Chapter 91

Chapter 91

Song Shian, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, leaned coolly against the carriage at the second gate, looking both cool and elegant, which attracted sideways glances from the passing maids and old women.

It was noon, the time for the midday meal. After finishing, everyone would go to admire the chrysanthemums, and it would take at least an hour for the event to disperse.

As a guest, the An Yuan Marquisate couldn’t leave him standing in the cold wind waiting.

Hearing the report from the servant, Prince Lu Jinchen hurried over, inviting Song Shian to the outer courtyard and arranging for a high-quality feast to be served.

Song Shian had just returned from outside the city and hadn’t had time to eat his midday meal, so he didn’t hesitate and ate the meal without complaint.

It was indeed just making do.

Perhaps because too many things had happened at the An Yuan Marquisate that day, Lu Jinchen was overwhelmed and forgot that Song Shian was a vegetarian.

Most of the dishes served were meat, with only five vegetarian dishes, three of which were cooked with animal fat.

Song Shian made do with two vegetarian dishes cooked in bean oil and ate two bowls of rice before setting down his chopsticks.

It was only then that Lu Jinchen suddenly recalled Song Shian’s vegetarian diet and felt deeply apologetic, apologizing repeatedly.

Song Shian waved his hand and said in a good-natured manner, "It’s all right. Your household is holding a banquet today, and with so many guests and tasks, it’s understandable that you forgot.

Besides, I came as an uninvited guest. It’s already kind of the host not to turn me away, so how could I blame the host for not being attentive enough?"

His words made Lu Jinchen feel much better.

As they had just finished the meal, a servant reported to Lu Jinchen that the Prince of Jinxiang had arrived.

Luo Jincheng hurried out and personally escorted the guest to the outer hall.

Upon seeing Song Shian, Lu Shuyu, his classmate, raised an eyebrow. "Oh, Brother Qingzhi is here as well?"

Song Shian nodded. "Brother Qianan."

Lu Shuyu, who wanted to boast about his wife’s pregnancy, noticed that Marquis Anyuan's heir, Luo Jincheng, was still there. He then smiled and said, "Brother Luo has many affairs to attend to. Feel free to go and handle them. Brother Qingzhi and I are old friends; we can take care of ourselves."

Luo Jincheng indeed had other matters to attend to, so upon hearing this, he immediately agreed. "Then I shall excuse myself. If Brother Song and Brother Lu need anything, just ask Qing Song."

He gestured to the servant standing nearby.

Song Shian nodded. "Very well."

Once Luo Jincheng left, Lu Shuyu sent all the servants, including his own attendants, Song Shian's personal servants, and Qing Song, to wait outside.

With a proud smile, he then said to Song Shian, "I want Brother Qingzhi to know that my wife is expecting."

Song Shian looked at Lu Shuyu with surprise and sincerely said, "Congratulations, Brother Qianan."

Lu Shuyu and his wife, Lady Xiao, have been married for seven years, yet they still have no children.

Because of this, he had taken in many concubines and secondary wives, but none of them had given him any children.

Not only was he worried about this, but the entire Jinxiang Marquis Residence was also anxious, as there was a title to be inherited.

If he didn’t have any children of his own and had to adopt someone else’s child as his heir, whether the adopted child could be recognized as the heir would depend on the political climate and the emperor’s mood.

There were too many uncertainties, and it was far less straightforward than having one’s own child.

Now that Xiao’s wife is pregnant, it will undoubtedly reduce many complications regarding the inheritance of the peerage. It also clearly demonstrates that Lu Shuyu's ability to produce offspring is normal.

Otherwise, even if the Imperial Doctor asserted that Lu Shuyu's health was robust, people would doubt it if neither his legitimate wife nor his concubines could conceive.

In fact, rumors have been rampant in the Imperial City for many years, which left Lu Shuyu feeling quite frustrated, yet he was helpless.

After all, none of his wives or concubines had given birth to his offspring, so he lacked the confidence to stand firm.

Now, he can finally hold his head high with pride.

That's why he's feeling so smug right now.

Song Shian couldn't help but feel a bit envious.

