing, of course, she wouldn't object. No matter what, if the maids could meet good life partners, she would be happy for them.
She had left the Su Family of the Republic of China and married Lin Si Yao. She had chosen herself a perfectly happy marriage life. Thus, she didn't want to see the people on her side be forced to marry someone they don't like. She hoped that the maids and servants living in this private mansion could have a harmonious and happy marriage like Chun Lan. They didn't need to be wealthy or what, as long as they loved and respected each other, she would support them.
However, if it was just a moment out of her father-in-law's excitement that he matched the two and they didn't like each other, then it wouldn't be different from an arranged marriage. Would they be happy with a marriage like that?
"That's easy. Just let them meet each other more often. We'll stay here for half a month. It should be enough for them to build their relationship." Xue Li acted as if as long as Su Shuilian agreed, he could push and facilitate Jian Heng's relationship with Xin Lan.
Su Shuilian slightly furrowed her brows. Although Xin Lan had signed her lifetime labor contract with Prince Jing's mansion, the contract was in her hands now. However, it didn't mean that she would decide Xin Lan's marriage.
"This daughter-in-law understands father. Would you let me talk to Xin Lan? If she agrees, I won't say a word, and I'll prepare everything for her wedding so that she can be a proud bride when she gets married. But if Xin Lan has any bit of dissatisfaction,..."
"Then, I won't force her to agree." Xue Li continued without a bit of hesitation. "But..." His tone changed, "it's not the good time to tell her that now. How about creating chances for them to have some chat privately so they could learn about each other? I can assure you, though Jian Heng is a taciturn man, he's surely a gentleman. As long as she's a smart girl, she will not miss such a good man."
"... Yes," Su Shuilian nodded in agreement. It could be good that she would ask Xin Lan after the two got enough time to contact and get to know each other. At least, she would be able to think about it more thoroughly.
"It's just, there's something I'm not quite clear about. If... Xin Lan agrees, will she move to Blood Union?" Su Shuilian was a little distressed. Xin Lan was one of her most effective assistants. Although she had only settled into the private mansion for half a year, things and people she had managed were all well and right in order. And when she was sometimes temporarily assigned different tasks, she could still accomplish them excellently. It was true that Su Shuilian's house and Si Luo's house were well-managed and neat thanks to Chun Lan, Xin Lan, and the other first-grade maids. If one of them married out, she would lose an effective assistant. Then, how could she and Chun Lan manage this colossal private mansion?
"That... I haven't considered it yet. Okay, how about this? As long as they agree, they can live anywhere they want." Jian Heng wasn't young anymore. They couldn't delay further. Only if he got a good girl who was willing to be his wife, Father Jian could finally rest his soul. It wasn't a problem if Xue Li lost one of his guards! At most, he just needed to ask Long Yi to choose another Blood Knight to replace Jian Heng.
"Since father is enthusiastic about this idea, then this daughter-in-law shall comply. Then as you suggested, we will let them contact each other first. After a while, I will find Xin Lan and talk to her." As Su Shuilian could see how urgent Xue Li was to become a match-maker, it wasn't really convenient for her to keep declining him. Moreover, she didn't know Xin Lan's idea yet. If Xin Lan developed feelings for Jian Heng and she rejected them, it would be as if she was hitting a pair of mandarin ducks. So, she should just watch how they develop their relationship then!
Xue Li smiled when he saw Su Shuilian nodded in agreement, while calculating how to create opportunities for Jian Heng and Xin Lan to meet up. Feng Ruo Er smiled and shook her head. She put her cup of tea down and chatted with Su Shuilian. It had been four months since they parted in Qi Yun Town, she missed her son and his family.
"Mother, if you're not tired, do you want to visit Xiao-er and Long-er with me?" Of course, Su Shuilian understood her desire. Although she couldn't persuade A Yao into talking to his parents, she could decide for the kids.
"Of course, I missed them so much. I wished I could see them every day." Su Shuilian's suggestion had touched the itchy spot in Feng Ruo Er's heart. Immediately, she cheered up, nodding her head continuously.
The mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law didn't mind Xue Li, who was squeezing his brain to find different methods for his match-making mission, as they held each other's hand and walked towards the lotus lake.
Ever since Si Luo had taken the twins on a boat trip above the lotus lake, the twins would cry if they weren't taken here to play everyday. Lin Long, the daring little girl, even almost stumbled into water to play.
