radicalducati Chapter 153 The Bright and Elegant Fake Gold 30
Chapter 153 The Bright and Elegant Fake Gold 30
The two were inseparable after their marriage, and everyone in the capital knew that Liu Yunshu was Wen Shaofu's lifeblood.
The young women and girls throughout Beijing were filled with envy and often talked about it at flower-viewing banquets and cosmetic shops.
It is said that Wen Shaofu, a man of great talent and high position, devoted all his attention to Liu Yunshu.
Meanwhile, all the married men in the capital envied Wen Zhimiao's good fortune; who wouldn't envy him for marrying such a charming and affectionate wife?
Liu Yunshu is not only beautiful, but also has a charming and likable personality.
On this day, the Princess's residence was hosting a banquet to appreciate the flowers, and almost all the noble families in the capital were present.
Liu Yunshu, dressed in a smoky pink silk dress with a fresh crabapple blossom in her hair, walked into the garden gate arm in arm with Wen Zhimiao, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
"Look at him, Wen Shaofu is inseparable from his wife."
"Absolutely! Look at his eyes, they're practically all he sees!"
Hearing the soft exclamation, Liu Yunshu turned her head and winked at Wen Zhimiao, teasing him in a low voice, "Brother, look at you, you're the center of attention again."
Wen Zhimiao held her hand tightly, her fingertips caressing the butterfly bracelet on her wrist, her tone doting: "It's because Madam is too dazzling, I'm just basking in her glory."
As soon as the two reached the edge of the peony bushes, several wives of officials greeted them with smiles, praising their affection for each other.
Liu Yunshu responded gracefully, a gentle smile playing on her lips. Occasionally, when her gaze drifted towards Wen Zhimiao, a touch of her unique charm would appear.
As they were talking, the eldest princess walked over with a smile and took Liu Yunshu's hand.
"Yun Shu, you have to teach me how to keep my husband so obedient. Look at Wen Shaofu, he doesn't even have eyes for anyone else."
Liu Yunshu's cheeks flushed slightly, and she was about to speak when Wen Zhimiao spoke first: "Your Highness is joking. It's not that my wife is controlling me; it's that I willingly stay by her side."
This remark drew chuckles from the crowd, who jokingly called Wen Zhimiao a "romantic."
When the women were alone, they all gathered around, asking Liu Yunshu for her secrets.
"Sister Yunshu, tell me quickly, how did you manage to make Young Master Wen, with his aloof personality, so attentive to you?"
The wife of the Vice Minister of Revenue spoke first, her eyes full of curiosity.
"That's right. My husband is always busy with social engagements and playing chess. He's nothing like Wen Shaofu, who holds your hand every time we go out."
The wife of the Minister of Rites sighed, her tone full of envy.
Liu Yunshu looked at the wife of the Minister of Rites, pondered for a moment, and asked, "I wonder how you and the Minister have always gotten along?"
The wife of the Minister of Rites sighed, "What else can I do? He goes to the yamen every morning and comes back in the evening to bury himself in his study, or he goes out to play chess with his colleagues. I prepare dinner for him, and he gets annoyed if I say more than a few words."
Liu Yunshu coughed lightly, glanced around, and then asked in a low voice, "Would Madam mind discussing some private matters?"
"Private matters?" The Minister of Rites' wife paused, then blushed slightly. "You mean matters of the bedroom?"
Liu Yunshu nodded, but her tone was frank and gentle: "Ladies, don't underestimate the matters of the bedroom; they are the most intimate bond between husband and wife."
The ladies exchanged bewildered glances, while the young ladies blushed with embarrassment, yet secretly strained their ears to listen.
The wife of the Minister of Rites was taken aback, a blush creeping onto her face. She stammered, "This...this is actually quite particular? I thought it was just a duty between husband and wife, and I never dared to say anything..."
Liu Yunshu put down her teacup and said frankly, "The most important thing in matters of the bedroom is harmony. Think about it, if even this most private matter isn't harmonious, how can you expect to be close in your daily life?"
Seeing the thoughtful looks on everyone's faces, she continued, "Think about it, wasn't your most intimate time right after you got married?"
"Yes! We were so inseparable back then, like honey and oil, but now... sigh, the passion of the past is long gone."
The wife of the Minister of Rites took over the conversation, her tone full of melancholy.
Many ladies nodded in agreement.
The wife of the Minister of War sighed, "That's right! When we first got married, he would bring me sweet cakes from the street corner, but now he can't even remember whether I like sweet or savory."
"It's important to maintain a sense of novelty between men and women, especially in the bedroom. If you use the same position every day and do it perfunctorily every time, you'll naturally grow apart over time."
Liu Yunshu took a sip of tea and said slowly, "Husbands and wives are the closest of people, so there's no need to be bound by formalities. We can have more fun together in private."
The ladies blushed as they listened, but none of them moved away; instead, they moved even closer.
The wife of the Vice Minister of Revenue asked shyly, "But...but we both come from prominent families. Wouldn't it be beneath our dignity to be so proactive?"
"What's more important than marital harmony?" Liu Yunshu put down her teacup, her eyes filled with a candid tenderness.
"Moreover, women are like fields, and men are like water. Without water, how can the fields grow lush and abundant?"
"But... but how exactly do I do it?" a slightly younger woman asked timidly, her eyes full of anticipation.
Everyone stared at her with shining eyes, and even Madam Wen secretly pricked up her ears.
"Want to know?" Liu Yunshu raised an eyebrow as she looked at them.
