You Are My String Of Fate

2.11 || Virtuous To One's Husband

Liu Qirong was not sure what happened, but life had been pretty quiet for her ever since the banquet ended. Hou Feihong did not frequent her room as much as he had in the past.

On the odd occasions that he did, he insisted for her to ride him.

"What a joke! It already disgusts me to be using a tea bag that has been dipped in other people's cups, now he wants me to do such hard work in bed?"

Liu Qirong, being the obedient little wife she portrayed herself to be, forced herself to a few half-hearted movements and feigned fatigue, until finally Hou Feihong lost his patience and pin her down again.

Then thankfully, the man left the estate a few days after, to another military expedition. Thus a few months passed with her being idle.

However, her mother-in-law and auntie-in-law had been giving her a stink eye every time they crossed paths. She managed to gather a few things during family meals when the two older women chatted without regard to her presence.

"My friend, Madame Xiao, said this daughter-in-law of ours is so beautiful the men at the Xiao household couldn't stop talking about her!"

"This is not confirmed, but apparently the son of the Lin clan withdrew his engagement to the Xiao clan's daughter!"

"No wonder, so not only the Xiao clan has been enchanted, the Lin clan as well. How many men has this girl attracted?"

"Such an appearance can only be a boon and disgrace to our family. I don't know what Hong'er is thinking, not restraining his wife. It's good that he's away. We really should not let Qirong go out anymore!"

"But... your son is the one who encouraged me to socialize so I don't bring shame to this family," Liu Qirong thought, feeling the whole thing was entirely ridiculous, "I can't control what other people say or think, what exactly should I have done?"

The Old Patriarch was the one who cut short the two women's accusing chatter, "The state of our dynasty is in precarious situation, and you still have time to talk about useless things." He looked at Liu Qirong, "Don't go out if you don't really have to. There's a few rumors of recent unrest outside."

Liu Qirong nodded, adding a few pieces of sauteed beans as gratitude into the old man's plate. In this household, he and the Old Matriarch were the only two people who had not purposefully given her any trouble.

Madame Hou frowned, "Father, what's happening?" The Old Patriarch was not involved in neither politic or military anymore, but he was still privy to various important news.

The Old Patriarch munched on the green beans, his eyes were steadfast, "Just be prepared for anything. I heard the Emperor has been ill of health lately."

Liu Qirong's chopsticks paused mid-air. The unrest the Old Patriarch must have referred to was the matter of the succession of the throne. However, why would there be unrest? The Crown Prince's status had been uncontested and he was supposed to be the next rule; was there internal dealings within the imperial family that might change this?

Madame Hou worriedly sighed, "I hope Hong'er will be alright... ."

*** *** ***

A few days later, the sky was cloudless and the day was as beautiful as could be. The birds sang their praises, creating the joyful atmosphere of summer day.

In her room, Zhuzi was fanning Liu Qirong while the latter sipped cold plum tea to dissipate the heat. A few maids were cleaning her feet in a basin of cool fragrant water.

Zhuzi suddenly exclaimed, "Oh, Mistress, look! A blue jay bird. How unusual!"

Perching on a dwarf willow outside her window, a handsome blue bird perched.