Crying

Crying

It is the month of May, and the old locust tree outside the yard is full of flowers.

The whole yard is filled with fragrance and prosperity.

Cui Jianchun came out of her boudoir, holding the curtain and standing under the porch, holding her waist.

It had been over a month since the old lady's separation from the family in the ancestral hall. If Yu Yuelan hadn't led the other wives from the first house to intercede for them, saying it wouldn't be too late for her and Chu Fanghua to recover from their injuries before leaving, given the severity of their injuries, the bumpy journey, without access to good medical care like in Bianjing, would have left them with unknown underlying health conditions.

In the past, Cui Jianchun also felt that Yu Yuelan was domineering, but now looking back, she is the most kind-hearted person in this mansion.

A gust of wind blew by, bringing the soothing fragrance of locust flowers. Cui Jianchun was young, her injuries nearly healed. She turned to look at the maid working over there and couldn't help but ask, "Ying'er, is Mother all right?"

It seems that despite his decisive words in Kaifeng Prefecture, Cui Jianchun still couldn't let go.

Ying'er patted the bedding that was drying and turned back to answer, "Don't worry, young lady. I went over there this morning to inquire, and Madam is fine and can walk around. I think Madam will leave for Yongqiu the day after tomorrow without any delay."

Cui Jianchun got the answer he wanted, nodded, and said nothing more.

As soon as she turned her head, someone excitedly led the doctor into the courtyard. Cui Jianchun immediately greeted her with a smile, calling out, "Cousin."

Since the incident, the two have had a very close relationship.

Zheng would often call a doctor to come and see Cui Jianchun. She was afraid that Cui Jianchun would develop a chronic illness that would be difficult to explain to Lao Wu later. Lifting her skirt and going up the stairs, Zheng asked with a smile, "Chun'er, why are you standing here?"

Cui Jianchun smiled and pointed towards the courtyard wall. "The locust flowers outside are blooming. I came out to take a look. Cousin, smell the breeze. Isn't it fragrant?"

Zheng stood shoulder to shoulder with her in the corridor, her hands behind her back. She took a deep breath in the direction of her finger and said, "What a nice fragrance! May is a beautiful time when all the flowers bloom."

Zheng was sighing when Cui Jianchun looked at the female doctor standing quietly in the courtyard and said, "Cousin, why did you change the doctor today?"

Zheng regained consciousness and just as she looked at the female doctor, she replied without any timidity, "I am Zhao Nanxing, the doctor who specializes in treating the women of the general's residence. Today, I have come to treat this young lady on the orders of my wife."

Zheng nodded. She had been busy in front of Xia Buyu recently, and today she finally saw some results.

Zheng said, "Today is your last visit. When Lao Wu heard about it, he asked his wife to ask Doctor Zhao to come and see you. Hehe, I've never seen Lao Wu be so attentive to anyone."

Foolish brother.

The throbbing in my heart is like a weeping willow swaying in the wind, coming and going.

It turned out that he still missed her.

But now that the storm has settled, Cui Jianchun's reputation in Bianjing isn't particularly good. Although she'd been prepared, she still feels sad. As she contemplates the distant memory of him, Cui Jianchun wonders: how can a pampered servant of a general's mansion be compatible with a down-and-out girl from a noble's mansion?

Inferiority complex sprouted in his heart, Cui Jianchun lowered his eyes and dared not look anymore.

She retreated and said to Taishi Zheng, "Sister-in-law, there's no need... no need to bother. I'm almost well now, how can I disturb you again..."

Zheng raised her head and seemed to read a bit of loneliness from her words.

Before Cui Jianchun finished speaking, Zheng suddenly pulled her arm, as firm as before, "Chun'er, it's over. I explained all the causes and consequences to Lao Wu when we met. Do you know what he said after hearing all this?"

"What?"

Cui Jianchun was nervous, as she couldn't imagine the answer to this question.

Zheng took her to the courtyard and sat down in the corner where the locust tree fragrance was the strongest. "Lao Wu said you are very brave. You are the bravest girl he has ever met. He also asked me to tell you that he will keep his promise to you and will never forget it."

