Tled by Serena Love

Unedited

Chapter 104 (1): Leaving Beijing

When Zhou-shi returned to the third courtyard, everyone was waiting for the mooncakes to cook.

The sweet scent spread all over the courtyard. Jiang Shuyao took off the wooden board and used a brush to apply a layer of egg yolk to the mooncakes.

Xie Zhao tugged at her cuffs and asked, "Third aunts, let me brush one."

As soon as Jiang Shuyao handed him the brush, she heard some movement and looked towards the courtyard gate.

As soon as she moved, other people who were chatting also turned and looked towards the gate.

Tonight was like a dream to Zhou-shi. The seven years of suffocation came to an end. She never thought that when this day came, those feelings would be so easily blown away by the night wind.

A relieved smile appeared on her face, and she strode towards them.

Seven years are long, and it was not difficult, but it was full of small and irreversible choices. But if someone asked Zhou-shi if she regretted marrying into the capital, she didn't know the answer before entering the courtyard. But now she understands, her answer is no regrets.

Xu-shi put aside her thoughts and walked over to her quickly. She frowned and asked softly, "What happened?"

Zhou-shi looked at the woman, who had fought with her for seven years and often made her stomped her feet in anger. Suddenly she felt that everything in the world was really amazing.

She shook her head, and before she spoke, Xu-shi already tightened her handkerchief, "Can you, no, can he..."

Zhou-shi burst into laughter, and she said, "The dust has settled."

Xu-shi took a deep breath, and her willow eyebrows raised slightly. The joyful expression was hurriedly suppressed before it even rose and turned into worry, "Then you..." She knows how infatuated Zhou-shi was.

Seeing her so cautious, Zhou-shi smiled more and more happily, "I'm going home."

Xu-shi was taken aback and immediately laughed. She didn't know how to say anything else, so she could only nod continuously, "Good, good." The result was better than she had expected.

Jiang Shuyao also put down the brush plate in her hand, trot over, and asked, "How's it going?"

Zhou-shi recounted the matter, and Jiang Shuyao followed with a smile, "Great, you can go home now."

After she said that, her expression became a little sad again, "Mobei... is far from the capital."

Xu-shi, smiling on the side, also changed her expression, from being happy for Zhou-shi to reluctant to give her up.

"It's not that I won't come back. Even if I get there, my boss's wife is still in the capital. I have to come back to learn more recipes." She shrugged, "It takes two months for ordinary people to come and go, but I am different. I am better than most men in the world."

The melancholy that just risen inside Xu-shi's heart had immediately disappeared, and she bickered with her, "So arrogant."

On the contrary, Zhou-shi was accustomed to this Xu-shi, and she was immediately felt comfortable.

Jiang Shuyao breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good. You have to come back after my mother gave birth. After all, my mother runs around on the streets all day, and she depends on you to protect her. You can't be missing when the baby is born."

Zhou-shi nodded in response and mentioned her plan, "I decided to leave at the end of the month so that I can spend the New Year in Mobei."

"So fast?"

"Yes, I decided to leave as soon as possible. No procrastination."

While several people were chatting with each other, the maids sent mooncakes that had been brushed with egg mixture for the third time to the kiln.

When the mooncake was out of the oven, everyone stopped chatting and looked at it.

The mooncakes are of different shapes, neatly arranged on the plate. Some are golden colored, some reddish-brown in a pretty pattern, all exuding a sweet smell, with the warmth of just coming out of the oven. The smells very long and mellow.

Freshly baked desserts are the most delicious. Jiang Shuyao encouraged everyone to taste them and said, "Be careful."

So everyone besieged the tray and picked up the moon cakes they each had shaped with a mold.

Xie Xun's is naturally the huge five-nuts moon cake with his handwriting printed on it.

Jiang Shuyao raised her head and looked at him expectantly, "Try it."

