Hearing his son's words, Mei Zhenguo temporarily put aside his thought of resigning from office. He naturally knew the importance of the power of the maternal clan to a married woman.
"We'll discuss this later. Xuan'er, it's most important to abide by one's duty. Our Mei family doesn't need to curry favor with the powerful," Mei Zhenguo said sternly, looking at his son.
"Alright, my lord. We've already said we'll discuss this later. Why are you still harping on about it?"
"My lady, you're usually sensible. How come you're being so muddle - headed when it comes to our own child? I've just realized that you've gotten better at smoothing things over," Mei Zhenguo stroked his beard and laughed, but there was no hint of blame in his tone.
Mei Haoxuan said, "Father, Mother, since my sister is coming back to visit today, I can't stay at home for long. I'm on duty in the palace tonight, so I must report for duty now."
Just seeing his sickly brother - in - law made him uncomfortable.
Xia Ruolan glanced at him, guessed what was on his mind, and said, "If you need to go, then go. We don't know when Xue'er will come back after this visit. Once a woman is married, she has to follow her husband's wishes."
What she meant was for Mei Haoxuan to make his own decision. A look of conflict flashed across Mei Haoxuan's eyes, but he didn't waver in his words, "Mother, my duty is important."
Even though he felt sorry for his sister, he couldn't change the current situation. It was better for him to stay away and avoid seeing what made him unhappy.
"Father, Mother, I'll take my leave first!" With that, he walked away without looking back.
Madam Mei watched his back and gently shook her head. Mei Zhenguo took his wife's arm, "Come, my lady, please sit down first."
Saying so, he helped Xia Ruolan sit on the chair, and then slowly said, "I'm even more certain that the illness of Concubine Qin back then was not simple. Let me investigate it carefully. Don't worry about our daughter. It seems that our Xue'er has married not too badly."
As long as he could find out the truth of that year, maybe he could solve the current dilemma of his family. As Mei Haoxuan said, he, Mei Zhenguo, was now in a difficult situation and couldn't stay out of it.
"Then, my lord, keep an eye out for any good doctors. You should also pay more attention to our son - in - law. A son - in - law is like half a son. I won't be biased. For the sake of our Xue'er, please take the trouble to do this."
Hearing his wife's words, Mei Zhenguo gently clapped his hands and then laughed, "I've come up with a plan that can temporarily ease the attention of various forces on our Prime Minister's Mansion."
Xia Ruolan quickly asked, "My lord, do you have any brilliant ideas?"
"It's not the right time yet. My lady, go to the kitchen and check on the dinner arrangements. We don't know what the Sixth Prince likes. Try to prepare a few light dishes. Don't forget Xue'er's favorite ones." Mei Zhenguo changed the subject and didn't mention that matter anymore. Reminded by him, Xia Ruolan also remembered this.
"The dinner arrangements are already in place. How many days can Xue'er stay at home for this visit?"
"According to the etiquette, it can't exceed three days. Now that our Mei family is in the limelight, let her stay for one day."
"Then I'll go and choose some good medicinal herbs." Madam Mei quickly stood up and was about to go to the warehouse to look for what she had mentioned.
Mei Zhenguo waved his hand gently, "Don't give them any food. Caution is the mother of safety." Even if the Sixth Prince was out of favor with the emperor, he was still a member of the royal family. If there was any accident, the heads of his whole family wouldn't be enough to be chopped off.
"But..." Madam Mei wanted to argue a few words, but Mei Zhenguo gently shook his head.
"Xue'er will understand your intentions. There are still some good silk fabrics at home. My lady, please take the trouble to make some seasonal clothes for Xue'er. As for the gift for our son - in - law..."
Mei Zhenguo frowned and thought for a moment, "Give him the jade waist pendant I've collected as a return gift. It's a good one. Jade can nourish people and ward off evil spirits."
"Isn't that jade waist pendant your life? How are you willing to part with it now?" Xia Ruolan laughed softly. Mei Qingxue had asked for it several times before, but he had never been willing to give it.
"There's no more suitable gift at the moment." Mei Zhenguo looked in the direction of the Pure Heart Courtyard where his daughter's boudoir was. Worry was hard to hide on his face.
"Let's not talk about this for now. I'll go and arrange the dinner first. My lord, sit here for a while." Xia Ruolan stood up and walked towards the kitchen.
When the dinner was ready, Xia Ruolan led a few maids to serve the meal in the Pure Heart Courtyard. This time, the guard from the prince's mansion didn't stop them. "Madam, you can go straight in. The prince said that you don't need to be announced when you come."
Xia Ruolan stopped outside the door and said in a calm tone, "Please still announce me." What if she rushed in rashly and saw something she shouldn't?
Han Chao took a step back and bowed to Madam Mei, "Please wait a moment, Madam!"
Han Chao then turned around and announced loudly, "Your Highness, Princess, the Prime Minister's wife requests an audience."
Hearing that her mother was here, Mei Qingxue glared at that guy fiercely. That guy was lying on her bed as if it were his own. He "weakly" said to the guard outside, "Please let Madam in." His voice was no louder than a mosquito's hum. It was really a wonder how Han Chao could hear it.
