In the blink of an eye, it's November, and the weather is getting cooler.
Today, there was a strong wind blowing in the lotus pavilion, so Xue Mu temporarily moved the place of discussion to the courtyard beside the lotus.
There were slight footsteps approaching from far away, and the three people in the yard looked towards the door at the same time. The gate of the courtyard was closed, so naturally he couldn't see who was coming. Nuo Yan listened quietly for a moment, then said to Xue Mu: "The sound of footsteps doesn't sound like Madam. Lu Shangshu's wife came to visit today, it might be her daughter Lu Jiao."
Xue Mu didn't speak, but Nian Tang couldn't help but let out a sigh.
The sound of footsteps came to the door, and the people outside did not knock on the door, but pushed the door open and entered. As if she didn't expect that there were so many people inside, Lu Jiao was stunned for a moment, then walked up to Xue Mu with a smile, and bowed shyly to him: "Little girl Lu Jiao has seen Lord Hou."
Nian Tang looked mockingly at the charming and charming person opposite, this Lu Jiao is really shameless, she even ran to the lotus, if there is no one here, why don't she just lie down on Master Hou's bed
Compared with Nian Tang's taunt, Peng Peng looked much more excited, looking at the opposite person with great interest. He has heard of Lu Jiao's name before, she looks like a rare beauty, but unfortunately her personality is very arrogant and self-willed, a few days ago she even humiliated the person who went to the Minister's Mansion to propose a marriage, and others were so angry that they let go of their rhetoric. She would rather marry a sow than Lu Jiao.
Xue Mu showed no expression, but asked calmly, "Why is Ms. Lu here?"
As if she felt that Xue Mu's attitude towards her was too indifferent, Lu Jiao frowned, and then she smiled more coquettishly than before: "The little girl was visiting the lotus pond, and accidentally saw a small house here. The building is very unique, so I came to take a look when I was curious."
Nian Tang looked at her with a sneer, but Xue Mu's black eyes did not stir up any waves because of Lu Jiao's words, and even the tone of his speech did not fluctuate at all: "This is my private house, and it is not convenient for outsiders to visit. Miss Lu, please come back Bar."
Lu Jiao's complexion suddenly changed due to such a demarcation order to chase away guests. But looking at Xue Mu on the opposite side, he restrained his temper that was about to explode, and smiled at him: "The garden in the Hou's mansion is too big, and the little girl doesn't remember the way. I wonder if the Lord Hou can give the little girl a ride?"
Pengpeng couldn't bear it any longer when he heard this, he buried his head and hugged his chest and laughed wildly in his heart, Master Hou might really give you a ride hahahaha!
Xue Mu lowered his eyes slightly, and his voice was even colder than before: "Nian Tang, take Miss Lu out."
"Yes, Lord Hou." Nian Tang respectfully responded, and made a gesture of invitation to Lu Jiao, "Let's go, Miss Lu."
Lu Jiao pursed her lower lip, as if unwilling, she was silent for a while, then smiled at Xue Mu and said, "It's better not to bother this girl, I'll just go back by myself."
Lu Jiao walked out with the servant girl as she said that, the servant girl knew that she was unhappy, and followed her without even daring to take a breath. When passing the garden, Lu Jiao snapped off a branch with snow-white pear blossoms, put it under her feet and trampled on it several times.
Ever since she was a child, she always had what she wanted, she didn't believe it, she couldn't get Xue Mu!
At the lotus bank, seeing Lu Jiao walking away, Nian Tang stepped forward and closed the courtyard door again. When she turned around, the mockery in her eyes was still there.
In Chang'an City, there are many daughters who miss Lord Hou, but there is really no one else who is as bold as Lu Jiao, except Princess Yongfu. But Princess Yongfu is a princess after all, and she has had friendship with Lord Hou for many years, so what is she, Lu Jiao
She didn't dare to do anything wrong with Liu Qinghuan, but she would not hide her malice towards the other Yingying and Yanyan.
"What about visiting the lotus pond? I think she came here on purpose because she knew Lord Hou was here."
After listening to Nian Tang's words, Peng Peng tilted his head and said, "But Master Hou has already married a wife, is she still pointing to Master Hou to accept her as a concubine?"
