Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 1089 - 1086_1

Chapter 1089: Chapter 1086_1

Shangguan Wanru hadn’t been to see Xiao’er for a long time. Upon hearing that she had arrived, Xiao’er quickly had her ushered in.

Recognizing the cue, Yang Liu and Yang Mei quickly put away their needlework baskets.

Walking in, Shangguan Wanru noticed the half-completed rattles on the table.

She smiled and stepped forward, "Xiao’er, the things you make are always so lovely!"

The rattle Xiao’er had given to Zhuan’er before was also quite adorable, and irresistible to anyone who laid eyes on it.

Xiao’er warmly invited her to sit down, then asked, "I haven’t seen you for quite a while, my lady. It’s cold outside, what brings you here today?"

"Her Highness, the Empress, invited me to help distribute Laba congee this morning. I noticed that the lines at Prince Rui’s mansion and Marquis Shengping’s house were the longest, so I assumed the congee at your house must be really delicious. Unfortunately, the batch you sent to Prince An’s mansion was completely eaten by my father and his people. So, I purposely came over to have a bowl."

"It seems that I was being stingy. I didn’t send enough for everyone to eat. I promise to send more next year." After saying this, Xiao’er asked Yang Liu to bring a bowl of Laba congee.

Yang Liu and Yang Mei exchanged glances, then, upon Yang Mei’s nod, Yang Liu finally moved toward the small kitchen.

Shangguan Wanru cast her gaze over Xiao’er’s swollen belly, "Your belly is much bigger than my sister-in-law’s! People might think you are about to give birth!"

"Yes, according to the imperial doctor, I’m having twins. That’s why my belly is larger than usual. Moreover, twins usually come a little early, so it might not be long before they indeed come out." Xiao’er subconsciously caressed her bulging stomach.

"When I was pregnant with Zhuan’er, even at the time of delivery, my belly wasn’t as large as yours. It would have been wonderful if Zhuan’er was still here. Then your children could have played together." At this, Shangguan Wanru couldn’t help but look saddened.

"Yes!" Xiao’er sighed softly and didn’t elaborate further.

"Xiao’er, did you and Prince Rui know the true cause of Zhuan’er’s death?" Unable to resist, Shangguan Wanru asked the question that had long been on her mind.

She really wanted to know if the couple knew that their schemes would lead to Zhuan’er’s sudden death. They knew, didn’t they? They knew what would happen and yet did nothing to stop it!

Xiao’er paused for a moment after hearing this, then slowly nodded, "We did know, but it was too late."

The cause of Zhuan’er’s death was revealed to her by Bai Tian after the space was unbanned. Strictly speaking, Zhuan’er’s death did indeed have something to do with them. If the couple hadn’t used her spotting blood to set a trap, Zhuan’er wouldn’t have been subjected to a backlash that led to his sudden death. However, she also wasn’t aware that their scheme would turn out this way or that the enemy would use a child to trap her.

However, as Shangguan Wanru asked this, did it mean she was blaming her? After all, she must know about their attempts to snatch Xiao’er’s space, hence must also know the cause of Zhuan’er’s death.

When Shangguan Wanru heard this, her face turned pale. So they did know! Why, oh why didn’t they warn her! Shangguan Xuanyi was always one to retaliate severely. If you offended him, he would never let you off. Hence, she couldn’t blame him for seeking revenge. But, Zhuan’er was so innocent, so young, and ignorant of everything! How could Shangguan simply watch him die without any care?

Shangguan Wanru was about to say something when Shangguan Xuanyi walked in.

Feeling unable to face him at the moment, she rose from her seat, "I just remembered that I left something at the soup kitchen. I must leave now."

With these words, Shangguan Wanru hurriedly left.

Xiao’er watched her retreating figure without knowing what to say. There was now a rift between them, caused by a life lost.

Seeing Xiao’er’s disturbed expression, Shangguan Xuanyi couldn’t resist saying, "No matter what she said, don’t feel upset. Feelings aren’t always constant in this world."

Shangguan Xuanyi squatted beside Xiao’er and then rested his head against her round belly, whispering, "Children, your father is back! Your mother seems to be lost in thought. Try kicking her to wake her up!"

Every time he returned home, Shangguan Xuanyi would greet the babies like this. Now used to it, the children in her womb started to move.

At his words, Xiao’er didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Grasping her stomach, she irritably said, "Nonsense! Where was I lost in thought? And your comment about feelings not staying constant forever, are you suggesting that you’ll be unfaithful to me in the future, huh?"

By the end of her speech, Xiao’er’s tone was heavily tinged with threat.

As Shangguan Xuanyi rose, he helped Xiao’er stand, then sat her on the stool she had been on. He pulled her onto his lap, enclosing her within his arms, "You silly girl. Of course, my feelings for you will change. But only because I’ll increasingly fall more in love with you! Haven’t you noticed that I’m in love with you just a bit more every day?"

Xiao’er was taken aback by his sweet words.

"Honeyed words! I haven’t noticed anything like that! All I’ve noticed is you meddling more and more!" Xiao’er retorted, but the corners of her mouth, which she couldn’t keep from lifting, betrayed her delight at hearing his words.

"Don’t believe me? I’m speaking from my heart, and I have proof!"

"What proof?" She had no idea what he was talking about!

"Each day, you gain a little weight, so doesn’t that equate to me loving you just that much more?" After saying this, Shangguan Xuanyi pulled Xiao’er a little closer, fearing she might get overly excited and jump up.

Very well, he was implying she was getting fat! Xiao’er was genuinely angry now. She tried to stand up, but was firmly held by Shangguan Xuanyi. Unable to move, she growled, "Shangguan Xuanyi, don’t think you’ll be sleeping in the bed tonight! Go sleep on the durian bed!"

Feeling this didn’t vent her anger fully, she pinched Shangguan Xuanyi’s arm hard after saying this.

"Don’t be angry, it’s not good for the babies. If making me sleep on the durian bed makes you happy, then I’ll go sleep on the durian bed! But if so, I’m worried that when the children see me, full of durian thorns, they might mistake their father for a porcupine!"

"Absurd! Durian thorns will only puncture you full of holes, they won’t stick to you!" Although she said this, Xiao’er couldn’t help laughing when she imagined Shangguan Xuanyi covered with durian thorns.

Having finally made her laugh, Shangguan Xuanyi was finally relieved.

However, Shangguan Xuanyi was reminded of hearing a soldier complaining earlier in the day. The soldier had offhandedly mentioned that his wife was fuller than before, earning him punishment. The soldier warned his comrades: never tell the truth in front of a woman. Even if she has really grown fat, you can’t admit it! Just say that she looks a bit more voluptuous than before, emphasizing only a "bit"! Or else, kneeling to wash clothes would be the least of your worries!

How true! He had only spoken frankly, and even that was a mistake! As expected, being punished to wash clothes was the lighter penalty!

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