Сhеng Сhi smiled disdainfullу аnd sаid, "Тhаt's why I can't bе bоthered tо waste brаinроwеr оn thеse mattеrs."
Let them fight among themselvеs likе dogs.
Zhоu Shaоjin thоught оf whаt the Fоurth Рrinсе hаd donе to the Chеng fаmily in hеr past life аnd said, "If onlу someоnе соuld disсоvеr that this mattеr is rеlatеd tо thе Fourth Рrincе!"
Сheng Chi smilеd, kissеd her сheek, and sаid, "If I can discоvеr it, оthers сertainly саn tоo. Nо оnе in this wоrld is а fоol. It's just а mаtter оf when it will bе discovеred аnd whеn thе discоvеrеr will еxposе it. Just like that actor fаvored by thе Third Prinсe—wаsn't it оnly аfter a full ten-month pregnancy and the child's birth that the news came out?"
Zhou Shaojin nodded and said, "That actor probably won't survive. I wonder what will become of that child in the end?"
What else could possibly happen?
After a palace coup, even princesses living in the cold palace could be kept like pigs, let alone such a child.
As for himself, by stirring up trouble everywhere, wasn't he just trying to make the Fourth Prince feel anxious and reveal his flaws earlier?
Although it now appears that the Third Prince is at a disadvantage, in reality, ever since the Crown Prince and several other princes encountered incidents, his second uncle had told him that the Emperor had vaguely sensed something amiss, though no concrete evidence had been found. However, surveillance over the princes and imperial grandsons had become stricter. He had also made some moves, believing that even if the Emperor's men couldn't uncover the mastermind behind it all, all suspicions would point to the Fourth Prince.
Once this seed of doubt was planted, the Fourth Prince would forever be disqualified from the throne in the Golden Hall.
Unless he could stage a palace coup!
Thinking of this, Cheng Chi couldn't help but stroke his chin.
A palace coup?
From what he knew, the Emperor was not such a muddle-headed man!
If it really was him who plotted behind the scenes to kill the Crown Prince, the Imperial Grandson, and several other princes in the past life, perhaps he truly did ascend through a palace coup.
This would explain many things.
Then let him see if his speculation was correct!
Cheng Chi smiled faintly, not wanting Zhou Shaojin to dwell on it too deeply, and changed the subject: "After this incident with the Third Prince, the atmosphere in the capital has become tense. Remember to tell me two days in advance when you plan to go to Hongluo Temple, and take more guards with you. If you plan to stay overnight, I'll come pick you up after I finish at the yamen." As he spoke, he kissed her cheek again.
Zhou Shaojin felt as sweet as if she had eaten honey. With tender affection, she said, "Asheng said we should go another day... anyway, the first day of the tenth month is coming up soon. We'll need to offer sacrifices to our ancestors, and everyone can gather then."
Cheng Chi looked into her eyes, which seemed to hold a pool of water, and couldn't resist holding her in his arms. The couple spent the entire afternoon being affectionate in the study. By the time they went to Old Madam Guo's place for dinner at lighting time, Zhou Shaojin's legs were still weak and limp.
Old Madam Guo, however, was very pleased. She showed Zhou Shaojin a pair of red gold hairpins inlaid with jade and said, "Madam Min just sent these from Mianzhu County. She said they were to celebrate my birthday—perhaps she miscalculated the timing, as the hairpins arrived a bit late, but her sentiments are not late."
Zhou Shaojin smiled and poured tea for Old Madam Guo.Old Madam Guo took out Cheng Xu's letter for Cheng Chi to read, saying, "Judging by his tone, he has already settled down in Mianzhu and gets along well with both superiors and subordinates. During the Ghost Festival in mid-July, he even attended the incense gathering at the largest temple in Mianzhu County... This child grew up in a honey jar, so I was worried he wouldn't understand worldly affairs. Now it seems I was overthinking."
Cheng Chi took the letter and quickly scanned it, smiling as he said, "If a child isn't let out to wander, how would we know if he might get lost? Fortunately, it's not too late."
