The Legend of the Loved One

Chapter 5

Hengwang Mansion, Wantang Garden.

In the hazy morning light, Chu Xue woke up in the man's warm embrace and steady breathing.

With the dim light in the curtain, Song Chen's handsome sleeping face came into view, and she was a little dazed.

When he wakes up, how should he face it... Should he close his eyes and continue pretending to be asleep, or simply turn his back on him?

She intends to choose the latter.

Unexpectedly, he moved his waist slightly and woke him up.He opened his eyes and asked her with a nasal voice that had just woken up, "Are you awake?"

The girl in her arms gave a shy "hmm".

But he smiled, rubbed her closer, and asked softly, "How did you feel last night?"

She was even more ashamed, and really didn't know how to answer, so she paused for a while before honestly saying: "It hurts."

"It won't hurt next time. Don't believe me, try again tonight?" He lowered his head and pressed against the corner of her lips, his voice was full of tenderness and provocation.

"My lord..." She simply closed her eyes, blushing hard.

He looked at her for a long time as if looking at a beautiful picture, and couldn't help but put his mouth on her lips, and began to touch her tenderly.

Chu Xue had something important in mind, and when his lips moved away a little, she hurriedly asked him, "Isn't your lord not going to court today?"

His hands were still winding over her silky body, and he replied softly: "They all know that I worked hard last night, so I don't need to go today."

She resisted the teasing in his words, and held his reckless hand by the way, "But... this concubine is going to the palace today to meet the noble concubine, and to offer tea to the princess."

Although he mentioned the business, he still didn't take it seriously, "It's still early, let's lie down for a while."

She bit her lip, and gently comforted her, "But I want to get up earlier to tidy up, and go to see Concubine Jing, so that I can come back to see the princess sooner."

This idea is actually obedient and general, he understands her painstaking efforts, after lingering for a while, he finally let go reluctantly.

Seeing her in-laws is the most important thing for a bride after marriage. Her father-in-law is of high status, and as a side concubine she cannot easily see her, but her mother-in-law, King Heng's biological mother Jing Guifei, must meet her today, and of course she has some Nervous, but with Heng Wang here, it's much better.

An hour later, the two came to Funing Palace where Concubine Jing lived in the palace.

Today's empress respects the rules, and it is only halfway through the hour, and Concubine Jing has returned from the Yong'an Palace after paying her respects.After waiting for a short time, Chu Xue saw Concubine Jing.

Although Concubine Jing is nearly fifty years old, she looks like she is only in her 30s because of her well-maintained appearance. She is still an elegant and beautiful woman.After seeing his true face, Chu Xue understood why Song Chen was so handsome. It turned out that it was all inherited from the beauty of respecting noble concubines.

"I pay homage to my concubine mother!" Song Chen bent down and saluted the concubine Jing who was sitting on the couch.

"Get up, have you eaten breakfast?" Concubine Jing asked her son with a smile.

"It's been used, don't worry, Concubine Mu."

After the mother and son had finished exchanging greetings, Chu Xue, who was well-dressed, immediately moved forward a few steps, and bowed respectfully, "My concubine pays homage to my mother!"

This great gift obviously benefited the concubine on the couch, Concubine Jing raised her hand and said softly: "Be flat, there is no need to be too polite, come here and let me have a look."

She got up slowly, followed the gesture of the person on the couch, and moved closer to stand still.

Concubine Jing looked at her carefully, and admired her in her usual steady voice, "She is indeed a beauty. No one in the capital has known for so many years that Master Chu Lin has such a beautiful daughter! Ji Ting picked up a treasure this time." gone."

"Your Majesty, my concubine's appearance is mediocre, far less than one ten-thousandth of yours. It's a great fortune to be sympathized with by the lord." Chu Xue lowered her eyes modestly.

Clearly a self-deprecating word, but even praised the other two people, the atmosphere in Funing Palace was immediately peaceful.

Although the concubine's status is not as high as that of the main concubine, she still has a rank. Concubine Jing is very satisfied with the new daughter-in-law in front of her. She smiled at her for a while, and waved to the female officer beside her. The female officer immediately understood, He stepped forward and presented the meeting gift he had already prepared.

"It's your first time entering the palace. This is my meeting ceremony. In the future, Ji Ting will have more of you to take care of me, so I can feel more at ease." Concubine Jing's tone was even more cordial.

It's no wonder, regardless of appearance, Chu Xue's background alone is already much higher than Hengwang's first concubine Li Jiaoyun, and Concubine Jing also understands that the son is now a critical period for employing people, and she can compete with the official residence. As the second rank, the marriage of Chu Lin, the capital censor whom the emperor relied on quite a lot, is undoubtedly the most solid cornerstone for paving the way for the future.

Chu Xue knelt to receive the reward, and after the mother and son chatted for a while, she resigned and left Funing Palace.

