Yunchao, Dunyang City.
winter solstice.
The wine sizzled and warmed on the small red clay stove, its aroma filling the entire room.
Zhao Shouzhen and Baozhu rolled out dumpling wrappers, while Zhang Wan, Shen Hanshan, and Chaoyan were making dumplings.
Zhao Zhi, cradling her round belly, leaned gently against the carved couch, a medical book in her hand.
She appeared to be reading a book, but her eyes kept glancing at Shen Hanshan, who was making dumplings.
After more than a month of rest, he has fully recovered.
After recovering, Chen Hanshan took on almost all the heavy and strenuous chores around the house: chopping wood, fetching water, starting the fire, sweeping the yard...
There's nothing he can't do, only things others haven't thought of.
It wasn't until Baozhu subtly mentioned to Zhang Wan that the son-in-law always took over the servants' work, causing the servants to live in constant fear that they would be fired if they had no work to do.
Zhang Wan found this both funny and absurd, so she went to Zhao Zhi to convey the servants' message.
"I heard you've got so much strength lately you don't know where to put it?" That evening, when Shen Hanshan was massaging Zhao Zhi's feet, Zhao Zhi couldn't help but tease him.
"What does Your Highness mean by this?" Shen Hanshan's calloused hands traced up Zhao Zhi's ankles, pinching each inch.
Zhao Zhi felt a tingling sensation all over her body from his teasing.
She stopped keeping things a secret from Shen Hanshan and relayed everything her mother had told her during the day to him.
Shen Hanshan was taken aback; he had never imagined that his good intentions had backfired.
"I was thinking that this courtyard doesn't keep idle people. That's why I'm so diligent, afraid that Your Highness might one day think I'm just eating and not doing any work, and kick me out," he said half-jokingly.
Zhao Zhi leaned down slightly, lifting his chin from above, her eyes gleaming with cunning, and asked leisurely, "You keep calling me 'your subject,' it seems you're willing to be my subject."
Shen Hanshan looked up and met Zhao Zhi's gaze. He took her hand and said earnestly and affectionately, "Your Highness is mistaken. I am not only willing to be Your Highness's subject, but also Your Highness's shield, to protect you from all the storms of the world; I am willing to be Your Highness's sword, to cut through the thorns in your path. My heart is not formed in a day, nor is it a momentary passion. It has been accumulated over the years and settled deep in my heart, burning only for Your Highness."
Zhao Zhi was moved by his heartfelt words, and a hint of emotion flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her usual composure.
She gently withdrew her hand, sat up straight, and said calmly, "Shen Hanshan, do you know what I want?"
Shen Hanshan was slightly taken aback, then solemnly replied, "Your Highness, what you seek is nothing more than a sincere partner, a good man who can weather the storms with you. Though I am not talented, I am willing to give my all, just to win a smile from Your Highness."
Zhao Zhi chuckled. She reached out and haphazardly patted Shen Hanshan's head.
"Alright, I'm not teasing you anymore. If you ever feel uneasy about being a kept man, then use all that inexhaustible energy on me. Don't scare the servants into living in constant fear of being fired by their master!"
Shen Hanshan was taken aback: What kind of outrageous words did Zhao Zhi utter? Was he going to use all his inexhaustible energy on her?
He looked Zhao Zhi up and down, thinking to himself, "She's going to have a baby in the spring, do you think I would dare to do anything to her?"
Seeing the strange look in Shen Hanshan's eyes, Zhao Zhi guessed that he must have misunderstood her meaning. She reached out and pinched his arm, and laughed, "What are you thinking? My legs are terribly swollen in the late stages of my pregnancy. You can use your strength to massage my legs more often!"
Shen Hanshan suddenly realized what was happening and blushed with embarrassment.
"Miss, the walnuts are ready. Please have some." Chaoyan took the roasted walnuts from another stove, placed them one by one on a plate, and brought them to the small table next to Zhao Zhi.
Zhao Zhi quickly pulled her wandering thoughts back, ate the walnut kernels in small bites, and focused her gaze on Shen Hanshan, who was making dumplings.
Today, Shen Hanshan was dressed in an elegant long robe with the cuffs slightly rolled up, intently kneading dumpling wrappers.
The dumpling wrappers flew between his nimble fingers, and in no time, plump and round dumplings were neatly arranged on the bamboo tray.
Although Shen Hanshan's movements were not flamboyant, every moment exuded a sense of composure and steadiness, as if the dumplings in his hands were not just food, but also his love and care for his family.
Zhao Zhi was so engrossed in watching that she couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Shen Hanshan looked up when he heard the sound, and seeing her smiling so happily, he couldn't help but smile back.
Their eyes met in the air, filled with tacit understanding and warmth.
"Zhizhi, what kind of dumplings do you like?" Shen Hanshan asked softly, his hands continuing their work.
Zhao Zhi thought for a moment and replied, "I like pork and chive filling. What about you?"
Shen Hanshan smiled slightly and said, "I don't care. I'll make whatever you like to eat."
Zhao Zhi felt a warmth in her heart. She knew that although Shen Hanshan was usually quiet, his kindness towards her had never diminished. He was willing to do anything for her, as long as she was happy.
At this moment, Asagao interjected, "Miss, the dumplings that the young master makes must be delicious. You must try them later."
Zhao Zhi snorted and said, "If you're asking who makes the best dumplings, it's definitely my mom! I want to eat the first dumpling she makes later!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Shouzhen feigned anger, tossed the dough aside, and said gruffly, "Zhizhi, you're so biased! If your father weren't rolling out dumpling wrappers, how would your mother make them?"
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