The Hidden Beauty

Chapter 47: Encounter at Villa
The news that the Governor's wife had moved from the main house to the other courtyard spread quickly, and people outside speculated that this was to make way for Liu Huining, who would move in next time.

Apart from feeding Ayou every day, Jiang Shiwan spent all his time compiling military books.

Instead, Meng Tingzhou took advantage of the sunny spring days and took Ayou out for outings several times during his days off.

Everyone only saw the governor and the young master, but not the governor's wife, and speculation arose.

"She was still doting on him some time ago, but now I heard that she has moved out of the main house."

"Without a background, it is difficult for me to be the wife of a governor."

"The governor's legitimate son has taken that woman's surname. Could it be that he doesn't care about that woman?"

"Why would the governor allow the descendant of a criminal to inherit the title? Giving the young prince the surname Jiang may be due to other considerations."

"But this one is already a young master."

"Heh...if a lady of noble status gave birth to a legitimate son with the surname Meng, how difficult would it be to replace the crown prince?"

……

When Madam Liu told Liu Huining all the rumors, she was still a little worried: "Although the governor has a promising future as a powerful official, I still hope that you can marry someone of equal status as your principal wife. A concubine is always a little less than satisfactory."

Ever since Liu Huining received the emperor's permission to marry into the Governor's Mansion in three months, she felt that her hard work had paid off.

She didn't care much when she heard her mother's concerns.

"My mother loves her daughter so much, so I am naturally touched. But when I was young, I fell in love with the governor. At that time, he was just an unknown bastard of the Meng family. Seeing him fight in the battlefield and win merits, I knew that I had made the right choice."

"I know that he holds an important position, so he naturally needs a wife of matching status, so I resorted to this desperate measure to let mother and others gossip about him in front of the princess."

Liu Huining held Madam Liu's hand, his eyes twinkling with stars, "Look, aren't things developing in the direction my daughter hoped for?"

Mrs. Liu looked at her daughter and knew that she had always been a person with her own ideas. She would do her best to achieve what she decided.

She was depressed for a while because of Meng Tingzhou's marriage and the birth of children, but then she cheered up and kept waiting for an opportunity.

"I am naturally confident in your intelligence. But..."

Liu Huining leaned against Madam Liu's arms and said, "I know what mother is worried about. Jiang Shiwan, the daughter of a criminal, was able to catch the governor's eye and give birth to his legitimate son. She is definitely not a simple person. After entering the governor's mansion, my daughter will act carefully."

Previously, she had hesitated about this, considering the rumors in Beijing that Meng Tingzhou was extremely fond of Jiang Shiwan.

I hesitated whether I should persist to the end.

Unexpectedly, after the emperor issued the decree, Jiang Shiwan moved out of the main house and Meng Tingzhou took the prince out for a trip alone. The turn of events was somewhat unexpected.

She didn't know whether the two of them were just in love for a moment as the rumors said, or if it was for something else... Before marrying into the Governor's Mansion, she decided to find out the situation first.

Meng Tingzhou liked to bring Ayou to the western suburbs for fun, as it was quite close to Wanyuan, so he could play with the child in his spare time after handling official business.

Ten-month-old Ayou recently likes to spit out saliva like a fish blowing bubbles. Meng Tingzhou has scolded him several times for this, but Ayou thought he was playing with him and immediately sprayed him in the face.

"Hurry up and take him away." Meng Tingzhou said with disgust, "How can there be such a disgusting child?"

The nurse said "Hey" and came up to take the child. "The little prince has grown a lot of teeth. He likes to bite when drinking milk these days. Yesterday, Madam was bitten and bled."

Meng Tingzhou frowned: "It's not good!" He wiped his face, changed into casual clothes, and looked for him in the direction of the noise.

I saw a group of people holding Ayou and watching Yufeng Cuju. He alternated between left and right and then held the ball on his head, which drew cheers. Ayou seemed to find it fun as well, and his face was covered with saliva from laughing.

This kid...

He also became interested and joined the Cuju group. Gradually, Pei Qing also joined in. Five or six men were all military generals with excellent ball skills, and there were bursts of cheers.

Yu Feng wanted to show off his skills, so he kicked the ball into the air, but the ball fell out of the yard uncontrollably.

Yu Feng looked at everyone awkwardly.

Pei Qing pointed at him and said, "You've brought shame to my grandmother's house!"

Yu Feng went out to pick up the ball, and when he came back, a strange woman followed him. He scratched his head and said, "Commander-in-chief, Miss Liu just found the ball and said she would return it personally."

Upon hearing the introduction, Pei Qing immediately glanced at Meng Tingzhou's face.

But he waved his hand and said, "Take the young master down to rest first." Then he smiled politely at the visitor and said, "Why is Miss Liu here?"

Liu Huining bowed and said, "Today, I came to the apricot forest in the western suburbs with a few girlfriends to enjoy the spring. Suddenly, I heard cheers from here. When I was surprised, I saw a ball falling from the sky. Since I was lucky enough to pick it up, how could I not come to visit?"

She spoke calmly and naturally, as if her mind was open.

Meng Tingzhou took the towel handed to him by the servant and wiped his sweat: "It's just a joke between me and my men. Miss Liu is here, would you like a cup of tea?"

Seeing that he invited him, Liu Huining was delighted: "Will this... disturb the governor and the young master?"

Unexpectedly, Meng Tingzhou made a "please" gesture and asked her to sit down in the yard nearby: "Come here, bring tea."

Although Liu Huining was somewhat dissatisfied that no one would not allow guests to sit inside the house, he later thought that perhaps people who were born as military generals were not particular about trivial matters?
So he sat down.

"Speaking of which, I have also wanted to find an opportunity to find someone to go to your house to discuss the marriage, but I have not been able to find a suitable candidate. My mother lives in seclusion and rarely takes care of worldly affairs, but there is a lady named Jiang in the house."

Meng Tingzhou took a sip of tea and said, "I met Miss Liu today and I just wanted to ask her if Jiang can handle the wedding on behalf of the Governor's Office."

When Liu Huining heard that he planned to let Jiang Shiwan take care of it all, he felt a little unhappy.

I would be a co-wife if I got married, and if Jiang Shiwan was the one to decide the marriage, I would be much inferior to him. But Meng Tingzhou specifically brought this up and asked me what I thought, and I had no way of responding.

Liu Huining was silent for a moment, then raised his eyes slightly and said, "Commander-in-chief, actually, I came here today for my wedding."

Meng Tingzhou seemed surprised: "Oh?"

Liu Huining spoke softly and revealed all his thoughts: "I have always heard that the governor and Jiang have a very good relationship. Although my heart belongs to the governor, I dare not share his favor with others. If the governor feels embarrassed about the marriage... you can find an excuse to refuse..."

Seeing her sincere attitude, Meng Tingzhou stopped smiling and said, "Miss Liu, do you know that your marriage with me was granted by the emperor?"

"Yes."

"Since the emperor has granted the marriage, how can this governor disobey his order?" Meng Tingzhou rubbed his fingers, "Besides, the matter of marriage has a cause, and the fate in the future may come naturally."

Liu Huining looked up suddenly and met his eyes.

Does he mean that there is a future connection between them?
　These days, Dudu is almost drowned by everyone's spit, haha~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)