The birthday celebration for the Duke of Ningguo was naturally a grand affair.
He was the Crown Prince's grandfather-in-law; the Ning family were legitimate imperial relatives.
Many people came to offer their birthday wishes, and everyone was watching to see when the Crown Prince and Crown Princess would arrive and what gifts they would bring.
It's highly unlikely that the Crown Prince won't come; if he doesn't, many people in the court will have to reconsider their positions.
The Ye family and the like also had to send gifts, and of course, the Ning family had to do the same.
The Yan family also had to send gifts, and for this matter, they invited the eldest princess and the old lady of the Yan family.
However, Yan Nangui is a respectable woman and will not participate in this event.
The Crown Princess was dressed in a bright red dress embroidered with peonies early in the morning, looking naturally elegant and beautiful.
Not only her, but she also dressed up the eldest prince carefully and brought him along.
At this time, Ning Chenghui naturally had to go home.
The Crown Prince, also dressed in a dragon robe and carrying lavish gifts, went to the Ning family with his Crown Princess.
The Ning family came out to greet them, naturally overjoyed.
The Duke of Ningguo was pleased, and all the guests who came were satisfied.
The front yard was bustling, and the back yard was just as lively. With the Crown Princess as the most respected person, the old lady of the Ning family, several ladies, and the young lady were all surrounded by her like stars around the moon.
Ning Chenghui was a bit behind, but he was still surrounded by the second wife's family.
Even though she was only a Chenghui (a low-ranking concubine), she still gave birth to the eldest son. Even though this eldest son is now considered the Crown Princess's son.
He will hold a high position once he enters the palace.
The second wife naturally favored her own daughter more.
Finally taking their seats, Ning Chenghui didn't sit too far back.
The day was quite lively, and in the evening, the Crown Prince sent someone to deliver a message.
The eunuch Liu greeted the ladies and mistresses with a smile. His Highness the Crown Prince said that the Crown Princess and Ning Chenghui have not seen their families for a long time. Since it is an auspicious day, they should all stay at home for a day, and the eldest grandson should also stay for a day. His Highness will send someone to pick them up tomorrow afternoon.
Everyone hurriedly thanked the Crown Prince, as this was an extremely good thing.
Although there is a saying these days that unmarried daughters cannot visit their parents' home too often, there is no rule that they cannot stay at their parents' home.
But the royals are different.
The Crown Princess was also happy, as she had many things to tell her mother.
And so, it was decided.
In the evening, at the second wife's residence, Ning Chenghui finished exchanging pleasantries with her mother, Liao, and finally had time to go to her aunt's residence.
Originally, accommodations had been arranged for her, but she insisted on going to her aunt's place.
This was her first time returning home after so many years of marriage, and Liao Shi didn't stop her after all.
Ning Chenghui's concubine's surname was Gao. She was very beautiful, and although she was a bit old, she was still favored.
Perhaps it was because of Ning Chenghui, or perhaps it was because of his own abilities.
However, she only had one child.
The second master of the Ning family was not a very proper person; otherwise, he wouldn't have had two sons born out of wedlock before his legal wife entered the family.
However, the Liao family is also very capable.
"Good child, your aunt misses you all the time, but it's not right for her to always send someone to visit you." Even if an aunt could send someone out, she wouldn't dare.
It's not that I'm worried about what will happen to my side, but I'm worried that people will find fault with my child and make fun of him.
"I'm fine, Auntie, don't worry." Ning Chenghui burst into tears before she could finish speaking.
What's so good about it? What good is being a concubine?
Her aunt understood everything; she waved her hand, signaling the servants to leave.
She knew how much she had suffered from the moment she learned that her child had given birth but couldn't raise the child.
He held her and let her cry for a while before saying, "Good girl, crying won't help. You need to think of a solution. You're still young."
“I know, I am… Mother, you know, His Highness the Crown Prince doesn’t like me either,” Ning Chenghui said.
It's not surprising that they call each other "mother" in private; the two have always been close.
“Liking someone isn’t always important. How much does your father actually like me? Yet, with so many concubines in our second branch, I, who only gave birth to a daughter, managed to secure my place.” Madam Gao smiled.
"If you can have one child, you can have another."
At this point, Ning Chenghui shuddered and revealed the Crown Princess's thoughts.
Madam Gao's face turned pale with anger: "What a vicious woman!"
"Mother, what should I do?" Ning Chenghui usually appeared calm and collected, but at this moment, how could he not be afraid?
Madam Gao remained calm. She thought for a while before saying, "The Ning family would never give up on her and choose you. You are born of a concubine and cannot become the Crown Princess."
She bit her lip: "I can only tell you that you can't rely on the Ning family alone."
"Mother...I..."
“Silly child, it’s true that you are a daughter of the Ning family, but aren’t you also His Highness the Crown Prince’s woman? In the years since you entered the manor, you’ve never done anything wrong, and you even gave birth to his eldest son. Even if you’re not favored, you’ve been obedient all these years, haven’t you? Listen to your mother, beg him.”
“But what can I say? Should I say that the Crown Princess is trying to harm me?” Ning Chenghui asked.
"No need to say anything, once you're pregnant, just beg him. Sometimes you don't need proof. The Crown Prince will understand. Good girl, sometimes, when a woman doesn't rely on her family but only on a man, the man will understand."
“…Fine.” Ning Chenghui wiped away his tears: “I just hate her. She was too cruel. Back then, she didn’t care whether I lived or died and forced me to have the eldest grandson. I thought that was it…I never expected that she would have such a big appetite.” Ning Chenghui said bitterly.
Madam Gao also felt resentment, but she still rationally patted her head and said, "Calm down, don't let these things cloud your judgment. Since she can't have children herself and only wants other people's children, then let her never be able to have them."
The mother and daughter were planning their future with hatred in their hearts.
Meanwhile, the Crown Princess and her mother were also talking, but their conversation was far more intimate than that of the people on the other side.
There were even more rules between her and her mother.
Wang was a woman who valued rules and regulations. Although she loved her two sons and one daughter dearly, she would never call them "baby" or "favorite."
Of course, she also cares about the child.
No matter how good the eldest grandson is, he is not the Crown Princess's biological son, so she is naturally not satisfied.
Although the Ning family seems to have stopped having wild ideas and is now wholeheartedly on the Crown Prince's side, the Crown Princess has no children.
The Ning family's daughters have grown up. What if the Ning family has other intentions?
Therefore, she couldn't help but worry.
But if she couldn't be born, she just couldn't be born; being anxious won't help.
So, as if giving a work report, the Crown Princess talked about many things that could be said in the palace.
Wang nodded. Although things were not the same as before, she couldn't find the words to praise them.
Regardless, the two of them finally told their mother what they wanted to say.
The next day, before the Crown Prince could send anyone to pick them up, the Ning family quickly sent the Crown Princess, the eldest grandson, and Ning Chenghui back home in the morning.
This is also a kind of attitude, so it's not surprising.
Shu Chengfeng went to the main courtyard to have lunch with the Crown Princess before returning.
With what needed to be done done, the Crown Princess finally breathed a sigh of relief.
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