五月阁色婷婷丁香五月

“Sister, don’t be sad!” Zhao Xiqiong also stood up in a hurry, took her hand on the other side, and comforted her in a low voice.

Shao Wanru knitted her delicate eyebrows, slightly raising her liquid eyes. “Was there anyone gossiping like that?”

“No… no one said that. I thought so…” Zhao Xiran realized she had lost her composure. Hastily, she turned her head away and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief. She shook her head, forced a smile, and said, “Your Highness, I was impolite, and I do beg your pardon. It has been cold and cheerless in our mansion recently, so I could barely suppress my emotion!”

The inner court of the Marquis Xing’s Mansion was indeed very desolate at the moment. Old Madam was not there, and Madam Jiang was locked up. Only Zhao Xiran and the mother and daughter of the third branch were there, but Third Madam had always stayed aloof from the affairs in the mansion. So, unlike before, the mansion indeed lacked a lively atmosphere.

“Your Highness…” Zhao Xiqiong was about to speak but restrained the words which sprang to her lips.

“Second Miss Zhao, what’s the matter?” Shao Wanru looked at Zhao Xiqiong with interest. Compared with Zhao Xiran, Zhao Xiqiong was more pretty and charming. When looking at others with her beautiful eyes, she appeared a little lovingly pathetic, but it wasn’t obvious. So, others wouldn’t think she was charming people on purpose.

By holding herself slightly aloof, she kept others at arm’s length. This kind of seductive look was the most subtle and attractive.

“Second Sister!” Zhao Xiran shouted angrily and stopped Zhao Xiqiong with a severe look.

Zhao Xiqiong hummed unwillingly and glanced at her sister. At last, she didn’t say anything but lowered her head. “Nothing serious. I want to go out for a walk. Is that okay?”

All the people present were from the Marquis Xing’s Mansion. Although Zhao Xiqiong was Zhao Xiran’s younger sister, she was indeed an outsider here. It was sensible for her to go for a walk and let them chat more freely.

Shao Wanru knew this was not what she had tried to say. But since Zhao Xiqiong chose not to say it, she didn’t want to force her. She nodded at once and said, “Qu Le, take Second Miss Zhao to the garden for a walk!”

Qu Le answered, bowed to Zhao Xiqiong, and left with her.

“Sister Zhao, if you have any difficulties, you can tell me!” Shao Wanru looked at Zhao Xiran, who was sitting down again, and said softly.

“Er… Actually…” Zhao Xiran paused and seemed a little hesitant. She looked up at Shao Wanru with an uneasy look in her eyes.

“Please go ahead, Sister Zhao!” Shao Wanru didn’t push her to say it and just added.

Zhao Xiran composed herself and raised her head again as if she had made up her mind. “Your Highness, I can tell you this matter… My father-in-law, he… he wants to marry someone…”

Finally, Zhao Xiran said it, and her face flamed with embarrassment. After all, she was talking about Shao Jing’s personal affairs. As his daughter-in-law, she shouldn’t say such things.

“Get married?” Shao Wanru asked in confusion.

Since Zhao Xiran had made a start, it was not so difficult for her to say the following words. Zhao Xiran pinched her handkerchief and said, “I heard… I heard that the woman has been with him for a long time… He said there was no elder in the mansion, and I was a daughter-in-law too young to be thoughtful enough. Anyway, he insisted on bringing that woman into the mansion, and… they have a daughter…”

“That woman called E’niang?” Shao Wanru immediately thought of that woman whom she had forgotten about. Last time, she even came to the Prince Chen’s Mansion, exclaiming that she knew something important about her parents. This woman was not ordinary.

“Usually, this kind of thing should be handled by my mother-in-law or Old Madam, but now my mother-in-law… And Old Madam can’t manage these affairs for the time being… I really don’t know what to do. I just want to discuss it with you, but I’m afraid it’s inappropriate.” Zhao Xiran lowered her head and finished her words in a determined burst of energy.

It was a tough job for her. Her father-in-law had kept a mistress and wanted to take her into the mansion. What a shameful thing. Although the Marquis Xing’s Mansion was Shao Wanru’s parents’ home, Zhao Xiran still felt very uncomfortable when she talked to her about this.

Upon entering the door, Shao Caihuan sat there with her head down. At this time, she slightly raised her head and glanced at Zhao Xiran — she was surprised to hear this news about the second branch.

“Have you reported it to Old Madam?” Shao Wanru asked, not batting an eyelid.

“According to my father-in-law, Old Madam lived her secluded life in the nunnery, so it was improper to disturb her. He said it was not a big deal and asked me to prepare a feast of two tables to celebrate it. And… And he said that you had met that woman… It could be said that you had agreed to their marriage long ago!” Zhao Xiran moved uneasily, and her face turned scarlet with embarrassment.

Given the situation, Zhao Xiran didn’t know whether to object or agree. Even if she thought she was smart, she had never heard of such a thing. As a daughter-in-law, what could she say?

In particular, Shao Hua’an had no objection to this.

But how could a daughter-in-law conduct such a ceremony? Old Madam and Zhao Xiran’s mother-in-law were still alive, so Zhao Xiran was not supposed to be in charge of this matter, no matter what.

Shao Wanru had met that woman, but did it mean she agreed to this marriage? Shao Wanru couldn’t help sneering in her heart. Shao Jing was determined to make her the matchmaker. Over time, he might assert that she had found a woman for him. Ever since Chu Liuchen was recommended as the crown princess in the imperial court, all the civilian and military officers were watching the Prince Chen’s Mansion closely. If such a rumor was spread out at this time, wouldn’t these officers send memorials to the throne and criticize Chu Liuchen?

