[曦澄 | XiCheng]: The Fear Of Falling In Love [~PART 1~]

[125.] The two nannies.

Jiang Cheng hated the countryside with a passion. It was dull, and the same, and he hated it. And now, in winter, it was so monochrome and monotonous that his brain was exploding  –  three days of torture, unvaried, refined methods of torture.

He had never believed that the day would come when he would hate to be in the same space with his nephews, as he really loved them, but when trapped and bored for so long  –  the children became unbearable, and he had no way out, as he could not, dared not, ride at the end of his 4th month. 

To make things worse, Wei Wuxian would stop and peek in to ask him how he was ever hour of every day, and he  –  not having quite the liberty to give him a piece of his mind in front of the children  –  was fuming, beyond annoyed, craving for them to finally  arrive so that he could box his brother's ears and yell at him, as he should.

He found out that the simplest solutions were often the best  –  in his case, the answer was: pretending to be asleep. Only then would all the others keep quiet, and leave him alone. The nannies would scold the children to be quiet and behave as their Shūshu  needed sleep and rest; Wei Ying would be content as he thought that both his brother and his future nephew were resting, and Sandu Shengshou would have all the time in the world to dream of Zewu-Jun's hands on his skin.


***

It was getting dark on the second day of their trip south, when he  –  truly dozing off this time, as his nephews had fallen asleep, too exhausted now  –  was startled by light giggling. The two nannies were whispering to each other, gossiping no doubt, but  –  seeing that their Master was "fast asleep"  –  they grew bolder and spoke and laughed louder. 

Jiang Cheng did his very best not to frown, but listened, having really no other choice. He tried to remember their names... did he ever know their names? Their voices were pretty similar, but soon he learned to discern the younger one's shriller voice, and bolder words.

~~

Yu Jing: - Zhai Li, don't say such things! The Master will have us both whipped!!!

Zhai Li: - But, darling, it is true! Why do you think we set out in the middle of the night, with the kids nonetheless! Master Lan is in love!

Yu Jing: - Haha, oh shameless! I heard that it was not a real marriage like Hanguang-Jun and Wei Qianbei's! Because those two are humping like rabbits!!!

Zhai Li: - Hush! Don't laugh so loud! You  will get us both whipped! But listen... Listen! I talked to the tall boy  – you know  –  the pretty boy that just returned from Yunmeng... Don't wink at me like that!  You are making me blush! Ehhh, he told me that Lotus Pier was absolutely burnt down! It's the war...The Gusu Lan Clan refused to send support! He said that he'd been riding for two days without stopping, so that he could tell Zewu-Jun!

Yu Jing: - So? What are you saying,  Zhai Li? That tall boy just wanted to impress you perhaps! Haha! I see he is succeeding!

Zhai Li: - Shush! Listen!  When he brought the news to the Cloud Recesses do you know what Zewu-Jun did? He immediately arranged for all of us to leave. Not just the kids... Who is also traveling with the kids, eh? Think!  If you know that danger is coming to your house  –  wouldn't you want to protect  the people you love?  I am telling you!  Zewu-Jun is in love!   With a man at that!

Yu Jing: - Hmm. Strange logic, darling! I thought Sandu Shengshou was to supervise the renovations at  Yùlán!

Zhai Li: - In winter? Who is doing renovations in winter?!?  Before New Year's?   Pffff! No.

Yu Jing: - Oh, I see! So you think... Oh!

Zhai Li: - I am telling you. If the Yunmeng Jiang Clan retaliates, he doesn't want his husband to be there! And I am sure you know about Sandu Shengshou's... condition!

Yu Jing: - Ah, shameless!!!! Zhai Li!!! It is surely rumors! It can't be! Can it be?!?

Zhai Li: - Ha. I am telling you it's true!

Yu Jing: - Ooooohhhh, it's dark magic then! How can it be???

Zhai Li: - I don't know. I only know that the boss has been really worried for the Masters. Master Jiang was really sick lately. And do you remember how many times they called for that doctor? It is not because of Zewu-Jun, I'm telling you!

Yu Jing: - Yea, but the fire... The  Hánshì... Gods, so you think it's really true? That the Yunmeng Jiang Clan has done it? It surely can't be!

Zhai Li: - I can't say. All he said was that Lotus Pier was now gone. And he said he'd ride with me in town some time before New Year's, to the market...

Yu Jing: - Yea, that's  not   happening any more, haha! We will be at  Yùlán  for at least a month! This is what Master Wei said! I heard him!

Zhai Li: - Ehh, dammit! He is so pretty! Especially when he is topless... and he likes to go topless... In winter!

Yu Jing: - Ah, darling! So so shameless! Should we be preparing your wedding too???

Zhai Li: - Hush now! Hush!

~~