A life of ups and downs is pure joy

After Xiao Bowen and Xiao Yi came out of the Shen Mansion, Duke Shen and his son watched them get on the carriage and then returned to the mansion.

"Dad, does the fact that General Xiao and Grand Secretary Jinglin came here today mean that they want to get married?" Shen Xin asked as he walked towards the study with Shen Qiu.

"The fifth day of next month is a good day. Your mother and I will go to the Xiao Mansion in person to propose marriage. The fact that General Xiao is here means that he has tacitly agreed to this matter. Xin'er, we must make our stance clear." Shen Qiu said, stroking his beard.

"Dad, in terms of strategy, intelligence and ability, the Eastern Palace is not as good as the Third Prince. Have you thought it through?" Shen Xin asked.

"But the Crown Prince is backed by the Xiao and Lin families, and the Third Prince will definitely not be able to win. Daddy is old, and you and Wei'er are still young. I am stating my position now so that you can have a good future." Shen Qiu said in a low voice.

"I heard that the daughter of the Xiao family is not an ordinary woman."

Shen Xin had seen Xiao Qiannan several times at the garden party. He either saw her beating people or riding a horse. She was completely different from the legendary lady who was proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting.

"Hmph... Hehe, the Xiao family's background is naturally different." Shen Qiu looked at his eldest son and snorted coldly, "Also, your backyard is clean."

Shen Xin nodded, and then the two of them went into the study.

After returning to the Xiao Mansion, Xiao Bowen and his son discussed in the study for a while and then returned to their respective courtyards.

In Qingbo Courtyard, Lin Qinghuan was looking worriedly at the clothes Yun Xiang had found for her.

"On the fourteenth of next month, I will definitely be much rounder than I am now. These clothes will definitely not be comfortable for me."

"Young Madam, it's only been a month, she won't be much fatter." Yun Xiang said as he ironed Xiao Yi's court clothes.

"Yes, even if the young lady is pregnant, she is still much slimmer than ordinary people. There is no need to worry about these things." Shuyin walked in with a washbasin and said as she looked at the clothes in the room.

"You three just know how to say nice things to make me happy. When I returned home yesterday, even my grandmother said that I looked plump." Lin Qinghuan sat down and took a sip of tea and said.

"Girl, think about what the eldest girl looks like now. Also, when the seventh princess and the second girl were pregnant, they were a little rounder. After giving birth, they all recovered." Chu Xia stepped forward and pinched Lin Qinghuan's shoulders and said softly.

"Having said that, I still like being as light as a swallow. No, starting tomorrow, I will eat less." Lin Qinghuan vowed.

“Why should I eat less?”

Xiao Yi's voice came from the door. Shu Yin turned around and saw a man in a white robe stepping into the room, bringing in a chill of severe winter.

"Husband, you're back." Lin Qinghuan looked up at Xiao Yi walking towards her with secret joy.

Chuxia stepped forward and took off Xiao Yi's outer robe. Shuyin took it with both hands, then gently patted the water droplets on it that had melted from the fallen snow, and then hung it up.

"Master, the young lady insisted that she has become plump now and is about to refuse to eat." Yun Xiang said hurriedly.

"Hmph, I said eat less, you bad girl." Lin Qinghuan stretched out her little hand to slap the naughty Yun Xiang, then smiled and put it down.

"You guys keep a close eye on the young lady for me. Make sure she eats and drinks as she pleases, and don't let her be too willful. When you have nothing to do, take her out for a walk more often. It's not good for her to stay cooped up in the house all day." Xiao Yi instructed the maids.

"Yes, young master." The three maids looked at each other and smiled, then bowed in response.

"How come all these clothes are turned out?" Xiao Yi asked, looking at the clothes spread out on the bed.

"My fourth sister is getting married on the 14th of next month, and I'm worried about what to wear." Lin Qinghuan stretched out her hand, and Xiao Yi gently held hers, helping her to get up and sit on the couch.

"Why worry? You look the best in anything you wear. As for next month's things, I'll take you shopping for new ones the day after tomorrow when I'm resting. If you don't like these anymore, just throw them all away."

Xiao Yi really didn't understand why the woman was worried about this matter. Why should she worry about something that could be solved with money?

Lin Qinghuan smiled lightly, then said, "By the way, husband, you don't have to look for Mr. Dong."

"Why?" Xiao Yi asked curiously.

"My elder sister went to the Dong residence early this morning. I never thought that Uncle Dong actually knew me. He looked at my paintings and praised my high attainments, saying that I was no less accomplished than my mother's. He also chatted with my elder sister for the whole morning. Finally, he decided to accept me as his apprentice, but he would wait until my child was born. It just so happened that he had to go on a long trip during this period." Lin Qinghuan said excitedly.

"Really? You're quite fast, big sister." Xiao Yi said with some surprise.

"Big sister has always been like this, decisive and swift." Lin Qinghuan suddenly remembered when he first came here and saw Lin Qingyao, he felt that she was very majestic at that time.

"That's good. I'm worried about you going to become my disciple while you're pregnant. I'll take you out to play in the spring." Xiao Yi pinched Lin Qinghuan's little face and said.

