Full House Spring

Chapter 67: Criticizing Sang and Huai
The spring sunshine, warm and soft, shines on the earth, showing a vibrant scene.

Lu Jianxing walked into the front yard with steady steps. Seeing the maid waiting outside the study, he frowned and stood with his hands behind his back and asked, "How long have you been here? What's the matter, Madam?"

Nanny Gui stepped forward, bowed, and said cautiously, "Madam has been in the study for more than an hour. She wanted to wait for the Duke to come back and have a few words."

Lu Jianxing said with displeasure, "This is simply nonsense. He knows that I have things to do in the court, but he is still making trouble. There are so many trivial matters in the mansion that he doesn't care about, and as a servant, he doesn't know how to advise the master."

Nanny Gui lowered her head, angry but not daring to say anything. Considering that Song never looked through his things without permission, Lu Jianxing was not too nervous. He walked to the door and pushed it open, then looked up and saw Song sitting in front of the window reading a book.

Seeing that there was no sign of rummaging in the study, Lu Jianxing turned around, closed the door, and said in a dissatisfied tone:
"You are becoming more and more unreasonable. The study is a place for handling serious matters. How can you stay here and not leave?"

Song closed the book and smiled as usual, "Master, why are you so angry? I'm just reading a book. Is there something here that I can't touch?"

Lu Jianxing avoided her gaze and said in a deep voice, "What do you want to do? I'm busy like a top every day, so I don't have the time to mess around with you."

Song stood up, walked towards him with small steps, and said gently and virtuously, "Master, you are wrong. When have you ever been involved with me? How much time have you spent on me?"

Lu Jianxing showed a hint of displeasure on his face, and said in a timid tone: "What do you mean by that? Are you dissatisfied with me and are you doubting me?"

Song didn't want to tear her face, so she could only suppress her anger and said:
"The master always uses business as an excuse to be cold and indifferent to the women in the mansion. If you have someone you like outside, don't hide it secretly. Just take her into the mansion. I am not the kind of person who can't tolerate others."

Lu Jianxing looked at her with a complicated expression. After a while, he said gently:
"I don't have anyone outside, so don't let me have any wild thoughts. To tell you the truth, His Majesty vomited blood last night. I'm afraid his body is in ..."

Song could guess what the unfinished words were. She said with a serious face, "The emperor is seriously ill. Isn't it time for a change in the palace? What about Concubine Shu..."

Lu Jianxing lowered his voice and said, "The Empress Shufei has not been affected for the time being, but the princes are fighting fiercely in private."

Song's eyes flickered slightly, and she said virtuously, "Now is a critical moment. You may ask me to pass on a message to the Concubine Shu. She and I are sisters, so it is only natural for me to visit her in the palace."

Lu Jianxing knew that although the two sisters were born of the same mother, they were not close. However, he was too busy to go anywhere at the moment, so it was a good idea to have Song pass on the message. He nodded slightly and said:

"That's feasible. When Madam Shufei achieves her wish, she will not forget your kindness."

The tone of his speech made it seem as if he and Concubine Shu were a family, and Song was an outsider. Song turned around to hide the hatred in her eyes and said in a gentle tone:

"Shufei is my biological sister. I naturally hope for her better than anyone else. I will go to the palace to visit her tomorrow. Do you have anything for me to bring?"

Lu Jianxing shook his head and said in a deep voice: "Just go by yourself and ask her about the situation in the palace. It would be best if you can find out how long the emperor can hold out."

Song nodded in agreement, and said hesitantly, "Since the court is so unstable, should Qing He and the Third Prince's matter be put on hold until the dust settles?"

Lu Jianxing pondered for a moment and said, "This depends on the situation of the Third Prince. There will be no changes for the time being. You can rest assured that the Third Prince's principal wife can only be Qing He. This is not up to him to decide. The Concubine Shu has already nodded in agreement."

Song said with a half-smile, "It seems that my sister has a close relationship with you in private. She doesn't tell me about this kind of thing, but she tells you a lot."

Lu Jianxing said calmly, "Madam Shufei is Qinghe's biological aunt, so it's only natural for her to protect her. We have no private contact, it's just the subordinates passing the message. Okay, go and do your own thing, don't waste my time."

Song said calmly, "Master, just tell me if you have anything to say. I'll go see if Lingchuan has returned."

Lu Jianxing hurriedly called her and said, "I almost forgot, the Gao family should also move back. Now is a time of trouble. The engagement has been confirmed, so don't rush to get married. In case something unexpected happens, it will save trouble."

