Chapter 67: Favored Beyond Expectation

  Search;???? Chen Wanqiu usually didn't like the maids to wait on her when she was in the house, so when Dai Furen's maid Autumn Red came over to deliver a message, she saw Chen Wanqiu's several maids playing cards under the corridor outside and secretly curled their lips.

  "On such a hot day, why are you waiting outside? Why aren't you attending to Second Miss?"

  "It's Autumn Red sister who has come," Chen Wanqiu's big maid, Mei Xiang, quickly stood up and looked at the little maid behind Autumn Red, holding a box in her hand. "But what good thing did the lady give you?" She didn't invite Autumn Red in, but smiled awkwardly at her: "Our young lady just fell asleep, I'll go wake her up."

  "Let's not bother the second young lady, the madam has just received a very good painting and the second young lady is skilled at embroidery, so let's trouble her to embroider it into a picture to pay respects to the madam." Autumn Red had Xiao Yatou bring over the box, and without even waiting for Mei Xiang to invite her to have a cup of tea, she led Xiao Yatou away with big strides.

  Mei Xiang held the box, feeling bitter in her heart. Wasn't Madame trying to wear down her own daughter-in-law with all sorts of tricks? Looking at Qiu Hong's careless attitude just now, it was clear that she didn't take her own daughter-in-law as a proper mistress. Obviously, her daughter-in-law was more excellent than any other young lady, but why couldn't she understand why the girl didn't want to show herself off?

  Meixiang was just thinking about it when a clear voice came from the inner room, "Meixiang, come in." It was like a clear spring washing away the grievances and gloom.

  Mei Xiang carried the box and lifted the curtain to enter. On this hot day, Chen Wanqiu's ice ration was reduced by Mrs. Dai, who said, "Today is so hot, I'm afraid the ice in the cellar won't be enough. Second Miss is young and healthy, she can endure some." Autumn Red couldn't help but feel a little schadenfreude at her earlier words.

  As soon as she entered the inner room, she felt not hot at all, as if a spring breeze brushed her face, bringing a hint of coolness. Mei Xiang looked up to see that her mother-in-law's face was calm and couldn't see any anger, Mei Xiang bit her lip and put the box in front of Chen Wanqiu.

  Chen Wanqiu stretched out her hand to open it, with skin as smooth as jade. Her fingers were slender and delicate, and she looked even more beautiful than before. Mei Xiang was stunned, thinking that the young lady from their family was becoming more and more lovely every day.

  Chen Wanqiu looked calm and unruffled, but when she saw that Mrs. Dai had sent over a "Hundred Sons Playing" embroidery pattern for her to work on, there was an unmistakable hint of resentment in her eyes, and a faint, mocking smile played on her lips.

  Lightly floating said: "Is Third Madam pregnant?"

  Mei Xiang nodded: "Third Auntie has been diagnosed with a pregnancy of over a month, and she's very happy, saying that she wants to go to Yunruo Temple to fulfill her vow."

  "A month or so?" Chen Wanqiu let out a soft snort, thinking about it and agreeing that Chen Wanjing had also been married for just over a month. She turned the jade bangle on her hand. This bangle was given to Chen Wanqiu by Mrs. Dai in front of Mr. Chen to show off her kindness as the legitimate mother. Among all of Chen Wanqiu's jewelry, this one was considered top-notch. On the surface, Chen Wanqiu cooperated with Mrs. Dai's play-acting, wearing the jade bangle on her hand every day, but in her heart, she didn't think much of it.

  If it were in the past, Chen Wanqiu would have treasured this jade bangle as a precious gem. But now, Chen Wanqiu really has some disdain for it.

  "Mei Xiang, you're standing guard beside me, just like before."

  Mei Xiang almost cried at the news, "Miss, if this is seen by others, your reputation..."

  Chen Wanqiu interrupted her with some annoyance: "Your family's girl, I'm just someone who can't be seen by anyone, who knows me! If I stay in the house all day, what's the difference between me and a canary in a cage? This is not what I want. Forget it, you won't understand anyway, just take good care of yourself."

  Chen Wanqiu was quite familiar with dressing up and going out, and when she appeared in the tea house, she received many scholars who came to Beijing to participate in the autumn examination. Chen Wanqiu saw a business opportunity from this and opened a teahouse, which was very popular among some bookworms who liked its literary atmosphere, and soon became famous in a short period of time.

