Chapter 300 Naming
While Sheng An was at home recovering from childbirth, rumors spread throughout the capital that she had been assassinated and nearly lost both herself and her unborn child, with various conspiracy theories emerging one after another.
One of the most widely believed rumors was that the newly appointed third-ranked scholar was coveted by a powerful woman who, dissatisfied that the scholar's wife had gotten there first, plotted to kill her.
Guided by those with ulterior motives, the rumors began to target Princess Shanmin:
"Everyone knows that she's a womanizer, and the third-ranked scholar is just like that, so it's no surprise that she's set her sights on him."
"I heard that at the banquet at the Marquis of Yongyi's mansion last time, the female devil ordered the execution of the pregnant wife of the third-ranked scholar in front of all the ladies and young ladies."
"Hiss—she's too arrogant and too vicious! Can't anyone do anything about her? Over the years, she's ruined so many families and caused so many deaths. Half of the bones in the mass graves are probably the result of her sins!"
"Shh, keep your voice down. If that she-devil hears you, your bones will be in a mass grave next time."
"..."
These unfavorable rumors quickly reached Princess Shanmin's ears. Enraged that her conspiracy had been exposed, she flew into a rage and, limping, smashed all the furnishings in the room.
"You despicable people, you're all despicable people! You can't even handle this little thing, what's the use of you living in this world? You should be executed and thrown into a mass grave to be fed to wild dogs!"
All the maids knelt on the ground, trembling, fearing that they would attract the attention of Princess Shanmin and be beaten or even lose their lives.
No matter how careful they were, they still offended Princess Shanmin and were severely whipped by her.
Hearing the maids' heart-wrenching screams, Princess Shanmin's anger finally subsided somewhat. She coldly ordered the maids outside the door, "Go and invite Mother over."
Princess Pingyuan arrived quickly. Seeing the mess in the room and traces of bright red blood on the floor, a look of heartache appeared on her well-maintained face.
"Minmin, who made you angry?"
Princess Shanmin threw herself into Princess Pingyuan's arms, her eyes reddening and tears streaming down her face.
"Mother, that bitch is not only alive, but the rumors outside are so horrible. What if Xu Mingyu believes them and starts to hate her daughter?"
Princess Shanmin has cried very few times in her life, and most of those times were when her needs were not met in time as a child.
Now that she was crying like this, Princess Pingyuan felt even more distressed:
“Minmin, be good. I have secretly executed the person who instigated that mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. The child who saw his true face also drowned. The Jingzhao Prefecture could not possibly have found out about the Princess’s residence, and Xu Mingyu would be even less likely to know.”
Princess Shanmin still felt uneasy: "But Mother, those rumors are pointing to me, Xu Mingyu will definitely suspect me..."
These days, she regrets every moment, wondering why she didn't get rid of that bitch Sheng sooner and let her come to the capital alive.
Now that they have failed to take her life twice and cannot directly send someone to take her worthless life, when will she finally get her wish?
If she can't get Xu Mingyu in this life, she won't be at peace even when she dies!
It's not accurate to say that Princess Shanmin had deep feelings for Xu Jinnian; he was simply the only man she had ever been attracted to over the years, and the one she had repeatedly failed to win over despite her setbacks.
What you can't have always seems more alluring.
Born into a noble family, she grew up in a life of ease and privilege, and she simply wouldn't allow anyone to escape her control.
Over time, obtaining Xu Jinnian became Princess Shanmin's obsession.
"What can a mere seventh-rank scholar do without evidence?"
Princess Pingyuan gently comforted her daughter, but her words revealed her true colors:
"Minmin, remember this: you are my daughter, the most noble princess of the royal family. Never cry for a man. If you want Xu Mingyu, just get him. Don't worry about whether he is willing or not."
Princess Shanmin was stunned and looked up at the calm-looking Princess Pingyuan.
Princess Pingyuan smiled slightly, her voice becoming even gentler: "Do you understand?"
"My daughter understands!"
A few days later, a fisherman pulled the decomposed body of a five-year-old boy from the river.
Strangely, the boy's hand was cut off by a sharp blade, and the wound was not treated.
After a thorough examination, the coroner determined that the boy had died about two weeks prior, which was roughly the same time his hand had been severed.
The prefect of Jingzhao suspected that the boy was Granny Wang's kidnapped grandson, and immediately ordered people to bring the mother and daughter-in-law from the prison to identify the body.
The boy's face was completely disfigured and he was unrecognizable from his appearance.
Ultimately, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law confirmed that the boy was their child based on his clothing and the fact that his right foot was noticeably shorter than the second toe.
Upon learning that her grandson had died two weeks earlier, Granny Wang broke down in tears.
"My poor little grandson, it's all my fault, it's all my fault..."
She shouldn't have been a midwife, shouldn't have delivered that lady's baby, and even more so, shouldn't have listened to those wicked people. Not only did she kill her own grandson, but she also caused her daughter-in-law to go to jail.
She has let them down!
No matter how sad or painful Granny Wang was, she could not bring her grandson back to life.
The Prefect of Jingzhao was heartbroken and sent more men to hunt down the kidnappers.
They searched the capital city from top to bottom, but still couldn't find the villain's whereabouts; it was as if he had vanished into thin air.
Xu Jinnian received the news but did not tell Sheng An, who was in postpartum confinement, for fear that she would be saddened by the loss of the innocent little life.
They didn't kill Bo Ren, but Bo Ren died because of them.
Since Xu Jinnian didn't say anything, Sheng An naturally didn't know.
She picked up her little daughter, who had just finished eating and was now asleep, and proudly showed her off to Xu Jinnian with a beaming smile:
"In just a few days, Xiao Bao has become fair and tender. His face is no longer as wrinkled as before, and you can see our reflections in his eyes and brows!"
Xu Jinnian took his daughter and gently touched her soft little face with the back of his fingers: "She looks more like you."
Hearing this, Sheng An was overjoyed: "I carried her for ten months and gave birth to her, so of course she looks more like me."
Xiao Bao's dad has a good eye, unlike her grandparents who insist that Xiao Bao looks more like him!
Looking at his wife who was so easily satisfied, Xu Jinnian chuckled to himself, held his daughter for a while, and then carefully placed her on the small bed next to him.
The couple didn't sleep in separate rooms, worried that they might roll over and crush the baby at night, so they put a small bed next to their main bed.
After admiring their daughter's adorable sleeping face for a moment, Xu Jinnian asked, "Shouldn't we decide on Xiaobao's name?"
Xu Jinnian had already chosen a name for the child before the child was born.
We've chosen names for both the boy and the girl, and we even have one more girl's name to choose from, so we now have three names to choose from.
Sheng An gently held her daughter's little hand, her face showing the loving affection of a new mother: "Let's call her Zhuohua, Xu Zhuohua, nickname Zhuozhuo."
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