Concubine Jing politely asked her to sit for a while, but she replied that she would go back to the palace to offer tea to the concubine—this is also a top priority for newcomers to the palace.Concubine Jing was very satisfied to see that she was modest and courteous even though she came from a noble family, so she let her leave.

Having successfully completed a major event, Chu Xue felt a little more relaxed, but she felt a little uneasy when she thought that she would go back to the palace to offer tea to Princess Heng later.Compared with the noble concubine and mother-in-law in Funing Palace, this princess surnamed Xu in Hengwang's Mansion is her real boss, and she is the one she needs to deal with seriously for a long time in the future.Thinking of this, the brows that had relaxed a little before became a little dignified.

In the carriage on the way back, Song Chen, who was smiling faintly, saw her lowering her eyebrows and thinking, so she cared, "What's the matter, what's on your mind?"

She came back to her senses, smiled and told the truth, "It's nothing, I'm a little nervous when I think about meeting the princess later."

Song Chen wrapped her arms around her waist disapprovingly, "Don't be nervous, Jin He has always been kind to others, if you are so well-behaved, she won't make things difficult for you."

She smiled and said yes, but there was a sneer in her heart.

Is Xu's general coming out of the door a kind person?

Since she entered the palace early in the morning to meet the noble concubine, Chu Xue was dressed in formal attire, so she didn't need to change clothes after returning to the palace, and went directly to the front yard to meet the concubine Xu Jinhe of Hengwang's mansion.

With King Heng Song Chen leading her, the journey went very smoothly, and she met Concubine Heng directly without waiting for a moment.

After the two masters of the palace sat down firmly, she immediately knelt down and offered tea.

Concubine Heng Wang Xu Jinhe is sitting upright at the moment.

She and Song Chen were teenagers, only one year younger than Song Chen, and now in their thirties, although they looked dignified, they were not outstanding beauties.But her natal family is a family of meritorious service in the current dynasty, and was a marquis conferred by the previous emperor, so even though she is not a beauty, she can afford the position of King Heng's concubine just by virtue of her noble background, not to mention that this is quite a bit of an affair. Marriage, which means marriage, is still decided by the current emperor himself.

But despite the marriage, I heard that this princess has won the respect of King Heng because of her meekness and humility, and she is quite a model among royal couples today.

In fact, if there is no way out, Chu Xue would never marry in as a side concubine anyway. No matter in the past or present, it is not her original intention to take a man from the hands of her original wife, but now that God has made this way After pointing it out to her, she had no choice but to face this concubine from the Xu family, the deep-rooted hatred almost wiped out even her original guilt.

Now, this Princess Xu is sitting in front of her, accepting her offer of tea.

Probably because the head of the family was sitting beside him, Xu Jinhe, with a smile on his face, took the hot tea in Chu Xue's hand, took a serious sip, and handed it to the maid beside him.

"Sister, you are welcome. From now on, we are a family. If you need anything, just tell me. With you by my side, I can rest assured from now on."

Her words were polite and gentle, at first hearing, she really looked like a kind mistress, not at all as fierce and unruly as her natal Xu family's general.

It's just that since ancient times, which wife in the world can feel happy when her husband marries someone younger and more beautiful than herself?

Chu Xue secretly admired that she was able to hide her true emotions in front of her husband, and she was able to speak such gentle words without changing her face. The position of princess for more than ten years is indeed not for nothing.

She lowered her eyebrows and said: "My concubine is serious. You are the mistress of the house, and I will follow your arrangements. It's just that I'm new here. If there are any shortcomings, I would like to ask the concubine to point it out."

Hearing Song Chen on the side clear his throat, Xu Jinhe hurriedly got up to help Chu Xue who was still kneeling on the ground, and the smile on his face became a little warmer, "My sister came in for the first time today, so I turned around and asked the kitchen to take care of it." Get ready and come over for lunch at noon."

"I don't dare to exceed the rules." Chu Xue replied softly.

It has been a rule for thousands of years that concubines are not allowed to eat at the same table as the mistress.

"It's okay, Sister Jiaoyun and the others are still in Yanzhou. They didn't come back together this time. We are the only two female relatives in the mansion right now, and it's rare to catch up with the prince to rest today. Let's have dinner together. Let's treat it as a welcome banquet, how about it? "

The smile on Xu Jinhe's face was full of sincerity.

Song Chen on the side also said, "Listen to the princess, Xue'er doesn't have to worry about it today."

"Yes." Since the head of the family also spoke, she could only respectfully respond.

Since it was a family banquet held under the banner of welcoming her, Chu Xue naturally didn't dare to neglect, and arrived at the dining room in the front yard around the same time.Just as she was about to take her seat, Xu Jinhe also arrived, followed by a boy who looked about six or seven years old. She stood up and saluted Xu Jinhe. Xu Jinhe still had the kind appearance in the morning, with a smile on his face, and introduced to the boy: " Come on, Qi'er, this aunt is your father's new concubine who entered the door yesterday, don't hesitate to call her."

"Yes, mother." The boy responded and bowed obediently to her.