If anything happens to the emperor, there will inevitably be turmoil in the court. Song naturally understood this simple truth. She nodded in agreement and turned to leave.

Lu Jianxing treats Lingchuan very seriously. After all, he is the legitimate son who will inherit the family business, and he cannot afford to make any mistakes.

When Song saw her son, she felt that he had lost a lot of weight and was absent-minded when talking to him. When she mentioned that the Gao family's marriage was postponed, he seemed a little happy. Song asked directly, "Do you look down on Gao Mingyu? What's wrong with her?"

Lu Lingchuan smiled bitterly and said, "Mom, it's not that she's not good enough, nor that I look down on her, it's just that I don't have any feelings for her."

His words were like igniting dynamite. Song said with an unpleasant expression:
"Feelings? Tell me, what is feelings? Who did you give your feelings to? You don't cherish this pure and innocent girl who is your equal. How has she done you wrong?"

Lu Lingchuan was a little confused, he said in a deep voice: "Mom, I didn't do anything to Miss Gao, why are you so excited?"

Song was stunned for a moment, then she came to her senses and forced a smile:
"Lingchuan, I'm not saying anything bad to you, but since you and Gao Mingyu are already engaged, you can only focus on her. No matter how good the people outside are, they are not as devoted to you as she is. She will go through the difficulties with you in the future, so don't let her down."

Lu Lingchuan noticed that his mother was in a bad mood, and he didn't dare to provoke her, so he said obediently:
"I understand. No matter what, I will treat her well. Don't worry. I see that you don't look well. Why don't you go back and rest first?"

Song was indeed a little exhausted. She nodded gently, told him a few words to take care of his health, and left with Nanny Gui.

The first wife was so shocked that she slept for two days before she completely recovered. On the third day, she dressed up properly and went to the palace to pay her respects to the Concubine Shu.

When Concubine Shu saw her entering the palace alone, she was surprised and asked, "Why didn't you bring Qing He with you? I haven't seen her for several days."

Song said indifferently, "She accompanied the old lady to stay at the farm outside Beijing for a while, and will be back in a few days. Why is it that my sister is unhappy that I came here alone?"

Concubine Shu heard that her tone was a little strange, so she whispered, "Who has made you unhappy again? Why are you still resentful when you come to me?"

Song's tears welled up in her eyes, and she said with resentment:

"Sister, you don't know that my master is probably hiding another woman in his heart. He hasn't entered my room for a long time. When he was drunk that day, he kept calling Yao'er's name..." Concubine Shu looked at her, and for a moment she was a little flustered. She avoided her gaze and comforted her, "Maybe you heard it wrongly? My brother-in-law doesn't care about women, and there are not many concubines in your house. How could he be sorry for you?"

Song sneered in her heart. This "yao'er" was the nickname Lu Jianxing gave to Song Shiyi, meaning that she was his medicine.

Song wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief and said through gritted teeth:
"I heard it with my own ears, how could I be wrong? I'm not afraid of you laughing at me. I've been married to the master for many years, and he only treats me as a decoration. He never cares about what I think or my affairs. His heart has long been seduced away by a bitch outside. Sister, you have to help me find that person."

Concubine Shu said uncomfortably, "I am not free in the deep palace, and I don't know many women outside. How can I help you find someone? Don't be suspicious. You should have a good talk with your brother-in-law."

Song stared at Concubine Shu with burning eyes and said excitedly:

"He won't tell me the truth, and I don't care about his rotten heart. I just want you to help me find that woman. I want to strip her clothes off in public, let her be spit on and insulted, and ask her if she is such a slut, and if she feels a sense of accomplishment in seducing someone else's husband."

Concubine Shu's eyes flickered, her hands stroking her hair unnaturally, and she said in a low voice: "Sister, why are you so angry? You are the wife of a dignified Duke, how can you behave like a shrew? It's really shameful if it gets out."

Song gnashed her teeth and said, "That bitch doesn't feel ashamed to seduce the master? I was too proud, so she bullied me. Are you my sister? Why are you siding with outsiders?"

Concubine Shu hurriedly explained, "I'm not siding with outsiders, but you are no longer favored by your brother-in-law. Instead of making him unhappy, you might as well swallow your anger and take good care of your children. As women, we only have our children to rely on, so why should we take men seriously?"

Song admired her shamelessness. Her words were so unpleasant, but she was only annoyed for a moment. She changed the subject so quickly. It really showed some ability.

Song felt much better after venting her anger, so she followed her wishes and asked, "How is His Majesty doing now?"

