When Xu Junying and Mei Niang returned to the Xu Mansion, it was already midnight. The carriage entered directly from the side door and stopped at the Chuihua Gate. Xu Junying came over to help Mei Niang get off the carriage, but Mei Niang handed the sleeping Heng'er to him and jumped off herself. Xu Junying glanced around and saw that the maids on duty at the second gate were watching them. He couldn't help but want to say something to her, but Mei Niang didn't even look at him. She just told the wet nurse and Xia Lian to take good care of Heng'er, then turned around and walked away. Cui Xi and Cui Lian quickly followed.
Mei Niang didn't want to see the scene where Wang Mama and Cui Si ordered Bai Zhan and the others to unload the items from the car. She was furious when she saw it, so she pulled everyone out today and took as many personal belongings as possible, including clothes, gold and silver jewelry, and even the rewards she had just received from the palace. She originally wanted to take advantage of the opportunity of her sister-in-law giving birth to stay at her mother's house for a while and find a way not to return to Xu's house for the time being. She dragged her feet in Qin's house, deliberately avoiding Xu Junying, and even didn't come out to see Zhang Jingyun and Lingxuzi off when they left. She didn't mention returning to Hou's house at all. She was very active and dedicated to accompanying her sister-in-law Feng, and competed with Qin Boqing to hold the two newborn nephews and nieces. She also asked Xia Lian Cui Si to find a new wooden barrel and get hot water for Heng'er to take a bath... After finally waiting until dark, she thought she was settled in her mother's house, but Xu Junying said something in front of Mrs. Qin intentionally or unintentionally:
"Mother is ill!"
Immersed in the great joy of having a new baby, Mrs. Qin suddenly woke up. She immediately put down her grandchildren and her son and daughter-in-law and personally urged Mei Niang to return to the mansion. Mei Niang said it was not easy to walk at night with a child, so she stayed overnight and left tomorrow. Mrs. Qin hugged Heng'er, who had been excited all day, and kissed him, saying:
"Don't be afraid! Heng'er's father is a general with thousands of troops. With him protecting you, which monster dares to stop you? Lord Hou is the head of the family, and you are in charge of the affairs of the mansion. The old lady is here, and the wife of the in-laws is sick. If your mother lets you stay, it will be against etiquette. Go home quickly and serve your mother-in-law well. Come back to see her in the third morning, and bring Heng'er back with you!"
Without further ado, he insisted on sending her back to the Hou Mansion.
Mei Niang was unwilling to go back with Xu Junying. Her original concerns were Qin Boqing and Heng'er. Now that Qin Boqing had finished the exam and Heng'er was with her, and the emperor and empress owed her a favor, she had a little initiative. If she wanted to make a fuss first, it should be no problem, right? Under the feet of the emperor, what did Xu Junying dare to do to her? What could he do to the Qin family? She had thought about it these days, what was reputation? The honor and disgrace of the family should not be borne by a weak woman like her. She was not the real Qin Mei Niang and could not be so great as to sacrifice her freedom and happiness to achieve the prosperity of a family. If Qin Boqing had strong talents and abilities, he would naturally be able to top the list and would not need to rely on his sister's husband's family. Speaking of which, no matter how powerful the Xu Mansion was, it could only serve as icing on the cake at some point. It could not create a champion, right? If that was the case, why would the sixth son of the Xu family also take the exam!
She didn't believe that those so-called nobles didn't have any scandals or strange things for ordinary people to discuss. If she and Xu Junying divorced, the public opinion and influence caused would be less than that of the Jingguo Mansion favoring concubines and killing wives and forcing the eldest son away, right? Times have changed, who has time to look back and comment on that matter? The Zhang Mansion was a scandal, she was just divorced, and there was a reason for it. The Xu Mansion married a new wife according to the imperial decree, so shouldn't she, the old man, be allowed to leave the sad place and seek peace? As long as Xu Junying cooperated and carefully concealed the affair between Mei Niang and Xu Laoqi, I believe this matter will soon disappear.
She had already lost confidence and patience in the three-month covenant. Xu Junying's actions aroused her vigilance. If a man wants to marry a new wife, why should he worry about how outsiders view their current relationship? If he is going to abandon her soon, he should gradually become indifferent. But he, in just a few days, suddenly narrowed the distance between them. In front of the guests, he hugged her waist and held her hands. This body belongs to Lao Qi, but he doesn't mind. She even has bumps on her body! Wen Jinxuan was leaking, and he moved into the upper room without hesitation. He maintained the relationship between the couple in front of others and behind their backs, and even went to Xiankelai to put pressure on Lu Xiangfeng and force him to recognize him as his son-in-law. Is he sick? Mei Niang thought about it calmly and concluded: He was fine, she was too naive! She thought that Xu Junying could marry a new wife like modern people, so he had to give up his old wife and treat the new person wholeheartedly. The concept of men in this dynasty taking wives and concubines was normal, so how could Xu Junying be an exception? There may be other reasons for not touching the two concubines in Tsinghua Court. It does not mean that he does not like having many wives and concubines. When you think about it carefully, he still cannot let go of Qin Meiniang. He has no sincerity to let her go. The verbal agreement with him is without basis and can be overturned at any time.