Bai He and Liang-momo were frightened and had held onto her tightly. They were afraid that if they didn't pay attention, their Little Young Lady would jump into the water.
Luckily it wasn't cold in the afternoon. The twins liked to play around the lotus lake, Liang-momo and the others decided to place the soft bed by the lake with many toys so that the kids could crawl around and play.
"Shuilian... Zhan-er, he... I mean A Yao, does he still blame me, this irresponsible mother?" On the way to the lake, after many hesitant attempts, Feng Ruo Er eventually gathered her courage to ask her daughter-in-law the question she had kept in her heart for a long time.
She couldn't be blamed for overthinking. She and Xue Li had arrived in Fan Hua Town for two days. Except for yesterday, they needed to take a rest after a long journey, their son could use the excuse of letting them rest to not see them. What about today? Why did they not see him at all? Did he really not want to meet them?
"... Mother..." Su Shuilian gently held Feng Ruo Er's hand, tenderly comforting, "A Yao is not good with words. But I do believe that he cares about you two. This morning, before he left for the mountain, he had specifically asked Liang-momo and the kitchen to cook some northern cuisine because he was afraid that you're not familiar with the southern cuisine. Moreover, yesterday, when we were discussing accommodation, he was the one who suggested letting you stay in Bamboo Garden, which is closer to us. Give A Yao some more time. It'll be fine..." Su Shuilian remembered the time when she had just married to A Yao. He was pitifully reticent. However, she wasn't a talkative woman so it was fine to her. She didn't feel uncomfortable with that. As long as she had A Yao by her side, she felt assured.
She believed that A Yao had forgiven his parents for quite a long time. Although he didn't have other ideas about letting Xue Li and his wife stay in the Bamboo Garden, today's breakfast was prepared as he had suggested. Though it was just a short, "Don't let them eat fried rice." Because people from the Blood Union loved noodles.
"Yeah... I believe you..." Feng Ruo Er nodded, giving a weak smile. The breakfast this morning was different from yesterday's dinner. It suited them better. It turned out their son had asked the kitchen to cook something special for them. So, their son did care about them, his neglectful parents?
With that thought, Feng Ruo Er felt much better. She didn't blame her son for not paying them a visit or asking if they lived well and if the food was okay. Because, he had used his action to show his feelings for them.
Chapter 138: Fan Hua Town's Impenetrable Defense (1)
Currently, there was only one way leading from Fan Hua Town to Mount Da Shi, which was the path behind Mount Xiu Feng.
And now, Mount Xiu Feng and several smaller but also beautiful mountains adjacent to it, have become the territory of Fan Hua Private Mansion. After being renovated, this mountain range became a charming and elegant landscape worth visiting.
Gradually, Mount Da Shi, the dangerous mountain behind Mount Xiu Feng, had also become an extremely mysterious place in the eyes of the curious visitors.
Although the villagers in the neighboring towns all knew about dangers in Mount Da Shi, the visitors from the other places didn't. To prevent visitors from accidentally or deliberately stumbling into this large undeveloped area, Lin Si Yao had thought a lot about how to protect the tranquility of Mount Da Shi. Alright, according to Su Shuilian, it was to protect the visitors' safety.
How troublesome! They did not invite them here! Even if Fan Hua Town had become so marvelous after the renovation, it was Fan Hua Town's business. It had nothing to do with those idle visitors!
And if something happened, they had to take the responsibility!
If Su Shuilian had agreed to do as he suggested, which was to build two big iron door gates at the town's entrance to restrict all the outsiders from entering the town, they wouldn't have had to worry about those rude visitors if they went to Mount Da Shi or affect the villagers' life or not?
Su Shuilian just didn't agree to do so. She said that even if Fan Hua Town now belonged to Prince Jing's mansion and became an open private mansion, there were more than twenty households living here and they had their freedom. If they built the iron gate at the entrance, people would have to live under the control of the private mansion whenever they wanted to get in and out of the mansion. In short, she did not want to restrict the freedom of the villagers.
Although Lin Si Yao kept complaining in his mind, he didn't stop his work.
After he had set up the iron fence with the sign that read "Mount Da Shi - Prohibited Area," he used a towel to clean dirt on his hands. With the gate placed here, the animals in Mount Da Shi would lose their freedom too. They couldn't leave the mountain. Of course, it was applicable only to his two big wolves that were fond of this place.