"Yun Shu, stop keeping me in suspense! Tell me already!"
The eldest princess couldn't contain herself any longer. She grabbed Liu Yunshu's arm and shook it, her eyes filled with urgency: "Stop teasing us! Tell us if you have any ideas!"
Liu Yunshu chuckled and waved to the crowd. Once they were all close, she lowered her voice and said, "Just like this, and like that."
The crowd gasped in surprise, their cheeks burning, yet they couldn't help but nod repeatedly.
The eldest princess covered her lips, her eyes filled with surprise, which then turned into a knowing smile.
"I see! I had never thought of these things before; you've enlightened me."
The wife of the Vice Minister of Revenue blushed so much her fingertips burned, but she still whispered, "Then... what if my husband isn't willing?"
Liu Yunshu picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said meaningfully, "Don't worry, Madam, no man will refuse."
A few days later, changes quietly began to occur in the capital.
The Vice Minister of Revenue surprisingly accompanied his wife to a cosmetics shop and even personally picked out a box of rose-scented powder.
After court each day, the Minister of Rites no longer went to the chess club, but instead went home early and brought his wife some sweet cakes from the street corner.
Even the usually serious Minister of War sent a fine pearl hairpin to his wife.
These changes naturally reached Liu Yunshu's ears. That day, she was sunbathing with Wen Zhimiao in the courtyard of the mansion, and she told him about it with a smile.
"It seems what I said that day helped quite a few people." Liu Yunshu leaned on his shoulder, her tone tinged with pride.
Wen Zhimiao lowered his head and kissed the top of her head, his fingertips caressing the butterfly bracelet on her wrist, a mixture of helplessness and doting affection in his voice.
"Only you would dare to say such things in that kind of setting. If it were anyone else, they would have been labeled as 'disrespectful'."
"I'm doing this for their own good. A harmonious marriage is the foundation of a peaceful home."
Liu Yunshu looked up at him, her eyes curving slightly at the corners.
"Besides, I learned all of this from my husband. If he hadn't been so good to me, I wouldn't know how to get along with him."
Wen Zhimiao's heart softened at her coaxing, and she reached out to hug her even tighter: "You're such a smooth talker. But no matter what you do, I'll be with you."
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
The following Mid-Autumn Festival, Liu Yunshu gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl.
The entire Wen household was in an uproar; from the steward to the servants, everyone wore an undisguised joy on their faces.
Wen Zhimiao had just finished court when he was informed that Liu Yunshu had given birth to twins, a boy and a girl. He immediately asked Wen Lin, "How is Madam's health?"
Without waiting for Wen Lin's reply, he hurriedly walked out of the palace gate.
After taking only a few steps, he suddenly turned around and headed towards the Golden Palace.
Wen Lin, who almost bumped into Wen Zhimiao, scratched his head in confusion.
The adults around were also taken aback, and they all stepped forward to tease, "Is the young master confused? He was just about to go see the madam, why did he turn back?"
Wen Zhimiao did not stop walking, but smiled and cupped her hands.
"My colleagues, please forgive me. My wife has given birth to twins, a boy and a girl. I must first resign from my post to take care of her at home for the next few days. I will have to trouble you all to help with the trivial matters in the office."
Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged bewildered glances. A woman's childbirth is a natural right; why would a man need to be at home with her? They'd never heard of such a thing!
The officials followed them into the Golden Palace.
Wen Zhimiao bowed to the emperor and explained the reason, his tone earnest: "Your Majesty, my wife has just given birth and is weak. I am worried about her and humbly request that Your Majesty grant me leave for five days to return home and take care of her."
The hall fell silent for a moment, and then an old minister stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, the Junior Tutor's actions are inappropriate. Men should prioritize official duties at court. The birth of one's wife is taken care of by the maids and servants in the household; why should one personally request leave?"
"Your Excellency is mistaken. My wife has borne me children and endured many dangers; this is precisely the time when she needs my companionship the most."
Wen Zhimiao raised her eyes, her expression calm: "Moreover, how can one govern the court if one's family is not at peace?"
He paused, then bowed respectfully to Emperor Heng of Han: "Your Majesty, I believe that taking care of one's wife and children is a man's duty. If I can stay by my wife's side, I will certainly work even harder to repay Your Majesty's trust once she is settled."
Emperor Heng of Han sat on the dragon throne, looking down at Wen Zhimiao, whose expression was sincere, and then glanced at the old minister who looked disapproving. Suddenly, he clapped his hands and laughed.
"Minister Wen is absolutely right! Only by cultivating oneself and managing one's family can one govern the country and bring peace to the world. You are loyal and righteous, and you take good care of your family. How could I not grant you leave? I grant you leave for seven days to take good care of your wife and children. If there is any shortage in your household, please let the Imperial Household Department know."
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!" Wen Zhimiao was overjoyed and bowed again.
He turned and strode out of the Golden Palace, not even noticing that the hem of his court robes swept across the steps. His hurried manner caused the officials in the palace to burst into laughter.
As soon as this news broke, it spread throughout the capital, and everyone marveled at it once again.
The women who had previously envied Liu Yunshu for being favored by Wen Zhimiao were now filled with longing, and even their own husbands were being nagged at until their ears ached.
Meanwhile, the married young men were suffering immensely, yet secretly envious.
What they didn't know was that the couple's subsequent elaborate displays of affection only made them feel more helpless and envious.
Even the storytellers in the capital turned the anecdotes of Wen Shaofu's doting on his wife into tales, which they told with great relish in teahouses every day.