"If the Marquis is truly interested, it's not like I can't play matchmaker for him..." Wang Yingxue, seeing Wei Tingyu not answer her question but instead fall into thought, felt a deeper surge of jealousy from within her bones. As she spoke, she even reached out and gently pinched Wei Tingyu's waist... Of course, this was purely a woman acting coquettishly with her husband; she wouldn't dare to actually pinch Wei Tingyu hard enough to hurt him! However, with her strength and Wei Tingyu's current physical condition, even if she used all her might, it wouldn't cause him the slightest pain.
Yet, Wei Tingyu looked at the beautiful mature woman before him, then wrapped his arm around her, pulling her into his embrace. Indeed, these mature married women are truly captivating! When they act coquettishly, their charm is utterly unique and intoxicating!
"Mother! Marquis!" At this moment, Dou Ming's eyes were quick, and she immediately spotted Wei Tingyu and Wang Yingxue standing outside the door. Of course, from her angle, she could only see Wei Tingyu's back; Wang Yingxue was standing in front of him, largely obscured, so she couldn't see that the two were currently embracing.
This exclamation immediately startled Wang Yingxue! She quickly retreated two steps, putting distance between herself and Wei Tingyu, while her heart pounded violently! Fortunately, Wei Tingyu's back had blocked her figure, only revealing half of her sleeve, otherwise, the affair between them would have been completely exposed! Of course, Wang Yingxue also knew that this matter couldn't be concealed forever; there would be a day when they would have to face the other women! But at the moment, she was clearly not mentally prepared!
Wang Yingxue thought of this, quickly using Wei Tingyu's body to shield herself as she tidied her clothes. She even looked at Wei Tingyu with some worry, wanting him to help her check if there was anything that might give them away. However, Wei Tingyu merely chuckled when he saw Wang Yingxue's flustered appearance! At the same time, his gaze towards her was full of teasing. After all, when had this Head Lady of the Dou family ever been so flustered in front of her juniors? She truly wasn't acting like herself now!
Wang Yingxue instantly understood the reason for his smile from his gaze, her small face immediately flushed, and she couldn't help but discreetly give him a small side-eye. But at this moment, she also understood that they had only briefly embraced; there hadn't been any overly intense contact, so it was unlikely to leave particularly obvious evidence! Moreover, given her relationship with Wei Tingyu, Dou Ming and the others wouldn't think in any other direction; it seemed she was completely worrying for nothing!
"Ming'er! Sister Zhao!" Realizing this, Wang Yingxue quickly calmed her breathing and heartbeat, then resumed her dignified demeanor. She walked out from in front of Wei Tingyu, appearing in the sight of the women, while fanning herself with her round fan, and asked with an amiable smile, "Are you preparing the banquet for the Marquis?"
Wei Tingyu stood behind Wang Yingxue, his eyes sweeping over her figure from top to bottom once more. Her waist, swaying like a water snake, coupled with her fragile, willow-like aura, truly made her naturally alluring! Wei Tingyu praised her in his heart while also silently grumbling about Dou Laoqi! This man was too incapable of enjoyment; he had neglected such a beautiful mature woman in an empty room for over a decade. Could it be that the old man himself was no longer capable?!
"Yes, Mother! I'm learning from Elder Sister to help prepare the Marquis's banquet..." Dou Ming quickly nodded upon hearing her mother's question, speaking excitedly. However, before she could finish, her peripheral vision caught sight of Wei Tingyu standing at the doorway, looking at her with a smiling expression. Her small face immediately flushed, and she lowered her head, remaining silent.
"What's wrong with younger sister Ming? Why are you suddenly shy?!" Dou Zhao's beautiful eyes had already suspiciously swept over Wei Tingyu and Wang Yingxue several times. Now, she directly walked forward, took Dou Ming's small hand, and said, "Who here doesn't know your feelings for the Marquis? Why don't you come back to the Marquis's residence with me today!"
"This..." Dou Ming was startled upon hearing this. In her heart, she was naturally a thousand times willing, but she also said with some worry, "I'm afraid it might not be in accordance with the proper etiquette!" After all, Dou Ming was still an unmarried young girl. Although she was willing to be a concubine to stay by Wei Tingyu's side, she didn't even have the status of a concubine yet. Wouldn't she be ridiculed if she entered the residence like this?
"No matter, no matter," Wang Yingxue suddenly interjected, "Sister Zhao is your biological elder sister, and also the Head Lady of the Marquis Jining's Residence! As the Head Lady's sister, if you go to the residence to stay for a few days, who can say anything?"
"Besides! Ming'er doesn't plan to marry into another family in the future, so why care if others secretly laugh or not?"
