Lin Wei Xi's face sank when she saw the woman walking down the path.
Although it was only a vague shadow, this woman had big eyes and a high nose, just looking at the upper half of her face, she did look like Gao Xi. Lin Wei Xi thus thought that this was the woman Gu Cheng Yao had brought back, but covered it up so not letting her know, how could she not get angry.
Wan Yue felt bad when she saw this Lu Niang. When she caught sight of Lin Wei Xi's uncomfortable expression her chest tighten, she hurriedly walked down the steps and waved to the little maids who was attending outside: "Wangfei is receiving a visitor, who permit you to let miscellaneous people to come in?"
The maids hurriedly went to pull Lu Niang out, but Lu Niang refused to cooperate. She wore a pink jacket and skirt, her hair pulled into a very high bun, with white snow on the ground simply, it simply pierced the eyes: "Mother Wangfei, this slave is brought back by Shizi, and still hasn't come to pay respect to you."
Lin Wei Xi's face was cold, and Liu Su Niang also felt awkward. She had long heard that Shizi Consort of Yan Wang Mansion suddenly reject the world for monastic life and moved into the Buddhist Hall to pray for her mother-in-law. Which family's womenfolk did not enjoy the rich and honorable days, and insisted to enter the quiet place of Six Roots to serve Buddha? This looks like an excuse. But this topic had become taboo in the capital, and even the gossipy madam dare not gossip about it. Yan Wang Mansion's Shizi Consort entered the Buddhist Hall after Wangfei received the shock that caused her fetus to be a bit unstable, in addition it was said at that time the old madam of Duke Yingguo Mansion came to Yan Wang Mansion, but when she returned she fell ill. All the signs were connected together, afraid the reason for the Shizi Consort's imprisonment was probably related to Wangfei. Maybe it have something to do with the startled horse matters.
Thinking of this who was not sweating all over, where still dare to continue to investigate. During the New Year, the womenfolk would gather together, celebrated with song and dance, all smiled and paid a New Year's greetings, not at all mention a word of Yan Wang Shizi Consort Gao Ran, who was once in the limelight.
It seems that there had never been such a person in the capital.
Now Liu Su Niang directly ran into the newly bought concubine of Shizi Gu Cheng Yao, which seemed to confirm the silent speculation in the capital. One could imagine how awkward Liu Su Niang was. On the other side, the maids, half persuading and half coercing, hurriedly took Lu Niang by the arms. When the people could not be seen anymore, Wan Yue lowered her head and pleaded with Lin Wei Xi: "This slave neglected her duties, and letting unrelated person to come in and offend Wangfei and Lady Liu, asked Wangfei to give punishment."
No decent family would let the concubine come out to welcome the guests, when entertaining the guest suddenly ran into a woman with peach powder from head to toe with unclear identity, this was considered rude to the madam who came as the guest. Liu Su Niang hurriedly smiled and broke the awkwardness: "It's no bother, the other side deliberately did it, and you can't stop it no matter how carefully you arranged it. Just sitting for a long time, I'm a little tired, and Wangfei can't stand the cold, let's go back."
In front of Liu Su Niang, Lin Wei Xi didn't say much, smiled and took Liu Su Niang back to the main courtyard. As soon as Liu Su Niang left, Lin Wei Xi's face immediately cooled down: "What's going on today?"
Wan Yue stepped forward and knelt on the ground, bowed her head and said, "Reporting for Wangfei. This slave have arranged manpower on the trail, but the garden was big, and it was snowing. The granny that guard the road didn't see Lu Niang, at once let her break in. It was this slave neglecting her duty. Ask Wangfei to give punishment."
Yan Wang Mansion's garden covered a vast area, and now in winter, the trees looks bleak, made it more and more spacious and empty. The road in the garden extended in all directions. If someone looked at it and want to get in, how could a few grannies at the entrance stop them? What's more, in their own mansion, Wan Yue's focus was not to guard the checkpoint. She arranged more manpower by Wangfei's side, and carefully looked after Lin Wei Xi.
