inspire-indiana Chapter 196 Wait and see
Chapter 196 Wait and see
Zisu: "Husband, if you have time tomorrow, please give Li's father and elder brother a word of advice and tell them to keep a closer eye on their daughter and younger sister! That way, Uncle's life will be a little easier; otherwise, he'll cause a huge uproar!"
Prince Duan nodded with a smile: "Yes, I will listen to my wife!"
Zisu rolled her eyes at him: "What? Just call me Zisu!"
Prince Duan: "You are clearly my wife, why call me Zisu? That makes it seem too formal!"
Zisu: "What's with the formality? Apart from my father, uncle, and elders in the clan, how can any other man casually call me by my name?"
Prince Duan: "I won't! I love calling you 'wife'! You can only look but not touch, and you won't even let me call you 'wife'. Isn't that the same as not being married at all?"
Zisu rolled her eyes at him again: "Fine, since you say so, then we won't even hold hands anymore!" Let alone kiss.
Prince Duan quickly smiled apologetically, "I was wrong, I misspoke, I take back what I just said. Okay, don't be angry!"
Zisu turned her head away and ignored him.
"Don't be angry, I'll apologize to you!" After saying that, he hugged Zisu and lowered his head to kiss her.
Zisu tried to break free, but unfortunately, she was too weak in front of him.
It's pitiful, there's nothing we can do but let him be.
As Prince Duan kissed her, he chuckled to himself: "Heh heh, you can't beat me, can you? You're kidding, a man with superb martial arts skills like me, how could you possibly break free?"
The moon hid itself, and seemed to blush as well.
In the master bedroom of Rongrui Hall, a scene of erotic intimacy unfolded. Both were dressed in thin pajamas, which conveniently allowed Prince Duan's right hand to wander freely.
However, he only dared to stop at the right time, otherwise, if they couldn't consummate their marriage, he would be the one suffering. Fortunately, he had the calming pills prescribed by the old doctor, otherwise he would have had to take another cold shower.
******
The next day, when Zisu saw her grandmother, her grandmother was in much better spirits, which put her at ease.
Grandma: "You don't need to keep coming here. With your mother and two younger brothers with me, I won't overthink things. You don't need to worry!"
Zisu: "Okay, I understand. Han-ge and Yi-ge have a day off the day after tomorrow, so I'll go to Wuliping tomorrow to bring my younger brothers back."
Grandma: "Okay, thank you! You're so thoughtful. I'm so grateful to have a granddaughter like you!"
Zisu often said that contentment brings happiness, and now, thinking back, it was indeed true. From now on, she would forget about that Li woman, as if her son had already divorced her. Her son-in-law treated her very well, just like a biological mother; her daughter was also very filial, and looking at her two little darlings growing up day by day, her heart couldn't help but soften. Moreover, there was Han'er, Yi'er, and the sensible and lovely Zisu. She was content, and asked for nothing more. Whether Li woman was good or not, she couldn't be bothered to think about it anymore.
That evening, Zisu discussed with Duanwang, "I'm going to Wuliping tomorrow to bring my younger brothers back so that Grandma can see them. That way, Grandma's worries should be resolved."
Prince Duan said, "I'll go with you. As soon as the morning court session ends, I'll come home to be with you!" Now that Zisu is his princess consort, there will definitely be more people targeting her than before. If those people fail to assassinate him, they might turn their attention to her.
Zisu: "Okay, as long as it doesn't interfere with your important business!"
Prince Duan: "The Emperor is no longer the same as he was a year ago. He has the potential to be an emperor. He manages many important affairs of state perfectly. Perhaps in another year, I can completely let go!"
Upon hearing this, Zisu's face lit up with a smile: "Yes, that would be wonderful! I so hope that a year from now, you can spend all your time with me." A year from now, if she were pregnant, she hoped he could be home more often and not be so busy. Otherwise, the days of pregnancy would be so unbearable.
Prince Duan: "I promise you, once you are pregnant, I will resign from the title of Regent, no matter what. I will also resign from the position of Commander of the Imperial Guard and become a prince with no official duties!"
If he could, he wouldn't even want the title of prince. He understood better than anyone the saying, "The taller the tree, the more the wind will blow against it."
Zisu: "Okay, I'll be waiting to see!"
******
Accompanied by Prince Duan, Zisu returned to Wuliping.
Yu Han and Shangguan Yi were both very happy to see their eldest sister.
Shangguan Yi threw himself into her arms and asked in a coquettish tone, "Big sister, are you here to spend your holiday with us?"
Zisu: "No."
Shangguan Yi's face immediately fell: "Oh, no." He looked very disappointed.
Zisu laughed, bent down and picked him up: "Oh my, you're so heavy! I can hardly carry you anymore!"
Shangguan Yi said shyly, "Of course! I'm so old, and my older sister is still hugging me. It would be so embarrassing if people saw us!"
Yu Han looked at her expectantly: "Big sister, would you like to stay here for one night?"
Zisu put Shangguan Yi down and reached out to pat Yu Han's head: "Yes, your eldest sister will stay here for one night, and will pick you up and take you back to the capital first thing tomorrow morning!"
Shangguan Yi smiled happily: "Big sister, really?"
Zisu: "Of course it's true!"
Yu Han hesitated for a moment, then mustered her courage and said, "Big sister, I'm not going back to the capital. I want to stay here and practice my martial arts properly!"
Zisu: "Good child, don't worry. Grandma has moved into the General's Mansion and will continue to live there. When you return to the capital, you don't need to go back to the Yu Mansion; just go directly to the General's Mansion!"
Upon hearing her words, Yu Han was both surprised and delighted: "Really? From now on, Grandma will be living in the General's Mansion?"
