Acuerdo de Mu Yucheng

Capítulo 7

A cool sensation ran through her chest, and she realized with a start that her clothes were still open. Her pretty face flushed uncontrollably, and Wanlan abruptly stood up and turned around, hurriedly pulling her clothes together, letting out a silent groan.

Good heavens... she was just staring at him naked like that...

Taking several deep breaths to calm her rapidly beating heart, Wanlan slowly turned around, only to see that his eyes were somewhat dazed, still staring blankly at her, with a gentle look in his eyes.

“Wanlan…” Zhao Defang looked at her with some confusion and took a few steps toward her.

Wanlan's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively took a step back, staring at him with a look of surprise and suspicion. "W-what are you doing?"

Zhao Defang seemed to be instantly jolted awake by her actions. He stopped abruptly, blinked in astonishment, and then lowered his eyes with a bitter smile—he actually had such an uncontrollable moment.

Why is he smiling so bitterly?

Wanlan frowned, then stepped forward without hesitation and stood in front of him. She temporarily left behind her embarrassment and shyness, reached out and grasped his large hand, and sighed, "Don't tell me you're overthinking things. I'm not good at comforting people. Don't make things difficult for me."

Zhao Defang was stunned, then raised his dark eyes to meet her somewhat annoyed gaze, "Wanlan?"

She ignored his stunned expression and said, "That was just a subconscious reaction, nothing more. Even though we're husband and wife, anyone would be nervous in this situation, right?" He should understand.

At first, Zhao Defang didn't understand what she was talking about, but as he heard the rest, the corners of his lips couldn't help but curve wider and wider, and he finally couldn't help but grin—this little woman thought he was sad because of her avoidance, so she was comforting him? He wasn't that fragile!

She was worried about him.

Zhao Defang sighed, lowered his brows, and tightly grasped her hand in his own. When she had someone she loved, and that person was his elder brother whom he had admired since childhood, he hadn't considered what the future held for them. He married her simply because she needed it, and he needed it too, nothing more. Now, she had abandoned her past, and her wandering eyes were fixed solely on him. He wanted to hold that outstretched hand and not let go.

"why are you laughing?"

"No."

He raised his eyes and pulled her towards the outer room. "Didn't you send Xuan'er to have dinner with me? Let's eat."

Chapter 6, The Reborn Soul Seeks Its Home (1)

On March 18th, Wanlan was finally released from confinement. Like a little sparrow that had been trapped in a cage for half its life and finally gained freedom, Wanlan took a refreshing bath and then carried her son out of the room.

Cherry Blossom Garden, as its name suggests.

The spacious courtyard was mostly filled with cherry blossom trees. It was March, the season when cherries were just ripening; the red branches swayed, and petals fell in profusion. The cherry blossoms that filled half the courtyard completely captivated Wanlan's gaze, making it impossible for her to look away. She had never seen such beauty before. Her city didn't have cherry blossoms; she had only seen a few transplanted cherry trees during a trip to Shanghai, and she had been mesmerized then, let alone a cherry blossom grove that now occupied half the courtyard.

The cherry blossom grove used to be a pavilion with upturned swallowtail eaves and six large vermilion pillars standing quietly. The base of the pavilion looked quite high, and there were about twenty winding stone steps leading up to it.

Wanlan climbed the steps and glanced at the stone table in the center of the pavilion. Several plates of pastries had been placed on the table at some point. Four stone stools were placed around the table. Wanlan sat down with a smile, put her son on her lap, took a pastry with her free hand, squinted at the red and white cherry blossoms in front of her, and sighed inwardly with a sense of peace and joy.

Such delicious food and such beautiful scenery, it's truly delightful!

Now that her postpartum period is over, she needs to start making arrangements for some things she's been thinking about for a long time.

When Xue Suxin visited her that day, she talked to her about so much. She didn't care how Wanlan had lived in the Qin Prince's mansion with someone she loved, or what her intentions were in giving birth to Zhao Defang's son. She didn't care whether she was here because of a simple dream or because she was seriously ill and her soul had left her body and traveled through time to this place. But since Wanlan was her now, she would do what she thought was right in her own way.

