Chapter 347: Bound to the Child-Bearing System, Becoming a Winner in Life Chapter 348: A Passerby Strives to Live (16)

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

"Grandfather, there's some movement on the Commandery Princess's side."

Liu Jingsheng didn't want to put things too bluntly, but this wife of his who had married into the family was really too naive, not knowing how to cover her tracks in her conduct and actions.

Perhaps she also had her own pride, not thinking she needed to keep a low profile in the Liu family.

Liu Jingsheng smiled mockingly, thinking that this wife of his probably had only a few years of marital affinity left with him.

"Jingsheng, you are husband and wife, you should show mutual consideration," Liu Xiuwen first said a few words of advice, then shifted the topic, "But if it really can't be done, there's no need to force it."

"Although the Liu family isn't a high-ranking great household, it's not something just anyone can trample on."

What more does the Commandery Princess want? Even if her biological father is the Emperor's younger brother, even if she herself is an imperial princess, she cannot bear the consequences of the Liu family's interests being harmed.

In this era, they fear imperial power and dread imperial power, but they wouldn't truly not know how to resist.

The Commandery Princess married into the family as the Liu family's daughter-in-law; she should put the Liu family's interests first.

Once the Commandery Princess acts improperly and lacks foresight, she is no longer a qualified clan matron.

"His Majesty has already set the date for the personal expedition; this time he leaves, it's uncertain when he'll return."

"Jingsheng, now only you can make decisions for the Luojing Liu Clan; don't let the outside world dazzle your eyes," every move Liu Jingsheng made represented the Liu Clan, truly a case of pulling one hair and moving the whole body.

Liu Jingsheng understood, lowering his head and speaking in a low voice to assure Liu Xiuwen that he would certainly act with caution and never take risks with the Liu Clan.

Liu Xiuwen patted Liu Jingsheng's shoulder with satisfaction, "You are someone I personally cultivated," as the future head of the Liu Clan, he naturally believed in him.

The grandfather and grandson didn't stay long in the front courtyard study; Liu Jingsheng had other matters to attend to.

When he returned to the small courtyard late at night and saw his newlywed wife waiting at the doorway, Liu Jingsheng was not surprised.

Smiling at the corners of his mouth, "Zhaoling, why are you out? It's cold, you should put on a cape."

Wei Zhaoling was the daughter of a prince, not born of the principal wife, and had some status in her biological father's heart.

At this moment, she stood at the doorway unusually, wanting to test the Liu family's attitude as represented by Liu Jingsheng.

Wei Zhaoling's biological father was foolish and loved courting death; he had already chosen two princes, so he wanted to rope in this cheap son-in-law Liu Jingsheng to increase their side's chips.

Liu Jingsheng's attitude had always been ambiguous, without clearly giving any information.

Well, Wei Zhaoling had been warned and advised by her biological father again and again, unable to withstand the pressure, she could only speak up to test.

"After my husband returns, I'm a bit lost in thought and overlooked the cooling weather. I don't know if anything happened at court when my husband returned from outside this time?"

Father King values my husband and has always wanted to invite him to a banquet at the Prince's Mansion. Now it happens to be my younger brother's birthday at home; I don't know if my husband has time?"

Wei Zhaoling couldn't hold back her words, saying whatever came to mind, and her excuse was flimsy.

Perhaps there was also a reason she couldn't be bothered to find one; after all, Wei Zhaoling prided herself on her status and had been putting on airs as a Commandery Princess since arriving at the Liu Fu.

When facing Liu Jingsheng, it was alright; she would at least give Liu Jingsheng some face, but when facing other servants in the mansion, her arrogance couldn't be hidden at the corners of her eyes and brows.

For this reason, the Liu family servants had muttered behind her back quite a bit about this clueless young mistress.

Don't look at how glamorous Wei Zhaoling appeared on the surface; privately, it was mostly perfunctory dealings, even though Wei Zhaoling had complained to Liu Jingsheng many times.

"Since the Prince summons me, naturally I have time," Liu Jingsheng spoke gently, but his eyes were cold enough to freeze.

Wei Zhaoling got the accurate answer, only caring about being happy and thus overlooking Liu Jingsheng's expression, but the other servants waiting around were not blind.

Seeing this scene, everyone simultaneously shrank their necks and tucked their tails, afraid of being vented upon and scolded by their own masters.

An old man who understood things felt emotional, thinking that this cushy job of serving masters couldn't last much longer; the money he had spent earlier was probably wasted.

The wind and rain of Luojing temporarily couldn't reach Hengzhou.

Liu Jingyan's group stayed in Hengzhou for a little over ten days, until the Prefect of Hengzhou sent news that the bandits had appeared near Qiangzhou, far from Hengzhou, and only then did they pack their luggage and set off again.

Liu Jingyan had concluded a deal, so his relationship with the Prefect of Hengzhou was quite close.

When the car fleet left the city, the Prefect of Hengzhou personally saw them off; Liu Jingyan returned gifts, and both sides gave each other plenty of face.