When his family went to imperial city in the north, Xiao Chun had followed its other half, and gone back to Mount Da Shi.
Several days ago, he went to the mountain to plant the seeds and sapling from his garden to the wasteland and found that Xiao Chun was now a father. Its partner had given birth to four cubs, and all looked so cute and chubby. When Xiao Chun saw him, he proudly lifted his head as if he wanted to compare who had more children with him. Hmph... He would not stoop so low to compare his children with an animal's.
However, if his wife, who was full of emotions, knew this, she would surely ask him to take her to the mountain to pay Xiao Chun and her family a sneaky visit. And Xiao Xue, perhaps it had followed the alpha wolf, its life partner, bringing their two grown-up little wolves deep into the mountain to train. He didn't see them anywhere. And, it was also the reason why Su Shuilian suggested to fence this entrance. First, she worried that the visitors would get lost and enter the mountain where wild animals would attack them. Second, she was afraid that Xiao Xue and the wolf pack, who had given him favor, were hunted. They could not be sure if there were some experts like him among the visitors.
Lin Si Yao carefully checked one more time to see if the iron fence was firm enough. Seeing no problem, he installed the wooden warning sign on the left of the fence, which read "Wild animals are often seen in this area. Please do not enter."
He took several steps back, appraising his own work. Then, he jumped over the fence and lightly nodded towards the end of the forest before turning around and walking back home.
In the forest, Xiao Chun was standing with his family, watching Lin Si Yao disappearing on the other side of the fence. He lowered his head and whimpered before taking his beloved wife and kids, leaving to their small, but cozy and happy wolf cave.
They had their own little happy family. They were no longer lonely or homeless. They would never drift around furthermore.
Xiao Chun and Xiao Xue's responsibility to protect their masters had come to an end.
As for the future, they believed with that powerful man by their master's side, she would never experience an incident. Ever.
Mount Da Shi was still the home of the wolves. They would have their later generations here.
And from now on, they had an unsaid mission, which was to make Mount Da Shi a strong backing for Fan Hua Town, to protect their masters and their families until they died...
Chapter 138: Fan Hua Town's Impenetrable Defense (2)
"Senior Uncle, it's good that you're here. This ruffian wants to enter our town. I'm about to kick him out."
As soon as Lin Si Yao descended the mountain, he went to the ancestral hall. Today was the fifth day of the eighth lunar month, so Yang Jing Zhi and Qing Lan were doing health-checks for villagers in Fan Hua Town. He wanted to find Yang Jing Zhi and asked her to go to his house and check Shuilian's health. These days, he observed that she felt tired and eating less than usual. He wondered if it was because of the weather or if she was sick. He would not be at ease unless the doctor gives her a checkup.
However before he could, Meng Qiao Zhi, who was patrolling to maintain the order in the town, had called him.
"Then throw him out!" Lin Si Yao answered with an emotionless face. However, as he noticed that Meng Qiao Zhi, one of Si Chong's twenty-five disciples, wanted to say something but he didn't open his mouth, he didn't go right away but ask with furrowed brows. "Anything else?"
"Senior.. Senior Uncle... during my break time... Can I visit my junior brother and junior sister?" Meng Qiao Zhi peeped at Lin Si Yao who was wearing a cold and unpredictable face. He gulped his saliva, asking gingerly. He was innocent, but he lost in the guessing game and his brothers had pushed him here to bear the difficulty. Woo woo woo! He would rather receive a bucket of cold water from his Shifu than talk to his Senior Uncle. But what could they do? They all constantly thought about their junior brother and junior sister! Oh, correction: they just missed them!
"Up to you. Just don't disturb your Senior Aunt when she's resting." Lin Si Yao looked at the tense Meng Qiao Zhi and internally complimented the boy for being courageous. As they'd been together for quite a long time, how could he not know? Among the twenty-so of Si Chong's disciples, except for Situ Yun, no one dared to talk to him directly.
But it seemed he had one more from today.
"Real... Really? Thank you, Senior Uncle!" Meng Qiao Zhi respectfully bowed and happily galloped to his watching position.
"Keep your eyes open widely when on duty ." Lin Si Yao instructed coldly behind him.
