Despite the fact that Chu Pei had brought his wife and children to Chu Wang Fu, Chu Wang Fu did not seem to be more lively because of their arrival. It was just a situation of merely a few more mouths to feed.
During the entire afternoon, Chu Fei Yang and Yun Qian Meng were both staying inside Chu Fei Yang’s Feng Mo Zhai. Chu Fei Yang was handling the account books that had piled up in his hands, and Yun Qian Meng had picked up an interesting book of weaponry in his bookshelf, foolishly reading it. The study was as quiet as the night, yet a bit of warmth lingered on.
From time to time, Chu Fei Yang would lift up his head and look at Yun Qian Meng nearby and see her eyes focusing attentively on the pages of the book, then a smile would form on his lips. Only when he was finished with the last account book was finished did he discover that it had already turned dark outside. Yun Qian Meng was still engrossed in the antique book in her hand. Chu Fei Yang could not help but shake his head. He quietly stood up, treading on the wool carpet as he quietly approached behind Yun Qian Meng. Bending his waist while lowering down his head as he leaned closer beside her right cheek, snatching away the book in her hand while she was caught off guard.
In a moment her hands had become empty. Yun Qian Meng immediately lifted up her head, yet she only saw that Chu Fei Yang was staring at her disapprovingly, with a bit of reproachful tone he said “The sky is dark, you actually didn’t light the lamp while reading the book, careful you might hurt your eyes!”
After speaking, Chu Fei Yang closed the book of weaponry. He placed it on the highest shelf, making Yun Qian Meng unable to reach it.
Yun Qian Meng looked regretfully at the book that she could not reach. An idea revolved in her mind, some other day when Chu Fei Yang was around Wang Fu, she would come over and continue reading it.
In the past, she always felt that the ancient books about the ancient cold weaponry were barbarous and boring. Not only were they huge and difficult to carry, their firing range was not that far. Wielding them was also complicated. For example, the nine crooked spear used by the soldiers riding in the horseback, if they weren’t able to toughen the strength of their arms, perhaps it will also even be a burden carrying them. How could they be compared to the advanced technology of the modern weaponry, not only were they convenient and fast, but they also had strong formidable power.
But the book of weaponry she read earlier had provided Yun Qian Meng with a lot of knowledge. She felt that every weapon of ancient times had its own use, but not all of them were huge enough that made it difficult for people to carry.
This made Yun Qian Meng feel interested. She had unconsciously carried on with her reading, yet unexpectedly when she was reading it with keen interest pleasure, it seemed as if Cheng Yaojin had appeared and suddenly snatched it away from her.
Yun Qian Meng grudgingly glanced at Chu Fei Yang, her heart was inwardly annoyed. But the opposing party was tall and had long legs. Although Yun Qian Meng had a tall figure, she was not Chu Fei Yang’s match. She could only get angry inwardly, unconsciously pouting her both lips.
“Meng’er, don’t tell me you are interested in weaponry?” Watching Yun Qian Meng’s miserable behavior, Chu Fei Yang pulled her closer to his arms, feeling her both hands warm he smiled contentedly. But he was reminded of Yun Qian Meng’s quick and accurate technique during the noon time when she shot out the ice beam, and also the quick moves of her two feet during the time when he first intruded inside Qi Luo Yuan. For a moment he suddenly had a feeling that he did not know his own wife thoroughly well enough. But Yun Qian Meng truly did not have any internal power, this made Chu Fei Yang feel somewhat puzzled.
“Lord-husband objects?” Seeing Chu Fei Yang’s eyes flicker with doubt, Yun Qian Meng rested herself in his arms, slightly lifted her charming eyes exhaling gracefully while she asked gently.
“What do you think?” Chu Fei Yang suddenly lowered down his head, meeting eye to eye with Yun Qian Meng. His eyes pitch-black like night looking into Yun Qian Meng’s both clear and bright eyes, as if he wanted to understand thoroughly his wife who would always bring about nice surprises and bewilderment to him.
“Every woman ought to have her own interests! Or else staying idle inside the house all day long would perhaps make a woman fall ill sooner or later! Besides, take a look at those women inside the tall gates and courtyards, don’t they fight each other because they have too much time? Lord-husband, don’t tell that you also want me to become such kind of a woman!” Frankly facing Chu Fei Yang’s gaze, Yun Qian Meng mentioned her own viewpoint. Yet Chu Fei Yang could not help but raise his brows, as if he really could not understand her.
