The servant watched his master sitting there for a long time without moving, and thought that he would probably have to stay in the study or the wing room tonight. While he was thinking, he saw the cold and hard figure suddenly stand up, pace a few steps, pause, and finally step out.
The door creaked open, and the direction was clearly towards the grandmother's main courtyard.
The young servant was apprehensive. The master's face had been so gloomy just now that it was clear he was simmering with anger. If he went to look for her now, the eldest lady would be in trouble.
He seemed to have seen the grandmother with tears on her face, kneeling down to admit her mistake, while the old man looked down at her, speaking coldly and without any mercy.
The room was brightly lit, but there was a cautious silence.
The maids were all guarding outside the door. When they saw the master coming from afar, they followed Mrs. Zhou's instructions and knocked on the door gently when they saw the master coming. The maids did so, and soon the sound of footsteps was heard from the inner room. The master also quickly walked to the door. When the master reached the door, the clever maids quickly stepped forward and opened the door for him.
Qin Gong stepped in, bringing in a cool breeze from outside.
Mrs. Zhou, who was waiting in the main hall, hurried forward and bowed, saying, "Sir." She then winked at the side in a very tactful manner, and the little maid immediately served tea at just the right temperature.
Qin Gong took the teacup and rubbed the warm porcelain wall with his fingertips. Mrs. Zhou beside him remained silent.
It was quiet in the inner room. No sobbing was to be heard as expected, only the occasional clear and tender laughter of children could be heard.
Qin Gong raised his eyebrows slightly, "Did you bring my sister and brother here?"
Madam Zhou bowed quickly and replied, "Yes, sir. The two young masters are very energetic and refuse to sleep, and the wet nurse can't coax them. Thinking that they have always been close to the eldest lady, I brought them here to stay with her so that they can be coaxed more easily."
Before he finished speaking, he saw the old man raised his hand and directly lifted the curtain that separated the inside and the outside.
The scene behind the curtain was completely different from what he had imagined: a loving mother and filial son, full of joy and happiness.
Wen Tang was lying with her back to him, curled up alone on the couch by the window, her head buried deep in the soft pillow, her long black hair spread loosely, her thin shoulder blades slightly protruding under her plain pajamas.
The noise outside did not seem to disturb her at all. She had been carefully taken care of these days, her body had become plumper, and her cheeks had gained weight, but her frame was still slender. In front of him, she was just as weak as before. Now, curled up like this, under the dim and flickering candlelight, she looked like a crabapple wilted by the rain, so thin that it seemed as if a gust of wind could blow it away.
On the small table beside the couch, the food box was open, and the exquisite snacks inside were neatly arranged and untouched.
On the couch, Xia Jie'er and Huai Ge'er were rolling around in a ball, giggling and trying to pull at their mother's clothes. Seeing that their mother ignored them, they nodded their heads again.
Qin Gong lifted the curtain and entered with quite a noise, which finally startled the two children. They looked over with their dark eyes, recognized their father, babbled twice indistinctly, twisted their little bodies, and hid beside Wen Tang, only poking out their little heads to look around timidly.
Qin Gong didn't stop, nor did he go to his wife and children. He just sat down on the armchair not far from the couch. Perhaps because of his restlessness, he lost his balance when he sat down. The chair legs rubbed against the ground, making a sharp "creaking" sound that was particularly clear in the silent room.
He remained calm, sat down firmly, picked up Wen Tang's untouched cup of cold tea on the small table, and drank it in silence.
The maids and servants outside had disappeared somewhere, and no one came to serve them.
Qin Gong called out in a deep voice to the outside, and it was still Nanny Zhou who responded.
As soon as she entered the room, her eyes subconsciously drifted towards the couch. Qin Gong naturally noticed her little movement, but pretended not to see it. "Prepare some water."
This is to take a bath and rest.
Mrs. Zhou bowed and retreated.
Qin Gong sat alone on the chair for a moment, raised his hand to untie his outer robe, and when he took off his inner garment, he suddenly stopped.