Now the two of them lived in one room, and behind closed doors they were a legitimate couple. She intuitively felt that his character was guaranteed, but she had to stick to the bottom line in everything, and being too credulous and unguarded was not her style. She couldn't let him take the initiative and approach her step by step. If one day he suddenly went back on his word and denied the covenant, wouldn't she be at a great disadvantage
If someone wants to take advantage of her and keep her body and soul, it depends on whether the person has the necessary conditions. In her eyes, Xu Junying is a good person and a good man, but he is not the man she wants!
Madam Qin held Mei Niang's hand tightly and led her to the front door. Xu Junying followed Madam Qin with Heng'er in her arms. While he humbly asked and answered questions with Madam Qin, he reminded his mother-in-law to be careful with her steps and taught Tao'er to hold the lanterns. Heng'er also came to join in the fun and was held in Xu Junying's arms. However, he leaned over and grabbed Madam Qin's shoulders with one hand, trying to climb over his grandmother to find Mei Niang. Xu Junying pulled him back, patted him and said with a smile: "Heng'er, don't be naughty. Be careful not to scratch your grandmother's clothes! It's hard to see the road in the dark. Your mother can't hold you. It's better for your father to hold you!"
Heng'er watched him talking, leaning on his shoulder very obediently. Seeing this, Madam Qin smiled happily, and she liked Xu Junying, her virtuous son-in-law, even more. Mei Niang was very unhappy. She stood on the doorstep, grabbed Madam Qin's arm and shook it, acting like a spoiled child, using the tricks she used to deal with her mother in her previous life, saying that she had a stomachache, and then she said that she was almost dead tired and didn't want to leave. Madam Qin just ignored her, and in front of Xu Junying, she stretched out her index finger and gently poked her forehead, and taught her a lesson:
"As a mother, you are not as sensible as before! You have forgotten all the etiquette and rules that I taught you since you were a child... " "Oh, you're not the one who has the heart to love you. I've got you covered, all right, old man. I've got you covered, all right, old man. I've got you covered, all right, old man. I've got you covered, all right, old man. I've got you covered, all right, old man. I've got you covered, all right, old man. I've got you covered,
Mei Niang's hope of taking refuge in her parents' home was completely shattered, and she felt a little resentful towards Madam Qin. This kind and gentle mother had some intentions of climbing up the social ladder, which was understandable. There was no parent in the world who didn't want their daughter to marry into a wealthy family and enjoy a life of wealth and luxury. But she was too much. She completely stood on Xu Junying's side and scolded her daughter. When did she become like this? It was Xu Junying's fault again. He must have come to the Qin residence many times to show his courtesy to Madam Qin and win her favor.
As a daughter, she has worried a lot about the Qin family. Qin Boqing accompanied his mother back to the capital from afar because of his sister's death, and he almost lost his life in the trip. Madam Qin was also sick and weak. When she had the chance to leave the mansion, she boldly ran out of the city to look for Lingxuzi, and almost angered the King of Qi and lost her life. At least she saved the whole family, and now they are all well. Qin Boqing has a strong body, and Madam Qin has sufficient blood and qi, her complexion is moist, and her tone of voice is much stronger. But she actually didn't protect her daughter because she loved her son-in-law. God, how can this be justified
Mei Niang got on the car angrily. Xu Junying stood in front of Cui Xi and Cui Si, holding Heng Er in one hand and helping her get on with the other. Then he handed Heng Er to her and looked at her and said softly:
"You can't do that! You didn't even say goodbye. Your mother-in-law will be sad!"
Mei Niang rolled her eyes at him and said, "She's not my mother-in-law, I have no say in that!"
Xu Junying stared at her, unable to say anything, so he turned around and told Cuixi to get in the car to accompany the grandmother. He walked up to Madam Qin and bowed to apologize: "Please forgive me, mother-in-law. Mei Niang is really tired. She sat in the car and refused to move. I will say goodbye to you on her behalf!"
Madam Qin smiled and raised her hand to support him. "How can a mother not understand her daughter? After her illness, her temperament has completely changed. Everything started from the Hou Mansion, and she should recover in the Hou Mansion. I know whether my daughter is good or not. As a mother, I don't pamper my daughter in front of her. My dear son-in-law is a smart man and I think he can understand the intention. You must be more tolerant in the future and cherish her and Heng'er. I will do my best to make you and your wife happy!"
Xu Junying was slightly stunned for a moment, then he bowed deeply and saluted to the ground: "Mother-in-law, I will remember your kindness in my heart! I don't know how the Hou Mansion was in the past, how Mei Niang and her son were, I worked hard for the country and the family, and I can't say that I owe my wife and children. But now that I am back, from now on, I will only have her and her son in my heart and eyes, please rest assured, mother-in-law!"
Madam Qin helped him up with one hand and raised her sleeve to cover her eyes with the other hand, her voice choked with sobs and laughter:
"Good! Good son-in-law! I will die with peace of mind if I give my daughter to you!"
It was a pity that Mei Niang didn't see this touching scene between the mother-in-law and the son-in-law. She really did as Xu Junying said, sitting back in the carriage, closing her eyes and resting, with her arms around Heng'er, holding him in her arms. Heng'er seemed tired, leaning against his mother quietly, with a pair of big eyes flashing in the dark, searching for the light from outside the carriage. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian. to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.) (To be continued)