The abstinent and powerful minister is cold and aloof during the day, but he adores her in his dream

Chapter 333 Zhiwan is about to give birth

The following year, after the imperial examination, Shen Longjin, Lu Jun, and Chen Junyu all passed with flying colors, ranking in the top three. After the palace examination, they were granted the title of Jinshi by the emperor. Chen Junyu was appointed as the top scholar, Lu Jun as the second-ranked scholar, and Shen Longjin as the third-ranked scholar.

Princess Chang Le kept her promise and married Shen Longjin in May of that year.

On the day of the wedding, Zhiwan and Ouyang Zhenzhu originally did not plan to go. In order to celebrate the occasion, the two had already celebrated for Princess Changle in advance.

After all, one of them was about to give birth, and the other was already five months pregnant, making it difficult for them to move around. In addition, there was the concern that pregnant women should not attend wedding banquets.

Princess Chang Le did not mind these things. On the day of her wedding, she had Yuan Bao personally pick up the two of them and take them to the princess's residence for a wedding feast.

After arriving at the princess's residence, the two did not crowd into the front courtyard to eat the wedding feast, but instead followed Yuanbao directly to the princess's bridal chamber.

Princess Chang Le has already arranged for a banquet to be set up in the new house.

As soon as the two arrived, he immediately invited them to sit down.

"Eat up, this is a meal I specially reserved for you."

"Your Highness, you're too kind." Ouyang Zhenzhu was touched, then sat down and began to eat without any hesitation.

Princess Chang Le scoffed, "You think I'm here for you to eat? I'm here for the children in your bellies to eat." As she said this, she considerately took Zhi Wan's hand and helped her sit down.

“Then we thank Princess Auntie on behalf of the child in her womb,” Zhiwan said with a smile.

"Hmph, just a simple thank you is not sincere enough. Your children will have to call me godmother from now on," Princess Chang Le said.

"As long as Your Highness doesn't mind," Zhiwan said.

"Your Highness, you look so beautiful today," Ouyang Zhenzhu praised as she ate, reaching out to touch Princess Chang Le's wedding dress.

Princess Chang Le slapped away her greasy hand and said with a look of disgust, "You say I'm beautiful, but your eyes are fixed on my wedding dress. Who is more beautiful, me or the wedding dress I'm wearing?"

Zhiwan couldn't help but chuckle and said, "The bride is at her most beautiful on this day."

"Zhiwan knows how to talk." Princess Changle glared at Ouyang Zhenzhu, then placed her hand on Zhiwan's stomach. "Will she be born next month?"

"Not necessarily, it might happen earlier," Zhiwan said conservatively.

"Hey, it seems like he's moved," Princess Chang Le suddenly said in surprise.

"What's the big deal? My baby's been moving around a lot lately too," Ouyang Zhenzhu said dismissively, then added with a smile, "Maybe Your Highness will be giving birth around this time next year, so you'll have to tell the Prince Consort to put in a lot of effort tonight."

Princess Chang Le and Zhi Wan blushed upon hearing this.

Seeing this, Ouyang Zhenzhu teased, "Your Highness, it's alright, after all, you're not married yet. But Wanwan, you and Lord Lu have been married for almost a year, why are you still so shy?"

Zhiwan: "..."

Princess Chang Le laughed and scolded, "Do you think everyone is as shameless as you? I heard that on the night of your wedding with Duan Ling, you were wailing and fighting like ghosts. You even kicked Duan Ling under the bed. Later, when Duan Ling went to court, both of his eyes were black. He was laughed at a lot."

"Who told you that?" Ouyang Zhenzhu stammered.

"You two made such a racket in your wedding night that everyone in the Prince of Huainan's mansion heard it. There are bound to be some loose lips that leaked out." Princess Chang Le smiled meaningfully.

Ouyang Zhenzhu's face finally turned red, and she said angrily, "When we get back, I'll drag that gossipy person out and beat them up, no, I'll sell them off!"

"So you're so angry, then it must be true?" Princess Chang Le asked with a half-smile.

Ouyang Pearl: "..."

Zhiwan smiled and said, "I also heard it from my cousin. He said that Pearl is extremely fierce and has Duan Shaoqing completely under her thumb. Now, Duan Shaoqing avoids brothels whenever he sees one."