No one thought that this nameless woman would be so bold, dared to wear pink in public, and ran to Lin Wei Xi with a big heart. Lin Wei Xi also knew that Wan Yue couldn't be blamed for today's matters. She fined Wan Yue three months' salary and let Wan Yue get up.
"Her name is Lu Niang?"
Wan Yue was embarrassed and tried to respond as cautiously as possible: "Yes. When Shizi brought her back didn't say what her status is. The people below didn't dare to make claims, so she is called Lu Niang for the time being."
Gu Cheng Yao brought the people back, but didn't say whether this was a concubine or a tongfang or just an ordinary singer plaything. The maids in Qingsong Garden had just experienced the catastrophe of Shizi Consort, and now they all felt anxious, how they still dare to casually agree. They were afraid calling her too high will make the master unhappy, but they couldn't call her miss either, without better option they took one word from the woman's name and vaguely call her Lu Niang.
"Who is she? When did she enter the mansion?" Mentioning this Lin Wei Xi became more and more angry, what did Gu Cheng Yao mean? Without saying a word, he brought back a woman who looked like Gao Xi back, but he sneakily kept Lin Wei Xi from knowing. Who he was trying to disgust?
Wan Yue became more cautious, holding her breath and shook her head, then she lowered her eyes and refused to say anything. Lin Wei Xi knew that she couldn't ask Wan Yue anything. If really want to ask about this matter, still need to ask the person involve.
At a quick glance today, this Lu Niang was covered in pink, with hair pulled in a high bun, and a golden hairpin on top. Only a primary wife could wear red and crimson, and Lu Niang wore a bright and gorgeous pink that was only a hue lower than red. It could be seen that she was very arrogant and very ambitious. Lu Niang was just a woman who was bought back without a name. Where did she get the confidence to be this flamboyant that she almost blatantly provoked the face of the primary wife?
The reason could only come from the male master. It must be the illusion that a noble master gave her, let her thought that she was very favored. It happened that Shizi's primary wife was beaten into the cold palace. Perhaps she thought she could fight hard and get herself a future of a side concubine (cefei) or even a primary concubine (zhengfei). Therefore Lu Niang ostentatiously came to find Lin Wei Xi, and tried to kowtow to Lin Wei Xi and from Lin Wei Xi she could publicly acknowledged.
What a courage.
"Outrageous." Lin Wei Xi's anger was not light, she slapped her hand on the table, and everyone in the room was holding their breath, didn't dare to speak. Of course Lin Wei Xi was angry, but she also knew that she was not angry because Gu Cheng Yao willfully took a woman back, nor was it because Gu Cheng Yao spoiled concubine unprincipledly and broke dignity rules. She was angry because the woman looks like Gao Xi.
This was not Lin Wei Xi's own narcissism, but because she had looked at that face in the mirror for seventeen years, how could she not recognize her previous life's appearance. Although the overall feeling was completely different, but if the mouth and chin were covered and only looked at the upper half of the face, at first glance it could easily create an illusion.
This made Lin Wei Xi feel offended.
But it was exactly because she knew that she couldn't say anything. When did she meet Gao Xi? Even if she knew it was Gao Xi, but Shizi missed his deceased wife and found a woman with a similar face to spoil her, how could it concerned Lin Wei Xi as the stepmother?
Lin Wei Xi was angry for a while, still feeling extremely annoyed. In the end she could only drop her face and said to Wan Yue impatiently: "Pass on a message to Shizi. It doesn't matter if he want to receive and spoil her. But let him remember that once out of his courtyard, just take care of his women. If dare to rush in front of me like today, don't blame me for destroying the flowers and being rude to his sweetheart."
Wan Yue lowered her head to take her orders. When she heard this, her eyes drooped and agreed in a low voice.
