Chapter 82: Resembling Anyone but Cheng Mingyu…

Chapter 82: Resembling Anyone but Cheng Mingyu...

At noon, Xia Fu accompanied Mu Xun in his studies for a while, and when it was time for martial arts practice, she handed him to the palace guard captain.

Soon, someone from the outer courtyard came to report that Ming Saozi from the Lu family had arrived. Xia Fu waited for her in the front hall. Ming Saozi said that Cheng Yian had picked out a shop and wished to invite the princess to take a look. With nothing better to do, Xia Fu changed into a light green robe and went out.

Two intersections north of the palace led to the vicinity of Xuanwu Gate in the former dynasty's market.

Although this place was not as crowded as outside the Zhengyang Gate, it was still bustling with people.

Turning from the main street into an alley, they stopped at a shop at the very end. It was remarkably quiet, with a pot of lotus flowers and an osmanthus tree in the corner, adding a bit of charm. Ming Saozi and the palace maid helped Xia Fu out of the carriage. Xia Fu glanced up at the signboard, which was blank, unnamed. The shop had two floors, with the upper windows tightly shut. From the decor, it was spacious.

The main entrance had three bays. Facing the entrance was a large medicine cabinet reaching to the ceiling, with labels of various medicines. A young apprentice sorting herbs silently bowed as she entered.

The east wall was decorated with several paintings, depicting scenes like a spirit child pounding medicine and a farmer climbing a mountain. The south windows were all open, letting the bright summer sunlight stream in, making the shop well-lit.

Behind the medicine cabinet was a passage leading to the stairs, which went straight to the backyard.

At this moment, a tall figure stepped out from the passage, smiling at her,

"Do you like the shop?"

Cheng Mingyu was wearing a dark green robe with a white inner garment, tied at the waist with a sachet embroidered by Cheng Yian. This outfit was quickly made to match the sachet. Xia Fu's gaze lingered on the sachet, unsurprised by Cheng Mingyu's appearance.

Earlier, Cheng Yian had mentioned waiting until after her first three months to help choose a shop. Not long after, Ming Saozi was sent, and Xia Fu guessed it was Cheng Mingyu's idea. She looked around; the decor and layout of the shop were luxurious.

"Very good."

Cheng Mingyu pointed to the backyard, "There's a courtyard too."

Xia Fu followed him into the passage, met with a wave of floral fragrance. Looking out, the courtyard was a burst of colors, with peonies here and hibiscus there, various delicate flowers were clustered together, creating a magnificent scene.

To the west stood a glass-covered greenhouse for growing medicinal herbs. To the east was a row of side rooms, with bamboo baskets for drying herbs under the corridor. Heading north along the corridor, there was a pavilion in the center, draped with bead curtains, behind which seemed to be a qin platform. Playing the qin there in summer would be a delight.

Cheng Mingyu led her along the veranda to the main house. Xia Fu stood in the main hall and suddenly froze.

The furnishings, orientation, and the view outside the window were identical to those of Cheng Family Fort.

Xia Fu glanced at Cheng Mingyu, who caught her inquiring gaze and coughed lightly, "Are you satisfied?"

Outside the crescent-shaped gauze window was a bamboo grove. The three-sectioned courtyard was not just a medicine shop but a private garden.

He was thorough in everything he did. Back when they were co-heirs, after she became pregnant, even though he didn't show up, he sent everything she needed, more attentive than a proper husband.

"Very good. Did the family head choose this courtyard? It must have taken some effort, right?"

Cheng Mingyu didn't tell her that he had been preparing since she first mentioned opening a medicine shop.

"This place is close to the palace, the Lu residence," he coughed again, "and also near the government offices."

Convenient for his visits.

Xia Fu met his clear gaze, her cheeks suddenly flushing.

"Now that you are the Chief Councilor, with a myriad of tasks, do you have time to come here?"

Cheng Mingyu remained composed, "I can come here every day after work."