Nian Tang chuckled: "Even if Master Hou really wants to take a concubine, she is a dignified daughter of the Shangshu Mansion, so she can't just go to the Hou Mansion to be a concubine." How shameless this is.
Xue Mu looked up at them, and said, "Don't mention the word concubine in front of me again."
Pengpeng and Niantang were startled at the same time, lowered their heads and said, "Yes."
On the other side of the main hall, Qing Zhi also heard the wind, and ran in hastily: "Madam, madam!"
Seeing her rushing in, Liu Qinghuan couldn't help asking curiously, "Why are you so flustered?"
Qing Zhi ran to her side, gasped for a few breaths before saying: "I just heard from the maids in the other room that Mrs. Lu from the Shangshu Mansion came to visit the old lady today and brought her daughter Lu Jiao."
The name Lu Jiao made Liu Qinghuan slightly taken aback. When her eldest sister first married into the Shangshu Mansion, she often heard her complain about her sister-in-law. Although the eldest sister seems to be well-educated, she is the person who can't bear the least bit of suffering, and with her husband protecting her, the sister-in-law should not get any advantage from her, and the eldest sister seldom mentions this person now. up.
She looked at Qingzhi and asked curiously: "What happened to her?"
Qing Zhi frowned when she heard her question, with a look of resentment: "She actually ran to the lotus! Ma'am, what do you think she is at ease!"
Liu Qinghuan raised her eyebrows, oh, so that's it.
She has never seen that Lu Jiao, but in the words of the elder sister, if it is not because she has a father who is a high official and gave birth to a good skin, I am afraid that it is impossible to marry in this life.
After hearing Qing Zhi's words, Chi Tao seemed to think of something: "I heard that the daughter of the Lu family scolded the person who came to propose marriage a few days ago, so she has taken a fancy to Lord Hou."
"Chitao." Qingzhi glared at her. Chi Tao hurriedly lowered her head: "This servant made a slip of the tongue, please don't blame Madam."
"It's okay." Liu Qinghuan put down the pastry in her hand, and asked the two maids to help her prepare hot water for her bath.
In Shangshu Mansion, as soon as Lu Jiao entered the courtyard, she saw Liu Qingya sitting beside her. Her abdomen has bulged slightly, and the four compression springs beside her are carefully serving her.
Lu Jiao pretended not to see her, and walked straight in. But Liu Qingya suddenly stopped her and called out: "Jiaoer."
Lu Jiao stopped and looked back at her: "What's the matter?" She had never liked this sister-in-law, but her elder brother protected her everywhere, and she was pregnant with another son shortly after giving birth. Now the entire Shangshu Mansion holds her in their hands like a baby.
Seemingly seeing the impatience in her eyes, Liu Qingya didn't intend to say more to her: "I heard that you went to Yongning Hou Mansion with A Niang today?"
Lu Jiao narrowed her eyes slightly: "So what?"
Liu Qingya smiled and said: "Master Hou is indeed very good. Not only is he handsome, but he is also well-versed in both civil and martial arts. He is deeply loved by the emperor. Unfortunately, such a good man is already someone else's husband-in-law."
Lu Jiao frowned suddenly, she knew that Liu Qingya was waiting here on purpose to disgust her. She took a step forward and looked at her with contempt: "How can your sister compare to me? If it weren't for the fact that this marriage was arranged in front of General Xue, do you think Lord Hou would marry her?"
Liu Qingya was not annoyed when she heard her say that, but agreed: "My sister is indeed inferior to you in every way, but Master Hou just likes her, what do you think should be done?"
"you!"
As soon as Lu Jiao took a step forward, she was stopped by the big maid behind Liu Qingya: "Madam is pregnant, Miss, don't get angry."
Lu Jiao glared at Liu Qingya and walked away quickly. Liu Qingya looked at Lu Jiao's angry back and smiled. The little girl still wants to poach her sister's corner? Can't kill you.
After the sun went down, Xue Mu returned to the main room. Pushing open the door, she saw Liu Qinghuan sitting inside wearing only a coat, she couldn't help frowning: "Qingqing, it's cold now, why are you still wearing so little?"