Wan Xing did not have as much thought as Wan Yue. Seeing that Lin Wei Xi was in a bad mood, she tried to please her by bringing the oranges and peel them: "Wangfei, this is the new tribute oranges, do you want to try?"
Lin Wei Xi had no appetite, she glanced at it and said, "Just put down first."
Wan Xing peeled the oranges for Lin Wei Xi silently. She placed the clean orange segments on the blue porcelain plate, while muttering unconsciously: "They just see that Wangye is not here. If Wangye is in the mansion, who dare to make you angry? "
Speaking of Gu Hui Yan, Lin Wei Xi's anger really weakened, and turned into melancholy. Gu Hui Yan had already left for half a month, and she was expecting labor in less than three months. Could Gu Hui Yan really rushed back?
Gu Hui Yan left very anxiously at that time, hurriedly passed the word that he was going to go faraway. When Lin Wei Xi packed his clothes, she couldn't speak privately, even until he took people to depart. And in front of so many people, Lin Wei Xi couldn't talk to him the matter of giving birth and the like.
So did Gu Hui Yan know that she would have a baby in April? Lin Wei Xi's heart was gloomy, of course she could write to him and tell him, but before Gu Hui Yan left, he was still a bit indifferent with her. What's more, Gu Hui Yan was really occupied by the trip this time, and Lin Wei Xi rashly sent a letter urging him to return early. What was this called?
"Wangfei?"
Lin Wei Xi returned to her senses and saw Wan Xing looked at her with concern. Lin Wei Xi realized that she had been in a daze for a long time.
Lin Wei Xi's anger suddenly burst out, and whispered: "Love return not return. Anyway, the birth of the eldest son also not caught up. It's not unusual to miss another one. If you don't come back, I will name him myself."
Wan Xing didn't hear what Lin Wei Xi said, but looking at Wangfei's face, it's good if they didn't know. Wan Xing smiled and didn't dare to interrupt.
The days without the head of the household passed by very slowly but also very quickly. Very slowly because Lin Wei Xi was frustrated every day, it seemed that there was no difference every single day. Very quickly because before she noticed it, it's already March.
Lin Wei Xi's movement was already very inconvenient, she needed people to support her when going out. However, her belly was huge, but her waist was still slender. Today Gu Cheng Yao came to pay respect to her as usual. When he came in, he saw Lin Wei Xi walking around the garden supported by the maid. Her belly was already high and bulging, but her waist was surprisingly thin. Gu Cheng Yao almost squeezed a cold sweat. He was afraid the servants by the side would break Lin Wei Xi's waist if they were not careful.
Gu Cheng Yao's eyes followed Lin Wei Xi's body, and he couldn't help but a bit impatient. Wan Yue accompanied Lin Wei Xi, she became alert when she heard Shizi's arrival. When she saw Gu Cheng Yao's expression at this time, her heart sank. She immediately walked over and crisply yelled, "Greetings, Shizi."
The clear female voice immediately pulled Gu Cheng Yao's thoughts back, and he saw the maid in front of him watching him warily. Gu Cheng Yao only shoot her a glance, and then walked by Wan Yue silently, stopped five steps away, and steadily saluted Lin Wei Xi: "This son pay respect to mother."
The parent was here, Gu Cheng Yao was also in good health, so there was no reason to miss the daily paid respect in the morning and evening. In the past, Lin Wei Xi deliberately avoided him. When Gu Cheng Yao came to pay respect, they talked across the window, even if the paid respect was over. But today' schedule was a bit unfortunate, unexpectedly bump into each other head-on.
Lin Wei Xi's face was indifferent, casually nodded without turning her face away. After this accident, she was not in the mood to walk in the garden as exercise to ensure a smooth delivery. She let Wan Xing helped her walk into the house.
Usually at this point Gu Cheng Yao would turn around and leave. But today didn't know why, Gu Cheng Yao wanted to stay a little longer. He followed Lin Wei Xi into the main room with his face as usual. Behind, Wan Yue's gaze almost burned a hole in his back.