The former dynasty's market was outside the Zhengyang Gate, inside which was the government office area, the reason he chose this location. Previously, Cheng Yian wanted to open a shop for Xia Fu in the West Market, a hub for medicinal herbs, but it was far away, and Cheng Mingyu disagreed.

Every single day?

Xia Fu's heart skipped a beat, her face flushed with surprise. "Isn't the family business keeping you busy?"

She remembered that Cheng Mingyu had to set aside time every day to handle the Cheng family's affairs.

Now that I'm the Chief Councilor," Cheng Mingyu said, "Yiyan can't take the lead for a while, so most of the clan affairs have been handed over to him to handle."

After Lu Xusheng dealt with the local strongmen, there were still many issues to resolve in Jiangnan. The emperor assigned this matter to Cheng Yiyan, who has been going to Jiangnan frequently lately, sometimes staying for half a month. He’s not only handling his duties but also helping the Cheng family expand trade and build shipyards, juggling both internal and external affairs, he’s swamped.

Xia Fu nodded. "I often have to supervise Mu Xun's studies and also take care of An An. Between all that, I can only manage two days out of ten."

Cheng Mingyu's face darkened. "So why did you even open this shop?"

Xia Fu said matter-of-factly, "This is for when I leave the Prince's residence."

So she isn’t in a hurry; it's Cheng Mingyu who is anxious.

Cheng Mingyu was at a loss for words.

Xia Fu couldn't bear to see a handsome man in distress, so she reluctantly said, "Should I come two extra days?"

Cheng Mingyu remained silent.

He couldn’t just climb over the wall to the Prince's residence.

Xia Fu secretly pursed her lips.

She walked into the inner room, where a square table was already set with steaming tea. Looking at the furnishings in the room, memories came flooding back. The first time, after it was over, her body was still tingling, sitting on the bed unable to move. Hearing him dressed neatly and about to leave, she remembered he hadn’t had a sip of tea since he arrived, so she hurriedly chased after him, stumbling as she poured him a cup of tea, and said to him, "Thank you for all your effort."

That time, she didn’t even get a clear look at his appearance, only feeling that he was towering and commanding, with an aura that made one dare not look up.

Today, she poured another cup of tea, came to him, and handed it to him.

"Family head, thank you for all your effort, for choosing such a good shop for me." Her gaze was clear and radiant.

Cheng Mingyu, hearing this "thank you for all your effort," looked at her deeply, slowly took her tea, and drank it all.

"Don't say 'thank you for all your effort' for such things." He hadn’t responded back then, but today he did.

Xia Fu lowered her eyes, holding back a smile.

Cradling the teacup, she gazed out at the bamboo forest, recalling that past—it still felt like a dream.

Cheng Mingyu picked up a stack of documents from a side shelf and placed them on the table.

"Here are the shop’s deeds, all in your name."

Xia Fu was stunned, finished her tea and set it down, leaning against the table standing. In the capital, where every inch of land is precious, especially in such a prime location as the former dynasty's market, Cheng Mingyu generously gave her such a large shop. Xia Fu glanced at him, her eyes as if she were looking at a rich playboy keeping a mistress.

Cheng Mingyu showed a helpless expression.

"Your dowry was all given to An An, this shop is compensation for you, take it with peace of mind." He worried Xia Fu would distance herself or argue about money.

Xia Fu slowly nodded, finished her tea and set it down, leaning against the table standing. The breeze caressed her face, tousling her hair. Time had been generous to her; now she seemed no different from the young woman she was in the Cheng family fortress, her features still delicate, her eyes still clear, her figure graceful.

Caught in the summer breeze, their eyes kept meeting.

Since their parting at the temple that day, they had not seen each other for quite some time. Claiming they didn’t miss each other would be a lie; both had savored the sweetness and craved more.

It felt like an invisible force was drawing them together. Their lips met without thinking. Under the window sat a rattan chair draped with a thin satin cover. Their lips and teeth tangled as they sank into the armchair. Xia Fu fell into his arms, her hands wrapping around him, her breath ragged.

Cheng Mingyu looked at the flushed Xia Fu, suddenly pressed her down, and pulled her away, his gaze serious.

