coobybook Chapter 281 Nowhere to Sleep
Chapter 281 Nowhere to Sleep
The eldest lady sat next to Madam Song. Zhao Fangmo was now in his teens, younger than Song Runcheng, but when he sat with Song Runcheng, the difference in height was apparent.
Because Zhao Fangmo had two beautiful older sisters, he was often dressed up like a doll by Zhao Fangyu and Zhao Fangjin when he was a child, and he was quite skilled in dressing himself.
She was not dressed in formal attire today. Instead, she wore a hydrangea velvet wreath on her head. It was blue and purple in color, sprinkled with lapis lazuli and gold foil powder. Under the light, it was shining with sparse starlight, as if a piece of the Milky Way was cut out and rubbed on her velvet wreath.
Velvet flowers are not expensive jewelry, but such unique ones are rare.
She wore a jacket and a skirt with flowers and birds in the same color, and a light purple jadeite necklace around her neck, which was neither too big nor too small, and just right for the occasion.
Dignified and elegant, just right.
Compared with Song Runcheng, it was a bit too grand.
She wore a golden flower crown, which looked somewhat similar to the Naoepuhua headdress that Zhao Fangyu had given to Shu Jie'er before, but the craftsmanship was not as exquisite as that small headdress.
However, at the family dinner, even Zhao Fangyu only wore two pearl hairpins and some small jewelry. The biggest and most eye-catching thing was the peony flower that Zhao Fangjin personally pinned on her head.
The two sisters each had a peony flower, which was pleasing to the look of.
Even though Song's mother didn't like Zhao Fangjin, she had to admit that her daughter was indeed outshined by the girls from the Zhao family.
Song's mother felt mixed emotions, while on the other side, Minister Song and Song Bai were toasting with Zhou Qinghe.
Zhou Qinghe couldn't drink much, and he made it clear at the family dinner. Song Bai and others also understood him and allowed him to have other drinks instead.
In fact, Song Bai secretly prefers Zhou Qinghe among all the princes.
Ever since the news of the Third Prince visiting prostitutes in the army came to light, many officials have looked down upon the Third Prince.
Now that there has been another incident of suspected embezzlement of disaster relief funds, the Third Prince has become even more despicable in the eyes of everyone.
Even though Zhou Qinghe was a young dandy, his reputation had improved a lot in the past two years. After marrying Zhao Fangyu, he basically stopped doing those ridiculous things.
Sometimes they would even send some charcoal and rice to the people affected by the disaster instead of just giving them some silver as a gesture of kindness.
The disadvantage was that the emperor didn't like him. Otherwise, with the support of the deposed eldest prince and the third prince of poor conduct, Zhou Qinghe would have been able to stand out and be reused no matter what.
Song Bai drank quite a bit himself. The Spring Banquet was actually not a big deal.
But since he was already there, it was impossible for Minister Song to say nothing, so he gave Zhou Qinghe some advice on how to be an official.
These should have been taught to him by Zhao Minshan, but Zhao Minshan was really confused. His connections in the officialdom have completely collapsed and are no longer useful. It was even heard that Chunri had a serious illness this year, so he did not even come to attend today's family dinner.
In the evening, Zhao Fangyu brought Shu Jie'er back to the Hewang Mansion.
"My elder sister was about to give birth, and she was afraid that she would not be able to take care of Shu Jie. So I brought Shu Jie to my home to stay for two months."
Zhao Fangyu planned to let Shu Jie'er stay at home until Zhao Fangjin was out of confinement, and then send her back.
Song Runcheng and Madam Song had no choice but to take Shu Jie'er away while Zhao Fangjin was pregnant.
There were cases in the capital where a bride was pregnant with her second child, so her mother-in-law took her first child away to her own courtyard.
Shu Jie'er was never liked by Mrs. Song. She wasn't abused, but she was always easily humiliated.
Zhao Fangyu liked the cute little girl who called her aunt sweetly like a glutinous rice ball, so naturally he didn't want to see her suffer.