A pair of tearful eyes curved up the corners of his mouth, and Cui Jianchun trembled and said nothing. Zheng then said, "So, Lao Wu is leaving for the war the day after tomorrow. Chun'er, will you go and see him off?"

the day after tomorrow……

Cui Jianchun silently pulled out the back of his hand that was tightly held by Tai Shi Zheng, feeling a little hesitant.

Seeing this, Zheng consoled him, "Chun'er, no matter what you think now, before Lao Wu leaves for the war, you should fulfill his wish and let Doctor Zhao see you. That way, he can go to Weizhou with peace of mind and no worries."

With a glance, Zhao Nanxing stepped forward. Cui Jianchun also slowly raised his wrist and placed it on the stone table.

She didn't want Xia Buyu to worry too much.

Afterwards, Doctor Zhao carefully examined Cui Jianchun and reported with a solemn expression, "The young lady is fine now. Aside from some Qi deficiency, there's nothing else wrong. I'll prescribe some Qi-tonifying and Qi-invigorating prescriptions. After a period of recuperation, she'll be fine. Madam, there's no need to worry."

Cui Jianchun put away her wrist and calmed down a lot. Seeing that she listened to Zhao Nanxing's words, she thanked Tai Shi Zheng and said, "If it weren't for your careful care during these days, I wouldn't have recovered so well. Chun'er, thank you here."

Zheng shook her head. "Hey, Chun'er, what are you talking about? We are all family, isn't it our duty to take care of each other? What's more—"

She is likely to become the daughter-in-law of our fifth son.

Zheng was halfway through her words when she glanced at Zhao Nanxing and swallowed them back. She was afraid that Doctor Zhao would say something unkind in front of the old lady of the Xia family. The old lady of that family seemed kind and charitable on weekdays, but in fact she was not a good person. Cui Jianchun was confused and said, "What's more?"

Zheng grinned and didn't respond.

She turned around and interrupted Zhao Nanxing, "Doctor Zhao, my appetite has increased significantly over the past month, and my waist has become much thicker. Other symptoms are fine, but I'm a little sleepy. Could you help me take a look at this and see if it's normal or what's causing it?"

Zhao Nanxing was only concerned with treating patients and not doing anything else. She was used to seeing them serving in the general's mansion, and it was a common sight. Naturally, she had little interest in their words. Zhao Nanxing took out the pulse pillow she had put away and said in a deep voice, "Please come in, Madam."

Cui Jianchun was also vaguely worried.

She and Tai Shi Zheng sat opposite the stone table, watching Zhao Nanxing's treatment intently.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Nanxing frowned for a long time and said nothing. Shi Zheng was so anxious that she wanted to say something but stopped herself several times. She couldn't help but mutter: Oh no, is there really something wrong? I was just looking for an excuse to ask, how could I have gotten seriously ill?

I... I'm still young—

Zhao Nanxing calmly put away his pulse-taking hand and said to the pulse pillow under Zheng's wrist, "Young Madam's illness does not require treatment."

"What?! You mean... I'm beyond help?"

Erlang, without me, how can you live?

Tai Shi Zheng frightened herself, her eyes were blurry, and she suddenly fell on Cui Jianchun. Cui Jianchun also had a look of horror on her face. She reached out and patted Tai Shi Zheng's face, calling out anxiously: "Sister-in-law, sister-in-law, are you okay?"

Zhao Nanxing was quite slow and methodical. She nearly fainted from fear, but she waited until she had packed up her medicine box before she slowly uttered, "What I'm saying is, Madam Young Madam isn't ill, she's just pregnant. It's not uncommon for women to have a large appetite during early pregnancy, and the developing fetus needs nutrition. It's okay for Madam Young Madam to eat more, but be careful to avoid greasy foods. Also, your pregnancy is stable, so there's nothing special to worry about."

Pregnant...pregnant!

Cui Jianchun was stunned for a moment.

Zheng sat up straight and nonchalantly, smoothing her chest and saying with relief, "I was so scared, it turns out you're pregnant? I thought it was a big deal, but it's okay. It's just a pregnancy, no big deal, no big deal."

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhao Nanxing and Cui Jianchun looked at Tai Shi Zheng in surprise almost at the same time.

What do you think this person's reaction is?

But Zheng seemed to take a while to react. After the two of them looked away, she stood up and shouted in confusion, "What!? Say it again, you mean - I'm pregnant!"