Princess Chang Le gave Ouyang Zhenzhu a thumbs up, "You're really amazing!"

Ouyang Zhenzhu coughed lightly, "Isn't it my duty to care? Besides, my brother is still single. Seeing that Lord Lu and Duan Ling are both married, he feels so jealous and always wants to drag the two of them to brothels. If I don't manage to be strict, Duan Ling will definitely go with my brother. Duan Ling isn't as principled as Lord Lu. Lord Lu doesn't even need Wanwan to tell him; he always returns to the mansion on time after his shift every day."

Zhiwan was also very satisfied with her cousin in this regard. Her cousin had always been very principled, and he remained so after marriage, never attending unnecessary social events.

Even if social engagements are required, they will not choose brothels.

"But at the same time, it's rumored that Lord Lu is afraid of his wife." Princess Chang Le looked at Zhi Wan and said meaningfully, "Wan Wan, have you used some means to deal with Lord Lu behind the scenes?"

Zhiwan: "..."

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Zhenzhu immediately shook Zhiwan's hand and said, "Wanwan, what methods did you use? Teach me quickly! Although I managed to subdue Duan Ling, I was also rumored to be a tigress and a shrew! On the other hand, although Lord Lu was rumored to be afraid of his wife, your reputation was not damaged at all. Instead, you were praised for your good management of the household and for being a virtuous wife and loving mother."

Zhiwan: "..."

"Tell me quickly," Ouyang Zhenzhu urged.

Princess Chang Le also looked at Zhi Wan with curiosity.

Zhiwan frowned and said, "Being afraid of one's wife isn't a good reputation. Although it's said that my cousin is afraid of his wife, doesn't that actually mean I'm too fierce? But I don't care about that. It's my cousin and me who live our lives. Why should I care what others think?"

“That makes sense,” Princess Chang Le agreed. “Just like me, I’ve never had a good reputation, but so what? It doesn’t bother me at all.”

“That’s right. It won’t affect Your Highness’s position in the Prince Consort’s heart. The Prince Consort likes someone like you.” Zhiwan added with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Princess Chang Le tickled her, somewhat annoyed. "Are you deliberately making fun of me?"

"I dare not," Zhiwan said with a smile, avoiding her hand.

Princess Chang Le, mindful of her pregnancy, dared not go too far and only scratched her once before stopping.

Unexpectedly, Zhiwan's smile suddenly froze, and she clutched her stomach and stopped moving.

"What's wrong?" Ouyang Zhenzhu asked with concern.

Princess Chang Le was also startled. "Could it be that I scratched her and caused a miscarriage?"

“No…” Zhiwan shook her head, her voice filled with pain, “The baby wanted to come out on its own.”

"What?" The two were startled. "But the day hasn't come yet!"

"It might be earlier than expected." Zhiwan's face turned pale with pain. "You...you go and call my cousin..."

Upon hearing this, the two men realized what was happening. "Someone, quickly go and invite Lord Lu over. His wife is about to give birth."

Just then, Shen Longjin finished toasting and returned to the bridal chamber, and Lu Zhan and Duan Ling followed, intending to take their respective wives back with them.

They had barely stepped outside when they heard Princess Chang Le's loud shout.

Lu Zhan's heart tightened, and he rushed into the new house.

Sure enough, Zhiwan was sitting in a chair, her little face full of pain.

Upon seeing her cousin arrive, Zhiwan clutched her stomach and said, "Cousin, I'm in so much pain, I think I'm going into labor..."

Lu Zhanjun's face was a little pale. He tried to remain calm and lowered his head to kiss her forehead, comforting her, "Don't be afraid, I'll take you back now." After saying that, he picked her up and carried her out of the bridal chamber.

Duan Ling, supporting Ouyang Zhenzhu, hurriedly followed.

Princess Chang Le wanted to go too, but Shen Longjin stopped her, saying, "Your Highness, don't worry, Madam Lu will be fine."

Princess Chang Le then stopped and turned to look at her husband.

Today, Shen Longjin wore a bright red wedding robe, which made his face look like jade and his appearance exceptionally handsome.

"The Prince Consort..." Princess Chang Le unconsciously took a step closer.

Shen Longjin looked down at her, his eyes shining brightly. "Your Highness, it's time for us to retire for the night." With that, he picked her up and carried her in his arms.