Chapter 264 I'm sorry, Gillian, I was wrong
“I told you before that I don’t really like children. Eighteen and Xiao Wu are exceptions, but that’s all. For me to first endure the hardships of ten months of pregnancy, not being able to go anywhere or do this or that, and then having to sit in confinement for a month after giving birth, and then just focus on breastfeeding... This is very unbelievable to me now.”
Zhou Mujiao's eyes were clear and sharp: "You have your ambitions, and I have my ideals. I can follow you around for your ambitions. We are husband and wife. I think even if you can't follow me, you should at least understand."
"I'm sorry, Ah Jiao, I didn't explain clearly." Zhao Yunjing held her hand. "I've never felt that carrying on the family line is the most important thing. The most important thing is that you and I cherish each other forever and love each other forever. Even if our parents want to have a grandson, my Zhao family already has three sons. Ah Jiao, I just wanted to confirm your thoughts further."
Zhou Mujiao nodded: "If at some point I really want a child that belongs to you and me, I will definitely tell you the truth."
"I'll talk to my parents."
"Um."
Regarding the fact that the couple had not had a child after two or three years of marriage, the Zhao couple would indeed talk about it a few times when they went to bed at night, but they never thought of urging Zhou Mujiao or Zhao Yunjing to do so. From the moment Zhou Mujiao came to the Zhao family, the couple knew that she was no ordinary person.
So when Zhao Yunjing brought up this matter with them, the two quickly expressed their stance: "Yunjing, you must make it clear to Ajiao that we will always respect her and you. You have your own life plans, so don't worry about us. Besides, I really want to hold my grandson. I'll go and urge her to get married on the sixth day of the lunar month. If we wait a few more years, we can get married on the ninth day!"
Aunt Zhao said, "I've had four children in my life, and I've never had a moment's rest. Now that you've all grown up, I still can't relax. I have to go with your father to learn this and that. You've all grown up and become successful. If we don't study, what will we talk about with the other ladies? And we also have to manage this huge mansion of the top scholar... I don't even have enough time in a day. If I have another child, will I even have time to sleep?"
"Go do your work. Let your mother and me have more time to rest. Go, go, go!" Uncle Zhao shooed them away.
After Zhao Yunjing left, the Zhao couple felt increasingly uneasy and quickly went to find Zhou Mujiao to find out what was going on.
The group had supported each other through the most difficult times for the Zhao family, and they trusted each other implicitly. They would openly discuss any problems, and this open attitude made it impossible for many people who wanted to sow discord between the two to find a way to do so.
Both sides reaffirmed their attitudes toward the matter and each had their own plans. Zhou Mujiao was still extremely busy, while the Zhao couple were still busy studying. Now, they had two top scholars in their family, and their in-laws had also produced a martial arts champion. They only prayed that they would not hold their children back; they had no time to care about anything else.
Once, while admiring flowers with a group of noble ladies, one of them addressed me as "sister" this and "sister" that, acting as if we were extremely familiar. Then, with a gentle but sarcastic remark, she said, "I truly envy you, sister. Three sons, two of whom are top scholars, and your remaining son and daughter are also exceptional individuals. Such good fortune is truly enviable! Oh dear, I must go and ask the Duchess for some parenting advice. My little one has been sleeping all day and wide awake at night lately; it's so exhausting!"
Madam Zhao waved her hand gently, and after the noble lady had taken a few steps, she spoke in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for the other woman to hear, to the Duchess of Wei beside her: "The Duchess looks quite well. How did you sleep last night?"
"No need to take care of grandchildren, no need to worry about family matters, I feel relaxed and light-hearted, and I can sleep until dawn. Mrs. Zhao, your face is so fair and rosy, anyone who didn't know you would think you were only thirty years old."
"Sigh, isn't this all my daughter-in-law's doing? She said that children and grandchildren have their own blessings, and instead of worrying about the younger generation, we should take good care of ourselves first. My daughter-in-law said that what a woman should do most is not to give birth to children, be a good wife and mother, or be dignified and beautiful, but to take good care of herself and make herself comfortable."
“These insightful people are different from us women in the inner quarters. No wonder you’ve become more and more open-minded, and you’re different from when I first met you.”
"Thanks to my daughter-in-law, all the hardships and grievances I suffered before are gone. I can spend my days traveling around with you all, it's so carefree. My daughter-in-law even said that in a few days she will take us on a trip. Ah Jiao said that life is short, and no one knows whether tomorrow or an accident will come. So, while we are still young, we should see the beautiful landscape of our Great Liang!"
Although the old lady of the Duke of Wei's name has the word "old" in her name, she is actually not much older than Aunt Zhao. Because of her affluent life, she has had fewer worries in the past year or so, and she looks younger than ever. It's just that her status and seniority force her not to wear red and green, even though she is only in her early fifties.
Hearing Aunt Zhao say that she wanted to travel all over the beautiful country, she was immediately moved. She remembered her wish when she was still a young lady. At that time, she always wanted to follow her father and brothers to travel the world with swords. Unfortunately, once a woman gets married, it is like entering a cage. It is difficult to even breathe, let alone break free.
She grabbed Aunt Zhao: "Sister, when are you leaving? Where's your first stop? Let's make a date then."
Aunt Zhao originally just wanted to annoy that so-called noble lady, and didn't really want to go on a trip. Of course, that doesn't mean she was lying. In fact, Zhou Mujiao had already prepared a travel plan for the couple, and they could leave whenever they wanted. However, the couple had too many concerns, the biggest of which was that if something happened to them, Zhao Yunjing and the others would be threatened.
Now, as he talked, he actually convinced himself.
They had been in the capital for several years, living cautiously every day, afraid of making a mistake that would cause trouble for their children. The carefree but poor days they had in Peach Blossom Village seemed like a distant memory, like a past life.
Aunt Zhao immediately forgot about that noble lady and started chatting with the Duchess of Wei about the trip. As others listened, they were also interested and joined the discussion. However, when the lady surnamed Xu returned from asking for 'child-rearing tips', she found that she could no longer understand the topic and could no longer participate.
It took me a while to realize what was going on. What? Madam Zhao and the Duchess of Wei were going to travel the world together? Were they crazy? The two matriarchs of the household were abandoning their families and only caring about their own pleasure?
Madam Xu pursed her lips and was about to leave when she overheard several young ladies whispering, "I think Madam Zhao is right. Who decided that women must stay at home to be wives and mothers? The future of husbands and children is important, but our own future is not? If we forge our own paths and take responsibility for our own future, then we won't need to worry about our husbands and children."
Madam Xu paused for a moment, then turned and left.
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