Old Madam Guo nodded with a smile, took a few sips of tea, and had someone bring Yun Ge'er out.
Cheng Chi felt Yun Ge'er was old enough and had weaned him a few days earlier.
These past few days, Yun Ge'er had been listless and uncomfortable.
When he saw Cheng Chi, he turned his face away, but upon seeing Zhou Shaojin, his eyes welled up with tears.
Seeing how much thinner the child had become in just a few days, Zhou Shaojin felt heartbroken. She held him in her arms, showering him with affection, calling him "darling" and kissing him repeatedly. Only after a long while did Yun Ge'er's mood improve. With tears in his eyes, he looked at Cheng Chi and said to Zhou Shaojin, "Mother, I want to be with you."
A month after his first birthday, he suddenly began speaking in four- or six-word phrases, sometimes even mumbling entire sentences.
Zhou Shaojin glanced at Old Madam Guo.
She had heard from experienced mothers in the household that weaning varied from child to child—some adjusted in two or three days, while others struggled for four or five days.
Yun Ge'er had been staying in Old Madam Guo's room these days, so whether he could be taken back had to be discussed with her.
Yun Ge'er was exceptionally clever. At such a young age, having heard from those around him that Cheng Chi was the one who stopped him from nursing, he had decided Cheng Chi was no good. This child was now the apple of her eye. She didn’t want Yun Ge'er to think the same of her, so she subtly shook her head at Zhou Shaojin and said, "Hasn't your cold not fully recovered yet? Take him back once you're feeling better."
Upon hearing this, Yun Ge'er's tears welled up even more. He reached out his little hand to touch Zhou Shaojin's face, saying, "Mother eat candy, eat candy no hurt."
During the weaning process, he had cried and fussed terribly. Old Madam Guo had comforted him by saying Zhou Shaojin was unwell, which finally calmed him down. These past few days, whenever he wanted to nurse, he would only pout and eat lamb milk porridge instead.
Zhou Shaojin felt immensely guilty. If Cheng Chi hadn't been nearby, she might have given in and let him continue—after all, some children in other families nursed until they were seven or eight years old.
Thinking this, she regretted having nursed him herself.
If it had been a wet nurse, Cheng Chi might have allowed Yun Ge'er to continue nursing.
Cheng Chi seemed to read her thoughts, looking up at her and saying, "He's a boy. He can't always be coddled in a woman's arms."
Zhou Shaojin knew Cheng Chi was right, but her heart still ached. While Old Madam Guo and Cheng Chi were talking, she kept Yun Ge'er company playing with the nine-linked rings.
Yun Ge'er was already quite skilled with the nine-linked rings, to the point where Zhou Shaojin was gradually finding it challenging to keep up. Yun Ge'er then took a red string and played cat's cradle with her.
Surprised, Zhou Shaojin asked the attendant beside her, "Who taught him this?"
She remembered playing cat's cradle herself when she was seven or eight years old, but Yun Ge'er wasn't even two yet!
Chenxiang smiled and said, "The young master saw us sisters playing, so we played with him a few times."
No wonder everyone praised Yun Ge'er for his cleverness.
Zhou Shaojin smiled warmly and patted Yun Ge'er's head.Yun Ge'er looked up at his mother with a sweet smile, but then his hand loosened, and the red string tangled into a mess.
He grew angry and began tugging at the red string.
Zhou Shaojin quickly comforted him, letting him sit on her lap as she patiently untangled the string bit by bit. Only then did he cheer up.
Cheng Chi glanced at Yun Ge'er and later said to Zhou Shaojin, "You can’t just indulge his whims."
"Of course not," Zhou Shaojin replied, feeling a bit guilty.
The affair of the Third Prince stirred up a commotion until mid-October, when a heavy snowfall drifted down. The Third Prince was demoted to a commandery prince and fined a year’s salary, bringing the case to a close.
