Full House Spring

Chapter 77: Princess Hui summons

Xia Li smiled. Although there was no one she cared about in the Duke's Mansion, she still hoped that things would develop in a good direction.

After Fang Jingzhi left, Nanny Zhou led the maids to pack up the luggage. Xia Li didn't bring many clothes with her. They were all her daily clothes for private use. She gave all the clothes she wore when she was on duty to the maids.

Shi Mi and Qiao He's room was in the next ear room. They were not familiar with the layout of the mansion. After serving Xia Li lunch and taking a nap on the couch, they had time to walk around and take a look.

Compared with the luxury of the Duke's Mansion, the Fang Mansion gives people a better sense of cultural heritage, and every detail in the mansion is handled very finely.

Qiao He looked at the unique carving craftsmanship and sighed, "Why do I feel that the Fang family is more powerful than the Duke's Mansion?"

After all, Shi Mi was born in a family and knew more. She said in a gentle voice, "The Fang family is a real aristocratic family. There were five generations of marquises in the family. The Duke's Mansion has only become prosperous since the generation of the old grandfather. Although they still have the title, they are incomparable to the Fang family. The accumulated wealth alone is not even on the same level."

Qiao He's eyes lit up when she heard this, and she said with a smile, "That's great. Our girl has such an outstanding character, and with the support of her family, she will be able to go further in the future."

Shi Mi naturally hoped for the best for Xia Li. She said in a brisk voice, "The girl is not a vulgar person. She just wants to live a comfortable life. She doesn't necessarily want to stand high and go far."

Qiao He shrugged indifferently, "As long as the girl is happy, I'll always be by her side. But you...will you feel unbalanced?"

Shi Mi looked at her in confusion, "Why should I feel unbalanced? The girl was different in front of the old lady. She was cared for by Aunt Xie everywhere. She was much better than us. Now that she has found her relatives, she should live the life that was supposed to belong to her. This is also a matter of course."

Seeing that she spoke so frankly and without any grievance on her face, Qiao He chuckled and said, "You are right. If the girl had not been kidnapped by the kidnappers, we would not have had the opportunity to meet her. This can be regarded as an opportunity given by God."

Although they knew each other, they had not spent a long time together, so it was inevitable that they would test each other. Fortunately, neither of them had any other intentions towards Xia Li, which was very rare.

Because there were few masters, there were not many servants serving them, but the mansion was fully equipped with everything. There was also a small kitchen in the courtyard where Xia Li lived, so Qiao He could cook for her alone on weekdays.

Although everything in the mansion was good, Xia Li did not sleep well. The scenes of her and her grandma getting along kept appearing in her dreams, and tears flowed from the corners of her eyes involuntarily.

Even though she appeared calm on the surface, the pain in her heart was still there, but she didn't want anyone to notice it. Especially since she had just become relatives with her second brother, it was not good to cry and bring bad luck.

There was no one in the room at the moment. She woke up and cried for a while, and her heart calmed down a little. Xia Li leaned on the bed, looking at the hazy outside through the gauze curtain. She could understand her grandma's choice. She had lost herself as early as when she decided not to marry and to live with the old lady in this life.

No matter what happened, her first reaction was to go see the old lady. Although she was afraid of the old lady, she was also controlled by her joy and sorrow. Once the old lady left, she felt that there was no meaning and value in living. Coupled with the physical pain, even though she cared about Xia Li, she still felt that life was hopeless.

Xia Li let out a sigh of relief, raised her hand to open the veil and got off the bed. Nanny Zhou heard the noise and pushed the door open, saying softly, "Miss, are you awake? The Second Master has been called away and we don't know when he will be home. Please have your meal by yourself."

Xia Li smiled slightly and said in a slightly hoarse voice: "It's okay, you guys are still with me."

Qiao He brought hot water into the house and said in a steady voice, "Miss, Shi Mi and I have walked around this house. Although it is not as big as the Duke's Mansion, it is exquisite in every place. I'm sure you will like it."

Xia Li washed his face with hot water first, then wiped it clean with the towel handed to him by Shi Mi, and said calmly, "It's my own home, how could I not like it? When I came here, I saw there was a kitchen in the yard. You can just make something for dinner, and you don't have to trouble the people in the kitchen."

Qiao He and Madam Zhou nodded in agreement. Anyway, the small kitchen had everything needed. The most important thing was that the girl ate comfortably, and there was no need to be too particular about other things.

Xia Li changed into plain clothes again. She just walked to the rockery in the courtyard to relax when she saw the housekeeper hurried over. He walked up to Xia Li and said with his head lowered, "Miss, Princess Hui sent her personal maid to ask for an audience. She is waiting at the second gate. Should I bring her here, or... send her away?"

