Xu Junying returned to the East Garden and called Ruizhu and Ruibao over to ask, "I originally brought back two silver fox furs. My cousin took one. What about the other one? Did Grandma take it?"
Ruizhu said, "Replying to Master: When Grandma came to East Garden, she only entered Master's study, bedroom and East Flower Hall, and never entered other rooms. She didn't know that there was a small storehouse in East Garden, and the silver fox fur was well packed there. The one that cousin took away was replaced by Grandma with a new robe!"
Xu Junying was a little puzzled: "How did Grandma know that Miss Cousin took one? Silver fox fur is soft and precious, and noble ladies would love to have it, but Miss Cousin was willing to exchange it for an ordinary robe from Grandma?"
Ruizhu lowered her head, "My cousin had originally made a cape out of the silver fox fur. She wore it that day and walked to the East Garden to talk to the servants. The Lord was not at home, but the eldest lady came and praised the beautiful silver fox fur. My cousin then said... that it was given by my cousin. The eldest lady smiled and said that it was right. My cousin worked hard for me, and my cousin should give me some good things to reward me. As she was talking, the eldest lady suddenly asked to try my cousin's new cape, saying that she also wanted to sew one like this. It was the servant who helped my cousin take off the cape, and helped the eldest lady tie it on. As a result, after the eldest lady tied it on, she did not return it to my cousin. The eldest lady said... said..."
"say what?"
"It is said that only noble ladies and imperial concubines are worthy of wearing silver fox fur. My cousin may not be able to become a noble lady in this life. Wearing it will reduce her luck. It is the Lord who is not thoughtful. I will take it back for him and give my cousin a new robe."
"My cousin, are you so willing?"
"Of course she didn't want to. My cousin started crying and wanted to come up and take it back, but was stopped by Cuisi and Cuilian. My grandmother said something to my cousin, and she stopped crying and stopped trying to take it back!"
Xu Junying raised an eyebrow: "What words?"
Ruizhu glanced at Ruibao and said, "The servants are listening. The eldest madam said: Don't let anyone know about this. The silver fox cape is your gift to the principal madam. When you come in, you will have to ask me to take care of you. You and I are going to form an alliance and serve the master together with another person. Didn't the madam tell you?"
Xu Junying's face darkened and he waved to Ruizhu Ruibao: "It's okay, go down!"
The study door closed gently, Xu Junying leaned back in the chair, covered his forehead with his hands, closed his eyes and let out a long breath.
None of the women around him are good people. Mei Niang does not follow the virtues of a woman, Zheng Meiyu is scheming and shameless. Now they have the support of the eldest wife. Will the two of them join forces to deal with Zhuang Yulan
Xu Junying snorted. What did he think he was? A decoration? If he really married Zhuang Yulan, he would keep her far away from them and protect her well. No one would dare to hurt her.
He had only recently begun to be wary of the first wife. The old lady gave him four maids, but he only took two into his room. The only one who really slept with him was Ruyi. He was in extreme pain, with a lot of anger and nowhere to vent. Ruyi's humble and docile appearance reminded him of Mei Niang on his wedding night... He was too rude, and the girl was tortured by him and sobbed softly. After calming down, he did not want a maid anymore. The lovemaking without emotion, after the physical pleasure, was boundless loneliness and sadness, without any meaning. Later, he went to the battlefield again, and returned with Junjie's body four months later. Ruyi's belly was slightly bulging, and he felt a little touched and novel in his heart - his own flesh and blood, naturally he had to treat it well. When the first wife was ill, the old lady personally arranged to make the two maids concubines, and the illegitimate sons were illegitimate sons, they were his flesh and blood, and their biological mother had to be at least a concubine.
Unexpectedly, when Mei Niang was so sick that she only had one breath left, he also lost his flesh and blood. Ruyi had a miscarriage and gave birth to a fully formed male fetus. He went to his aunt's courtyard, and Ruyi cried so hard that the mountains collapsed and the earth cracked. Xiu'er stood timidly beside her. The two women who had become concubines seemed so unfamiliar that they had no feelings for each other.
Xiu'er said that Ruyi's pregnancy-preserving medicine was cooked by her personally. Before taking the medicine, a maid brought a plate of snacks over. Ruyi ate one piece. The second wife brought people to check it out. The snacks and the pregnancy-preserving medicine were non-toxic. She really couldn't understand the reason.