“Why? Am I wrong?” Seeing Chu Fei Yang was only looking at her without saying any word, Yun Qian Meng slightly wrinkled her brows. Her eyes produced a threatening gaze, compelling Chu Fei Yang to acknowledge her own viewpoint.
“Yes, yes, yes! My wife said it right!” Looking at Yun Qian Meng’s delicately foolish way, Chu Fei Yang’s eyes contained tender sentiments. But those two thick brows slightly wrinkled, after which he reasoned out “But, I would like to request my wife to devote some of her time to her husband, or else this book of weaponry, husband will absolutely never give it back to his wife!”
After all for half of the day Yun Qian Meng had devoted all her attention on the book, and did not pay any attention to him. Chu Fei Yang was fealing jealous.
Yun Qian Meng quickly glanced around the study room. Seeing that she and Chu Fei Yang were alone in the room and that the sky outside had gradually turned dark so other people would not be able to see them, she stretched out her both arms and wrapped them around Chu Fei Yang’s neck. Slightly exerting effort to draw him closer to her, she stood on tiptoe and offered her own red lips…...
‘Smack!’ A loud and clear sound of kiss immediately resounded inside the quiet study room, Yun Qian Meng opened wide her clear eyes, wearing a smile in the corner of her mouth as she spoke “How was it? Is it sincere enough?”
Little did she imagine that, her bold act had aroused Chu Fei Yang’s deep passion that he was trying hard to hold back. The arm that wrapped around her waist suddenly tightened up, making Yun Qian Meng’s body closely clinged onto his chest. The slightly heated palm of his hand covered that absolutely beautiful delicate face. His dark eyes exposed a infrequent mixed up desires and emotions, using his low and husky voice he slowly said “Spoiled girl, such a speck of interest isn’t enough to stuff between the gap of my teeth!”
After speaking, before waiting for Yun Qian Meng to speak, he kissed the faintly discernible dimple on the right side if her face, using the gentle and a bit tough tongue tracing the cuteness of the dimple. After which following that smooth skin all the way downward, in an instant seizing the soft red lips, attempting to dip into it, then abruptly started to besiege and take over by force, unwilling to let go of any corner of her mouth…...
“Xiang Ye!” But this time, Xi Lin’s respectful voice echoed from outside the door.
“What’s the matter!” Slightly releasing the lovely wife in his arms he quickly uttered. After which he continued to immerse himself in his gorgeous feast.
“It’s the news transmitted from palace!” Xi Lin did not hear the peculiarity in Chu Fei Yang’s voice. He sincerely replied to his master’s question.
Yun Qian Meng felt her chest slightly tightening and immediately pushing Chu Fei Yang away. She reminded him that he was not inside his Chu Xiang Fu at this moment. Then taking advantage of then moment when Chu Fei Yang’s face dropped, she immediately backed out from his arms, arranging her clothes.
Only look, cannot eat. This might be what Chu Fei Yang was thinking right now.
Thinking about being interrupted by Xi Lin while he was doing a great thing, Chu Fei Yang’s facial complexion became increasingly darker. He saw that Yun Qian Meng had already tidied herself up appropriately. Then he strode out with heavy steps he walked out of the study room, his face full of austerity as he stared at Xi Lin coldly, feeling annoyed he said “Quickly, tell me!”
Never seen his own master in such hateful face, Xi Lin was confused as he lifted up his head, yet he found out that Chu Fei Yang was glaring at him as if his eyes were filled with deep hatred, frightening Xi Lin as he quickly lowered down his head. He told him the news that he just received earlier in a low voice, his heart was bewildered, and even wondered what he might have done to cause his master to get angry.
And during this time, Jiao Da followed the order of Chu Nan Shan, as he came to invite Chu Fei Yang and Yun Qian Meng over for the dinner.
Chu Fei Yang stared at Xi Lin one last time with gloomy and cold eyes, then lead Yun Qian Meng along as they proceeded towards the direction of the side hall.
