Luo Yuyan never thought that just because she wanted to eat some meat, she would cause her husband to send a document to her uncle Chen Jingzong.
"I just don't want to eat it, why did you write that receipt?"
The night was as dark as ink. Luo Yuyan sat on the bed, looking at her husband in annoyance. "Without the written agreement, they dared not be too presumptuous. They could have eaten a few meals secretly. Now that we are helping to take the blame, they have no scruples. Anyway, if the matter gets out of hand, our father will punish us."
Chen Xiaozong smiled at her and said, "The fourth brother has no ill intentions. He just wants to drag us into this and ask us to keep the secret willingly. By the way, we can all cheat together and no one will laugh at anyone else."
Luo Yuyan pouted: "You are still speaking for him! If he really treats you as a brother, would he embarrass you like this?"
Chen Xiaozong: "It's not a problem. I kept it a secret for him, and he gave me the game he hunted with great effort. It's fair."
Luo Yuyan was unhappy: "I had to send a maid to cook for the game brought back. The princess pretended to be noble, but I handed her solid evidence. I will never be able to hold my head up in front of her again in this life."
Chen Xiaozong still smiled: "That's the princess. Why, do you still want to act like a sister-in-law in front of the princess?"
Luo Yuyan slapped him angrily: "Why do you always speak for them?"
Chen Xiaozong sat up, hugged her with one hand, and gently touched her abdomen with the other hand: "Now that things have come to this, why bother about so much? I just hope that you can eat more nutritiously and that both mother and daughter are well taken care of."
Luo Yuyan's eyes showed the tenderness of a loving mother, and she said helplessly: "If it weren't for this child, we wouldn't have to lose face like this."
If she had known that she would not get the advantage but be controlled by Si Yi Tang, she would rather eat vegetarian food every day than ask her husband for help! .
Two days later, Chen Jingzong went to the mountain again and brought back two fish and two chickens. He hid one in the west ear room and put the other in the kitchen.
After everything was ready, Huayang asked Zhu'er to go to Fucuitang to pass on the message.
Luo Yuyan complained in her heart, but she couldn't make any mistakes in etiquette. Since she was borrowing Siyitang's kitchen, how could she really just send a little maid to cook
Huayang entertained her in the main hall.
No matter what, it was all because of her greed. Luo Yuyan blushed and was too embarrassed to look at Huayang. She lowered her eyes and said, "It's all my fault that I'm not very good. I always have leg cramps in the middle of the night. Third Master was so worried that he did such a stupid thing. I even had to trouble Fourth Brother to go into the mountains to make trouble. I really made the princess laugh at me."
Huayang took advantage of this matter, so how could he use it to laugh at others
Besides, she felt panicked when she saw Luo Yuyan's big belly. She felt that Luo Yuyan was more fragile than tofu or jade at this moment, and any touch or tension would disturb the fetus.
"These are all trivial matters, not worth mentioning. Sister-in-law, please sit down and talk."
Huayang winked at Chaoyun.
Chao Yun hurriedly worked with the nanny brought by Luo Yuyan and carefully helped her sit on the chair.
This nanny is almost fifty years old. She is good at taking care of pregnant women and young children. She is an elderly person around Luo Yuyan.
Huayang knew that everyone in the Chen family would be polite in front of her. Even if they had something important to do, they would have to do the formalities first. It would be a waste of time, so she took the initiative to say, "Chaoyun, take Madam to the kitchen. The prince consort is not good at martial arts. Today, he only brought back a fish and a pheasant after half a day. Madam, please cook according to Third Sister-in-law's preferences. You are in charge of the kitchen."
The nanny nodded respectfully and looked at Luo Yuyan.
Luo Yuyan's eyes flickered slightly, and she said softly, "Since you have worked so hard, I will accept it. Nanny, stew the fish and chicken later. I will take the fish, and leave the chicken for the princess to nourish her body."
Just as the nanny was about to respond, Huayang smiled faintly and said, "I appreciate Third Sister-in-law's kindness, but I am not pregnant, so I should mourn for the old lady together with my husband."
What a joke! Even Chen Jingzong knew that she couldn't leave any evidence behind. And someone as proud as Huayang would never let outsiders know that she was cheating.
This outsider included Chen Jingzong from her previous life. At that time, he put the fragrant roast chicken in front of her. Huayang was so greedy, but for the sake of face, she could resist eating it.
Now that she treats Chen Jingzong as her own, she doesn't mind showing some of her true nature in front of him.
After hearing these words, Luo Yuyan's face turned red again.
As for the sister-in-law of a different status, Luo Yuyan had to make sarcastic remarks to the other party in a roundabout way to vent her anger. However, Huayang was the most favored princess of this dynasty. Even Princess Nankang, who was equally favored by the emperor, was slapped in the face by the palace maids ordered by Huayang. The imperial concubine could not even whisper in the emperor's ear to make Huayang suffer any criticism. How could she, a mere daughter of a marquis, dare to confront Huayang head-on
"Alas, a woman becomes stupid three years after she is pregnant. I spoke too hastily and was not thoughtful enough. I hope the princess will forgive me."