Even this friend, who was rumored to be infertile, was going to have a child. Meanwhile, after more than a year of diligent efforts, Jiang Chun's belly showed no signs of change.

Despite their consistently good marital relationship, and the fact that they discussed everything together, Jiang Chun was, after all, inhabiting someone else's body. Who knew if she might suddenly disappear one day?

He always felt that only a child of their own blood could truly keep her by his side.

Jiang Chun's physique was as healthy as could be. Among all the women in the world, there was no one healthier than her.

Song Shian was less confident in his own health.

Although Doctor Cao from Baohe Hall in Hongye County had assured him that his physique was completely restored and there were no obstacles to having children,

upon returning to the capital, he had also asked the Imperial Doctor to check his pulse, and the Imperial Doctor confirmed that his health was excellent.

But he had, after all, spent a considerable amount of time soaking in the bone-chilling dungeon, and whether he had suffered internal injuries was uncertain.

If, due to his own issues, they were unable to have children their entire lives, Jiang Chun’s thoughts on the matter were unclear, but he himself would definitely find it very regrettable.

Thinking about it made him feel that fate was cruel to him. In his previous life, he had been hurt by the previous Jiang Chun and had since not wanted to have children with any woman.

In this life, his luck had changed, and he had found a beloved like Jiang Chun, eager to have children with her, but now he might be unable to.

He didn’t even know how to explain it to Jiang Chun.

Just thinking about it made his spirits plummet.

At this moment, as a "person of experience," Lu Shuyu decided to kindly offer some advice to his good friend Song Shian.

"Brother Qingzhi, having offspring is something that can't be rushed. In the future, you can't engage in marital relations every day. Too much of a good thing can be bad."

Song Shian: "???"

He glared at Lu Shuyu and said with some irritation, "Who said I was anxious about having offspring? And how do you know I engage in marital relations with my wife every day? You're just talking nonsense."

Lu Shuyu immediately cried out in protest, "How am I talking nonsense? It was Sister Jiang who said it herself in the flower hall, in front of all the ladies!"

Song Shian: "..."

Jiang Chun, why do you blurt out everything?

Still, as a man, Song Shian felt quite proud to be praised for his abilities in marital relations.

And, it wasn't really bragging.

Because, during the time they first consummated their marriage, they had indeed engaged in marital relations once every day for a long period.

Later, Jiang Chun, considering her health, insisted on engaging in marital relations only once every three days, which reduced the frequency.

Seeing that Song Shian was speechless and in a bind, Lu Shuyu instead became suspicious.

He nudged Song Shian with his elbow and said with a wink, "You really do it every day? How can you be so impressive? I don't believe it!"

Song Shian gave him a sideways glance and said proudly, "My wife is the most honest person and wouldn't stoop to lying."

Lu Shuyu said speechlessly, "Hey, you’re actually proud of that?"

Song Shian looked at him sideways and said, "It’s just doing it every day, no big deal. How about it, could it be that Brother Qian'an can't do it?"

As a man, he couldn’t stand being doubted in that department, let alone being outdone.

Lu Shuyu immediately shouted, "Who’s saying that? Doing it every day is as easy as eating and drinking. Why wouldn’t I be able to?"

Song Shian snorted, "Oh really? If it’s so easy, why did you look so skeptical when you asked?"

Brother Qian’an, you’re not a good liar.

They had been classmates since childhood, and after so many years, they knew each other's temperaments all too well.

To put it crudely, Lu Shuyu just had to move, and Song Shian knew exactly what he was up to.

Lu Shuyu was fuming.

After a moment, he said resentfully, "Fine, fine, I can’t do it, you win!"

After all, ever since they were young, Song Shian had always been better at everything, so this was just one more thing.

But he was going to become a father first.

This thought instantly lifted Lu Shuyu’s frustration. He lifted his chin proudly, grinning, "But I’m going to be a father before you."

Song Shian’s face darkened.

He pointed toward the door and said coldly, "You can go now."

Lu Shuyu laughed heartily, "Brother Qian’an, you’re getting embarrassed, aren’t you?"

Song Shian glared at him and said irritably, "Get lost, you’re annoying me."