"How's mother lately? Did younger brother or sister troubled you?"
Lin Wei Xi looked up at Gu Cheng Yao strangely, and said, "It's alright, Shizi is considerate."
Gu Cheng Yao paused, and then asked: "I heard that mother's appetite is not good recently and hardly eats much anymore?"
Lin Wei Xi's morning sickness period was no long, but didn't expect when she was near delivery time she would be very nauseous instead, and had no appetite for anything. But everyone knew that Lin Wei Xi could not lack strength during this period of times.
Lin Wei Xi still looked unconcerned, said with a cold tone: "Who is so meddlesome and talked about this in front of you?"
Gu Cheng Yao was a little helpless. Lin Wei Xi had always been willful like this. Her health was not good, and everyone was caring for her, but she herself seemed to ignore it. Gu Cheng Yao didn't dare to irritate her, so he could only say: "No one talks too much. Your delivery is the most important matter in our mansion, and everyone in the mansion dare not to relax. Why still need someone else to remind you? Your body is weak, I heard that when women giving birth it consumes life' qi and blood. If you don't eat properly right now, how can you have any strength then?"
Lin Wei Xi had heard these words many times, and casually let out an "hmm", without even lifting her head. Gu Cheng Yao was full of concern, but it seemed to only hit the air.
Gu Cheng Yao couldn't help laughing at himself. This was different from the past. No matter how much he said words of concern, Lin Wei Xi didn't even bother to listen, let alone took it to heart. Perhaps only if these words come from his father's mouth, then Lin Wei Xi would more or less listen to them.
He knew that his feelings were inappropriate and useless, and instead could put Lin Wei Xi in crisis. Gu Cheng Yao was also determined to bury all this, they all should have a new life. However, no matter how many times he made up his mind, when he heard the people inadvertently say that Wangfei had no appetite, and barely touch her dinner these few days, he still couldn't hold back his heart and wanted to come and personally have a look.
He made an excuse for himself, he only came to take a look at Lin Wei Xi. But when he really saw the person, he wanted to stay with her for a while, persuading her to eat well and take care of her body.
Lin Wei Xi's intention to send off the guests was very obvious, but Gu Cheng Yao remained silent in front of her for a long time, and after a long while he was still not leaving. Lin Wei Xi's eyes fell on Gu Cheng Yao's body, and lightly glance at him: "Shizi, you still have something?"
Gu Cheng Yao stood in his original place for a while, and suddenly showed a helpless smile, or it should be said a forced smile: "You are right, you really saw this day."
What? Lin Wei Xi turned her head suspiciously, but she did not see Gu Cheng Yao's expression. Gu Cheng Yao turned his face away and deliberately looked at the vibrant spring scene outside the window: "Father sent a letter the day before yesterday, Shanxi and Shaanxi' arrangements has been properly made. He should be back soon."
When his father return, she could really feel at ease.
This time Gu Cheng Yao didn't wait for Lin Wei Xi's reply, and walked out quickly before she could respond.
Of course Lin Wei Xi found it baffling. She only regarded Gu Cheng Yao as going crazy, and did not take the previous sentence to heart. It was now the end of March, and the capital was full of flowers and the spring breeze was cool and soft. According to the letter sent back by Yan Wang a few days ago, he should arrived in the capital in early April, just in time for when Lin Wei Xi giving birth.
But things in this world could have coincidences. On the evening of the conversation with Gu Cheng Yao, Lin Wei Xi suddenly felt her stomach hurts, and then the pain gradually became stronger, until she couldn't even stand steadily. The midwife that already arranged at earlier time came over to take a look, and said solemnly: "I'm afraid Wangfei is going to start."
Wan Xing was shocked: "But the due date is still half a month away!"
"Each woman's childbirth has its own circumstances. It's not uncommon to start half a month early." The midwife hurried out as she said, "Go and call people over, I'm afraid Wangfei will be tonight."