青春期撞上更年期第1部

This was just a small episode. It seemed that no one took it seriously, and they continued to talk for a while. Zhao Xiqiong came in and sat back in her seat beside Zhao Xiran. Holding her handkerchief, she lowered her head and blushed slightly.

Shao Wanru remained unperturbed as her beautiful, penetrating eyes flicked across Zhao Xiqiong’s pink cheeks.

It was getting late, so Zhao Xiran and Shao Caihuan stood up and said goodbye. Zhao Xiqiong was the slowest to respond. When they rose to bid Shao Wanru farewell, she finally noticed that her sister had pulled her just now. Hurriedly, she stood up as well.

Shao Wanru asked Yujie to see them off.

Only when they left did Shao Wanru look back at Qu Le.

“My Lady, I didn’t mean to take Second Miss Zhao there. She heard the bamboo forest in our mansion was good, so she insisted on me taking her there. At that time, I thought His Highness wouldn’t come back so early!” Qu Le knelt with a plop and explained anxiously.

“Get up and talk!” Shao Wanru nodded and said unblinkingly.

Qu Le stood up as she was told. With her hands folded in front of her chest, she said with innocence, “I took Second Miss Zhao to see the bamboo forest in our mansion. Then, she said there were a few black bamboos from Huaguang Temple inside. I took her there, but I didn’t expect to meet His Highness in that place. My Lady, I didn’t take her there on purpose!”

There was a bamboo forest in the Prince Chen’s Mansion. It was not big, but it happened to be very close to Chu Liuchen’s study — it was right behind the courtyard of the study. They had gotten a few purple bamboos from Huaguang Temple and planted them there. Over time, they had grown into a small forest, making a pretty sight of the Prince Chen’s Mansion.

It hadn’t been long since these purple bamboos were moved into the mansion. Three years ago, Shao Wanru took a fancy to the purple bamboos of Huaguang Temple. But because there were only a few bamboos in the beginning, the Prince Chen’s Mansion took good care of them. Thus, though it had only been three years, the bamboo forest in the Prince Chen’s Mansion became by no means inferior to that of Huaguang Temple. It was just that they were not as old as the purple bamboos of Huaguang Temple. As a result, they were not so solid when they were used to make some items.

But at least these items looked equally outstanding.

Because of his poor health, Chu Liuchen seldom met outsiders. Thus, not many people knew about this bamboo forest in the Prince Chen’s Mansion. So, how could Zhao Xiqiong happen to hear others mention it?

Zhao Xiqiong’s sudden visit was a little strange, but the reason seemed to have come to light.

“What did Second Miss Zhao say to Prince Chen?” Shao Wanru asked with a smile.

“She just bowed to him. Before she could say anything, His Highness walked away!” Qu Le thought for a moment and answered. At that time, she felt very relieved. When Second Miss Zhao saw Prince Chen, she didn’t avoid him but went up to make a bow. After that, Qu Le, who had nothing against her personally, became highly critical of her.

Prince Chen had a superior status, but she didn’t have to walk over and give a bow. A sideways salute from a distance was enough. After all, the two of them didn’t meet head-on.

When Qu Le noticed her unusual move, she asked the young servant girl beside her to tell Nanny Yu about it. Thus, Princess Chen could know what had happened in time.

“Later on, you came back?” asked Shao Wanru.

“Prince Chen just took one look at her and walked past her. However, she blushed and stayed in the bamboo forest for a long time before coming back with me,” Qu Le reported.

It didn’t seem a big deal: a female relative accidentally ran across Prince Chen. Since they didn’t exchange a word, it was nothing serious. Nevertheless, Qu Le was vigilant and felt she shouldn’t have brought Second Miss Zhao there today.

Qu Le couldn’t forget Second Miss Zhao’s shy and lovely look. Prince Chen only cast a glance at her, yet she was instantly filled with tenderness and charm.

It could be seen that she held an ambitious idea. Even if it was a spur-of-the-moment decision, it had crossed her mind.

“If any other visitors ask to see the garden next time, show them the inner court!” Shao Wanru had already understood and ordered.

A deep look flashed across her watery eyes. Such a thing had never happened before. It was because of Chu Liuchen’s poor health and his embarrassing identity. But now, these disadvantages disappeared. More than that, he might achieve amazing success with one start. So, some people could no longer sit still.

Ridiculous! Even a Prime Minister’s legitimate second daughter fancied herself to be Prince Chen’s consort. Of course, Shao Wanru believed they were more interested in replacing her as Princess Chen.

“Yes, Your Highness, I understand!” Yujie nodded and said softly, “Your Highness, I think Second Miss Zhao… looks a little bit like you!”

“Why do you say that?” Shao Wanru raised her sparkling eyes and asked with great interest.

“That’s how I feel, but I don’t have any specific reasons. I just think Second Miss Zhao is beautiful and a little charming. She has a temperament similar to yours,” Qu Le said after thinking for a while. She couldn’t describe this feeling. It was not because of their looks. Actually, Second Miss Zhao’s features had nothing in common with Princess Chen’s. But somehow, Qu Le felt they were the same kind of people.

It was just that her master was much more gorgeous than Second Miss Zhao.

Shao Wanru understood. With a smile, she picked up the teacup at hand, took a sip, and slowly put it down. So, Zhao Xiqiong was a woman like her. They thought Chu Liuchen liked this kind of woman, so they found a girl similar to Shao Wanru to sound Chu Liuchen out.

Second Miss Zhao was probably the first one making this attempt but definitely not the last one.

