Chapter 054
Because Emperor Cheng used Prince Rui's birthday to call Chu Xiuming back, he bestowed a lot of things on Prince Rui's mansion the day before his birthday. Prince Rui had been in a bad mood because of the matter with Concubine Xu and his three daughters, and he did not look too happy when receiving the rewards. Princess Rui had already asked the people in the mansion to get busy.
Even Shen Qi came back to help. The invitations had been sent, the location had been arranged, and a drama troupe was invited. Shen Hao kept asking for his mother, so Princess Rui handed him over to Shen Rong. I don't know what Shen Rong said to Shen Hao, but she managed to coax him into submission.
After receiving the reward, Princess Rui arranged for someone to register the items and replaced some items in the palace with the ones given by the emperor. When everything was done, she took Concubine Chen to do a final inspection. Prince Rui sat aside and suddenly said, "I remember Jin girl likes to eat steamed cheese with sugar."
"If it wasn't for the prince's reminder, I would have almost forgotten it." Princess Rui laughed when she heard it, "Sister Chen didn't even remind me."
Concubine Chen also smiled and said, "On the prince's birthday, the younger generation will be satisfied even if they only eat a bowl of clear soup noodles. We should prepare more of the prince's favorites."
After hearing this, Prince Rui became more energetic and came over to sit next to Princess Rui. Concubine Chen was about to stand up when Prince Rui said, "Sit down. There's no need to be so reserved."
Concubine Chen glanced at Princess Rui, who nodded slightly. Concubine Chen did not move. In fact, Princess Rui had already asked someone to prepare the steamed yogurt with sugar, but she was just trying to appease the prince. Princess Rui said, "Your Highness still loves the child."
Prince Rui smiled somewhat complacently and said, "I still remember Qi'er liked lotus leaf and lotus seed chicken."
Princess Rui smiled and took a piece of paper to write down everything the prince wrote, and then started a discussion. When the prince mentioned the candied pork elbow, Princess Rui glared at him and said, "Isn't this what the prince likes? How did it become Xi'er's favorite? The imperial physician said that the prince is not allowed to use it too much."
"It's okay to use it occasionally." King Rui said with a smile.
Princess Rui then wrote it down and said, "We'll have these when our family is together tonight. If the children knew that the dishes were prepared by the prince himself, they would be surprised."
"By the way, it's my birthday. Have the princess and concubine prepared any gifts?" Prince Rui asked with a smile, leaning on the cushion.
Princess Rui said, "How can the prince be so kind as to give it tomorrow and even give it as a surprise."
King Rui said, "Okay then."
Concubine Chen sat quietly aside without interrupting, and only said a word or two when asked. Prince Rui was also accustomed to Concubine Chen's temperament. In the past, he liked Concubine Xu, but now he felt that people like the princess and Concubine Chen were more comforting.
The servants in the room kept silent so as not to disturb the host's interest. The three were discussing the soup when Cui Xi came in. Shen Rong and Shen Hao came to greet Prince Rui and the others.
Princess Rui smiled and said, "Quickly bring the two siblings in. Cui Xi, go to the kitchen and see if there are any newly made cakes and bring some over. Also bring the fruits that His Majesty just gave as a reward."
"Yes." Cui Xi responded respectfully and went downstairs to prepare.
The wound on Shen Rong's face had not healed yet, so she didn't cover it up anymore. She looked haggard and had lost a lot of weight. When she came in, she greeted Shen Hao. Shen Hao followed Shen Rong obediently, lowered his head and said nothing.
Princess Rui asked Shen Rong and the others to sit down before saying, "Your father is discussing tomorrow's dishes with me. Is there anything you want to eat?"
"I like them all." Shen Rong said very sensibly.
After all, they were his own children. King Rui looked at them with a softer expression and asked, "Do you have any more Snow Lotus Cream?"
"There's more." Shen Rong looked at Prince Rui and said with dependence.
