nashuaworldcup Chapter 406: Taking sides
Chapter 406: Taking sides
On the third day of my convalescence, people began to visit me one after another.
The first to arrive were the Ningguo Duke's family.
When they arrived, Shen Fuhan had just fallen asleep, so Wen Jiayue didn't disturb him. She took her daughter and went to the main hall to greet them.
After exchanging pleasantries, the Duke of Ningguo asked with concern, "How serious is Lord Shen's illness?"
Wen Jiayue hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
“These past few days he seems to have symptoms of a cold, with fever, cough, and poor spirits,” she explained. “The Marquis finally managed to fall asleep, so he won’t take you to visit him.”
The Duke of Ningguo nodded and said, "That's natural; recuperating is the most important thing."
He summoned the servant carrying the items, and a table was set with various precious medicinal herbs and tonics.
"I don't know if Lord Shen needs any medicinal herbs. My wife and I picked out a few and brought them over, along with some tonics. Once he recovers, we'll help him recover."
Wen Jiayue felt a warmth in her heart and said softly, "Thank you."
The situation is still unclear. Although the Emperor has said he will investigate the eldest princess thoroughly, she is, after all, his own sister. No one can predict what the final outcome will be.
So each party is either hesitating about which side to take, or they're simply minding their own business.
At this critical juncture, the Ningguo Duke's family was the first to come and visit, making them the target of everyone's criticism and blatantly telling everyone that they stood on Shen Fuhan's side.
“This is how you distance yourself from us,” Bai Zhi said, taking Wen Jiayue’s hand. “If you need anything, just tell me and I’ll have someone go find it.”
Wen Jiayue smiled and agreed, glancing at her slightly protruding belly.
"It's been so long, how are you and the baby in your belly?"
Bai Zhi smiled and said, "Everything is fine. I vomited for a few days but then I felt fine. This pregnancy has been very smooth."
“That’s wonderful,” Wen Jiayue helped her sit down. “This child is so well-behaved and easy to take care of.”
The two chatted about everyday things, and the Duke of Ningguo could hardly get a word in edgewise. He drank his tea while watching his son approach Zhaozhao.
He was a little puzzled. This brat had been staring at Zhao Zhao ever since she came in. Did he already know he liked that girl at such a young age?
Zhao Zhao was biting her fingers, her big, blinking eyes staring at Cui Yu as she approached with a hint of confusion.
Seeing the unfamiliar look in her eyes, Cui Yu pursed his lips slightly and asked, "Zhao Zhao, do you still remember me?"
Zhao Zhao blinked and continued biting her fingers.
The wet nurse quickly put her hand down and explained to Zhao Zhao, "Miss is still young and hasn't seen you, young master, for many days, so she probably doesn't remember you very well."
Cui Yu nodded, her little face somewhat serious.
He knew this might happen before he came, so he wasn't too disappointed.
He whispered, "Zhaozhao, I am..."
Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Zhao said with a smile, "Brother Xiaoyu!"
She had a sly smile on her face, like someone who had successfully pulled off a prank.
Cui Yu's eyes widened, overwhelmed with immense surprise. Zhao Zhao actually remembered him!
He couldn't help but step forward and take her hand.
He paused when he felt the wet saliva.
The wet nurse was a little flustered; she had been so focused on talking that she had forgotten to wipe the young lady's hands.
Unexpectedly, as soon as she pulled out the handkerchief, Cui Yu asked, "Can I help Zhao Zhao wipe herself?"
The wet nurse was taken aback, but before she could refuse, Cui Yu took the handkerchief.
He lowered his eyes, took Zhao Zhao's hand in his hands, and carefully wiped it clean.
Zhao Zhao, however, was not well-behaved. She reached her little hand into his sleeve and curiously touched around.
Cui Yu immediately pulled her hand back.
His mother said he shouldn't be intimate with women. Although Zhao Zhao was only one year old, she was still a woman, and he couldn't overstep the bounds.
"Nanny, you should do it."
Zhao Zhao was stunned for a moment before she realized what was happening. She pouted and ignored Little Fish Brother.
Seeing that she was unhappy, Cui Yu panicked and tried to reason with her.
“Zhaozhao, men and women must be kept separate. Although you are still young, you are still a girl, and I cannot…”
Little Fish suddenly started talking a lot of things out of the blue. Zhao Zhao was confused and yawned.
What is she babbling about? She's just a baby, she can't understand.
Seeing that she had made Zhao Zhao sleepy, Cui Yu paused for a moment, then finally shut her mouth.
The Duke of Ningguo chuckled inwardly. Which young lady wants to hear someone spouting off erudite quotations? This brat needs to hone his skills for a few more years.
After a short while, the Ningguo Duke's family prepared to return home.
Wen Jiayue quickly said, "It's almost lunchtime, why don't we have lunch before we leave?"
Bai Zhi said gently, "The Marquis's residence is very busy right now, so there's no need for you to take time out of your schedule to accompany us. We won't bother you any longer."
The Duke of Ningguo also said, "No need to see us off, we'll be leaving now."
Wen Jiayue could only nod and see them off at the door, watching them go for a long time before turning her gaze away.
Back in the bedroom, Shen Fuhan was still asleep, occasionally letting out a few suppressed coughs, which made Wen Jiayue's heart pound with fear, afraid that he would wake up.
He didn't sleep well last night, and he's finally managed to fall asleep. If he wakes up, he doesn't know when he'll be able to fall asleep again.
Wen Jiayue watched for a moment and, seeing that he was still fast asleep, tiptoed out of the bedroom.
Zhao Zhao was standing under the eaves when she saw her mother come out, but her father was nowhere to be seen. She asked in confusion, "Father?"
She didn't quite understand what was wrong with her father. He was always in the mansion, but she could only see him once or twice a day.
Wen Jiayue squatted down and said softly, "Father is sick, so he needs to rest. Zhao Zhao, please don't shout these next few days, okay?"
Zhao Zhao developed a well-behaved yet lively personality, never making a loud noise. Only occasionally, when she played too vigorously with Li Qiu and Xiao Man, would she excitedly bark a few times.
Zhao Zhao tilted her head, smacked her lips a few times, and then repeated, "Sickness?"
“Illness is just feeling uncomfortable,” Wen Jiayue explained in words she could understand. “When you fall, does it hurt? That’s what Daddy feels right now.”
Zhao Zhao pouted, and tears welled up in her eyes in an instant. She blew a breath and said earnestly, "Whoosh."
Falling down hurts, hurting makes you cry, and crying makes you need to sneeze.
Wen Jiayue gently rubbed her head: "When Father wakes up, Zhaozhao will personally fuss over Father."
Zhao Zhao nodded and stood quietly in front of the bedroom.
Looking at her earnest little face, it seemed like she was waiting for Shen Fuhan to wake up.
Wen Jiayue said helplessly, "Zhaozhao, let's go eat first. If you eat well, you'll have energy and you can give Daddy a good night's sleep."
Zhao Zhao thought for a moment, then took her mother's hand.
Wen Jiayue then took her to have lunch.
Just as she picked up a bite of food, Ruyi hurriedly came in and reported, "Madam, Miss Pei, the sixth daughter of the Duke of Qi's mansion, has arrived."