"Husband, it turns out this matter still counts." Lin Qinghuan asked with some surprise.

"Of course, I promise you, but I'm going to bring Liuxi with me this time. I feel safe with her around. Hongqi should also come along. The south yard is almost ready, so you can have her come over in a few days."

Xiao Yi has been very busy recently and was just caught in the snow and rain. Now he is a little warmer inside the house.

Hongqi is by Lin Qinghuan's side, so he feels at ease no matter where his restless little wife goes.

"Husband, you are so nice." Lin Qinghuan happily walked forward, hugged Xiao Yi and kissed him.

"Come, let me listen to see if our naughty monkey has made any movement." Xiao Yi sat next to Lin Qinghuan and listened carefully by leaning against her belly.

"Hehe..." The three maids waiting outside stood at the door listening to Lin Qinghuan's laughter inside and looked at each other.

Yesterday's snow was just a small prelude. Today is the day for heavy snow. Early in the morning, laughter could be heard coming from the yard from time to time. Lin Qinghuan rubbed his eyes and pushed Xiao Yi next to him.

"Husband, what's going on outside?"

"What time is it?" Xiao Yi felt a severe headache and opened his eyes with difficulty.

"Husband, why is your forehead so hot?" Lin Qinghuan felt that Xiao Yi was a little strange, reached out and touched it, and exclaimed.

"I feel a little uncomfortable. Maybe I caught a cold yesterday. I'll sleep a little longer." Xiao Yi said uncomfortably, closing his eyes again, and fell asleep again after a while.

"Chuxia, Yunxiang, go call Liuxi over." Lin Qinghuan felt a little uneasy seeing him like this, so he stood up and shouted outside.

"Girl, what's wrong with you?" Chuxia pushed open the door and ran in anxiously and asked.

"Go, go call Liuxi, my husband's forehead is burning." Lin Qinghuan said, "Shuyin, get some cold water and a cloth."

Yun thought about it and hurried out of Qingbo Courtyard. Shuyin brought some cold water, helped Lin Qinghuan put on her clothes, and then frowned and looked at Xiao Yi on the bed.

"Shuyin, ask Dayuan to tell the cabinet that your husband is ill and will not be attending court today." Lin Qinghuan gave the order while personally applying a cool cloth to Xiao Yi's forehead.

"Yes, young madam." Shuyin quickly put down the work in her hands and trotted out in quick steps to find Dayuan who was resting in the small courtyard north of Qingboyuan.

Half an incense stick later, Liu Xi and her maid came over carrying medicine boxes. Lin Qinghuan was anxiously supported by Chu Xiayun and stood aside. She had never seen her husband sick since she married Xiao Yi. When Liu Ji and Liu Rong learned about this, they were also rushing to Qingbo Courtyard.

"Don't worry, cousin. My cousin has caught a cold and has a fever right now. However, it's very smart of you to use this method to reduce his temperature in advance. I'll write a prescription." After taking the pulse and checking the patient on the bed, Liu Xi stood up and said to Lin Qinghuan.

"How could you suddenly get sick? You were fine last night." Lin Qinghuan sat at the head of the bed and took off the cooling cloth on Xiao Yi's forehead, then took the new cool cloth from Shuyin's hand and placed it on his forehead.

"Generally, when you catch a cold, the fever period is at night. Prepare the medicine according to this prescription and boil it. Drink it three times a day and open the windows of the room for ventilation." Liu Xi handed the prescription to Chu Xia, and Yun Xiang also took the prescription with Chu Xia and went to work.

"How is Yi'er?" Liu Ji's concerned voice came from outside the yard. When Lin Qinghuan stood up, he saw two people walking in.

"Aunt, my cousin has caught a cold and is now unconscious due to a high fever." Liu Xi came forward and helped Liu Ji over. Then, as if remembering something, he continued, "Cousin, you should not stay here for the next few days. After all, you are pregnant. What if you get infected by my cousin?"

"If I'm not here, who will take care of my husband? It's okay. Although I'm not in good health, I've been taking medicine since I was a child. The epidemics back then didn't affect me. Now it's just a cold, I'm not afraid."

Lin Qinghuan refused. Looking at her husband lying on the bed, she couldn't possibly ignore him.

"Silly girl, this mansion has the most servants, why do you need to come in person? Listen to Xi'er, stay at Luoyi Pavilion first, and come back after Yi'er is better."

Liu Ji walked forward and touched her son's head with her hand, then patted Lin Qinghuan's hand and said.

"Young Madam, please go to Luoyi Pavilion and take good care of yourself. I will take good care of the eldest young master for you. I will send someone to Luoyi Pavilion every day to report your safety several times." Yun Xiang, who was standing next to Lin Qinghuan, said.

Lin Qinghuan pouted and looked at Yun Xiang, then looked at Liu Ji's concerned eyes, and then nodded helplessly.

"Don't worry, cousin, I'm here." Liu Xi said while sitting at the table.

Xiao Yi, who was already half asleep, did not see his beloved daughter-in-law reluctantly leaving Qingbo Courtyard.

