Chapter 172: The Wedding Date Approaches

The seventh month flows with fire, scorching the earth.

Crimson rays of fire poured down without reservation from the silver-white dome of the sky, drenching the exposed earth.

The flowers, plants, and trees within the capital had their leaves withered by the sun, drooping their heads as they stood on both sides of the road. Deep in the woods, the cicadas of midsummer chirped with increasing urgency, making the already sweltering summer day feel even more restless.

Inside a small pavilion in the garden of Grand Secretary Zhang, Zheng Xi'er rested her chin on her hands, leaning against the stone table.

Her eyes were listless, staring straight at the sky, not knowing what she was thinking about.

Today she was wearing a blood-red, brocade-textured, six-fold pleated long skirt, her beautiful hair coiled into an elegant cloud bun, with two jade hairpins that Zhang Yunxiu had given her inserted into it.

With only a little powder applied to her beautiful cheeks, she was indescribably stunning.

For some reason, she had been feeling very anxious lately. In the middle of the night, she would always wake up in a start, her back breaking out in cold sweat.

This had been the case for four or five days in a row, causing her to be listless during the day, yet unable to sleep at night.

Although she was unwilling to admit it, the arrival of Xu Ruoxi had indeed put immense pressure on her.

A legitimate young lady from a scholarly family, well-read and courteous, younger than her, and prettier than her. Thinking about it, if her husband and the young lady of the Xu Family stood together, that would truly be a match made in heaven.

Just as she was thinking this, a light footstep suddenly came from behind her.

Zheng Xi'er turned her head to look; Zhang Yunxiu was walking over holding a fair and chubby child. The child was fair and round, with a pair of large, watery eyes like a clear spring in summer.

Refreshing to the heart and spirit.

It was their eldest daughter, Zhang Xuan.

As soon as she saw her mother, Zhang Xuan began to babble and cry out.

Zhang Yunxiu was flustered; while walking quickly forward, he teased Zheng Xi'er, "You certainly know how to find peace and quiet, hiding all the way here. You must not have heard how loudly this little one was crying just now."

With a tap to her forehead, Zheng Xi'er took her daughter from her husband's arms, then turned around and gently unbuttoned her collar.

Before long, Zhang Xuan stopped crying and fussing, lying obediently in her mother's arms.

The corners of Zheng Xi'er's mouth curled up, and the radiance of motherhood shone upon her fair profile.

After Zhang Xuan fell fast asleep, Zheng Xi'er beckoned, and a maid in the distance saw it, coming forward to take Zhang Xuan away.

Zhang Yunxiu had not seen her smile like this for the past few days and couldn't help but feel heartache, so he hugged Zheng Xi'er from behind and asked softly, "What's wrong lately? You look so listless. Should we find a doctor to take a look at you?"

Shaking her head, Zheng Xi'er forced herself to say, "I'm fine, it's just that the weather is too hot and I haven't been sleeping well."

"Then shall I have someone send over some more ice?" Zhang Yunxiu suggested.

"No need," Zheng Xi'er refused softly, then pretended to ask nonchalantly, "By the way, it will be the husband's wedding day in half a month. The wife has been in the capital for nearly a month, shouldn't the husband go and visit her beforehand?"

Smiling and shaking his head, Zhang Yunxiu turned Zheng Xi'er's body around, stared at her fluttering almond eyes, and teased, "Visit what? It's not like I haven't seen her before. Anyway, she'll be entering the household soon, and there will be plenty of opportunities to see her later."

"It's actually certain people who, if I didn't come to see them, would probably be unable to sleep at night."

"Ah?!"

Zheng Xi'er let out a cry of surprise, her pretty face instantly turning red enough to bleed.

She bit her lip, her eyelids lowered, staring straight at her embroidered shoes. Her pair of fair and tender jade hands, having nowhere to rest, could only fiddle aimlessly with the hem of her skirt.

That appearance was just like a young girl who had just discovered love, suddenly having her secret thoughts exposed by someone.

