Chapter 303 The Boulder

Zhou Zhining felt a pang of disappointment.

She stayed awake almost until dawn, her clenched fingers sweating.

He just couldn't understand why Zhan Xingzhuo was attracted to Yao Qingling.

She doesn't believe it's that simple, just because it's for the sake of the child.

She has more faith in her own judgment of men over the years.

Which woman can't have children? Even if Yao Qingling gave birth to his eldest son, is that child really that important?

From the moment Zhou Zhining became pregnant with Xiao'er to the time she gave birth and raised the child, Zhan Xingzhuo was involved in most of it. He had already experienced what it was like to be a father, and he had even carefully planned for the child's future. He had already passed the novelty of being a father.

Yao Qingling deceived Zhan Xingzhuo, and he didn't even know she was pregnant until he returned from Luozhou and learned about the existence of the child. His feelings for the child were more of resentment.

Zhou Zhining didn't believe that Zhan Xingzhuo's infatuation with Yao Qingling was solely due to resentment.

She didn't realize that Zhan Xingzhuo was suddenly captivated by Yao Qingling's appearance.

Could it be because Yao Qingling was granted the title of First-Rank Imperial Lady?

Yao Qingling has the Empress backing her up, which is more respectable than being a mere palace servant like herself, so she doesn't need him to take care of her.

Did Zhan Xingzhuo dislike her?

Zhou Zhining glanced at the sleeping man with a wronged expression and bit her lip.

She was also resentful that Yao Qingling always seemed to have good luck; what was clearly a dead end had somehow been turned around by her, and she had even reached a new level.

Why does God always favor Yao Qingling and not pity her?

This question was almost the only thing on Zhou Zhining's mind.

She pitied her own misfortune, lamenting that despite her talent, her family had fallen on hard times.

Fortunately, Zhan Xingzhuo did not talk in his sleep or call out other women's names while he was sleeping.

Before dawn, Minglu reminded Zhan Xingzhuo from outside that it was time to get up and go to the morning court.

When Zhan Xingzhuo got up, Zhou Zhining also got up.

Zhan Xingzhuo glanced at her and saw that she looked haggard. He frowned slightly and touched her sallow face: "You can sleep a little longer, you don't need to get up and keep me company."

Zhou Zhining got up listlessly and helped him get dressed. Although she was in low spirits, she still did her best to be gentle: "No, I will take care of everything for you."

Zhan Xingzhuo had no intention of arguing with her; if she wanted to, he would let her go.

However, before leaving, he instructed Zhiyue to call Doctor Li to examine her.

After Zhan Xingzhuo left, Zhiyue coaxed Zhou Zhining to be happy: "Miss, the Second Master still cares about you. Look at him, he's in such a hurry to go to court but he still worries about your health."

Zhou Zhining put on her jewelry piece by piece in front of the mirror and applied a thick layer of powder to her face to cover up her haggard appearance.

She had to make herself look beautiful and noble, so as not to be outshone by others.

Upon arriving at Jin Mantang, Prince Xin glanced at Zhou Zhining indifferently, his brow furrowing as he casually remarked, "With such heavy makeup, who are you trying to compete with in beauty?"

Zhou Zhining felt a pang of anxiety. After bowing to him, she asked, "What brings Your Highness to Jin Mantang today?"

This idle prince could attend court whenever he wanted, or not at all. He didn't participate in official court affairs, so he only got a few scoldings from the Censorate for being lazy, but nothing else.

Prince Xin glanced at her with his fan, but said nothing.

A moment later, a servant ran in excitedly, saying, "It's here, Your Highness! The thing is here!"

Prince Xin smiled and stood up, fan in hand.

Zhou Zhining followed him to the front yard.

About twenty strong men carried in a huge, long box, very carefully.

She was terrified: "Your Highness, such ostentation is inappropriate; the storm has not yet passed."

She glanced cautiously outside and told someone to close the door.

The palace corruption scandal was a bloodbath, and countless people died. If it weren't for Prince Xin's prior preparations and his clever diversion of blame, Jin Mantang would be dead by now.

Prince Xin gave her a mocking look: "Now you're saying it's inappropriate?"

I don't know which foolish woman, in her jealousy, provoked Yao Qingling and almost dragged him down with her.

Zhou Zhining felt ashamed and dared not argue with him.

Prince Xin paid no attention to Zhou Zhining. He ordered the workers to place the long box on the stone platform that had been prepared beforehand, and then had someone open the box.

Even Zhou Zhining couldn't help but wonder what was inside that made Prince Xin act so recklessly.

If it's a tribute item, wouldn't it be easily spotted by people coming and going in the shop?

A short while later, the box broke apart, revealing the "treasure" inside.

A huge stone pillar?

But it doesn't seem like it either.

It appears to be a stone trough, and the craftsman created a miniature bonsai based on its structure. There is moss, a small sandalwood tree, a wooden puppet woman holding an oil-paper umbrella walking on a stone bridge, and two black and gold koi fish playing in the pool below the stone bridge.

Zhou Zhining looked at Prince Xin in confusion: "This is..."

She breathed a sigh of relief.

It's just an ordinary stone.

But the king believed him and said, "These are stalactites formed over a thousand years. They were dug out of a cave in the southwest and transported to the capital. I have made them into bonsai. You can't find anything like them even in the palace."

Zhou Zhining gasped: "Stalactites?"

Transporting such enormous stones from thousands of miles away in the southwest would have been extremely costly in itself, not to mention other expenses.

An object that has stood for a thousand years is only worthy of an emperor.

"Your Highness?"

Prince Xin smiled calmly, raised his hand and placed it on the stone, stroking it gently, his eyes full of joy. "Don't worry, if you don't tell, no one will know the origin of this stone."

Others would just assume it was dug up from a mountain.

Zhou Zhining suddenly felt a chill run through her body and gave Prince Xin a meaningful look.

He told her on purpose.

"Your Highness, what do you intend to do with this stone?"

Prince Xin said, "With the arrival of spring, all the mansions are holding spring banquets. Prince Xin's mansion should also join in the fun."

Zhou Zhining: "If Your Highness wants to hold a banquet, Jin Mantang has an inexhaustible supply of goods, so Your Highness will certainly not be disappointed."

She still didn't understand why the stone was placed in Jinmantang instead of Prince Xin's Mansion.

Prince Xin simply told her to take good care of the stone and not let anyone damage it, or she would be held responsible.

In addition, Jinmantang would close for the day on the day the Prince's mansion held a banquet, and no one was allowed to stay in the shop.

After giving his instructions, Prince Xin went to his private study.

Zhou Zhining looked at his back with a puzzled expression, then glanced at the stone with a puzzled look.

What do you mean?

Prince Xin entered the study, closed the door, and took a painting from the antique shelf where he collected books and paintings.

The scroll opens to reveal a woman reclining gracefully on a giant rock, her beauty accentuated by the vibrant wisteria blossoms, making one want to look again and again, wishing only to see her in person.

If Yao Qingling were willing to lie down on that stalactite...

Prince Xin imagined Yao Qingling sitting or reclining on that giant rock, looking charming.

He always felt that the stone in the Duke's mansion was not worthy of Yao Qingling. He wondered what her expression would be if she knew that the stone came from the southwest.

...

Zhan Xingzhuo left the court and did not return to his new residence.

He went to the Duke of Zhan's mansion, the courtyard where he and Yao Qingling had spent their first year of marriage.

The huge rock is still there in the courtyard.

The old wisteria tree is still there, but it hasn't sprouted any leaves or flower buds yet; it's just bare branches climbing the wall.

He closed his eyes, recalling the scene from that year.