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  Qī Yǒu got back later than usual today, didn't even make it in time for dinner with everyone, and now the moon is already high in the sky.

  Walking in the moonlight, listening to Qi'an telling about what happened in the mansion today.

  Finally, Qi'an glanced at his master, licked his lips, and didn't dare to hide the fact that he had been bullied when he went to pay respects to Da Shao.

  Qī Yòu stopped in his tracks, "Who told you?"

  "Returning to the main topic, when Shao came from Da's place to pay his respects, Xiao had already brought someone to plant mosquito-repelling grass for him. Yun Shu and Qiu Zhen heard this beside him."

  "Has anyone said nothing?"

  "No, afterwards he just stayed in his room for a while and then came out to eat as if nothing had happened."

  Qī Yòu suddenly felt a pang of heartache, that proud person had never suffered such humiliation before, but in the aristocratic family, being bullied by one's mother-in-law was a common occurrence, and this was only the beginning, afterwards...

  He had originally intended to go to the study, but Qi You changed his steps and walked towards the courtyard, although the gate should have been closed at this hour.

  From afar to near, in the night, the yard that was full of life during the day now looks a bit desolate. However, he only needs to push open the gate and he can see the newly added small plants, the table and chairs under the tree, and today's addition of mosquito-repelling grass is not bad either. With his clever mind, it should be very beautiful. This yard has become more and more vibrant from its initial emptiness.

  Just like... his ordinary life.

  Before getting married, he had never had the feeling of wanting to rush home as soon as it was time. Today, due to some matters, he couldn't help but return late, and when having dinner with the crown prince, he kept thinking if she was waiting for him, or if she was blaming him for being unreliable.

  She was worried that she would be bullied by her mother when she went to pay respects, apparently, he wasn't worried for nothing, she indeed got angry at her mother's place, won't... will she tell him or not.

  Standing in front of the gate, looking at the tightly closed courtyard door, Qi You stretched out his hand to touch it, and his pupils suddenly contracted - the door was loose, not locked.

  Was it intentional or just a coincidence?

  A fleeting smile flashed in his eyes, and a gentle warmth slipped through his eyes without him noticing. With a slight force, the door creaked open, and two maids quickly came out from inside, their cautious demeanor making Qi You very satisfied.

  After seeing the newcomer clearly, Yatou hurriedly bowed and saluted, "The maid has seen Master Gugu."

  "Free of charge, have you slept?"

  "Tell Master Gou, I've gone back to my room."

  "Lock up and go to bed."

  "Yes."

  After serving the master in the side room, Qi An tactfully did not continue to follow. In this courtyard, both he and Qi Liang had a place to rest. Wherever the master was, they would be there too.

  He gently pushed open the bedroom door, thinking he would be met with a cold and empty room. Instead, the candlelight flickered, and his eyes sparkled as he stood up to greet him.

  "So late?"

  His voice was soft and didn't sound like a complaint, but rather like he was coquettishly trying to get his way. Qi You's voice also unconsciously softened, "Something unexpected came up and I couldn't make it on time. In the future, if I'm not punctual, you don't have to wait for me to eat."

  "Alright, I didn't wait for long today either, tired already, want to rest now, no more skipping words."

  Qiu You walked over to the table and picked up the book she had put down, took a look, originally thought it would be profound, but unexpectedly it was a travelogue. "Like reading this kind of book?"

  Hua smiled softly, "It's not that I like or dislike it, but as a general rule, there isn't much freedom to go around, and the places one can visit are limited. One can only experience it through travel notes. There are some interesting local customs in them, and I also learned about purple sand mud from travel notes."

  "This kind of book indeed broadens one's horizons, but the candlelight is too dim. From now on, I'll read fewer books at night to avoid hurting my eyes."

  "Good."

  After receiving the book, two candles were blown out, leaving only the one closest to the bed.

  Upper front gave Qiyou apart from outerwear, after several days of training, she is now very familiar with the business, and where there are straps can also be touched.

  Quietly watching for a while, in this posture, Qi You took the person into his arms, and the feeling of being filled up made him satisfied to sigh.

  Hua Ru hesitated for a moment, then quietly stretched out her hand to encircle the man's waist. At this time, she didn't think too much in her heart, not thinking about his three concubines, nor wondering if this man was a good person. She simply and purely wanted to give a hug to this man who looked very tired, nominally her husband.

  In fact, as long as she doesn't hold onto her emotions, this man is a responsible and reliable one, worthy of her trust. If she didn't have the memories of a lifetime, she might even be able to find happiness.

  Ignorance is bliss, especially in a patriarchal society like this one.

  When being carried to bed by a man, when being pressed down by a man, when being entered by a man, Hua Ruyi felt as if this man had her in his heart at this moment.

  The next day, Hua Ruochu woke up in the man's arms, thinking about the fleeting thought that flashed through her mind last night, she felt like she must have gone crazy.

  "Awake?" The person behind her tightened his hold on her, and his lips brushed against the back of her neck, intentionally or unintentionally, sending shivers down her spine. It was too early in the morning for such flirtation.

  "It's too late when it's too late."