Lady Liu put down the curtain cloth in her hands, "This Prefect, I have some impression of him."

Holding a handkerchief embroidered with flower petals, Lady Liu raised her eyebrows, "A few years ago, this person committed a small mistake in Luojing."

Being able to take office in Hengzhou was largely thanks to Liu Xiuwen showing mercy and not pursuing it.

Otherwise, based solely on the complicated connections in Luojing, this person would continue to be suppressed and depressed, unable to achieve his ambitions.

You must know that far fewer people leave Luojing each year than stay in Luojing.

Everyone knows Luojing's wealth and status are dazzling, but how many people can get what they wish for?

When Lady Liu was in Luojing, she had seen countless inner chamber women each year.

The reason she had some impression of this Prefect of Hengzhou was still because of the big or small troubles this person caused; when Liu Xiuwen extended his hand back then, she was right there beside him.

Shen Yao heard this and made an 'oh' sound, smiling and saying, "That really is fate."

To meet again in Hengzhou a thousand li away; if one thinks about conspiracy theories, perhaps this Prefect of Hengzhou is a chess piece the Liu family prepared in advance.

Lady Liu and the Prefect of Hengzhou had never met in formal occasions; there was a sense of old acquaintances meeting without recognizing each other between them.

The sadness of parting outside didn't overly affect the atmosphere inside the carriage.

Lady Liu and Shen Yao sat together, but after a while they started teasing the two children.

Children who are full and well-fed are angels; not crying or making a fuss, they are very cute.

Lady Liu had been quite anxious on the road, but the two children greatly healed her mood; occasionally, Shen Yao would arrange for a wet nurse to take the two children to stay in Lady Liu's carriage for a while.

Perhaps Lady Liu had previously looked forward to Liu Jingsheng's child in her heart, but once she left Luojing, she lost interest in matters of Luojing; instead, the two children who came along got the bargain and received much affection from their grandmother.

Between Hengzhou and Yingchuan lies a town named Liyuan.

It is said that pear trees are widely planted in the town; every April, snow-white pear blossoms cover the entire streets of Liyuan Town, and the pears sold from Liyuan are also large and sweet.

"We've come at an inopportune time; the pear trees at Liyuan have already shed their leaves. If Mother wants to see the scenery, we'll have to wait until next spring," only then can we catch a glimpse of Liyuan's splendor.

"If Mother likes it, when we have time next year, our whole family will come together," Yingchuan is only a three-day journey from Liyuan, and they traveled the bustling official road; compared to the bandit chaos outside Hengzhou City, this stretch of road between Liyuan and Yingchuan feels more like an outing.

Madam Liu smiled, her eyebrows and eyes curved, "Once we reach Yingchuan, the ancestral grounds still need repairs," they might not have the leisure to come out.

However, Madam Liu didn't refuse outright either; one can see the allure of going out to play is still great; women long confined to the inner courtyard are reluctant to give it up.

"A Yan is helping with the ancestral grounds; I believe A Yan won't let Mother down."

Shen Yao pushed her advantage, immediately dumping the task onto Liu Jingyan riding ahead on horseback.

Unwittingly, Liu Jingyan already carried quite a few burdens on his shoulders; one can see that when it comes to setting up her husband, Shen Yao doesn't go easy at all.

Madam Liu and her own daughter-in-law got along increasingly well, quite a feeling of regretting not having met sooner.

Originally at the Liu Fu in Luojing, Madam Liu felt Shen Yao wasn't as gentle as she appeared on the surface; now away from Luojing, this person no longer disguises herself, and actually seems even more interesting and mysterious.

Covering her mouth and laughing softly, Shen Yao's liveliness nicely dispelled Madam Liu's worries about the Liu Fu in Luojing.

As for the eldest son Liu Jingsheng, who originally ranked first in Madam Liu's heart as an outsider, he had long been pushed back a step, yielding his place to the two toothless little ones.

Five days later, the caravan reached Yingchuan; the dust-weary group could finally rest.

The Yingchuan ancestral residence had servants staying year-round to clean; the group only needed a simple tidy-up to move in.

However, Yingchuan's local products aren't as abundant as Luojing's; in daily food and necessities they'll still be somewhat wronged; this is unavoidable.

"What's this bit of wrong? Yingchuan isn't Luojing; A Yan returned to handle proper business; Yao Yao may not be able to help, but she won't disturb A Yan either," Shen Yao said two sentences in a tea-tea manner to express her intent, then led people to arrange the small courtyard.

The ornaments brought from Luojing were displayed wherever they should be; as for the mansion servants, regardless of whether they could stay on to serve in the future, the reward money given out was indispensable.

Madam Liu had one more arrangement than Shen Yao: receiving clan members; Yingchuan also has some branch families; they usually tend the clan fields and maintain the ancestral hall, making indelible contributions to the Liu Family.

"Contributions? Not being too greedy makes them upright people; the Yingchuan Liu branch has Luojing backing them, usually living here like local despots," just this, and they call it contributions?

