Mei Qingxue's legs were so weak that she could barely walk without leaning on the wall. She secretly glanced at the troublemaker who looked refreshed, and made up her mind in her heart that she would never be tempted by that person again. She must resist to the end, otherwise her slender waist would really break.
"From now on, I'll sleep in the bedroom. Please sleep in the study, Your Highness. Strenuous exercise is not suitable for your recuperation." Otherwise, every day he would be full of energy while she would have to wear dark circles under her eyes.
"No, that's not okay... Your husband is afraid of the dark!" Du Gu Qing held back his laughter. The latter words were almost inaudible because he was trying so hard not to laugh.
Du Gu Qing was afraid of the dark? Mei Qingxue's hand trembled involuntarily.
It should be she, Mei Qingxue, who was afraid of the dark, okay? Looking at Du Gu Qing who looked sickly and was quite improper, Mei Qingxue gritted her teeth and said, "I want to return the goods!"
"All sales are final!" Du Gu Qing answered smoothly.
Damn it! Are you the bane of my previous life? Or did I accumulate bad luck for nine lifetimes and finally meet a weirdo like you?
If it weren't for the fact that she was going to pay respects to her father later, she would definitely tie him to the head of the bed and give him a good "care" with a whip and candles. She would give him a light beating on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, a heavy beating on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and take a rest on Sunday.
What was most hateful was that this guy was physically weak. How could she really lay a hand on him? If something went wrong, it wouldn't be fun.
"Princess, come and support your husband. Let's go pay respects to your father and mother." There was clearly a plot written on Du Gu Qing's face.
Unfortunately, she still had to continue to act virtuous. Sure enough, as soon as she got close to that guy, he successfully stole a kiss. He gave her a loud smooch on the face. Mei Qingxue quickly wiped her face with her sleeve, looking very disgusted.
"Don't you even brush your teeth? Your breath stinks. You definitely didn't brush your teeth."
"Brush teeth?" It should be gargle and clean teeth, right? Du Gu Qing looked at her with a smile. "Princess, show your husband how to brush teeth."
"I can't show you this. I can help you later." Mei Qingxue said seriously.
"Okay." Du Gu Qing readily agreed, but it didn't mean that he really believed her. He could tell from the way his little wife's eyes were darting around that she must have no good ideas.
Mei Qingxue was thinking that as soon as that guy had a little more strength, she would push him into the horse manure pit and give him a good scrub. People here didn't brush their teeth because the technology of toothbrushes hadn't been introduced yet. Poor families usually used a cloth strip dipped in some clean water to wipe all their teeth. Rich families used salt and some scented powder refined from plants. They used a kind of thing called toothwood to gently brush and rub in their mouths. It could be regarded as the toothbrush of this era.
Although reluctant, Mei Qingxue still walked to Du Gu Qing's side and reached out to support him.
Although Du Gu Qing was weak, he was 1.85 meters tall, much taller than Mei Qingxue. He could walk on his own, so it wasn't difficult for Mei Qingxue to support him. Du Gu Qing would never really put his weight on his beloved wife's shoulder.
This was the woman he wanted to take good care of for a lifetime. How could he really bear to do so?
"You're so heavy. You're even heavier than a pig." Mei Qingxue felt as if she was carrying an elephant. Before long, there was a slight sweat on the tip of her nose.
Hearing Mei Qingxue's soft complaint, Du Gu Qing lowered his head guiltily.
"I'm sorry, Princess. Your husband has dragged you down. I really hate myself for being much heavier than you."
He was scolding Mei Qingxue as a pig in a roundabout way. Mei Qingxue was so angry that she itched. Unfortunately, she couldn't do anything to him now. They were about to reach the front hall, and she could already see the maids standing outside the door.
"Humph!"
She didn't want to pay attention to this shameless guy. Finally, she held back her anger and didn't flare up. Her father and mother in this life were still waiting for the respects from their daughter and son-in-law.
"Father, Mother, please accept your daughter's respects."
"Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, please accept your son-in-law's respects." A maid quickly came over to help Mei Qingxue support Du Gu Qing. They bowed to the two elders in the hall.
"Dear son-in-law, please rise." Mei Zhenguo quickly reached out his hand to make a gesture of lifting. Xia Ruolan looked at her daughter and then at her son-in-law, with a complex look in her eyes.
Mei Zhenguo waved his hand, and a maid brought over a tray lined with red silk. Mei Qingxue had sharp eyes and immediately saw the ancient jade that her father treasured.
The maid brought the tray in front of Du Gu Qing and bowed slightly. "Son-in-law, this is the master's kindness."
"Father, you're so partial. I've asked you for it so many times, but you never gave it to me. Why are you so generous now?" Mei Qingxue was dissatisfied.
"Hurry up and help your son-in-law sit down." Xia Ruolan felt sorry for her son-in-law and even more sorry for her daughter.
The dark circles under her daughter's eyes must be due to lack of rest and overwork. Unfortunately, Mei Zhenguo didn't allow her to find some good tonics for them. Xia Ruolan knew that Mei Zhenguo was afraid of bringing trouble upon themselves.
"Did you rest well last night?" Mei Zhenguo asked. He saw an unnatural look flash across Mei Qingxue's face. The old prime minister thought his daughter was shy and angry, and was secretly happy. He knew that the rumor that the prince was impotent was not true.
"Thank you, Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, for your concern. I rested very well. Even my always uncomfortable body feels more relaxed. I really want to stay here and never leave."
