Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 983 - 981_1

Chapter 983: Chapter 981_1

The next day, Fu Ranhui and Zhao Youwei consummated their marriage. Normally, the weddings of officials and common people were not as complicated as royal weddings and did not require a midnight procession for the groom. It was sufficient for the groom’s family to fetch the bride from the her residence the next morning, at least in cases where the two families did not live too far apart.

As the sun gradually rose, the sounds of string and wind instruments filled every street and alley. It was an auspicious day, ideal for weddings. Consequently, many were tying the knot causing great hustle and bustle everywhere.

Shangguan Wanru had refrained from leaving the residence ever since she returned. Even yesterday, she had asked Du Yijin to deliver the makeup she got for Fu Ranhui. Princess Consort An grew concerned as she saw her daughter constantly confining herself to her courtyard, not like before her marriage when she was restless. The Princess had become noticeably dejected and withdrawn. So, her mother suggested she attend Fu Ranhui’s wedding for a change of scene and to partake in the joyous atmosphere.

Shangguan Wanru shook her head, "Has Your Highness forgotten? I am still in mourning, so I’d better not attend."

Shangguan Wanru’s tone when she said this was relaxed, so it was difficult for anyone to perceive her inner thoughts. But the more calm she appeared, the more worried the Princess Consort An became.

However, the Princess Consort An had indeed forgotten that those in mourning were not supposed to attend other people’s weddings. "Then you should walk around with Zhuan’er instead of staying in your room all day."

Today, the entire An family had to visit the Zhao Mansion while leaving Shangguan Wanru alone in their residence, making the Princess Consort An quite anxious.

"Mother, don’t worry! I know," Shangguan Wanru, trying to reassure the Princess Consort An, said with a small smile.

Being the bride’s aunt, the Princess Consort An must accompany Prince An to the Zhao Mansion; otherwise, the Empress Dowager would have found fault with them.

After Princess Consort An and Prince An left, Shangguan Wanru stayed indoors, drawing. But the hustle and bustle from the streets filled the air, frequently punctuated by the sound of firecrackers and music. This was disturbing for Zhuan’er, who was used to peace and quiet, causing him to cry from time to time.

Shangguan Wanru decided to take him to the garden for a walk.

"Wet nurse, hand Zhuan’er to me. I will take him for a walk in the garden," Shangguan Wanru, putting down her brush, said as she took the child from the wet nurse.

"Zhuan’er, let mommy take you to the garden. We don’t have to be afraid." Shangguan Wanru gently comforted her son as she headed toward the courtyard.

The maids and wet nurse followed her.

Shangguan Wanru would take Zhuan’er to the garden daily, as children are naturally active and dislike staying indoors.

Once Shangguan Wanru took him out, even the sound of firecrackers no longer made him cry.

Seeing that Zhuan’er was no longer affected by the sound of firecrackers, the wet nurse said, "It seems that the young master wanted to play in the garden, he wasn’t scared by the fireworkers."

This wet nurse had been appointed by Princess Consort An to look after Zhuan’er. She was devoted and experienced in childcare, which Shangguan Wanru appreciated.

"He has gotten used to coming out for a stroll every day," Shangguan Wanru said, carrying Zhuan’er with her on their walk. It was April, and many flowers were in full bloom in the garden, making it a delightful sight.

Suddenly, a familiar flute tune was heard. Shangguan Wanru’s expression slightly changed as she instinctively looked for the origin of the sound.

The wet nurse and maids also heard the flute and wondered, "What tune is this? It’s so beautiful! How come someone nearby is playing the flute? I haven’t heard it before!"

Upon hearing that, Shangguan Wanru quickly turned her head to the wet nurse behind her and said, "Wet nurse, it’s too windy in the garden. Please go back to the room and bring a small quilt."

The wet nurse froze at these words. A big wind? Not a leaf had moved! Moreover, the weather in April was most comfortable, neither cold nor hot.

However, she would do as her mistress commanded! The master said that whatever the mistress says goes, so she couldn’t question it.

So, the wet nurse bowed: "Yes, Princess!"

After the wet nurse left, only Shangguan Wanru and the two personal maids arranged for her by Princess Consort An remained in the garden.

Shangguan Wanru, holding Zhuan’er, sat down at a pavilion. She ordered the maids behind her, "Huang Ying, go to the kitchen and bring some fruit and snacks. Huang Li, bring the painting I just made from the room. The weather’s so comfortable here, I won’t go back to the room."

Both maids saluted and complied before leaving.

Once Shangguan Wanru had dismissed the people around her, the flute sound stopped.

Soon, a man dressed in the attire of a Wang Mansion bodyguard appeared before Shangguan Wanru. He knelt on one knee and said, "This subordinate pays his respects to the princess consort! I’m sorry for my late arrival. I hope for your forgiveness."

Back in Nangong Country, he had tried every possible way to connect with Shangguan Wanru, but right after the Crown Prince’s incident, and even at his funeral, the mansion had quickly come under intense scrutiny. Many eyes were planted and the mansion was closely monitored. It was as if a trap had been laid out, preventing him from getting close and leaving him nervous in secret.

Fortunately, the incredible disguise skills of Prince Rui and Princess Rui from Minze Country had fooled everyone and they managed to rescue the princess consort and her young son!

"Zhuang Ke? How did you find me?" Shangguan Wanru was a bit surprised.

Zhuang Ke was a loyal and capable subordinate of Gong Zixuan. He helped manage all of Gong Zixuan’s covert forces, such as the hidden guards, private soldiers, weapon forging, and many other covert operations.

Gong Zixuan had secretly introduced him to Shangguan Wanru and Zhuan’er once, so she remembered him.

However, after Gong Zixuan’s death, he seemed to have evaporated from the earth. Zhuang Ke had not contacted her even once, so Shangguan Wanru thought that his zeal was just a pretense and that he had already defected to Gong Qinghua with Gong Zixuan’s monumental influence.

She didn’t expect him to have followed her to Minze Country!

Did this mean that she could avenge her husband? With this thought, a glimmer of hope ignited in Shangguan Wanru’s eyes.

Zhuang Ke didn’t have time to explain too much to Shangguan Wanru. He pulled out a book from his bosom and handed it to her: "Princess consort, please memorize the contents of the book. If this subordinate has any news, I will communicate it to you with flute sounds. If you need to instruct me to do anything, you can also use flute sounds."

Shangguan Wanru took the book and glanced at it. Each musical note represented one or two words or phrases.

She had heard Gong Zixuan speak of it, so she understood immediately.

She closed the book, gripping it tightly with her hand until her knuckles turned white.

"Princess consort, Prince Rui and Princess Rui of Minze Country are incredibly skilled and can be of great help in crucial times. Please spend more time with Princess Rui when you’re free," Zhuang Ke wanted to say more, but his ears twitched. Someone was coming!

"Princess consort, someone’s coming. I must take my leave. Please remember to destroy the book once you’ve memorized it! Don’t let it fall into the wrong hands!" Zhuang Ke hurriedly said and quickly disappeared.