Сhеng Сhi сеrtаinly did not disарроint Zhоu Shaojin in the slightеst.
Нe smiled, gеntly smoоthing hеr hаir, аnd whisреred, "Thе Emperor has morе thаn just the Сrown Рrinсе аnd Fourth Рrinсе аs sоns, doеsn't he?"
Zhou Shaоjin wаs startlеd: "You... what arе you рlanning to dо?"
"Nоthing muсh," Сhеng Сhi sаid calmlу. "Вefоrе, whеn I didn’t havе yоu аnd Yun Ge'er, рlаying gаmes with him was fine. Вut now that I havе а fаmily tо care fоr, I wоn’t аllow аnуthing thаt might hаrm уоu to grоw unсheсked. Тhe Crоwn Prinсе аnd the Сrоwn Рrinсe’s eldest sоn will both fall ill and pass аway, and аfter Fourth Рrincе аscеnds the throne, he will plot against the Cheng family. Rather than that, why not support another prince to succeed? Why waste so much effort trying to cure the Crown Prince and his eldest son..."
"Can... can this really work?" Although Zhou Shaojin had vaguely sensed Cheng Chi’s intentions, hearing him say it aloud still filled her with unease. "Fourth Prince... is the destined true dragon, the Son of Heaven..."
"If there really were such a thing as 'destiny,' then why would there be a saying like 'the victor becomes king, the loser becomes a bandit'?" Cheng Chi dismissed the idea. "Don’t worry, I will definitely protect you and our child."
Yet Zhou Shaojin thought of her previous life—those ten years of stable, quiet, yet suffocatingly stagnant days. She couldn’t help but lean her head against Cheng Chi’s chest, listening to his steady, powerful heartbeat, and said softly, "Wherever you go, I will naturally follow. Even in death, whether in the heavens or the underworld, I will stay with you. Just make sure Yun Ge'er is well taken care of. He’s still young—he should see the sights of this world, so his time here won’t be in vain..."
Her calm and matter-of-fact tone made Cheng Chi’s heart ache with tenderness and sweetness.
He kissed Zhou Shaojin’s forehead and smiled. "I still plan to grow old with you! You can’t say such discouraging things."
Zhou Shaojin looked up at him, her lips curving into a smile.
That smile was as intoxicating as the spring breeze in March.
Unable to resist, Cheng Chi lowered his head and their lips met in a lingering kiss.
The dim, hazy light in the room seemed to shimmer with an ambiguous warmth.
Zhou Shaojin closed her eyes shyly, her arms tightly encircling Cheng Chi’s waist, lost in his tenderness and affection.
It wasn’t until Qing Feng’s low voice came from outside the door, "Fourth Master, Minister Zhang has come out," that Cheng Chi reluctantly pulled away from those soft, sweet, honey-like lips, his voice slightly hoarse as he said, "Wait for me to return tonight."
The implication in his words made Zhou Shaojin, who had been showered with affection these past days, immediately understand his meaning. Her face flushed with uncontrollable shyness, burning hotly, while her heart felt as if soaked in spring water—soft and weak, without any strength. All she could do was murmur a faint, shy "Mm" in response.
Cheng Chi couldn’t help but gently stroke Zhou Shaojin’s cheek.
Before, he had thought Zhou Shaojin’s temperament was too gentle and submissive, making her easy to bully. But now he felt her nature was truly wonderful—she yielded to him in everything, complied with him in all matters. He could do as he pleased, and whenever he saw her, he wanted to hold her close, afraid she might be unhappy without telling him, suffering in silence, or even occasionally thinking of that person. His heart softened so much it felt as if it could melt into droplets of water."There are too many guests at home today." He kissed Zhou Shaojin's temple. "I didn't expect it either. But since the guests have already arrived, we can't just send them away. When Yun Ge'er turns one, we'll plan it properly. We'll only invite family then, so you won't be too exhausted to even eat a proper meal. Just bear with it today. When we return tonight, I'll soak your feet for you."