Those who had looked down on Chu Liuchen in the past might scramble for him like a swarm of bees. In particular, Chu Liuchen had such an impressive bearing. Thus, Shao Wanru believed many Young Madams would have the same idea as Zhao Xiqiong.

In the Prince Chen’s Mansion, she could guard against them. But when Chu Liuchen was outside, it was hard for her to prevent these ladies from doing anything.

Some had a liking for the power of the Prince Chen’s Mansion, some believed it had a promising future, and some took a fancy to Chu Liuchen. A handsome and elegant young man like him could easily win the hearts of many Young Misses. Even in the past, many Misses were more than willing to throw themselves at him, not to mention that Chu Liuchen’s original shortcomings no longer existed now!

“You should pay more attention to it in the future. Don’t take any outsiders to His Highness’s place, especially female family members!” Shao Wanru’s eyes were full of glistening tenderness, and there was a trace of understanding in her clear eyes. At this time, she couldn’t let anyone impede Chu Liuchen.

“The Minister Zhao’s Mansion, huh? Both daughters of Minister Zhao are not easy to deal with; what does Minister Zhao really want? It seemed to have something to do with the Marquis Xing’s Mansion. Well, I’m looking forward to it…”

There was only one carriage from the Marquis Xing’s Mansion. Zhao Xiran, Zhao Xiqiong, and Shao Caihuan got into it.

The spacious carriage had enough space for three of them.

Color hadn’t yet faded from Zhao Xiqiong’s cheeks. She looked at Shao Caihuan and wanted to talk to Zhao Xiran, but it was not convenient. So, she could only twist the handkerchief in her hand and lower his head.

The exceedingly handsome face still lingered in her mind, and her fingers couldn’t help twitching. How could anyone have such an attractive appearance? Even though he just glanced at her, she flushed to her ears, and her heart raced. This man was Prince Chen. How could Prince Chen be so outstanding?

If she had known this, she would have agreed to marry Prince Chen anyway.

In fact, Minister Zhao had gotten his eye on Prince Chen at the very beginning and had mentioned him to Zhao Xiqiong. He said that if she agreed, he would find someone to ask for the marriage before the Empress Dowager.

At that time, Zhao Xiqiong refused without hesitation, telling him that Prince Chen was said to be a dying, sick man. If she married Prince Chen, she would become a widow. In tears, she blamed Minister Zhao for not caring about her.

However, Prince Chen had recovered, so she was a little tempted. She followed Minister Zhao’s advice and went to see Prince Chen in his mansion. Unexpectedly, Prince Chen was such a striking and imposing man. With his refined and elegant image as a gentleman, he was more outstanding than any man she had ever seen.

Back then, Prince Chen, as appealing as superior precious jade, merely glanced at her coldly and walked past her. Even though he turned a blind eye to her, Zhao Xiqiong’s heart was still thumping wildly.

If she could marry Prince Chen, she was even willing to be his consort!

She regretted her previous decision. If she had seen Prince Chen and agreed with her father, would she have become Princess Chen? She heard that Prince Chen cherished Princess Chen. If she hadn’t believed the rumors, she would have been the woman enjoying his love now. At this time, she was beside herself with regret.

Her heart was filled with unspoken words, but she couldn’t say anything to Zhao Xiran when Shao Caihuan was with them. Helplessly, she could only refrain from speaking for the time being.

“Fifth Sister won’t like it!” In the quiet carriage, Shao Caihuan suddenly began to talk.

Abruptly, Zhao Xiqiong looked up at Shao Caihuan, and Zhao Xiran also frowned.

Shao Caihuan’s eyes fell on Zhao Xiqiong’s blushing face, and she continued, “Fifth Sister won’t be happy about it. If she is upset, Prince Chen will be unhappy!”

“Third Miss Shao, what do you mean?” Zhao Xiqiong flushed crimson from her face to her neck, feeling ashamed and annoyed when she had been seen through.

“What do I mean? Second Miss Zhao, you can pretend that it doesn’t matter, as long as Fifth Sister is okay with it. Just keep it in mind!” Shao Caihuan glanced at her a few times in silence. Under her gaze, Zhao Xiqiong almost lowered her head. But the next moment, she stared at Shao Caihuan again with an unfriendly look and said, “Third Miss Shao, you can eat as much as you want, but you can’t talk nonsense!”

...

“You’re smart, but don’t think others are stupid.” Shao Caihuan said with a sarcastic smile. She was pretty familiar with Second Miss Zhao’s behavior because she had also been like this.

“Third Sister, you’ve gone too far.” Seeing the two of them glaring at each other, Zhao Xiran had to interrupt.

“Sister Zhao, if you think she did the right thing, I have nothing to say!” Shao Caihuan looked at Zhao Xiran, curving up her lips coldly. Since she was released, she had become increasingly withdrawn. On the way here, she barely said anything to Zhao Xiran. But now, she had talked a lot.

Shao Caihuan felt she had done her best for Zhao Xiran, her sister-in-law. If Zhao Xiran couldn’t stand listening to it, she could do nothing about it. Since she and Zhao Xiran were in the same mansion, she had warned Zhao Xiqiong for her.

It was easy to guess what Zhao Xiqiong was thinking. She should have met Prince Chen, so she returned with a red face and looked shy while biting her lip. Unfortunately, even before she came back, Fifth Sister had already known it: Nanny Yu must have come in to report Zhao Xiqiong’s affair.

Yet, Zhao Xiqiong foolishly thought Fifth Sister knew nothing about it!

“Shao Caihuan, you…” Zhao Xiqiong got very unsettled and short-tempered at this time.