Liu Qinghuan blinked at him, but still sat still. Xue Mu couldn't help but stepped forward and hugged her into his arms. When his palms covered her cold fingertips, his brows frowned even tighter: "You still sit here with your hands so cold? Do you want to make people worry?"
He picked him up, put him on the bed, and wrapped him in a quilt. Liu Qinghuan rolled up the quilt and leaned into Xue Mu's arms: "Amu, does the daughter of the Shangshu Mansion look good?"
Xue Mu laughed lightly, and hugged him into his arms again: "I don't remember."
Liu Qinghuan thought for a while, then stretched out her hand from the quilt, and hung it on Xue Mu's shoulder: "Amu, I'm not happy that so many people miss you."
Xue Mu stuffed her hand back, hugged her and laughed softly. Feeling his slightly trembling chest, Liu Qinghuan raised her head to look at him: "Amu, remember what I said? I don't mind you taking concubines, but you also don't mind them dying suddenly."
Xue Mu smiled and said: "You are so domineering, I don't want to hurt other girls."
"Hmph." Liu Qinghuan murmured, and was a little worried, "Amu, why hasn't there been any movement after so long?"
The movement she said was of course referring to her stomach.
Xue Mu smiled and pressed her under her body, and also got into the bed: "It's okay, let's work harder." As he said that, he kissed her carefully.
After these days of running-in, Xue Mu seems to feel that Liu Qinghuan has adapted to him, and he is much more open when doing some intimate things than before.
After a lot of hard work, Xue Mu closed his eyes and hugged Liu Qinghuan in his arms, as if enjoying the time that only belonged to the two of them. Liu Qinghuan rubbed her fluffy head against his body, raised her head slightly, and looked at his graceful chin: "Amu, it's Aniang's birthday in the middle of this month, what should we give her? "
Xue Mu still closed his eyes, thought for a while and said, "What A Niang wants most is a grandson."
The corners of Liu Qinghuan's eyes collapsed: "Then what should I do?"
The corners of Xue Mu's lips curled up into a smile, and he opened his eyes to look at the person in his arms: "Why don't we do it again?"
Liu Qinghuan's eyes flickered, she got out of Xue Mu's arms, and pressed her lips against his: "Twice more."
Xue Mu gave a low laugh, and gently hugged her smooth back: "Can you do it?"
Liu Qinghuan's eyes widened: "Of course I can, how about you?"
"I can't?" The smile on the corner of Xue Mu's mouth suddenly deepened, and he directly proved whether he could do it with practical actions.
Another ten days later, when Xue Mu came back from the palace, Liu Qinghuan had already fallen asleep. He frowned, and asked Qing Zhi who was guarding outside: "Has Qing Qing had dinner yet?"
Qingzhi said: "Master Hou, Madam has already used it, I'm afraid I feel uncomfortable, so I went to bed early."
"Uncomfortable?" Xue Mu's eyes darkened, "Did you ask the doctor to see it?"
"In the afternoon, Miss Niantang went to Dongshi to invite Dr. Li Yuanbai to come. He checked the pulse of his wife and said she was fine."
Xue Mu thought for a while, nodded to her and said, "Understood, you go down first."
"yes."
After Qingzhi went out, Xue Mu went to sit beside Liu Qinghuan, and gently stroked her head with his palm. Her hair is of good quality, Xue Mu really had the illusion that she was caressing on the silk.
He bent down slightly and called softly, "Qingqing?"
Liu Qinghuan's eyelashes moved, and she opened her eyes reluctantly: "Amu..."
Xue Mu's brows knit together unconsciously, and a pair of black eyes looked at her momentarily: "Qingqing, what's wrong with you? What's wrong with you?"
Liu Qinghuan rubbed her head against Xue Mu's palm twice, and smiled at him: "No, it's just a little sleepy."
Xue Muwei pursed his lips and asked, "What did Li Yuanbai say?"
"Well, he said I'm fine, maybe it's because I've worked too hard during this time."
Liu Qinghuan's tone was very light, like fish playing in a mountain spring, Xue Mu understood what she meant by working hard almost instantly. Smiling silently, he looked at Liu Qinghuan's slightly tired face, and kissed her between the brows: "Go to sleep."
"Okay." Liu Qinghuan replied in a daze, and closed her eyes again. Seeing that she was asleep, Xue Mu went outside and called Qing Zhi.
