strictlysupreme Chapter 214 Miracle
Chapter 214 Miracle
Hearing that the two were not doing well, Zisu felt a pang of concern. However, she couldn't bring herself to take them back into her life. So be it, let bygones be bygones, and let nature take its course.
Prince Duan comforted him, saying, "Don't be sad. Let bygones be bygones! The red tea is quite good too. Given time, it will surely become your capable assistant!"
Zisu: "Yes, they are all very loyal. Although their abilities are limited and they can't compare to Xiangli and Yingtao, they are still quite good. Most importantly, they all have some martial arts skills and are not women who can't even kill a chicken."
Several reds, several greens, and several blues all represent trustworthy people; Shen Laihui has excellent judgment. The reds represent black tea, red beans, and red leaves; the greens represent green leaves, green tea, and mung beans; and the blues represent blue berries, blue leaves, and blue grass.
Several maids in red were her personal head maids, several in green were second-class maids, and several in blue were third-class maids. These nine maids had been by her side for over a year, working their way up through the ranks and gradually growing in ability. Now, although they weren't as accomplished as Xiangli and Yingtao, they were doing quite well.
With these few people around, Zisu felt much more relaxed.
Without a wet nurse, Red Tea and Red Leaf helped take care of Hua'er and Jin'er, so that Perilla wasn't so tired. Sometimes, Green Leaf and Green Tea would also help take care of them.
The diapers for Hua'er and Jin'er, as well as the outer garments for Zisu and Prince Duan, were all washed by Lancao and Lanye. Zisu herself washed the undergarments for Zisu and Prince Duan, without entrusting the task to the maids.
Lan Guo was in charge of cleaning Rongruitang.
Those allowed into Rongrui Hall were only a few red, a few green, and a few blue, along with Lixin, Liqiu, and Lide. Anyone else, without the permission of Zisu and Prince Duan, had no chance of even stepping into Rongrui Hall!
In addition, there was a head maid. This head maid had previously served in the palace for ten years before returning home to retire. Before Zisu's marriage, this maid was invited to the Prince Duan's residence to assist Zisu in managing the inner quarters.
This old woman's surname was Pan, and she happened to be from Pan Kang's hometown, not from the same village, but from the same town.
Rongrui Hall is the most heavily guarded place in the Prince Duan's mansion.
Granny Pan was a very capable person, but she was also a kind-hearted and good-natured person. She and Zisu got along very well; otherwise, she wouldn't have stayed.
Anyone who didn't get along with Zisu was eliminated by Prince Duan. In Prince Duan's heart, Zisu held an extremely important place, even surpassing his mother. Although he was very filial, his mother was too unreliable, and her repeated troubles had somewhat eroded his feelings for her.
In this world, whether it's love, family, or friendship, all require careful nurturing. Moreover, relationships are reciprocal; if one party not only fails to reciprocate but also constantly creates unnecessary trouble, then one day the other will grow weary and exhausted, and the relationship will become unsustainable.
On the day of the full moon celebration, Yu Zhe and Princess Jiahe met for the first time.
Yu Zhe was quite surprised by the rumored Princess Jiahe.
Princess Jiahe is only in her early twenties, two years younger than Prince Duan, isn't she? But why does she look like she's thirty-five or thirty-six? What he didn't know was that Princess Jiahe, who had just returned to the capital, looked like she was forty. After a month of recuperation, her complexion had improved slightly.
The fleeting surprise in Yu Zhe's eyes did not escape Princess Jiahe's notice; she felt deeply saddened. Zisu's uncle was about her age, yet she looked at least ten years older. Instinctively, Princess Jiahe felt extremely embarrassed and ashamed.
In her current state, she wouldn't dare go out in public without a year of recuperation. She hadn't planned to show her face today, but she never expected to run into Rong Ruitang and Yu Zhe. In his eyes, she must look terrible.
Princess Jiahe couldn't help but sigh deeply in her heart.
She still harbored feelings for Yu Zhe. However, the thought of their different social statuses made her suppress those fleeting thoughts. Yu Zhe, now in a high position and so handsome, could marry any young woman he wanted. Although she was a princess, so what? With Yu Zhe's current status, he didn't need to rely on a woman to rise in rank; he could easily marry a sixteen-year-old girl.
Zisu noticed that Princess Jiahe seemed somewhat distracted after seeing Yu Zhe. Looking at Jiahe's face and recalling her uncle's handsome appearance, she couldn't help but shake her head inwardly. The two were about the same age, but one looked to be in her early twenties, while the other looked to be in her mid-thirties. The difference was striking.
Of course, she didn't think much about it at all, and never considered letting her uncle and Jiahe be together. Because if they were, the relationship would be too complicated. Since having her child, she disliked complicated people and things, preferring a simple life. Therefore, the idea of her uncle and Jiahe being together was completely out of the question for her.
