Everything starts from Menghualu

Chapter 436: Xue Shu's Visit and Preparation for Taking a Concubine

Sitting in the carriage on the way back, Shen Zhiyi asked, "Husband, what's wrong with you? Why do you seem upset?"

"You figured it out? Actually, it's nothing. I just didn't restore the relationship between me and my adoptive father today, so I'm a little sad." Cao Cheng said with a smile

"No chance of redemption? Husband, what do you mean? Duke Dingguo still wants to help my second brother?" Shen Zhiyi said

"Yes, that's right. Originally, there was good news from the palace, so I thought that since there was a change, my godfather's mentality would probably change."

"But the facts tell me that I was overthinking it. My godfather has not wavered at all. This means that there is no room for improvement in our relationship." Cao Cheng said
"But if Concubine Qin's baby is a son, then my second brother won't be a son?" Shen Zhiyi said

"So, they don't plan to take this risk, Madam. What do you think they will do now?" Cao Cheng asked back.
"What? Husband, you mean they are planning to harm people?" Shen Zhiyi asked in surprise.
"That's right, they just wanted to harm people. They never thought about letting the child be born. What's worse, Concubine Qin might not be able to be saved." Cao Cheng said
"Husband, then, should we tell our brother?" Shen Zhiyi asked

"Ma'am, please don't bother thinking about it. It's useless because I'm just guessing. I don't have any evidence. Besides, even if I did, I wouldn't be able to go, right?"

"I was raised by my adoptive father. There are some things I cannot do no matter what. And, in fact, His Majesty may not be unaware of this, but we just don't know what he thinks."

"And what I'm most worried about is, what if it's not the Xue family who's doing it?" Cao Cheng said solemnly.
"What? What do you mean, husband? What do you mean by what if it's not the Xue family?" Shen Zhiyi said

"Madam, you obviously already have the answer in your heart, so why ask me? There are many things I don't want to say, but there is no need to say them, right?" Cao Cheng said
After hearing this, Shen Zhiyi said nothing for a while. She was not a fool and naturally understood what her husband meant, so she could only remain silent until the carriage stopped.

"Okay, Madam, don't think too much. These things have nothing to do with us. We just need to live our own lives well. As for the rest, don't think too much." Cao Cheng said
"Well, my husband, you are right. I really thought too much. Let's go. I haven't eaten enough in the Duke's Mansion. Let's eat a little more, my husband?" Shen Zhiyi said with a smile.

"Okay, that's exactly what I want. Let's go, I'll ask the kitchen to do it right away." Cao Cheng agreed.
The cooks naturally did not dare to neglect the order of their lord, so soon, the delicious meal was served. Neither of them wasted time and started eating directly.

"How is it, Madam? Are the things in our house okay?" Cao Cheng said with a smile

"It's pretty good. I think it's not worse than the one in the imperial kitchen. By the way, husband, now that we are married, shouldn't we hurry up with the girl from the Jiang family?" Shen Zhiyi suddenly said

"Hmm? Madam, why do you suddenly bring this up? Did Jiang Xuening say something to you before? Don't be embarrassed. I have the final say on this matter." Cao Cheng said directly
"I know, I know, my husband, you are too nervous. Actually, you don't need to be so nervous. Although Ningning is indeed a reason, this is indeed my own thought."

"If that woman doesn't come in for a day, it's like giving my second brother hope every day. If this goes on for a long time, if the Xue family really becomes a success in the future, it will be really troublesome."

"So what I mean is, we should marry Jiang Xuehui first to stop Second Brother from thinking about her. Then, maybe he will forget about this woman by then."

"After all, this kind of thing has happened to my second brother before. If he can really forget it, then can't we rest assured?"

"Even if my second brother hasn't forgotten, we still have plenty of time to find a solution." Shen Zhiyi said

"Well, madam, what you said makes sense, but it's too early now. Let's talk about it later. Okay, madam, today is a happy day, let's not talk about these things that will spoil the fun." Cao Cheng said
Shen Zhiyi nodded after hearing this, and with the silence and the fact that she had just finished her meal, some feelings slowly emerged.

So after Cao Cheng took action, time quickly came to the next day. Because Cao Cheng was still on vacation, he was not in a hurry to get up, but the palace was bustling at this time.