Shen Yao rolled her eyes quite decisively; Qing Shui hurriedly urged her own master to calm down upon seeing this.

No need to smash one's own precious porcelain against others' stinky rocks.

Qing Shui had seen that group of clan members who came; every one of them with noses in the air, not knowing what year it is, completely forgetting who the true master of the Yingchuan Liu branch is.

Hmph!

Usually relying on Luojing for food and drink, yet now treating themselves as a dish; Qing Shui wishes for nothing more than to find a chance to teach this group a good lesson.

"The fruits and vegetables from the manor outside the city every day are all what they pick over the leftovers before sending to the residence.

Master, one can see these people just lack discipline," that's why they've forgotten where their current wealth and status come from.

Without Luojing's high-ranking nobility, the Yingchuan Liu branch is merely a declined household.

Shen Yao glanced at Qing Shui, hand resting on her as she turned her in a circle, "Your words, not a bit wrong.

Mother is currently sorting the account books; all these years Luojing turned a blind eye, but that wasn't to let them push their luck."

Occasionally taking a little something, as long as it's not too obvious, Luojing won't fuss.

But now Luojing itself is somewhat precarious; if Yingchuan gets another dove occupying the magpie's nest, how will the Liu main line live?

Liu Jingyan has told her quite a few things lately about wanting to move to kill.

They brought back quite a few clan members from Luojing; the collateral lines here in Yingchuan are truly several generations removed by blood; even if they all died for the Liu ancestors, the family still doesn't lack people who can speak and handle affairs.

Shen Yao and Qing Shui, master and servant, complained that these Yingchuan clan members can't see the situation clearly.

Behind the scenes, these clan members also gather in twos and threes to complain about this group from Luojing putting on airs; accustomed to being the dominators, suddenly returning to the position of the dominated, it makes people unable to bear it.

Words of dislike and complaint spill out the moment they open their mouths, letting Liu Jingyan, who went out to handle matters, hear them clearly.

Returning home with a dark face, Liu Jingyan first went to find Madam Liu to discuss matters, then mentioned the manor he had his eye on could be bought with money, just that time is tight, and the large items in the ancestral home aren't easy to move.

"Can take it slow after the New Year; first buy the favored manor.

Remember, must find trustworthy people to handle things; as for the clan members here in Yingchuan, privately work connections with the local government office, try not to dirty your own hands."

Although standing by and not saving isn't a good reputation either, Madam Liu is still willing to wear an extra layer of disguise; it was originally the Yingchuan side being ungrateful; they endured hardships returning from Luojing, must they still continue to swallow their anger?

Liu Jingyan naturally understood Madam Liu's words; this kind of thing they often did in Luojing.

Otherwise how did the Liu Family survive? Pure innocence is of no use.

Wrapped in the shell of a noble clan, no matter how bright and beautiful the exterior looks, the filth and darkness inside are only worse, not better.

Returning to the small courtyard from Madam Liu's place, Liu Jingyan hadn't even caught his breath before being drawn by the laughter of the two children.

With a gentle expression he lifted his leg and entered; he saw Shen Yao teasing the two children sitting on the couch, teaching them to climb and roll.

Children nearly one year old, as long as they develop fast, can already sit up and climb simply.

Liu Mingxuan and Liu Mingfei look good, eat well, have strong limbs; though it's just simple climbing and rolling, when the mood strikes they can even stand up holding the couch and walk a couple steps.

Liu Jingyan's appearance greatly attracted Liu Mingxuan and Liu Mingfei's attention.

The two brats didn't keep playing with their birth mother, but reached out toward their birth father who had just entered.

Perhaps because Liu Jingyan appears less often, the two children have a novelty toward him; no matter what they're doing they have to glance at him twice.

Shen Yao was so angry she directly called the two of them heartless; clearly she brings them up most days, yet in the end they still like their birth father more.

Liu Jingyan lay on his side on the couch like a jade tree in the wind; the two chubby brats sat on him, hands still grabbing his hem and stuffing it into their mouths.

"Be good, this can't be eaten; Father will have someone fetch pastries for you."

Liu Jingyan gently took the clothes from the brats' hands with a face full of tenderness, then lay on his side again, giving them plenty of room to move.

Shen Yao helplessly could only take out the embroidered red cloth tiger to amuse them.

Small children's eyesight isn't fully developed; they prefer things with bright colors.

Liu Mingxuan and Liu Mingfei usually love grabbing pretty clothes and jewelry, causing Shen Yao to have to remove many ornaments from herself every time she comes over.

"The favored manor has been settled; in a few days we'll arrange people to repair it.

There's a hot spring with living water on the back mountain of the manor; once it's made into a hot spring pool, we can soak in leisure to relieve physical fatigue."

Everything Liu Jingyan does follows Liu Xiuwen's instructions.

It's just that Liu Xiuwen's words were too vague; when Liu Jingyan implements the content on paper, a certain degree of deviation arises.

Including the estate Liu Jingyan had taken a liking to this time, its area was twice as large as anticipated; once repaired, it could match a small town.