"Have you thought about what happens if we have a child?"

Xia Fu was still young, and it wasn't unheard of for women her age to have children. Cheng Mingyu refused to let a child be labeled illegitimate.

Ultimately, he couldn’t accept just fooling around with her. The idea of marrying her had always been on his mind.

Xia Fu looked at him, her voice soft, "I can’t get pregnant anymore. Back then, to heal my injuries, I soaked in herbs that boosted blood flow and cleared blockages. I can no longer conceive."

Cheng Mingyu’s expression shifted instantly, the warmth in his eyes freezing over.

How much had she gone through?

No wonder she kept pushing to be with him.

Cheng Mingyu closed his eyes in pain.

Seeing this, Xia Fu immediately comforted him, "Family head, just being alive is a blessing from heaven. You can’t have it all. Besides, aside from An An, I don’t plan on having any other children. I owe An An too much, and I’ll dedicate my life to her."

Cheng Mingyu felt very uneasy,

"It’s not that I need a child, I just want things to be right."

Seeing he hadn’t let it go, Xia Fu slowly got up, turned away, and went back to flipping through the papers.

Seeing her like this, Cheng Mingyu felt even more upset.

He couldn’t rush things.

After a moment of silence, he changed the topic, "If there’s anything to add or remove in the shop, just tell the manager at the door."

Xia Fu turned her eyes to him, pretending that nothing had just happened, and said with a smile,

"I want to keep snakes. Does the family head approve?"

Cheng Mingyu's face stiffened slightly.

Rarely seeing him flustered, Xia Fu stepped behind him, her arm resting on his shoulder, then sliding down to wrap around him.

"I can’t keep my hundred snakes in the palace forever, right?"

Her pale hands rested on his chest, the snake bracelet visible. Cheng Mingyu could see a pair of green eyes staring at him from it. His back stiffened, and he looked away, "Do you really have to keep them?"

Xia Fu knew he didn’t like it, but how could she bear to make him uncomfortable? She had already planned to keep them in the house Cheng Yian had arranged for her,

"Yes, it’s necessary." She wasn’t letting him off easy.

Cheng Mingyu took a deep breath, "Then put them in the greenhouse."

It seemed he had thoroughly investigated her affairs in the palace. There was also a glass room in the palace for her to keep snakes.

"Has the family head ever visited the prince's estate?"

"No," Cheng Mingyu replied, "I wouldn't go."

He brushed off her playful idea.

"The guards went and informed me upon their return."

Xia Fu found it amusing for the first time to tease the usually serious family head. "So you built a greenhouse just for my snakes?"

"I can't let you have a worse life with me than with other men."

Xia Fu smiled silently, leaned back, and sat on him, her gaze as soft as silk.

"If I come, how will I inform you?"

Cheng Mingyu gazed deeply at her. "If you come, I'll be informed."

He's a gentle yet strong man, making it seem like there's nothing to worry about when you leave things to him.

Life's too short; make the most of it.

Xia Fu kissed him, her hands busy undoing his waistband. When she touched the sachet, she suddenly asked curiously, "You never used to wear a sachet; why now?"

"It's a birthday gift from An An."

Xia Fu chuckled. She almost felt jealous of her own daughter.

Her face flushed, barely able to handle it, her efforts were futile to Cheng Mingyu. Finally, he lifted her onto the table by the rattan chair, making it a very satisfying moment for her.

Lu Xusheng wasn't as lucky.

Before Cheng Yian was pregnant, he could be with her every night, except during her period. But now, with her warm and soft in his arms, he could do nothing.

Cheng Yian, already asleep, was awakened by his turning and glanced back at him. Seeing his leg bent, clearly hiding something, she chuckled softly, turned over, and asked him,

"Should we sleep apart? I'm worried you'll get sick from holding back."

Without being able to touch or feel, he could remain detached.

Lu Xusheng glared at her. "Do you know how many couples grow apart after sleeping in separate rooms?"