"Don't worry, Senior! We will surround Fan Hua Town and let it become impenetrable!" Meng Qiao Zhi heard that. He stopped and threw his fists into the air, answering Lin Si Yao seriously. Then, he grinned and ran toward his watching position, which was by the theater on the yard behind the ancestral hall.
Impenetrable? Ha... praise him for being able to say such a thing out loud!
However, Meng Qiao Zhi reminded him of something. Fan Hua Town did need impenetrable defense. With Mount Da Shi right behind the town, he didn't need to worry about any ambush from behind. And with the patrol teams, there was nothing to worry about in town. As for the entrance, if they couldn't build a gate, then they needed another protective barrier, something that can stop the outsiders from coming into their town...
Lin Si Yao looked in the direction where Meng Qiao Zhi had left. He retracted his gaze a while after. With his eyelids slightly lowered, the corner of Lin Shi Yao's mouth slightly raised as he clasped his hands behind his back, and walked toward the clinic.
Chapter 139: Double Happiness (1)
"Haha! Ruo Er, we're going to have another baby!" After knowing his wife was one-month pregnant, Xue Li kept smiling.
"Li!" Feng Ruo Er looked at her husband, who was absolutely too excited now, with a complicated face. She couldn't help but pull his sleeve and quietly said, "Please don't laugh that loud." Almost all the villagers in Fan Hua Town knew she's pregnant.
"What's the problem?" Xue Li shrugged in disapproval. Then, he carefully hugged Feng Ruo Er. "Alright, let's go, go. Don't stand for a long time. That girl said our baby isn't stable. You need to rest well. Hmm, could it be because of the bumpy journey on the horse carriage here? If I've known this, I wouldn't have agreed with you to come to this rural area. Now, how can we go back to the palace? The tiresome trip will take at least a dozen days." Xue Li couldn't help but furrow his brows thinking about the trip back home after the Mid-Autumn Festival.
"Darling!" Feng Ruo Er cast Xue Li a glance as she smiled. "Jing Zhi only said that I just need to rest well for a couple days. She didn't mean my body's too weak. Moreover, you shouldn't talk nonsense. If people hear that, they will laugh at my face."
Perhaps it was because she was pregnant after more than twenty years, she felt somewhat tired these days. She had thought it was because of her long journey on the horse carriage. She didn't expect the real cause was her pregnancy.
As she was a forty-some woman, it would be embarrassing for others to find out she was pregnant again.
"Who dares!" Xue Li's face darkened. "You're the Queen of Blood Union with a dragon baby. Who dares talk behind your back!"
"I just made an example. Why are you so mad?" Feng Ruo Er reluctantly threw him a glance. Annoyed, she swung his hand supporting her away, walking to their bedroom.
"I'm not mad at you... Alright, alright, I'm just too happy. I can't believe I still have a chance to have another child. Be careful, you're pregnant now..."
"Child! Child! If you wanted more children, why didn't you learn from your father and have more wives..."
"Ruo Er!" Xue Li grunted, stopping Feng Ruo Er's tongue-slipping. "We've been married for so many years. Are you not familiar with my character yet? You can joke about everything but not this."
"I'm sorry! Li, I just lost my mind. I didn't mean that..." Seeing Xue Li's serious face, Feng Ruo Er knew she had let her rage overwhelm her mind and said something that hurt Xue Li.
As Xue Li had said, they had been a married couple for so many years and had been through so many ups and downs. Of course, she knew he had made his father's actions a warning to himself. The most direct aftermath of having more wives and concubines was to endanger the stability and well-being of the Blood Union's royals.
In addition, even though their son was kidnapped and they didn't have a clue about his whereabouts for more than twenty years, even though she had missed Zhan-er a lot she couldn't bear another child, for Xue Li, during a long course of time, he had never mentioned that he would marry more wives to lengthen the royal bloodline. It was because he was worried that one day, if his son was still alive, his other brothers from different mothers would kill each other for the throne. Just like he and Xue Ying. And it would rain blood over the imperial palace of Blood Union.
In other words, Xue Ying's event had deprived Xue Li's intention to expand his harem in Blood Union.
How could she not know how happy he was when he knew she got pregnant! How could she mock and stimulate him like that! How stupid of her!
"I know." Xue Li couldn't scold her further when he saw her self-blaming face. He sighed, hugging Feng Ruo Er.
