Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family

Chapter 811: The 811th Chapter: Someone with an Ulterior Motive
 

Although that was what was said, Liu Sisi still set aside a small courtyard for the two imperial nannies to live in.

When Di Hongyuan and Di Yelei returned with Lian Jue in the evening, Liu Sisi whispered to Di Yelei.

“They say they are here by decree to teach me proper etiquette. After giving it some thought, I realized that having grown up in the countryside from a young age, there actually are many rules that I need to start learning from scratch. I want to take advantage of the presence of these two imperial nannies to learn what I should learn. As for later, when we move into the Marquis Mansion, I will probably need to find a knowledgeable nanny to teach me more…”

Though she bore the title of a Princess, Liu Sisi did not grow up in the Palace, so she had to slowly learn these rules. However, at present, she would not be given much time to learn, as the day for the sacrifice to heaven was imminent.

“No matter, you start by learning from the two imperial nannies what you need to pay attention to on the day of the sacrifice to heaven. The rest can be learned slowly later on.”

Di Yelei said casually, yet his eyebrows were tightly furrowed into a frown.

Liu Sisi glanced at him and said casually, “Thinking that the two nannies are ultimately from the Palace, I arranged for them to stay in a separate courtyard. I didn’t inform Eldest Uncle about this beforehand, so…”

As soon as Di Yelei heard this, he understood, “Don’t worry, I happen to have to visit big brother later tonight. I will talk to him about it.”

Di Hongyuan had yet to marry due to his hidden illness, the manor had two concubines who, however, did not manage affairs. Sisi did not feel it proper to speak with Di Hongyuan about this matter personally. Delighted by Di Yelei’s words, she naturally felt relieved.

In the evening, not long after Di Yelei left for the main courtyard, he sent back a maid who reported, “Old Master Marquis said he went out with Eldest Master and told you not to wait for him.”

“Understood.”

He went out so late; where could he go, “Did Old Master Marquis mention where they were going?”

“The slave heard they were going to the Di’s Elderly Residence.”

Going to the Di’s Elderly Residence at such a late hour, could it be that they encountered some difficult decision and hence sought Elder Di’s counsel?

With a belly full of questions, Liu Sisi went to see the children and then made a trip to see Di Cheng. Unexpectedly, Di Cheng was also not at home. Xiao Feng was somewhat surprised by Liu Sisi’s sudden visit but did not bring it up on her own. Instead, she chuckled lightly and took out several pieces of children’s clothing.

“A few days ago, I made a small set of clothes for each of my brother and sisters, but some were left unfinished until now. These two days, I finally got some free time and finished them. Please, Third Aunt, pass these on to my brother and sisters.”

Liu Sisi’s needlework, although not disgraceful, faced an innate aversion to tasks like embroidery and making clothes. Ever since Xiao Feng discovered this, after the mourning period back at the hometown, almost all the clothes for Liu Sisi and the three children were handled by her.

It was amazing how Xiao Feng was adept both in the hall and the kitchen, skilled in both civil and military affairs, making Liu Sisi always lament about having found a good daughter-in-law.

“Your craftsmanship is getting better and better, truly without fault. But you shouldn’t always busy yourself with these things; there is never an end to making clothes. However, now that Di Qiu is four years old, it’s high time that you gave him another little brother or sister.”

This was Liu Sisi’s heartfelt sentiment. Being an only child could be very lonely. Thinking back to her previous life, she was an only child. After the accidental passing of her parents, she was left only with her grandfather, without even a single person with whom she could share her innermost thoughts, which was indeed lonely.

Xiao Feng’s face quickly blushed, and even someone as straightforward as her could not escape the convention on such matters, finding herself unable to utter a word.

“Don’t be shy. Before your marriage, your father indeed said that your second child would be adopted by the Ji family to continue their bloodline. The past two years were for mourning, and then there was the turmoil of war, so your father did not bring it up. But now that things have settled down, you should pay more attention to these matters yourself…”

Obviously, it would be false to say that Xiao Feng did not want another child.

“Third Aunt, it’s not that Feng’er doesn’t want a child, it’s just that I’ve been so busy these days, and Di Cheng is always coming and going…we have little time together.”

“No worries, now that we have reached the capital city, Di Cheng will have fewer reasons to be away.”

Seeing Xiao Feng’s embarrassed face, Liu Sisi gently patted her shoulder, “Besides, Di Qiu is now four years old. It’s the perfect age for you to have another child…”

Feeling that Xiao Feng understood, Liu Sisi then took her leave and returned to her room.

Di Yelei still hadn’t returned, and as Liu Sisi tossed and turned, just as she was about to drift off to sleep, she suddenly felt the bed sink beside her, and she immediately woke up.

“Old Master Marquis, you’ve returned.”

“Did I wake you? Don’t get up, go back to sleep.”

Di Yelei had already taken off his outerwear, down to his undershorts, and then he flipped open the thin quilt and climbed in.

“It’s fine, I wasn’t asleep anyway.”

Liu Sisi turned over, propped herself up on her elbows, leaning on the pillow as she looked at Di Yelei, “Over the years, I’ve developed a habit. The slightest noise wakes me up, then it’s quite difficult to fall back asleep.”

Liu Sisi wasn’t exaggerating one bit. Initially, during the mourning period, Macheng County had already fallen into chaos. A large number of fellow villagers began to leave their homes and relocate. And those who remained were also frightened and anxious, fearing that the next moment, their homes would be attacked.

Liu Sisi was no exception! With elderly and young children, as well as a pregnant woman at home, it would have been strange if she could sleep.

After several years of conflict, Di Yelei naturally understood her words. He reached out and casually draped his arm over her shoulder.

“Sisi, thank you! You’ve truly suffered these past years.”

“Compared to Old Master Marquis, Sisi hasn’t suffered.”

Di Yelei had faced life and death on the battlefield. Although Liu Sisi didn’t know the specifics, from various second-hand stories, she roughly understood what he had endured these past years.

Di Yelei’s whole body shuddered, there was no better comfort than this! Unconsciously, he tightened his iron arm, and the words that spilled from his lips were unusually tender.

“Stop calling me Old Master Marquis. I still call you Sisi, and you should call me Ye Lei, how about that?”

“Ye Lei!”

Liu Sisi smiled broadly, her eyes curving into crescents, “Ye Lei, it’s so late, what matter brought you and Eldest Uncle to Di’s Elderly Residence?”

“I thought you really wouldn’t ask about that.”

Di Yelei laughed heartily, then slowly the smile faded from his face, “It’s nothing much, just some issues in the imperial court. His Majesty mentioned Zhao Dun’s matter unexpectedly during yesterday’s early morning session…”

Zhao Dun, a name that seemed to have gradually faded into the distance, caused the smile to vanish from Liu Sisi’s face as well.

“What did His Majesty say?”

Di Yelei hesitated a bit, “Your big brother recently… executed Marquis Cibai and then occupied a county, provoking dissatisfaction among everyone, up and down the imperial court. Tonight, Prince Luo sent someone to report that the relationship between you and him has also been uncovered by someone with an agenda…”

She and Nan Tianzong were siblings. If it was uncovered that she and Nan Tianzong were related, it must have also brought to light the issue concerning Lin Xiner from the past. With the day of the Emperor’s sacrifice to heaven imminent, the timing of this revelation, along with all its convoluted implications, was considerably complicated.