Prince Rui nodded, Cui Xi had already brought the food over. After Shen Rong thanked him, she first gave the fruit to Shen Hao and then took some for herself and began to eat slowly.
Because the child was present, Prince Rui did not joke like he did just now, and quickly decided on the dishes. Prince Rui said, "Fifth girl, I will ask His Majesty to decide on your title of princess in a while." This was a reminder from Princess Rui. Normally, the girls in the palace would decide on these before getting married, but Shen Rong's situation was a little special, so she thought of deciding it first.
"Thank you, father." Shen Rong said with surprise in her eyes.
King Rui said, "It was your mother who reminded me."
"Thank you, mother." Shen Rong said to Princess Rui with emotion.
Princess Rui smiled and said, "They are all my children, why should I even thank them?"
Shen Rong suddenly pulled Shen Hao to kneel in front of Prince Rui and Princess Rui. Princess Rui's eyes flashed, and Concubine Chen stood aside silently, lowering her head and saying nothing. Prince Rui frowned and said, "What are you doing?"
"Father, mother." Shen Rong kowtowed and said, "My daughter knows that mother has done something wrong, and has explained it to my brother. But my brother is still young, and it is not good for him to be alone. My daughter would like to ask Concubine Chen to take care of my brother."
Concubine Chen's expression did not change. Princess Rui asked the maid to help Shen Rong and Shen Hao, but they just couldn't get up, and the maid didn't dare to use force. Shen Rong saw that Prince Rui didn't say anything, so she pulled Shen Hao to kowtow to Concubine Chen and said, "Concubine Chen, your younger brother is also your father's son. When your younger brother grows up..."
"No way." Concubine Chen avoided the two people and bowed.
Shen Rong gritted her teeth and looked up at Prince Rui with tears in her eyes and said, "Father, my brother is young and cannot live without mother's care. Mother has to take care of the affairs of the palace and take care of my second brother. That's why I want Concubine Chen to take care of my brother. After my third sister got married, Concubine Chen would be lonely without her children."
Shen Hao said, "Concubine Chen, I will definitely not cause any trouble for you."
After hearing this, Prince Rui's heart was slightly moved, but not for any other reason. He thought that Concubine Chen had brought up their third daughter very well, and she was sensible and filial. It would not be a bad idea to hand over Rong and Hao as well to Concubine Chen. With a boy raised under their name, people in the palace would not dare to neglect him anymore.
Concubine Chen was unwilling. Shen Hao was already eight years old and could remember things. It was impossible to raise such a child. Moreover, if she did not have the daughter of the wife of the Earl of Yongning, how could Shen Rong make such a proposal? Moreover, she kept calling him "brother". She was thinking more about herself. If she was really persuaded by her, I am afraid that the prince would directly register both children under her name. She was so young and had already calculated so much. I am afraid that it would cause more trouble for Jin girl in the future. Although Concubine Chen knew that Shen Rong had to do so, and for the future planning of herself and Shen Hao, people have selfish motives. To cause trouble for her own children for the sake of other people's children? Concubine Chen could not do such a thing.
It was not easy for Shen Jin to be where she is now. When Concubine Chen thought of the news from the border town, her heart ached. Why didn't anyone help her daughter in the first place? Concubine Chen made up her mind that even if it offended and contradicted Prince Rui, she would never raise these two children, so she just lowered her head and said nothing.
Princess Rui's eyes flickered, and she had other plans in mind. She said, "Hurry up, what are you going to do to Concubine Chen? Even if she agrees, this matter is not something she can decide."
Prince Rui was originally slightly dissatisfied because Concubine Chen did not speak, but after listening to Princess Rui's words, he understood that Concubine Chen was not the one in charge of the palace. How could a concubine dare to discuss the ownership of the heir when he and the princess were still there? He said, "Stand up."