"Ruo Er, when we married, I told you that I needed only you for the rest of my life. I always meant what I said. The numbers of my father's wives were as many as the fish in the river. I have never wished I could be like him one day. On the contrary, I just wanted to use a torch to burn down his entire harem. Listen to me!" Xue Li gently placed his hand on Feng Ruo Er's mouth to stop her from giving him some comforting words.
Slowly, he expressed his heart. "When Zhan-er was born that year, I already decided that you wouldn't bear more children. It's enough that we got Zhan-er since we're not sure if we have more children, that they could live together in harmony. Our son was just one year old when Xue Yan kidnapped him. Even though twenty-four years passed by, I have never given up searching for him. But you know, the hope to see him again seems so vague to us. That's why I ordered the imperial doctor to treat you in the hope that you could bear more children for the royal family. But... I know that you were so hurt you didn't even want to live anymore when Zhan-er remained missing. You insisted that it was your fault that Xue Yan got a chance to deploy her scheme. So, even after twenty-years, you haven't got rid of that shadow. Doctor Liang was right. It would be very hard for you to bear another child as long as the knot in your heart hasn't been untied. So I decided from then, that it was okay not to have a son of my own. At most, I would choose an excellent child in our extended family to inherit my throne. Since then, I haven't asked the doctor to treat you anymore. Everything should go with its natural flow. I haven't tried to force anything. But even so, Rou Er, I have never thought about marrying more wives. If I've ever lied to you, I will be struck by lightning to death..."
Feng Ruo Er suddenly raised her hand to stop him from speaking the last four words. She smiled, her tears rolling, and the agony in her heart vanished.
"I understand. How could I not understand?" She said in a low voice. Because she understood, she felt more guilty.
"It's good then. We had a frank talk today and it would save my sincerity from your doubt. Ruo Er, haven't you seen that? From my generation onward, the men of the Xue family are all very loyal." Xue Li scanned the bamboo bushes not far from him. Under the quiet sunlight of the afternoon, the figure over there didn't hide or intervene with their conversation. Under the sun, he looked less resistant and more tolerant.
He should have heard, right? As he was the son and after listening to his father's confession, no matter what, he should call his father "father" and Feng Ruo Er "mother" once?
No matter what, they had never given up on him for the last twenty-four years. Not even for a moment.
Xue Li embraced his wife. He purposely sat on the wooden bench in front of their room in Bamboo Garden. He waited for a while before sneaking another glance. Heht? That blue figure was no longer there.
Damn it! His son tricked him again!
Chapter 139: Double Happiness (2)
"... Anyway, you just rest well. No matter what, your super husband will take care of the Private Mansion. Situ Yun and Liang-momo will take care of the twins. You shouldn't worry much!" After checking Su Shuilian's pulse, Yang Jing Zhi gave her some prescription and some menus that were good for her baby. "Tsk, you and your mother-in-law have to nurture your babies well. I'll come back to see you next month. Sigh, talking about the clinic in this ancient time, it's really hard to become rich with this business. It's more difficult than I thought."
"What? Is there anything you don't like?" Su Shuilian received the prescription. She poured hot tea for the two of them and then placed the sweets Xin Lan had brought in front of them. "You've been busy until noon. Eat something to ease your stomach!"
"It's not that I'm not satisfied. It's just... Sigh, it's really hard for women to build their business in this era of time. That's why I admire Ying Yun a lot." Yang Jing Zhi sipped her hot tea and took a bite of the taro pie, chewing. Wow, nothing to complain about Prince Jing's mansion's female chef's attainment.
"Right. But she's... experienced a lot of hardships." Thinking about Jiang Ying Yue dedicating her life for the embroidery house, Su Shuilian couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
"It's good to live like that if we can't meet the right men." Yang Jing Zhi didn't agree with her. Su Shuilian thought... If... If it weren't him, she wouldn't get married. Being single for their entire life wasn't something really bad, and she got used to ignoring the rumors from her gossiping neighbors. "Alright, I have to go back. There are more patients waiting for me at the ancestral hall."
"What about having lunch before heading back there? I requested Xin Lan to make an order in the kitchen. We will have shrimps and crabs for lunch. You love them, I know." As Su Shuilian saw Yang Jing Zhi getting up after finishing her tea, she hurried to ask.
"Ah no, there are so many people waiting for me at the ancestral hall. You know how hot-tempered your husband is. He grabbed me and pushed me here with my medical box even before I could talk. I'm afraid that Qing Lan couldn't handle the patients alone. Um... I do love shrimps and crabs. Can you ask Situ Yun to bring me some?"
