Chapter 7, three people, two beds

However, he could not completely regard himself as Wu's own son, how could he share the same bed with her

Unable to dress oneself, Wu can assist; unable to comb hair and wash face, Wu can also assist; but if one cannot wash their feet or bathe, should one still rely on their mother to serve them? This is not merely an unmarried fiancée coming into the home, it is as if a supreme emperor has arrived!

Seeing Zhu Ying's face full of surprise and suspicion, Mrs. Wu couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed as she explained: "There are indeed empty rooms at home. In the past, A Shou slept in the main room of the backyard, I slept in the east wing, and the west wing is also empty. It would be easy to clear out the main room now, but we have never had guests at home, and there are only two suitable large beds. There are two beds in the front yard... but moving them over for guests would be too neglectful"

As for me, it is sufficient to sleep in the east wing alone! Young lady, do not be in a hurry to refuse; the countryside is not like the city, where there are no night watchmen. In the dead of night, the wind howls and wails, resembling the cries of ghosts and wolves, and one cannot rule out the possibility of wild boars or ferocious wolves appearing.

Absolutely not!" Zhang Shou opposed without a moment's thought

Upon realizing that it was unlikely to drive Zhu Ying away now, he quickly devised a plan and softened his tone as he spoke to Madam Wu: "Mother, she is new here and in an unfamiliar environment, and we do not have any maidservants to attend to her, so she must be feeling uncomfortable. Why don't you take her to sleep in the main room? That way, you can look after her if anything comes up"

Zhu Ying, seeing Zhang Shou remain silent, immediately raised her head and chest and said: "Since childhood, there has been nothing I cannot do"

She had not felt this way before, but now that it has been mentioned, she truly thinks that the name is rather clichéd. It is as if it is a nickname deliberately given by affluent families who are concerned about their children dying young

Because the area is only this small, it takes just a little while to walk around. As expected, he heard the young lady's surprised sigh: "Why is it so small..."

Zhu Ying was somewhat displeased: "Are you planning to, like you did when you mocked Zhu Gongquan, also carry two poems to ridicule me for being unaware of the hardships of the people?"

Zhang Shou couldn't help but shrug: "It is easy to transition from frugality to luxury, but difficult to go from luxury to frugality. This is the nature of humanity. Your family's wealth was earned by your father with his life and fortune; why should I mock you? However, it's one thing if your maid doesn't come, but what about your clothes?"

If Miss Zhu was still confident that she could overcome the issue of the girl, then upon hearing such a significant problem that could not be compromised, she suddenly appeared somewhat dazed

Zhu Ying immediately put on a苦 face upon seeing Zhang Shou. Although she was clearly overjoyed, she still had to pretend as if nothing had happened: "Then I will follow Aunt Wu and call him A Shou!"

Wu hurriedly came out from the main room. Coincidentally, she overheard Zhang Shou and Zhu Ying seemingly speaking loudly, especially noticing Zhu Ying's aggrieved expression, she initially thought they were arguing. It was only after approaching to clarify that she smiled.

For common people, going a day without changing clothes is of no consequence, but for her, it is absolutely unimaginable

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ying almost backed out. However, noticing that Zhang Shou still refused to call her name, she thought about her own resolute declaration to stay, and felt that retreating would be too embarrassing. Thus, she steeled herself and let out a hum.

I did not stay behind just to help you! Remaining in this rural area, are you not going to be looked down upon by someone like Zhu Gongquan? Was it easy for me to come up with such an excuse to stay?

Upon seeing Zhu Ying, he immediately fell silent, and then added, "Of course, being able to live in this house is also thanks to your esteemed father's blessings"

Seeing these two, who resembled a golden boy and a jade girl... No, it should be said that they were a jade boy and a golden girl, actually bickering with each other. On Wu's previously tense face, a hint of a smile finally appeared. However, she still did not know how to interact with Miss Zhu, who hailed from the Duke's residence of Zhao. At this moment, she simply chose to quietly leave and called Aunt Liu from the kitchen to go to the inner courtyard to tidy up the house.

What vexed her the most was that Zhang Shou not only had no intention of finding a solution, but also added insult to injury and made matters worse.

This unexpected guest came in a hurry and left in a hurry, yet left behind a precious young lady for the Zhang family

Zhang Shou had painstakingly cultivated an atmosphere that was unbearable for a young lady, only to have it completely ruined by Wu, leaving him nearly fainting from the shock

With a turn of her eyes, she smiled and said, "Alright, I will listen to Aunt Wu! By the way, since I am already living in your home, there is no need to call me 'Miss.' Both grandmother and father call me Yingying!"

