Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 376: Xiao Yunxi: Even If There Is a Mistake, It’s the Prince’s Fault
The night descended, with stars adorning the tranquil night sky. Inside a residence in Wuguan, a room was decorated simply yet elegantly. Xiao Yunxi gently laid down the Young Prince, whom she had just lulled to sleep, and then carefully tiptoed away from the bed, cautious not to disturb the child.
Her face still bore the tender affection of a mother’s love, but fatigue was unmistakably etched at the corners of her eyes.
As she exited the room, the maid waiting outside whispered, "Princess Consort, the hot water is ready."
Xiao Yunxi nodded silently and walked towards the adjacent "bathroom." The moment she shut the door, she suddenly turned around and said, "Without my orders, no one is allowed to enter."
"Understood."
Inside the room, steam rose above the bathtub. Xiao Yunxi personally ensured the doors and windows were properly closed, then unfolded a screen nearby, forming a semi-trapezoid beside the bathtub. Only after rechecking thoroughly did she feel at ease.
Xiao Yunxi sighed softly. These tasks never required her personal attention before; servants would have everything ready, and in Prince Huai’s Mansion, such precautions were unnecessary. But now, confined in this unfamiliar place, the attendants were sent by Chen Mo, lacking the meticulous care of the Prince’s Mansion maids and could not be trusted. There wasn’t even one reliable person around her.
Aunt Lian’s whereabouts were unknown. Ever since being captured by the Wu Family and brought to Wuguan, there had been no news of Aunt Lian. Asking the servants, they didn’t know either.
She had wanted to ask Chen Mo, but he hadn’t visited her during this period.
She wouldn’t ask him directly, as that would be pleading, revealing her thoughts. If Chen Mo knew that Aunt Lian was still significant to her, who knows if he’d use it to coerce her into excessive actions.
Upon this thought, the beauty beneath her elegant brows gazed with melancholy and sorrow, her alluring face showing signs of distress and sadness.
She moved behind the screen, kicking off the embroidered shoes. Because it was relatively warm and she wasn’t going anywhere, her jade-like feet, as fair as bamboo shoots, were bare and gleamed white under the lamplight.
Removing the belt at her waist, she raised her hands to the sides of her neckline, gently pulling it, allowing the palace skirt to slip from her shoulders, revealing a voluptuous and graceful figure. Due to needing to nurse the child at any moment, Xiao Yunxi didn’t wear a dudou, so as the garment slipped, her proud form bounced out, trembling slightly.
Though she had borne a child, such personal matters were rare, especially after childbirth, as Prince Huai had not touched her since. Her legs were tightly pressed together, seeming like they had no gap.
She lifted her smooth, beautiful leg, placing it on the wooden step by the bathtub, submerging her delicate body into the tub.
As the hot water washed over her body, Xiao Yunxi felt much of the day’s exhaustion dissipate. Perhaps due to the lack of help, Xiao Yunxi had never felt so tired caring for a child.
Suddenly, Xiao Yunxi felt a discomfort emanating from her chest, making her both embarrassed and angry. Her "granary" was astonishingly stocked, and despite Chu Zheng’s meager appetite, it seemed nothing was being consumed.
This also perplexed her. She had heard that typically, children barely a year old would have their "granary" run dry.
But not only hadn’t hers run dry, she even felt it could last another half to a full year.
She lifted her hand to support herself, feeling somewhat frustrated, but to feel better, she could only rely on herself to be self-sufficient.
Yet during this process, she recalled the scene Chen Mo had witnessed earlier; it did compromise her reputation somewhat. Had it been a chaste and virtuous woman, perhaps she would have been driven to despair and taken her life. But at this moment, images of Chen Mo and Madam Hui filled Xiao Yunxi’s mind.
The more she thought, the more she realized her body was heating up, her emotions growing somewhat "impatient."
After all, she was a normal woman in her thirties, a time when a woman’s desires are strong, yet she hadn’t been touched for such a long time, and it was natural to have thoughts.
Xiao Yunxi believed having desires wasn’t wrong, and she wasn’t disloyal to the Prince. The noble circles are quite scandalous; among the Princesses and noblewomen she knew, many have kept paramours, but she always maintained her integrity.
If a mistake were to be pointed out, it would be the Prince’s fault. If he hadn’t ignored her, she wouldn’t...
With such thoughts, the hand she had originally lifted submerged beneath the hot water.
Fortunately, at the critical moment, she suddenly regained her senses, submerging her head in the water, completely dispelling the wicked thoughts.
"Have I gone mad..." Xiao Yunxi sighed deeply, though feeling a trace of disappointment for her sudden clarity.
...
After bathing, Xiao Yunxi donned a set of soft brocade long skirts, the hem gently swaying with her steps. The child was sound asleep, allowing her some free time as she stepped out of the courtyard to take a stroll in the back garden.
Moonlight, like water, fell upon the exquisite pavilions and towers, casting mottled shadows.
At this moment, she noticed several Commandery Princesses’ courtyards bustling about, seemingly tidying things up.
Xiao Yunxi maintained a seemingly good relationship with the Commandery Princesses, so she approached out of curiosity to inquire.
But when the Commandery Princesses saw Xiao Yunxi, they reacted like mice seeing a cat, avoiding her.
This puzzled Xiao Yunxi.
What is going on?
Confined in the residence, she knew nothing of the outside world.
However, she didn’t pay it much mind, assuming it was something Madam Xiao or Madam Gan had instructed.
However, the next day, upon learning the news, she was dumbfounded.
The residence wasn’t large, but not small either.
With so many people leaving, the commotion naturally caught Xiao Yunxi’s attention.
It was then she learned that the Prince had sent someone to retrieve them, and today was the departure day.
Only she was kept in the dark.
Were it not for her early rise and love for wandering around, she might not have discovered it.
She hurriedly packed her belongings, holding her child, preparing to leave with them.
But as she was about to leave the residence, she was stopped by the Chen Army soldiers outside.
At this moment, Diwu Fusheng, who was outside meeting people, also noticed Xiao Yunxi and the young prince in her arms, and hurriedly called out, "Princess Consort."
"Mr. Diwu?" Xiao Yunxi recognized Diwu Fusheng, wanting to push past the guards, but they quickly crossed their spears in front of her.
"Princess Consort..." Diwu Fusheng, seeing Xiao Yunxi being blocked, intended to step forward and speak with her, but was stopped by Sun Meng.
"Esteemed envoy, remember what you promised the Marquis, Princess Consort Huai and Crown Prince Huai are not among those you are to escort," Sun Meng said.
"I know. I just wish to exchange a few words with the Princess Consort. I hope General Sun will allow it," Diwu Fusheng replied.
Sun Meng shook his head, "That’s not part of my orders; please don’t make it difficult for me, sir."
Seeing this, Diwu Fusheng wanted to call out loudly, but Sun Meng’s voice lowered further, "Sir, if you continue like this, you won’t be allowed to escort anyone out."
