Accord de Mu Yucheng

Chapitre 86

"Third sister-in-law, please?"

"Yes, it's all because of Third Brother. He's been getting too close to that traitor Pang Jian, so it's no wonder he's getting involved. That's why Third Sister-in-law came to my place and cried for a while."

Fifth Sister-in-law's smile faded slightly, tinged with a hint of probing, "Really? It seems you've still protected Third Brother?"

“Didn’t I tell you, we’re family?” I glanced at her, my words becoming increasingly serious. “Third Brother is different from those traitors. Third Brother is loyal and righteous, unlike those ruthless people who are only interested in climbing the social ladder. Those people are just reaping what they sowed.”

“Who…who says it isn’t?” Fifth Sister’s smile returned, though she seemed a little uncomfortable.

"Fifth Sister-in-law, people outside say I was too ruthless towards the Pang family, but tell me honestly, who was more ruthless between me and the Pang family?"

"This... I'm just a woman, how could I dare to think about such things?"

"To be honest, I was indeed more ruthless." I stopped laughing, my eyes never leaving her. "He killed the men of my clan, I wiped out his entire clan. In the end, I was the more ruthless one, wasn't I?"

Fifth Sister-in-law never expected me to be so blunt, and could only laugh awkwardly.

I took a breath. "I just can't stand people who are more ruthless than me. I can't compare myself to my kind-hearted sisters-in-law. I'm clearly not a good person myself, and when I see others being even more ruthless than me, I naturally can't swallow it. After all, I think I'm a cut above the rest by using tricks and underhanded tactics. But now someone with such ruthlessness has suddenly appeared and even attacked the people around me. I'm definitely going to fight back. Fortunately, I have plenty of patience. I'll take it slow and treat it as practice."

Fifth Sister-in-law maintained her unnatural smile, though her lips trembled occasionally. I looked at Fu Yaru in front of me and thought to myself, this time, she's gone too far with her tricks. But this time, I do have plenty of patience to play along with her.

Stepping out of the house, he turned back to look at his exhausted fifth sister-in-law and left calmly.

Zixuan Residence.

“Princess Ning, the Fourth Prince has come to visit. The Fifth Prince is in the study with him. What do you think?” the eunuch who had informed me returned and said.

"I'll wait a moment," I replied immediately. The little eunuch didn't say anything, but simply led me to the study.

Fifth Master was standing at the table writing something, while Fourth Master stood beside him with his hands behind his back. Seeing me enter, Fifth Master stopped writing, looked up, and slightly raised the corners of his mouth. "Sister-in-law, I've been avoiding you, yet you still came looking for me." Before I could reply, Fourth Master said from the side, "Fifth Master has a guest, so I'll take my leave." Fifth Master smiled and pulled him back, "Didn't you say you'd stay for lunch?" Fourth Master then paused, turned, and walked to a soft couch, finding a book and sitting down.

I silently watched Fifth Master, then slowly knelt down and bowed several times. Fifth Master's expression remained unchanged, and he asked gently, "Sister-in-law, are you trying to humiliate me? I truly wish I could kneel before you and beg you; Xiaoyu was entrusted to me by you, yet I—"

"Please don't be so accommodating to Xiaoyu in the future, Fifth Master," I said, bowing my head. "The thought itself is enough."

"I understand what you mean." Fifth Master walked to my side, still with a warm expression. "Get up quickly. I don't know how many times I'll have to kneel before you for Xiaoyu's sake."

I shook my head. "It was Fifth Master who was looking after that girl. How could I say that Fifth Master was negligent? It's all her fate."

Fifth Master sighed softly, turned back to the table, picked up his pen, and said indifferently without looking at me, "It's been several days now, and the Emperor refuses to see the Seventh Prince, not even allowing him to attend court. When you return to the manor, you'll probably have to offer him some words of comfort."

I never imagined that Lu Li would be in such an awkward position in court. Without another word, I stood up and walked towards the door, unable to resist glancing back one last time. Fifth Master still wore a faint smile, slowly wielding his brush. Fourth Master, however, suddenly looked up, his face incredibly grim. Was Fourth Master still blaming me?!

Chapter Four: Strict Father and Loving Mother

"Your Highness, the accounts from the household's cashier's office have been finalized these past two days," said Granny Jing, hurriedly handing me the ledger.

I took it and saw that in just one month, the accounts were flowing out like water. Apart from Lanruo's side courtyard and my main house, all the courtyards were lavishly funded.

"Why are there so many expenses?" I frowned slightly.

"Princess Yu Ning is pregnant, and the Prince has sent some gifts from his residence to be delivered to her."

The words "Yu Ning is pregnant" still tugged at my heartstrings for a long time. I wanted to laugh, but after laughing, I wanted to slap myself hard. It just so happened that Xiao Yu lost her child, and Yu Ning became pregnant.

I gently pushed the ledger aside. "This month, the Prince didn't receive his salary, did he? Even the monthly allowance from the palace has stopped?"

