The female storyteller was finally invited to the mansion. It happened to be spring those days, so Su Yi asked people to set up tables, chairs and fruit plates in the small garden, and she and the people around her enjoyed the spring and listened to the story.
She listened to all kinds of things, including stories about talented men and beautiful women, strange people and events, and supernatural things. As long as a female teacher could make up something, she would listen to it.
The maids and old women usually lacked interesting things to pass the time, so it was a rare occasion for them to encounter something like this. They were all surprised when they heard it, sometimes exclaiming in surprise, sometimes clapping their hands in applause.
Just as the party was getting lively, Qing Xing came over with an unhappy look on her face. Qing Lian saw her and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong? It's rare that everyone is happy, why are you putting on such a face?"
Qing Xing glanced in the direction of Su Yi, lowered her voice, and gritted her teeth and said, "Just now the girl asked me to go into the house to pack another fruit plate. When I came back, I met Shui Tao next to Aunt Lan. Hum, she was dressed like a fairy. She said that we were too noisy here and Aunt Lan couldn't rest well. She was having a heartache."
Qinglian's face turned cold when she heard this, and she said, "It's neither noon nor afternoon, how can she divorce her child?"
"That's what I said. Besides, we are far away from her. There are Aunt Ding and Aunt Zhang in between. How come she doesn't feel it's noisy, but it bothers her? You are just looking for trouble. Don't you consider your status? Do you really think you are the master?"
"Where is Shuitao?" Qinglian asked.
"I scolded him and he left."
Qinglian sighed, "I'm afraid she won't let it go. It's rare to have a few days of peace and quiet."
Qing Xing also frowned, "What should I do, should I tell the girl?"
"Wait a minute," Qinglian looked at Su Yi and said, "The girl is having a good time, don't let this spoil her mood."
The two of them decided to keep it a secret for the time being, but Su Yi had already heard it, and said to Mao Tuan with great interest in her heart: "I never thought that I would be so close to a family feud. I still remember the plots of the TV series I watched before. Is the concubine Lan going to have a miscarriage due to her weak constitution?"
"She wasn't even pregnant, how could she have a miscarriage? At most I can give you some eye drops."
"Then Shen Er will rush to settle accounts with me. Sigh..." She sighed softly, stroking her face with one hand, weak and sad, "I have been alone in an empty room for more than ten years. When I saw my husband again, he came for another woman. What a miserable life."
Mao Tuan Tuan shook off the goose bumps on his body, "Yi Yi, can't we be normal?"
Su Yi glanced at him and transformed from a miserable heroine into a noble and cold queen, "Rebellious son, who allowed you to call me by my name?"
Mao Tuan Tuan: “…”
Okay, okay, as long as you are happy.
Later, Shen Er really came. He had returned home recently and would stand outside Su Yi's courtyard for a while every day, like a lovelorn husband waiting for his wife.
In the past, Su Yi didn't bother with him, but today she was a little curious and wanted to know how he was going to vent his anger on Aunt Lan, so she went to meet him.
Shen Er was overjoyed, and hurriedly took a few steps closer, looking at her infatuatedly, "Yi Yi, you are finally willing to see me."
"What do you want to talk to me about?" Su Yi asked.
"I just want to see you. If I can see you are well, I will be satisfied."
Su Yi rolled her eyes secretly. Was this guy particularly sour, or were all ancient people like this? Even love words were so awkward that it made people feel uncomfortable and unable to listen.
She patiently negotiated for a few words, but found that the other party did not mention Aunt Lan. She lost her patience and asked directly, "I was listening to a story in the garden this afternoon. The maidservant next to Aunt Lan came over and said that we were too noisy and made your beloved baby feel heartache. How is she?"
Shen Er hurriedly said: "I will immediately tell those people that no one is allowed to disturb you in the future. Yiyi, she is not-"
"That's it?" Su Yi interrupted him. What about her miserable part
Shen Er quickly said, "I'll ask someone to bring her here and ask her to apologize to you."
Su Yi waved her hands, feeling extremely bored. The long-awaited drama of the house fight ended before it even started. "I'm tired."