How could she let Si Lang soak her feet?
Zhou Shaojin's face flushed even deeper, while the affection revealed in Cheng Chi's words washed over her heart like a tide.
She didn't want to leave Cheng Chi for even a moment, clinging to his waist and unwilling to let go.
Sensing her reluctance, Cheng Chi's lips curved into a high smile. He indulged her, allowing her to hold him.
Qing Feng, having waited a long time without Cheng Chi emerging, grew anxious and whispered through the door again, "Fourth Master, Minister Zhang is looking for you!"
Feeling embarrassed, Zhou Shaojin quickly released Cheng Chi and whispered, "I'll go back first. Drink less wine. It's too harmful to your health."
How could Cheng Chi let go immediately? Hesitating, he looked down and saw her rosy lips, unable to resist leaning in to kiss them. He chuckled softly, "If I drink less, what reward will you give me?"
"Eh?!" Zhou Shaojin widened her eyes.
Cheng Chi repeated, "If you tell me to drink less, I'll drink less. But surely there should be some reward? Otherwise, how will I remember your reminder next time!"
Si Lang was acting coquettish with her!
Realizing this, Zhou Shaojin was utterly stunned, yet her heart tingled with a mix of ache, pride, and joy.
She couldn't help but ask, "Then what do you suggest?" The little girl, who had never flirted with anyone before, pondered seriously. "Should I embroider a new fan pouch for you? Or sew you some clothes?"
"Those things are done by the sewing room!" Cheng Chi laughed. "Such rewards lack sincerity!"
That's true too!
Zhou Shaojin gazed at him, her heart full of Cheng Chi, and said, "Then, then what do you think?"
Cheng Chi thought for a moment and said seriously, "Then when I return tonight, I'll do whatever I want..."
Zhou Shaojin breathed a sigh of relief.
She had always yielded to Cheng Chi in everything, so naturally, whatever he said went.
"Alright!" she agreed happily.
A glint of triumph flashed in Cheng Chi's eyes. He hugged Zhou Shaojin once more and quickly left the side room.
But Zhou Shaojin was lost in thought.
Had she said something wrong?
Why did that triumphant glint flash in Si Lang's eyes?
Zhou Shaojin tilted her head, thinking for a long time but unable to figure out the reason.
It wasn't until Cheng Chi returned that night, after they had washed up and were tangled beneath the covers, when Cheng Chi leaned against the headboard, holding Zhou Shaojin's waist and asking her to ride on top of him, that she understood why he had said that.
Her face burned so hot that tears fell. Pressing her hands against Cheng Chi's chest, she shook her head repeatedly. "I can't... I don't know how... It hurts..."
But Cheng Chi patiently coaxed her, "You promised me... I'll tell you... It won't hurt, it won't... You'll know once you try..."
But this was too absurd.
Zhou Shaojin vaguely felt that if things continued like this, they might not be far from daytime indulgence.
How did things come to this?
She felt nervous.
Cheng Chi continued to coax her patiently.
Zhou Shaojin feared nothing more than when Cheng Chi coaxed her like this.
Whenever he coaxed her this way, she would likely agree to almost any absurd thing.Zhou Shaojin simply closed her eyes and let things take their course... The result was that she woke the next morning to Yun Ge'er's cries long after the sun had risen high.
Feeling her empty breasts, she felt too ashamed to face her son. After finally washing up and dressing, she went out to find Yun Ge'er rushing toward her with a tear-streaked face.
Zhou Shaojin guiltily embraced her son.
Yun Ge'er buried himself in Zhou Shaojin's arms and cried even harder.
Filled with remorse, Zhou Shaojin carried Yun Ge'er to pay respects to Old Madam Guo first, then took a sedan chair to the guest quarters in the eastern compound.
Madam Li had arrived yesterday morning with Youjin, who was over four years old, and Zhou Zongjin, not yet two. After a lively day, the mother and her two children had fallen into deep sleep. When Zhou Shaojin arrived, they still hadn't risen.