Lu Shuyu sat comfortably and said with a grin, "But seeing Brother Qian’an cheers me up. Hey, I'm saying, can’t you do it a bit less often?"

Your sister-in-law complains that she can’t conceive because you’re overworking the field. It does seem to make sense.

"You, who can’t even do it every day, wouldn’t understand anything," Song Shian turned his head away, too lazy to pay attention to him.

Jiang Chun was definitely joking. To conceive, more frequent relations obviously offer more chances.

Lu Shuyu laughed heartily again, even louder than before, "Brother Qian’an, you’re really getting angry, haha!"

Song Shian said speechlessly, "Laughing like this, did a donkey kick your head?"

Lu Shuyu laughed even louder, "Brother Qian’an, the more you yell at me, the more it shows you’re getting angry, hahaha..."

Song Shian: "..."

Two years had passed, and this guy was still as unreliable as ever. If it weren't for the distinction between men and women, he and Jiang Chun would definitely get along like a house on fire.

The two of them sat in the guest room of the front courtyard, drinking tea and "amicably" chatting for an hour.

Finally, the women’s gathering dispersed.

Lady Xiao, being pregnant and having a difficult pregnancy, naturally didn’t dare to act recklessly. Supported by two maidservants, she moved forward at a tortoise's pace.

"Sister Xiao, take your time. My husband is waiting for me, so I’ll take my leave first."

Jiang Chun, impatient to stay longer, greeted her and then hurried towards the second gate.

At the second gate, having learned that the women’s gathering had dispersed, Song Shian and Lu Shuyu had already moved from the front courtyard.

From afar, Jiang Chun spotted Song Shian, coolly leaning against the carriage, looking dashing. She waved at him, excitedly shouting, "Husband! I'm here! Husband!"

Song Shian looked up and saw Jiang Chun, wearing a smoke-red standing-collar slanted-front long jacket and a sapphire horse-faced skirt, lifting her skirt with both hands as she ran over.

The pearls hanging from her gold and ruby hairpin swung back and forth, nearly flying off.

He couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

Noble ladies valued serenity and virtue above all. In daily life, their movements were small and controlled, with hair ornaments and dangling hairpins only slightly swaying.

But Jiang Chun was different, her movements lively and unrestrained. If it weren’t for her thick hair, well-secured bun, and the firmly inserted gold hairpin, the ornaments would have been lost long ago.

However, Song Shian didn’t think her behavior was improper. Instead, he found her genuine and adorable, full of vitality, unlike those lifeless noble ladies.

Jiang Chun ran to Song Shian, let go of her skirt, and threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly around the waist. She grinned and asked, "Husband, have you eaten?"

Her words warmed Song Shian's heart. No matter where she was, she always remembered to care about his well-being.

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, hugging her tightly, and a faint smile appeared on his lips. "Yes, I’ve eaten. In a household like the Marquis of Anyuan’s, how could your husband go hungry?"

Jiang Chun felt relieved. "I hope we didn’t cause too much trouble for the Marquis of Anyuan’s household."

Then, she changed her expression and huffed. "When we get home, I have something to question you about. If you dare to hide anything from me, I’ll deal with you!"

Song Shian guessed the reason and obediently nodded. "Alright, question me as you wish. I’ll tell you everything without holding back."

At that moment, the ladies were walking towards the second gate in groups. The two of them, under everyone's gaze, shamelessly hugged and whispered sweet nothings.

Lu Shuyu, watching this, felt a pang of jealousy and muttered, "Brother Qingzhi, can’t you be a bit more restrained? Don’t you know many noble ladies in the capital admire you? If they see you hugging and cuddling with your wife like this, their hearts will surely break."

Jiang Chun hugged Song Shian even tighter and snorted. "My husband is mine. I don’t care if their hearts break. If they dare to covet my husband, I won’t be polite. I’ll beat them until they can’t take care of themselves!"

Despite knowing she shouldn’t experience extreme emotions, Lady Xiao still couldn’t help but laugh out loud at Jiang Chun’s words.

Song Shian raised his hand and gently scraped Jiang Chun's little nose with one finger, smiling helplessly and dotingly. "Really, I can’t do anything about you."

Lu Shuyu: "..."