The freshly baked mooncake is held in his hand, and the remaining warmth is still in it. When he bites it down, and the thick sweetness immediately sweeps through his mouth. It was dense, infiltrating his lips and cheeks. It is indistinguishable whether it is warm or hot, but it made him feel happiness and satisfaction.

The mooncakes have a slight crispy outer skin, but soft and fragrant in the inside. The fillings are firm. Walnut kernels and melon seeds are chopped and mixed with rock sugar for the fillings. It tastes sweet enough and has a nutty aroma, which is wonderful.

Xie Xun nodded, "It's delicious."

Jiang Shuyao has become accustomed to him. Everything is delicious for Xie Xun.

But she likes him like this.

"There is also red bean paste. You try this. I like this flavor the most."

She brought the mooncakes with her hand, and Xie Xun opened his mouth naturally, causing the twins to wink.

Xie Xun took a bite of the red bean paste mooncake. Then, Jiang Shuyao retracted her hand and took a bite herself. The two looked at each other with a smile and chewed together.

Jiang Shuyao likes red bean paste but does not like sweet red bean paste, so she puts in less sugar. The red bean paste still retains the flavor of red beans. The outer skin is thin and moist. When bitten down, you can feel the crust and the bean paste filling are dense. The taste is sweet, light, and chewy. The red bean flavor and the crust flavor blended together and made it soft and warm.

"I like this too." Xie Xun swallowed the mooncakes, savoring the sweet aroma.

Jiang Shuyao smiled and said, "Wait until you finish everything, and see which one you don't like."

After tasting the mooncakes, everyone stayed in the courtyard for a while before returning to their rooms.

After Xu-shi and Zhou-shi said goodbye at the fork in the road, she looked at Zhou-shi's back and did not move for a while.

Xie Li walked over and reminded, "Madam, Second sister-in-law is gone."

Xu-shi did not move but sighed, "I just feel a little sad."

Xie Li also said, "Yes, no one can see clearly about the matter of love." He comforted her, "But for Second sister-in-law, it may not be a waste of seven years. Life is often unsuccessful, but even more, most of the time, life is uneventful. In these seemingly inconspicuous trivial days, whether they are full of troubles or beautiful, it may be missed in the future."

Xu-shi nodded and finally moved forward.

Xie Ye and Xie Hao were walking in front, while the twins pulled Xie Li's robes. The moonlight stretched their shadow very long.

Xu-shi was one step behind them, slowly dangled in the back, with mixed thoughts in her mind.

Perhaps because tonight was peaceful, Xu-shi relaxed a lot and suddenly ran to catch up with Xie Li, "Husband, I have something to ask you."

Xie Li walked forward with the sleepy twins around his robe. He watched them while turning his head and said, "What's the matter?"

Xu-shi hesitated for a while and still asked the most puzzling question in her marriage over the years, "Why did you never take a concubine after we got married?" When she just got married, she looked at her black-faced husband for a while and was so worried. He is a stiff and strict person who doesn't know how to be considerate to his wife. She knows that she does not have a top-notch appearance, and her temperament is average. Every time people sent a singer or a dancer, she has to worry about it. She can't wait to immediately take out the methods she has learned in her boudoir to secure her position as a wife.

Unexpectedly, for so many years, Xie Li was not only considerate but also rejected all Yingying and Yanyan. He gave her a married life that she did not dare to expect in her teenage years. She had doubts, had troubles, but she hadn't understood until now.

Xie Li comforted the dozing Xie Yao and chuckled softly after hearing her words, "Do you remember what you said on the wedding night, Madam?"

After more than ten years, Xu-shi had forgotten her wedding. How could she still remember what she said back then?

She recalled it carefully. It was nothing more than some auspicious saying. What else could it be?

Xie Li looked at her and knew that she had forgotten, "That night, I was awkwardly asleep. You propped up and whispered to me, 'Husband, please bear me. I won't ask one couple for the rest of our lives. I only ask us to respect each other as guests and let me be a solid wife. If you can't do it, I will disturb you for the rest of your life.' How dare you forget such a terrible threat?"