Yun Qian Meng looked at Xi Lin feeling pity for him. Perhaps if he even thought about it hardly, he would never be able to know the exact reason why he had provoked Chu Fei Yang’s anger.
“What’s going on with Xiang Ye?” Jiao Da became aware of Chu Fei Yang’s irritated behavior, watching his figure went farther away, he asked Xi Lin in a lowered voice.
And Xi Lin just showed a bitter face, resentfully letting out a sigh. Accepting his fate as he quickly hurried up and followed behind to protect his master.
“Who would have thought that Su Qi was quite deeply attached with his brother. He actually knelt down outside the main hall of the palace to beg His Majesty to spare Su Yuan’s life!” Thinking about the things reported by Xi Lin earlier, Yun Qian Meng spoke indifferently.
“But he is also a stupid one, Su Yuan had done such kind of things, His Majesty had particularly given him a favor by sparing his family members’ lives, yet he still acted recklessly by kneeling down outside of the palace hall to plea for leniency. With his actions, wouldn’t it mean that he was defying against the imperial decree, embarrassing His Majesty. The unfortunate days of the Su family will soon arrive.” Chu Fei Yang snorted coldly, but since this matter had been assigned to Qu Zhang Qing, then he would definitely not interfere.
Having heard what was said, Yun Qian Meng slightly nodded her head. But thinking about the link between Su family and Chen Wang, she couldn’t help but talked about her analysis “Su Qi’s position as the commissioner of the water transportation was merely a third-rank official. Yet he was in charge of the transportation of foodstuffs in many locations of the imperial river. During war he can take control of the army provisions! Such a kind of position, has quite powerful privilege! This time Su Yuan had met a mishap, Chen Wang not only didn’t stand out to lend a helping hand, he had recommend cousin to be the head of the Ministry of Justice. Perhaps the Su family has become Chen Wang’s mortal enemy. In this case, to which side Su Qi was in, it will be certainly hard to say.”
With her analysis it seemed like she was talking to Chu Fei Yang, but at the same time she was speaking to tidy up her thoughts. A bit of perception suddenly flashed through her mind, making Yun Qian Meng to suddenly stop her steps lifting up her eyes to look at Chu Fei Yang, containing the infrequent shock in her eyes.
“Meng’er, apparently you had already guessed it!” Looking at Yun Qian Meng’s expression which appeared to have realized something clearly, Chu Fei Yang knew that she must have already thought about the deeper meaning of it, then he curved his lips and smiled.
“Then that means to say that, my speculation is right!” Chu Fei Yang had already admitted, Yun Qian Meng had no other reason to doubt about it “Didn’t really expect that, His Majesty not only suppressed you this time, but he had actually also schemed against Chen Wang. He is really a formidable person!”
Emperor Yu Qian had used Chen Wang to take away Qu Zhang Qing’s military power, indirectly weakening Chu Fei Yang’s power. And by means of promoting Qu Zhang Qing to the seat of the head of Ministry of Justice, causing Su family to hate both Chu Fei Yang and Jiang Mu Chen, making Su Qi impossible to form alliance with both of them. In this case, the water transportation affairs would be safely under Emperor Yu Qian contro. Even if Chu Fei Yang possessed a massive military force, without the foodstuffs they were just a bunch of powerless men, not to mention to obtain victorious battles, even if they went to the battlefield, they will only get slaughtered by the others.
With this one arrow against several targets, it made Yun Qian Meng’s heart to tremble with fear, deeply feeling that Emperor Yu Qian was really a dangerous person.
“He didn’t punish Su Qi, because firstly he wanted buy his loyalty, after all Su Yuan was the one who committed the crimes, but no one had obtained any information that can be used against him yet, he couldn’t punish too many officials, so as avoid misunderstanding caused by gossips. Secondly, Qi Jing Yuan and the others were still in Western Chu, if Western Chu was to purge the officials of the imperial court, inevitably they would see loopholes, when the time came Qi Jing Yuan would take the advantage of the weakness, perhaps Western Chu’s fate will come to an end soon!” Seeing Yun Qian Meng’s brows tightly knitted up together, Chu Fei Yang lifted up his hand then gently soothed her, regardless of the turmoil and chaos of war outside the ways of the world, he only wished for the person in front of him to never frown.