"Hehe." Mei Zhenguo stroked the few beards on his chin and laughed.
"If you like it here, stay for a few more days." Xia Ruolan also said happily. The health of the Sixth Prince was her greatest concern. It was a major matter related to her daughter's lifelong happiness.
"Mother, then your daughter will stay here and never leave. I'll accompany you and Father."
"Nonsense. You're already married. How can you not abide by the rules? How can you stay in your natal family? An unmarried woman can only return to her natal family for a long time if she's widowed or abandoned. Otherwise, it's not allowed. Mei Zhenguo will never agree to anything that doesn't conform to the etiquette. Although he used to love his daughter the most, he never missed teaching her any rules and dogmas."
"Normally, a newlywed couple should stay for three days during the return visit, but I have to leave today. A long-sick person is inauspicious and shouldn't stay for too long." Du Gu Qing only said that he was inauspicious and didn't mention anything about the court. He was well aware of the situation in the court and thought it was better to leave early.
"This ancient jade can nourish the mind and calm the heart. Wearing it for a long time can nourish one's vitality. Dear son-in-law, you can take it with you." Mei Zhenguo couldn't say much. Even if Du Gu Qing didn't mention leaving, he would ask his wife to talk to his daughter privately. His words were meaningful, and even Xia Ruolan looked at her son-in-law.
"Thank you, Father-in-law."
Du Gu Qing slowly wanted to bow. Mei Qingxue quickly supported him and whispered, "You're going too far!" It was so cheesy. He was clearly taking advantage and still acting innocent. That guy pretended not to hear and just smiled slightly, which made Xia Ruolan feel extremely sorry for him. She felt more sorry for her son-in-law than for her daughter.
Mei Qingxue didn't show it on her face. Her eyes scanned the hall, but she didn't see her elder brother, Mei Haoxuan.
From her mother's eyes, she also knew what her mother meant. Her husband was her hope. In ancient times, a woman regarded her husband as the sky. Her mother must have thought about her daughter's next life. Her eyes were a little sore. How could she let her mother know that she, Mei Qingxue, could live without relying on her husband?
"Mother, hasn't Brother come back from his duty yet?" Even when on night duty, Mei Haoxuan would come back early. Why did he become so strange just after she got married?
Du Gu Qing knew that Mei Haoxuan must not like him, but he understood it in his heart. However, his face remained as calm as before.
"Your brother now has an official position. He must not be slack. As for Xue'er, you must not be as playful as before. Now that you're married, you have to abide by the rules of being a wife, be virtuous and manage the family well, and bear children." Mei Zhenguo began to lecture. This was a necessary process in the process of getting married through time travel. Mei Qingxue knew it very well.
Mei Qingxue knew that her father, Mei Zhenguo, was referring to the fact that she always ran outside the mansion. She didn't argue but just nodded obediently. She would keep all these in mind for now and get it back from her cheap husband later. After getting married, she had no human rights or freedom. It was a great sacrifice. What about her business? Humph!
"Yes, Father!"
She would agree first. She, Mei Qingxue, was a smart person who didn't suffer immediate losses. She had been accompanied by bad luck for nine lifetimes. She must turn things around in this life.
"Father, Mother, it's getting late. We'll go back to the mansion first. I'll come back to see you often."
Although in ancient times, a woman followed her husband after marriage, she was not an ordinary woman. While saying this, she gently pinched Du Gu Qing's inner arm.
Du Gu Qing understood immediately and immediately said, "Your son-in-law will often accompany Xue'er back to the mansion."
After saying that, he looked at Mei Qingxue proudly. Only with her husband's company could it be legitimate.
That's better. You're smart. I won't use the bone-breaking and soft-meat-twisting technique on you. Mei Qingxue smiled sweetly on her face and looked at Mei Zhenguo and Xia Ruolan.
"Mother, we'll take our leave. Father and Mother don't have to worry about your daughter. Your daughter has her own ideas about the prince's health."
After saying goodbye to the two elders, Han Chao came over to help Du Gu Qing into the carriage. Du Gu Qing gave him a look, and Han Chao nodded understandingly.
After Mei Qingxue got into the carriage, Han Chao's figure disappeared.
Du Gu Qing didn't lean on Mei Qingxue's shoulder like when they came. Instead, he closed his eyes alone and seemed to be thinking about something. Mei Qingxue saw the slight curve of his lips, and somehow her heart also felt lighter.
"Princess, accompany your husband to stay in the palace for a few days in the middle of the month, okay?"
Du Gu Qing, who had originally closed his eyes, suddenly spoke and reached out to pull Mei Qingxue's petite body into his arms.
Before she could say anything, Du Gu Qing's kiss landed on her lips. He gently pecked her lips, and his hand began to reach into her clothes in an improper way.
"What did you arrange my maid to do?"
Mei Qingxue turned her face away to avoid the wolf's kiss. How could Du Gu Qing let go of her sweetness? He held the back of her head with his other hand, and the kiss landed on her lips again. Looking at that handsome face getting closer and closer, Mei Qingxue was so angry that she said, "If you're not proper again, you'll sleep in the study alone tonight."
"Okay." Du Gu Qing didn't refute. He stuck out his tongue, pried open her teeth, and entangled with her fragrant tongue. He greedily snatched the sweetness between her lips and teeth. The charming scenery on her chest almost made him lose control. He couldn't wait to have another passionate encounter on this carriage.