Back at the Yu residence, Yu Zhe couldn't help but say to Old Madam Yu, "Mother, isn't that Princess Jiahe younger than Prince Duan? How come she looks like she's thirty-five or thirty-six?"
Madam Yu: "I heard from Zisu that this was all caused by her ex-husband. She looks a little better now. Zisu said that when Princess Jiahe first returned, she looked to be in her forties and was very haggard. Moreover, she was sallow and thin, like a woman from a poor family who couldn't afford to eat. Alas, it's such a tragedy. She is clearly a princess of the royal family, yet she has been ruined like that."
At this point, Old Madam Yu couldn't help but chuckle again: "This Princess Jiahe is just like your eldest sister in the past, so weak-willed. She has a Prince Duan as her elder brother and the Emperor as her uncle, yet she was still bullied like that by her husband. Alas, there's always a reason why someone is pitiful!"
Upon hearing this, Yu Zhe's pity for Princess Jiahe diminished somewhat: "Yes, a person has to be strong on their own. As far as I know, Shen Jian isn't a bad person, just a bit lecherous and doesn't distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate children. If Princess Jiahe were a little more assertive and showed the demeanor of a royal princess, even if Shen Jian and she weren't in love, she wouldn't let a concubine bully her like that."
Having experienced both being sent to Yi County and being exiled, Yu Zhe preferred women with strong personalities. He genuinely couldn't be interested in women who cried easily or wallowed in melancholy. At this moment, he felt nothing but pity for Princess Jiahe; nothing else.
Beautiful people and things always attract attention from all sides; similarly, less pleasant people and things are easily forgotten or deliberately buried.
Princess Jiahe is no longer of any interest to Yu Zhe.
His life has been difficult enough; he's finally found some peace and happiness, and he can't withstand any more hardship. Even if he plans to marry in the future, he must find a kind-hearted woman with a strong personality. Only such a woman can weather the storms and create a bright future with him.
Madam Yu: "That's right. If a person doesn't live up to their potential, no matter how much their relatives worry about them, it's useless. Fortunately, she wasn't completely confused. She listened to Prince Duan and Zisu and divorced that man. Most of her dowry was recovered, but that man still spent a lot of precious items before. What a pity!"
Yu Zhe: "It's a good thing they got divorced. Otherwise, that child might have been poisoned again in the future. It's pitiful, a child who's only a few years old, and he's already been poisoned. Fortunately, the old doctor is there, otherwise, that child wouldn't have survived! Sigh, adults commit sins, and children suffer, what kind of situation is this!"
Madam Yu said, "If you ever get married again, you must think it through carefully. When choosing a wife, you should choose a virtuous one. Whether she is beautiful or not is not very important. What is important is that she has a good personality and a kind heart. Moreover, unless absolutely necessary, do not take a concubine. Concubines are the source of disaster for a family! If Shen Jian had not taken concubines and had not had so many maids, how could Yun'er's child have been poisoned?"
Yu Zhe: "Mother, I know. I would never take a concubine unless I had no other choice."
Madam Yu: "If you get married again, you must choose a good one. You can't be hasty again. In my opinion, you can take in a maidservant first, and then send the maidservant away when you find a good marriage partner."
It's not good for my son to be without a woman to take care of him for so long. After all, he's still so young. How can he endure this day after day, night after night?
Yu Zhe couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Mother, I don't need a maidservant. These maidservants are the root of all trouble for the family. Today she's a maidservant, tomorrow she wants to be a concubine, and the day after tomorrow she wants to be the principal wife!" So what if he doesn't have a woman to serve him? It's not like he can't live without a woman. He can just endure it.
Madam Yu: "I'm relieved that you think that way! However, if you choose an honest and dutiful maid for your concubine, it won't be a big problem. I'll keep an eye on things for you, so you don't need to worry so much."
Yu Zhe: "Okay, Mother, I'll tell you when I want to take a concubine!" He wasn't a saint; he had emotions and desires too. He wasn't necessarily going to refuse concubines. If a suitable person came along, taking one wouldn't be a bad idea. As for remarriage, he wouldn't consider it for at least five years.
After Zisu finished her postpartum confinement, she began to help Princess Jiahe recover.
First, she created a new diet for Princess Jiahe, one focused on beauty and health. Second, she had Princess Jiahe come to Rongrui Hall once a day and gave her a cup of goat milk mixed with water from the spatial stream.
At first, Princess Jiahe refused to drink it no matter what: "Sister-in-law, I hate goat milk the most. It has a goaty smell that makes me want to vomit."
Zisu patiently persuaded, "When I boiled the goat milk, I added tea leaves and almonds to ensure there was no goaty smell. Please try it. If you really don't like it, I promise I won't force you. This goat milk is very helpful for your recovery, please at least have a sip!"
After much patient persuasion, Princess Jiahe finally mustered the courage to pick up the large bowl and take a small sip. The goat milk was sweet and fragrant, with absolutely no gamey taste.
"It's delicious, thank you, sister-in-law!" Princess Jiahe said happily.
