青春期撞上更年期第1部

When Zhao Xiqiong told her about it shyly, she felt it was a joke. How could Prince Chen fall for another woman so easily?

She had seen Prince Chen before. He was exceedingly handsome, but there was no place for any other women in his eyes. He seemed to be gentle and elegant, but his eyes looked emotionless. No matter whom he faced, he appeared like this. Only when he watched Shao Wanru would a trace of gentleness come into his eyes.

This kind of man was heartless.

When they arrived at the Prince Chen’s Mansion, Zhao Xiran had warned Zhao Xiqiong about it. But Zhao Xiqiong suppressed her criticism, saying it was her father’s idea. The Prince Chen’s Mansion was very likely to flourish, so she was asked to leave a good impression on Prince Chen before others could do anything.

However, Zhao Xiqiong didn’t tell Zhao Xiran that Minister Zhao felt she had a temperament quite similar to Princess Chen.

They were all the kind of woman who looked indifferent but charming. Also, Madam of Minister Zhao said if Prince Chen favored this kind of woman, her daughter could also win his heart!

At first, she just listened to Minister Zhao’s suggestion, thinking she might as well take a look at Prince Chen. She could refuse her father if she didn’t like him. As the legitimate daughter of the Minister Zhao’s Mansion, how could she be a consort? But she didn’t expect to fall in love with Prince Chen at first glance.

Seeing that Zhao Xiran was angry, Zhao Xiqiong lowered her head. Though she ignored Zhao Xiran and Shao Caihuan, she was still very enthusiastic about Prince Chen in her heart.

According to her father, Prince Chen liked women that looked like her. Not only Prince Chen but also many men wanted this type of woman. In this case, Zhao Xiqiong thought she still had a lot of opportunities.

Since Prince Chen had stood out conspicuously, Princess Chen couldn’t be the only hostess in the inner court of Prince Chen’s Mansion. With her father’s support, she could marry him effortlessly if she was willing to be a consort. Moreover, she was good-looking. Although she was not as pretty as Princess Chen, there was one thing that Princess Chen could not compare with her.

Princess Chen was younger than her. She heard that Princess Chen was still underage and a little immature, but Zhao Xiqiong was different.

Zhao Xiqiong didn’t intend to go to the Pageant, so she was absent under a plea of illness. Now she regretted it very much. If she had participated in the Pageant, Shao Wanru wouldn’t have gotten the chance to marry Prince Chen!

She was the first one to think about Prince Chen. Her father chose Prince Chen long ago, but she refused this marriage.

At present, she could only listen to her father’s advice and marry into the Prince Chen’s Mansion as a consort. She would take her time with her ambition. Better than Princess Chen, she was supported by her father, a Prime Minister. So, Zhao Xiqiong believed she would be the winner in the end.

After weighing the pros and cons in her heart, she became increasingly excited. Since her sister didn’t help her, she would go back and talk to her father. After all, her father had such an idea in the beginning.

The three people in the carriage quieted down again. Each of them had some ideas of their own and remained silent without disturbing each other.

When they arrived at the Marquis Xing’s Mansion, Zhao Xiqiong got out of the carriage and went straight to her carriage. Right away, she went straight to the Minister Zhao’s Mansion, not wanting to stay in the Marquis Xing’s Mansion for a moment longer.

Shao Caihuan went to the third branch to reply Third Madam, who had asked her to do something.

Zhao Xiran stood still and watched her sister-in-law and sister leave, wearing a worried frown with a bad feeling. At the moment, she couldn’t control either Shao Caihuan or Zhao Xiqiong. After thinking for a while, she did not go back to her yard. Instead, she went to Shao Hua’an’s study outside.

She couldn’t make up her mind about something, so she had to ask Shao Hua’an about it. She always felt Shao Hua’an seemed to have hidden something from her.

Two young male servants were guarding the study. Seeing her coming over, one of them immediately went in to report. When she approached, the other servant sensitively stepped forward and bowed to her. The one, who went to report, came back and said, “Eldest Young Madam, Eldest Young Master invited you in!”

“What is your master doing?” Zhao Xiran casually asked.

“He is reading a book,” the servant replied.

Zhao Xiran walked into the study. There, Shao Hua’an was behind the writing desk in the study, reclining on the couch. When he saw her coming in, he put down the book in his hand and said with a faint smile, “You visited Fifth Sister. How is she?”

His legs had not fully recovered yet, so it was better for him to lay back against the pillows to read. If he was tired, he could lie down to rest.

Zhao Xiran turned to the couch behind the desk and sat down. Looking at Shao Hua’an’s pale face, she sighed in her heart and thought, “Dissatisfied with the reality?” Of course, she was. Anyway, Shao Hua’an was her husband. If she felt reluctant to face reality, so what? The Marquis Xing’s Mansion had declined, no longer as prosperous as the Duke Xing’s Mansion. Even when Infanta Yuan’an abused her power and bullied them, they couldn’t devise any revenge plan.

And now, her husband even lost his position as the heir of a duke!

“She looks fine. She could get up and meet us. I think she should be okay. She was not in danger as the rumors had said.” Zhao Xiran restrained many thoughts welling up in her mind and answered.

“After all, it was just hearsay, an unreliable source of information.” Shao Hua’an gently comforted her. He reached out to hold Zhao Xiran’s hand and looked at her affectionately. “You have suffered a lot these days. I’ve been a useless husband and put you to great inconvenience!”