As Shao Jing’s daughter-in-law, Zhao Xiran had no right to interfere with his affairs. But as his niece, did she have the right to do so?

Evidently, Shao Jing intended to shift the blame onto her and make her the target of others. It seemed he indeed had quite a deep affection for E’niang.

However, was he such a man? Over the years, the mother and daughter had been wandering outside. If he loved her genuinely, how could he let this happen?

In any case, even an illegitimate daughter of the Marquis Xing’s Mansion stood a higher chance of marrying into a prominent family than an ordinary woman. Shao Wanru heard that the daughter had become an adult. Yet, she chose to return to her original family at this time. Inevitably, others would talk about her sordid past if she wanted to get married. So, for the daughter, a good marriage was hard to get.

If they got back earlier, she would be carefully cultivated as other noble Misses for some time. Then, fewer people would gossip about her, and it would be easier for her to marry into a distinguished family.

“Besides, my father-in-law meant… she would marry him as a secondary legal wife…” Zhao Xiran murmured.

This time, even Shao Caihuan also raised her head and looked at Zhao Xiran in astonishment, thinking that her Second Uncle must be crazy. “How can the woman become a secondary legal wife so easily? In particular, she has been a mistress kept outside the mansion for many years. She must not be a decent woman from a good family. So, how can she become a secondary legal wife?

“How could Second Uncle dare to say that?”

Shao Wanru took a deep breath and said slowly, “Go and invite Old Madam to go back to the mansion!”

“Wha… what?” Zhao Xiran asked in great surprise.

“Ask Old Madam to return home!” Shao Wanru said with certainty. No matter what intolerable things Shao Jing wanted to do, Old Madam was the only one who could suppress him on the surface.

But if Old Madam agreed to it, this matter would seem quite suspicious!

She decided to sound out Old Madam’s and Shao Jing’s attitudes.

How could she not take revenge on her parents? Recently Chu Liuchen was in charge of the affairs in the mansion, so she was free and could investigate further.

“But… But Old Madam is… According to the Empress Dowager…” Zhao Xiran stammered. Old Madam certainly didn’t go to the Yuhui Nunnery of her own accord. How could it be so easy for her to come back now?

“Tomorrow, I’ll see the Empress Dowager in the Palace and talk about it. If Her Majesty agrees, I’ll send someone to inform you. Go and get Old Madam back right away. Without Old Madam in the mansion, it won’t be easy for you to make any decision!” Shao Wanru had an idea in her mind.

The Empress Dowager didn’t punish Old Madam publicly, but she had to inform the Empress Dowager of the situation. Though the Empress Dowager might not care much about it, she had to tell her this matter. Otherwise, others might use it against them.

“Will Her Majesty agree?” Zhao Xiran asked, looking at Shao Wanru. In her mind, it was also the best way, but she was still a little worried.

She didn’t hold out much hope for Madam Jiang’s return. Because of the old grudges between Shao Wanru and her, Zhao Xiran would never mention her. Besides, she didn’t want Madam Jiang to come out either. She just wanted her to be locked up forever as the legal wife. In this way, Shao Hua’an could at least ensure his position as the eldest legitimate son.

“I think so. Just wait for my message tomorrow!” Shao Wanru nodded and said.

“Thank you, Your Highness. If it weren’t for you… I wouldn’t know what to do. This matter is not up to me!” Zhao Xiran breathed a sigh of relief and said to Shao Wanru gratefully.

No matter how Old Madam dealt with this matter when she came back, it would have nothing to do with Zhao Xiran. No one would speak ill of her.

“Sister Zhao, don’t mention it. The Marquis Xing’s Mansion is my parents’ home. How could I take no notice of your difficulties?” Shao Wanru answered softly with a smile.

“Fifth Sister, I… I…” Shao Caihuan finally opened her mouth. This was the first time she had spoken since she entered the door. She looked very hesitant and uneasy, flushing red in the face. She seemed to have something to say but couldn’t say it at the moment.

...

“Third Sister, what’s the matter?” Shao Wanru raised her eyes and asked.

“I… I’m fine, but my mother wanted to know when you would return to our mansion. She said that you hadn’t been back for a long time.” Shao Caihuan said with some difficulty but no longer stuttered. But it shouldn’t be what she wanted to say in the first place.

At present, in the inner court of the Marquis Xing’s Mansion, Third Madam was the only elder. However, as the second branch was between them, and the third branch had always followed the second branch, they were not close to Shao Wanru.

“When Old Madam comes back, I will go back to have a look!” Shao Wanru gently held her injured arm and said with a smile.

“Okay… Then… then let’s talk about it when you’re back!” Shao Caihuan lowered her head again, bit her lip, and hid the anxious look in her eyes.

Zhao Xiran looked at her in surprise. When she was about to go out, Third Madam brought Shao Caihuan to her, saying that she could accompany her to visit Princess Chen in the Prince Chen’s Mansion. Now, there seemed to be something.

“Did something happen to the third branch?” Zhao Xiran had been keeping an eye on Marquis Xing, so she barely learned about the third branch’s business. After thinking about it for a while, she believed nothing serious had happened. They merely wanted to invite Shao Wanru back to improve the relationship, didn’t they?

Princess Chen became increasingly important. There were a lot of disputes in the imperial court. Her father told her that Prince Chen had a reason to compete for the throne openly.

In a great hurry, Nanny Yu walked in and whispered in Shao Wanru’s ear. Shao Wanru abruptly raised her head, looked at Zhao Xiran calmly, and nodded.

The sudden glance struck fear into Zhao Xiran’s heart. Hurriedly, she lowered her head, feeling troubled and uneasy!

...