"Then... you should rest early." Shen Er looked at her reluctantly.
In the side courtyard of the second house, Aunt Lan leaned on the couch, twisting her handkerchief, and said angrily: "Did the Second Master go to that courtyard again?"
Shui Tao squatted on the ground and massaged her legs, saying, "Aunt, why worry? Everyone in the mansion knows that the Second Master loves you the most. Even if he is being held back by someone, he will return to you sooner or later."
"Humph, ever since she walked out of that courtyard, the Second Master has never set foot in my room again." Aunt Lan gritted her teeth, narrowed her eyes and said hatefully, "Since you have locked yourself up for more than ten years, why don't you keep locking yourself up until you die?"
She bit the word "death" between her teeth, making only a faint sound.
Suddenly, a little maid's joyful voice came from outside the door, "Auntie, the Second Master is coming this way."
Aunt Lan immediately sat up and said, "Are you sure?"
"No doubt about it. I was watching. I saw the Second Master was about to enter the yard, so I ran back to inform you."
"Quick, check if my hair is messy." Aunt Lan walked to the bronze mirror with a happy look on her face and looked left and right hurriedly.
Shui Tao helped her tidy up her clothes and said with a smile, "Aunt is fine. I'm sure the Second Master will be reluctant to leave once he sees her. I think the Second Master must have heard about what happened this afternoon and knew that Aunt was not feeling well, so he came to see you specially. When the time comes, you only need to say a few words of grievance in front of the Second Master. Are you afraid that he won't let you vent your anger?"
Aunt Lan looked at the pretty face in the mirror and smiled softly.
The maid opened the door curtain and Shen Er walked in from outside.
Aunt Lan walked towards him with a light step, her face showing a bit of joy and a bit of grievance, her delicate appearance made people feel pity, "Second Master..."
Shen Er didn't look at her. His usually gentle face was now a little gloomy. He asked Shui Tao directly, "Did you disturb Madam's mood this afternoon?"
Shui Tao's heart skipped a beat and she looked to Aunt Lan for help.
"Second Master, it's Lan'er—"
"Someone, take him away and slap him in the face." Shen Er said.
Two sturdy old women suddenly squeezed in from outside the door, holding Shui Tao on each side and leaving.
Shui Tao was so frightened that her face turned pale, "Second Master, please spare me! Second Master! Auntie, save me!"
"Second Master, what's going on? What's going on, Second Master?" Aunt Lan watched her maid being dragged away, and hurriedly grabbed Shen Er's sleeve, tears welling up on her face.
However, the man who used to be so affectionate with her, now held her chin with one hand, and shook his head as he looked at her in the candlelight, "I used to think your eyes were most like hers, but now I see that they are not that similar. She never cries."
He shook off her hand, and watched Aunt Lan stagger a few steps coldly. His tone made people feel cold: "Since you are not in good health and your heart is always hurting, don't go out in the future. Stay at home and recuperate."
After saying that, without even looking back, he turned and left.
Aunt Lan took two steps back and fell to the ground. Her face, which had been so beautiful just now, was now pale, as if the flower had withered before its blooming period.
In just one night, everyone in the Shen Mansion knew that Aunt Lan, who had once been the most powerful and favored, had suddenly fallen out of favor, simply because she disturbed the Second Wife's listening to a story.
Regardless of whether there were people in the mansion who were as restless as her before, now everyone has become more peaceful than ever before.
Only then did everyone realize that the Second Wife had sealed off her own courtyard, and the Second Master never asked about it. It was not that he did not want to care, but that he could not get it and did not dare to touch it.
Shen Shuyao was not surprised when she heard this. She knew that it was impossible for a man to not be moved by such a beauty. But she didn't know if her father's actions could really please his wife.
In this mansion, Su Yi is probably the only one who is not interested in this. Now, every day when she gets up, she first has dinner with Shen Shuyao who comes to pay her respects, then listens to books, looks at the account books, and occasionally goes to the theater to listen to opera. She feels that this kind of life is somewhat in line with the life of a parasite in her imagination.