-

At 3:00 p.m., Tai Shi Zheng sent Zhao Nanxing away and asked Cui Jianchun to keep the secret for her temporarily.

Zheng wanted to tell Cui Zhijun about the happy news in person, and then together with Cui Zhijun, spread the news to everyone. On the way back to Yinzhu Yatang, Zheng held her belly, not knowing what to do. She didn't even dare to take big steps, for fear of disturbing the one-month-old baby in her belly.

But how could it be so exaggerated? Wasn't she fine when she left?

Zheng felt her way along the pillars in front of the corridor, gradually moving to the outside of the east room, and cautiously stepped through the door. She first tried sitting on the couch, but when she felt it was uncomfortable, she slowly moved towards the bed. After struggling for a long time, Zheng finally lay down on the bed helplessly.

Placing her hand gently on her lower abdomen, Zheng smiled foolishly, imagining how Cui Zhijun would react when he heard that she was pregnant.

Is it cheering or jumping for joy?

Zheng couldn't guess, but she fell into a deep sleep while thinking. But her body was still lying straight, no longer sprawled out like before.

Later, someone opened the door at dusk, and Zheng opened her eyes dazedly, only to see the gentle smile that was only for her. Zheng suddenly smiled, and in a hoarse voice, she whispered, "Erlang, you're back?"

Cui Zhijun walked up to her and apologized earnestly: "Sorry, Xiaozheng, I woke you up."

Zheng shook her head. "No... I was just waiting here for you to come home. I didn't expect that I would fall asleep while waiting."

"Husband, welcome home."

As she spoke, Zheng subconsciously stretched out her hands in a coquettish manner, signaling Cui Zhijun to come over and hug her. As Cui Zhijun listened to her coquettish words, the fatigue of the day instantly dissipated. He happily went over and sat on the edge of the bed, picking her up.

Zheng leaned in Cui Zhiyun's arms, feeling extremely at ease.

The two of them snuggled together in silence, and Cui Zhijun couldn't help but kiss her cheek, then slowly moved down, leaving a long kiss mark.

Zheng, half asleep and half awake, held down his restless mouth.

Cui Zhijun didn't understand what was going on. He silently took Taishi Zheng's hand and gently kissed her palm. The heat in her palm lingered in the May weather. Cui Zhijun lowered his voice and asked in Zheng's ear, "What's wrong? Are you not interested today?"

Zheng scoffed at the words, gathered the gauze that had slipped off her shoulders, and then scolded with a smile, "Cui Zhijun, you are so hypocritical. When you first married me, you looked at me with a terrified look as if you were going to eat you. Now? You really want to eat me."

Cui Zhijun smiled faintly, burying his head in Taishi Zheng's warm shoulder and speaking obscenely without hesitation, "Yes, I admit it. The moment I saw you, I wanted to eat you thousands of times. Xiao Zheng, so in this life, you are mine."

The whispers between husband and wife in their bedroom are the most seductive.

Zheng called him a lecher, but her face was filled with joy. She tilted her head, gently lifted her shirt, and whispered to Cui Zhijun, "Touch it."

Touch? Where to touch?

Cui Zhijun raised his eyes and looked at Taishi Zheng with great ambiguity. She said she was not interested?

Playing hard to get...

Cui Zhijun, with a hint of teasing, placed his right hand near the heart, and then repeatedly touched the heartbeat of the person in front of him. However, Tai Shizheng suddenly opened his eyes and took away his hand, "Cui Jilang, I told you to touch here! Where are you touching——"

Then someone's palm moved to her lower abdomen. Cui Zhijun felt the warmth she radiated from the inside out, speechless. He didn't understand what Taishi Zheng meant by this, but he sensed that she had something to tell him.

"Did you touch it?" Zheng looked up and asked Cui Zhijun.

Cui Zhijun gently rubbed her belly and asked, "What did you feel?"

Zheng nestled in Cui Zhijun's arms, staring down at his bony hand resting on her abdomen, narrowing her eyes and smiling, "Our little treasure."

Xiaobao...

Cui Zhijun was stunned and speechless.

Zheng silently placed her palm on the back of his hand and whispered, "I'm pregnant."

