Chapter 53: The Marquis's Adopted Daughter and the Cold Prince 25
Cha Jiu obediently stopped looking, and Xiao Mei carefully helped her avoid Shen Chi Su and entered the Marquis' Mansion.
Ning Changting turned his head again, and the gentleness on his face disappeared, as cold as frost.
Shen Chi Su felt a pain in his lower abdomen and felt as if his heart was being cut by a knife.
Originally, this gentleness should be hers, this imperial decree should also be hers, the floating luster brocade that Cha Jiu wears, the heirloom jade bracelet on her wrist, this honor, this wealth, should all be hers!
How could she be so stupid to believe Xiao Wen-ge's harmful words?
Shen Chi Su regretted his decision.
"You've seen that Yan Shu will give birth to my child, so you don't have to worry about it, Shen Chi Su." Ning Changting said, "Do you want to surrender to the government yourself, or do I send someone to take you there?"
Shen Chi Su smiled and cried. Seeing the servant was about to come forward to catch her, she ran away with staggering steps.
The ground she passed was stained with blood, and the people around her looked at her strangely and pointed at her.
The heavy snow covered up the turbulent year in Shengjing and the Hou Mansion.
On the Dragon Boat Festival in May, Cha Jiu gave birth to a healthy baby boy.
The old lady and Lady Ninghou were so happy that they couldn't stop looking at the baby who was crying loudly.
Ning Changting had been waiting anxiously outside the delivery room. As soon as he saw the door open, he hurried in.
"Oh, Prince, it smells of blood in there!" Grandma Wu couldn't stop herself.
Why would Ning Changting be afraid of the unpleasant smell of blood or something unlucky?
He was just afraid that Cha Jiu would get hurt during childbirth.
Fortunately, Cha Jiu was resting peacefully in the quilt. Apart from a somewhat pale face, he did not seem to be feeling much discomfort.
He held Cha Jiu's hand, and his frown finally relaxed a little: "Thank you for your hard work."
Cha Jiu smiled faintly: "Have you seen the child?"
Ning Changting's expression froze, and he said awkwardly, "Not yet. I... will go check it out later."
Cha Jiu couldn't help but pursed his lips and laughed: "You, you must not even know whether it's a boy or a girl."
Ning Changting really didn't notice what the old lady shouted just now. His whole attention was on Cha Jiu in the room.
"It doesn't matter whether it's a boy or a girl, I've already thought of a name," said Ning Changting.
"The child was born on the Dragon Boat Festival, just in time for you to give me the five auspicious flowers to seal our relationship. If it's a boy, I'll name him Chengrui, which means auspiciousness and prosperity."
"If it's a girl, we'll give her a name that sounds the same as Chun Rui, pure and beautiful like Jiao Rui. Let the hundred years of blessing from the Marquis' Mansion protect her forever and keep her from suffering the slightest bit of the worldly pain."
When Ning Changting mentioned the name, his expression was serious and solemn.
Cha Jiu could see that he truly loved this child, no matter if it was a son or a daughter.
Her heart softened, and she rubbed her face against his warm, broad palm: "It's a boy this time, so the name Chunrui can only be used next time."
Ning Changting leaned over and kissed Cha Jiu's lips, whispering, "I love children too, but you are still the one I love most. If giving birth is too painful for you, then we won't have it. I'm too worried that you'll get sick from childbirth."
"Yanshu, I want to be with you forever in this life, nothing else matters."
Cha Jiu was stunned.
Between her and the child, Ning Changting chose her without hesitation.
Cha Jiu was moved. She stretched out her arms and put them around Ning Changting's neck, smiling silently into his warm neck.
…
When the Marquis's Mansion held a full-month banquet for the child, the number of powerful and noble families who attended the banquet was even greater than that of Ning Changting's wedding.
This time, even the Queen came in person.
The queen is graceful, yet kind and gentle.
She took Rui'er from Lady Ning's hand with a smile, her eyes full of surprise: "This child is so strong, I'm afraid he will be a famous general like his grandfather in the future!"
The people around also hurriedly congratulated and echoed.
"The Marquis and Prince Ning are so lucky. It looks like the Marquis's Mansion will have another loyal minister."
"The young master was born on an auspicious day. His future will surely be extremely bright."
Cha Jiu stood aside with a smile, silent but not dull, gentle but not timid.