These past few days, she also felt that someone was secretly observing her, but she didn't detect any malicious intent, so she just let it go. Anyway, if the other party had any purpose, he would face her sooner or later.
She originally thought that it might be the subordinates of King Rui. Although they left after stopping her that day, they obviously did not give up and had other tricks up their sleeves. She was not worried and would just deal with them when the time came.
But this time she guessed wrong, it was someone from the palace.
Eunuch Dehai sorted out the information he had obtained and went to report to the emperor.
"Is it her?" The emperor said, "I have heard of the most beautiful woman in the capital, but there has been no news since she got married. I thought she was taking care of her husband and children in the harem, but I didn't expect there would be such a feud. It sounds like she is not virtuous..."
The emperor frowned.
Eunuch Dehai lowered his head and said nothing.
After a while, the emperor said again: "Forget it, that brat..."
Eunuch Dehai then continued, "A few days ago, this Madam Su seemed to have come to her senses. She no longer stayed in the courtyard all day and started to interact with the outside world. It happened that the prince returned from the south and Lord Daoning attended a banquet at his house, and the two met by chance."
The emperor snorted, "It's been quite some time. It's hard for him to keep his composure."
"Uh..." Eunuch Dehai said carefully, "A few days ago, the prince stopped Madam Su's sedan chair at the side door of the Shen Mansion..."
"Asshole!" The emperor glared, "What does he want to do in broad daylight?"
Eunuch Dehai was silent again.
The emperor cursed a few times, walked back and forth, and said thoughtfully: "Since Su is not happy in the Shen Mansion, why not let her go free? However, I cannot do this. Otherwise, if Prince Rui marries her in the future, I don't know how the history books will record it. It is enough for that bastard to have the name of a killer, and there is no need to let future generations criticize him for his moral behavior. Dehai, do you understand what I mean?"
Eunuch Dehai said hurriedly: "Your Majesty's love for the prince is so touching that heaven and earth are moved. I will do my best to share your worries."
As the number one person around the emperor, Eunuch Dehai naturally understood what the emperor wanted him to do.
Su wanted to divorce, but the emperor and even the court could not show up. Otherwise, if she married Prince Rui, anyone who was not a fool would know that the emperor was forcibly snatching someone else's wife and giving her to his nephew, and Prince Rui's reputation would be bad.
Therefore, the Su family’s affairs have to be resolved by the Su family themselves.
That night, the Su family welcomed a low-key guest.
A few days later, the Su family sent someone to tell Su Yi that her two nephews would soon be sent out of the capital to be raised by their uncle, and invited Su Yi to return for a family dinner.
Su Yi arrived as scheduled. When she arrived at the Su Mansion, everyone was there. Master Su was teasing a bird with colorful wings, chirping and cooing, as if he was teaching it to speak.
There was some dissatisfaction in Liu's words, "I think your brother has gone crazy these days. He never leaves the bird for a moment, whether eating or sleeping. He treats it like his own heart."
She said this to Su Yi in the house. Master Su, who was standing in the corridor, obviously heard it, but he was still focused on the bird.
Su Yi couldn't talk about the matter between husband and wife, so she just asked, "Are your nephews' injuries healed?"
"It's better now, but the bruises on my face haven't gone away yet. They're all blue and white, and really ugly."
Su Yi smiled and said, "Fortunately, they are men and are not afraid of embarrassment. They will be fine in a few days."
The two chatted for a while, and Master Su finally put down the bird cage and went into the house, saying to Liu: "Madam, go and see where those two brats have gone. Why don't they come to see their aunt? I want to talk to Yi Yi for a few words."
Liu looked at the two of them for a few seconds before leaving.
Su Yi looked at her from behind and said to Master Su, "Brother, you did the right thing. It's better to send our nephews out of the capital so that they won't get into trouble in the future."
Master Su looked at her with a complicated expression, "Yi Yi, I asked you to come back today not because of those two boys, but for you."
"For me?" Sue wondered. "For what of mine?"
Master Su looked around and made sure that no one was around before asking, "Are you acquainted with Prince Rui?"
Su Yi raised his eyebrows slightly, "All in all, we have met twice."
Master Su sighed, not knowing whether he was happy or sad, "That's it."