"Ah... No problem. I will prepare two big lunch boxes and ask him to deliver them to you." Su Shuilian nodded. If Yang Jing Zhi were busy with her patients, she shouldn't hold her back here. No matter what, her husband had kidnapped the other while she was doing her job.
Su Shuilian returned to the main house after seeing Yang Jing Zhi off.
"Eh? You came back early?" Su Shuilian blinked skeptically. It wasn't that... he hadn't left yet? Looking at Lin Si Yao, who she had pushed to go to Bamboo Garden to congratulate the others about fifteen minutes ago, was sitting and drinking tea by the table, she couldn't help but guess.
"Went. How do you feel now? Did the doctor say anything? You're pregnant and you dare to run around like this..." Lin Si Yao placed his teacup back on the table. He stepped forward and pulled her into his embrace.
"What else could Jing Zhi tell me?" Su Shuilian thought and couldn't help but glare at her husband. Unfortunately, her watery eyes, that conveyed her tender and mild feeling, rendered her angry look useless.
"Long-er and Xiao-er haven't been one year old yet and I'm now pregnant again. You... You really made me lose face." She couldn't help but pout her lips. She got pregnant almost every year. Oh she was like a piggy mother!
"What are you afraid of! With... Mother will stand in front of you. People will notice her only." Lin Si Yao smiled and hugged her. He let her sit on his lap and comforted her tenderly. However, he didn't sound natural when addressing Feng Ruo Er.
"Oh? A Yao?" She misheard something? Did he actually call her mother-in-law 'mother'? Su Shuilian lifted her head in surprise.
"Was it wrong?" He turned his head aside, feeling a little embarrassed when facing her. At the same time, he sneakily urged his Qi to cool down his face. He wouldn't let his little wife see his shy face.
"No, no!" Su Shuilian shook her head immediately as she heard his question. Jokes aside, it was a rare sight for him to open up. She must not let him take it back.
Su Shuilian hurried to change the topic. "A Yao, I want to write to my parents and tell them this good news."
"Mhh," he nodded and exhaled inwardly. It was good that she didn't continue to question his sudden change. Even though he had untied the knot in his heart back in Qi Yun Town, the words "father" and "mother" were unfamiliar to him for twenty-four years. So, it was hard for him to say it without hesitation.
But it seems to be a good opportunity now? Both his mother and his wife were pregnant. Even if he accepted them now, he didn't need to return to Blood Union!
Chapter 140: To be a Couple (1)
"Lian-er, how do you feel? I'm always tired as if I didn't sleep enough." Feng Ruo Er asked her daughter-in-law about her pregnancy conditions.
"I'm fine. I just feel a little ache at my waist. I think it's because of your journey by horse carriage that made you tired. Jing Zhi told me that these are all common occurrences during the first trimester of pregnancy. You don't need to worry about anything." Su Shuilian smiled and comforted her mother-in-law, the one who was even more worried than her when she was first pregnant.
"Is it true? That's good then. Sigh... I have always felt helpless ever since I got pregnant in my forties."
"What are you talking about! You're not old at all. Moreover, Jing Zhi advised you already. Although it would be a little hard when you deliver the baby, it's not something that has never happened before." Yang Jing Zhi even told her that there were so many pregnant women in their forties in her time.
"It's good then." Listening to her, Feng Ruo Er could finally lift the worries in her heart. "As Jing Zhi is here, I don't need to worry about that. Moreover, Li agrees to let me stay here until my labor. However, he will send some midwives from the imperial clinic. Otherwise, he would be very worried." Although she sounded like she was complaining, her smiling face showed her satisfaction and happiness.
"Oh right, father cares about you a lot, mother." No matter what, the midwives in a small town couldn't be compared to the midwives from the imperial clinic in the palace.
"He just cares about my tummy." Feng Ruo Er smiled and complained but she was actually so touched because of his confession, which made her tears rain.
"It's also a way to show that he cares a lot about you." Just like her A Yao. She had rarely heard sweet talks from him, except for the time he was on top of her at night. But he always discreetly and quietly cared about her. He had never neglected this duty.