  "Brother Chen, 'The lotus leaves that touch the sky are infinitely green, and the reflected ripples of the sun on the lotus flowers are uniquely red' is truly a wonderful phrase. Among all the poems about lotus, yours has the best flavor."

  "Brother Guo has misjudged." Chen Wanqiu was neither arrogant nor humble, and her every move was measured. With her good looks, elegant demeanor, and outstanding talent, she was quite popular among these scholars.

  As they talked, the conversation somehow turned to "The Legend of the Condor Hero", which has been widely circulating in the streets. A scholar couldn't help but praise: "I don't know where this Mr. Chen is from? Such a wonderful writing style, it's likely that he can write such a heroic and chivalrous story, if I could meet him, it would be my great fortune for three lifetimes."

  "Brother Guo's words are indeed true. When I saw the scene of Guo Jing and Guo Da guarding Xiangyang, I couldn't help but feel a surge of heroic emotions in my heart. In the future, when we become officials, we must be like this for the country and the people, and only then can we die with no regrets." A scholar beside him lit up his eyes and spoke out another round of praise for Mr. Chen who wrote this book, and from time to time someone would echo in agreement.

  Chen Wanqiu sat quietly among them, silently watching the group of scholars argue endlessly about the plot in the book, their faces red and ears burning, while thinking about what move to make next.

  Marquis of Yongwu's Manor

  Fu Yiyang waved the maids away and walked to the bed, sitting down beside it. Su Ying was sleeping soundly, so Fu Yiyang reached out and gently removed the aquamarine earrings from her ears, setting them aside so they wouldn't disturb her. Looking at her peaceful face, Fu Yiyang's fingers trailed from her earlobe to her cheek, lightly stroking her skin.

  Due to pregnancy, Su Ying's fair skin began to show freckles. She usually stayed at home and didn't go out, nor did she apply makeup to cover up, so her face was bare and natural. When you got close, you could see the spots on her face.

  But she has taken good care of herself, and her morning sickness is not as severe as before. Her appetite has also improved, and she eats almonds and sheep's milk every day, as well as fresh seasonal fruits, chicken, duck, fish, vegetables, and seafood - anything that is beneficial for pregnant women. Whatever Su Ying wants to eat, the small kitchen is fully prepared to meet her requirements. Fu Ye Yang has even hired different chefs from various cuisines to cater to her needs.

  Those messy things that used to stimulate pregnant women are not a big deal for Su Ying, with a good attitude and skin tone that is not dull and yellowish, but rather fine and radiant, with a healthy complexion, even the blemishes can't hide her beauty, at least in Fu Yeyang's eyes, she won't look ugly.

  Fu Yiyang's gaze fell on Su Ying's already obvious belly, and when she was pregnant with this child, he advised himself not to make a big deal about it, saying it was for the good of the child. At that time, he didn't think much about it, but now seeing what his mother did, he felt somewhat uneasy in his heart, and thinking about his wife Fu Yiyang at that time, his first feeling was that she had been wronged. But when he saw her peaceful sleeping face, Fu Yiyang also let go of his worries.

  She has always been measured and would never do anything to make him uncomfortable, the more so Fu Yeyang felt guilty towards Su Ying, this emotion was not for the first time either.

  Su Ying was already awake when Fu Yiyang came over, and even with her eyes closed, she could feel the scorching gaze of Fu Yiyang that made her hair stand on end. What had this guy imagined again to become like this?

  Fu Yiyang stroked her face, Su Ying's toes curled up, if this continued, she would have to give up, melancholy doesn't suit you, Lord Hou!

  She blinked her eyelashes. Su Hui woke up to see Fu Ye's familiar "I'm sorry, I owe you one" expression. She reflexively smiled back at him. Her goosebumps were about to burst, "You're back?" she said, trying to sit up, but he was holding her down.

  Fu Yiyang pressed down on her shoulder to stop her from getting up: "Don't get up yet, lie back down. I'll go ahead first," paused for a moment and added, "I'll come over tonight."