"What did you say? You want me to deal with Concubine Qin? Are you crazy? I am the current empress dowager, your majesty's biological mother. How dare you ask me to send someone to get rid of your own grandson?"

"You are crazy, but I am not. The child has not yet come out, and we don't know whether it is a boy or a girl. If you act now, do you think you can succeed?"

"Even if you succeed, do you think you can survive Lang'er's rage?" the Queen Mother asked
"Are you planning to rebel directly after this?" the Queen Mother asked
"Your Majesty, how could I dare to think of such a treasonous thing? The reason why I did this is simply to leave a way out for our Xue family."

"After all, our family seems to be prosperous now, but in fact, it is in dire straits. Although Yan Mu is dead, Yan Lin is still here, and the situation has not changed much."

"You also know the temperament of His Majesty. He is always a little too hasty. I estimate that by then, our Xue family will become the Yan family a few years ago."

"My lady, sister, your last name is also Xue." Xue Yuan said earnestly.

"You, forget it, you should go back today. This matter is of great importance. I need to think about it carefully before I can give you an answer." The Queen Mother waved her hand.
After hearing this, Xue Yuan naturally felt that it was time for him to leave, so he did not hesitate, turned around and left the Cining Palace, and soon returned to his own house.

"Dad, you're back. How are things going? Is everything going well? What did aunt say?" Xue Shu asked
"This is a serious matter, so your aunt said that she would think about it carefully and let me go after she makes a decision." Xue Yuan nodded.
"Isn't this normal? Why are you unhappy, father?" Xue Shu said
"Shu'er, I naturally guessed that your aunt didn't agree immediately, but I'm worried about what His Majesty will do if it succeeds."

"After all, if something happens to Concubine Qin, His Majesty will definitely suspect our family first. If we don't handle it well, then everything will be over." Xue Yuan said
"Dad, what do you think we should do next?" Xue Shu asked. "What should we do? Of course I have to ask you. What happened between you and King Linzi?" Xue Yuandao
"Father, the King of Linzi has never forgotten that bitch, and I have no other choice. Father, can you talk to my eldest brother and ask him to marry that woman first?" Xue Shu asked
"Shu'er, you know Cheng'er and my current relationship. Do you think he will still listen to me like before?" Xue Yuandao
"Then, father, what do you say we should do? As long as Jiang Xuehui doesn't come to my eldest brother's house, there will be no progress between him and me." Xue Shu said helplessly.

"Well, this is indeed a problem, but Shu'er, why don't you go by yourself? You can probably talk to Cheng'er by yourself, and it will be much better than me." Xue Yuan said
"Ah? Oh, well, I'll give it a try." Xue Shu said with some embarrassment.

After hearing this, Xue Yuan nodded and stopped talking. Seeing this, Xue Shu knew it was time for her to leave, so she bowed and walked out.

Xue Yuan looked at his daughter's departing back and shook his head helplessly. If possible, he didn't want his daughter to owe him a favor, but there was nothing he could do as he couldn't make the decision himself.

When Cao Cheng learned that his sister had come, he was a little surprised. What was his adoptive father planning to do? Why did he move Xue Shu here?

Although he had some doubts in his heart, he still went to meet Xue Shu with a smile on his face. No matter what others thought, this was his sister who had grown up with him, so he couldn't ignore her.

"Shu'er, why didn't you tell me in advance that you were coming? Fortunately, I didn't go out today. If I had gone out for something, wouldn't you have made a wasted trip?" Cao Cheng said with a smile

"It's a waste of time, it's not like I can't move. If you're not here, I'll just take it as exercise. Brother, you're not going to let me stand here and talk, are you?" Xue Shu said with a smile

"How could that be? You are already an adult, and you are still joking with me? Come in quickly, your sister-in-law is waiting for you." Cao Cheng said helplessly.

"Ah? Brother, I have something I want to talk to you alone. I wonder if I can go see my sister-in-law later?" Xue Shu said a little embarrassedly.
"Hmm? Shu'er, let me make it clear first. If it's your own business, I will definitely help you, but if it's about my adoptive father, don't tell me." Cao Cheng said seriously.