After speaking, Xie Yao was already too sleepy to stand still. Xie Li squatted down and picked him up, then continued to walk to the first branch, as if what he said just now was just an ordinary chat.

His reaction was dull, but Xu-shi was stiff in place as if she was struck by lightning.

She stared at Xie Li's back blankly, unable to believe what she had just heard.

For so many years, she only said that on the night of the wedding after she thought he was asleep, but he heard it clearly and remembered it for more than ten years?!

She stared at his back in surprise. So Xie Li understood from the beginning that she was not so gentle and virtuous at all? Does he know everything about her mask for so many years?

Xie Li turned his head, looked at her standing still, and laughed.

After reluctantly closing his smile, he said, "Madam, keep up. The children are too sleepy."

Xu-shi nodded woodenly and ran to him with her skirt in her hands.

After everyone dispersed, the third branch courtyard returned to its usual tranquility.

Jiang Shuyao and Xie Xun were unwilling to go to bed immediately after washing, so they simply placed a low stool in front of the door and snuggled up to admire the moon.

"Fortunately, Bai Zhi went home. If she is there, she will definitely ask me to go back to the room, saying that I have to be careful not to catch a cold while watching the moon.

Xie Xun wrapped Jiang Shuyao tightly with his cloak, "This way, you won't catch a cold."

Jiang Shuyao leaned her head in Xie Xun's arms, found a comfortable posture, and looked up at the sky, "The moon tonight is so beautiful. We don't have to wait until the fifteen to see the moon."

Xie Xun put his arms around her and looked up at the moon as well, "Yes." He touched Jiang Shuyao's hand with his left hand and clasped her ten fingers. "Then how about we often admire the moon in the future? You don't have to wait until fifteen or the full moon. Just you and me, reciting poems against each other, drinking wine and talking about joy—"

Jiang Shuyao interrupted her, "Don't embarrass me. How could I chant poems?"

Xie Xun felt that her words made sense and nodded in agreement, "I am responsible for reciting poems, and you are responsible for the wine and talking."

Jiang Shuyao was satisfied.

Xie Xun thought about the second branch and raised the question that he had thought for a long time, "Do you want to live away from Beijing?"

Jiang Shuyao puzzled, "Leaving Beijing? To where?"

"I have been to many desolate state capitals during my travels before, and I have seen too many people suffering. I always wanted to go to those places as an official and do my best for the people. I had to go back to Beijing to assist the crown prince, but I am afraid that I will lose my heart if I live in Beijing for a long time." He squeezed Jiang Shuyao's hand, feeling a little nervous, "But when I married you, I gave up my mind, afraid that you would suffer with me."

Jiang Shuyao immediately understood. It is estimated that Xie Lang's request to be transferred to QingZhou had touched Xie Xun's mind. She said, "What are you going to suffer? Will you wrong me?"

Xie Xun quickly said, "Of course not."

"Then that is it. For me, as long as we live well, I won't have to complain. If we go to the north, then we can taste authentic mountain treasures; if we go to the southeast, then we can eat a lot of fish, shrimp, and seafood; it would be better if we go to the southwest, the fruit over there is delicious."

Xie Xun's inner worries disappeared instantly. He shook his head and chuckles, "Why did you immediately think of eating?"

"Isn't life like this? Eating and drinking are my joy. You don't have to worry about me. As long as I follow you, I am willing to go anywhere."

Xie Xun was silent for a long time. Finally, he rubbed his chin against Jiang Shuyao's head and said dully, "Thank you."

Jiang Shuyao raised her head and kissed his chin, then she smiled and said, "You're welcome."

She shrank in his cloak, smiling brightly. Her eyes are full of him. Xie Xun's heart softened, and he lowered her head to kiss her lips.

Warm and sweet. He didn't want to separate after touching it.

Xie Xun thought so and did the same, lingering on her lips, making her a little breathless.