"The child is still young, and this is the most important time. Even if he doesn't study, if he is often criticized by others, I don't know how much effort it will take to change his ways when he grows up."
What's more, there is also Song Runcheng.
Even if Fangruo was there, Zhao Fangyu would still not feel at ease.
Shu Jie'er looked at Zhou Qinghe timidly, and seeing Zhou Qinghe smiling at her, she smiled again with two rows of millet teeth, her eyes curved into two crescents, and called him "Uncle" sweetly.
Children are cute, and Shu Jie'er still has some baby fat on her face, her cheeks are chubby, and when she talks, the baby fat moves, which is so adorable that people can't take their eyes off her.
Zhou Qinghe looked at Shu Jie'er, then at Zhao Fangyu, and couldn't help but wonder, if one day in the future, they had a child, would the child be as cute as Shu Jie'er?
No, he is more handsome than Song Bai, and the child between him and Zhao Fangyu should be better looking than Shu Jie'er.
Zhou Qinghe took out some snacks from the secret compartment, brought them to Shu Jie'er, and asked her if she wanted to eat some.
Shu Jie'er was not actually hungry, but since it was a gift from an elder, she could not refuse, so she took a piece of cake, pulled out a small square handkerchief she had folded from her bosom, held it in her hand and took small bites.
Zhou Qinghe was immediately touched by the cuteness of this action. His heart seemed to be hit by something soft. It didn't hurt, but his head felt light-headed and his eyes unconsciously glanced at Zhao Fangyu.
He also wants a girl...
He also wants a girl...
He just wanted a girl...
This sentence almost became a spell in Zhou Qinghe's mind, repeating endlessly. Zhao Fangyu noticed Zhou Qinghe's eyes and glanced at him. Zhou Qinghe immediately lowered his head, took out the water bag from the secret compartment, and poured it into the small teacup, fearing that Shu Jie'er would be thirsty.
"Sister Shu will sleep with me tonight. Will you go to another courtyard to stay for the night?"
Zhou Qinghe was stunned.
"...Where are you going?"
Zhou Qinghe asked with some difficulty.
His original courtyard had been razed and rebuilt. Now that he was away from Zhao Fangyu, he really had no place to sleep!
Zhou Qinghe was speechless. Zhao Fangyu thought for a moment and said, "Let's go to the guest room. Shu Jie'er is still young and is close to me. Let her sleep with me for one night and I'll clean up the room for her tomorrow."
Zhao Fangyu had said at the beginning that he would reserve a courtyard for Shu Jie'er in the Hewang Mansion, and he really did it. However, Shu Jie'er was still young at that time, and it was not appropriate for such a child to live in a courtyard. Zhao Fangyu thought of cleaning up a few rooms for her in the main courtyard and redecorating them so that Zhou Qinghe could come back.
Zhou Qinghe pursed his lips. In fact, he was a little unhappy, but he would not really let a child as young as Shu Jie'er rest alone.
She hooked Zhao Fangyu's finger in a wronged manner.
Zhao Fangyu knew that he was wronged and didn't look at him, but he never took his hand back, and was slowly held in Zhou Qinghe's palm.
Shu Jie'er quietly poked Zhou Qinghe's knee and waved at him. Zhou Qinghe leaned over and heard Shu Jie'er say to him in a baby voice: "Don't be afraid, uncle. My mother said that when auntie has kissed me enough, she will come back to kiss uncleie again!"
Zhou Qinghe's face flushed red, and he didn't hear Shu Jie'er's next sentence, "No, it's a kiss."
The only thing left in Zhou Qinghe's mind was the word "kiss". His eyes drifted towards Zhao Fangyu's lips, which were as plump as red cherries, and his heart was beating like a drum.
Shu Jie'er turned around, poked Zhao Fangyu and whispered, "Uncle, you are so stupid."
Zhou Qinghe was immersed in his own world, with the corners of his lips curved, looking very happy.
Zhao Fangyu sighed and held Shu Jie'er in his arms: "Don't learn from him, and don't bully him."
Shu Jieer chuckled twice: "Then I will protect my uncle!"