  "You don't have to go to the Crown Prince's residence today, the Crown Prince allowed me to accompany you to the tea garden."

  Hua Ruochu's eyes lit up, and she turned around in his arms to look at him, "Really? Then does today count as a rest day or what?"

  "For the prince, anything that pleases His Majesty is a good thing. As long as we can get the tea done quickly, he won't mind these details."

  Struggling out of her arms, Hua Ruji urged repeatedly, "Get up, get up. Today we still have to go to the main house for a meal. After the meal, we can leave the mansion early."

  Qī yòu only then remembered that day grandmother indeed said every fifth day of rest to go to the main hall for dinner, slowly got out of bed.

  Hua Ru took out clothes from the closet for him, and it was no longer unusual for her to help him change, as long as there were no special circumstances. One was willing to be served, and the other was willing to serve, they had a tacit understanding.

  "From now on, use that jade pendant."

  Hua Ru's movements paused for a moment, and she replied softly, "Alright, I'll compose a few more for you, with different jade seals."

  "Alright."

  Qī Yòu didn't say that he wore the jade pendant to the Crown Prince's mansion yesterday, not only did others ask what kind of pattern it was, but even the Crown Prince himself looked at it with great interest, and his new wife also teased him about it.

  If it weren't for his usual reserved emotions, he probably wouldn't have been able to hide the self-satisfaction that welled up inside him from those people.

  "Waiting outside, come in and attend."

  The door opened with a creak, and Yun Shu led Qiu Jian and Xia Yan in. After greeting the two, she efficiently took care of the luggage and waited on them as they washed up, then prepared to head to the main courtyard.

  Hua Ru looked around cautiously, making sure everything was in order before standing up. As she walked out with Qi You, she whispered, "Just follow me, Autumn Jian. Yun Shu, get ready and bring all the tools we've prepared. We'll head to the tea garden as soon as we leave the main courtyard."

  "Yes." Yun Shu was overjoyed and responded in a crisp voice. No matter what she did after leaving the mansion, as long as she could go out that door, she would be happy.

  When I went to the main hall, I felt that it was more lively than before. After all, it's been decades of old rules, and whether they liked it or not, they had been having breakfast and dinner together for decades. Only when this rule was broken did they feel a sense of relief, but at the same time, there was also a hint of discomfort.

  Once again gathered together, looking at each other feels a bit more intimate, people are indeed better off keeping a distance, emotions will be better.

  Xiao Yaotou lifted the curtain and Hua Ruochu followed Qi You half a step behind, entering the house. As soon as she saw her grandson had arrived, the old lady's eyes smiled into a line.

  "Grandfather and grandmother, may you be safe and sound."

  "Alright alright, why didn't Yu'er go to work early today?"

  "Received other errands from the prince."

  Having heard that it was the prince's order, those who knew better did not ask further questions. Women do not manage internal affairs; external matters are not their responsibility.

  The old man looked at him a few more times, seemingly wanting to ask something, but restrained himself.

  Hua Ru raised her head and saw Qi Shen Shi sitting there steadily, looking a bit surprised. Since she became pregnant, she had basically been staying in the house to rest and recover, and was being extremely careful.

  "Aunt San, how have you been lately? No skipping words."

  "Good, the medicine you sent for stabilizing the fetus is very effective. Recently, I feel that the child has become more stable. Dr. Sun said that he had only seen such a flower in medical books and it's extremely rare throughout the nine provinces. You managed to send so much of it, Third Aunt is grateful to you."

  "As long as it's useful to you."

  Qī Shěn smiled kindly, but she still looked down on her soft and not very dignified appearance. However, compared to those who were cunning, Huá Rú Chū was more considerate and easier to get along with. After thinking it through, her attitude naturally improved as well.

  Lao heard them and couldn't help but ask: "Hao? You're still so careless with your family's property, scattering it around like a child."

  "Mother, you're being biased! Yu'er is filial to me and indeed someone I can rely on. Can't I promote him further?"

  Qilin said with a smile, "Good, let's hear it and open my eyes."

  Qishen didn't cover up, "A kind of flower petal, Yu'er said it was for a safe pregnancy, I've never seen it before, asked Dr. Sun to take a look, Dr. Sun said it's an excellent medicine for a safe pregnancy and is rarely seen, I'm just thanking Yu'er!"

  "It's rare for you to have such a heart, and it seems that this gift is well-suited. The old lady looked at Hua Ru Chu with satisfaction, "Is there anything left? You don't look very robust either, I'm afraid it will be hard on you when you're pregnant."

  Hua Ru's face turned red as she nodded, "I left some behind, don't worry Grandma, my mother prepared more for me, I just gave some to the third aunt because the doctor said her fetus was unstable."

  "Good child." The old lady nodded in satisfaction. In this wealthy family, there was no room for ignorance and kindness, even the most innocent person would be ground down by their environment, losing their nature and learning to scheme. But she just liked children who were kind and filial, and Hua Ruoyu's behavior made her very satisfied.

  These two are so annoying that I'm getting goosebumps all over my body!! (If you like this work, welcome to subscribe and reward. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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