Xie Xun finally understood the sweetness of her red lips and gently holding them. This temptation is too great, so he separated from her from time to time. The apex of his heart is flapping like a butterfly, made it feel itchy and swollen.

Jiang Shuyao wanted to push him away but forgot that she was wrapped in his cloak. She couldn't reach out and could only endure his kisses.

By the time he stopped, her strength had already disappeared.

Xie Xun cleared his throat, moved his long legs to cover the strangeness under him. He changed the subject, "Ah, it's late at night. It's time to go to bed."

Jiang Shuyao nodded. Xie Xun wanted to stand up, but he was held back by her, "I'm out of strength. You carry me over."

Xie Xun was stunned for a while. He turned his head, and his gaze met her watery eyes.

Fearing that he would not be able to suppress his evil thoughts, he dared not look at her too much. He picked up Jiang Shuyao and strode inside.

After placing Jiang Shuyao on the bed, he wanted to turn around and turn off the lights, but his gaze fell into Jiang Shuyao's watery eyes, and he couldn't move his feet.

He felt like he was out of control. He sat on the edge of the bed and pressed her lips again.

This time, Jiang Shuyao completely couldn't breathe. She wanted to push him away, but she didn't have the strength. Her palms touched his chest and made him feel numb. He simply pressed her down, held her hand, and pushed it to the top of her head.

Her hair bun was crushed, and the wooden hairpin that casually held her black hair was shaky.

"Can I?" Xie Xun asked.

His eyes are no longer as cold and alienated as they used to be. He had long been infected with blurred feelings, full of oppression.

Jiang Shuyao turned her head away from his sight and nodded.

Xie Xun's fingertips trembled. He gently pulled the wooden hairpin out of her hair. The silky black hair scattered, slid gently across the back of his hand. It was as cold as satin.

Their clothes were scattered along with it, and the room is full of spring scenery.

Chapter 104 (2): Parting

As autumn passed, winter came quietly.

Zhou-shi was preparing and cleaning up, but finally, she left before the cold winter arrived.

On the morning of her departure, everyone in Duke Xie's Mansion got up early and went to the city gate to see her off.

Zhou-shi only felt that this was too much, so she walked all the way and asked them to go back.

In the face of the parting, Xu-shi secretly wiped her tears a few times. As a result, when she lifted the curtain of the car, she saw Zhou-shi sitting on a tall horse, looking like she could not wait to immediately get out of the city and run her horse freely. Her tears were immediately taken back, "I'll just send you once. Next time you leave, even if you want me to send you, I will not send it."

Zhou-shi had put down her married woman's bun and tied her hair into a high ponytail. She put on a piece of clothes that was just like a man's. Her beauty faded, leaving only the heroic appearance.

She rode her horse close to Xu-shi's carriage, "That is what you said."

Xu-shi took a deep breath and put down her carriage's curtain.

When they arrived at the gate, Lin-shi had been waiting there for a long time.

Seeing her getting off the carriage, Zhou-shi suddenly frowned, "Didn't I tell you that you can just raise your baby at home? Why did you come out again?" Lin-shi supported her back and said, "I can't send you away when you leave Beijing?"

Zhou-shi looked at her pregnant belly and was frightened, "What sending, don't worry, I will send you a letter before opening a store in Mobei. I will report business to you at any time. I will never ruin the Lin family's food business reputation."

Lin-shi snorted, "I don't care about that. Do I worried about business when I get up so early to send you off?"

Zhou-shi said helplessly, "I know that you are reluctant to bear me leaving, but I am going to come back. Even if you don't say anything else, I will definitely come back when you give birth. After so much trouble, we will meet again in two or three months."

As soon as her voice finished, Xu-shi probed her head from the carriage and said in unison with Lin-shi, "Who can't bear you leaving!"

Zhou-shi hurriedly said, "Go, go."

Xu-shi got down from her carriage and beckoned. The driver of the two carriages behind her immediately drove their horse forward.

She said to Zhou-shi, "You can hurry, and they will follow behind slowly."