Zisu: "Since it's so delicious, then you should finish this bowl! From now on, come here every day and have a bowl for ten days straight!"
With the addition of the spatial stream water, Princess Jiahe should recover quickly in ten days. Zisu is confident that in ten days, Princess Jiahe will look five or six years younger, almost like someone in their thirties. Then, combined with exercise and dietary therapy, she believes that in six months, she will be fully recovered, looking almost exactly like her actual age.
Ten days passed quickly.
That morning, Princess Jiahe looked at herself in the bronze mirror, her face filled with disbelief.
During those ten days, she didn't look in the bronze mirror even once. Zisu said that to know the effect after ten days, there was no need to look in the bronze mirror; then, the results of the ten days could be compared. She indeed persisted and didn't look in the bronze mirror. Today, her complexion was indeed much better, and she looked as if she had suddenly become five or six years younger.
She no longer looks haggard! She's very satisfied with the result! Her body is neither too fat nor too thin, just right! This is all thanks to Zisu; she has to thank Zisu properly!
Princess Jiahe selected several priceless treasures from her dowry and, accompanied by Yun'er, went to Rongrui Hall.
"Sister-in-law, thank you! Thank you for not looking down on me and for being so devoted to me. I am where I am today because of you! In this life, no matter what happens, I will never betray you. I will always stand by your side and stand with you through thick and thin!" Princess Jiahe's gratitude towards Zisu was like the surging river, endless and boundless.
In other words, even if problems arise between Duan Wang and Zisu in the future, she will firmly stand by Zisu's side, cheer her on, and do her best to help her.
Zisu waved her hand and smiled slightly, "You're too kind. I'm your sister-in-law. If I'm not good to you, who will I be good to? Don't worry about it. We're family. If we're family, we should help and take care of each other!"
Princess Jiahe smiled through her tears, "Yes, sister-in-law is absolutely right. We are family, and we should help and care for each other!"
In the future, if I have the opportunity, I will definitely repay my sister-in-law properly. Furthermore, I will pray for her health and longevity, and for her and my brother to live happily ever after.
Prince Duan looked at his sister, who was both crying and laughing, and felt very gratified.
His younger sister was more sensible and stronger than before, and as her older brother, he was naturally happy for her. He was also very pleased to see how well his sister and Zisu got along; the heavy weight on his heart had finally been lifted.
Originally, Zisu had offered to help Jiahe recuperate and made that promise, but he was still uneasy. If his sister remained the same after ten days, how would Zisu handle the situation? Although his sister Jiahe was weak in front of Shen Jian, she was a spoiled princess in front of others.
Fortunately, Zisu was quite capable and actually kept her word. He was also very surprised by this, truly unable to understand how Zisu had managed it. You see, making someone five or six years younger in ten days is practically impossible. Unless it's some kind of magical power, how could a mortal have such an ability?
His wife, Zisu, was truly impressing him more and more. How many more surprises did she have in store for him? Sometimes, he couldn't help but wonder if his wife, Zisu, was a fairy descended from heaven.
Yun'er stared wide-eyed at her mother.
Her mother has changed so much; she looks so much younger and prettier. With such a young and beautiful mother, her father will never dislike her again, right?
The little girl still missed her father. Although he had treated her and her mother very badly, he was still her father, and she still cared about him to some extent.
The little girl thought this in her heart, and couldn't help but say it out loud.
Princess Jiahe said to her daughter with tears in her eyes, "My dear child, your mother has already divorced your father. Whether he looks down on me or not, it doesn't matter anymore!"
Yun'er asked in surprise, "What? Mother and Father divorced? Then, is he still my father?"
Princess Jiahe couldn't help but chuckle: "Yun'er, he is still your father! However, you are now under your mother's care and share your mother's surname. You are now called Xiao Yun, not Shen Yun! From now on, your father will not be able to control you; he no longer has that right!"
Yun'er: "Oh, as long as he's still my father, I don't care about anything else. It's good that he can't control me anymore, I don't want him to control me anyway. The surname Xiao is good, I like it very much!"
If her surname is Xiao, then she shares the same surname as her uncle, which is a royal surname! Although Yun'er is only four years old, she understands this. Now that she knows her mother and father have divorced, she no longer cares about that father.
She knew that the reason she was poisoned and almost died was because of her father's concubine. Therefore, besides a little bit of lingering affection for her father, she felt mostly resentment and anger towards him.
Prince Duan picked up Yun'er and said to her affectionately, "Now, my little Yun'er has the surname Xiao. Another day, your uncle will ask the Emperor to grant little Yun'er the status of a princess!"
Princess Jiahe quickly said, "Brother, don't force yourself. Given Yun'er's status, she can usually only be granted the title of County Princess!"
Prince Duan waved his hand: "It doesn't matter. I was just saying. If the Emperor doesn't agree, it doesn't matter either."
----Big picture post today, two updates, mwah!