For example, as the wife of the King of Qin, she had to completely sever ties with the King of Yan.

For example, she is now a mother, and she must fulfill this role properly.

But before that, she needs to figure out how many helpers she can get.

Thinking this, Wanlan turned her head to look at Xuan'er who was waiting beside her, and called out to her, "Xuan'er, come here."

The silent girl in pink took a few steps and stood in front of her.

Feeling utterly helpless at her attitude, Wanlan could only sigh and point to the stone stool beside her, saying, "Sit down, I have something to ask you." As soon as she said this, she regretted it. The girl's face turned pale, and she knelt down with a thud, her whole body stiff as a stone statue, unable to move.

Wanlan closed her eyes, rubbing her forehead in exasperation. Why didn't she see a terrifying face on her own when she combed her hair in front of the mirror? What was this girl in front of her afraid of?

Wanlan shifted her gaze to the side, no longer looking at her. "Xuan'er, get up. Don't kneel before me so easily in the future." Even in this Song Dynasty, with its strict class system, was it necessary to treat one's legs like a piece of wood, slamming them to the ground whenever one wanted? They weren't in pain, but she was really conflicted watching them.

Xuan'er was slightly surprised, but she still obediently stood up shakily and stood aside in silence.

Wanlan lowered her head and thought for a long time before speaking again, "Xuan'er, you are my personal maid. You should know that I forgot many things after giving birth to Xu'er, so naturally I don't remember how we used to get along. But since I regained consciousness, you seem to have never spoken to me while looking me in the eye."

Seeing Xuan'er remain silent, she continued, "There are some things I can't say to others. You are my maid, and you are the only person I can rely on. Xuan'er, tell me, can I trust you?" After speaking, she raised her eyes and stared intently at the maid in front of her. Seeing the maid's shocked expression, she smiled slightly.

"Can I trust you, Xuan'er?"

"Madam?" Xuan'er looked up in surprise and met her eyes. "What do you mean by that?"

Wanlan smiled. "That day, when Su Li stayed to talk to me, I saw you look at me with concern as you left. I know you care about me as your master. But apart from that one look, your behavior these past few days has made me reflect on whether I was a bad master before, to the point that you are so afraid of me. But now, besides you, I don't know who else to talk to about my feelings."

Xuan'er's eyes reddened, and she bit her lip, saying softly, "This servant... dares not."

Don't dare?

Ah, I suppose Wanlan really did say something harsh to Xuan'er, or was punished in some way.

Wanlan looked down at the drowsy child in her arms and said slowly, "Xuan'er, I don't quite understand some of what Su Li said that day, but I don't feel comfortable asking Su Li directly. Can you help me clear up my doubts?"

Xuan'er nodded quickly, "Of course."

“Then,” Wanlan said, squinting her eyes and patting the child in her arms, “why does Su Li call me ‘Miss’ instead of ‘Madam’ like you all do? I’ve suspected that Su Li might be my dowry maid, but if she is, why isn’t she serving in my room but helping in the kitchen? Furthermore, she told me that the Prince of Yan has returned to the capital and asked if I wanted to see him. I find this very puzzling. How could a mere maid think of arranging such a thing for her mistress? Doesn’t she know that if others find out about this, it will harm her mistress?”

After speaking, she raised her eyes and stared at Xuan'er, waiting for her answer.

She already knew about the Prince of Yan, and she had indeed guessed Su Li's identity. Today, she asked to confirm whether her guess was correct, and also to test whether Xuan'er, this pretty little girl, was trustworthy.

Xuan'er was quite surprised to hear her words. Although it was no secret in the mansion that the lady admired the Prince of Yan, no one dared to gossip about it. The lady had lived in the Cherry Blossom Garden since she married into the mansion and did not share a courtyard with the prince. When the lady was pregnant, some people even suspected that the young master was the prince's child, but the prince suppressed those rumors.

Xuan'er had only served the mistress for two months and didn't really understand her mistress. But no matter what, she actually liked this mistress who lived in seclusion in the Cherry Blossom Garden.

So she answered slowly, "Su Li is indeed Miss's dowry maid, but Madam sent her to the kitchen a month before giving birth. As for the reason, this servant is not very clear."