Zisu nodded vigorously: "Yes, of course it's true. When has my eldest sister ever lied to you?"
Yu Han: "That's good, that's good! Tomorrow, I'll go back to the capital with you! But, eldest sister, why is Grandma staying at the General's Mansion? Could it be that something happened?"
Zisu: "Yes, something did happen. Li slapped Grandma. So, I went to the Yu residence and brought Grandma to the General's Mansion! Grandma won't be going back to the Yu residence anymore, so don't worry! The reason I came to bring you back to the capital this time is so that you can comfort Grandma!"
Upon hearing her words, Yu Han clenched her fists, her eyes blazing with fury: "What? That woman actually dared to hit Grandmother?! No, I must go back to the Yu family mansion and avenge Grandmother!"
Zisu quickly advised, "Calm down. You don't need to seek revenge. Your elder sister has already slapped that woman! Besides, your father is ignoring her. Moreover, the prince will warn her father and elder brother. That's enough punishment for her! She won't be able to cause trouble again!"
Yu Han couldn't help but shed tears: "Are we just going to let her go like this?"
Zisu: "She's carrying your father's child, otherwise he would have divorced her by now! If she continues to behave like this after giving birth, he will definitely divorce her again! Don't worry, your father isn't a fool; he knows what's important!"
Besides, Grandma will be living in the General's Mansion from now on, so you can treat it as your own home. Just like many years ago when we all depended on each other in Wuliping, just like when we were exiled, we'll be as close as family, without any distinction between us!
Yu Han couldn't help but shed tears again: "Thank you, big sister. I understand. I will listen to you."
His eldest sister was his guiding light and a role model. She was someone he could rely on and trust. Having such a wonderful older sister during his formative years was truly a blessing. With such a wise and kind sister, he felt hopeful for the future and wasn't filled with despair.
"Good boy, don't be sad or afraid, your big sister is here for you!" Zisu hugged him and comforted him for a while before taking the gifts and going to visit the old clan chief.
The old clan chief was overjoyed: "Oh, you've come to see your sixth grandfather! Why did you bring any gifts!" Every time Zisu came to visit him, she would bring a lot of gifts, which made him feel both touched and ashamed.
He couldn't help his granddaughter, who was from a distant family, when she was down on her luck. Yet, over the years, it was she who had been helping him and the villagers of Wuliping. He would never forget this kindness; he would always keep it in his heart.
Zisu: "Sixth Grandfather is an elder, so it's only right that I bring gifts to see him! Oh, by the way, I brought a few sets of writing materials for Xiaoshan and Xiaojiang. They're going to take the provincial examination next month, so I wish them all the best and that they succeed!"
The old patriarch was overjoyed: "Very well, I thank you on behalf of the two children! You are such a kind-hearted, wise and compassionate child, a truly rare gem!" The Shangguan family is truly blessed to have such a good child!
Xiao Jiang and Xiao Shan are now scholars, and they will take the provincial examination in August. If they pass, they will become successful candidates in the imperial examinations. If it weren't for Zisu, where would these two children have gotten the money to study? At most, they would have attended a private school for two years and learned a few characters.
Because of perilla, the fates of many members of the Shangguan family in Wuliping were changed. From solving their basic needs for food and clothing, to studying for the imperial examinations or working in tourist attractions. In short, it was a welcome change, which filled the villagers with gratitude.
Zisu: "Sixth Grandfather, I may not be able to come to Wuliping as often in the future. I will have to trouble you to take care of things at the academy and the tourist park."
The old clan chief said, "Don't worry about that. I will keep a close eye on things. Your status is different now, and the journey from the capital to here is long, so it's inconvenient for you to come and go often. But don't worry, Aqin (the old clan chief's eldest son, Shangguan Qin) is now a cultured man, more astute and knowledgeable than before. With him looking after the tourist park, you can rest assured!"
Zisu: "Uncle Qin has improved a lot. With him looking after the tourist park and Grandpa Liu overseeing things, I feel very reassured!"
Just then, Shangguan Qin and his wife returned.
Aunt Qin was a dignified and beautiful woman, and also very kind. When Zisu brought her mother, maternal grandmother, and Yu Han to settle down in Wuliping, Aunt Qin helped Zisu a lot.
Aunt Qin, who was in her thirties, was simple and kind, and Zisu liked her very much.
Aunt Qin was overjoyed to see Zisu and took her hand, saying, "Zisu, it's been so long! I've missed you so much. Come back and visit often when you have time!"
Zisu: "Auntie, I miss you very much too, but I may not have many opportunities to come back in the future. If you have time, Auntie, please go to the capital for a while. Whether it's the General's Mansion or the Prince's Mansion, there are plenty of guest rooms, so don't worry about not having a place to stay!"
Aunt Qin took Zisu's hand, her smile bright: "Yes, I understand. It's not very convenient for you to come to such a far place right now. I'll definitely come to the capital to see you when I have time!"
Zisu took out a red gold and ruby hairpin from her backpack: "Auntie, this hairpin is for you. My mother had one too, similar to this one. My mother's is sapphire, and yours is ruby. My mother looked beautiful in it, and you will definitely look beautiful in it too!"
Aunt Qin quickly declined, saying, "Oh dear, I can't accept something so valuable! Besides, I don't really have many opportunities to wear such expensive jewelry in this rural area!"
Zisu: "Auntie, this is a token of my appreciation. You are an elder, so it's only right that you accept a gift from a junior. Keep it, Xiao Jiang and Xiao Shan will soon be successful candidates in the imperial examinations, and you'll have plenty of opportunities to wear it in the future! Besides, I bought this especially for you, and I'll be heartbroken if you don't accept it!"