  Su Ying smoothed her hair and lay down, "Have you washed your face? Is it hot? Otherwise, I'll let them send an ice bowl over?" Every time they met, such polite inquiries almost became a conditioned reflex. Not to mention Su Ying's conditioned reflex, Fu Ye Yang was also used to this kind of treatment. In the past, Madam Su would ask him in the same way, but to Fu Ye Yang, it sounded stiff and not gentle enough.

  But now the scene is different. Su Ying was still lying on the pillow with a few parts of just waking up laziness, a different charm, and saying a few more words of concern, which can satisfy Fu's needs particularly well.

  "Don't worry about these things for now, how did you end up sleeping here? You didn't even go back to bed. Now that you're pregnant, this place can't compare to the comfort of sleeping in bed." Fu Yeyang took the handkerchief handed over by Su Ying and wiped the sweat from his forehead, lecturing as he spoke.

  "It's not convenient to put the ice bucket in the inner room, I'm too lazy to go to the pavilion, so I'll just take a nap here," Su Ying slowly turned her body over and leaned against the pillow to look at him, still with a lazy tone. "When you're asleep, you don't feel the heat anymore, but when you're outside, be careful, it's getting hotter and hotter, remember to put some cooling medicine in your bag."

  "Remember that." Fu Yeyang said, taking the fan that Lu Xi had just put down and fanning Su Ying with it. Su Ying really didn't expect this person to be so condescending as to do such a thing. After all, in the past, she had to serve him even when he was getting dressed, or else there would be several maids surrounding him, and Su Ying often did things like fastening his jade pendant for him.

  Don't look at others not being favored by the Fu family, but now they are indeed the real Marquis, and in the past, they were also the eldest son of the Hou Mansion. The Fu grandmother loved him dearly, the old marquis valued him highly, and from a young age, he wore brocade clothes and ate fine food, surrounded by servants. So when he really started fanning himself, Su Ying's heart suddenly felt a sense of "being favored as if surprised", secretly despising herself, and surprisingly, she also began to enjoy it with peace of mind.

  Her face flushed with a hint of red, her smile was sweet and curved as she laughed at him. Fu Yeyang was also infected by the rare smile on her face. Originally, he still had some unfinished business to attend to in front, and he was just going to take a look at Su Ying before heading over. But now, his heart felt a little reluctant to leave.

  But after two people talked for a while, Su Ying first asked him: "Is there any official business that has not been handled?"

  Fu Yiyang cleared his throat, put down the fan: "I'll deal with it as soon as possible." He was sent off by Su Ying's gaze, and when he turned around, he still had a bit of a carefree air about him. Others were going to do real things, what did it look like to be immersed in a gentle and peaceful place!

  Mint and Aloe rushed in to attend, Mint sneaked a glance at Su Ying, hid behind Aloe with her head down and shook her shoulders. When Su Ying looked over, she quickly picked up the pair of earrings that Fu Ye had taken off, "It's indeed the servant's fault, Madam was still wearing hairpins while sleeping, it must be uncomfortable."

  Su Ying was taken aback, then immediately reacted and understood what was going on. She pinched Bao He's hand and glared at her with a smile. Bao He giggled and dodged to the side.

  Bai Zhi brought over the newly baked pastries and asked, "What's going on? Just now Zi Su asked me what the mistress wanted to eat for dinner." Originally, Lu Hui had said something about adding dishes, but after seeing Fu Ye Yang come and leave a while ago, she was somewhat uncertain.

  "No need to prepare many greasy dishes, just make some light ones." Lu Hui smoothed Su Ying's hair and didn't style it in a complicated way, instead letting it hang loose and relaxed. She also didn't wear earrings, looking refreshing and pleasant.

  When Fu Mu and Chen Furen returned from Yunruo Temple, Su Ying sent someone to ask about it as a matter of routine, but didn't bother to ask about the specific situation. However, according to the maid who passed on the message, Fu Mu seemed to be in low spirits and let Chen Furen return without keeping her behind.

  This old lady is really willful. Su Ying commented, sprinkling the fish food in her hand into the fish tank, taking over the towel handed over by Lü Huī to wipe her hands, looking at the colorful carp swimming around the water grass in the glass fish tank, the green grass swaying, the water shining, adding a lot of brightness and interest to the room.

  When Fu Yiyang arrived, a one-foot-high red coral bonsai came with him. Su Ying raised an eyebrow, was this supposed to be consolation for feeling wronged?