The Third Prince’s residence busied itself with altering its main gate and main hall. Meanwhile, Zhou Shaojin, after handling the sacrificial rites, began preparing for the New Year. Over the years, the Cheng family had gradually purchased some farm estates, though most were located near Apricot Grove Lane and Cheng Wei’s side. The Chaoyang Gate residence had no farmland, only a few shops. After settling the shop rents for the coming year, drafting contracts, and organizing the silver, it was time to start buying New Year goods.
Madam Qiu sent Cheng Rang to deliver some New Year goods from the estate, including rice, flour, and pork. Cheng Rang also brought two golden pheasants: "...Last time I visited the estate, I saw them in the woods and learned they were raising these there. I had them raise a few more and specially picked the two largest to bring over. I’ll also send two to A Bao and A Ren."
At the end of September, Madam Chang had taken A Bao and A Ren to Shuangyu Lane.
Zhou Shaojin hurriedly asked the maids to bring Yun Ge'er out to express their thanks.
The little one bowed properly to Cheng Rang, who, thinking of Xie Shi pregnant with their first child, felt his eyes grow moist. As soon as Yun Ge'er finished his bow, Cheng Rang immediately lifted him into his arms and, after greeting Zhou Shaojin, took him to see the two golden pheasants he had brought.
Zhou Shaojin prepared two identical sets of New Year gifts—one for Apricot Grove Lane and one for Madam Qiu, though she added two extra packets of bird’s nest for Madam Qiu, specifically for Xie Shi.
Xie Shi made two winter hats for Yun Ge'er as a return gift.
The New Year gifts from Apricot Grove Lane arrived belatedly.
Coincidentally, that day Zhou Zhen sent someone to deliver New Year goods to his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter.
While Apricot Grove Lane followed routine procedures, Zhou Zhen’s side sent two carts piled high with large and small packages, including over a dozen pieces of fur specifically designated for Yun Ge'er’s winter clothes.
As the servants from both households unloaded the carts at the second gate, the people from Apricot Grove Lane couldn’t help but blush with embarrassment.
Madam Fan Liu, honest and kind-hearted, smiled and said, "The in-laws’ elder lives far away, so all the goods are sent together at once, naturally making it seem like more." She then distributed the rewards she had just received from Chunwan to everyone.
The old woman accompanying the Apricot Grove Lane group flushed bright red and explained to Madam Fan Liu, "Madam, to be honest, our lady has been unwell these days. Since the old madam lives here, we didn’t dare disturb her or let anyone here know. This year’s New Year gifts were managed without much energy, simply following last year’s list without a single change. If you don’t believe me, you can compare it with last year’s gift list."
Madam Fan Liu was quite surprised and asked, "What? Is Madam Yuan ill?"
"Not exactly ill," the old woman replied awkwardly, glancing around to ensure everyone was busy before pulling Madam Fan Liu aside and whispering, "She was angered by our eldest young mistress."
"But hasn’t the eldest young mistress gone to Mianzhu?" Madam Fan Liu asked, puzzled.The old woman's voice dropped even lower, "The mistress sent a trusted old servant who had also served the young master before. But in just a few days, the young mistress had her sent back, saying she was too talkative... According to that servant, the young mistress now has only her own family's people around her, and the young master does whatever the young mistress tells him to do..."
Madam Fan Liu found it strange, "Is it just because of this? But why be angry about it? What mother-in-law interferes in her daughter-in-law's household affairs? Once a couple is married, it's natural for the wife to manage the household and prefer her own people. Besides, isn't it a good thing for a daughter-in-law to stand on her own?"
Dear readers, here is today's update.
PS: I haven't updated much this month, so I was too embarrassed to ask for monthly votes. However, given the content of "Jinling Spring," it will likely conclude by mid-next month. This is the last chance for this book to compete in the monthly vote rankings, so I'm shamelessly asking for your support with your guaranteed monthly votes.
Please show your support! If you have monthly votes, cast one for "Jinling Spring"!
Thank you!
※(To be continued...)
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