“I… never feel wronged…” Zhao Xiran’s eyes turned red, and she lowered her head. Even though she had a lot of plans in her mind, she still felt sad when she thought of the lost child in her belly. Involuntarily, her eyes fell on her belly again.

She could have seen a baby bump now if nothing had happened back then. After a few months, she could have given birth to her baby.

“I’m sorry. It’s all my fault!” Seeing her eyes on her belly, Shao Hua’an knew she was thinking about the lost baby. He felt more and more tender and protective toward her. Putting forth some strength, he pulled her into his arms and patted her gently. “It’s okay. It’ll all blow over. Everything will be fine.”

His father told him what had happened back then. At first, he wasn’t the heir of a duke either, but he got it in the end. One step back today for two steps forward tomorrow.

When the time was right, all wishes would come true.

“Don’t say that. It’s not your fault. Today, Third Sister came with me. I was quite surprised. She seemed to have something to tell Fifth Sister, but it was not convenient for her to say it in front of me. Eventually, she could only ask Fifth Sister to come back, saying Third Aunt wants to see her.”

Zhao Xiran quickly collected herself. She sat up, wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, and refreshed herself a little.

“Third Aunt wanted to see Fifth Sister?” Shao Hua’an frowned and asked. He couldn’t figure out why Third Aunt would like to meet Shao Wanru. Even when Shao Wanru stayed in the mansion, the third branch had little contact with her. So, it was quite strange that she suddenly reached out to Shao Wanru. He should ask his father to investigate it later so as not to let the third branch ruin their plan.

“I think so. Third Sister has never shown up in public before. I felt a little strange when she volunteered to go with us this time,” Zhao Xiran nodded and said.

Shao Caihuan kept a low profile now, more low-key than before. It was said that the third branch had been looking for a husband for her. It was unknown if her face had fully recovered. Since she came out of the Palace, her face had been covered with a veil. But it had been so long. Hadn’t she recovered yet?

“You have to pay more attention to the third branch. Third Aunt used to be well-behaved, but now…” Speaking of this, Shao Hua’an paused for a moment, showing a trace of sadness on his face. He held Zhao Xiran tighter and said, “At this time, Third Uncle and Third Aunt may have some other thoughts.”

When the Marquis Xing’s Mansion was on the wane, the third branch might make other plans. It was acceptable for him as long as they didn’t target his branch.

Initially, Shao Hua’an didn’t care about the affairs of the third branch and was not close to his Third Uncle, who was a good-for-nothing in his eyes. But ever since his father had revealed some things to him, he viewed the others in a totally different way and couldn’t help paying attention to some things.

His father was right — he had indeed been careless!

Perhaps, he was not the only one who was negligent. Both his mother and sister were careless. The cousin had just been found and come back. No one had thought she would cause so many things in his family.

If he had known this result, he would have acted in person instead of letting his mother and sister act blindly. They thought everything about the cousin could be settled within the inner court of the Marquis Xing’s Mansion.

He was beginning to regret his carelessness. Since then, he would have to pay more attention to the affairs of his inner court. Unconsciously, Shao Hua’an’s eyes darkened, but when he realized Zhao Xiran was still near him, he immediately regained his previous gentle look.

“I will watch Third Aunt and the two younger sisters closely. Today, Princess Chen asked me to invite Old Madam out of the Yuhui Nunnery. She said she would see Empress Dowager tomorrow and ask for her forgiveness. Then she told me to take Old Madam back.” Zhao Xiran nodded in agreement and mentioned what had happened today.

Shao Hua’an, who was holding her hand, froze. Abruptly, he raised his head and cried out involuntarily, “What does she want to do?”

“Princess Chen said she didn’t know that woman. No elder is in our mansion, and she thought it inappropriate. Thus, she wanted to ask Her Majesty for a favor. I also think grandma shouldn’t stay in the Yuhui Nunnery all the time. Others will think we are unfilial juniors,” said Zhao Xiran.

Shao Hua’an’s face darkened with displeasure. He looked at Zhao Xiran suspiciously and said, “Father has made his decision. Grandmother can’t stop him. You might as well treat that woman as an elder in the future. Anyway, she doesn’t have a son. We can marry her daughter off and give her a dowry at most. It’s not a big deal. You don’t have to worry about that!”

“I don’t care about that, but I was afraid you would and wanted to soothe you. Since our grandmother is not here, I’m really in a dilemma as a daughter-in-law. It seemed Fifth Sister wouldn’t help me in this matter.”

Zhao Xiran reacted quickly and said with a note of apology in her voice, “I’m useless and get you into trouble because of father!”

Shao Hua’an thought for a moment, and his face softened. With a smile, he added, “It’s a tricky matter for you. Then, let’s talk about it when my grandma comes back. She won’t be happy to see the descendant of our mansion be left outside.”

“Will father make that woman his secondary legal wife? If so, he will be laughed at by other mansions, won’t he?” Zhao Xiran said, her arched eyebrows slightly creasing. In her opinion, it was ridiculous. It was good enough for a mistress to be a concubine in the mansion. How could she be a secondary legal wife? She couldn’t be more shameless! No mansion would agree to this!

Everyone in the Marquis Xing’s Mansion would feel humiliated when meeting outsiders, wouldn’t they?

“I heard from my father that this woman had another identity. We are juniors. Let’s wait for my grandmother and father to make the decision!” Shao Hua’an said casually.

A trace of doubt flashed across Zhao Xiran’s eyes. “What magic identity could make others accept such a mistress as a secondary legal wife?”