  If it's really like that, then it would be... the more the better.

  Even if it's just a show, at least it's better than the Su family who didn't even get any consolation money after all their hard work. But on the other hand, Fu Yeyang's private house is really luxurious. Not to mention anything else, but all the most valuable and expensive decorations in this room were given by Fu Yeyang, especially after she was diagnosed with pregnancy, Fu Yeyang had two boxes of things sent over at once.

  Su Ying carefully examined the red coral bonsai. The carving was exquisite, and the color was also correct. With a smile on her face, she looked for a place to put it, and Fu Yeyang saw that she was so happy and his heart felt much lighter: "This color is right, and it's suitable to be placed here."

  Mint secretly gave aloe vera a thumbs up behind people's backs, and aloe vera smiled with restraint.

  Su Ying came out of the bathroom and saw Fu Ye Yang holding a book with a serious expression. Su Ying walked over to take a look, it was that book "The Legend of the Condor Hero". She raised an eyebrow and said softly: "Is this the one?"

  Fu Yiyang raised his head and looked at her, "Have you read it?"

  Su Ying nodded, "I heard from the servant who bought the book that it's very popular. I read it and thought the plot was brilliant and the writing was elegant. I wonder what kind of talented scholar could have written such a masterpiece?"

  Fu Yiyang hesitated for a moment: "It's widely admired by scholars and even the Emperor has mentioned it in private."

  Su Ying looked at him, listening to his tone was somewhat strange, with a complex expression, could it be that he knew some inside information? Su Ying thought for a moment, feeling that if the Emperor had the heart to investigate who wrote this book, it wouldn't be difficult. Even if Chen Wanqiu did write it, it didn't mean there were no clues left behind. Besides, Chen Wanqiu wasn't someone who was cautious, disguising herself as a man and appearing in public, unaware of what others thought, but in Su Ying's eyes, her disguise was full of flaws.

  Su Ying was still wondering what Chen Wanqiu's purpose was in making a fuss about the cultural circle, but after thinking about Fu Yeyang's words just now, she suddenly came up with a guess. If it was really as she thought, then Chen Wanqiu's ambition was not small at all.

  "What are you thinking about?" Fu Yeyang put down the book that had disturbed the thoughts of many people and sat beside Su Ying to ask.

  Su Ying was secretly pondering her own thoughts, and now hearing him ask, she smiled casually: "I think Guo Jing in this book is a lucky fool, although he's dull and stupid, but in the end he achieved such great success." Fu Yeyang listened, listening to her continue: "I think it's because he focuses on what he does, willing to work hard and study, when the child grows up, I can use such an example to educate him."

  Fu Yiyang couldn't help but laugh: "What's on your mind? Our child is definitely extraordinary."

  Su Ying couldn't help but glare at him, "How can you be so arrogant? What if it becomes proud because of what you said?" Although Su Ying was extremely in agreement with Fu Yeyang's words in her heart, she had to be humble. Being humble is the only way to make progress, isn't it?

  Fu Yiyang, however, didn't think so. He walked up to Su Ying's side and reached out to touch her already bulging belly: "Is this little thing still as mischievous as before? A while ago it was still being praised for being filial, looks like it needs a good lesson."

  Then, under Su Ying's gaze, he recited the "Enter then Filial Piety" from the Disciple Rules, and said that his name was already taught to him. Su Ying couldn't find any words to describe her emotions for a while, and could only nod along with Fu Ye Yang's words.

  Until late at night, the two of them didn't do anything else. Fu Yeyang wrapped his arms around Su Ying and became a chatterbox, talking endlessly about many things, with the theme being "How to educate sons to become successful", and even citing his own experiences to add persuasive power.

  Look at him now, so majestic and talented in both literature and military strategy. His son will definitely surpass him after being tempered and growing up under his influence. It's hard to say if he'll be better than his father, but he'll certainly make a name for himself.

  Su Ying couldn't help but roll her eyes, how did she not notice before that this person was so narcissistic.

  Qing Wan occasionally heard Zhong Rui Wang Ye mention "The Legend of the Condor Hero", Qing Wan's face immediately turned unfavorable, and before Zhong Rui Wang Ye's suspicious gaze fell on her, she heard the sound of a teacup shattering. The teacup that Qing Wan had originally intended to hand to Zhong Rui Wang Ye was dropped by her, falling to the ground, and Qing Wan's skirt was wet halfway up, fortunately not splashing onto Zhong Rui Wang Ye's body.