Shen Rong gritted her teeth, pulled Shen Hao up, and explained with a trembling voice, "Father, it's all my fault... Yesterday when I went to visit my brother, I saw that the tea on his table had already gone cold..." She did not directly say that Shen Hao was neglected, but her meaning was very clear.
Princess Rui's face darkened and she said, "Lock up all the people who serve the Third Young Master. Tomorrow is the Prince's birthday, so it's not good to see blood. After the Prince's birthday, everyone will be beaten with twenty sticks."
Prince Rui nodded and said, "Princess, you handled it properly." But he still looked at Concubine Chen, "It's just that without a mother to take care of it, it really can't be..."
"It's also because I didn't tell the prince." Princess Rui said, "I wanted to tell the prince tomorrow to make him happy, but now I can't care about it. A few days ago, Li found out that she was pregnant. I also asked the doctor to check it out. It's almost three months, and the doctor said it looks like a boy."
"Really?" Prince Rui said in surprise. It wasn't that he liked Li very much, but he felt a strange sense of satisfaction and joy that at his age, he could still make his concubine pregnant.
Princess Rui glared at King Rui, "How could I joke about such a thing? That day, I went to visit Li with Sister Chen. I thought that no matter whether it was a boy or a girl, it would be a happy event. However, Li's family background was too low, so I wanted to register her under the name of Concubine Chen and let Concubine Chen raise her." Then she leaned over to King Rui's ear and whispered, "Will Earl Yongning take extra care of her when the time comes?"
Prince Rui suddenly understood that the princess was planning a future for her child. He was filled with admiration that the princess was the only one who cared about him wholeheartedly.
Seeing that Prince Rui understood, Princess Rui sat up straight and said, "Sister Chen was also very happy. She even gave Li a lot of medicinal herbs and supplements brought back by Jin girl."
"That's great." King Rui said with a smile.
Princess Rui glanced at Shen Rong and continued, "I discussed with Sister Chen that we should not tell the prince yet, and tell him tomorrow so that he can have a surprise. Who would have thought that Sister Chen is so honest that she didn't tell him about this until just now. Babies are very fragile when they are just born, and I'm afraid Sister Chen doesn't have the energy to do anything else."
King Rui said, "As you should."
As they were talking, a maid came to report that the Earl of Yongning and his wife had also arrived. Concubine Chen's eyes showed joy, and Shen Rong clenched her fists. However, the look Princess Rui gave her just now made Shen Rong dare not say anything, as if all her thoughts were seen clearly.
King Rui laughed and said, "Why are they here today?"
"You're dissatisfied with the child coming over." Princess Rui looked at King Rui and said with a smile, "Besides, the child might have come to see me and Sister Chen."
King Rui said, "I said the wrong thing."
Princess Rui ignored the king and looked at Concubine Chen and said, "Sister Chen has not met the son-in-law of Earl Yongning yet, right? It would be better to meet him today so that you can feel at ease. Hearing from others is always not as good as seeing it yourself."
Concubine Chen pursed her lips and smiled, saying, "The prince and princess both agreed, so why should I be worried?"
Chu Xiuming and Shen Jin happened to hear this when they came in. The two of them greeted the King and Princess Rui, and Shen Rong brought Shen Hao to greet Chu Xiuming and his wife. Then they all sat down. Shen Jin looked at them with a puzzled look and asked, "What do you mean by reassurance?"
Concubine Chen had just glanced at Chu Xiuming and Shen Jin, and saw that her daughter had a rosy face. When Chu Xiuming entered the room, he even slowed down his pace to glance at his daughter. She felt relieved and thought that her daughter and son-in-law were a perfect match standing together.
Princess Rui smiled and said, "I was just talking about your mother."
Shen Jin looked at Princess Rui and then at Concubine Chen, "Oh."
Princess Rui couldn't help laughing and said, "Do you understand?"
"I don't quite understand." Shen Jin said honestly.