After all, King Hui was already the new emperor, and although the princess had not been canonized, she was his first wife, and no one dared to neglect her. Xia Li remembered that the Luo couple had gone to the palace to ask for an audience, and she said calmly, "Bring the person here first."

No matter what Princess Hui wants to do, it has nothing to do with her interests. She sent people over at this inappropriate time, and she must be a little emotional. Xia Li could guess Princess Hui's situation.

As expected, Manqing followed the housekeeper into the courtyard. Without bothering to reminisce with Xia Li, she said with a complicated expression, "Miss, I am sorry to disturb your peace. I really have no choice. My princess is pregnant, but she has not announced the good news. She has a poor appetite these days. Can you come into the mansion to chat with her and comfort her?"

Xia Li remained silent upon hearing this. Man Qing knew she was not easy to fool, so she lowered her voice and said, "Don't worry, the people from the Duke's Mansion have returned home, and the emperor is still in the palace. There is no one else here."

Xia Li could feel Man Qing's anxiety. She thought that Princess Hui's condition had affected the safety of the fetus in her belly. This child was crucial to her ability to ascend to the throne. She was afraid that the people around her were more nervous than she was.

Xia Li didn't take Qiao seriously. She said calmly:
"Princess, your health is very important. I will go with you now. Qiaohe will stay in the mansion. Nanny and Shimi will accompany me."

The two of them got on the carriage and sat down. Man Qing smiled bitterly and said, "I didn't expect you to be a rare gem. No wonder you are so different from the others."

Xia Li pursed her lips and chuckled, "I'm still the same, but you look at me differently now. Are the Second Madam and the others making such a fuss that it's hard to see?"

Xia Li didn't want to bring up the topic of himself, so Man Qing frowned and said:
"The Second Madam led the girls to kneel in front of the palace in mourning clothes. Many people saw it. Although the princess reacted quickly and let them in, the news must have spread."

Xia Li said impartially: "Now, the capable people in the Duke's Mansion are either gone or imprisoned. The others are helpless and are desperate to seek help from all directions, all just to protect themselves."

Man Qing said with contempt, "When the princess married into the palace, she was in such a difficult situation, but no one in the palace helped her. When she went to ask for the jade token, she was humiliated by the Duke. Now she comes to the door. How can it be such a good thing?"

Xia Li did not bring in his own subjective emotions, and said objectively: "Since the princess cannot swallow this breath, she can also return it with an indifferent attitude. Why bother with it now?"

Man Qing was speechless for a moment. After a long while, she finally spoke: "If the princess wants to take the throne of queen, it is not enough to just have children. Her situation is not optimistic."

Xia Li said calmly, "To put it bluntly, there is still value in cooperation between the two parties. If that's the case, then why bother to make trouble with Qiao? Aren't you afraid that if things get out of hand, there will be no room for either side to turn around?"

Man Qing's face became solemn. She seemed to understand the reason why the princess was so anxious. The carriage became quiet. After getting off the carriage, Man Qing lowered her voice and pleaded, "Miss Fang, the princess has had a hard time. Please comfort her."

Xia Li's eyes were deep and broad, and she responded solemnly: "I naturally hope that the princess is well, you don't have to worry."

Man Qing looked at her gratefully, then restrained her expression and returned to her original maturity and composure. Xia Li followed her and walked towards the princess's courtyard with steady steps.

The afterglow of the evening lazily sprinkled on the ground, as if covering the tiled houses with a golden gauze. Lu Zhiyao sat in a relaxed posture on the rosewood carved Luohan bed, her hands resting on the small table, her eyes slightly squinting, half leaning, and seeing Xia Li just perked up and sat up straight.

Xia Li bowed to her, and Lu Zhiyao said tiredly, "You just came home from recognizing your relatives, and I summoned you here to talk. I'm really sorry."

Xia Li glanced at the princess' slightly bulging belly, which looked to be only five or six months pregnant. She said in a voice as gentle as jade, "I have nothing to do anyway, and it's an honor to chat with the queen."

Lu Zhiyao's lips curled up unconsciously, and he said in a calm voice: "We haven't seen each other for a long time. I have a lot to say to you. It's time for dinner. Would you like to have dinner with me?"

Xia Li said playfully, "It's an honor to be able to taste the delicious food of Qiandi!"

While the two were talking, the maids started serving dishes. Lu Zhiyao invited Xia Li to take a seat. Except for the servants, all the others were sent out. The two sat opposite each other. Lu Zhiyao said calmly, "When I heard that you were a kidnapped girl from the Fang family, I was not surprised. It would be hard to believe that you were born in the lower class. Have you adapted to the change of your status now?"