"Lady, Madam, Lin Jiang reported that His Highness is in Fan Hua Town. He's on his way to the main house." Xin Lan lifted the curtain and reported them. "Wangye? My big brother?" Su Shuilian was surprised, raising her brows. Why did he come here at this time? The Mid-Autumn Festival was just several days ahead. Why didn't he stay in the Prince's mansion with his parents but come to Fan Hua Town? Moreover, she just asked A Yao to send her letter to the Prince's mansion through Guangci House yesterday. How could he know she was pregnant that fast?
"Brother?" Xin Lan supported Su Shuilian, slowly walking to the front of the house. They met Liang En Zai, who was rushing in.
"Hm, it's been half a year we haven't met and you seem to have gained some weight." Liang En Zai squinted, watching his sister standing in front of him.
This statement answered her question.
"Big Brother!" Su Shuilian threw him a glare but she didn't know if she should cry or smile. He said that she looked fat as soon as they met. If it happened to any girl, she would frown and not want to talk to him.
"Cough... I didn't mean that. Where's my brother-in-law? Is he home?" Liang En Zai put his fist near his mouth, faking a cough. He immediately changed the topic.
"He's in Pine Garden." Su Shuilian answered him, but she was looking at him with odd eyes. "Brother, are you here to see A Yao?" No wonder why he had rushed like that. He must have something urgent to do.
"Yes... Well, it's not." Liang En Zai felt a little awkward so he turned his face to one side, ordering the servant who was panting behind him. "Why don't you hurry and prepare a hot tub for me!" He had rushed a three-day journey within one and a half days. He just wanted to take a bath right now.
"Brother, the hot water and food are all well-prepared. However, we have guests in Bamboo Garden, so can you stay in the Pine Garden?" The Pine Garden was constructed with the best functions and all of the four bedrooms had a private bathroom. Currently, there was one vacant room.
"Alright," Liang En Zai nodded. He followed the maid to the Pine Garden right next to the main house. "Oh right, father and mother miss you a lot. When you have free time, you should write something to them." Liang En Zai's voice reached back to her even when he was walking far away.
It seemed he didn't know she was pregnant, which also meant he wasn't here because of her. So... What was it for? What made him urge his horse and not care about his image to rush here? In her memory, Liang En Zai had never forgotten to care about his appearance. She had never seen him as disheveled as now. She would know the reason soon... Su Shuilian didn't continue to look at him anymore, raising the corner of her mouth. "Xin Lan, let's go! I happen to have something to talk to you about."
The Mid-Autumn Festival was three days ahead. After day sixteen, Xue Li would return to Blood Union with Jian Heng, and Jiang Yue would stay here to protect Feng Ruo Er. That's why Xue Li asked her to probe Xin Lan. If there were any possibility, he would do his best to facilitate Jian Heng and Xin Lan's relationship.
However, Su Shuilian looked at Xin Lan who was walking silently by her. After staying together for a while, she recognized that Xin Lan was a rare good girl. She was mature and handy, and she could understand the others' intentions without waiting for them to tell her. Moreover, Xin Lan's interest in the maid job exceeded that of normal people. It seemed... She had considered being a maid her whole life.
"Xin Lan, you've been handling Bai He's tasks for a while. What do you think about it?" After Xin Lan's group arrived, Liang-momo had trained them for several days before assigning them to do different tasks.
Chapter 140: To be a Couple (2)
Xin Lan was doing Bai He's job, which was to follow and take care of Su Shuilian. Especially after Yang Jing Zhi had diagnosed her pregnancy, Xin Lan had never left her side. Bai He was sent to the bedroom in the West wing to work with Liang-momo and take care of the twins. The wet-nurses had finished their job and gone home since the kids had begun to eat porridge.
Her first plan was to let Bai He and Liang-momo take care of the twins and she didn't need a maid. However, Chun Lan was so worried she had specially asked for an order from Prince Jing's mansion. She had reported to the mansion that they needed more staff since the private mansion had been expanded. The Elder Wangfei immediately chose and sent three more maids and servants to help the private mansion.
So, Chun Lan had arranged the handy Xin Lan to serve Shuilian. If Xue Li didn't ask about her, Su Shuilian wouldn't know that Xin Lan, who looked around fourteen years old, was actually almost seventeen, an age where most would look for their marriage prospects.
"Xin Lan is already used to work. My Lady and Guye always care about me, and my job isn't hard at all." Xin Lan answered in a serious tone. It wasn't hard and she even felt relaxed. Or, because her surroundings had changed, she felt more comfortable.
