Chapter 128 Extra Chapter 1: About the Child
Chapter 128 Extra Chapter 1: About the Child
Ever since Shen Tang took Manman to the Princess's place last time, the Princess has been asking Shen Tang to bring Manman over to play every now and then.
At first, Manman was a little afraid of the cold-faced princess, but after visiting her more often and seeing that the princess had no ill intentions towards her, she gradually opened up and now calls her "Grandmother" quite naturally.
Whether it was Shen Tang's imagination or not, the Princess's attitude towards her was much kinder than before, and she would occasionally invite her to stay for a meal.
Although the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law is not as warm and harmonious as in ordinary families, it is still a rare sight to see them sitting down and talking calmly.
However, due to their previous misunderstandings, their interactions were still somewhat awkward.
Seeing that Manman had become familiar with them, Shen Tang sent her over and left without staying any longer, planning to come back in the evening to pick her up.
That day, Shen Tang was about to pick up Manman when she ran into Meng Huaiyan, who was returning from his shift. Seeing that she was going to the Princess's place, he told her to wait for him to change his clothes so they could go together.
When the two of them arrived, the eldest princess, the duke, and Manman were playing in the courtyard.
The courtyard was filled with children's toys, their bright and playful colors seeming somewhat out of place with the usual serious and somber Chengyuan, yet strangely harmonious.
A thick carpet was laid on the ground, and Manman was lying on it, writing and drawing on a piece of white paper with a brush. The Princess and the Duke had some ink stains on their faces, but they seemed not to notice and didn't care at all.
Especially the eldest princess, who used to be extremely concerned about her image, now sat sideways next to Manman with an ink-stained face, looking at Manman lying on the ground with a gentle smile on her lips.
He kept praising, "Manman's drawing is really good."
Shen Tang glanced at the painting, which could only be described as scribbles; she couldn't understand how the Princess could praise it so highly.
The image of the eldest princess today completely overturned Shen Tang's perception of her.
It was the first time Meng Huaiyan had ever seen his mother like this. Both of them were stunned by the scene and stood there for a moment, speechless.
It was only after Fu Dong gently reminded them that the Princess and the Duke came to their senses and noticed the two of them. The people who had been smiling just now instantly turned serious and regained their solemn appearance.
Shen Tang and Meng Huaiyan bowed and called out, "Father, Mother."
The eldest princess slowly rose, straightened her clothes, and then nodded to them with a cold expression.
The Duke was more enthusiastic towards them, saying happily, "You've come. It's been a long time since I've seen Yan'er. Why don't you stay at Cheng Garden for dinner today?"
Shen Tang and Meng Huaiyan naturally couldn't refuse, so they nodded in agreement.
As soon as Manman saw them, she threw down her paintbrush and quickly got up, running happily towards them: "Father, Mother."
Meng Huaiyan picked her up and spun her around several times, then rubbed his face against hers: "Did you miss your father?"
He laughed heartily and shouted, "Yes!"
The eldest princess and the duke went inside to wash and change their clothes. Shen Tang and Meng Huaiyan played with Manman in the courtyard for a while before a servant came to invite them to have their meal.
The atmosphere at the dinner table was slightly quiet. Neither the Princess nor Meng Huaiyan were talkative, and the Duke seemed to be used to it as well, quietly eating his meal.
Under these circumstances, Shen Tang was even less likely to speak.
The room was filled with the occasional sound of conversation, but with her there, the atmosphere wasn't particularly awkward.
After finishing their meal, it was already dark, and Shen Tang and Meng Huaiyan were preparing to get up and take their leave.
The eldest princess stopped them and spoke in a serious tone.
“Manman is a very well-behaved and obedient child, and I like her very much. However, the Meng family’s large business still needs an heir.”
“The Meng family is not large. You are still young, so you can consider having more children.”
Shen Tang and Meng Huaiyan were taken aback when they heard this. They exchanged a glance and then bowed their heads respectfully in response.
On the way back, the two of them were preoccupied with what the princess had just said.
Lying on the bed that night, Meng Huaiyan looked at Shen Tang's worried expression and spoke.
"Don't let your mother's words influence you. If you don't want to have children, then we won't."
Upon hearing this, Shen Tang glanced at him, her expression somewhat puzzling.
"Is this what you truly think?"
The Meng family's vast fortune could only be inherited by male descendants, and in the officialdom, only male descendants could obtain official titles and achieve merit.
For ordinary families, whether or not they have sons may not be so important, but in aristocratic families, a son is not just a mere heir.
His birth destined him to bear many things and responsibilities.
Although Meng Huaiyan seems to be enjoying great success now, she knows the hard work and struggles he has put in behind the scenes. He has paid a lot of blood and tears to get to where he is today.
He was cautious and dared not make a single wrong move, because a single wrong decision might push the Meng family to the brink of annihilation.
The position of head of the Meng family carries too heavy a burden.
Shen Tang doesn't actually reject children; she just doesn't want her child to be born with too much burden. She simply wants him to be safe and happy.
Another concern is that the birth of the child might affect her love for Manman, and that Manman might become jealous.
Upon hearing her question, Meng Huaiyan pondered for a moment before replying earnestly.
“I’m serious. The heir to the Meng family is important, but your wishes are even more important. I respect your opinion. If you don’t want to have children, I will take care of things with your mother. You don’t need to worry.”
"Besides, I also hope that our child will be born with anticipation and love, rather than as an heir."
Meng Huaiyan had been through it himself, and he didn't want his child to go through it again.
If his child is born into the Meng family, he will inevitably be unable to escape the heavy burden and responsibility on his shoulders, and he is destined not to live as easily and contentedly as other ordinary children.
However, he hopes that while he can take on the responsibility of the Meng family, his upbringing will be filled with love.
Shen Tang never expected that she and Meng Huaiyan would have the same idea about children.
He thought that, given his nature, he would follow the path of how the eldest princess educated him, even though the eldest princess's educational methods were too cruel and inhumane for children.
However, it must be admitted that her educational methods were suitable for cultivating the head of the Meng family. Being soft-hearted and kind is not advisable in the treacherous officialdom.
Just because you don't retaliate against others doesn't mean they'll let you off the hook.
Those who stand at the pinnacle of power and stir up trouble, none of them have truly clean hands.
Perhaps because they didn't receive enough love from their parents when they were young, they are particularly cautious about having children.
Neither of them spoke for a long time. After a while, Shen Tang took Meng Huaiyan's hand and said to him.
“Meng Huaiyan, let’s leave the matter of having children to fate. If he’s willing to come, then we’ll have one.”
Meng Huaiyan's throat tightened slightly, and he said in a low voice, "Okay."
A moment later, he turned and hugged Shen Tang tightly in his arms, saying to her.
"Shen Tang, thank you."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