"Your Majesty, what are your orders?"
Xue Mudao: "Go and call Li Yuanbai over here."
Qingzhi was stunned for a moment, and gave Xue Mufu a blessing: "Your servant will go now."
Li Yuanbai was still nestling in his little den after eating, and was screwed by Nian Tang to the Hou Mansion without saying a word. He looked at Hou Ye who was calm in front of him, and rubbed his nose: "Hou Ye, you are looking for me at this time, can't you invite me to finish the meal?"
Xue Mu raised his eyes and glanced at him, and Li Yuanbai immediately took a step back: "Actually, I'm already full, so please tell Hou Ye if you have anything to do."
Xue Mudao: "Let me ask you, what's wrong with Qingqing's body?"
Li Yuanbai said: "Madam's health is very good, there is nothing wrong with it."
Xue Mu looked at him and said nothing.
Li Yuanbai felt that the pressure was a bit heavy, so he took another step back: "But Madam is just recovering from a serious illness, so it's not suitable for... to work too hard." Li Yuanbai carefully chose his words, and answered Lord Hou's question carefully, "Don't worry, Master Hou, I have prescribed it to Madam. Concentration medicine, drink two doses and you will be fine, but you may be more prone to drowsiness."
Xue Mu's eyebrows moved, as if he was thinking about something. Li Yuanbai's palms were covered with cold sweat.
"It's best that what you say is true."
Xue Mu's voice reminded Li Yuanbai of the wild beasts lurking in the forest. Although they were lifeless, they were full of danger.
He tried his best to raise the corner of his mouth, and smiled at Xue Mu: "Really, of course it is true, what am I going to do to lie to Lord Hou with such a thing."
Xue Mu waved to him: "Okay, let's go down."
"Thank you, Lord Marquis." Li Yuanbai rushed out as if ordered, and exhaled a long breath.
For the next few days, Liu Qinghuan obediently drank the medicine every day, and fell asleep easily as Li Yuanbai said. But other than that, there is nothing else.
Xue Mu didn't touch her in the past few nights, and just hugged her to sleep every night, caring for her like a fragile baby.
Looking at the person with closed eyes in his arms, Xue Mu's voice was as soft as warm water: "Qingqing, tomorrow is Aniang's birthday, can you go to the luncheon?"
"It's ok." Liu Qinghuan opened her eyes to look at him, and moved into his arms, "I don't have any serious illness."
Xue Mu couldn't help but press a kiss on the corner of her upturned mouth, and their breaths intertwined: "Tomorrow I will also go home for lunch, and we will go together when I come back, okay?"
"Okay..." Liu Qinghuan replied vaguely, and then asked suddenly, "Amu, you said you prepared a gift for mother, are you ready?"
Xue Mu smiled and kissed the tip of her nose, and said in a low voice, "It's ready, don't worry."
"En, that's good." Liu Qinghuan seemed relieved, and soon fell asleep in Xue Mu's arms.
When she woke up the next day, Xue Mu was no longer by her side. Liu Qinghuan was carefully served to change clothes and eat, and drank another bowl of Chinese medicine prescribed by Li Yuanbai, when she heard a slight voice from outside. Qing Zhi stepped forward and said: "Ma'am, it seems that the ladies who came to the banquet have arrived."
"En." Liu Qinghuan nodded, not to mention that the Ning family has good friends with many wives in Chang'an City, even if she is withdrawn, there must be many people who would like to take advantage of her birthday to get online with the Hou family. It stands to reason that as the only daughter-in-law of the Hou Mansion, she should go to the inner hall to help the Ning family greet these official wives, but yesterday Xue Mu told her to wait for him to come back, so Liu Qinghuan also stayed in the main room I didn't move.
After a while, a woman's laughter could be faintly heard outside, Liu Qinghuan frowned, and asked Qingzhi to go outside to have a look. After a while, Qingzhi came back from outside with an unhappy face. Seeing her like that, Liu Qinghuan couldn't help but feel a little funny: "Who made Qingzhi girl angry again? You're so brave."
Qingzhi looked at her, as if she was dissatisfied with her teasing: "Ma'am, what are you talking about, that Miss Lu from the Shangshu Mansion is here again."