"Mm, Xin Lan, have you ever thought about your future?" Su Shuilian carefully chose her words.
"My Lady, you mean?" Xin Lan was so surprised. She lifted her head to check Su Shuilian then looked down again, feeling a little anxious. She didn't do anything wrong, did she? Her Ladyship wanted to expel her? Was it because she had said something she shouldn't when she welcomed Guye's parents? But if Her Ladyship wanted to punish her, she didn't need to wait until today, which was ten days later?
"Don't overthink. I'm only casually asking." Seeing Xin Lan pale, Su Shuilian knew that the girl was overthinking. "I just want to ask... Xin Lan, do you have anyone you like? If you don't, I have a good man I consider suitable for you. Of course, I'm asking for your opinion." Su Shuilian gulped. As she didn't know where she should start, she decided to frankly ask the other what her father-in-law wanted her to ask.
"My Lady!" Xin Lan was stunned. She had never thought that her elegant, mild-looking Lady now wanted to match her with someone. Then, she pondered. Chun Lan had been in love with Chief Guard Xiao during her time serving Su Shuilian and married him afterward. So, her Lady wasn't unfamiliar with the matchmaking work? Er... No, how could she sneakily assess her Young Lady like that!?
As Xin Lan was looking at Su Shuilian with an odd face, Su Shuilian felt somewhat embarrassed. "It just slipped out of my mouth. I didn't and I would never force you to do anything. Your husband is the one who will live with you for the rest of your life. It's true that you should think about it very carefully. You don't need to give me a rush answer."
"Err... My Lady, please forgive this maid's overreacting behavior. Because Xin Lan has never thought about getting married. I enjoy my current life."
"But Xin Lan, even if you're at the age where we need to talk about getting married, you shouldn't rush and make a life-time decision like that." No matter what, getting married and having kids were important things all women had been waiting for. Unless they had greatly suffered from some relationship like Jian Yue, no one would have determinedly thrown away the happiness they would likely have. Like Jiang Ying Yun, until now, had never given up on her idea of getting married. She had developed some feelings for Si Luo and would go to Fan Hua Town often just to talk to him. However, her feelings were not reciprocated. It takes two to tango, so Su Shuilian and A Yao were helpless.
"My Lady..." Xin Lan felt touched when Su Shuilian reminded her. Before working for Prince Jing's mansion, she used to work for several powerful families. She had seen enough wives and concubines fight against each other. She had no hope in marriage, let alone waiting or yearning for one.
"Actually, the one I wanted to introduce to you is Jian Heng. I think you've met him several times. He's a calm and somewhat introverted man. He's twenty-six this year but he has never been with any woman. I think he's not flirty or irresponsible. You should consider him carefully... Xin Lan, I do hope that people by my side all have a place they call home." Su Shuilian talked to her then excused herself that she needed to take a lunch nap, asking Xin Lan to return to her room. Jian Heng? Heavens! He was ten years older than her. Although people always said that the older husband would know how to love and take care of his wife better. However, remembering that man's still, emotionless face, she couldn't connect him with the phrase "love and care about his wife."
"Hey you... girl...Bring this to the room on the left in Bamboo Garden for me. If you're free, help that man wrap his broken arm. I got something to do. Go, hurry!" As soon as Xin Lan walked out of the main house, Xue Li hadded her a basin of clean water and a bag of bandage and ointment. Though she didn't have a clue, Xing Lan was a kind girl, so she hurried to come to the room on the left of the Bamboo Garden.
"Father!" Su Shuilian heard Xue Li's voice, so she walked out of her room. Leaning against the column in front of her room, she glanced at Xin Lan making her way through the small gate in the West with so many things in her hands. She didn't know if she should smile or cry, talking, "Father, aren't you acting too directly? I've just talked to her and you immediately created a chance so she and Jian Heng could have a private moment. If... I'm afraid she will blame us."
"It's gonna be fine! I'll bear all the responsibility!" Xue Li waved his hand naturally. "I heard that your brother's here?"
"Yes, he's in the Pine Garden. I guess he's with A Yao now."
"That kid got the news so fast!" Xue Li snickered.
"What news?" Su Shuilian didn't get it.
"Hehe, nothing. I'm going to find him to watch the fun." Xue Li said no more as he walked to the Pine Garden, leaving Su Shuilian, who was still confused, behind.