  Qing Wan suppressed her rapidly beating heart, feigning a startled cry, and without regard for the wet patch on her clothes, she knelt down to apologize to Prince Zhong Rui: "It's all my fault for being clumsy, disturbing Your Highness's elegance. I hope you can forgive me." As she spoke, she bit her lip, furrowed her eyebrows, and gazed at Prince Zhong Rui with tears in her eyes.

  Zhong Rui's close friend, Ding Ding, looked at Qing Wan with a glance and smiled: "Wan'er doesn't have to blame herself like this. Instead, you're all wet, go change your clothes."

  Qing Wan lifted her skirt and glanced at him with a hint of shyness: "Let me go change." It seemed that he couldn't stay today, and as expected, Prince Zhong Rui didn't continue to linger. Qing Wan stared blankly at the majestic back of Prince Zhong Rui until he was out of sight, then she withdrew her gaze and waved away the little maid who had come over to attend to her, changing her clothes alone behind the screen.

  Just now in front of Zhong Rui Wang Ye, she could still hold it in, but as soon as she was left alone, her originally delicate face turned cold. Originally, Qing Wan had never thought that there were other crossers in this world when she was in Jin Yi Garden, but Chen Wanqiu's appearance was like a slap in the face for her. Everyone is a crossing woman, no one is more noble than anyone else, why does she have to be so high and mighty, even speaking with a commanding tone!

  Qing Wan thought of Chen Wanqiu's scornful face when she plagiarized poetry, and her disgust grew even stronger. Just now, when she heard the familiar book title, Qing Wan's first reaction was that this was something that despicable person Chen Wanqiu had plagiarized!

  She has become a female representative and still wants to set up a plaque, how shameful!

  Qing Wan pinched the palm of her hand, she was originally worried that Chen Wanqiu had something on her, she was under her control, but now if it was really Chen Wanqiu's plagiarized book, hum! Qing Wan thought so and a few shades of ruthlessness appeared on her face, taking a long deep breath.

  Qing Wan still had some reservations about Chen Wanqiu, but being controlled by someone was not a pleasant feeling. Qing Wan suddenly thought of another crosser in the Yongwu Marquis's mansion that Chen Wanqiu had mentioned, but didn't know what identity he was?

  What made Qing Wan even more unimaginable was that if "The Legend of the Condor Hero" wasn't fabricated by Chen Wanqiu, then wouldn't there be other unknown time-travelers. If only she had known earlier, she wouldn't have so recklessly plagiarized famous works, although it brought her current wealth and glory, but also made her the first to be exposed.

  But Qing Wan didn't have too many regrets, if it wasn't for this, she might still be living a life where she was insulted and bullied by others, and couldn't even eat a full meal.

  Qing Wan thought for a long time and finally decided to meet Chen Wanqiu to test her sincerity.

  She changed into a moon-white dress with golden silk edges and came out, her waist was pinched thin, her fine eyebrows were furrowed, adding a hint of melancholy to her, I saw her still lovely.

  Qing Wan cautiously looked around, then picked up her pen and wrote a small note, rolled it up and put it in a thin bamboo tube, tied it up, and pretended to take a walk outside the house, throwing the bamboo tube into a clump of bamboos. This was why Qing Wan still had misgivings about Chen Wanqiu's place, she still didn't understand how Chen Wanqiu took her letter away and brought it back!

  Qing Wan let out a gentle sigh, unaware that after she returned to the house, a usually unnoticeable maid who was sweeping the yard tripped and fell while approaching the bamboo grove, but quickly got up and continued sweeping diligently.

  No one else in the courtyard noticed this little episode.

  Chen Wanqiu received Qingwen's note requesting a meeting, and sneered: "It's been so long since then, and now I'm just getting the news. It seems that Qingwen isn't as favored as the rumors outside say."

  Chen Wanqiu thought to herself: If you want to grasp my handle, you have to see if you have the ability. If it wasn't for having a few uses left, I wouldn't be so hypocritical and nauseatingly flattering with her.

  ps：

  (＝^^＝)