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It was Wen Ting Zhou!
Ruan Xi revealed a smiling expression.
Mu taifei’s servants also noticed Wen Ting Zhou, so they handed Ruan Xi to him and turned around to return to the palace.
Dimly, Mama Yang heaved a sigh, but her entire person was slightly faint.
She did not expect that Mu taifei would actually abandon troubling Shao Furen so easily this time around.
Could it be that Mu taifei was starting to cultivate her moral character and spirit right now?
In essence, Mama Yang found it inconceivable.
Inside the horse carriage, Ruan Xi held the hand-warming stove as she questioned Wen Ting Zhou, her countenance brimming with joy: “Why are you here?”
“I couldn’t put my heart down.” Once Wen Ting Zhou heard that Ruan Ruan had been summoned into the palace by Mu taifei, his heart started burning with anxiety, and he secretly regretted dealing with those two beauties so quickly. Had he known earlier, he would hand them over to his mother, lest it implicated Ruan Ruan.
“Ruan Ruan, apologies, it’s all my fault, I was too impetuous.”
Wen Ting Zhou abruptly pulled Ruan Xi into his arms and embraced her tightly. His low voice was teeming with lingering fear and remorse, as if Ruan Xi would fly away in a moment of carelessness.
Ruan Xi nestled in Wen Ting Zhou’s embrace peacefully. Upon sensing his fears, she could not resist stretching her hands to wrap them around him as she comforted him in gentle tones.
“If we were to speak of faults, I am to blame as well. I didn’t stop your decision and I was secretly delighted instead.
“Which is why we shouldn’t each blame ourselves and feel guilty, this matter has already passed.”
Mama Yang, who was being treated as an invisible person: “

”
Wen Ting Zhou issued a long sigh internally. His Ruan Ruan was always so good at understanding others. Then, he inquired about the situation of Ruan Xi meeting Mu taifei.
“Did Mu taifei make things difficult for you?”
Ruan Xi shook her head, her expression slightly complex, “No, she merely took a few glances at me and then she allowed me to leave.”
Up until now, she had yet to apprehend what Mu taifei was trying to do.
A woman’s heart was like a needle at the bottom of the sea ah.
Wen Ting Zhou: “

”
In his mind, he could not understand Mu taifei’s thought processes either.
So Mu taifei prepared such a huge battle array just to make Ruan Ruan squander by having to make a trip back and forth.
Wen Ting Zhou went silent.
After returning to the residence, Wen furen was equally baffled when she heard her daughter-in-law’s account, and she only felt that Mu taifei was unfathomable.
Hence, this incident passed, light as a feather.
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The noble women who were paying attention to the developments in the dark found it hard to believe, to say nothing Ruan san niang.
She felt that she was a crow’s mouth for saying that the misfortune would turn into blessings, and sure enough, her fourth sister did turn the misfortune into a blessing. Allegedly, Mu taifei merely looked at her fourth sister a few times before allowing her to leave, which was basically inexplicable. Her fourth sister’s luck was so good it could incur jealousy; not only were things not made difficult for her, but she could also sit on a horse carriage for the round trip, and she did not suffer any hardships at all.
Ruan san niang only felt her state of mind fluctuate. Truly, the comparison of persons could anger people to death.
She became angrier the more she thought about it, and she accidentally disturbed her foetal energy.
A burst of turmoil and chaos of war swept through the Gentle Fortune Palace.
Once Emperor Shengde heard this news, his lip corners twitched, and he shook his head silently.
This Ruan fei’s degree of forbearance was a bit too small, no?
Apart from Ruan san niang, Li Xiang Xiang, the Fourth Prince’s consort, was extremely disappointed as well.
To say nothing of Wen Yu Wei, Liu Wan Wan, and Zhao yiniang.
Since Ruan Xi had to go through the hassle of a round trip, Wen furen could not be at ease, so she specifically invited a physician to check her pulse, and it was only after she was informed that everything was fine, did she settle her heart.
Ruan Xi continued to ensconce herself in the Harmonious Dwelling to wait for the birth of her child. Ever since she had that dream, Ruan Xi seemed to have resolved a load on her mind, and she started having a sense of belonging to this era.
Not long after, the new Earl Chengyi Furen that had been raised into legitimacy, Lin shi, specifically came over to visit Ruan Xi, who was on the verge of childbirth.
Ruan Xi observed the radiant-looking Lin shi whose bearing was becoming impressively dignified, her lips pursing into a smile.
Back then, she had felt that Lin shi – the Lin yiniang of the past – did not have the temperament of an extant small concubine at all, and now that she had been raised to legitimacy, her entire body was suffused with the airs of the legitimate Furen.
“Mother, is everything well at home?”
Her oldest brother, Ruan Yu Wen, was in an awkward position, so he did not return to the capital for the New Year, and he only dispatched someone to send over the New Year’s gifts. Ruan Xi had also received a portion.
Lin shi smiled slightly. “Everything is well within the residence. Lao Taitai is worried about you, and she specifically asked me to come over to look at your condition. Min ge’er also misses you, his older sister, greatly.”