Granny Jing stopped speaking; I knew she was afraid to say anything. I waved my hand, wanting her to leave.

Granny Jing hesitated and said, "A few days ago was Madam Qin's birthday in the neighboring courtyard. Although there was no banquet, Madam Qin is currently pregnant, so most of the people in the mansion went to pay their respects to her and try to make her happy."

"Oh?" I chuckled. "Wouldn't it make me a laughingstock if I, as the head of the household, didn't make any gesture?"

"Your Majesty, you are supreme, who would dare..."

"Liu Shang." I called out towards the outside of the hall, and Liu Shang quickly led Jing Rui up.

"Go—deliver the jade screen made of sheep's milk stone, which was a tribute from the Great Xia Kingdom a few days ago, to Henglan Residence in the south courtyard. And please give my regards to Madam."

"That wasn't the gift the prince gave you before..."

"Take it to me." I walked forward calmly, pulled Jingrui over, and scooped him up in my arms. "Rui'er, come on... Mother will make you a kite..."

Lu Li sat at his desk, deep in thought. He thought of his current awkward and difficult position in court. I wanted to share his burdens, but I was powerless to do so. I gave a slight bow. He looked up from his book, gazing at me thoughtfully.

"Why has the Princess come?" He finally got up and walked over, stopping beside me.

"I've come to inquire about preparations for the family banquet and the invitation for my mother to attend," I said unhurriedly. "Does Your Highness have any special instructions?"

"Let's do it the same way as last year." He frowned slightly.

"Then I'll go to the palace to pay my respects to my mother." Remembering that Yin'er was already studying in the Southern Study, she couldn't help but ask softly, "Is Yin'er doing well in her studies?"

“That child is steady and has potential.” He raised the corners of his mouth slightly. “Not long ago, Zhi’er also asked her grandfather to come to the Southern Study to join in the fun. Ever since this little devil came to the Southern Study, there has not been a moment of peace. Although he is a troublemaker, his intelligence has been praised by several teachers.”

"I'm sorry to trouble you, sir..." I said softly, but I felt the atmosphere was awkward and couldn't bring myself to say anything.

"You...have anything else to say?" He stared at me intently.

"I must now enter the palace..." I sighed, deciding to find an excuse to leave.

She stopped looking at him, bowed, and withdrew.

As soon as I stepped out of the hall, a little man rushed over out of nowhere, startling me so much that I dodged to the side.

Liu Shang quickly helped me up and asked anxiously, "Master, are you alright?"

I shook my head and looked closely. The little boy in front of me was Lu Zhen, who had clearly grown quite a bit taller. I was just about to pull the child aside to give him some instructions when I felt a figure standing behind me. Lu Li had somehow appeared behind me, his face growing increasingly pale, and he scolded the little boy: "How did your mother teach you all this time? You don't know what's important or urgent, always rushing around like this. You don't even know to bow and greet your mother!"

Lu Zhen was already so frightened that he hid behind Liu Shang. I shook Lu Li's arm and said, "Is it really necessary to be in such a hurry? Don't scare him." I beckoned Liu Shang to bring him over, and then I smiled and squatted down, saying, "Zhen'er, running around in this cold weather can easily cause you to catch a cold and get a headache. Are you lost, or can't you find your mother? How about coming back to the room with your mother to play with your little brother Jingrui?"

As I was speaking, I reached out to wipe the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief. Before my hand even reached him, someone suddenly appeared from the side, subtly pulling Lu Zhen away from me. Then, the person bowed and said, "The child is young and offended the Princess. It is my fault for not disciplining him properly. I apologize to the Princess and to the Prince!"

Her repeated use of the term "lowly concubine" left me choked with embarrassment, my hand frozen in mid-air, unable to retract. We've lived separately for a long time, and Yiling and I haven't been in contact. She's never come to see me, because I… changed her fate. After so many years of estrangement, today, upon meeting again, she still tries to embarrass me.

"Sister, you're too polite. It's my fault for not being more mindful," I said with a faint smile.

Yi Ling gave a cold laugh, bowed, and pulled Lu Zhen away.

Then I remembered Lu Li, who was standing behind me without saying a word.

He glanced at me indifferently, frowning, "How could you be so careless? You're in such a state and you still don't take care of yourself. I think you're even more reckless than Lu Zhen."

As he spoke, he pulled me back to the study, looking at me and asking, "I see you seem hesitant to speak. Fine, just say what you have to say."

"I heard that the Emperor has not allowed you to attend court for two months."

The atmosphere suddenly turned cold, and he just stared at me without saying a word.

I exhaled slowly, about to say something, when just then the palace door was gently pushed open, and Lu Li and I both looked at the small figure running towards the door.

Upon seeing me, the little figure ran a few steps forward, then, seeing Lu Li's serious face, swallowed hard and slowed down.

"Father, Mother, are you well?" He bowed with difficulty.

I waved him up, "Yin'er, come here, come to your mother..."