Mama Li, an old servant by Madam Li's side, hurried forward upon hearing Zhou Shaojin had come.
Jixiang helped Zhou Shaojin alight from the sedan chair, but Yun Ge'er clung to his mother, refusing to be put down.
Heart aching from his earlier distress, Zhou Shaojin indulged him and carried him down while still holding him.
Only then did a faint smile appear on Yun Ge'er's face.
Mama Li gazed at Yun Ge'er's exquisite, lovely features with great fondness. After greeting Zhou Shaojin, she looked at Yun Ge'er and smiled, "This must be the young master? He's truly beautiful! He'll surely grow into a handsome man!" She extended her hands toward him, "Young Master Yun. I'm a mama serving your maternal grandmother. May this old mama hold you?"
Yun Ge'er had just reached one hundred days old—an age when he should understand nothing—yet he seemed to comprehend her words, twisting his body to burrow deeper into his mother's embrace without even glancing at Mama Li.
Mama Li couldn't believe it. She said to Zhou Shaojin, "Second Young Mistress, is Young Master Yun already beginning to recognize people?"
Zhou Shaojin wasn't certain either and replied with a smile, "Perhaps he's just familiar with my scent. And he has quite a temper—he won't let anyone else hold him!"
"Even so, Young Master Yun is remarkably clever!" Mama Li said. "I've seen countless children, but this is the first time I've encountered one barely a hundred days old who already distinguishes between people."
"Really?" Hearing others praise her and Si Lang's son as intelligent, Zhou Shaojin smiled so widely her mouth nearly couldn't close.
From inside the room, Madam Li called out loudly upon hearing the commotion, "Who's there?"
"It's Second Young Mistress!" Mama Li answered, quickly lifting the curtain to invite Zhou Shaojin and her son inside.
Madam Li had already risen and was sitting on the bed drinking honey water, her hair done up in a simple bun.
She came forward as soon as Zhou Shaojin entered, smiling as she said, "Why have you come so early?" while reaching out to hold Yun Ge'er.
Yun Ge'er again behaved as before, turning his head and throwing himself against Zhou Shaojin's chest.
Mama Li laughingly recounted what had just happened.
Both surprised and delighted, Madam Li said, "I never imagined our Yun Ge'er would be so clever. He'll surely become a top scholar in the future."
Zhou Shaojin chuckled happily.
The two women sat on opposite sides of the large kang by the window.
Normally at this time, Yun Ge'er would fuss to be walked around, but now he obediently nestled in Zhou Shaojin's arms, playing with his own fingers.
Zhou Shaojin began conversing with Madam Li: "Is Father's health well? Was your journey peaceful? Why did you only manage to arrive yesterday morning? I thought you might not make it. And Youjin and Zongjin? Are they still sleeping?""Master has always been in robust health," said Madam Li, her smile turning somewhat bitter. "This is all my fault. The master asked me to come a few days earlier, but I was worried he would have no one to take care of him, so I delayed for a few days. Who would have thought that halfway here, the carriage axle broke? After finally getting it repaired, we were nearly run into by the couriers delivering messages on the post road. Zongjin was so frightened he burst into tears and couldn’t be comforted no matter what. Afraid the child might have encountered something ill-omened, I first found a temple to stay at, called a doctor for Zongjin, and had a few doses of calming medicine prescribed. That’s why we arrived late!"
Zhou Shaojin quickly asked, "Is Zongjin feeling better now? If Zongjin is unwell, that’s a serious matter. You should have rested a few more days on the road!"
After all, Zhou Zongjin was her father’s only son.
Madam Li hurriedly replied with a smile, "He’s better, much better! Otherwise, we wouldn’t have been able to rush over early yesterday morning."
Yesterday had been too busy, and Zhou Shaojin hadn’t had the chance to speak properly with Madam Li.
※
Dear readers, this is an extra chapter for "Big White 0303."
Updates will still be around 10 p.m. in the evening.
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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