"Mother!" Du Gu Qing called out softly. Since childhood, he had only called his birth mother "Concubine Mother".
"Yes!" After the previous encounter, this time Xia Ruolan responded more smoothly. The more she looked at her son - in - law, the more pity she felt.
He was good - looking and imposing, but unfortunately, he had a weak body. Du Gu Qing saw the pity in the Prime Minister's wife's eyes. His heart skipped a beat, and he wanted to get out of bed.
"Just lie down!" Xia Ruolan reached out and made a virtual pressing motion, while giving Mei Qingxue a look.
Why should I help him? Seeing her mother looking at her eagerly, waiting for her to do something, Mei Qingxue sighed inwardly. She had no choice but to "laboriously" help her weak husband up.
Xia Ruolan ordered the maids to set up the table in the room. Seeing Mei Qingxue help Du Gu Qing to sit down at the table, she then ordered the maids to serve the dishes.
"Mother, please join us. It's boring for just the prince and me to eat."
Xia Ruolan waved her hand with a smile, "Your brother has gone to report for duty. I still have to accompany your father for dinner. I won't disturb you. Xue'er, take good care of the prince and let him eat more. Only when one eats well can one have strength."
She thought that a sickly person must have suffered a lot. She would surely urge her daughter to take good care of her son - in - law.
Little did she know that her sincere words almost made Mei Qingxue spit blood. Have strength? It would be better if she used a bit of strength to smash herself to death with a piece of tofu. Mei Qingxue felt as if a flock of crows had flown over her head. She still had to smile and thank her mother for her concern.
Little did she know that she was feeling more bitter than bitter melon at the moment. Mei Qingxue held her breath, and a strange blush appeared on her face. She wanted to cough but couldn't. Tears welled up in her eyes.
In Madam Mei's eyes, she thought her daughter was just shy. How could she stay any longer?
Du Gu Qing almost burst out laughing when he saw this. Looking at his mother - in - law's back, his eyes were deep and unfathomable. No one could guess what was on his mind. His wife had grown up in a family with a strict father and a kind mother. There was also a Mei Haoxuan who was said to dote on his sister very much. He felt envious in his heart.
Since he was born, he could only call the queen "Mother". His biological mother could only be called "Concubine Mother". How could he not see the pain in his mother's eyes? But she was a woman of the royal family, and she had no choice.
Putting aside all his thoughts, Du Gu Qing looked at the little woman whose pretty face was flushed from holding her breath.
"Do you want me to pat your back?"
It was obvious that he had ill intentions!
Mei Qingxue rolled her eyes. Who would want the help of that guy with bad intentions? She let out a long breath. Now she was calm. It was time to eat. All the dishes were her favorites, although there were a few that were obviously prepared for that guy... Ignore him!
Mei Qingxue's mouth watered. She reached out her chopsticks and was about to grab the braised spare ribs when Du Gu Qing's voice came in just in time.
"Princess, I want to eat stir - fried lotus root slices."
Mei Qingxue was speechless. The stir - fried lotus root slices were less than a foot, or about twenty centimeters, in front of that guy's hand.
"You..." She was just about to say if his hand was broken when that guy gasped weakly, "I... can't lift my arm."
"Here..." Remembering that she had just vowed to be a virtuous wife, Mei Qingxue gritted her teeth and held back her anger. She picked up a slice of lotus root and gently put it on the small plate in front of Du Gu Qing.
"Thank you, Princess!"
There was a lot of amusement in Du Gu Qing's eyes. Seeing the various expressions on Mei Qingxue's face, he was extremely happy. He then pointed randomly on the table.
After finally waiting for that guy to finish eating and drinking, Mei Qingxue called the maids to remove the leftovers from the table. She rubbed her already sore waist and immediately thought of the embarrassing thing that had happened last night.
After having enough to eat and drink, one may think of lust! That guy really had strength after eating.
Du Gu Qing stretched out his arms and pulled the woman he had been thinking about for six years into his arms. He looked into Mei Qingxue's eyes affectionately.
"Princess, I seem to have eaten too much. Let's digest it, shall we?"
What he meant was to do some physical activities. Mei Qingxue immediately became like a wild cat with its fur standing on end, "You, don't even think about it!"
"Princess, just yield to me!" Since you yielded last night, yield one more time today. Du Gu Qing laughed cunningly. He knew that Mei Qingxue would definitely refuse.
"You're not supposed to be weak? You should rest well to get better."
Mei Qingxue tried hard to find all kinds of excuses, but Du Gu Qing remained unmoved. His hand skillfully slipped into Mei Qingxue's clothes. With just a few gentle touches, her body softened completely. She lost the battle without even putting up a fight.
Du Gu Qing's hand seemed to have magic power. Mei Qingxue felt dizzy. She had probably been a virgin for nine lifetimes. Every part of her body that was touched by that bastard's hand seemed to be on fire. Du Gu Qing's breathing became heavy, ringing in Mei Qingxue's ears. The similar smell on his body completely made her lose herself.