Chapter 808: Chapter 339: Zhou Shu Leaves the Capital (Part 2)
Mingzhu’s face changed drastically: "What did you say?"
Yueyao held Mingzhu down and said: "It’s only a rumor. If such a thing were true, how could I calmly be talking to you here? Someone with ill intentions wants to ruin my reputation."
Mingzhu was so angry that her hands trembled: "You have always been kind to others and have never offended anyone. Who is this heartless person doing such a vicious thing?"
Yueyao comforted Mingzhu, telling her not to get emotional, as pregnant women should avoid mood swings: "The matter is still being investigated. But the Marquis said if I’m willing to acknowledge the Old Marquis as my godfather, he would stand up for me. After thinking it over, I agreed."
Mingzhu said with hatred: "Yueyao, do you think it could be the Commandery Princess Wanhe? She’s always been jealous that it was you whom the Heir to Marquis Yongding wanted to marry that day, so she wants to ruin your reputation."
Yueyao couldn’t help but smile wryly, pregnant women indeed have a keen imagination: "Didn’t I tell Commandery Princess Wanhe that I was the Heir to Marquis Yongding’s savior? Unless Princess Wanhe has lost her mind, she certainly wouldn’t do such a thing." The real situation definitely wouldn’t be revealed to Mingzhu to spare her from worrying.
Mingzhu thought for a moment and said: "Then could it be Mu Qinglian? That woman has always been jealous of you and is very two-faced."
Yueyao quickly interrupted Mingzhu’s wild thoughts: "The matter is being looked into and the truth will come out eventually. But, Mingzhu, does Niu Yanghui know you’ve come to see me?"
Mingzhu’s eyes showed a bit of evasiveness.
Yueyao started laughing: "Better think of a good excuse, otherwise when Niu Yanghui comes to fetch you later, he’ll surely scold you."
Mingzhu straightened her back and said: "I’m not afraid!" Hmph, now that she had a talisman of protection, why fear Niu Yanghui.
Yueyao laughed more and said: "All right, let’s not talk about these unhappy things. The Marquis said to pick an auspicious day, but I don’t know which day yet?"
Mingzhu also didn’t know: "It’s surely in the next few days."
The two whispered to each other for over half a day, and it wasn’t until they heard the maid outside say that Niu Yanghui had arrived that Mingzhu realized it had gotten dark.
Yueyao reminded Mingzhu to take care of her health.
Mingzhu said cheerfully: "Don’t worry, this child is no trouble at all. Others talk about nausea during pregnancy, but I haven’t experienced a bit of it."
Yueyao shook her head and said helplessly: "Don’t speak too soon, you understand?"
When Niu Yanghui came to fetch Mingzhu, his expression wasn’t very pleasant.
Mingzhu ignored Niu Yanghui’s darkened face and stuck her tongue out at Yueyao: "Yueyao, I’ll come back to the Marquis’ household on the day of the banquet, and we’ll talk more then!"
Yueyao looked at Niu Yanghui’s face turning like Judge Bao’s, and couldn’t help but laugh: "Sure."
Once on the carriage, Mingzhu started to act pitiful: "Husband, I heard that Father wants to accept her as a goddaughter, I was so shocked, so I quickly went to ask Yueyao what happened? I didn’t expect something really did happen. Who knows which heartless person wants to ruin Yueyao’s reputation."
Niu Yanghui saw Mingzhu’s expression and didn’t know whether to laugh or get angry: "In the future, without my permission, don’t run about wildly. You’re going to become a mother, even if you won’t think about yourself, you should think about the child."
Mingzhu pouted: "The child is more than three months now, the doctor said the fetus is stable, and even advised me to move around more. You don’t know how stuffy it gets staying in the courtyard all day."
The doctor suggested moving more around the premises, not running about everywhere. For Mingzhu’s misinterpretation of the doctor’s advice, Niu Yanghui could only sigh deeply. His wife’s restlessness was indeed a troubling matter!
Zhou Shu heard that the Old Marquis of Marquis Jingning’s Residence wanted to adopt Yueyao as a goddaughter, and his face also turned unsightly. The actions of Marquis Jingning’s Residence were clearly to back Yueyao up.
Ah Si, another confidant at Zhou Shu’s side, usually didn’t speak much, but now he had to say: "Master, Marquis Jingning’s Residence is not to be trifled with, let’s just drop it!" If it meant offending the Marquis Jingning’s Residence, no matter how strong their own household was, it wouldn’t be worth it for a woman.
Ah San agreed from the side: "Yes, Master, there are plenty of women in the world, why deal with that thorny rose." Now it’s not merely thorny, it carries poison. If Lian Yueyao becomes Marquis Jingning’s god-sister and they still take her to Haikou, it’s as if directly confronting the household, and the Marquis Jingning isn’t someone to take lightly. Then disaster would surely strike. Master had painstakingly built up this foundation, and it can’t be destroyed over a woman.
Before Zhou Shu could speak, a call came from outside: "Master, the Ninth Old Master of the Zhou Residence is here."
Zhou Jiu talked with Zhou Shu for about an hour, and after Zhou Jiu left, Zhou Shu’s fists cracked noisily.
Ah San was startled: "Master, what happened?"
Zhou Shu didn’t answer Ah San’s question, he just instructed: "Prepare everything well, we’ll head back to Haikou at dawn."
Ah San preferred Zhou Shu to return to Haikou sooner rather than linger in the Capital City, but he felt uneasy about Zhou Xi’s decision: "Master, what happened?"
Zhou Shu released his fists: "Zhou Jiu advised me to leave the Capital City immediately and return to Haikou." Zhou Shu hadn’t anticipated that the Marquis Jingning’s Residence would find out so quickly it was he who had hired someone to abduct Yueyao. He had underestimated the Marquis Jingning. More accurately, he’d never expected the Marquis Jingning to value Yueyao so greatly.
Ah San was taken aback: "What happened?"
Zhou Shu maintained a calm expression: "Business matters." In truth, Zhou Jiu was relaying Zhou Xi’s message, and Zhou Xi was urging Zhou Shu to leave the Capital City immediately.
Zhou Shu figured that Zhou Xi must have learned of his involvement in abducting Yueyao; otherwise, why else would they suddenly urge him to leave?
Zhou Shu murmured to himself: "I was too arrogant." Zhou Shu originally thought Yueyao was just an orphan, and though her art was outstanding, she had no real power. Once something happened, everyone would just watch on, why would anyone truly lend a hand? He never expected that Yueyao not only gained the support of Marquis Jingning but even Zhou Xi was aiding her. To achieve his goal, he would have to adjust his strategies.