Not only could Luo Yuyan not talk back, she also had to apologize with a shameful look on her face.
Huayang smiled in a friendly manner: "Third sister-in-law, you are too polite. It takes time for Nanny to cook, Third sister-in-law, please go back and wait. Next time, just call Nanny over. Third sister-in-law, it is important to rest, and there is no need to be so formal with me."
Since they had ordered her to leave, Luo Yuyan had no choice but to take her leave.
Huayang went to the east room.
Chen Jingzong leaned comfortably on the couch, holding the script of the play that Huayang had previously watched in his hand.
"Give it back to me." Huayang walked to the couch and asked him for it.
Chen Jingzong placed the script in her palm but did not let go: "Am I not good at martial arts?"
Huayang: "If I don't say that, should I say that hunting is easy for you and tell her that she doesn't have to be sincerely grateful to you?"
Chen Jingzong looked at her petal-like lips and let go.
He occupied the second room and Huayang went to the inner room.
As a result, as soon as she sat down by the window, Chen Jingzong followed her in and sat opposite her in a high-profile manner.
Huayang raised his eyes and asked him what was the matter with his eyes.
The bright sunlight outside the window was blocked by the dense branches and leaves of the locust trees, but the light was still bright, illuminating her face, which was white and translucent. The most beautiful jade in the world could not compare to this beautiful face.
Chen Jingzong was thinking of the image of her in the tent with messy black hair and flushed cheeks, but he looked serious: "It would be boring to eat only chicken and fish. Next time I will take the game to that town to exchange for some pork and duck meat."
Huayang continued reading and said nonchalantly, "It's up to you, just don't let anyone recognize me."
Chen Jingzong: “Yeah.”
Huayang read two lines of words, raised her eyes again, and met his eyes that were looking at her openly. His eyes were dark and seemed to be burning with fire.
In both of his lifetimes, Chen Jingzong was the only man who dared to look at her like that. Unless they were royal relatives, other men didn't even dare to look her in the eye.
"If you have nothing else to do, get out."
Huayang glared at him.
Chen Jingzong: "Where are you going? The nanny next to my third sister-in-law is still in the kitchen. If she sees me going to the east ear room, I don't know what she will do to you and me."
Huayang: "Then go to the next room."
Chen Jingzong: "Why do you have to go out? You watch yours, I watch mine, let's not disturb each other."
Huayang felt that his gaze was a disturbance, just like having a wild wolf around him. Who could concentrate on reading
"Don't you like going into the mountains? We have a whole afternoon left, you can go again."
"I'm tired and don't want to move."
Huayang: …
She went out with the book and asked the maid to carry the recliner under the shade of the tree. She lay down on it comfortably, but when she looked up, she saw Chen Jingzong sitting by the window, facing her.
Just as Huayang was about to raise the book to block himself, Chen Jingzong walked away.
Huayang relaxed instantly.
.
April is over and the Dragon Boat Festival is just around the corner.
Wealthy families have many ways to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival, such as raising a dragon boat team to race on the river, or inviting a troupe to perform at home, and the whole family gathering together.
This year's Dragon Boat Festival at the Chen family's house is destined to be deserted, but they still have to get together for a meal.
The old lady passed away, and a lot of things happened in the Chen family before and after her burial.
Huayang never showed up for things like visitors paying their respects or family members keeping vigil at the funeral. He only burned incense for the old lady on the day he first arrived and sent the coffin on the day of her burial.
But no matter whether it was the people in the Chen residence, the guests who came to pay their respects or the people in the town who were watching the ceremony, they all felt that this was how Her Royal Highness the Princess should behave.
Chen Jingzong himself was tired of socializing with his family, so he could understand Huayang's avoidance.
But you have to do all the face-saving work, and you have to find a reason to avoid it.
Huayang raised an eyebrow and looked at him: "What's wrong?"
Chen Jingzong: "You don't go to the family dinner..."
Huayang: "Who said I won't go?"
Not to mention Chen Jingzong, even Chao Yun looked at his master in surprise.
Huayang continued to admire the peonies in the flower bed.
These peonies are all famous products. Maybe because they were transplanted here, their flowering season was delayed and they only started blooming in the past two days.
The Zhaofen flower is as big as a bowl, with petals layered on top of each other and as thin as brocade.
Huayang looked at these flowers and missed the gorgeous clothes she had left in the capital. Many of them were printed and dyed in the colors of various peonies, and they looked so real when placed among the flowers.
In Chen Jingzong's eyes, she was much more beautiful than those peonies, but now he was more curious about what she was thinking.
"You never liked to attend those family dinners. Why did you want to go this time?"
Chen Jingzong walked up to her and asked.
Huayang couldn't give him any reason, so she could only act like a princess: "Go if you want to, why not?"
Chen Jingzong: …
There's nothing wrong with him. It's the old men who are having trouble.
A more sensible son would definitely inform his parents and ask them to make preparations to welcome the princess as their daughter-in-law, but Chen Jingzong was not so "sensible".
Early in the morning on the fifth day of the New Year, all the branches of the Chen family gathered in Danyuan Hall in the main house.
Chen Tingjian and his wife Sun were the first to arrive.