Was his friend bewitched? Otherwise, why had he become so affectionate and clingy?

In the distance, Madam Liao, the elder lady of the Marquis of Jinxiang, smiled at Madame Zhuang and said, "Your eldest son and daughter-in-law are so loving. It won’t be long before you’re holding your grandchild."

Hearing this, Madame Zhuang immediately broke into a smile.

But as she smiled, her smile faded.

Jiang Chun’s first child would inherit the Jiang family’s lineage and thus bear the Jiang surname. Even if she had a boy, it would still be uncertain whether he would be a grandson or a nephew.

If Young Master Jiang insists on seeing himself as a grandfather, I shouldn't claim the title of grandmother; otherwise, wouldn't it be chaos?

It seems that if I want to become a grandmother, I'll have to rely on the second branch of the family.

Thinking of this, she turned her head and glared at Zhong Wenjin, who was walking humbly behind her.

Zhong Wenjin shrank her neck.

She wasn't stupid; of course, she understood that her mother-in-law was disappointed that she hadn’t borne a child.

But she was only eighteen years old, which in modern times would mean she had just started university. Becoming a mother so young was something she found hard to accept.

Fortunately, Song Shirui understood her. Before each intimate encounter, he obediently put on a condom.

Otherwise, with their frequency of intimacy every two or three days, she would have been pregnant long ago.

The group waited at the secondary gate for a moment. Once Song Shichu, Song Shiying, and Song Shiyue arrived, they boarded the carriage and headed home.

*

After returning to Dan Gui Courtyard, Jiang Chun changed into casual clothes.

She also had Gui Zhi remove all her hair accessories, leaving only a cloud-shaped gold pin and a velvet flower.

Then she sent all the maids away.

She sat on the Luohan bed with a stern expression and asked Song Shian seriously, "Was it you who set up the scandal between Eldest Miss Cheng and Fan the Butcher?"

Instead of sitting on the brocade cushion next to her, Song Shian squeezed onto the same cushion as Jiang Chun.

Jiang Chun pushed him lightly on the arm and said with some annoyance, "We're talking about something serious. Stop being clingy; go sit on the side or just stand and answer."

Song Shian put one arm around her slender waist, rested his head on her shoulder, and whined, "I did such a big thing, and instead of rewarding me, you’re questioning me like a criminal. My heart is ice-cold."

Jiang Chun: "..."

When men, especially handsome men, act spoiled, women can hardly resist.

Her heart softened, and she almost began to comfort him.

But she held back.

She couldn’t let him off so easily; otherwise, who knows what he might do behind her back in the future!

She said coldly, "Just now at the Marquis of Anyuan’s household, who said they would be completely honest with me? If you don’t keep your word, I’ll lose trust in you."

Song Shian lifted his head from her shoulder, his mouth moving to kiss her lips, and said with a smile, "Why so serious? I was just teasing you. Did you really take it seriously?

Think about it, what have I ever kept from you?"

Jiang Chun chuckled and said, "That's hard to say. Who knows if you have any secrets you’re keeping from me."

At least before plotting against Eldest Miss Cheng and Fan the Butcher, he hadn’t given any hints, and she had been completely in the dark.

And when did he start sending people to monitor the Jiang residence? That was also a question.

But considering it was done with good intentions, and Eldest Miss Cheng and Fan the Butcher had indeed disgusted her, she decided not to expose him.

People, sometimes, need to know when to embrace ‘the wisdom of ignorance.’

Song Shian felt a pang of guilt from her words.

I do have secrets that I can't reveal to her.

When it comes to being reborn from a previous life, I didn’t dare tell her before because I didn’t trust her enough back then. Now that we have enough trust between us, I’m worried if she can accept this.

After all, cough, in my previous life, I lived to a ripe old age. I wonder if she will find me too old and look down on me?

He didn’t dare to address this topic, quickly letting go of her waist and moving to the opposite side of the kang table, sitting properly on the brocade cushion. With a serious expression, he said, "Yes, I was the one who set them up."

Jiang Chun, relieved that he was finally talking, hurriedly said, "Tell me in detail."