Zhu Yingdong looked around and was pondering why her father, who was not a person to favor the rich over the poor, would place her "fiancé" here. Upon hearing this, she couldn't help but calculate seriously: "It's about several dozen miles. They should speed up on their way back to the city; otherwise, the city gates of the capital will close by evening"

Previously, when Zhu Gongquan sharply remarked "You are not a proper mother-in-law," Wu Shi has felt uncomfortable ever since. At this moment, hearing this seemingly willful and headstrong young lady say such a thing, she was momentarily taken aback yet pleasantly surprised. Just as she was about to say, "How could that be?" she noticed Zhu Ying appeared somewhat displeased, and immediately, she wisely changed her words.

Seeing the young lady smiling and calling out "A-Shou" twice, Zhang Shou felt utterly helpless. However, with his mother holding him back, what could he do?

Zhu Ying did not expect that the issue Zhang Shou was concerned about was such a matter, and she felt somewhat belittled, momentarily irritated: "I have hands and feet, of course I can do it!"

Zhang Shou had to express doubt about her stubbornness like a dead duck. Could a young lady from a prestigious family really be self-reliant

A'Shou recently made two sets of summer clothes, both made of silk, which I specially prepared for his birthday. I haven't had the chance to tell him yet, so he naturally hasn't worn them. Since your figures are similar, Miss, you may as well try them on. I believe the Zhao Duke's residence will certainly send over your belongings by tomorrow.

It is known that she sometimes changes several outfits in a single day at home! There are riding outfits for horseback riding, special attire for visiting guests, and she must change again when entering the palace. There are also casual home clothes, and even when feeding a bird or rowing a boat in the back garden, she must change her clothes!

Although he had some doubts in his heart, Zhang Shou ultimately did not provoke the young lady further, instead leading people to tour his home inside and out. The residence consists of two courtyards; in the outer courtyard, the east and west wing rooms are occupied by Old Liu and his wife, Liu Shan, along with A Liu. The main hall is locked and closed at night. After recovering from his illness, Zhang Shou has lived alone in the main room of the inner courtyard for the past three years, while Wu resides in the east wing of the inner courtyard, and the west wing remains vacant.

Moreover, my family does not wear silk garments; we only wear cloth clothes, which you, young lady, may not be accustomed to. Furthermore, you are tall, while my mother is shorter, so you would not fit into her clothes either. It would be better for me to have Old Liu and A Liu prepare a carriage to take you to catch up with your family members.

She had a sudden inspiration and pointed at the smiling Zhang Shou, saying: "Yingying, you should also call him A Shou, just like me!"

"So, the two maids you wanted won't be delivered today?" Zhang Shou looked at the still bewildered young lady in front of him with a subtle expression, sighed, and said, "I don't have any maids at home; are you really capable, young lady?"

Zhang Shou glanced at Zhu Ying and saw that the beautiful young lady was clearly in a state of shock, her jaw dropped. He couldn't help but shake his head and sigh

Zhang Shou could not help but chuckle: "My home is humble, Miss, please be understanding. After all, compared to those hardworking villagers, my household is already quite luxurious."

However, what he did not expect was that Wu suddenly made another surprising proposal: "A'Shou, why don't you sleep with your mother tonight"

As Zhang Shou helplessly planned to take Miss Zhu on a tour of his family's "mansion," which was the finest in the village, he suddenly thought of a very pressing question: "How far is it from the capital?"

"Zhang Shou, are you in such a hurry to drive me away?" At this moment, Zhu Ying finally exploded.

You want to stay at my house, and now you see how difficult the conditions are in the countryside

Do not scare me. Since there aren't enough beds, I can sleep with Aunt Wu! My archery skills are quite good; if there are really any supernatural beings, I can scare them away with a single arrow. No one in this village can match me!

Zhu Ying, however, was overjoyed. Just based on a single remark from Wu, Zhang Shou was rendered speechless, allowing her to finally feel at ease to stay, for which she must express her gratitude! Although the way Zhu Gongquan referred to Wu lingered in her mind for a moment, she quickly suppressed it.

Of course, if you are handsome and charming, yet the kind of person who flatters me upon seeing me or upon learning of my background as a member of the Zhao State Duke's residence, I would not stay...