Zhou-shi got off her horse and came to her. "What are they for? I don't need someone to wait on me on my journey."

Xu-shi was a little awkward, "I'm not taking care of you. It's the farewell gift I prepared. They are the shopkeepers I'm using. They are good at settling accounts, and their hometown is in Mobei. Let them come with you. It can be considered as fulfilling their homesickness."

Zhou-shi's rubbed her head, "What will they do afterward?"

Xu-shi glanced at her when she heard her words, "You have to find some accountants anyway, and they may be useful. Don't say anything else. Do you want to settle accounts yourself?"

Zhou-shi retorted, "Why not?"

Xu-shi couldn't help it and sneer, "Do you think I really don't know the hands and feet you have moved on the accounts all these years?" She held Zhou-shi's palm, and her eyes were hot. The two had been fighting in private for many years. With this little trouble, her life for so many years was not too boring.

Zhou-shi had a guilty conscience and stopped talking.

Xu-shi said, "Moreover, it's not all for you. It's more because these people have done a lot and have always wanted to return to their hometown. I let them go back. You can use them if you need them. Just forget it if you don't."

Zhou-shi nodded, and the two fell silent.

Lin-shi also brought in two large carriages and told Zhou-shi, "These are all useful things. The list is here. Take your time on the road."

Jiang Shuyao helped Lin-shi come over and took out a thick book from her cuff, "Second sister-in-law, this is cooking recipes written by me from the beginning to the present. I hope it will be useful to you." It was a thick book. She rushed for time every day and wrote straight for more than a month.

Zhou-shi took it and saw the dense handwriting inside. At this time, her heart finally felt reluctant to say goodbye.

Her voice is a little dull, "Thank you."

There are too many things she wanted to say. If she continued speaking, she would never be able to move.

Lin-shi is an elder who understands this truth. She said to Zhou-shi, "Okay, let's go. You can rush to the next station for lunch."

Zhou-shi nodded. She returned to her horse, looked back at them, and climbed up neatly.

"Then I'm leaving," she said.

The three nodded, "Be careful on the road."

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Zhou-shi smiled. She raised her whip and rode away.

The tall horse galloped, and the wind blew her clothes and fluttering hair. She turned into a small spot in the blink of an eye and disappeared into the distance.

Lin-shi curled her lips and mumbled, "She just went out of the capital and rode her horse like a tiger. I don't know how crazy she would be when she is back in Mobei."

Xu-shi echoed, "Probably."

After speaking, the three fell silent again.

Lin-shi waved, "Let's go, let's go back."

Xu-shi and Jiang Shuyao nodded. They were about to turn around when Jiang Shuyao covered her mouth and suddenly retched.

Lin-shi was shocked, "What's wrong? Could it be that you got too much cold wind?"

Jiang Shuyao didn't answer and retched again.

Xu-shi hurriedly called the maids to get hot water.

Jiang Shuyao's stomach finally felt comfortable after taking a sip of hot water. She was about to say, "I'm okay," but before making a sound, she retched again.

When she calmed down and got up, she saw the piercing eyes of Xu-shi and Lin-shi.

"What, what?" She was a little scared.

Lin-shi said, "Have you ever had this kind of nausea before?"

Jiang Shuyao was puzzled, "There is a little bit about these days. Probably that when winter comes, I was always blown by the cold wind, and I get cold air in my stomach..." When she spoke, she really can't stand Lin-shi and Xu-shi's bright eyes. "What are you looking at?"

Lin-shi was a little excited. She leaned on her back, touching her belly, and said, "Are you doing well with my son-in-law?"

Jiang Shuyao was startled, "Mother!" She glanced at Xu-shi's, and her ears turned red.

Xu-shi said to Lin-shi, "It looks like it."

"What is it?" Jiang Shuyao was confused.

Lin-shi chuckled, took her hand, and led her to the carriage, "Silly girl, what else can it be, you have it!"

"What's the matter?" Jiang Shuyao was pushed but not daring to struggle for fear of bumping into Lin-shi's pregnant belly, "Mother, be careful."