By noon, the news of Xiao Yi's illness had spread throughout the mansion, and Hu Tao Niang in Honglian Pavilion was pacing around the room anxiously.

"My husband is sick. No, I have to ask the old lady to let me take care of him." Hu Tao Niang learned that Lin Qinghuan was not convenient to take care of Xiao Yi, and had already gone to Luoyi Pavilion.

"The most suitable person to go to Qingbo Courtyard to take care of the eldest young master at this time is Madam. If Madam asks the old lady, she will definitely agree." Chunfeng said.

"Let's go to Qingyin Pavilion." Hu Taoniang went to the bronze mirror and replaced the gold hairpin on her head with a wooden hairpin. She then wiped the bright red lipstick on her lips and picked out a plain dress to change into.

In Qingyin Pavilion, Liu Ji looked at Hu Tao Niang who came to pay her respects.

"Mother, the young lady is not feeling well now, and my husband has caught a cold. I am too embarrassed to enjoy myself in the Red Lotus Pavilion alone. Let me go and serve my husband." Hu Tao Niang knelt in front of the hall and looked at Liu Ji sincerely.

Liu Ji looked at Hu Tao Niang, whose face was simple and yet full of concern and anxiety, and glanced at Liu Rong. After all, she was the concubine who had served her son for many years. No matter what her character or birth was, she was truly devoted to her son, so she nodded in agreement.

"Go ahead and take care of Yi'er."

Hu Tao Niang raised her head gratefully, then bowed to Liu Ji and rushed to Qingbo Courtyard with Chunfeng.

Yun Xiang frowned as she looked at Hu Tao Niang and her servant. If she hadn't heard that Liu Ji agreed, she would have definitely kicked them out of Qingbo Courtyard. Now she could only stand by helplessly and watch Hu Tao Niang taking care of the eldest master.

In Luoyi Pavilion, Lin Qinghuan heard that Hu Tao Niang went to take care of Xiao Yi, and her heart was beating with anger. Shuyin dismissed the servants and then stepped forward to help Lin Qinghuan up.

"Young Madam, a few days ago, my people spotted the woman who met Chunfeng and followed her all the way to Liangting Temple in the north of the city."

"What does that woman look like?" Lin Qinghuan asked curiously.

"She looks about thirty-four or thirty-five, not tall, but very thin. Although she covered her face, I could still see a scar between her eyebrows, which was quite eye-catching." Shuyin said.

"What? There's a scar between her eyebrows. How could it be her?" Lin Qinghuan looked at Shuyin in astonishment and screamed.

"Young Madam, do you know who it is?" Shuyin asked in surprise.

"Impossible, she should be dead..." Lin Qinghuan murmured to herself, and then said, "Shuyin, you secretly went to the Jia Mansion to look for my second sister. If outsiders asked, just say that I ran out of beauty cream."

"Yes, I'll go right away. To Qingbo Courtyard?" Shuyin thought of Hutao Niang again.

"Let her take care of it first. It's a good opportunity to keep her busy." Lin Qinghuan said, pulling the handkerchief in her hand and slowly sitting down.

It was already evening when Lin Mo arrived at Luoyi Pavilion, and dinner was being prepared for the two sisters in the small kitchen.

"Feng Sanniang is still alive?" Lin Mo was also a little surprised.

"I was wondering why this Buddha Leaf Grass appeared again. It is something she is most familiar with. I just didn't expect that she has such ability to conspire with the rats in the Xiao Mansion to steal oil." Lin Qinghuan said angrily.

"We misunderstood Madam Li before. Fortunately, you are kind-hearted and protected her personal maid." Lin Mo said with some self-blame.

"I understand Sister Li's personality. She wouldn't even dare to step on an ant, and she loves her husband so much, so it's impossible for her to do anything to annoy him."

After Lin Qinghuan calmed down, she no longer suspected Madam Li, especially since she asked Xiao Qiannan to remind her before leaving that the person who harmed her was still around.

"Second sister, since grandmother executed Concubine Chang, how could she let Feng Sanniang go?" Lin Qinghuan asked with some confusion.

"I heard that you were given poisoned wine, but Feng Sanniang is a female doctor, so she naturally kept a trick up her sleeve. I just didn't expect that she would run to Jinhan City to take revenge on you. She is so vicious." Lin Mo angrily pounded the table lightly.

"Aunt Chang did so many bad things back then, and it's all her own fault. She never thought that Feng Sanniang, who escaped with her life, would come to die again. She finally stepped half a foot out of the underworld, but now she is reluctant to leave." Lin Qinghuan said with a sneer.

"This master and servant are meticulous and corrupt. They killed the mistress and Aunt Xue, and now they want to harm you. We must not let them go this time." Lin Mo said.

"Do you think my third sister knows about this?" Lin Qinghuan thought about how close he and Lin Qingwan had been these days, spending a whole day together practicing piano every other day, and he felt a little uneasy.

"Wan'er is aloof by nature and should not bother to do such dirty things." Lin Mo said.

"That's good, second sister. I'm going to catch mice."