Feeling the speck of warmth came through from between her brows, Yun Qian Meng took Chu Fei Yang’s hand and held it tightly, with a bit of doubt she asked “He had treated you like that, why are you still loyal to him?”
The principles of a monarchy was just like that, making people bitterly disappointed, could it be that Emperor Yu Qian will just easily get rid of the persons who had already served their purpose?
Seeing both hands tightly grabbing on his own, Chu Fei Yang laughed indifferently and free from vulgarity, with a bit of unconstrained manner he said “I only serve for the common people, not because of him!”
After speaking, he held Yun Qian Meng’s hand, then continued on towards the direction of the hall.
Yun Qian Meng looked at his expression which seemed not to care about anything, like the thin clouds and gentle wind, her nervous heart slightly calm down a bit. He lips curled into a smile and in her heart she knew that since Chu Fei Yang was calm, then he certainly must have a way out.
The two of them stepped inside the hall, all the people had already arrived, sipping their teas while waiting for them. Yun Qian Meng advanced toward feeling sorry as she smiled, after which she bent down “We are late, please forgive us!”
“Quickly get up, we had just arrived!” Chu Nan Shan laughed out loud, after which she allowed Yun Qian Meng to stand up, then he led all the people to the dining table.”
It was a family feast today, consequently all the people were sitting on the rectangular dining table. Chu Wang was still sitting on his head seat, Chu Fei Yang and his father were sitting opposite to each other on both sides, behind Chu Pei was Chu Qing Yang, Chu Jie, Xie Wan Wan, Xie Yuan Yuan, in orderly manner. But there was an empty seat in between Chu Pei and Chu Qing Yang, presumably it must be Madam Xie’s seat, but this time Madam Xie was respectfully standing in the right hand side of Chu Nan Shan, as if trying to serve an elderly man.
Yun Qian Meng already noticed all these, she deliberately walked a bit slower than the others as they approached the dining table. This time seeing Madam Xie standing, she naturally stood in the cornder as well, so as to avoid being criticized on by the others.
Chu Nan Shan looked around, when he saw Yun Qian Meng still standing, being a bit annoyed as he turned around to look at Madam Xie, with a slightly cold tone of voice he spoke “It’s just a family feast, there’s no need to pay particular attention to etiquettes, besides Wang Fu has too many servant girls to serve us, you don’t need to stand, all of you sit down at once!”
Madam Xie was taking a bowl of hot soup from a servant girl, hearing Chu Nan Shan say this, she had no choice but to carefully laid down the bowl of hot soup before Chu Nan Shan. After which she responded in a low voice. Then slowly walked to her seat and sat down, seeing this situation. Yun Qian Meng then proceeded beside Chu Fei Yang and sat down after seeing Madam Xie taking her seat, but her eyes was restraining back a faint sneer.
“Today is a family feast, it doesn’t have to be restricted by rules. Everyone just eat what he or she wants to eat, don’t make your belly suffer!” Chu Nan Shan said his opening remarks, then lifting up the chopsticks beside him, he took the lead to pick up a piece of roasted duck meat then puts it inside his mouth. But when he tasted it he did not find the taste that he expected, his white brows could not help but trembled a bit. He would always feel that it was completely different from the food cooked by Yun Qian Meng.
Chu Fei Yang ladled a bowl of fish soup for Yun Qian Meng, permitting her to drink it while it was hot. Then he himself gracefully picked up the one of the dishes in front of him as he started to eat, but, he just lightly took a mouthful, then he laid down the chopsticks again.
Apparently the grandfather and grandson had both been conquered by Yun Qian Meng’s culinary skills, now that even the cook of Wang Fu wasn’t able to cook up the flavor that they longed for.
Yun Qing Meng, who had been observing the expressions of all the people all along, was able to notice the small reactions between both grandfather and grandson. She sighed inwardly, it seemed that she had spoiled them well, now that they learned to be picky eaters.
“Grandpa and big brother, why don’t you eat?” This time, seeing both of them laid down their chopsticks, Chu Qing Yang asked wearing a simple smile on his face.
“Seeing all of you home, I was so happy that I couldn’t eat!” Chu Fei Yang responded shamelessly.
This made Yun Qian Meng feel guilty, and beside him Chu Wang nodded his head foolishly, following Chu Fei Yang’s words.
