kvmb Chapter 266 Tan'er, have pity on me
Chapter 266 Tan'er, have pity on me
Zhao Yi's eyes flickered slightly. They had previously agreed to go to Xishan to recuperate, but due to Zhao Wan's marriage and the need to deal with matters concerning the second branch of the family, it had been delayed until today.
He didn't mind Manman inviting his fourth aunt to Xishan, but he hesitated if his fourth uncle were also invited.
The two of them were completely unrestrained in private, and he was worried that they would lead Manman astray.
"You want to go to West Mountain with Fourth Aunt?"
Zhao Yi looked into Shen Qingtan's clear and bright eyes, which held a hint of anticipation, as if she was really looking forward to this trip to Xishan.
He paused for a moment, then sighed softly, "Let's go together."
Zhao Yi was thinking of having Jiang Chao go to Xishan tomorrow and arrange another house for him, one that was a little further away from Wangyou Tower.
“When my fourth aunt asked me out, I said I wanted to ask for your opinion, and she said you would definitely go.” Shen Qingtan’s eyes were slightly upturned, and her smile revealed a hint of coquettishness: “I think what she said makes sense, so I arranged for Chun Jiao and my fourth aunt’s Zhiyi to go to Xishan to decorate the courtyard first.”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yi knew that they were going to stay in a courtyard near the Forget-Worry Pavilion.
He said helplessly, "What if I don't go?"
Shen Qingtan noticed Zhao Yi's resistance, and it seemed that she was unwilling to go to Xishan with Zhao Qiyuan and his wife.
The fourth wife said that it would be more lively with more people, and much more fun than going with just two people.
She figured that Zhao Yi was going to the Western Hills to recuperate, so she agreed to go with the Fourth Madam.
“There’s no ‘if’.” Shen Qingtan raised an eyebrow, deliberately teasing him: “Fourth Aunt said if you’re not going, I’ll go with her alone.”
Zhao Yi: "..."
Looking at Zhao Yi's speechless expression, Shen Qingtan couldn't help but recall how, back in Xishan, he had turned bright red when he saw what the Fourth Madam had prepared for him.
He was always calm; that was the only time I saw him in such a state.
However, it was also her first time encountering such ambiguous things, and her situation wasn't much better than Zhao Yi's.
Now, recalling those objects again, her cheeks flush slightly.
"Or should I refuse Fourth Aunt?" Shen Qingtan thought Zhao Yi wanted to be alone, but now it seems she was worried about "unexpected" situations happening at any time if she went to West Mountain with Fourth Madam: "Let's go after they come back from West Mountain?"
Zhao Yi looked at her fair face, which was flushed with a faint blush that spread to the corners of her eyes, making her watery eyes look alluring.
Her shy, radiant appearance stirred his heart.
Zhao Yi gently touched her cheek with his finger, and her fair and delicate face became slightly hot.
He suddenly realized that she was probably blushing because she was thinking of those alluring objects in the Western Hills.
At this moment, Zhao Yi suddenly realized that going to Xishan with his fourth uncle and aunt was not a bad thing.
"No need." Zhao Yi smiled. "You promised Fourth Aunt, you can't go back on your word."
"Hmm." Shen Qingtan took a bite of the red date cake. The texture was soft and smooth, and it wasn't too sweet, which suited her taste perfectly. "Then let's go together."
At this moment, the waiter brought over the food.
After finishing her dinner, Shen Qingtan returned to the Duke's mansion with Zhao Yi.
Zhao Yi recuperated at the Prince of Zhenbei's residence for more than twenty days, and only after his health had improved somewhat did he return to the Duke's residence.
When they returned to Lanxue Garden, they saw Zhao Wan standing at the entrance with an oil-paper umbrella.
For the past month, Pei Wuyan has been very well-behaved. Apart from staying in the courtyard, he has only gone out to visit friends and has not made any moves, as if he has given up on proposing to Zhao Wan.
"Wan'er, why don't you go inside and wait?" Shen Qingtan's gaze fell on the lacquered food box Zhao Wan was carrying, and she asked, "Did you come to bring me food?"
"Second sister-in-law, the Wang family took my birth date and time to the temple for divination, and the result was auspicious. This marriage is almost settled."
Zhao Wan handed the food box to Liu Yue, who was standing to the side: "My mother asked me to send some local specialties from her hometown for you to try, as a way of thanking you for choosing such a good marriage for me."
Shen Qingtan was not surprised at all by the Third Madam's attitude. As long as the man was powerful, wealthy, and could help the Third Madam live a good life, he would be the Third Madam's ideal son-in-law.
Compared to Pei Wuyan, who has no official rank, Wang Shenzhi, who now holds an important position and has a bright future, is more in line with the Third Madam's wishes.
“Sister Wan’er, life is what you make of it. Whether it’s good or bad depends on how you manage it.” Shen Qingtan gave a word of advice: “If an elder who truly cares about you offers some advice based on their experience, you can listen to it if you think it’s right. If you think it’s wrong, don’t take it to heart.”
Zhao Wan understood Shen Qingtan's words; she was being reminded to have her own opinions and not to let her mother sway her thoughts.
She looked up at Shen Qingtan, her eyes filled with determination: "Second sister-in-law, you and Grandmother have arranged a good marriage for me. I will not let my weakness betray your good intentions again."
Shen Qingtan smiled and said, "It's getting late, so I won't keep you any longer. You should go back and rest early."
Zhao Wan's cheeks flushed slightly. She nodded and hurried away, holding her umbrella.
After walking a distance, Zhao Wan stopped and looked back at the courtyard shrouded in night. She could vaguely see Shen Qingtan and Zhao Yi standing at the gate, not yet inside.
