Qingzhi Courtyard
As soon as Yinzhen entered the door, he smelled a sweet fragrance, and his stomach immediately began to rumble.
"Master!" Changning heard the noise and turned around abruptly. When she saw Yinzhen return, her eyes lit up, and she quickly got up and rushed over.
This startled Yinzhen, who quickly stepped forward to catch her, preventing her from moving. "Don't move, don't move! Why are you so clumsy? Be careful, what if you hurt the child?"
Unexpectedly, as soon as these words were spoken, tears began to fall from Changning's eyes.
"What's wrong? Are you so happy to see me back that you've gone crazy?" Yinzhen lovingly wiped away Changning's tears.
Changning pouted, looking very aggrieved. "I haven't seen Master for so long, and he only has the children in his heart. He hasn't thought about me at all!"
Yinzhen was both amused and exasperated. He gently pinched Changning's nose and said softly, "Silly girl, you're all I think about. How could I not miss you? I write to you and send you things every few days. It's all because I'm thinking of you. How are you? Do you like the fruits and fabrics from the south?"
At this point, Changning was quite happy, and her tears turned into a smile. "I like it, but I think the fabric is only so-so for making qipao. I wish it could be made into skirts for Han Chinese women."
“That’s not difficult at all. I’ll get you a nanny who can do needlework.”
"Sir, you're so kind. You must be tired from running errands these past few days, have you had a meal yet?"
Seeing Changning's happy expression, Yinzhen felt relieved and then realized that he had been hungry. "I only had soup, but I smelled the aroma as soon as I entered the room. What are you eating?"
Changning quickly instructed Zhuiyu to take the sweet potatoes out of the charcoal brazier. "These are roasted sweet potatoes. They're so sweet. Have a taste, sir."
The roasted sweet potatoes have a brownish-red skin, and some parts have even oozed syrup. They look sticky and sweet. Changning gently breaks one in half, revealing the orange-red flesh. A rich, sweet aroma wafts out, and a light bite reveals its soft and glutinous texture.
Yinzhen also ate half a roasted sweet potato, feeling the coldness in his heart filled by the warm, sweet sweet potato.
After finishing the roasted sweet potatoes, Changning instructed the kitchen to make a bowl of thick dumpling soup.
I specifically requested no chicken broth base, just clear broth with noodles, some salt, bean sprouts, and a thick consistency.
Looking at this simple bowl of noodle soup, Yinzhen thought to himself that the food at Yaoxian's place always refreshed his understanding of food.
Not wanting to offend Changning, I ate it spoonful by spoonful, and surprisingly found it quite good. The soup was thick, the bean sprouts were crisp, and without too many seasonings, I could taste the natural flavor of the food.
"This dumpling soup is pretty good. I'll have it again tomorrow morning, with some pickles."
After eating this bowl, Yinzhen was no longer hungry and then gave instructions to Su Peisheng.
"Add a salted duck egg, one that's oozing oil and has lots of yolk," Changning added with a grin.
After they finished eating, the two went into the inner room.
Seeing that the inner room was covered with fox fur carpets, and that one had to take off their shoes and go barefoot to walk on them, Yinzhen found it quite novel. "You like this? Persia has sent quite a few as tribute. We'll send you a few tomorrow."
Changning shook her head. "I like this fox fur one; it's warm to step on. The Persian carpets aren't very nice. They don't match the furnishings in my room either."
Yinzhen nodded. "Indeed, a simpler style is more beautiful."
The maidservants had already helped the two of them finish washing up. Changning got into bed first, leaning against the large soft cushion behind her. There were also rabbit and carrot dolls on the bed.
Changning also gave one to Yinzhen so he could lean against it and try it out. As expected, he liked it quite a bit. "You really know how to enjoy life. Do you have any more of these soft cushions? Make a few more so we can send them to the Emperor and Mother."
Changning smiled, a hint of slyness in her eyes. "Of course, everything's ready. We're just waiting for you to come back so you can show your filial piety at the end of the year. We'll also prepare two boxes of soft cheese, sweet and sticky. The osmanthus wine buried under the tree is also ready."
Yinzhen gently embraced Changning and said tenderly, "Yaoxian, you're so thoughtful. I've been away for so long and haven't been able to spend time with you. But judging from your letter, you seem to be doing quite well. How are you? Has anyone upset you?"
"No one would dare. Speaking of which, I have to thank you, sir. My mother came to stay with me for half a month. I haven't seen my family for a long time, and I feel much better now."
When the topic turned to the Fucha family, Yinzhen thought for a moment and said, "Your eldest brother's year-end evaluation has come down. This time he will probably be promoted to the fourth-rank official, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies."
Changning nodded, feeling happy and proud. "My elder brother is very studious and hardworking, and he has real skills."
"Your older brother has a son?"
"Yes, Dorsey, he's five years old now, and he's very clever, but he hasn't started school yet. His older brother is tutoring him himself. His sister-in-law is also pregnant, and she'll be giving birth around the same time as me."
Yinzhen nodded. "That's good. If it's a boy, he can be used as a bead for our prince."
"Oh dear!" Changning suddenly exclaimed when she mentioned the child.
Yinzhen immediately tensed up. "What's wrong?"
"My belly, the babies are kicking again."
Yinzhen was aware of the fetal movement, but he had never been so close to it before, so he was overjoyed and gently touched Changning's belly with his large hand.
Perhaps it was a connection between father and son, but as soon as Yinzhen placed his large hand on it, he felt a small bulge under his palm, which was different from the weak and small fetus he had guessed. He kicked it suddenly, and it was quite powerful.
Immediately afterwards, Yinzhen stared intently at Changning's belly. Sometimes a bulge would appear here, sometimes a bump would appear there, and the baby inside would kick and punch. Yinzhen felt a strange sense of emotion as he watched. "You've really worked hard. These two children are so naughty even when they're still in your belly."
"Yes, when they come out, I'm going to give them a good spanking."
Seeing Changning's giggling expression, Yinzhen also chuckled.
The two chatted like any ordinary married couple.
"They're really energetic! Most likely a prince. But your love for spicy food is a bit hard to predict. What did Physician Bai say?"
Changning teased, "Why are you so concerned about whether the child is a boy or a girl? You've even started believing in sour foods for boys and spicy foods for girls?"
Yinzhen gently touched Changning's belly again. The baby seemed to be tired after moving around for a while, and then it calmed down.
Although there was no fetal movement, Yinzhen could clearly feel that two children, connected to him by blood, were growing inside the woman's belly beside him.
This feeling is hard for anyone but a parent to understand.
"I'm curious and concerned. That's why I'm preparing to name the child."
"What has Master prepared?"
"The name will definitely be chosen by Father Emperor. Moreover, this is the first set of twins since the founding of the Qing Dynasty. Whether they are male or female twins, Father Emperor will attach great importance to it."
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