Song Shian slowly said, "I was afraid someone might harm your father and your cousin, or even kidnap them to use against me. So, ever since you bought the house on Shengping Street, I’ve had people secretly watching it.

The next day after you bought the house, Mu residence suddenly changed hands. I immediately became suspicious and had someone investigate the new owner of the house—Fan the Butcher.

That’s when things started to seem off.

This Fan the Butcher actually had connections with the Cheng family, and the house on Shengping Street was bought for him by the Cheng family.

For no apparent reason, why would the Cheng family buy a house for someone they weren’t close to, and right next to the Jiang residence?

There was clearly something fishy going on.

So, I had my men capture Fan the Butcher’s servant and after some interrogation, we found out that the Cheng family’s plan was to have Fan seduce you into an affair so that I would divorce you, making room for Eldest Miss Cheng."

These were all truths, and things he had indeed done in this life, so Song Shian spoke with confidence.

Although Jiang Chun had already guessed everything, hearing it still made her scoff, "With a handsome husband like me, I would choose a burly butcher with a face as black as coal? Am I out of my mind?"

Song Shian pursed his lips.

She was right, logically speaking. But in his previous life, Jiang Chun had indeed been seduced by Fan the Butcher, even bearing his illegitimate child.

He said coldly, "The Cheng family treated me like I was made of mud? Fine, I don’t mind if they want to break the engagement. People move on to better things, and we hadn’t completed the proper rites anyway. It’s understandable that the Cheng family wanted to break off the engagement.

But they should never have resorted to such despicable means to scheme against you just so they could re-establish a marriage alliance with the Song family.

If I hadn’t retaliated, they would think I was easy to bully, and they would only become more arrogant in the future.

Since the Cheng family thought so highly of Fan the Butcher, and were so eager to get such a fine son-in-law, I’m sure they must be very happy about it?

So, I helped them along and brought Eldest Miss Cheng and Fan the Butcher, this perfect pair, together."

"Good job!" Jiang Chun praised him first, then pressed for more details, "How did you manage to pull it off? Tell me the specifics."

Song Shian said casually, "It was nothing more than getting some aphrodisiac—huanhe—from a brothel, and then discreetly letting it slip to Princess Anyuan that Prince Anping and Princess Anhe were having a secret affair behind the rocks at Marquis of Anyuan’s household, so she would catch them in the act of their affair.

Then, through the maids of Marquis of Anyuan’s household, I made sure all the female guests learned about it.

Everyone loves a scandal, so naturally, they would rush over to see the commotion.

Then, I had the Crown Prince’s secret guards use stones to hit Eldest Miss Cheng’s legs from a distance, making her believe she had sprained her ankle.

The maids from Marquis of Anyuan’s household would take her to Jiangyun Pavilion near the west gate to rest while waiting for the physician to treat her.

And in Jiangyun Pavilion, we had already prepared the huanhe. Not long after Eldest Miss Cheng and the maid entered, she lost her senses due to the huanhe.

All that was left was to throw Fan the Butcher, whom we had captured earlier, into Jiangyun Pavilion, and the show was set."

Jiang Chun was left speechless and stunned.

This series of operations cannot be said to be not troublesome.

There must have been cooperation and assistance from people within the House of Marquis An; otherwise, it certainly couldn't have been achieved.

No wonder she had previously found that young maid who delivered the message to be so out of place, as if someone was pulling her strings, and indeed, that was the case.

She whistled and said, "My husband, your plan is so meticulous, it can be called watertight."

The reason for going to such lengths was to make this elaborate scheme appear authentic and leave no trace behind, so that even if the Dali Temple officials or the Jinyi Guard came to investigate, they wouldn't find any clues.

As for the Chengs, they aren't fools; they couldn't help but guess that this was Song Shian's doing.

But even if they guessed, what can they do?

As long as they couldn't find any evidence, they couldn't do anything to Song Shian publicly. They would have to swallow this silent loss and find a way to resolve the situation.

As for retribution in secret? Jiang Chun guessed there probably would be.

But with the Crown Prince backing Song Shian, if they tried to play dirty, they would have to consider if they had the capability and could be as thorough as Song Shian.

Otherwise, if any clues were discovered, the Chengs would be ruined.