Zhao Wan felt deeply grateful to her second sister-in-law, who genuinely cared for her and was afraid that she would be manipulated by her mother's tricks and end up letting her mother do whatever she wanted, making a mess of her life.
That's why he would specifically give her a hint.
She couldn't let her second sister-in-law down; she had to stand up for herself.
Otherwise, no one can help her.
-
Shen Qingtan watched Zhao Wan leave before entering the house.
Liu Yue placed the food box on the table and asked, "Second Madam, would you like to try the food sent by the Third Branch?"
Shen Qingtan opened the lid and saw that the box contained several kinds of pastries: begonia cake, cloud cake, and lard cake.
She tasted a thin slice of cloud cake; it was sweet, soft, and delicate.
Zhao Yi looked at her crimson lips, which held a piece of snow-white cloud-shaped cake, easily arousing his desire.
"Don't eat too many desserts at night, or you'll get a sore stomach." Zhao Yi poured her a glass of water and handed it to her.
Shen Qingtan licked the crumbs of cake from the corner of her lips and gave him a sweet smile: "I just wanted to try it."
She took a few sips of water, her rosy lips appearing even more luscious.
Shen Qingtan placed the cup on the table, and then heard Zhao Yi ask, "Is it delicious?"
"good to eat."
"is it?"
She put down her teacup and looked at Zhao Yi with some confusion, only to see the man lean in and kiss her lips, hooking her wet tongue and tasting her sweet flavor.
His hands encircled her slender waist, pressing her against the edge of the table, creating an alluring curve.
This time, he didn't stop there; he untied her sash with his fingers.
His hands were clearly cold, but Shen Qingtan felt they were burning hot, like sparks spreading across the land. Helplessly, she hugged his neck, her hands blooming on his fingertips.
Zhao Yi looked at her, her bright eyes glistening with tears, staring at him absentmindedly.
He lowered his head and gently kissed the corner of her eye, then carried her to the bed.
Shen Qingtan came to her senses, looked at his slender fingers, and thought of what had just happened. She was too shy to look at him, afraid that he would say something outrageous, so she spoke first.
"I want to take a bath." Shen Qingtan clutched the blanket tightly, burying her face in it, revealing only her watery eyes: "Call Liuyue in."
Zhao Yi realized he had gone too far. He had only intended to take it easy, but when he actually met her, he couldn't help himself, and it just happened naturally. Afraid that staying would anger her, he left the inner room and called Liu Yue in to serve her.
Shen Qingtan came out of the bath, but Zhao Yi was nowhere to be seen in the inner room.
Tingxue poured her a glass of warm water: "Second Master went to the study to wash up."
Shen Qingtan blushed and took a couple of sips of water to hide her embarrassment. Then she noticed a sachet on her pillow, which she had embroidered for him.
He has been wearing it every day for the past month.
In the past, he would wear a different one every day.
Shen Qingtan thought for a moment and decided to embroider a few more for him so that he could wear a different one each day.
Footsteps came from outside the door. Shen Qingtan quickly lay down on the inside of the bed, with her back to the outside, and pulled the blanket over half of her head, pretending to be asleep.
She strained her ears and heard footsteps stop by the bedside, followed by a rustling sound.
The man lifted the covers and lay down beside her, pressing his back against hers and putting his arm around her waist.
Shen Qingtan waited a moment, and seeing that he was behaving properly, she turned over and hugged him to sleep. Over this period of time, she had gotten used to his embrace, and felt especially secure leaning against him.
-
Three days later, Shen Qingtan and Zhao Yi arrived at the corner gate and met up with Zhao Qiyuan and his wife.
Shen Qingtan had just come out of the side gate when she saw the Fourth Madam sitting in the carriage, beckoning to her: "Tan'er, come here quickly, your Fourth Aunt has something to say to you."
Upon hearing this, Shen Qingtan released Zhao Yi's hand, went to the Fourth Madam's carriage, and lifted the curtain.
She asked, "Fourth Aunt, what do you want to say?"
Fourth Madam urged, "Tan'er, come to the carriage. Your fourth aunt wants to have a private conversation with you, which we don't want others to hear."
Shen Qingtan did not move, but raised her eyes to look at the Fourth Madam. She saw that the Fourth Madam's cheeks were rosy and her eyes held a hint of spring.
The fourth lady's attire today was different from usual; she wore a long dress with a high collar, covering herself completely.
Based on Shen Qingtan's understanding of the Fourth Madam, in such sweltering weather, as long as it's within the bounds of propriety, she would wear as little as possible and as little as she could afford.
It's rare to see her dressed so formally and conservatively.
A thought flashed through her mind, and she saw the Fourth Madam leaning against a large soft pillow, looking delicate and frail, with a hint of resentment in her eyes.
Seeing this, Shen Qingtan thought she had misunderstood. The Fourth Madam was dressed conservatively, not to cover up any ambiguous traces.
Worried that the Fourth Madam might be unwell, she stepped onto the wooden ladder and entered the carriage: "Fourth Aunt, are you feeling unwell?"
Fourth Madam saw Shen Qingtan scrutinizing her for a long time, her small face filled with worry.
Her eyes flickered slightly, and she sighed.
“Your fourth uncle is a rough and unruly man with a quick temper. I am also a spoiled and hot-tempered person. As soon as he returned to the mansion, we fought all day long, and there was not a single day of peace.”
The fourth madam wrapped her soft arms around Shen Qingtan's arm and hugged her tightly. "Tan'er, have pity on me and ride in the same carriage with me."