Chu Xue responded with a smile, and suddenly remembered something again.

She made preparations before leaving the pavilion, and naturally knew the current situation of Prince Heng's mansion. King Heng now has three sons and one daughter, the eldest son and second son are born to the concubine, and the third son and youngest daughter are born to another side concubine Li Jiaoyun.According to his age, the boy in front of him is Song Qi, the third son born to Concubine Li, but this child was raised by the concubine's side since he was a child. That concubine Li only assumed the name of his biological mother.

When she first heard about it, she was only surprised, but it was not until she saw the intimacy between the child and the princess with her own eyes that she felt uncomfortable.How cruel this is to a biological mother who is pregnant for ten months, but there is really nothing wrong with it, because this is a rule that has existed for thousands of years-the main wife has the right to raise her husband's children herself and find any reason .

There was no room for moaning, and after a while, King Heng and his other two sons, 11-year-old Song Chi and [-]-year-old Song Qian, all arrived. After everyone saluted separately, lunch began.

Song Chen in the seat was a look that Chu Xue had never seen before. Even though he was sitting and eating with his wife and son, his expression was a little cold, and his serious face seemed to have returned to the form of a high-ranking prince. The tenderness and pampering when he was alone with her last night and this morning was like a completely different person.

Is it different to her because she is still new?

In fact, this is a very reasonable thing, but she can't feel any emotions at this time, because she understands that since she is married, she must work hard to truly become the unique person in his heart, regardless of the old or the new.

Xu Shi realized that his seriousness made the atmosphere a bit cold during the meeting. Song Chen opened his mouth and explained to Chu Xue, "Ning Ning is young and weak, and Jiao Yun wants to take care of her. This time, she didn't go back to Beijing together. After waiting We have returned to Yanzhou for a while, and the family will get together again."

Song Ning is the daughter born to him by Concubine Li, she is three years old now.

She nodded with a smile.

Returning to Wantang Garden after lunch, Chu Xue finally relaxed a little, there was no outsider in the room, she thought about what she saw at noon, made up her mind, and called for someone outside the door.

Lifting her feet, two maids came in, one was Yan Ling who had been with her since she was a child, and the other was the dowry maid specially prepared by her mother this time, Ruyue.

"Is there any good way to not get pregnant temporarily?" She asked Kisaragi softly.

Although Ruyue is a maid in name, she is actually proficient in medical skills. Eight years ago, she went to Baicao Mountain to follow the doctor Gu there to learn medicine for six years. It was not until two years ago that she returned to Chu Mansion to take care of her daily life again.

Kisaragi thought for a while, "For temporary contraception, there are two methods. You can use acupuncture or take medicine. It is harmless to the body, but it will leave traces. Taking medicine will leave no trace, but if it is taken for a long time... I am afraid it will be harmful to the future. affected."

She pondered for a while, "Then how long will it take you to dispense the medicine?"

Ru Yue smiled lightly, "Actually, there are slaves and maidservants right now."

She was suddenly surprised and looked at Kisaragi puzzled.

Kisaragi explained, "It was my wife who asked me to prepare it before she left the cabinet, saying that it was for emergencies."

She felt warm in her heart, "It's still mother's thoughtfulness...then go get it."

Yanling was surprised when he heard the words, "Miss, do you really want to eat?"

She raised her eyebrows slightly, "Now is not the time, of course I have to eat, is it possible that I want to give my son to someone else to raise like that Concubine Li in Yanzhou?"

Yan Ling went to the front yard with her today, and has been waiting by her side all the time. The scene of the banquet was very clear to the other party. Hearing what she said, he nodded in agreement after thinking about it, but hesitated, "Then Why don't you use needles? Didn't you say that the practice is harmless to the body?"

She blushed slightly, "There are traces of that... I'm afraid the prince will find out."

Yan Ling was taken aback for a moment, and blushed when she understood.

Just when Yanling was hesitating, Ruyue went to the inner room to get the pills, and thoughtfully filled a glass of water, and put them in front of her.

"Miss, the medicine is here. In order to minimize the impact of this medicine, the servant girl added very little medicine. It is not necessary to use it every day, as long as it is taken afterward."

Although she has only been with Ruyue for more than a month, she likes this girl very much. Unlike Yanling who is bright and lively, Ruyue is silent and capable, she nodded and smiled, took the medicine, and swallowed it without hesitation.

"In the future, as long as the prince spends the night here, you must remember to remind me." She seriously urged.

"Yes." The two maids nodded together.

She also nodded, but her bright eyes were solemn.The medicine is three-point poisonous, she doesn't understand, as Ruyue herself said, it may be affected in the long run if it is used for a long time.

It's not that she doesn't want to bear children for King Heng. Now that she's married to him, she will be his wife. What's more, mothers are more expensive than children. Sooner or later, she will continue to have children for him, but right now... it's not that she should have children good time.

As for when is a good time, it depends on Hengwang.

(End of this chapter)