He walked past the two children who were looking at him with round eyes, and came straight behind Wen Tang. He grabbed her thin shoulders without saying a word, and with a little force, he turned her around and forced her to face him.
Her hair was disheveled, her eyes and nose were red, and when he turned her over so forcefully, she just looked up at him quietly without saying a word.
Qin Gong felt his forehead throbbing. He pursed his lips tightly and spoke after a while, "Ask the kitchen to make some more food and send it over."
"No, I have no appetite." Wen Tang's voice was nasal.
The throbbing in his temples intensified. "You must eat."
Wen Tang just shook his head.
Qin Gong stared at her, watching the redness in his wife's eyes deepen. He raised his hand and rubbed his brows heavily, "So what do you want?"
"I don't want to do anything." She lowered her eyelashes, her voice as light as a sigh.
The two children sat in a row, their black eyes shifting curiously between their father and mother, then they raised their little hands and clapped innocently.
This was the first time in Qin Gong's life that he had been met with such a rebuff from her. He simply stopped talking and, as assertive as he had been yesterday, called the maid outside to the small kitchen to serve the meal. Soon, the small table was once again covered with exquisite side dishes.
Wen Tang, who was already very full, naturally refused to pick up her chopsticks. However, Qin Gong picked up the chopsticks and stuffed them into her slightly cold hand without saying a word. Seeing that she still didn't move, he picked up a shrimp dumpling and handed it to her lips, staring at her with a serious look.
Qin Gongzhen had a headache. "I won't restrict you. Just go with you."
Wen Tang's drooping eyelashes trembled imperceptibly, and he raised his eyes, "Master, did you allow me to go to the temple?"
Sure enough, the root of the depression I had felt since returning home until now was here.
Qin Gong was silent for a moment, and only one word rolled out from his throat, "Hmm."
This was an agreement. But Wen Tang immediately said, "I want to go up there myself." His tone was a statement, not a question.
Qin Gong glanced at her and remained silent for a long time. Wen Tang knew that this man was a man of deep thoughts, sometimes even more cunning than a needle tip. After being repeatedly humiliated today, he must have been filled with resentment. If the stalemate continued, he might turn against her any moment.
She suddenly moved. Just like when she returned home that afternoon, Wen Tang's body softened, and she nestled her head against his chest, looking up at him.
Qin Gong's face was still tense. Seeing his wife crawling into his arms so shamelessly, he pressed his thin lips into a cold and hard line and squeezed out only two words, "Eat."
Wen Tang glanced at the table full of delicious food, his stomach churning. He decided to give it to the maid on duty outside. She leaned closer, her sweet breath caressing the sensitive skin on his neck. "Master, I'm not feeling well. My period has come. I really have no appetite and can't eat."
Qin Gong lowered his eyes, examining her. In this situation, his wife's reputation with him was in jeopardy.
He pinched her chin and lifted her face. The red marks on her eye sockets and nose were still there. He gently rubbed them with his fingertips a few times, and the blush seemed to become brighter. He paused and suddenly withdrew his fingertips.
He said nothing more, but picked up a few vegetarian steamed dumplings with his chopsticks and put them on the plate in front of her. Under his gaze, Wen Tang reluctantly ate them.
Qin Gong looked at her a few more times, and confirmed that she really had no appetite, then waved his hand and asked them to leave.
After lying on the bed, Wen Tang was satisfied and slept soundly all night.
Beside him, Qin Gong tossed and turned. For the first time, he clearly realized that when his wife's back was turned, she would pretend to obey him but actually disobeyed him, hiding things from him. Was she like this before?
Qin Gong couldn't sleep.
The next morning,
It was a rare occasion for Wen Tang to wake up refreshed. He felt relaxed all over, and his whole body was filled with a lazy and comfortable feeling.
Qin Gong had tortured her severely in the past, but he was full of energy the next day, while she seemed to have been drained of all her energy, and no part of her body felt like her own.
Finally, it was her turn to be proud, but Qin Gong's expression was really strange.