Chi Tao frowned, and asked Qing Zhi: "Shouldn't she be in the inner hall, why did she come to the main room again?"
"Isn't that right!" Qingzhi said angrily, "Last time I went to look for Lord Hou by the lotus, so this time I came to the main room to look for my wife!"
Liu Qinghuan raised her mouth and stood up from the bed: "In this case, let's meet Miss Lu when we go out."
Chi Tao and Qing Zhi walked up anxiously: "Madam, it's better to leave her alone, if she offends Madam, then Master Hou will punish us when he comes back."
Liu Qinghuan smiled and comforted her: "Don't be afraid, she can't hit me."
Chi Tao and Qing Zhi glanced at each other and had no choice but to follow quickly.
Outside the courtyard, Lu Jiao was standing and chatting with another young lady. Her voice was so high that Liu Qinghuan could still hear what she said even though there was a distance.
"My silver sachet was bought by my father with a lot of money from Hu merchants in the West Market on my birthday. It is the only one in Chang'an City."
Lu Jiao's flamboyant tone made Liu Qinghuan raise her eyebrows slightly, but she didn't react much when she looked at the official lady beside Lu Jiao. Lu Jiao seemed to be a little unhappy because she didn't see the envious expression of the other party. She tilted her head, but saw Liu Qinghuan walking towards her.
Lu Jiao straightened her spine in an instant, and raised her head high, with a fighting posture. Liu Qinghuan walked up slowly with a smile on her lips. The young lady beside Lu Jiao also saw Liu Qinghuan, and nodded politely to her: "Madam Xue."
Liu Qinghuan sized her up, and just about to speak, Lu Jiao said loudly, "Sister He, we've been out for so long, Auntie and the others might be worried, so let's go to the inner hall first." She glanced at Liu Qinghuan pointingly, "Don't be like some people, you can't see anyone even on Aniang's birthday."
"You..." Qingzhi wanted to argue with Lu Jiao angrily, but was stared back by Liu Qinghuan. Lu Jiao snorted arrogantly, raised her feet and walked towards the inner hall, and when she passed by Liu Qinghuan, she deliberately bumped into her heavily.
This frightened Chi Tao and Qing Zhi, they hurried forward to support Liu Qinghuan: "Ma'am, are you alright?!"
Liu Qinghuan smiled at them, shook her head and said, "I'm fine."
Qingzhi finally couldn't help reasoning with Lu Jiao: "Miss Lu, this is the Hou's Mansion and not the Shangshu's Mansion, so you can't mess around!"
"Heh, this is the servant of the Hou Mansion? How dare you talk to me like that? It's just presumptuous!" Lu Jiao raised her hand to give Qing Zhi a slap as she spoke, but someone grabbed her wrist. She turned her head and saw that it was He Xirou who was forcefully pulled out by herself just now.
Lu Jiao frowned and was about to get angry when He Xirou said flatly, "Sister Lu, why did she dirty her hands, let's go back to the inner hall earlier."
Her voice was very thin and soft, it sounded indescribably gentle, but also had a certain irrefutable firmness.
Lu Jiao pursed her lips, pulled back her wrist, glared at Qing Zhi and walked towards the inner hall. He Xirou nodded to Liu Qinghuan again, and followed her.
Qingzhi looked at Lu Jiao's back indignantly, Liu Qinghuan patted her on the head, and said, "Are you still angry? Or should I give this to you?"
Liu Qinghuan's right hand was raised in front of Qing Zhi's eyes, she let go, and a silver ball-shaped sachet fell out of her hand. The upper end of the sachet was tied with a golden hinge, which was pinched by Liu Qinghuan in her hand. On the silver spherical surface, intricate and uniform flowers were carved.
Qingzhi's eyes lit up, and she looked at Liu Qinghuan in disbelief: "Ma'am, this is..."
"There is only one sachet in Chang'an City." Liu Qinghuan looked at her, the smile on the corner of her mouth was more cunning than a fox.
Chi Tao also looked at Liu Qinghuan in surprise: "It was when she bumped into you just now..."
"Hush." Liu Qinghuan made a silent finger and smiled at them, "Let's go back to the room and talk about it."