One sentence broke through all of Cui Zhiyun's weaknesses.

"I discovered it today when I went to see Chun'er. The doctor said that our little baby is very healthy - hehe, now mother-in-law will be satisfied!" Zheng shared it with him happily, looking forward to the reaction and response of the person behind her, but when she looked back, she saw Cui Zhiyun crying.

She frantically reached out to wipe the corners of Cui Zhijun's eyes and said comfortingly, "My dear husband, what's wrong with you? Why are you crying?"

Cui Zhijun's clear eyes were filled with tears. He was so happy that he looked at Tai Shi Zheng affectionately and couldn't say a word.

Cui Zhijun was deeply moved and silently embraced Tai Shi Zheng in his arms.

Zheng was at a loss for words as to his reaction. It was completely different from what she had expected. But she still wrapped her arms firmly around his back and asked tentatively, "Erlang, are you unhappy?"

Cui Zhijun shook his head, and the warm tears turned into a sweet smile at the corner of his mouth when he opened his mouth.

The dusk outside the window faded away, accompanied by the wild geese flying westward. It was not until a long time later that Cui Zhijun finally cupped the cheek of the person in front of him. After calming down, he said solemnly, "Xiao Zheng, I'm very happy. I'm so happy that I can't speak."

But when the words fell,

The couple looked at each other with their foreheads facing each other, grinning at each other for a long while, and no one spoke again.

-

The next day, the news of Taishi Zheng's pregnancy spread quickly throughout the Bo Mansion, the Taishi Residence, and even the Imperial Palace. So much so that the threshold of the Yinzhu Yatang was nearly broken by the people who came to give gifts and congratulations.

The scene was so spectacular that even the sisters-in-law who had come to visit were stunned. Yu Yuelan even spent a fortune to hire a female doctor to live in her house, just so her daughter-in-law could take good care of her pregnancy and have grandchildren soon.

But after finally waiting for the comings and goings to end, Zheng stared blankly at the boxes of gifts piled up all over the yard. She leaned back on the recliner in the corridor with a look of despair, muttering to herself: I'm so tired, receiving guests is more tiring than being pregnant!

People, can't you just live a simpler life?

Lifting her hand and touching her flat belly, Zheng continued to talk to herself, "But little treasure, everyone is looking forward to your arrival. You, I hope you grow up safely."

"Chatting with Xiaobao?"

Cui Zhijun had been taking a few days off. He came out of the east room and touched Zheng's head. Zheng looked up at her husband standing behind the recliner and said good morning with a smile. The ordinary, warm days flowed slowly like a stream.

The two of them looked at each other in the corridor, and every day was a good time.

After the gaze, there was a subconscious kiss, the couple's movements were so smooth and flowing, without the slightest shyness. But all the emotions were interrupted by a cry of "Oh my God".

Zheng looked up blankly, and Fu Yuanzi hurriedly turned his back to them, as if he wanted to pretend nothing had happened and escape from their sight.

Zheng couldn't help but ask, "Chou Yuanzi, where are you going——"

Fu Yuanzi froze in his tracks and stammered, "I...I'm going home. Dad told me to go home for dinner."

"Dad asked you to come home for dinner again? Why didn't Dad call me?" Zheng stood up, pinching her waist as she walked towards the courtyard. Cui Zhijun laughed at her momentum. "I noticed that ever since you returned from Xingren Mansion after sharing hardships together, Dad adopted you as his adopted daughter, but you've been running home every few days, sometimes for the whole day. Tell me the truth - are you and Dad planning something, Taishi Yuanzi?"

When the name Taishi Yuanzi came out, Fu Yuanzi was so startled that he turned around and pulled up Zheng's sleeve, saying, "My lady."

"What did you call me? Dad has already paid for changing his name, are you thinking of taking it for free?" Zheng hummed in doubt, and Fu Yuanzi quickly changed the subject, "Eldest sister. Oh, let me tell you, Dad listened to some matchmaker and is determined to find me a good family! I know Dad means well, but I've seen more than a hundred invitations from Dad in the past month or so, and it's really driving me crazy."

Look, this old man Taishi has a good plan.

Not only did he get a daughter for free, but he also wanted to get a son-in-law for free?

