Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 968 - 966_1

Chapter 968: Chapter 966_1

On the second day, a light drizzle began to fall from the sky in the morning, and there were many dark clouds, suggesting that there would be a heavy rain later in the day. Xiao’er instructed Yang Liu to send out some invitations for a meeting tomorrow at the Wang Mansion with Ming Jingya and others. She needed to return to her parents’ home first.

Shangguan Xuanyi, seeing the rain, said, "It’s raining. Maybe we should visit my parents tomorrow instead."

Xiao’er rolled her eyes at him, "I should have returned home yesterday. If you hadn’t insisted, would I need to brave the rain to return today?"

Shangguan Xuanyi heard this and came forward to hold her in his arms, his apology seemed sincere, "It’s my fault, as a punishment let me accompany you home."

Xiao’er pushed him away, annoyed: "Hurry up and leave! Don’t you have to go to the palace?"

Shangguan Xuanyi took Xiao’er by the hand and walked out, "There’s no rush, let’s first go for a meal with my parents before going to the palace."

The two braved the drizzle and returned to the Marquis Shengping Mansion. After greeting each other, Mrs. Liu couldn’t help but look at Xiao’er’s belly.

Although Mrs. Liu already knew about Xiao’er’s situation from Jingrui, shce couldn’t help but hope to see some movement in Xiao’er’s belly.

Shangguan Xuanyi, Shen Chengyao, and Jingrui went to the study to talk, while Jinghao wasn’t at home.

Mrs. Liu pulled Xiao’er back to the backyard. At this moment, dark clouds covered the sky, and thunder echoed.

Fortunately, they were under covers all the way and didn’t have to worry about getting their clothes wet.

As soon as they entered the room and sat down, Mrs. Liu couldn’t contain herself anymore: "Xiao’er, is there any movement in your belly?"

As she asked this, her stare was fixated on Xiao’er’s belly, as if she wanted to glare out a grandchild.

Xiao’er had been married for two years, and there was still no signs of pregnancy. How could she not be anxious! Mrs. Liu’s anxiety was different from the Empress Dowager’s. Mrs. Liu was worried that her daughter would be neglected in her husband’s family. She was also concerned about her daughter’s status, since Xiao’er had married into a noble family. And even in ordinary families, if a new daughter-in-law hasn’t had a child after two years, many people in the husband’s family would have their opinions.

Xiao’er naturally understood Mrs. Liu’s concerns. Although this subject was brought up over and over again during her visits, she didn’t show any signs of impatience.

Xiao’er held Mrs. Liu’s hand and reassured her: "Mother, don’t worry. We’ve been traveling all this year. Having a child would not have been convenient. Brother Shangguan and I planned to have a child only after returning home."

"Yesterday, the first thing that Mother asked Brother was: ’Has Xiao’er got any news?’ Not only that, but every time she receives a letter from Sister, before even opening it, she says that it must be good news. She’s been disappointed every time. Sister, you and Brother-in-law should put in more effort! Mother is waiting to hold her grandchild!" Yun’er couldn’t help teasing from the side.

"Your sister has been married for two years. Even those who got married later than her have children. How can I not be anxious?" Mrs. Liu reproached Yun’er for not understanding the importance of a child to a woman.

However, having heard Xiao’er’s words, Mrs. Liu had to admit that the couple’s plan made sense. With their journeying lifestyle, it wouldn’t have been suitable to have a child. "Now that you’re back, disregard everything else and have a child first. Having a child is every woman’s support."

Hearing this, Xiao’er couldn’t help but tease, "From what Mother has just said, wouldn’t Father be heartbroken? Isn’t Father your support?"

"That’s different! If I hadn’t given birth to you all, your father wouldn’t be my support now. He probably would have remarried long ago! Do you understand?" Mrs. Liu was convinced, "A woman’s support is obviously a man. But if a woman doesn’t have a child, that man’s support becomes unreliable."

If a woman was childless for three years, he could legally divorce her.

Now, Xiao’er has been married for nearly three years. How could Mrs. Liu not be anxious!

"Mother, we women can also rely on ourselves. As long as we can make money, we don’t need men!" Yun’er didn’t agree with Mrs. Liu’s viewpoint. The best support in this world was the ability to make money.

"That’s enough, a home is a refuge. There’s no one who doesn’t enjoy the feeling of belonging! You’ll understand when you’re older, a child is a sweet concern and having a child makes life complete," Mrs. Liu also knew that a woman could live well if she could earn money. However, living alone, no matter how affluent, was lonely, with no sense of happiness. A complete and happy home could bring much happiness.

"Mother, don’t worry, I understand," Xiao’er didn’t want to discuss the issue of children anymore, so she changed the subject: "How are the marriage preparations for Brother going?"

"Everything’s prepared. You’ve returned at a good time. Could you help me check the guest list for the banquet and the gift list for the Zhu Family? There shouldn’t be any oversights on them," replied Mrs. Liu.

"Okay."

Mrs. Liu had a maid bring the gift list and guest list. Xiao’er inspected them carefully and felt that there were no problems. Mrs. Liu and Yun’er had thought of everything.

"Will Grandmother and Great-grandmother be coming?" Xiao’er asked.

"Yes, Hao’er is going to the city outskirts to pick them up. They plan to settle in the Imperial Capital on this trip," said Mrs. Liu, her face radiant at the mention of this.

"That’s a good thing. It’s better for everyone to be nearby for mutual support. Also, when Mother misses Grandmother, she can see her anytime," Xiao’er inquired about the other situations at home, and felt relieved when she heard that everything was fine.

"Yun’er, how are your dowry preparations going? Brother Ri has been waiting for a long time!" Xiao’er looked at Yun’er and asked.

Yun’er blushed, stood up, and said shyly: "I don’t know, I’m going to check how the meal preparations are coming along!"

Mrs. Liu glared at Xiao’er jokingly: "Yun’er isn’t as thick-skinned as you and often feels embarrassed."

"I was only helping her exercise. If her skin is too thin, it won’t help!"

After saying this, Mrs. Liu had the list of Yun’er’s dowry fetched. After Xiao’er looked at it, it was nearly the same as the one prepared for herself back then, except that she had lots of dowry added for herself due to her many commoner supporters.

Having looked at the dowry list, Xiao’er knew what else she needed to add to Yun’er’s dowry.

"I heard the Crown Prince of Nangong Country lost his life saving someone? Did Princess Wanru return with her child?" Mrs. Liu asked in a low voice, having already heard a bit of the inside story from her son.

"Yes, due to her status as a princess and her son being the first-born of the previous Crown Prince, these sensitive identities did not allow the new emperor of Nangong to let his guard down. They were better off returning here than being at the mercy of those who could harm them in secret," Xiao’er concurred.

"That’s a fair point. The lives of those connected to the royal family can be too full of intrigue. It’s much simpler for us. Xiao’er, seeing the state of the princess, I’m a bit worried about Yun’er," Mrs. Liu fretted.

Although Brother Ri is not a Crown Prince, he is now the first son of the Crown Prince. If nothing unexpected happens, he is certain to inherit the throne of the Eastern Jin Dynasty in a few decades. But before he ascends to that position, how many people will want to take his life?