But, hearing Chu Fei Yang responded like that, the others did not ask further. Their dinner proceeded in such extremely quiet atmosphere.
After the dinner had ended, Chu Wang led his own son and grandson along as they proceeded towards his study room for some discussion. Leaving behind a group of woman inside the hall chatting about the domestic matters.
“Earlier when we were having our meal, big brother was really considerate with you, sister-in-law!” With the few of them not around, the entire hall seemed to have brightened up a lot. Chu Jie sat down beside Yun Qian Meng this time, half narrowing her eyes as she remarked giggling.
Having heard what was said, Yun Qian Meng simply responded with a smile, she didn’t flaunt for having a nice husband, and didn’t also make modest remarks, with a seemingly sincere tone of voice she said “In the future, Jie’er will also find a husband who will take good care of Jie’er.”
Hearing these words, Jie’er immediately spread out a smile, yet it caused the others to softly laugh at her. Madam Xie was busy instructing the servants to tidy up things, then she came around, holding a tray of pastries as she laid it down on the small side table beside Yun Qian Meng, smiling as she said “Meng’er, you must not make of this silly girl, in our Youzhou Chu Fu, who doesn’t know that Jie’er is a naughty girl. I’m afraid she might not be able to find a nice husband in the future! But on the contrary, it was really a rare occurrence in this world for something like what Meng’er had, it’s not surprising that the eldest young master loves you like that! Come, have a taste, these are special local pastries of Youzhou, you wouldn’t be able to find them inside the capital!”
Hearing the names of the pastries, Yun Qian Meng felt a bit curious. She drooped down her eyes to see, there were few sparkling and translucent white, emerald green with the fragrance of scallion pastries, smelled very fragrant and sweet, they looked quite appetizing.
“Many thanks for your generosity, Er Niang! But Meng’er had just eaten dinner, these pastries looked quite appetizing, but I’m unable to eat them anymore, it would be better to trouble Er Niang to wrap some of them for me to bring them home to Xiang Fu, is that alright?” The more beautiful and alluring these foods were, the more they could not be easily eaten. Yun Qian Meng did not regard herself as Snow White, she would not bite the apple!
Even if these pastries looked fine, it would be better for her to be more careful.
As for Yun Qian Meng’s request, Madam Xie was not unwilling. As expected she allowed the servant girls to wrap them up. Then she herself leisurely sat down, lifting up the teacup beside her then took a sip, then with both eyes smiling she looked at Yun Qian Meng, after which she warned Chu Jie beside her “Jie’er, take a look at your sister-in-law, being a gentle and refined woman, why do you behave yourself like some kind of wild monkey jumping around, your father and I are deeply worried about you.”
Hearing Madam Xie using Chu Jie to praise her, Yun Qian Meng just smiled without speaking further. Sipping the tea beside her, her gaze shifted towards the Xie sisters who remained quiet all along, feeling these two sister really looked gorgeous, their charmingness was truly rare.
The well-bred young ladies of the prestigious families within the capital were quite noble and reserved, they were quiet and elegant, women who behaved like the Xie sisters were truly rare, also only a few women could equally match with them.
And at this moment, Xie Wan Wan stretched out her hand to lift up the scattered hair beside her ear, on that snow white arms which was slightly exposed from her sleeve, was surprisingly the gold bracelet, and on that bracelet a little bell was suspended on it without producing any sound, it looked uniquely pretty, yet their adornments were hugely different from those worn by the ladies in the capital.
Yun Qian Meng lowered down her head to look at that Yangzhi jade worn on her wrist, secretly thinking that with her adornment during the usual days, if Xie didn’t give her this Yangzhi jade bracelet today, perhaps she would just wear the jade bracelets left behind by Qu Ruo Li, and as for those who would wear gold bracelet suspended with little bell, it will be the first time that she encountered such thing.
“Cousin Wan Wan’s bracelet is truly unique!” Wearing a simple smile in the corner of her mouth, Yun Qian Meng held the teacup in one hand, the other hand lifted up the lid, as she complimented indifferently.
Xie Wan Wan’s hand that hooked up her hair slightly paused, after which she became aware that Yun Qian Meng was referring to the golden bracelet worn on her right wrist. Then she quickly laid down her wrist, smiled and said “Cousin-in-law, you are overpraising me, this is merely just a small item, it’s not worth mentioning!”