Zheng was really at a loss for words about these two people. She knocked on Fu Yuanzi's head and said, "I was wondering why you've been coming home so mysteriously lately. So you're talking about getting married. But let's be serious, Yuanzi, don't worry about Dad's wishful thinking. Tell me, what do you think?"

Zheng dotes on Yuanzi the most, so naturally she puts her feelings first.

If Yuanzi didn't want to, she could go home and confront her father and kick the nosy matchmaker out.

But Fu Yuanzi put his ear close to Taishi Zheng's and said mysteriously, "I... I..."

"I actually want to find a son-in-law."

Fu Yuanzi had no parents. If Taishi Zhengjiang hadn't bought her off the street and brought her home to live with Taishi Zheng, she probably wouldn't have grown up healthy and happy. Fate had brought her into this modest but deeply warm home, and Fu Yuanzi always felt she had nothing to show for it.

She had long regarded Taishi Zheng and his daughter as her closest relatives.

Therefore, returning home to fulfill her filial duties became her greatest wish. However, she really didn't know how to express this wish. She was worried, afraid that they would laugh at her for being a maidservant who had the good fortune to be adopted as the adopted daughter of the old uncle of the emperor, and she didn't know how high the sky would be.

Ke Zheng turned her head, not mockingly, not puzzled.

She looked at the girl in front of her with fondness, who stayed with her no matter the weather, snow, rain or shine. "It would be great to have a son-in-law, Yuanzi. You are so innocent, I'm worried about you no matter where you marry. This way, not only will it relieve my worries, but you can also be free in front of Dad. That's great! I support your idea. But have you expressed your opinion to Dad about this matter?"

Fu Yuanzi shook her head and said she didn't dare.

Zheng understood what she was thinking and gave her courage. "Then tell Dad straight out when you get home today. Don't you understand his straightforward nature? What is there to be afraid of? I think Dad would be so happy. Don't think too much. If anything happens, I'm here—"

"I have a brother-in-law."

Brother-in-law?

Upon hearing this, my brother-in-law shook his head and laughed foolishly in the corridor.

Fu Yuanzi smiled knowingly at Zheng's support, feeling relieved. The people of the Taishi family were as warm as ever. She approached and hugged Taishi Zheng, exclaiming, "My dear... Eldest Sister, this is wonderful! Yuanzi must have been blessed to have met you in this life. I really don't know where to go to fulfill my wish."

Fu Yuanzi suddenly became so sweet and clingy that Zheng backed away. She reached out and pushed Fu Yuanzi's head, pretending to be disgusted and said, "Alright, alright, stop getting close to me. It's so hot. Go home quickly and remember to say hello to Dad and Bao Nian for me."

Fu Yuanzi withdrew his hands from tightly holding the zither and replied with a smile: "I will definitely bring it to you."

Ke Zheng seemed to have thought of something, and turned her head to ask, "By the way, have you found a new place for Bao Nian to live? Why not let her stay with us? Our house is so big, it's empty anyway. Renting a house in Bianjing is not cheap these days. If she feels embarrassed, she can stay here as a maid. She doesn't need to do any work, just take care of Dad."

Fu Yuanzi is really naive. She was preoccupied with her own thoughts one second, and the next she lowered her eyes and stared at the various dried fruits sent by Prince Bei.

Seeing that Fu Yuanzi didn't answer, Zheng crossed her arms and asked, "Taishi Yuanzi, are you listening to me?"

"Ah?" Fu Yuanzi swallowed silently and answered hurriedly, "I've found it, I've found it a long time ago. We'll be moving in the next few days. Dad told Madam Baonian the same thing when he took her home to stay. But you know Madam Baonian's temper. How could she be willing to trouble us any more?"

Zheng nodded, thinking that Fu Yuanzi was right. Since that was the case, she would not force it.

She only asked, "Do you know where Bao Nian is moving to?"

"Of course I know."

Fu Yuanzi spoke in a resonant voice, but his eyes never left Guo Gan. "It's still the old place, Fuyuanfang. Although the environment there is a little worse, the advantage is that the rent is cheap. I heard that Madam Bao Nian rented a house with the head of the fang. My father and I went to see it together. It's a good place. Don't worry."

The head of the ward was the lady who once served in the palace.