"It's mine, it's really mine, I promise, it's really just my own business, and it's easy for you to complete it, brother, it's not difficult at all." Xue Shu hastily assured
"Okay, since you said so, then come with me to the study." Cao Cheng nodded.
Then he walked towards the study, and Xue Shu naturally followed closely behind him. The two of them entered the study one after the other. When they arrived, Cao Cheng asked, "Can we talk now?"

"Brother, I can tell you. Of course I can tell you. Actually, it's like this. Brother, you also know about the relationship between me and King Linzi. We were all fine before."

"As a result, Jiang Xuehui showed up and messed up everything. Although Jiang Xuehui was nominally your concubine, she had never officially entered the family."

"Prince Linzi is still obsessed with her and his attitude towards me is very cold." Xue Shu said
"So, you came over here and asked me to get Jiang Xuehui in quickly, right?" Cao Cheng asked

"Hehe, big brother, you are so wise. I knew that I could not hide anything from you. Yes, that's what I meant. What do you think, big brother, can you help me?" Xue Shu said
"Shu'er, I know it's difficult for you now, but you have to understand my difficulties. Your sister-in-law and I have been married for less than a month. I want to take a concubine now? What do you think she will think?"

"Although it was decided long ago, it still doesn't work. So what about your case?" Cao Cheng said
"Oh, good brother, you are so kind to me, can you help me? How about this, or I will go and talk to my sister-in-law and beg her now." Xue Shu said coquettishly
"Stop, you can't go. If you go, I can't explain it clearly. Okay, go back quickly. I'll take care of this matter and get Jiang Xuehui as soon as possible." Cao Cheng quickly refused.
"Well, I know that you are the best to me, brother. Okay, then I won't go. Brother, my lifelong happiness depends on you." Xue Shu said with a smile

"Alright, alright, let's go. I still have to talk to your sister-in-law. You don't need to see your sister-in-law today. Otherwise, something bad will definitely happen." Cao Cheng said helplessly.

After hearing this, Xue Shu naturally nodded quickly. After all, to be honest, she didn't really want to go. After all, if he held a grudge against her, it would not be worth it.

Looking at his sister's departing back, Cao Cheng showed a playful smile on his face.

"Madam, I'm back. How are you? Did you miss me?" Cao Cheng said with a smile.

"Okay, husband, why are you still so jumpy? What did Shu'er come to you to talk about? Why didn't she say she wanted to come and see me?" Shen Zhiyi asked
"Haha, what are you talking about? Of course she's embarrassed. She came here this time to ask me to marry Jiang Xuehui in advance. Of course she's embarrassed to see you." Cao Cheng said
"Ah? Is that so? It seems my second brother really hasn't forgotten Jiang Xuehui." Shen Zhiyi said in surprise

"Okay, Madam, it may not be as exaggerated as you think. Your second brother may simply not want to be involved with the Xue family." Cao Cheng said
"This, this seems possible, but I always feel that it is unlikely. As long as the Queen Mother is here, it is impossible for my second brother to do that. The Queen Mother will not let him cut off contact with the Xue family."

"But you should still take Jiang Xuehui, my husband. If you don't hurry up, you will probably be implicated." Shen Zhiyi said

"Alas, now that things have come to this, it seems that this is the only way. Madam, you can arrange the matter this time. Anyway, she will have to listen to you in the future." Cao Cheng said helplessly.

"Alright, alright, husband, I know you feel bad for me, but there's nothing we can do about it now. Just bear with it for a while and accept it, okay?" Shen Zhiyi said

"Madam, are you really not angry at all? You are still trying to persuade me? Forget it, forget it, don't mention it. How can I not be happy if you give me a concubine? What a joke." Cao Cheng said
"Oh, you finally told the truth, didn't you? Husband, tell me, did you lie to me on purpose before? Did you think about it a long time ago?" Shen Zhiyi asked back

"No, I'm talking to you, Madam? Forget it, I'm too lazy to reason with you, I'll just do it directly." After Cao Cheng finished speaking, he picked up his wife by the waist.

Time quickly came to the next day. Early in the morning, Shen Zhiyi released the news to the public, saying that Marquis Dingyuan was going to take a concubine, and also sent someone to notify the Jiang family.

(End of this chapter)