He told the whole story.
A few nights ago, Eunuch Dehai from the palace suddenly paid a secret visit. To be honest, although Mr. Su had a title and the other party was just a eunuch, their identities were not comparable at all. If the other party had not taken out his badge, he would have thought he was a liar and was ready to fight him off.
It is really no wonder that he was blind to the great man. Given Mr. Su's rank, as he had no official position and was not given important responsibilities, apart from being able to enter the palace during festivals and kowtow to the emperor from a distance, he had never seen the current emperor's face up close since the death of the old Duke of Anguo, so he did not recognize the popular figure around the emperor, let alone a visit in the middle of the night.
As soon as Eunuch Dehai opened his mouth, Mr. Su was shocked again. What did he mean by Prince Rui was going to marry his married sister
Once you're married, can someone marry you again
Although he really wanted his sister to divorce, he was not strong enough. What if Shen Ergou was desperate and gave his sister a divorce letter because he saw that his family had no support? Would his sister still be able to see people in the future
Then Eunuch Dehai gave him an idea, saying that the emperor's birthday was coming soon, and if Mr. Su could please the emperor on the birthday celebration, and the emperor was happy and would reward him with anything, wouldn't that be a great honor, and no one would dare to underestimate it
Master Su was not stupid. After the other party reminded him to this extent, he immediately understood that it was the emperor's intention to ask his sister to divorce, and it seemed that Prince Rui really wanted to marry Yi Yi.
He was happy but also worried. It would be great to get rid of Shen Er, but would Yi Yi be willing to marry the King of Rui? Was the King of Rui another Shen Er
So he called Su Yi back to ask her what she thought. If she was unwilling, even if the emperor blamed him, he could not bear to see her fall into the fire again.
Anyway, by the time of his generation, the Su family has long lost its former glory, and the reputation of their ancestors has long been lost. Even if his father wants to beat him in the underworld, then let him beat him, because he has a thick skin.
Su Yi had known for a long time that King Rui would not give up so easily, but she did not expect that he was so stubborn. Because she was someone else's wife and could not fight with him, he planned to make her his wife, and then the two of them would fight slowly behind closed doors
This is interesting. When he was forced to marry a wife, it was because of a fight with a demon. When he got married, it was a real fight, without any watering.
To be honest, Su Yi didn't want to fight with him, not for any other reason, but simply because she was lazy. She fought every day in the Demon Realm, and she came here to enjoy a peaceful life, so why did she have to fight again
But looking at the current situation, she can't hide. Even if she can hide, the Su family can't hide.
Then just fight!
I beat him so badly that his face was bruised and he couldn’t get out of bed for three days. Let’s see if he dares to act so arrogantly again!
So she nodded and said, "I am willing to marry King Rui."
Marry him and beat him.
Master Su heaved a sigh of relief and smiled. As long as his sister was willing, he would do it. Wasn't it just to please the emperor on the birthday? He could do nothing else, but flatter him, wasn't it
Master Su thought of the bird under his porch and said happily, "It so happened that a bird came to the rare bird garden a while ago. When Eunuch De came that day, I did everything I could to buy the bird. After I taught it to talk, I will present it to His Majesty as a tribute. It will definitely please His Majesty!"
Are you sure
Su Yi was a little skeptical. She had heard that the emperor was famous for his diligence in government affairs, strict self-discipline, and he disliked people who were idle and doing nothing. How could he really be happy if he was given a bird that obviously appealed to the tastes of a dandy at first glance
However, looking at Mr. Su's face, which was filled with joy and radiance, Su Yi swallowed his words of persuasion.
After that, Master Su and the bird became inseparable. When Su Yi left, she heard him muttering to the bird, "My dear, you must be good... Speak nicely, and I will feed you meat."
At the same time, in the palace, the emperor was lecturing Prince Rui: "Now you are happy, I will do whatever you say. Logically speaking, if the old Duke of Anguo was still here, it would be fine. Now, there is really no one in the Duke of Anguo's Mansion who can support the facade, and it is not worthy of your status as a prince. But you insist on your own way. For the sake of your father, I will only allow it this time, and it will not happen again."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Prince Rui said, but there was not much joy in his expression.