As Wang Yingxue's words fell, the women present simultaneously widened their eyes, looking at her with disbelief. No... why has this Wang Yingxue suddenly changed her nature? Everyone knows she dreams of her daughter becoming the Marquis Jining's legitimate principal wife! Entering the residence without a proper status, wouldn't the chances of rising in rank later be even smaller?! Logically, Wang Yingxue should vehemently object! At the very least, she should try her best to secure the status of a co-wife for Dou Ming, and then let Wei Tingyu formally marry her into the Marquis's residence with the "Three Letters and Six Rites" before she would agree. But now... Dou Zhao, Miao Ansu, Zhao Zhangru, and He Weifang exchanged slightly surprised glances, all believing there was definitely something going on here!
"But Fifth Uncle and Father..." Dou Ming was naturally tempted by Wang Yingxue's words, but thinking of her two old-fashioned elders, she deflated again, knowing that these two would never agree!
"If Ming'er wants to go, then go. I will speak to your Fifth Uncle and Father!" Wang Yingxue suddenly became resolute, after all, she had Wei Tingyu's backing now! Moreover, this matter concerned her daughter's destiny and future happiness! What fake appearance of conjugal harmony? What cultivation of a Head Lady of the Dou family? In her eyes, none of it was as important as her daughter's future!
"Head Lady! Why does your stepmother seem to have suddenly changed into a different person?" At the banquet, He Weifang looked at Wang Yingxue and Wei Tingzhen, who were chatting animatedly not far away, frowned, and cautiously asked Dou Zhao beside her.
"Who knows! Maybe it's a trick!" Zhao Zhangru, sitting on the other side, also leaned over and whispered.
"Something abnormal implies something sinister! There must be something going on here!" Dou Zhao's eyes darted around, then her gaze once again fell upon Wei Tingyu. At this moment, Miao Ansu was sitting beside him, meticulously serving him dishes, while Dou Ming sat on the other side, watching Miao Ansu's actions without blinking, secretly memorizing how she served dishes to the Marquis. Because for delicate tasks like serving dishes, Miao Ansu was indeed the best among Wei Tingyu's wives and concubines in the manor! So, whenever she was present, she would be in charge, and the other women wouldn't compete with her! And the little girl Dou Ming was naturally eager to learn again. She hadn't expected there to be so many intricacies in serving her brother-in-law? It would keep her busy learning for a while!
"Sister Zhao! Sister Ru! Sister Fang!" Wang Yingxue turned back after finishing her conversation with Wei Tingzhen and saw the three women observing her. However, she wasn't awkward at all. Instead, she raised her wine cup and toasted the three women from afar, "Ming'er is still young! If there's anything improper once she arrives at the manor, please, you three elder sisters, teach her well..." After speaking, Wang Yingxue tilted her fair neck and drained the wine in her cup.
"Madam need not say, we naturally understand!" The three women were startled, and He Weifang immediately responded, then also emptied her wine cup. At this moment, they were certain that Wang Yingxue had indeed undergone a significant psychological change! Although the reason for all this was still unknown, the three of them understood that the current Wang Yingxue was definitely not just pretending to be close to them, as she had been before. At least, her act of toasting just now was ninety percent sincere!
"What's going on? Why do I feel like she's really changed? Did that woman's acting skills improve again?" Zhao Zhangru put down her wine cup and whispered to Dou Zhao. Her mind was truly unable to comprehend it!
"She has changed! But why?" Dou Zhao also frowned. If she couldn't figure this out, she probably wouldn't be able to sleep soundly.
"I think I've guessed!" He Weifang leaned close to Dou Zhao's ear and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Just now, when Madam tilted her head to drink, I saw several red marks on her neck..."
"Red marks?" Dou Zhao was startled, then carefully looked at Wang Yingxue's neck! It turned out that things were indeed as He Weifang had said. However, these blushes were too faint; an ordinary person wouldn't notice them unless someone pointed them out. Of course, He Weifang, a woman who dealt with flowers and plants all day, was very sensitive to color changes, which was why she was the only one present who noticed this!
"This is..." Dou Zhao blinked, then looked at He Weifang again. However, He Weifang gently raised her own neck, and Dou Zhao saw that her long, slender, and beautiful neck also had several similar red marks! And that wasn't all; He Weifang then pointed to Dou Zhao's neck. She instinctively reached up and felt her own neck. Although she couldn't see it, it was clear that He Weifang meant her neck also had them!
At this moment, Dou Zhao finally realized! Weren't these faint red marks hickeys? They were marks left by the Marquis when they were intimate! Wang Yingxue didn't have them on her neck before, but now she did after returning from a walk around. What did this indicate? It indicated that she had just had intimate contact with a man! But the problem was that today, the entire garden was filled with women, and the only man was Wei Tingyu! As for any thieves secretly sneaking in, Dou Zhao would never believe it! Because for safety's sake, the entire courtyard was surrounded by two layers of Golden Shadow Guards and Silver Shadow Guards! To exaggerate, not even a male mosquito could fly into this courtyard today! That meant the only person who could leave these hickeys on Wang Yingxue's neck was one person! And that was... the Marquis!
