As Xu Huilin finished speaking, everyone understood. It turned out that Xu Huilin’s mother had a good friend in her youth, who was Du Fuling’s mother. This woman, known as Du’s Second Lady, Zhang, had been driven back to her own family by old Master Du.
Before Xu Huilin’s mother was offered to Meng Liangshen, she stayed in the Zhang Family’s residence for some time. She was particularly close to Zhang, and the two were as close as real sisters.
Zhang then married into the Du Family, and Xu Huilin’s mother was sent by the Former Emperor’s consort, Yang Fei, to seduce Meng Liangshen. She bore Meng Liangshen’s eldest son. When the two women met again, Xu Huilin was already over a year old, and Zhang was pregnant again. She declared that if she were carrying a girl, she would marry her to Xu Huilin.
It was said that Zhang was not joking about this, she even gave Xu Huilin’s mother a token as a promise. However, Xu Huilin has always regarded it as idle chatter among women, unwilling to take it seriously. It was not until his mother’s deathbed, when she mentioned it to him once more, did she say, "I know you’re unwilling. But if you have the opportunity, please take care of Fuling for me."
Years passed and Xu Huilin had forgotten all about this. He didn’t think about seeking out that woman named Du Fuling. It wasn’t until Du Fuling suddenly appeared and treated him as her savior that he realized she was the one his mother had entrusted him to take care of.
Despite having no affection for Du Fuling, Xu Huilin couldn’t bear to break his dying mother’s last wish, so he became more tolerant towards Du Fuling.
After listening to his story, Jiang Yichun patted him on the shoulder and said, "If you can’t bear it, just marry her. This destiny of yours is surely destined by heaven. Just look, it started even before her birth."
Bai Ruozhu had just taken a sip of tea and almost spat it out. Jiang Yichun, this guy, really had a black belly and a poisonous tongue.
Xu Huilin slaps the table weakly and says, "No way. If that’s the case, I’d rather stay single for life!"
His expression amused Wu Ying, who was sitting nearby. She couldn’t help but look at him a few more times, becoming curious about his background. However, she didn’t pry, as she knew that those from the Communications Bureau had complicated identities that were not easily pried into.
After dinner, Jiang Yichun had his guards escort Xu Huilin back to the Wu Residence. After bidding them goodbye, Bai Ruozhu checked the time and had Wei San escort Xiaosi back home as well. Their business needed to open in the morning, hence Jiang Yichun and Xiaosi, as men, couldn’t stay in the manor overnight.
With everyone gone, Bai Ruozhu took Dengdeng to the backyard to feed him and put him to sleep. This time, Jiang Yichun wisely didn’t disturb them, fearing that his son wouldn’t sleep. As soon as the child was sound asleep, he then went into their room to romance Bai Ruozhu. They spent quite a long while indulging in the side pleasures of bed, making love until dawn.
The next morning arrived in the blink of an eye. Bai Ruozhu awoke, feeling sore and tired, to feed Dengdeng. She was supposed to be up and about today and should have rested well last night. However, her husband was as ravenous as a hungry wolf, bringing her to the brink of collapse. She swore to herself not to let him have his way again in the future!
"Hey, can you take the baby out? My clients will be here soon and it’s bad for business to have you here. Who will trust me if I break my own rules?" Bai Ruozhu rolled her eyes at him, annoyed.
Jiang Yichun chuckled softly, wrapping his arm around her shoulder to give her forehead a soft kiss. He knew she was angry. Last night he had lost control and was a bit too rough.
But he couldn’t help himself. He could hardly control his desire whenever he saw her, wanting to possess her, to fully integrate her into his life.
Bai Ruozhu found his kiss ticklish and understood that he was trying to appease her. It dissipated some of her anger.
"Alright, take good care of our son. If you don’t, I won’t let you off the hook!" she warned him, playfully pinching him without using too much force.
"Don’t worry, he’s my son too. Do you really think I, as a father, wouldn’t care about him?" Jiang Yichun took Dengdeng in his arms and kissed his little hand.
Bai Ruozhu sighed, "That’s what worries me. You spoil him too much. He has become quite spoiled recently because of you."
She said what she had to say, but the father and son walked out brightly, completely ignoring her words. It was as if she remembered someone saying they wouldn’t always hold their son, but by the next day, they still wouldn’t let go of his hand. She had never seen a father so indulgent with his child.
Bai Ruozhu quickly finished grooming and dressing up. She had been tossing around all night and her complexion was not particularly good, so she had to put on a light makeup to appear spirited.
After having her breakfast, the first lady with an appointment arrived promptly.
Since her manor was set in the outskirts, it was designed for tranquility and peace. Therefore, she did not indulge in conventional firecrackers and opening ceremonies. She simply hung a plaque written by her second brother at the entrance of the manor. It read: Hua Xiangrong Beauty Salon.
At this time, Lin Ping’er, Guizhi, and all the maids from the house had arrived. It was the first day of business, so everyone came to help. As the female shopkeeper, Guizhi enthusiastically greeted the guests. Having attended banquets with Bai Ruozhu before, she recognized a few of the ladies. Her demeanor and conversation differed from the past.
Bai Ruozhu was happy for her which showed through her newfound confidence and the radiant aura she exuded.
The efficacy of the white jade cream was without question. Customers were praising its good value, despite the cost of visiting the beauty salon. However, soon there were ladies who wanted to buy the product. Upon hearing this, Guizhi smiled and said, "The products are all personally researched and made by my sister. To ensure quality and effect, there really is not much extra, it’s currently only supplied for use in this beauty salon."
Seeing the woman’s disappointment, she continued, "Don’t be disappointed, you do not need to have a beauty treatment every day. Slowly it should be every seven days, but as fast as every three to four days is sufficient. As long as the lady has time to come regularly that would be all."
The lady heard that once every seven days could maintain, she was no longer obsessed with buying the useful creams and lotions.
Customers came in an endless stream. Outside the manor, Jiang Yichun was constantly watching every customer. He felt that it was very unusual for Zhou Jue to have no movement, and he might take action soon.
A beautiful figure went into the manor. She looked delicate and flirtatious with a tiny waist. Even by just looking at her silhouette, you could tell she was a stunning woman.
The woman went to a beauty salon and told the maid serving her, "Is your mistress in? Can she come over? She helped me a lot last time, I want to thank her in person."
The woman’s voice was soft and mushy like someone from Jiangnan. Presumably, she must be a gentle lady.
The maid, Chengyu, checked the record book. This lady’s surname was Cui, she bowed and said, "Please wait a moment, I will go and call my mistress."
"Thank you," she said with a smile, rewarding Changyu with a purse.
Changyu was very happy. Her mistress told her that there would be many rewards at the Hot Spring Manor. She told them to accept the rewards with gratitude and not to decline, which might upset the guests.
"Thank you, Mrs. Cui, I’ll be back shortly." She said, and then bowed out of the room.
In the room, a strange smile formed at the corner of Mrs. Cui’s mouth, making her stunning face even more seductive. Thinking about the flower protector outside, her smile widened.
"No matter how closely you watch, I am going to take her away right under your nose..."