Xia Lilu said frankly: "My second brother loves me very much, so he has adapted well. Princess, you have lost a lot of weight. You need to make up for your nutrition during pregnancy so that you have the strength to give birth to the little prince."

Lu Zhiyao chuckled and said, "Your statement is different from theirs. They all advised me to eat more so that the child can grow well. Before, I vomited when I drank water, but they still kept persuading me to eat."

Xia Li said seriously, "I've read in medical books that a pregnant woman cannot raise a fetus too large, as this will be detrimental to childbirth. Princess, the most important thing now is to take good care of yourself. Only if you are well can the baby be well."

Lu Zhiyao smiled bitterly and said, "How can I care about so many things? The emperor has not said a word to me since he entered the palace, and none of his subordinates take me seriously. I, the original wife, have become a decoration, and my family is still not at peace. I don't know what to do now."

Xia Li picked up a piece of green vegetables with chopsticks and ate it slowly. After the vegetables were swallowed, he asked, "Does the princess want the prince to inherit the title smoothly, or let the Duke's Mansion fall into decline?"

Lu Zhiyao pondered for a moment and said, "I can't protect myself now. You know how this marriage came about. Although I tried every means to conceive a child, the relationship between me and the emperor is cold. I am afraid that if I rashly interfere in the affairs of the Duke's Mansion, it will be a thankless task."

Xia Li smiled brightly, "Princess, you may not be able to please His Majesty even if you don't care. You and the Duke's Mansion are one. Whether it's the child in your belly or your future in the palace, you need someone to support you for the time being."

How could Lu Zhiyao not understand these principles? She looked confused and said, "I'm afraid that even if I am willing to plead for the Duke's Mansion, His Majesty will not give me a chance."

Xia Li raised a faint smile, "The old lady secretly funded that matter. Even if outsiders don't know, the emperor's trusted ministers must know. If he kills everyone in the Duke's Mansion, I'm afraid it will be difficult to convince the public."

Lu Zhiyao put down the chopsticks in his hand and said anxiously: "But it is well known that the Duke supports the Third Prince. Now that the Third Prince is on the run, it is understandable that His Majesty is angry."

Xia Li shook his head and said indifferently, "Although Prince Hui is the final winner, he killed all of Emperor Yongping's descendants, which is in sharp contrast to Emperor Yongping's kindness to him. He will inevitably be known as a cold-blooded person. Whether he likes it or not, you are his original wife. If he kills everyone in the Duke's Mansion, I'm afraid the court officials will be on guard in private."

Lu Zhiyao's mind became clearer, and she asked, "Then what should I do?"

Xia Li picked up a piece of meat with the serving chopsticks and put it in her bowl, and said softly:
"The emperor has no other children. The child in your belly is the best trump card. Princess, why don't you retreat to advance and ask to leave the palace to atone for the sins of the Duke's Mansion."

Lu Zhiyao's expression was full of struggle, "What if His Majesty agrees?"

Xia Li curled her lips lightly and said firmly: "He won't agree. If you become the queen, the Lu family won't pose much of a threat. If you vacate your position, the water in the court will be muddied, and then there will be more trouble."

Lu Zhiyao suddenly realized, "Your Majesty is also restrained by his subordinates, so he is also having a hard time?"

Xia Li lowered his eyes and said in a gentle tone: "I don't know about that. His Majesty has naturally endured unimaginable hardships to seize the throne. If you can share the same goal with him and are willing to work for him, I think..."

Lu Zhiyao was a smart person, and Xia Li's words enlightened her. With a sharp light flashing in her eyes, she said firmly: "The emperor and I are husband and wife. I should do what he is not convenient to do. This country will belong to my son in the future..."

Her last sentence was almost inaudible and Xia Li pretended not to hear it. Since she was married to the emperor, it was normal for her to fight for her son. If she didn't fight for it, would she be waiting to be killed?

After Xia Li had dinner with the princess, it was already late. Princess Hui asked her to stay overnight, but she declined. So the princess sent the palace guards to escort her back home.

It was not until noon on the third day that Fang Jingzhi returned home and brought back the latest news to Xia Li. Lu Lingchuan had been released from prison, the Duke of Liang's Mansion was downgraded to the Marquis of Cheng'en, and Lu Lingchuan inherited the title. The Princess of Hui was canonized as the queen and would enter the palace tomorrow.

Fang Jingzhi sighed, "Empress Lu is quite courageous. She dared to ask to step down in front of the whole court to atone for her family's sins. This is how she escaped from the desperate situation. If Cheng Enbo can work hard to govern the country, he may be able to regain his glory in the future."

Xia Li had a faint smile on her face, and she said with a gentle look:
"It is a blessing that the old and young in the Cheng'en Marquis's mansion live in peace. The rest depends on the luck of future generations."

(End of this chapter)