Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 967 - 965_1

Chapter 967: Chapter 965_1

Upon leaving the Imperial Palace, the two of them took a carriage back home. Xiao’er seemed to be preoccupied with something.

Shangguan Xuanyi probably guessed what was bothering her, he took her hand and comforted her, "No need to fret, we don’t have to hurry for a child, proceed as we had previously planned."

Shangguan Xuanyi truly enjoyed their present lifestyle together. Of course, if they had a child of their own, he’d be delighted too, but delaying childbirth would be better for Xiao’er’s health. Shangguan Xuanyi naturally would not want to take any risk that could negatively affect her health.

They would have a child eventually, but having one would certainly limit their freedom. Currently, they were free to go wherever Xiao’er wished. How wonderful was that!

He had once promised her that he would take her to all the places he had been. They had only traveled south so far, and there was still a long way to go north. There were plenty of places to visit, they could think about having a child later.

Xiao’er speculated that the Empress yearned for a grandchild too, but didn’t want to pressure them. Xiao’er always reciprocated when shown kindness, thus she made up her mind and said, "Brother Shangguan, let’s have a child!"

"Alright! As your husband, I have to strive even harder to fulfill your wish!"

Although Shangguan Xuanyi agreed verbally, he was concerned about her wellbeing more than anything. He didn’t want a child this early.

However, he absolutely had to agree to such a thing, it was his privilege after all!

Anyway, he was the one who would take the antidote, she would not know if he took it!

Upon hearing this Xiao’er went pale, he had already tried hard enough, there was really no need for him to exert himself more.

"Well, there’s no need to put in too much effort. These things should happen naturally! Besides, you haven’t taken the antidote yet. It would be pointless now! Just wait until its effect wears off! Although antidote pills don’t cost silver, they shouldn’t be wasted! Isn’t that right?"

In vain?! Wasted?! Shangguan Xuanyi’s face darkened upon hearing this. She actually considered their lovemaking in vain! Absolutely unforgivable! This must mean she’s itching for a lesson!

Just as Shangguan Xuanyi was about to teach a lesson to someone who showed no regard for him, a voice came from outside.

"Master, we have arrived." After saying this, Zhao Yong tactfully left. As a martial practitioner with keen senses, he had heard their conversation in the carriage, hence he hurriedly distanced himself.

Disturbing the Master’s intimate moments could cost him his life!

"Brother Shangguan, we have arrived!" Seeing the potentially dangerous figure, Xiao’er breathed a sigh of relief. She quickly lifted the carriage curtain, jumped off the carriage, and sprinted towards the house.

Shangguan Xuanyi got off the carriage calmly.

Looking at the figure that disappeared in an instant, he thought: doesn’t she know that it’s even more dangerous inside?

...

Early the next morning, Ming Jingya, Ruan Weizhen, Gu Qiqi, Liu Jingshu, and others sent their maids to deliver letters for a meeting. Yang Mei took their letters and asked the maids to wait. She stationed herself outside Xiao’er’s room but seeing no one come out, she didn’t dare to disturb anyone and kept waiting.

The eunuch sent from the emperor was arranged to wait in the flower hall.

The wait lasted till the sun was about to set. Eventually, Yang Mei had no choice but to reply to the maids on behalf of the Princess, conveying that she was exhausted from her journey and would meet with them the next day.

The little eunuch, after waiting for a day, eventually lost his patience. He carried Yang Liu’s words back to the palace for the Emperor, who, after hearing the message, simply responded, "Oh, let him come to the palace for a visit after he wakes up tomorrow."

"..."

The tiny bit of dissatisfaction in the little eunuch’s heart instantly vanished!

Even the Emperor was not angry, how could he be! It was evident that Prince Rui held significant importance in the Emperor’s mind!

The Emperor had also been young, and during his deeply affectionate days with the Empress, they didn’t just stay in their room for a day and a night.

Otherwise, how could the Empress have given birth to so many children continuously! The Emperor was happy about his son’s ability to carry on his youthful prowess and naturally wanted to cooperate.

Finally, when the moon was high in the sky, the door of Xiao’er’s room was opened. With a refreshed expression and an uplifting smile, someone looking well-fed and drunk asked Yang Liu to prepare some supper, stating that the Princess was hungry.

If it weren’t for the fact that they hadn’t received any meals for a day and a night, and were worried that the situation might reach the Empress Dowager, Shangguan Xuanyi would not have wanted to open the door at all.

About the existence of the space, knowing Shangguan Xuanyi was truly terrifying for Xiao’er. She was too exhausted. If she had known this earlier, she wouldn’t have run away.

She just laid down on the table waiting for Shangguan Xuanyi to feed her. She was so tired she didn’t even feel like moving her hand.

While Shangguan Xuanyi was feeding Xiao’er, he acted all magnanimous, saying, "Xiao’er, open your mouth, eat more, we shouldn’t starve our child!"

Hearing this, Xiao’er remembered something crucial!

"Brother Shangguan, you didn’t take the antidote! Oh my! We did all that for nothing!"

Shangguan Xuanyi’s face turned dark again. Good!

Very good!

Extremely good!

For nothing!

She has not yet learned her lesson!

"Sweetheart, eat more, replenish your energy to welcome our child, this will be better!"

Pigs are fed well and fattened before they are consumed!

Xiao’er rolled her eyes at him: What a child! This man hadn’t taken his antidote at all, she had wasted all her energy for nothing!

However, Xiao’er was too tired to speak, so she only thought about it and didn’t utter a word. Fortunately, her extreme fatigue didn’t let her speak out, otherwise, she realized, having Shangguan Xuanyi overhear that thought would have left her exhausted all over again!

~

After having their meal, Shangguan Xuanyi headed to the palace.

Xiao’er originally wanted to go visit her parents, but she was too tired to move.

Thinking about it, she sent a letter telling them she would come to visit them the next day.

Then she went straight back to bed.

Inside the palace, in the study room.

The Emperor, seeing his satisfied and full appearance, raised an eyebrow and said, "You don’t look like someone who’s unable to have children!"

Shangguan Xuanyi: "....."

"Did my father call me here just for this?"

"Of course not. Tell me about the situation then."

Shangguan Xuanyi briefly conveyed the events.

Upon hearing, the Emperor didn’t respond but ordered a eunuch to bring out a box. "This is for your wife. Your Imperial Grandmother is aged and has been longing to hold her great-grandson. It’s unavoidable that she might prattle on. Don’t hold it against her. And try to be more forbearant in the future."

The emperor knew that Xiao’er was somewhat mistreated by the Empress Dowager, and he was voluntarily compensating for it now.

The daughter-in-law was doing fine; it was just that his mother was slightly more difficult to manage.

Shangguan Xuanyi took the box and replied indifferently, "I have been very tolerant. On behalf of Xiao’er, I thank you, father. I shall take my leave!"

The Empress Dowager continually found opportunities to give Xiao’er a hard time. If he hadn’t been forbearing, she would have been thrown out of the palace long ago!

After saying this, he respectfully bowed and left.

The Emperor: "....."

Yet this protective mannerism reminded him of himself. He too was like this in protecting the Empress!