Zheng was naturally relieved. She had nothing to worry about anymore. From now on, Bao Nian was left to walk the road alone.

Zheng did her utmost to send her here.

Coming back to her senses and staring at Fu Yuanzi, Zheng lowered her arms and asked, "Even so, why are you still standing there? Go home and tell Dad about your situation—"

Fu Yuanzi pursed his lips and pointed at the basket filled with precious dried fruits. "Eldest sister, can I have two? No, I want two of the same."

"Eat two?" Zheng narrowed her eyes.

Fu Yuanzi was confused by her question and instantly lost his confidence. "Then take one?"

After the words fell, Zheng sneered, lifted the thin cloth covering the basket, and said generously: "Stinky Yuanzi, are you still being so coy with me? Take whatever you want to eat. Don't go back to Dad and say that I didn't even let you eat a piece of dried fruit~"

Fu Yuanzi happily grabbed a handful of dried fruit, and before leaving, he lowered his brows towards Taishi Zheng's stomach and called out, "Xiaobao, Auntie is leaving. When I come back, I'll bring you some braised chicken made by my grandma."

"Go to hell—don't bother us, Xiaobao."

Zheng narrowed her eyes and smiled, then reached out and gently patted Fu Yuanzi's butt, and sent him away. Fu Yuanzi looked back at Cui Zhijun, who was sitting alone on a recliner in the corridor, and nodded. Cui Zhijun quickly lowered his eyes in response, and the two of them remained respectful and silent.

Everyone in the courtyard went their separate ways. Aunt Wu was called away by Yu Yuelan today. Now only the young couple were left in the courtyard, grinning foolishly at the sunlight outside the porch.

Cui Zhiyun's fair and handsome face made Zheng overjoyed.

She liked his eyebrows, his eyes, his mouth. She liked every part of him.

Cui Zhijun was sitting upright. Seeing his wife looking at him so obsessed, he immediately called out in a deep voice, "Xiao Zheng, come here."

Zheng walked over with her hands behind her back, and said coquettishly: "What are you doing~"

But before he could finish his words, Cui Zhijun cautiously grabbed Taishi Zheng's waist and pinned her against his legs. Zheng followed suit, raising her arms to wrap around the man's neck, and leaning against Cui Zhijun, letting go of her fatigue.

She sighed weakly, which made Cui Zhijun feel distressed.

Cui Zhijun placed his hand gently on her belly and spoke caringly, "Xiao Zheng, you look so tired. Why don't we take a day off tomorrow when Mother asks us to go to Jinming Lake? I'll stay home with you and rest. I'm sure Mother will be concerned about your health and won't say anything."

"You don't have to be so stubborn."

My husband is worried about me, and I feel very comforted.

But she shifted her legs towards Cui Zhijun's and said, "Erlang, we've finally gotten out of here, why should we spoil the fun? Besides, we have to go from Kaiyuan Gate tomorrow to see Lao Wu off to the war. We have to leave anyway, and we can afford to go a few blocks. Lean on me for a while, and I won't feel tired anymore if I just lean on my husband for a while. Xiaobao is also very responsible and not noisy at all. I just felt dizzy after seeing too many people today."

Cui Zhijun lowered his eyes and looked at Taishi Zheng, sneered and shook his head.

There was love in his eyes, but also helplessness. The month-old child was secondary; Zheng's feelings were his most important concern. Cui Erlang, who had previously let his wife make the decisions, suddenly became overbearing.

Seeing that he didn't respond, Zheng nudged Cui Zhijun with her head and pressed on, "Ah, I know my husband loves me, but ever since my mother-in-law mentioned this a few days ago, I've been looking forward to it for a long time. I've never been out enjoying the sight of so many family members together before. Please, husband, please fulfill my wish. Can you bear to see me feel lost? Can you bear to see me sad? My dear husband, you are the best husband in the world. Please - just allow me to go~"

Things are different now. Now, when she calls out "my dear husband", Cui Zhiyun feels his bones soften.

No matter how noble a scholar is, he can't escape the trap of a beautiful woman. Zheng put her arm around his neck and shook him. Cui Zhijun, who had been so stubborn just now, immediately surrendered and said happily, "Go, go, tomorrow I will be with you."

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