"Husband... does the husband know everything?"

Zhang Yunxiu nodded.

Now Zheng Xi'er was even more nervous; she stood with her hands hanging down in front of Zhang Yunxiu, looking like a child who had done something wrong.

No matter how one put it, she was only a concubine, the kind that Zhang Yunxiu could even give away to someone else if he were heartless.

Now, she, a mere little concubine, was actually getting jealous of the mistress.

Wouldn't this make things difficult for her husband? Seeing Xi'er's cautious appearance, Zhang Yunxiu went straight to the point: "After Ruoxi enters the household, the business will still be managed by you. Her skin is too thin, and in terms of doing business, her mind isn't as sharp as yours. You don't need to worry about the business being taken away by her."

"Xi'er has never worried about the business," Zheng Xi'er suddenly became playful again.

"So confident? You think I can't live without you?" Zhang Yunxiu asked her with a smile.

Zheng Xi'er shook her head without speaking, only standing on tiptoe, hooking her hands around Zhang Yunxiu's neck, and looking at him with seductive eyes.

Because she had just finished nursing Zhang Xuan, the buttons on her collar were not yet fastened.

From Zhang Yunxiu's line of sight, her fair skin was in full view.

The body scent of a mature young woman, mixed with a faint milky fragrance, drifted into Zhang Yunxiu's nostrils. In an instant, Zhang Yunxiu's breathing changed from exhalation to rapid gasps.

"It seems I really can't live without you," Zhang Yunxiu whispered, and then, amidst Zheng Xi'er's exclamation, he swept her up into his arms.

The maids watching the scene nearby covered their mouths and smiled, leaving shyly.

The wedding date was getting closer and closer.

In the blink of an eye, only five days remained.

Zhang Juzheng was seriously ill; as the eldest brother is like a father and the eldest sister-in-law is like a mother, Zhang Yunxiu's eldest brother Zhang Jingxiu and eldest sister-in-law Gao Lan became the elders for this wedding.

On the other side, those who came from the Xu Family were also old friends.

Xu Ruoxi's eldest brother Xu Yuanchun and eldest sister-in-law Zhu Ling.

Because a woman cannot have contact with the groom's side before marriage, the process of meeting the parents was skipped. In any case, both sides knew each other well, so they just had a simple banquet and that was that.

On this day, after the hour of the Rooster, the lanterns on the street were as bright as day.

Two figures walked out from the Tianxian Pavilion.

Walking on the left was Zhang Yunxiu, and on the right was Xu Yuanchun, whose face was flushed and who looked completely drunk.

He grabbed Zhang Yunxiu's arm and said, half-seriously and half-jokingly, "Brother-in-law, our sister has had a delicate nature since she was a child. You must not bully her after she marries over."

"Brother, rest assured, I will certainly treat Ruoxi well."

"That concubine of yours..."

"I will treat them both well."

Staring into his eyes, Zhang Yunxiu replied word for word.

Xu Yuanchun had originally wanted to give this brother-in-law a warning, but he didn't expect him to be so assertive, which left him feeling a bit awkward for a moment.

Fortunately, Xu Yuanchun's skill in maintaining his composure was top-notch, and he immediately changed the subject: "This Beijing city is truly vast; it is worthy of being the imperial capital."

"Brother's mourning period will end soon, and only then will it be the time for brother to display his grand ambitions."

"I am no good; I only wish to guard my small plot of land in Jiangnan. Unlike you, brother-in-law, who are favored by the Emperor, your future prospects and smooth path are naturally limitless."

As the two were busy flattering each other, Zhang Jingxiu chased them out from inside the building.

He had been wondering why he couldn't find these two; it turned out they had come outside to seek some peace and quiet.

With a smile, Zhang Jingxiu grabbed both of their arms and said, "You two really know how to hide. Come, come, come, the dishes haven't even all been served yet, what are you two hiding for?!"

(End of this chapter)