Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 1055 - 1053_1

Chapter 1055: Chapter 1053_1

Xiao’er and Shangguan Xuanyi entered the room. After the family’s cordial greetings, Shangguan Xuanyi went to the kitchen to prepare food for Xiao’er.

Upon witnessing this, Jingrui said to Shangguan Xuanyi, "Why not let the cook handle the meal? I wanted to discuss something with you."

Mrs. Liu gave Xiao’er a glare after hearing this and irritably said, "You don’t know how cherished your sister is! Aside from the food made by Xuanyi, she vomits anything made by others. The same thing keeps happening!"

"Mother, are you truly my mother? What’s so big about cooking? I am bearing his child, don’t you think I feel overwhelmed? During childbirth, I’ll have to endure pain as if all twelve ribs are being broken at once! If he isn’t willing to cook, I might not actually want to give birth!" Xiao’er felt wronged as Mrs. Liu looked at her.

She didn’t ask for this either! She didn’t know why things turned out this way! Even fruits had to be peeled by Shangguan Xuanyi for her to be able to eat them! God knows she feels so frustrated. Now that she’s pregnant, she constantly craves this and that. Sometimes, when she sees a certain food, she suddenly gets a craving, but if it hasn’t been prepared by Shangguan Xuanyi, she ends up vomiting severely. She hasn’t tied Shangguan Xuanyi to her side and prevented him from doing anything else over these ten months just to attend to her like a queen. She already considers herself a very considerate wife!

Shangguan Xuanyi smiled at Mrs. Liu, "It’s alright, Mother. It is something I want to do. It’ll be done soon. Xiao’er, what would you like to eat?"

Shangguan Xuanyi wasn’t lying. With three meals a day and snacks, his cooking has made tremendous progress in just over two months. Nowadays, it only takes him an hour to whip up a meal with four dishes and a soup. And Xiao’er finds the food more and more satisfying!

"Stir-fried squid with chili peppers, diced chicken with chili...," Xiao’er bluntly listed several spicy dishes.

Mrs. Liu glared at her again, "Can you finish so much food by yourself?"

After Mrs. Liu finished speaking, she couldn’t help but worry. Given Xiao’er’s love for spicy food, which implies, "sour tastes for boys, spicy for girls," could it be that she is carrying a girl? Although having a daughter isn’t bad, Mrs. Liu still hoped that Xiao’er could have a boy as her first child to secure her position as Princess.

She had previously shared these concerns with Shen Chengyao. However, Shen Chengyao merely laughed at her worries: when she was not pregnant, she couldn’t wait for the pregnancy to happen. Now that she’s pregnant, she’s hoping for a boy, worried that the in-laws would hold it against her if she had a girl. She would always be worried about something! In reality, children very much have their own destiny. Even if a girl comes first, it’s not necessarily a bad thing!

Hearing Mrs. Liu’s words, Xiao’er gently patted her belly and proudly said, "Right now, I eat for two!"

Everyone laughed at her comment.

During the meal, the host and guests enjoyed themselves thoroughly. The two pregnant women in particular were taken care of like national treasures. Xiao’er, buoyed by her cheerful mood, even ate an extra half bowl of rice.

After finishing the meal, the women chatted within the room while the men each went to the study to discuss various matters. Jingrui, Shangguan Xuanyi, and Shen Chengyao went to the study to discuss state affairs. Jinghao, along with Zhiwen and Zhiwu, went to his study to discuss their studies. With the provincial examination approaching, and the central examination due to take place after spring, the three often gathered to discuss scholarly issues. Of course, they frequently attended poetry meetings with some classmates for the same purpose. Brother Ri, on the other hand, left to prepare for his wedding.

In the study, Jingrui and Shangguan Xuanyi discussed the tasks assigned by the Emperor this time. Before Jingrui came back, he had already made arrangements. He estimated that once he returned, the fish would be hooked.

Shangguan Xuanyi listened to Jingrui’s deployment and nodded. Then he asked about Jingrui’s plans and shared his own opinions on the development of Nanyue Prefecture.

Nanyue Prefecture’s sago palm is expected to have a bumper harvest this year. Many workshops have been built, and the workers have been recruited. They are just waiting to collect the sago palm to start processing it. And the mulberry fish pond is also doing well. The yellow dragon fruits have also experienced a bumper harvest, with many overseas merchants purchasing them. The villagers in Huzi’s village have all been living a good life, making the other villagers envious. Every night, there are groups of people with wolfdogs guarding the village, afraid that their valuable fruits will be stolen. Jingrui plans to expand the planting efforts and create a workshop to produce yellow dragon fruit dry food, so that yellow dragon fruit can be sold even further! These results are what Jingrui needs to report when he comes back this time.

"By the way, I met Young Master Jiang on my way back. He asked me to bring a letter to you." Jingrui took out a letter from his bosom and handed it to Shangguan Xuanyi.

Shangguan Xuanyi took it, and immediately began reading.

Jiang Yuheng had successfully assassinated the Duke of Zhen. However, he was seriously injured in the process. He is now returning to the imperial capital with the bodies of the Duke of Zhen and his son, and also the head of the bandit leader.

The simultaneous deaths of the Duke of Zhen and his heir were a major event that required a scapegoat, which turned out to be the bandit leader.

The next steps will need Shangguan Xuanyi’s planning for Jiang Yuheng in front of the emperor.

Firstly, the anti-banditry campaign was initiated by Shangguan Xuanyi, but there were oversights in the process, which allowed the bandit leader to escape and even kill two senior court officials.

Secondly, Jiang Yuheng needs to reclaim his identity as the heir of the Duke of Zhen and needs Shangguan Xuanyi’s help in doing so.

Having finished reading the letter, Shangguan Xuanyi destroyed it.

Jiang Yuheng didn’t follow the previously discussed plan. His approach was rather risky, but he could retrieve all that was rightfully his faster this way. Fortunately, it was successful.

Jingrui was also aware of Jiang Yuheng’s affairs, but the two did not discuss this further. Instead, they started talking about other matters.

After dinner, Xiao’er and Shangguan Xuanyi returned to their residence. Jingrui went back to his courtyard. He asked the maids to leave, leaving only Jingrui and Zhu Yan in the room. The couple hadn’t had a chance to be alone since their few months’ separation.

Jingrui crouched by Zhu Yan’s feet and laid his hand on her belly, asking gently, "Are you also unable to eat just like Xiao’er?"

Zhu Yan shook her head, "Our child is very well-behaved, he hasn’t given me much trouble. I have been eating well and sleeping well." That’s why she has gained a bit more weight than Xiao’er, Zhu Yan thought, prompting her to consider cutting back on food.

Hearing this, Jingrui was greatly relieved. Seeing Shangguan Xuanyi’s meticulous care for Xiao’er, he felt guilty for his absence and not being able to fulfill his responsibilities as a husband.

Jingrui placed his head on Zhu Yan’s belly, whispered, "Neither mom nor dad could be at home with you. You need to be obedient, and try not to trouble your mother. Otherwise, I’ll spank you when you were born!"

Zhu Yan laughed upon hearing this.

"This time, do you want to accompany me for my term?" Jingrui stood up, sat down next to Zhu Yan, took her hand, and asked.

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