"So it was Father..."

Zhao Zhan rushed to Mu Zhaojun's side again and asked, "Does elder brother know what Father is thinking?"

Mu Zhaojun smiled and said, "You consider yourself clever, but you don't understand people's hearts as well as your elder brother. If Cheng'er didn't know your father's thoughts, would you have had the chance to kill those people in the imperial prison?"

Zhao Zhan was immediately filled with respect and took another deep breath.

"I have failed my father and elder brother!"

As he spoke, he slammed his fist hard on the ground.

"Alright, don't be so impulsive in the future. You can't go wrong by listening to your older brother."

Mu Zhaojun gently patted Zhao Zhan's back, and looked at Wang Yucen who pushed open the door and entered with a plate, and smiled and said: "Yucen brought you the food himself, eat something quickly, you won't be able to do anything in the future if you don't have a healthy body."

...

"Has he figured it out?"

At night, Zhao Cheng and his mother, Mu Zhaojun, dined in the pavilion. After the food was served, all the servants were dismissed from the pavilion.

Mu Zhaojun took a spoonful of soup and said, "He's not stupid, but he's at the age where he's prone to rebellion. If it were your father and you going to talk to him, he probably wouldn't accept it. It's better if I go."

"Thank you for your trouble, Mother."

"What's A-Yun's attitude now?"

"He has a very bad temper."

Zhao Cheng smiled and said, "But Mother, you don't need to worry. Ayun is a person with a broad perspective."

Mu Zhaojun put down her bowl and said, "You don't need to comfort me. If it were me, I would be even angrier than her. You can hurt me, but you can't hurt my son!"

Zhao Cheng said, "With Mr. Minghua here, there's nothing to worry about. Oh, by the way, Mr. Minghua said that Ayun is about to give birth. I wonder where Father is and whether he can make it back in time?"

"Is the winter painting project almost finished recently?"

Zhao Cheng was taken aback, not understanding why Mu Zhaojun suddenly changed the subject.

"We're finishing up the work."

Mu Zhaojun said, "Donghua is a smart and hardworking child. She is loyal to you. Over the years, she has been the one who has worked the hardest to manage your businesses."

Zhao Cheng put some food into Mu Zhaojun's bowl and smiled, "Mother is right, but I'm short of people around me anyway. Someone as talented as Donghua should naturally be allowed to make the most of her abilities."

Mu Zhaojun's voice became more serious as she said, "Once she finishes what she's doing, we'll let her marry into the family, have a child with you, and then you can rest well for a few years."

"ah?"

"Huh what?"

Mu Zhaojun glared at Zhao Cheng and said, "She's been by your side since she was little, and she's the closest to you. In recent years, she's helped you manage your business. Everyone treats her as your woman. If you don't marry her, who would dare to make a move on her? Besides, such a good girl, are you willing to give her up to someone else?"

"No, no, no..."

Zhao Cheng waved his hand and said, "It's no problem to let her marry into the family, but now that the war in Nanzhou has ended, I need to take this opportunity to expand the Chamber of Commerce's business there, and I need Dong Hua..."

"No!" Mu Zhaojun said sternly, "Donghua has done enough for you. You must give her a proper status first. After she gives birth to your child and recovers, you can let her help you manage your business."

"There's no room for discussion on this!" Mu Zhaojun added.

Zhao Cheng noticed something was wrong and asked suspiciously, "Mother, why are you in such a hurry? Is it because of your health...?"

"Are you cursing your mother?"

Mu Zhaojun pressed Zhao Cheng's head with her finger and said, "Mother is in very good health!"

"What exactly does Mother mean?"

"After talking with Zhan'er, I also had some thoughts."

Mu Zhaojun frowned and said, "The world is in such a chaotic state now that the Eastern and Western Jing cannot coexist forever. In other words, the Great Jing's fate is sealed, and it will perish as it is destined to do. Your father is good at enduring hardship, but the Wen family uncle and nephew may not be able to hold back."

"If the Wen family uncle and nephew really take that step, what will happen to your father, and what will happen to you?"

Zhao Cheng understood and fell silent.

Mu Zhaojun continued, "If it really comes to that, your women will all be different from before, becoming powerful women. Donghua is one of our own. If she waits until then to follow you, her status will be completely different from if she follows you now."

"My son understands."

Zhao Cheng bowed to Mu Zhaojun and said, "Mother is so good to Donghua!"

Mu Zhaojun smiled and said, "She has done so much for you, so I'll consider this my way of repaying her kindness."

"It was my oversight that led me to fail to consider things properly. I will follow Mother's instructions!"

...

Dongjing was restored for one year.

August 9th.

The sky was overcast and hazy, but the Zhao family was bustling with activity, with the whole family gathered in the courtyard outside one of the houses.

The old women and maids were busy coming and going.

As Park Yoo-hee came out of the room, Zhao Huan immediately went up to her and asked, "How did it go?"

Zhao Huan seemed very anxious, even more so than Mu Zhaojun and Zhao Cheng.

Seeing Zhao Huan's expression, Zhao Cheng, standing to the side, couldn't tell if he was worried about Yuan Yun's safety or the sex of the child in her womb. After all, Zhao Huan had told him after his return that he hoped Zhao Cheng would have several sons, just like him. Not all of them had to be outstanding, but as long as there were enough, some would surely excel, ensuring the Zhao family wouldn't decline after Zhao Cheng.

Analyzing Zhao Huan's words, Zhao Cheng felt that the old man's thoughts were becoming clearer and clearer.

You can tell from the arrangements the old man made for Zhao Zhan after his return.

He only scolded Zhao Zhan before releasing him.

With her large belly sticking out, Yang Cai'e looked up at the sky and said, "Is it going to rain?"

Zhao Huan added, "It's damp and overcast, so have the maids take good care of A-Yun."

"Yes." Park Yoo-hee returned to her room.

Fifteen minutes later, the door opened, and Park Yoo-hee came out to announce the good news: "She gave birth!"

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!