She got up and left the bed. Qin Gong was getting dressed with a grave expression. He was usually stern and unsmiling, but today, there was an indescribable stiffness in his expression. There were two faint bruises under his eyes, and his eyes were darker than usual.
Wen Tang couldn't help but glance at him again. She hadn't taken any yang to replenish her yin last night. It wasn't like this man had spent the entire night staring blankly.
Wen Tang called out, "Master?"
There was no response. Qin Gong continued fastening his buttons, as if he hadn't heard.
She changed to a more intimate name, "Husband."
Qin Gong paused for a moment as he buttoned his shirt, then slowly turned around. Deep in his eyes, there was clearly a deep sense of dissatisfaction and... a barely perceptible melancholy, like a big cat whose fur had been stroked against its will.
Although I knew that this man was narrow-minded, I didn't expect that he would still be so angry after a night.
It is said that a woman's heart is as deep as the sea. In her opinion, this saying is more appropriate for Qin Gong.
A man's heart is as unfathomable as the sea.
--
Although Qin Gong was a man of unpredictable thoughts and narrow-minded, he was generous to his women. Knowing that Wen Tang was stubborn about worshipping Buddha, he had a large sum of money spent on re-gilding the Buddha statue in the temple, adding precious banners and incense burners, and sending incense oil offerings in a continuous stream, showing the utmost luxury.
After breakfast,
Wen Tang took the children to pay their respects to the Duke's wife.
The Duke's wife's place was bustling with activity. With her grandchildren's first birthday party approaching, she had been craving Wen Tang to bring the two babies to her, so she could take a good look at them, touch their tiny arms and legs, and pamper them to her heart's content.
Su Yi also came with several children from the second master's room.
The five-year-old eldest son and four-year-old eldest daughter of the second wife followed their stepmother obediently.
Aunt Yun was also holding her newly born, plump son, and following behind Su Yi with a happy face.
In the past, when she had no children, she rarely stepped into the main hall of the Duke's wife with such a legitimate reason. Now that she has a son, and a strong boy at that, Aunt Yun's back has straightened three points. These days, she comes to pay her respects almost every day with her child in her arms.
As soon as Su Yi had paid her respects to the old lady, Aunt Yun could not wait to come forward, holding the child and bowing deeply. "Look, this boy has the same features as our Second Master. But he always likes to make noises at night, and the wet nurse can't comfort him. I have no choice but to ask the Second Master to hold him and tease him before he will stop laughing."
This was indeed true. Su Yi stood beside Wen Tang and glanced at Aunt Yun, who was speaking with great joy. This newborn child was delicate and crying at night was normal, but he only recognized Qin Changkun and burst into laughter as soon as Qin Changkun left. How could a father not be moved by this scene?
These days, Qin Changkun spent most of his time in Aunt Yun's room. The child also became increasingly attached to his father. At night, if he didn't see his father, he would cry at the top of his lungs. When he saw his father, Qin Changkun would tease him a little and he would giggle.
Su Yi walked over to Wen Tang and took her arm. Over there, Concubine Yun was still laughing in front of the Duke's wife.
The old lady discussed with Wen Tang in detail the arrangements for the children's first birthday party, including where to set up the banquet and which opera troupe to invite. They talked for about a cup of tea before everyone dispersed.
After leaving the main courtyard, Su Yi let out a long sigh, took Wen Tang's arm and whispered, "Sister-in-law, I have also seen the famous doctor that I asked my cousin to find last time. I guess... I was born with a constitution that makes it difficult for me to have children." There was a hint of resignation in her tone.
Her sister-in-law and cousin helped her wholeheartedly, and Qin Changkun came to her room often and gave her countless doses of medicine. With the result like this, she felt disappointed, but it was not unacceptable.
After all, Qin Changkun's face was becoming increasingly unpleasant to the eye. He was a magnet for attention and a playful person. She could curse him in private for three days and three nights, saying different words without repeating them.