Xu Junying sighed secretly: He failed to protect the life of the seventh son Junjie, and someone also prevented him from giving birth to his son!
Junjie had an affair with Mei Niang and gave birth to Heng'er. He no longer trusted the first wife. After Ruyi had a miscarriage, he became even more wary of the first wife.
At daybreak, Mei Niang brought Cui Xi and Cui Si to Qiu Hua Courtyard. Heng'er had the habit of going to bed early and getting up early, so he should be up and playing by now.
Sure enough, when they got closer to the room, they saw the wet nurse and Xia Lian holding Heng'er and playing with birds under the corridor. When Heng'er saw Mei Niang, he fluttered up and down with excitement, and the wet nurse had to use a lot of strength to hold him steady.
Mei Niang held Heng'er in her arms. The mother and son kissed each other, patted him, and asked Xia Lian, "Is Madam not up yet?"
Xia Lian smiled and said, "Madam often feels dizzy when she wakes up early. She must have gotten up. She sat on the bed and rested for a while before getting out of bed."
"Take me to see my wife. I have something to tell her."
"Grandma, please follow me!"
Xia Lian led the way in front, turning back from time to time to tease Heng'er in Mei Niang's arms. Heng'er was very happy to be held and kissed by his mother, and to be able to joke with Xia Lian. He babbled and his childish voice echoed in the corridor, which had already alarmed Madam Zheng.
Madam Zheng smiled in her room and said, "Heng'er is here? He's so good, he knows how to greet grandma!"
Mother He opened the warm curtains, Xia Lian bowed and said, "Thank you for letting me know, Grandma is here!"
Mother He glanced at Mei Niang behind Xia Lian with a little surprise, and soon put on a smile:
"Grandma will go to Ziyun Hall to ask questions later. She will be busy and tired all morning. Now she has come all the way to pay respects to the first wife. She is really filial, but don't get tired!"
Mei Niang hurriedly smiled and said, "I have something to tell my wife!"
"Oh, then come in, it's cold outside!" Mother He gave way to Mei Niang and turned back to report to the back of the screen: "Madam, the grandmother is here!"
Madam Zheng had already heard Mei Niang's voice, saying, "Just come in."
Mei Niang held Heng'er in her arms, walked around the screen, came to Madam Zheng's bed, knelt down and saluted. Heng'er laughed and waved his hands at Madam Zheng.
Madam Zheng, with her hair loose and wearing a midriff-baring gown, was leaning on the bed. She looked at Heng'er lovingly and asked Mei Niang:
"What's the big deal? We got up so early in the morning and the morning fog is freezing cold. Be careful not to catch a cold!"
Mei Niang's eyes were red as she talked about her family matters.
Madam Zheng frowned, "Won't the Marquis go back to your parents' home with you? This is not in accordance with etiquette. You haven't been back to your parents' home once since you got married. You can take Heng'er with you, but it's so cold, don't let him get frozen, so leave him at home. I'll pass the message down and ask them to prepare carriages and horses, and load a few more carts with supplies, and you can take them back, they will need them for the New Year!"
Mei Niang still wanted to fight for it. She really wanted to take Heng'er with her. She didn't see the child in the past, but they were in the same mansion. She knew that they were not far away and their hearts were connected. Moreover, she could see him every day, so it didn't matter to her. But this time was different. She would be away for a whole day and was reluctant to leave Heng'er behind.
Madam Zheng waved her hand and said, "I have been feeling dizzy these days and I can't get up. If you don't want to leave your mother, you can stay for one night and come back tomorrow. Rulan can take care of the chores in the mansion for a day or two. You can also go and pick out what's in the warehouse. No matter what, let them install it. It's only right for your mother's family to give some money. Go!"
He then instructed Xia Lian: "Grandma is busy, you pick up my son and let him play here. I feel much better after listening to his voice!"
Seeing that Madam Zheng had closed her eyes, Mei Niang knew that it was pointless to say more, so she had no choice but to let Xia Lian take Heng'er over. She sighed softly, and when Heng'er turned his head, she quietly left Madam Zheng's bedroom.
Just after taking two steps, Heng'er started crying inside, and the crying became louder and louder. Xia Lian tried her best to pat and caress him. Mei Niang stopped for a moment, lowered her head, gritted her teeth, and walked away cruelly. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendation and monthly tickets on Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation.) (To be continued)