Just then, Zheng Fengyun suddenly stood up and took his stepmother Gu Qinlan's hand. His eyes were filled with longing and affection, which made Gu Qinlan's heart skip a beat. Looking at him, Gu Qinlan felt an indescribable maternal love welling up in her heart. She gently squeezed his hand back and nodded.
"Feng Yun, you...you're willing to let me take care of you?" Gu Qinlan's voice was gentle, with a hint of uncertainty.
Zheng Fengyun nodded slightly, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes: "Qinlan, I feel cold, can you hug me?"
Looking at his thin body, Gu Qinlan felt a surge of protectiveness. She gently hugged him and patted his back softly, comforting him, "Fengyun, don't be afraid. I'm here. You'll feel warm."
Princess Duan was quite surprised when she saw this.
In her memory, Zheng Fengyun rarely got close to people, especially women. She never expected that he would take the initiative to hold Gu Qinlan's hand and ask her to hug him.
Princess Duan couldn't help but smile and ask, "Fengyun, what's wrong with you today? You're not usually very sociable."
Zheng Fengyun raised his head and looked at Princess Duan, a hint of shyness flashing in his eyes: "Grandmother, I... I just want to feel a mother's love."
Gu Qinlan looked at Zheng Fengyun, her heart filled with emotion. She gently patted his hand and said softly, "Fengyun, since you want to feel a mother's love so much, then let me take care of you from now on. I will do my best to make you feel the warmth of home."
Princess Duan looked at Gu Qinlan and couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions.
Zheng Fengyun pursed his lips and said, "My wet nurse was strict with me, so I did become somewhat distant from her."
Upon hearing this, Gu Qinlan's heart stirred; this was indeed unusual in the Prince's mansion.
The wet nurse held an extraordinary position in the Prince's mansion, and looking at Zheng Fengyun, she couldn't help but feel a complex mix of emotions.
Was he hinting at something to me? He's so close to me, could it be that he's after my status as the heir apparent of the Duan Prince's mansion, and wants to use my power to deal with potential dangers around him?
Gu Qinlan made a decision: she would intervene in this matter and investigate Zheng Fengyun's situation thoroughly.
Moreover, the investigation should not be publicized and must be carried out in secret.
Gu Qinlan looked at Princess Duan and asked earnestly, "Mother, I would like to bring Fengyun to my courtyard to take care of him personally. Do you think that's alright?"
Princess Duan smiled slightly, her eyes revealing a hint of gentleness. She gently patted Gu Qinlan's hand and said, "Qinlan, you are a responsible mother, how can I not support you? Since you are so sincere, then I agree to entrust Fengyun to your care."
Gu Qinlan's face lit up with joy. She looked at Princess Duan with gratitude and said, "Thank you, Mother. I will not let you down."
Princess Duan nodded gently, then suddenly remembered something and said, "Since you want to take care of Feng Yun, I will arrange four maids for you. They are all people from my side, so you should be able to use them with peace of mind."
Gu Qinlan was taken aback, not expecting the Princess Consort of Duan to be so thoughtful. She quickly said, "Mother, how can this be? They are all people close to you. How can I take away what you love?"
Princess Duan smiled and said, "Silly child, I'm doing this for your own good. You'll definitely be too busy taking care of Fengyun by yourself. These four maids are all carefully selected by me; they are both reliable and capable. Feel free to use them."
Gu Qinlan could no longer refuse, so she said, "Then I will respectfully accept your offer. Thank you, Mother."
Princess Duan summoned her four maids, Bailu, Guyu, Mangzhong, and Jingzhe, and said to them, "From today onwards, you will follow the Princess Consort and take good care of her and the young prince. If you are negligent in the slightest, I will not let you off lightly."
The four maids responded in unison, their expressions respectful.
Princess Duan was overjoyed, her face beaming with happiness. She gently patted Gu Qinlan's hand and said softly, "Good child, you are so considerate, always thinking of the Zheng family. These four maids are beautiful and kind; they will surely help the Zheng family to prosper."
Gu Qinlan smiled slightly, a hint of humility in her eyes: "Mother, you flatter me. This is all I should do. However, I would like to ask you whether these four maids should stay with you for the time being, and make arrangements after the young master returns?"
Upon hearing this, Princess Duan gently shook her head, her smile growing even warmer: "There's no need to wait any longer. I have plenty of servants here. Take these four maids back to your courtyard and train them well, so they can share your burdens. The most important thing is that the Zheng family has a successor."
Gu Qinlan was slightly taken aback, not expecting the Princess Consort of Duan to make such a decision. She hesitated and said, "Mother, isn't this a bit inappropriate? After all, the Heir Apparent hasn't returned yet. If I were to make this decision on my own..."
Princess Duan gently patted Gu Qinlan's hand, interrupting her: "Don't worry, since I've said it, I can't be wrong. You are the heir apparent of the Zheng family, and you have the right to decide these things. Besides, would I ever harm you?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Qinlan felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She looked at Princess Duan with gratitude and said, "Mother, I understand. Then we will do as you wish. I will take good care of these four maids and help them to have many children for the Zheng family."
Princess Duan nodded, her gaze towards Gu Qinlan growing increasingly satisfied.
She said softly, "Alright, go ahead and make the arrangements. I have other things to take care of here, so I won't stay with you any longer."
Gu Qinlan responded and turned to leave. At this moment, Bailu, Guyu, Mangzhong, and Jingzhe knelt down in unison, pleading, "Your Highness, please have mercy and let us stay by your side to serve you. We are willing to serve the Zheng family with utmost loyalty."
Princess Duan looked at the four of them, a hint of tenderness flashing in her eyes. She said softly, "I appreciate your kindness, but you should still go with the Crown Princess. She needs your company, and you should serve her well."
Upon hearing this, a hint of reluctance flashed in the eyes of the four, but they ultimately responded in unison, "Yes, sir!"
Gu Qinlan carried Zheng Fengyun and led four maids through the long corridor of the Duan Prince's Mansion back to her own courtyard.
The courtyard was quiet, and the afterglow of the setting sun shone on the bluestone path, casting a soft glow.
Gu Qinlan gently put Zheng Fengyun down, letting him stand on the ground.
Hongye and Fuyu had been waiting for a long time. When they saw Gu Qinlan return, they immediately came to greet her.
Hongye asked with concern, "Princess Consort, you're back. How is Young Master Fengyun?"
Gu Qinlan smiled slightly and looked at Zheng Fengyun, saying, "Fengyun is very well-behaved. He held me tightly and didn't want anyone else to get close."
Hongye and Fuyu looked at each other, a hint of embarrassment on their faces.
Hongye couldn't help but say, "Princess Consort, we are just worried about Young Master Fengyun. After all, it's our first time meeting you, and we want to help him adapt to the new environment."
Gu Qinlan gently patted Zheng Fengyun's shoulder and said firmly, "I know how you feel, but Fengyun needs peace and quiet to adjust right now. I will take care of him personally, so you don't need to worry."
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