Xu-shi's mouth covered her mouth and smiled, "What else can be? Of course, you are pregnant."

While Jiang Shuyao was stupefied, Lin-shi had already instructed the coachman, "Go back to the house and drive the horse steadily. The more stable, the better."

Xu-shi and Lin-shi swept away their previous sadness. They were even more excited after the doctor diagnosed the pulse and confirmed that she was pregnant. One asked someone to send a letter to Xie Xun, and the other set out to prepare for the birth.

After Xie Xun received Lin-shi's message, he thought there was something urgent, so he hurried back to Duke Xie's residence.

He ran to the main courtyard without panting, and he saw people coming and going, very busy. He felt even more anxious.

When he stepped into the door, he was relieved to see Jiang Shuyao sitting in a chair. Safe and sound.

Before he asked, Jiang Shuyao said, "Bo Yuan, you can't leave Beijing this year."

"Huh?" Xie Xun ignored her words. Instead, he looked at her up and down first, and worrying, "What's the matter, what's the matter?"

Jiang Shuyao said, "There is no problem. I'm pregnant."

Xie Xun nodded, "It's fine if there is no problem, if there is no problem—wait. What did you say?"

Jiang Shuyao couldn't help laughing when she saw his silly look. She raised the volume and said, "I said, I'm pregnant."

Xie Xun's worried expression was completely broken. Ecstasy surged to his heart, and he was standing still at a loss. He wanted to hug her but didn't dare to approach her. In the end, Jiang Shuyao threw herself into his arms, and he caught her with fear.

"Be careful," he said tremblingly.

Jiang Shuyao smiled more happily, "You are too stupid like this." She didn't expect Xie Xun to have this day.

Xie Xun had no choice but to hold her shoulders to prevent her from arching. He carefully took her back to the chair and began to ask carefully, "Have you seen the doctor? What did he say? What to do? What to pay attention to? No, I shouldn't ask you. You sit down first, don't sit on the bench, go and sit down..."

His babbling is enough to show how tight he will be in the next nine months.

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Jiang Shuyao is pregnant. Duke Xie Mansion is celebrating, the street food market is also celebrating, the restaurant, breakfast stalls, and snack shops are all celebrating. Half of the capital is full of joy and peace. Even the East Palace group walked around with wind of joy—discussing what to give to the baby.

In the whole Beijing, only Xie Xun was tense.

The excitement lasted until the New Year, but it doubled when the new year passed, a burst of firecrackers was blasting, and the new year had arrived.

After the first snow fell in the capital, the capital was covered in silver.

Jiang Shuyao shrank in Xie Xun's arms to enjoy the snow and soon became drowsy, which made Xie Xun extremely worried, "Why have you become more sleepy recently?"

Jiang Shuyao was speechless, "Pregnant women are like this."

Xie Xun didn't believe it. He reached out and fetched the booklet next to them to read his notes.

Jiang Shuyao forcibly closed it as soon as it was opened.

Xie Xun had no choice but to put down the book. He put his arms around her and continued to watch the scenery with her.

The snow and wind outside the window gradually stopped, and the charcoal basin inside the house was still burning. Xie Xun looked at the snow outside the window, thinking about how to refuse Jiang Shuyao's request to go out to play.

Just when he was figuring out the excuse, he realized that Jiang Shuyao hadn't spoken for a while.

Looking down, the person in his arms had fallen asleep at some point.

Xie Xun shook his head, chuckled lightly, and carried her onto the bed.

After a while, the wind and snow rose again. Snowflakes fell like ice crystals, forming ice ridges on the eaves. Outside the window, the wind and snow were raging, and the cold wind was rustling, but the room was peaceful and quiet, with only the sound of gentle breathing and the soft sound of pages turning. Last year is a good year, and the coming year is set to be a happy one.

---

[T/N: This is the end of the normal chapters, but the story will be finished after couple of bonus chapters next week.]

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