Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 771 - 769

Chapter 771: 769

The next day, the Princess of Prince An anxiously waited in the room for the nanny to return with the bridal kerchief.

As soon as the nanny returned, the Princess of Prince An stood up and urgently asked, "How was it?"

Looking at her eager-faced mistress, the nanny felt a bit uncomfortable bringing her the disappointing news, yet she handed over the box containing the unblemished bridal kerchief, "When I arrived at the Crown Prince’s room, he had just gotten out of bed, and the Crown Princess was alone in the bed, also just awakened."

This disrespectful son, he’s actually learned to be surreptitiously disobedient!

"Go and get him for me!" The Princess of Prince An said angrily.

On their wedding night, he left his bride sleeping alone, did he think he was Liu Xiahui himself, capable of feeling no lust in the company of beauty?

"Princess, don’t worry, the Crown Prince will soon come with the Crown Princess to serve tea," the nanny tried to placify her. She had barely left the Crown Prince’s room when she was called to receive a lecture. The Crown Prince would think she was gossiping if she were caught!

"How did I end up with such a son? Where did it all go wrong?" The Princess of Prince An felt like she was going to go gray early! These few months have aged her more than the previous decades!

She had asked someone to check on whether the couple had consummated their marriage the previous night. When they reported back that only the Crown Princess was sleeping in the bed, her worries mounted! But she consoled herself. There was plenty of time in the night, no need to rush.

But early the next morning, when she sent someone to collect the bridal kerchief, she found that the couple had indeed slept separately!

She wished she could shove Shangguan Ruixi back into her womb and start over!

"The Crown Prince must have temporarily gone astray. Once he marries the Crown Princess, he will surely come around. Consider this, Princess, at least the Crown Prince is willing to share a room with the Crown Princess, and not sleep in his study room. That’s something, isn’t it? And I even heard that last night the Crown Prince ordered food for the Princess. It seems the Crown Prince isn’t completely indifferent to her," the nanny reassured.

"Really? Then let’s wait and see for a few days. And, no one should talk about the bridal kerchief incident, not even Wanru. She can’t keep secrets!" The Princess of Prince An, after considering this, found it reasonable. There was no rush! The bride was brought home! She had half a lifetime to watch over them.

The nanny, of course, understood the importance of the situation. The Princess had ordered her to collect the bridal kerchief early in the morning, obviously worried that the absence of consummation between the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess would be leaked by the maids once the day broke.

The Princess was still waiting for the rumors about the Crown Prince’s demeanor in the Imperial City to fade! If word of this got out, wouldn’t it confirm those rumors?

...

Shangguan Ruixi brought Du Yijin to the main courtyard to serve tea to Prince An and his wife.

Prince An and his wife watched as Du Yijin approached elegantly, her conduct and behavior impeccable. Her demeanor was calm and composed, and they quietly nodded in approval. They were quite satisfied with their daughter-in-law, better than they had imagined.

If only their own son could be as satisfactory as they were with her!

The Princess of Prince An was discontent with her son! How come he didn’t know to hold his wife’s hand!

Prince Rui had held his wife’s hand right up until they knelt to serve tea to the Empress Dowager! Others’ sons knew how to love their wives, living a life sweeter than honey. She felt nauseated just watching them!

As for her own son, she was at a loss for words! The Princess of Prince An fell into the torment of ’other people’s sons are so much better’, she didn’t even want to give Shangguan Ruixi a glance. She turned her head, put on a serene smile for Du Yijin, and then noticed that her hands were bandaged like rice dumplings and her head was also wrapped in bandages. How did she get such severe injuries? Was her hand ruined?

Seeing the two of them, a maid hurriedly brought out two cushions.

After they both paid their respects, they knelt on the cushions, preparing to serve the tea.

Du Yijin felt a bit nervous, with her hands bandaged up like this, how was she going to handle the teacup?

Subconsciously, she glanced at Prince Rui, hoping he would rescue her.

Shangguan Ruixi pretended not to notice Du Yijin’s predicament, took the tea from the maid, and began the tea ceremony.

While drinking tea, the Princess of Prince An noticed Du Yijin’s unease. Disappointed with her son’s attitude, she glanced at him with disapproval, "Ruixi, Yijin has hurt her hand. Assist her in pouring this tea, will you?"

"Yes, Mother." This was just what he had been waiting for! ’Mother, you truly know my heart,’ thought Shangguan Ruixi.

Upon hearing these words, Du Yijin expressed her gratitude, "Thank you for your consideration, Mother."

"Good child, we are family—there’s no need for thanks. If Ruixi ever bullies you in the future, tell me. I will discipline him for you!"

At that moment, Shangguan Ruixi lifted the tea intended for Du Yijin and presented it to the Princess of Prince An with both hands, "Mother, please drink this tea."

The Princess of Prince An glared at him once more before accepting it.

Unable to hold his silence, Shangguan Ruixi blurted out, "Mother, who’s the real child of your own blood?"

"You think I genuinely wanted to give birth to you?" The Princess of Prince An shot him another disdainful look.

She truly wished her son had been someone different. She even suspected him to have been switched at birth by the midwife. Their family did not consist of good men—why was her son such a disappointment?

The Princess of Prince An, presenting a finely crafted ruby-encrusted pure gold headpiece, said,"This was handed down by Ruixi’s maternal grandmother. It was intended specifically for you. Keep it safe."

Noticing that Du Yijin’s hand was in discomfort, the Princess of Prince An addressed Shangguan Ruixi, "What are you, dumb? Can’t you see you should hold it for your wife?"

How had such a wise woman like herself given birth to someone so dim-witted? Surely this child wasn’t like her! She glared at Prince An.

Baffled, Prince An could only sit there, clueless as to why he had upset his wife yet again.

Shangguan Ruixi took the gift, privately delighted. All the discomfort he had endured the previous night had been worth it.

Grateful, Du Yijin offered her thanks.

Then the Princess of Prince An brought out another set of jewelry—this time, an exquisite jade set, "This is my token of affection. Your skin is beautiful, this jade will certainly complement it."

"Isn’t this too much?" Du Yijin hesitated.

"Not at all; gifts from one’s elders should not be refused," The Princess of Prince An laughed at her comment and handed the set to Shangguan Ruixi.

This time, Shangguan Ruixi accepted readily.

"You may get up now! After breakfast, we will proceed to the palace to pay respect to the Empress Dowager," finally, Prince An spoke.

The family gathered around a round table to have breakfast.

The Princess of Prince An no longer paid heed to her son; instead, she turned her attention to Du Yijin, showering her with affection.

Du Yijin was somewhat taken aback. She couldn’t understand why the Princess of Prince An was being so kind to her.

At the same time, she felt a surge of warmth. How many years had passed since a female elder had shown her this level of care and attention?

Since her mother had passed away, perhaps. Du Yijin felt a tear rise to her eyes at the thought, but she quickly lowered her head and blinked rapidly, suppressing her urge to cry. She couldn’t spoil the joyous occasion and make the elders worry.

Shangguan Ruixi noticed Du Yijin’s emotion. He decided to take better care of her in the future—she was easily touched, he thought.

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