“May Mother thank Lao Taitai for her concern in my stead.” Ruan Xi replied smilingly.
“San di (third younger brother) should be receiving instruction this year, right?”
“Indeed, the Earl has invited a teacher to instruct Min ge’er.”
Lin shi said with a chuckle. Her son had gone from concubine-born son to a legitimate son, and he would have a chance to inherit the noble title. Logically speaking, she should be happy, but the Earl suddenly recorded Ruan Yu Wen under her name last night.
Owing to that, Lin shi felt so stifled in her heart it was a struggle to breathe. Originally, Zhang shi’s nefarious actions had been exposed by Ruan san niang after her sudden death and she had been removed from the clan genealogy. Thus, Ruan Yu Wen was no longer a legitimate son and the Earl only had one legitimate son which was Min ge’er, but now Zhang shi’s son was still a legitimate son.
It was highly likely that the noble title would still land on Ruan Yu Wen’s head in the end, what was she and Min ge’er going to do then?
Lin shi had tossed and turned last night, unable to find sleep.
Thus, she had come to visit si niang today to establish a good relationship with her, so she could pull up Min ge’er in the future.
She glanced at the bright and dazzling si niang, rue bursting in her heart.
Who could have thought that the people with the greatest luck within the Earl Residence would be san niang and si niang.
Especially san niang, she was met with such tremendous luck, and even if she were to toss from side to side, thereby turning the skies and earth with it, she would still have the Emperor’s support. Presently, she was also pregnant with the dragon’s child, and she would still become a taifei at worst.
It was unfortunate that the relationship between her and Ruan san niang was exceedingly bad, and she had even purposefully stopped her from being raised to legitimacy back then.
“Si niang, your Father has recorded da lang under my name yesterday, and the matter of you being recorded under my name was also brought up by your Father and I, briefly. The Earl said that it depends on your opinion.”
As Lin shi spoke, she wore an expectant expression whilst staring at Ruan Xi.
At the side, Su Yu and Su Zhu were visibly surprised.
Mama Yang frowned slightly.
Ruan Xi went still, and subsequently understood that Lin shi was expressing her goodwill, as well as the personal interests vested in tying the two of them together, even going as far as recording her under Lin shi’s name. However, it went without saying that Ruan Xi rejected her.
If she did not have that dream, no, it was more apt to say if she did not re-awaken the memories of her being a foetus, perhaps Ruan Xi would not have minded.
But right now? Ruan Xi was not willing.
Fortunately, her Earl Father respected her opinion.
“Thanking Mother for her good intentions, but there’s no need to go through that trouble. [My] Husband and popo treat me exceedingly well, the question of legitimacy or lack of is not important.” Ruan Xi shook her head in rejection.
A glint of disappointment flitted past Lin shi’s eyes. For the sake of Min ge’er, she did not want to give up, and she could not resist the urge to persuade her: “Si niang, who said that legitimacy or the lack of is not important. Once you’re recorded under my name, you will be the Earl Residence’s Young Lady of legitimate descent, no one will have the audacity to use your identity as a concubine-born daughter to slight you.”
Ruan Xi was not moved, and at a speed that was neither fast nor slow, she analysed the merits and drawbacks, thus blocking Lin shi’s road.
“Mother, I do not care about the idle gossip and slanderous rumours happening behind my back. Even if I was recorded under yĂ”ur name, it won’t change their impression of me either, it would only make them despise and scorn me even more. Not just that, it will give others the sense that Mother is self-interested, and it will damage yĂ”ur reputation. Father must have considered this layer before he said that he wanted to ask for my opinion.”
Her analysis left Lin shi at a loss for words.
It was true that she had her own interests, but as she was stared at by Ruan Xi’s limpid and clear eyes which seemed to have seen through her intentions, she only felt incomparably awkward.
“Si niang speaks correctly, I have been taking things for granted, overly so.”
“Mother does not have to blame herself, yĂ”u had good intentions too.” Ruan Xi comforted.
Who didn’t have a little self-interest?
As long as it was not evil intent, Ruan Xi did not mind.
Lin shi released a relieved sigh in secret. It looks like si niang did not mind.
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A glint of mirth flashed past Mama Yang’s eyes.
Su Yu and Su Zhu wore entanglement on their faces.
Perhaps because of the awkwardness, Lin shi offered a few more lines of idle chatter, instructing her to take care of herself before leaving hastily, not prolonging her stay.
The child in Ruan Xi’s womb suddenly moved which made her freeze. Her thoughts turned, and she could not help but ask Mama Yang about the midwives.
“Mama Yang, the four midwives can be trusted, right?”
This was the ancient era where the medical skills and techniques were backwards. Women giving birth to child was basically walking around the door to Hell, to say nothing of the abundant vileness present in illustrious and large families.
Her birth mother of this lifetime had lost her life when she was giving birth to her.
It was fortunate that her Earl Father attached great importance to his children, and she did not have to bear the reputation of cursing her mother.