The emperor hummed indifferently and said, "But for the time being, you should be more restrained and stop blocking people at the gates of other people's houses. You can afford to lose face, but I can't."
When the emperor thought of his nephew, who not only coveted someone else's wife but was also bold enough to block someone else's door, he felt a throbbing pain in his forehead.
No matter how impatient a person is, he wouldn't be so anxious. As a prince, can't you have a little ambition
He started talking about the same old things again: "After you get married, you should settle down. Don't think about leaving the capital for no reason. Stay at home to accompany the princess, go to the palace to pay respects to the queen mother, and give me a nephew. These are the serious things to do."
Prince Rui listened in silence, his voice going in one ear and out the other. When the emperor finished speaking, he added, "Uncle Huang is right."
He sounded very obedient, but the way he stood there, with that figure and that aura, he didn't look like the kind of person who would be obedient.
It was obvious that he was just being perfunctory. The emperor was so thirsty that his mouth was dry. He didn't want to waste the ambergris, so he had to wave his hand and let him go. Out of sight, out of mind.
After he left, the emperor asked Eunuch Dehai, "Have you explained everything to Eunuch Anguo?"
"Yes, I have explained it clearly."
The emperor nodded, and all that was left was to wait for the palace banquet for the emperor's birthday.
In the past, the emperor was impatient to listen to the eunuchs' reports about what was sent by which mansion, but now, for Prince Rui's sake, he had to put on an act. Even if the Su mansion presented a steamed bun, he would still praise it and give some gifts to show his love.
Prince Rui, who had just promised the Emperor that he would not block anyone again, heard from his subordinates that Su Yi had blocked someone in an alley again as soon as he left the Su Mansion.
He did not deceive the king, because this time it was not someone who blocked the Shen family's door.
It was the same experience as last time, but this time even Qinglian was much calmer, not to mention Su Yi.
She stepped out of the sedan and saw that the dark man from last time was still hiding by the wall, and Prince Rui was still walking in slowly from the entrance of the alley.
Without waiting for the other party to get closer, Su Yi took the initiative to greet him, "I know everything the prince has done."
Prince Rui looked at her with dark eyes. Su Yi could feel from the aura around this guy that he was in a good mood at the moment. Maybe he was thinking: Let's see what excuses you have.
She said: "Since the prince has decided to do this, I can only agree, but I have a few conditions."
"You say." Prince Rui said.
Su Yi spoke in a low voice, making sure that only the two of them could hear: "Your Highness should know that with my status, I shouldn't fight. I don't know why Your Highness is not curious, but this matter cannot be known to others. So, if you want to fight me later, you have to choose a place away from people's eyes."
King Rui nodded and said, "There is a martial arts arena in the palace, we can clear out the others."
"That's all." Su Yi thought to herself. This guy is a prince after all. She couldn't beat him openly. Otherwise, the emperor and the empress dowager would know about it and they would definitely not sit idly by. She could beat him up somewhere where no one was around and then make an agreement that if he lost, he would not tell anyone. She was sure that this guy would be beaten for the rest of his life without anyone knowing.
"What kind of weapon do you usually use?" asked King Rui.
"Weapons?" Su Yi raised his hands and said with a smile, "These two are enough."
Her hands could truly be described as slender jade fingers, soft and boneless, as white as jade carvings, and as soft as white jade tofu cooked in brine. A touch of nail polish on her fingertips swayed slightly with her movements, as if it could touch someone's heart.
King Rui's gaze lingered on her hand for a moment before he nodded: "Very good."
Su Yi smiled, teasing a cat, and brushed her fingertips across his resolute chin, "Then we'll see you someday, Your Majesty."
After saying that, she turned and left.
The seventh brother squatted in the corner and watched the people walk away. Their prince was still standing. He couldn't help but sigh in his heart, this number was too far apart. He was hooked away after just one move. At least he could have been hooked a few more times.
Come back to your senses!
The author has something to say: Male protagonist: I'm not talking nonsense, I'm just wondering how strong those hands are, that's it.