Yin'er rushed over and buried her head in my arms. But Lu Li pulled her to stand beside him, his face stern. "Don't bother your mother. You're a student now, yet you're still so clingy and have no sense of propriety. I heard you were so scared by the thunder and rain the night before that you ran to your mother's bed to sleep."

Yin'er looked at me with a wronged expression, "It's always been like this, Mother said it's not tiring."

Lu Li's expression softened. "Mother has not been feeling well lately. You must act like an older brother and share her burdens."

I pouted and looked at Lu Li complaining, "How could he understand this? He's just a child. Treating Zhen'er like this, he can't even get a kind word from Yin'er. What kind of father are you?"

Lu Li coughed, “A strict father produces a filial son… You usually treat me with disrespect, but in front of the children, can’t you give me, as their father, a little face?”

"You're giving me face, and you've scared my son like this." I glared at him, pulled Yin'er over, and took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead. "You're all sweaty from being scared. If you go out and catch a cold, you'll get seriously ill. I feel sorry for you so much every day as you study hard. I can't bear to see you get sick. Drink some ginseng soup and let the sweat go down before you go out."

Lu Li watched me protect the child and shook his head helplessly. "Once you give birth to this child, I'll have to personally raise him. I can't just hand him over to you to spoil. A doting mother spoils her child..."

I couldn't help but laugh and said deliberately, "Okay, I'll give him to you as soon as he lands. You can just hang him up and beat him without worrying about it."

Lu Li just smiled, then suddenly raised an eyebrow, as if he had thought of a topic. He looked at Yin'er and said, "What did you recite today? Recite it for me."

Yin'er stepped back a few paces, straightened up, and said loudly, "Today I learned the proper terms of address between husband and wife."

Lu Li remained serious: "Tell me about it."

"The husband calls his wife 'My Humble Wife' or 'My Inner Child'; the wife calls her husband 'My Husband' or 'My Good Man'."

To congratulate someone on their marriage, one says, "May you and your spouse be blessed with honor." One leaves gifts for the wife, saying, "I'll return them to my beloved."

"Shoushi" means to marry a wife, and "nachong" means to take a concubine.

The son of the principal wife is called the legitimate son, while the sons of concubines are called the illegitimate sons.

A man's wife is called "Your Madam," and a man's concubine is called "Your Madam."

"Tying the hair" refers to a first marriage, while "remarrying" means taking a second wife. "Broken string" is a metaphor for the loss of a wife, and "remarrying" means taking a second wife.

A woman's remarriage is called "remarriage"; a man without a spouse is called "widower".

Like playing the zither and lute together, it signifies a harmonious marriage; when the zither and lute are out of tune, it signifies a falling out between husband and wife.

A hen crowing at dawn is a metaphor for a woman in charge; a lioness roaring in Hedong is a mockery of a man's fear of his wife.

Not discarding the chaff, Song Hong echoed Emperor Guangwu's words; raising the tray to the eyebrows, Liang Hong matched Meng Guang's virtue.

I secretly glanced at the smile that unconsciously crept onto Lu Li's lips, and my heart was filled with relief. I handed her the ginseng tea, which Yin'er drank in one gulp; she must have been thirsty after talking so much.

Lu Li finally smiled at Yin'er, "Good, well said. 'Never abandoning one's wife in hardship, living in harmony and mutual respect,' are all words that Father likes." As he spoke, he gave me a meaningful look. I quickly turned my head away, avoiding his gaze.

Yin'er sighed and looked at me longingly; he was also afraid of facing this "strict father" for too long.

I straightened his clothes and saw that the sweat on his body had gone away, so I instructed him, "Your class ended early today, and your father was satisfied with your report, so he allowed you to go home early. I asked Aunt Liushang to prepare some newly brewed apricots. You can't eat too much of those, so take it easy. Also, keep an eye on your younger brother and make sure he doesn't eat too much. Okay, go quickly, but don't run around, or you'll catch a cold."

Having received the order, Yin'er happily withdrew.

I turned around and saw Lu Li looking at me.

"What's going on here—" I asked.

He came to his senses and thought, "This child's intelligence is secondary; what's truly remarkable is his gentle and warm demeanor. He is indeed obedient and sensible."

I nodded, but then I noticed he was staring at me in a daze. He said casually, "I heard you were putting on airs in front of Shu Huan?"

"What? Feeling sorry for me?" I said casually.

Lu Li nodded, "The Grand Commander sacrificed himself for the country..."

"I've been called a jealous woman?" I quickly interrupted him, just laughing. "To be honest, don't you like Yao Shuhuan a lot too?"

He smiled and nodded. "That girl is indeed refreshing. She has a bad temper, but what's rare is that she has a simple heart."

My heart skipped a beat. Although I had thought this a thousand times, hearing him say it made me a little jealous. Perhaps all he needed was a simple woman, with simple thoughts and pure affection.

“However—” he looked up at me, “you are different, you are different from them all—you will always have a place in my heart.”