The Queen looked at her out of the corner of her eye and couldn't help but admire her and said, "Changting's wife is indeed outstanding. No wonder he gave up all the gold and land and just wanted to ask for an imperial decree for you."
Cha Jiu bowed, lowered her eyes and said respectfully: "Your Majesty and the Empress are so kind to me, I am truly unworthy of your care."
The Queen smiled and said, "You deserve it. You were willing to ask for permission to go to the quarantine center to take care of Changting in times of crisis, and you also asked the doctors you brought to treat other patients. You are courageous, kind, respectful and polite. You are worthy of being the best among the ladies of the court."
The Queen's words were the highest compliment to the ladies in the court.
Cha Jiu quickly bowed deeply in thanks.
Rui'er was not afraid of people by nature. She giggled in the queen's arms and was very lovable.
The closer the queen got to him, the happier she was. She took off the white jade pendant she was wearing and placed it in his swaddling clothes.
Everyone in the Marquis's Mansion bowed and thanked him immediately.
The onlookers were even more impressed by the royal family's high regard for the Jingyuan Marquisate. They knew in their hearts that if the Marquisate continued to abide by its duties and be loyal, such glory would probably continue for another hundred years.
The Marquis Jingyuan's Mansion is truly blessed with great fortune.
Many noble families began to regret not marrying their daughters to Ning Changting.
Originally, Ning Changting's status and talent were unmatched in Shengjing, but because she had no heir, everyone was unwilling to marry her.
Now that his childlessness has inexplicably been cured, these noble families have started to become active again.
Ning Changting's current wife is just an adopted daughter. If they are willing to marry their precious daughter to him, they should at least give her a co-wife.
If you can't afford it, you can be a concubine, marry her first and have children first.
Time is long, slowly killing a legitimate wife with no status or background, isn't it easy?
The glorious status of the Marquis Jingyuan's Mansion is truly eye-catching.
So some ladies from aristocratic families secretly approached Lady Ninghou and flattered her to the point of making her look like a towering figure.
The Prime Minister's wife seized the opportunity and said, "Since the founding of the dynasty, there has never been a person as young as Prince Ning who has been promoted to the first rank. Now that he has the honor of being in the court, he must also have an heir in the harem. Madam, don't you think so?"
Lady Ninghou was stunned: "Isn't it the son Rui'er?"
"As for offspring, the more the better, the more branches and leaves will flourish."
The other ladies also responded.
The Prime Minister's wife continued, "Now that Prince Ning is in good health, why not marry a few more girls from noble families with good moral character? That way, he can have many children and more happiness. Isn't that wonderful?"
Lady Ninghou finally responded: "You are... asking me to take a concubine for Changting."
The prime minister's wife thought the word "concubine" was offensive, and hinted: "If it is a woman of high status, it is okay to marry a concubine."
"Yes, we are all noble ladies, and we won't be jealous of each other like the lower-class families, causing unrest in the family. We can also have more children, how wonderful it is."
Lady Ninghou was persuaded by these ladies and secretly began to think of taking a concubine.
After the full-moon banquet, Lady Ninghou carefully selected some noble ladies with good family backgrounds and good character, compiled them into a booklet, and sent it to Qingfeng Garden.
Cha Jiu also saw it when he was helping Ning Changting tidy up his desk.
She knew what it was, but she said nothing and didn't move the book.
She believed that Ning Changting would handle the matter himself.
Sure enough, when Ning Changting came back from work and saw the booklet on the table, he immediately frowned and went to Yunruixuan to return the booklet to Lady Ninghou.
"I won't take a concubine." Ning Changting's tone was cold and firm.
Lady Ning had never seen her son take such a tough stance before, so she quickly said, "Taking a concubine is just to give the mansion more children. Yanshu's status will not change."
After all that had happened, although Lady Ning Hou loved Cha Jiu, in her eyes, Cha Jiu was still more important than Ning Changting's many offspring.
She felt that Cha Jiu loved Ning Changting deeply and would definitely be willing to make concessions for this matter.
But I didn't expect that the first person to object would be Ning Changting.
Ning Changting had a headache. He held his forehead and sighed, "Mother, do you think that I took Hua Tuo's elixir to get well and give birth to Rui'er?"
Lady Ninghou asked back: "Isn't it?"
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