The families of Chen Bozong and Chen Xiaozong arrived almost at the same time as Chen Tingshi's family of five from the East Courtyard.
Chen Tingjian was talking to his younger brother Chen Tingshi.
Sun was surrounded by her two adorable grandchildren, Erlang and Sanlang. Even when she was entertaining her younger brother and sister-in-law, Qi, her attention was inevitably drawn away by her grandchildren.
Qi had a smile on her face, but she was very unhappy in her heart. If she was also an official's wife, would Sun dare to neglect her like this
She looked at Chen Tingjian imperceptibly, thinking of his status as a minister, and felt that his long beard was becoming more and more elegant. Chen Tingjian looked like a farmer in front of him!
Qi envied the man in the first wife's house. Her son Chen Jizong secretly glanced at Yu Xiu and Luo Yuyan, and felt that the two cousins were better than his wife in every way.
"Grandma, I'm hungry."
Sanlang's clear voice suddenly rang out in the hall, and then everyone fell silent.
Sanlang was only three years old and did not notice the changes around him. He just looked at his grandmother expectantly.
The young master, who had been living a life of luxury in the capital, now ate vegetarian dishes every day after returning to his old home. It was not easy for him to have a meal of zongzi, and Sanlang was looking forward to it very much.
Just as Sun was about to coax her grandson, the maid outside turned around with a look of joy and surprise: "Master, Madam, the Fourth Master and the Princess are here!"
Chen Tingjian was the first to stand up!
To be honest, when he was in the capital, he could see the emperor almost every day, and the little prince was his student. Accustomed to meeting the two most noble people in the world, Chen Tingjian had long been able to handle himself with ease in front of any royal relatives, and had even severely reprimanded the prince.
But he had no experience in getting along with a princess, especially since this princess was the most favored one in the palace and was also his daughter-in-law!
The Chen family is not a noble family, nor is it even a scholarly family. Only since their father and son generations have they achieved fame and become high-ranking officials.
Chen Tingjian was not a flatterer, nor was he afraid that the princess would go to the emperor to complain that the Chen family treated her disrespectfully. What he was afraid of was that his family's poor hospitality would cause the precious princess to suffer injustice.
It was like the most delicate peony in the world was transplanted to the Chen family. How could Chen Tingjian dare to be careless and waste this gift
It would be fine if the fourth son had a promising future and could win the princess' heart and make her happy physically and mentally, but the fourth son's character is such that the more his son wrongs the princess, the more he, as her father-in-law, must try his best to make it up to her!
Sun, Chen Tingshi and others had just stood up with him when Chen Tingjian had already walked out. Seeing the princess in plain clothes walking beside his son, Chen Tingjian bowed from a distance.
Huayang stared at his father-in-law who was wearing white cloth under the eaves.
Long before she married Chen Jingzong, she was already very familiar with her father-in-law.
She had seen how calm and indifferent her father-in-law was in front of the emperor, and how he could govern the world with just a few words. She had also listened to her father-in-law giving lessons to her younger brother, and he could quote from classics at will.
Such a good minister, his sons must be as beautiful as jade in the world.
It can be said that Huayang happily cooperated with her father, the emperor, and her mother, the empress, in the marriage arranged, partly because she was attracted by Chen Jingzong's face, and partly because she admired her father-in-law.
In her previous life, she didn't get to see her father-in-law for the last time, but she witnessed his family being wronged and suffering.
My father-in-law worked for the court and the people all his life, but the court let him down.
As a royal daughter, Huayang felt ashamed.
"Father, please don't be so polite. We are already a family. Father, please don't be so formal in the future."
Huayang quickened his pace slightly, his voice gentle.
Chen Jingzong glanced at her. She was like that. She spoke softly in front of her father, eldest brother and third brother, but she was cold and stern to him.
Chen Tingjian stood up straight, but lowered his head slightly to avoid looking directly at the princess in front of him, and just made a gesture to invite her in.
Everyone in the Chen family consciously moved to the sides.
Huayang walked in with a smile, his eyes sweeping over his mother-in-law, Chen Bozong, Chen Xiaozong and others, and then looking at Chen Tingshi's family on the right.
Chen Tingshi lowered his head deeply.
Qi glanced at the princess quickly. She was obviously just an eighteen-year-old woman, but her arrogant eyes frightened her so much that she quickly avoided him.
Chen Jizong also wanted to peek, but since the princess had moved here so long ago, he still hadn't seen her face.
However, when he really saw the princess's appearance, Chen Jizong turned into a crooked wooden stick. It was not until Chen Jingzong came over and kicked him on the calf that Chen Jizong suddenly came to his senses and hurriedly moved to the side of his mother.
Qi hated Chen Jingzong's ruthless kick, but she could do nothing about it.
Chen Tingjian glanced at his second brother Chen Tingshi obliquely.
This glance was no longer the care of an elder brother for his younger brother, but contained the authority of a senior official.
Chen Tingshi wiped his sweat repeatedly and decided to give his good-for-nothing son a good beating when he got home. It would be fine if he was lustful normally, but he actually dared to lust after the princess. Did he want to live
(End of this chapter)