"By the way, here are the first birthday gifts I prepared for Sister Xia and Brother Huai!" Su Yi changed the subject, her eyes curved, "I embroidered two sets of small clothes by myself, and also made two longevity locks inlaid with red gold and jade..." She described it with great interest.
Wen Tang smiled and praised her dexterity. Su Yi was talking happily when she suddenly remembered something, "Oh, the Second Master is going to take in a new member."
Wen Tang was slightly surprised. Aunt Yun had just given birth, and how could she be so quick? "Who did she marry?"
"You know my sister-in-law too. I've seen her before."
Wen Tang remembered the cousin who had come to the yard before. This cousin had also gone to Qin Gong's study with the cakes she had made.
Just as Wen Tang thought, the woman Qin Changkun wanted to marry was Yun's cousin, Miss Wang.
Now you should call her Aunt Wang.
Mr. Qin Erye's romantic nature really cannot be changed at all. His female confidantes are like flowing water, the old ones are not yet gone, and new ones are coming.
--
The Duke's wife sat alone, drinking tea, her expression changing from gloomy to cheerful. Duke Qin, having finished his external affairs, came in and saw the lady's expression. He paused and tried to quietly leave.
The Duke's wife seemed to have eyes on her back and knew who was coming without even turning around.
Duke Qin had no choice but to straighten his robes and walked in with a graceful demeanor again, meeting his wife's critical gaze. "It's up to you, indeed."
Duke of Qin:...
The Duke's wife added, "Changkun follows you."
Although Duke Qin was a military officer in his youth, he was also a handsome man with a handsome face, especially his affectionate eyes. Even looking at a wooden stake would make him look affectionate. What's more, he always had a smile on his face, and when he smiled, two shallow dimples appeared. At that time, countless ladies in the capital would blush and their hearts would beat fast when they saw him.
Fortunately, he got engaged to his childhood sweetheart, Miss Lu, and was now taken.
Duke Guo stroked his neatly trimmed beard, and said with a certain amount of satisfaction, "Of course, Chang Kun's appearance and demeanor are naturally like his father."
Even at this age, Duke Qin still firmly believed that he still had charm.
The Duke's wife glanced at him coldly.
"I mean, just follow your romantic nature." She put down the teacup.
Duke Qin suddenly stopped talking.
"Is the one above still thinking about taking Gong'er back? Seeing our Gong'er's talent, his elegance, and his grace, he thinks of his two useless children, one arrogant and domineering, the other sickly. He wants to bring back the son we raised with great effort and cherished like a treasure to support him?"
The Duke's wife had little respect for the man on the throne. He was once a servant of the Lu family and had a terrible past with her eldest sister. Her poor eldest sister, such a gentle and smiling person, was forced to give birth to two children, and in the end...
The fact that the Duke's wife could now mention this person so calmly had already exhausted all her life's cultivation and restraint.
When Duke Qin heard the Duchess mention this matter to him, he immediately became as angry as a saw-mouthed gourd. The Duchess became angry when she saw him like this.
"Gong'er loved to laugh when he was little! He would shout at everyone he saw and was very sweet-mouthed. But what about him now? He has a cold face all day long and rarely speaks more than three words! It's a good thing if he can answer one out of ten questions! Maybe you've led him astray." The more she spoke, the more she felt it made sense, and the look she gave Duke Qin was so sharp that a knife could fly out of her eyes.
--
Inside the government office, the duty room was so quiet that only the rustling of papers could be heard.
Qin Gong was buried in his papers, his expression focused and stern. Several of his subordinates stood in silence, their hands lowered, waiting for his personal attendant Fu Jiu to hurried in before quietly withdrawing.
Fu Jiu stepped forward and whispered, "Master, the palace has sent an order, the emperor summons you to an audience." Qin Gong's eldest son and daughter were about to turn one, and as their grandfather, the emperor naturally wanted to express his gratitude. This summons was most likely for a reward.
Qin Gong did not stop writing, still flipping through the files page by page, leaving powerful comments one after another.
After a long while, he put down his pen without even looking up. "Got it, go down."