Watching her reaction, Yun Qian Meng still put up a simple smile on her face, but she did not say anything further.
On contrary seeing Yun Qian Meng taking notice of her own niece, Madam Xie laughed and said “Wan Wan and Yuan Yuan are twin sisters, it’s too bad my brother and sister-in-law had died so soon, then they entrusted them to me! During the time when my sister-in-law was pregnant with them, someone had unexpectedly gifted them a pair of bracelets, all of us thought that it must be worn by the baby in both wrists, yet unexpectedly they were twins, each of them has one!”
Hearing Xie’s explanation, Yun Qian Meng retained a smile in the corner of her mouth. Then slightly nodded her head “That was truly an amazing experience! Being able to give birth to twins, it was also the furen’s blessing!”
After speaking, Yun Qian Meng regained her gaze from the sisters, then glanced back at Madam Xie, after which she drooped down her eyelids then took a sip of warm tea. The tea was fresh and fragrant, momentarily swirled around inside her mouth then slided down the throat, that was truly fragrant and refreshing.
“Hay, it was not some kind of good luck. These two children had lost their parents since they were small, that was truly pitiful! Fortunately after I have Jie’er, the three sisters accompanied each other, they were having a great time, that made me feel relieved. But only this Jie’er is really naughty, she had caused headaches for me and your grandpa!” While speaking, Madam Xie pulled her daughter closer to her, stroking her scattered hair, her eyes expressed the tender love of a mother.
“What are you talking about, Mother? Jie’er is a good girl! Now that we have sister-in-law, Jie’er has something else to relieve her boredom! But, I wonder if I will be allowed to go to Xiang Fu to chat with sister-in-law?” Chu Jie leaned on Madam Xie’s arms, her both eyes gleaming as she looked at Yun Qian Meng with a smile, inquiring about her opinion.
Yun Qian Meng laid down the teacup in her hand, hearing her question she pursed up her lips and smiled, after which she replied “Of course you can! Initially I was afraid that I won’t able to invite Er Niang and sisters over for a chat!”
Hearing the positive response from Yun Qian Meng, Chu Jie immediately beamed with happiness.
What they were chatting, they saw Chu Fei Yang and Chu Qing Yang walked inside the hall.
Seeing Yun Qian Meng, Chu Fei Yang exposed a simple smile, and Yun Qian Meng stood up and approached beside him. After that she turned around to bid her farewell “The time is running late, we shall take our leave now. Er Niang and brother, sisters, you all take some good rests!”
Seeing the two of them left, all the people stood up one after another, under the hindrance of Yun Qian Meng they stood by without sending them off to the gates of Chu Wang Fu.
And with the assistance of Chu Fei Yang, Yun Qian Meng sat inside the horse carriage, watching his slightly sparkling dark eyes, Yun Qian Meng felt that there must be something unpleasant going on inside the study room earlier.
But this time Chu Fei Yang needed more time to pacify his emotions, then Yun Qian Meng didn’t speak further, but just sat beside him tightly holding his both hands, giving him the silent support.
While the horse carriage advanced forward, the rolling sound resonated through the quiet long road, appeared to be utterly clear during this cold winter night of twelfth lunar month.
The sound of the firecrackers faintly echoed from a distant place, perhaps those families who have kids were lighting up the firecrackers, playing with them.
Just when the horse carriage settled in the doorway of Chu Xiang Fu, they saw a slender figure standing by the doorway of Xiang Fu.
“My lady, it’s Le Yao, the personal servant of your cousin!” Yuan Dong’s sight was especially great, as she was able to recognize the person instantly.
“Quickly ask her to come over here!” Yun Qian Meng nodded her head at Chu Fei Yang, gesturing him to get inside first, then she puts on her cloak, under the assistance of Mu Chun she stepped down from the horse carriage, watching Le Yao approached her.
“Nubi greets xiaojie!” Seeing Yun Qian Meng, Le Yao immediately came running, afterwards she quickly saluted.
“It’s late now, why are you standing here?” Seeing Le Yao’s face turned pale due to the freezing weather, Yun Qian Meng immediately led her inside Xiang Fu.