Translator – Xiao He Lian
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Chapter 114.1
Time flew by, and it was already mid-October.
The autumn wind was rustling, and the tree shadows were sparse.
Just after Shen Zhen finished her breakfast, she heard a burst of noisy noise coming from outside. Shen Zhen put on a cloak and walked outside the door. He saw his father leading more than a dozen carpenters (craftsmen) holding knives, wood, axes, ink, and ropes, walking towards the west wing.
Shen Wenqi said to a square-faced carpenter, “Make the base of this place higher, two feet is better.”
The carpenter said, “I’ll take note of it.”
Shen Wenqi nodded and said, “I plan to turn the empty courtyard in the northeast into an ancestral hall. You can take people to measure its height, depth, width and length later.”
The square-faced carpenter scratched his temples and said apologetically, “We were in a hurry to leave today. We only brought ink and ropes, but forgot to bring rulers.”
Shen Wenqi said, “It’s okay. I have a ruler in my study. I’ll bring it to you later.”
The Carpenter said “eh” twice, and then asked, “Does the lord have any other requests?”
Shen Wenqi was silent for a while. He looked around and his gaze finally fell on the north wall, which was the closest wall to Beiyayuan where Shen Zhen lived.
It was indeed a bit low.
Lu Yan’s words from the past once again entered Shen Wenqi’s ears.
Shen Wenqi paused and said to the carpenter, “Use rammed earth to rebuild the walls in this courtyard.”
He wanted to see who could climb over the wall that he had personally supervised and built.
When Shen Shu heard that her father was going to rebuild the wall, she couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
She could guess who the wall was built for even with her eyes closed.
Who would have thought that the Governor of Jingzhao, who was in charge of Chang’an’s public security, would actually be treated as a thief one day…
Shen Zhen’s face turned completely red, and she pushed Shen Shu with her arm guiltily, “Sister, what are you laughing at?”
Shen Shu glanced at Shen Zhen mischievously, “Why do you think?”
Shen Zhen was speechless and turned back to the courtyard.
Half an hour later, Zhang momo lifted the curtain and walked in.
After Shen Zhen’s biological mother died, Shen Wenqi did not remarry. There was no mistress in the house, so Shen Wenqi had to invite an momo from the palace to teach Shen Zhen the rules of a wife.
Shen Zhen stood up and said, “Zhang momo.”
Zhang momo smiled and said, “Have you finished the ten-color paper[mfn](it is an art of making paper)[/mfn] from yesterday?”
Shen Zhen said, “It’s done.” After that, Shen Zhen handed the ten-colored paper to Aunt Zhang.
Zhang momo looked at the flowered paper in her hand, which was of top quality in both color and pattern, and nodded with satisfaction, “You are really skillful.”
Although she came here on the orders of the Crown Prince to teach the rules, after spending these days together, she also fell in love with the lady in front of her from the bottom of her heart.
Because of this love, Zhang momo was particularly attentive when teaching her.
It is no exaggeration to say that she has taught her everything she knows, including the art of literary play, the art of tea and wine, the art of letter writing, the art of women’s needlework and the art of music and dance.
Zhang momo looked at Shen Zhen and said, “I will be returning to the palace tomorrow. I came here today because I have something to tell you.”
Shen Zhen said seriously: “Momo, please tell me.”
Zhang momo took out a list from her sleeve and said, “Miss, take a look at this first.”
Shen Zhen took it, opened it slowly, and then couldn’t help but widen her eyes, “This, this is all about the Lu family…”
Zhang momo smiled and said, “What I want to talk to you about today is the Lu family.”
There were so many tricks involved in marrying into a wealthy family. How can one succeed if one only knows the skills of dealing with the concubines in the inner chamber?
Lu Yan was the eldest son of the Duke of Zhenguo’s Mansion and the only son of the current Princess Jing’an. When Shen Zhen marries him, she will become the head of the Lu family one day.
It would be impossible to enter the Lu Mansion in the dark.
Zhang momo said slowly, “There are three branches in the Duke of Zhenguo’s Mansion. The head of the family is the first house, which is your future parents-in-law, the Duke of Zhenguo and Princess Jing’an. Look at this. The second master of the Lu family, Lu He, married the daughter of the Right Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Next to him is the third master, Lu Can, who married the daughter of the Wen family, the largest cloth merchant in the Jin Dynasty. Oh, yes, Concubine Meng in the palace is the niece of the Wen family.”
“Among his generation, Lu Yan has two older brothers, Lu Ting and Lu Ye, and two younger sisters, Lu Jin and Lu Heng…”
Zhang momo talked for a long time, and Shen Zhen’s expression gradually changed from shock to admiration, and finally a buzzing sound appeared in her ears.
After talking about the Lu family, Zhang momo took out a picture album and handed it to Shen Zhen, “Miss, take a look at this too.”
Shen Zhen didn’t think much about it. She opened it and took a look and her face turned redder and redder.
All the paintings here were all about…sexual matters between men and women.
Shen Zhen’s pair of clear and bright eyes were naturally deceptive. Her blushing face looked like an innocent girl in Zhang momo‘s eyes.
Zhang momo had taught many ladies, and knowing that she was currently feeling shy, she said to her, “Don’t be shy. You will understand these things sooner or later. If you don’t understand, you have to ask. To be honest with Miss, if the Lu family’s young master is a loving person, it would be good. If not, you will suffer if you marry him.”
Indeed, Lu Yan had already made Third You Lady Shen suffer this pain once.
Zhang momo looked at Shen Zhen’s delicate skin that had turned red and couldn’t help but sigh, “Miss, remember, on the first night after you get married, you must not let him do it if it hurts. If it hurts, don’t just bear it, you must speak up. If you really have to endure this kind of thing, it will be difficult to speak up again.”
Shen Zhen nodded with deep understanding, “I’ll remember it.”
Zhang momo then whispered, “The heir apparent will be twenty-five next year, and he has no children. The most important thing for you when you marry him is to have children. After every act, remember to raise your legs and waist higher so that it will be easier to get pregnant.”
Shen Zhen knew that having an heir was important. Hearing this, she raised her head and asked in all seriousness, “Momo, how long will it take…”