"That makes sense," Cheng Yian said, resting her chin on her hand and looking at him charmingly. "So what will you do? Another cold bath?"

That's how Lu Xusheng managed last night.

Lu Xusheng sighed. "Maybe you could help me out?"

Hearing this, Cheng Yian quickly hid her hands behind her back. "I don't want to; it's too tiring."

"I didn't ask you to use your hands," Lu Xusheng laughed.

Cheng Yian blinked. "Then what should I use?"

"Turn over and lie on your side."

Cheng Yian hesitated for a moment, then obediently did as told.

"Fold your legs properly."

Cheng Yian panicked, "What are you up to?"

Lu Xusheng lifted her hem and slowly moved closer. Cheng Yian's fair and delicate face turned crimson, and she shrunk back in embarrassment.

"Lu Xusheng!" she gritted her teeth, furious but dared not move, fearing she might hurt him.

The feeling was nothing like before, but it was just bearable.

"An An, I’ve noticed your father’s been glowing these past few days."

Cheng Yian didn’t want Lu Xusheng to gloat, so she denied it, "No."

Lu Xusheng went quiet.

In the following period, Lu Xusheng was very busy.

Northern Qi invaded Chehan, and Chehan kept sending urgent pleas for help to the Great Jin Dynasty. Lu Xusheng personally headed to the border.

By July, Northern Qi had reached the Chehan Plateau ahead of schedule and engaged Chehan’s army. Chehan, outmatched by the Northern Qi forces, retreated to the capital and begged Lu Xusheng for help.

Lu Xusheng ordered the Governors of Sichuan and Shaanxi-Gansu to each lead ten thousand troops into Chehan from the southwest and northwest.

The Great Jin soldiers, claiming the journey was tough, fought their way forward, waiting until Chehan was nearly overrun by Northern Qi before stepping in.

When Northern Qi saw the Great Jin’s battle flags, they were livid, accusing Lu Xusheng of going back on his word. The Northern Qi emperor even sent a letter threatening to march south from Xuanfu and attack the Great Jin capital if Lu Xusheng acted recklessly.

Lu Xusheng ignored the threat and sent a detachment from Suzhou to flank Northern Qi, aiming to wipe out their main force and take all the spoils.

While the battles raged on the frontlines, Cheng Yian turned eighteen on August first.

After being stuck inside for three months, Cheng Yian could finally go out. Xia Fu insisted on making her longevity noodles herself, and Cheng Mingyu chose not to go to the prince’s residence. They decided to celebrate their daughter’s birthday at the pharmacy. It was Cheng Yian’s first birthday with her parents, and she was thrilled. Using her pregnancy as an excuse, she turned down visits from noblewomen and got ready to celebrate at the pharmacy.

The night before, Lu Xusheng finally made it back from the frontlines.

Seeing how worn out he was, Cheng Yian said worriedly, "I told you not to come back. The trip must’ve been exhausting."

Lu Xusheng took off his frosty coat and smiled, "It’s your first birthday since we got married. I had to be here."

In her past life, her affair with Fan Yulin had been exposed on this day, and they’d divorced soon after.

This had left a permanent scar on Lu Xusheng’s heart.

Touched, Cheng Yian stood on her toes to hug him. Lu Xusheng, noticing her tiptoeing, panicked, "Don’t tiptoe, it’s not good for the baby." He quickly bent down to a height Cheng Yian could reach, allowing her to embrace him.

Cheng Yian held him steadily; it had been over a month since they last saw each other, and she missed him terribly.

Lu Xusheng gently felt her still-flat belly, "Why isn’t there any movement? Are you sure you’re pregnant?"

"It’s not showing yet."

"Why isn’t this child growing faster?"

He hoped the child would be strong like him.

Whether it's a boy or a girl, they should be strong.

Cheng Yian gave him a sympathetic look,

"I dreamed of the child's appearance."

"What did they look like?" Lu Xusheng asked, full of anticipation. "Did they look like me?"

"They looked like my father."

Lu Xusheng's face fell: "..."

No, absolutely not... they can’t take after Cheng Mingyu.