Thinking this, Dou Zhao swallowed hard, then secretly glanced at Wang Yingxue again. Indeed, the woman's face was flushed with shyness, and her eyes held a hint of passion that she had never seen in them before! Wasn't this exactly how the women in the residence looked after serving the Marquis upon waking? And later, when Wei Tingyu appeared, he also came to the kitchen with Wang Yingxue... At that time, Dou Zhao was still wondering how those two ended up together? Now, the truth was finally revealed!
Dou Zhao instantly figured out these questions, then looked at He Weifang again. Seeing the other party secretly nod to her, it was clear that she had already understood as well! The two of them simultaneously looked in Wang Yingxue's direction. Indeed, although the woman outwardly pretended to eat and drink, her beautiful eyes constantly darted towards Wei Tingyu, and the love and admiration in her eyes could not be concealed at all!
"...No wonder she changed her nature! So she was... subdued by the Marquis!" He Weifang chuckled softly at this moment, then whispered a remark. Especially the word "subdued," which was used quite cleverly! But it was also something she said after thinking awkwardly, because she had previously found that other words didn't seem quite appropriate. When He Weifang said this, she truly had a slight hint of jealousy in her bones, but Wei Tingyu doing this didn't surprise her! After all, the status of a married woman or a young wife was no obstacle at all for their Marquis Jining! Especially since she herself was taken by him when she was still nominally the daughter-in-law of the Liu family, wasn't she?!
And Dou Zhao looked at Dou Ming with some worry, confirming that younger sister Ming was still unaware of this matter. She fundamentally wasn't against having one more woman in the residence; in fact, she had long been mentally prepared. It was just that Wang Yingxue's current status was truly a bit awkward. If younger sister Ming found out later, it would surely lead to another series of troubles! Sigh! There's nothing I can do! Who told me to fall in love with such a Marquis?!I'll just take things one step at a time from now on! I hope the Marquis can handle their relationship well and not cause any future incidents!
"You all say this is really strange, huh? Why, exactly?" At this moment, Zhao Zhangru rested her chin on her hands, still looking confused in Wang Yingxue's direction, mumbling and unable to figure out the exact reason. And Dou Zhao and He Weifang exchanged glances, simultaneously deciding that for now, this matter should only be known by the two of them! Miao Ansu, Zhao Zhangru, and especially Dou Ming, must be kept in the dark!
"Mother! I'll miss you!" The banquet finally ended, and everyone walked together towards the carriages parked outside the estate. Dou Ming, amidst the crowd, held Wang Yingxue's hand and said with a reluctant expression. In truth, Dou Ming already knew that this trip to the Marquis's residence with her sister and brother-in-law, even if it was just for a few days, was essentially no different from entering the Marquis's residence herself! In a few days, Wang Yingxue would persuade her father and Fifth Uncle to sign the concubine agreement, and she would then officially become a noble concubine in the Marquis's residence! Then, she naturally wouldn't need to return! Opportunities to meet her mother, Wang Yingxue, would be few and far between from now on!
"Silly child!" Wang Yingxue looked at Dou Ming with a loving smile, then embraced her. "This is the future you chose for yourself! Don't regret it so easily!" After gently patting her daughter's back twice in comfort, Wang Yingxue said with a smile, a hint of tears even welling up in her eyes. As a mother, how could she not feel reluctant to see her daughter leave? But she also knew that sons grow up to marry, and daughters grow up to be married, so this day would come eventually. After all, she herself had experienced it!
"This isn't difficult!" However, Dou Zhao suddenly stopped, turned back to Wang Yingxue, and said, "If you wish to see your daughter, you can come to the Marquis's residence anytime! Even staying for a few days, just like Dou Ming now, is perfectly fine!"
"Really?" Wang Yingxue was startled, then turned to look at Wei Tingyu, as this matter still required his approval. Wei Tingyu naturally couldn't refuse and simply smiled and nodded, agreeing to her words. At this, both Wang Yingxue and Dou Ming, mother and daughter, were overjoyed! After all, from now on, mother and daughter could meet frequently, and the daughter wouldn't be troubled by her in-laws for returning to her maternal home! This most basic human right was commonplace in the Marquis Jining's residence, but it was completely different in other large aristocratic families!
Of course, Wang Yingxue was so happy for another reason: she and her jade-faced fox-like gentleman could also meet and have dates frequently! This was truly a win-win situation for Wang Yingxue! Thinking this, she couldn't help but blush and glance at the gentleman opposite her. Seeing him also secretly wink at her, that feeling of telepathic connection with her gentleman immediately surged into Wang Yingxue's heart!
What a pity! She and Dou Ming are mother and daughter in this life, so some things are destined to remain secret! Next life, why don't they become sisters! Just like Dou Zhao and Dou Ming, wouldn't that be perfect?