Concubine Shu looked outside the door cautiously, and after confirming that no one was there, she said:

"The dosage of the medicine residue I drank these days has obviously increased, and people from the harem are not allowed to set foot in Xingqing Palace. I'm afraid things are really going to change in this palace."

Song comforted her, "Don't worry, sister. The Third Prince is outstanding, and you have the support of the Song and Duke's Houses. The final result will be what you want."

Concubine Shu was not so optimistic. She said solemnly:
"You think too simply. The Queen and the First Prince have the support of the Marquis of Changle Mansion, and Concubine Zhang and the Second Prince have the support of the civil officials headed by Prime Minister Zhang. There is also Prince Hui watching covetously. How can it be so easy to succeed?"

Song knew that the situation was tense and that Concubine Shu might not have much chance of winning. She lowered her voice and said, "If you need me to take something out of the palace, just give it to me."

Concubine Shu shook her head slightly and lowered her voice, "The palace is heavily guarded. When you leave the palace, you will be checked by guards. You can't bring anything with you. Tell my brother and brother-in-law to persuade the emperor to attack King Hui in the court."

Song was very puzzled and said, "Your Majesty should be on guard against Prince Hui first, why does he need others to instigate him?"

Concubine Shu said sarcastically, "Our emperor feels guilty towards the former crown prince and is wavering in his heart. Otherwise, how could King Hui have such a good life today?"

Song understood, she stood up and said:

"Then I will go back and pass on the message. Don't worry. No matter how much I hate my master, I will put the overall situation first at this juncture. If my sister and the third prince are well, then we will be better off."

Concubine Shu did not doubt her words, and said with a look of relief: "I knew you were sensible, and I will never forget your kindness in the future."

The corners of Song's lips slightly raised, and she didn't say much. After coming out of the palace, the eldest wife sent the Manqing brothers to visit their sister at the Prince Hui's mansion. They talked to her for a long time before returning...

At the same time, there was no impact on Zhuangzi's side. The old lady was old and weak, and unless it was an urgent matter, the Duke would not send anyone to inform her, so she lived a very comfortable life.

On the day when Maidong was going to visit someone, Xia Li asked for leave from the old lady and secretly told her the reason. The old lady was quite happy and did not stop him.

Feng was also cautious in her work. She did not make a big fuss about her daughter's wedding. She just said that it was relatives from her mother's side who came to visit, thus preventing a lot of unnecessary criticism.

When Xia Li went there, she dressed inconspicuously. When she came, she matched clothes for Mai Dong and personally did nude makeup for her. The makeup not only highlighted Mai Dong's innocence and cuteness, but also made her skin look delicate and flawless. Even Feng was amazed when she saw it.

After Li Ang arrived at Zhou's house, he first spoke a few words to Manager Zhou, and then went to the courtyard to meet Mai Dong.

Xia Li did not show up. She stood in the house and peeked through the window. Li Ang had handsome features, was tall and had long legs. The most amazing thing was that his eyes were clear and upright. It was obvious that he was a good young man who lived a down-to-earth life.

Mai Dong seemed to be attracted by his appearance, and asked shyly:

"I heard that you have servants in your house. Do you think I am of low status?"

Li Ang waved his hands and said, "You are a maidservant serving the old lady in the Duke's Mansion. How can you compare with an ordinary servant? Besides, Uncle Zhou is a person whom the county magistrate has to treat with courtesy. I hope you don't despise my family for being powerless."

Mai Dong said with a smile: "I am not looking for someone to live with for the sake of gaining wealth and power, so how could I despise your family? If we get together, can you agree that I can go back to my parents' home more often?"

Li Ang scratched his head a little embarrassedly and said sincerely:
"Of course you can. Our family has only started to improve in recent years. The rules at home are loose, and we are counting on you to come in and take charge of the family and establish your authority."

Mai Dong was not noticeable in the mansion, but she had learned everything she needed to learn. It was no problem for her to be the head of a small family. She said softly:

"Everything has rules. Set up rules in every place and do things according to the rules. Those who break taboos should be punished and punished. Don't let others take advantage of you. This is easy to handle."

Li Ang was very happy to hear that. Originally, he didn't want to marry a maid, but when he met her today, he found that Mai Dong's words and deeds were indeed not comparable to those of a little girl. She had seen the world and spoke in a measured way, which made people happy to see her.

The two exchanged a few words and seemed to get along very well. After Li Ang was called away, Xia Li came out of the room with a smile on his face.

(End of this chapter)