Fu Jiu bowed and withdrew. The married and child-bearing subordinates filed in again, exchanging glances. One of them, fearing his wife like a tiger, spoke carefully, "Sir, my wife occasionally tells little lies, like she's not feeling well or the child is crying. They're just harmless little thoughts. I hope you can get home soon and spend more time with them. Women are sensitive and sensitive, but a little coaxing, a little compliance, and a few gentle words will usually fix them."
How could anyone else possibly discern the thoughts of Lord Qin from his face, frozen for millennia and now bearing faint bruises? Only Lord Qin himself knew what was in his heart.
Qin Gong waved his hand, signaling them to leave. He stood up and walked to the door, where he stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the courtyard.
--
In the main room, Wen Tang was sitting on the embroidery cushion under the window, threading the needle on the embroidery frame. On the embroidery frame were a pair of cute little tigers. Suddenly, the tip of her nose felt itchy and she sneezed a little.
At her feet, Yuanbao was circling around her, his wet nose constantly poking into the hem of her skirt, humming and acting coquettishly.
"Yuanbao, stop messing around." Wen Tang scolded with a smile, reaching out to rub its furry head. As she rubbed, her movements gradually slowed down, her eyes falling on the puppy's black eyes, which seemed to speak.
This dog looks familiar.
She leaned over and picked up Yuanbao, holding it up to her eyes and examining it carefully. The puppy kicked its short legs excitedly and purred affectionately.
Wen Tang stared at it again and again, especially its eyes and yellow hair, and his expression became subtle.
She tapped the puppy's moist nose and asked softly, "Yuanbao, whose dog were you originally?"
Of course Yuanbao didn't answer. He arched his little head upwards, trying to reach her fingers.
"Master is back!" The crisp announcement of spring came from outside.
Wen Tang just let go of his hand, put the ingot on the ground, and raised his head, and saw Qin Gong striding over the threshold.
His figure was still stern, but the faint blue mark under his eyes became more obvious in the bright morning light, making him look even more unapproachable than usual. However, what was even more eye-catching was the object in his hand.
A pair of small and delicate earrings for women?
Qin Gong met his wife's surprised and inquiring gaze with a gloomy face. He walked closer and casually placed the exquisite jewelry that obviously belonged to the woman on the small table beside her.
Before Wen Tang could fully react, Qin Gong suddenly leaned forward, his presence strong, his warm breath brushing against her hair, and he raised a large hand, firmly grasping her chin and forcing her to raise her face.
He looked into her eyes, "It's for you."
The sunlight filtered through the window, falling in tiny pieces on the side of his face, outlining his handsome yet cold features.
Outside, the Duke's wife had just walked into the corridor and was about to come over to finalize the details of the child's first birthday party with Wen Tang, when she saw through the open window in front of her,
The two figures were almost stuck together. The son leaned over and pressed close to his daughter-in-law, holding her chin. The daughter-in-law tilted her face up, and their noses were touching.
The Duke's wife's face flushed, and she quickly turned her head to the maid beside her, looking at the youngster's excitement with the air of someone who had experienced it, "Oh, this young couple... in broad daylight, right under the window, being so... clingy. Go away, hurry up, don't let the wife see them. The wife is shy, she'll be embarrassed!"
But the Duke's wife was only concerned with turning around and leaving, and she didn't even remember to lower her smiling voice.
The windows are wide open,
Qin Gong was waiting for his wife to snuggle into his arms and thank him shyly. He could even clearly see her lips, soft as petals, slightly opened in surprise, and smell the faint fragrance on her body. However, he was caught off guard and his wife pressed against his chest.
Qin Gong stared at his wife's lips, which were so close to him. His gaze shifted down in confusion, landing on her hand that was against his. He looked up again and saw his wife's cheeks flushed slightly. She was so shy...
Just as a trace of satisfaction flashed through his heart,
But he heard his wife's voice, clearly filled with annoyance, "It's broad daylight, and the window is open... What are you doing?"