Mama Yang replied in a euphemistic manner: “The four midwives were sourced by the Furen from her parental home, and it would not be good for nubi to step out to make inquiries, they should be trustworthy.”
Ruan Xi: “

”
That’s true, how did she forget that the midwives were found by her mother-in-law, and there were people staring at them. It was unlikely for issues to crop up, she should not be entertaining these groundless fears.
“I will be giving birth in the next few days, keep a closer eye on the wet nurses, don’t let them eat anything they shouldn’t be eating.”
“Shao Furen, be at ease.”
Mama Yang nodded her head prudently. Even if her Shao Furen did not mention it, she would have dispatched someone to watch the two wet nurses.
In fact, it wasn’t just her; their gu ye had dispatched someone to stare at them as well.
It was unknown what day it was today, because after Lin shi came to the door, her oldest sister Ruan Zhen followed closely after.
With one glance at Ruan Zhen’s complexion, Ruan Xi knew that she had been living well.
“Si mei, you don’t know how coldly that legitimate xiao guzi of mine used to treat me, and owing to si mei’s blessing, the person she’s most intimate with now is me. When we heard that you were summoned into the palace by Mu taifei, [my] xiao guzi was incomparably anxious. I told her that si mei was safe and sound, but xiao guzi refused to believe it, and forcibly urged me to make this trip.”
氏槑歐 (pinyin: xiao gu zi) — husband’s younger sister, typically used by the wife.
After Ruan Zhen showed her concern to her fourth sister, she brought up this matter. Towards the actions of the unmarried younger sister of her husband, she felt exceedingly speechless. It was apparent that she wanted to tighten the relationship with the Wen Family and conveniently negotiate a good marriage, and of course, she was very willing to make this trip to establish sisterly affection with her fourth sister.
This was the year where she had lived with the greatest comfort.
Her Father was promoted, and between her two younger sisters, one of them was Ruan fei, and the other was the Shao Furen of Minister Wen’s family.
It was especially so for her fourth sister who had sent over a generous New Year gift before the year end, which made her position within her husband’s family float up like a boat on a rising tide.
When Ruan Xi heard Ruan Zhen mention her xiao guzi, she merely smiled. To go after gains and avoid harms; this was natural and normal in human relationships.
At this moment, Mama Yang carried in a bowl of chicken soup, but her expression contorted slightly when she went past Ruan Zhen.
“Oldest Young Lady, the scent on your person is awry!”
Ruan Xi and Ruan Zhen were stunned simultaneously.
Ruan Xi’s face sank.
“Mama Yang, what is going on?”
Ruan Zhen explained herself in a hurry.
Si mei, before I came here today, I purposefully chose not to apply any rouge or powder, nor did I wear any scent sachets as accompaniment. It was just a bit of rouge at most; pregnant women can use a bit of rouge, and the scent that Mama Yang caught a whiff of should be the scent of the rouge.”
“It’s this rouge, I originally planned to give si mei a case.”
With due haste, Ruan Zhen took out an exquisite case with a decorative carved pattern from her sleeve and offered it.
Ruan Xi looked towards Mama Yang.
Mama Yang swiftly put down the chicken soup, walking up to Ruan Zhen and opening that small case. Then, she brought it up to her nose and sniffed it, her complexion becoming exceedingly ugly.
“There’s no mistaking it, it’s this scent. One did not expect that someone would actually use that secret medicine to manufacture it into rouge.
“This rouge isn’t problematic for pregnant women to use it regularly, nor does it cause any harm to the foetus in the womb, and it is even nourishing to the face, thus allowing pregnant women to maintain their beautiful countenances, but it will induce metrorrhagia in pregnant women when they’re close to labour, and in the most severe of circumstances, both mother and child will lose their lives.”
Just as Mama Yang’s voice landed, a loud bang exploded in Ruan Xi’s mind, her entire body going cold. She abruptly remembered that when she transmigrated into her birth mother’s womb and had consciousness, she was already seven months old, and she once heard her mother praise a certain rouge for being very useful a few times.
Could it be that her birth mother’s metrorrhagia was related to this rouge?
“Da jie, where did you get this rouge?” Ruan Xi snapped her head towards Ruan Zhen, firmly fixing a stare on Ruan Zhen.
“The rouge was secretly manufactured by a mysterious Taoist nun, she sells quite a few precious rouges that help to maintain a youthful appearance, and there’s hearsay that it’s very well-received among the noble wives.”
After Ruan Zhen gave her response, she explained in an anxious and flustered manner.
“Si mei, please believe me, I never had any intention to harm you!”
Ruan Xi and Mama Yang exchanged looks.
“Da jie, don’t panic, I believe you. Do you know where that mysterious Taoist nun stays?”
Ruan Zhen quickly told her fourth sister the address.
After Ruan Xi memorised it, she gave her oldest sister a few lines of instructions, telling her to keep it a secret before dispatching her servants to send her back.
She was going to give birth in the next few days, the rouge was probably an accident.