Even King Rui was amused. Shen Jin frowned slightly and looked at Chu Xiuming. Chu Xiuming reached out and patted her hand. After everyone had laughed enough, he said, "Tomorrow is my father-in-law's birthday. My wife and I have prepared some gifts, but some of them are not suitable to be shown in public."
"Oh?" King Rui looked at Chu Xiuming.
But Anping handed the box in his hand to Shen Jin. Shen Jin took it with both hands, stood up and walked to King Rui, holding it in both hands, and said, "Father, I made a coat for you."
Prince Rui was delighted as he took it, opened it, and said, "I didn't expect Jin girl to be able to make clothes after getting married."
Princess Rui said, "Take it out and let us have a look. Why don't you let the prince wear this tomorrow?"
Prince Rui laughed, put the box aside, and took out the clothes himself. It was made of Yuehua brocade, but it was dark green in color and embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns. Concubine Chen could tell at a glance that this dress was probably not made by her daughter, although in order to imitate Shen Jin's craftsmanship, the auspicious clouds were deliberately embroidered in a rounder shape.
Princess Rui must have seen it, but she just admired and said, "Jin girl, you are too partial. Your mother and I are not like that."
Shen Jin blushed. This was made hastily by Aunt Zhao. It was not made by her at all. She had promised to make the sachet and fan cover for her husband, but she still hadn't made it yet.
"Don't say that about my good daughter." Prince Rui was extremely satisfied. He asked the maid to put the clothes away carefully and said.
Chu Xiuming then took the brocade box from An Ning's hand, handed it to King Rui with both hands and said, "This is a gift from you to your father-in-law. Thank you for raising such a good daughter like you, Madam."
Upon hearing this, King Rui sighed in his heart, took it and opened it immediately, and saw that there was a pair of cups inside. The cups looked extremely ordinary, but seeing Chu Xiuming being so serious, King Rui narrowed his eyes.
Chu Xiuming didn't explain too much, just smiled and said, "Father-in-law, pour some tea and try."
King Rui's eyes lit up with joy, and he suddenly had a guess and said, "This is... Go and get some sake, liquor, water, and tea."
Princess Rui was also worldly-wise, and when she saw the pair of cups she simply sighed, "You are so thoughtful." It was no wonder they didn't include such precious items in the gift list.
Shen Jin said with a smile, "My husband snatched it away, and I kept it on purpose when I saw it."
The maid brought the things quickly, and Prince Rui sent everyone away. He closed the doors and windows, and without asking anyone else to do anything, he carefully took out the cup and poured the strong liquor into it. The cup, which seemed ordinary just now, gradually turned red, and a glow gradually appeared on the surface of the wine, but one was the morning glow and the other was the evening glow.
"Okay." King Rui couldn't help but say.
Shen Rong and Shen Hao also saw it, and Shen Hao said, "Father, I want to see it too."
"Come here." King Rui waved Shen Hao over, "Be careful."
"I see." Shen Hao looked at the cup in surprise.
King Rui admired it for a while, then poured out the wine and rinsed it with clean water. The colors on the cup disappeared and it returned to its normal appearance. King Rui poured sake into the cup and saw colorful butterflies dancing on the surface of the wine. The butterflies in the cup were of different colors. As the wine swayed, the butterflies flapped their wings as if they were about to fly away.
"So beautiful." Shen Hao's face was full of admiration, "Father, please give it to me."
"No." Prince Rui refused without hesitation, and tried using tea, water, and warm water, before carefully wiping it with a handkerchief and putting it in the box. Shen Hao reached out to take it, but Prince Rui quickly closed the brocade box and said, "I told you, don't touch it."
"Your Highness." Princess Rui shouted in disapproval, and Prince Rui stopped talking. Instead, he put the box away and looked at Chu Xiuming and said, "Son-in-law, this is a good gift."
"As long as my father-in-law likes it." Chu Xiuming didn't care about material things, he just smiled when he heard that.
Prince Rui nodded, "It's better than the one my brother treasures."
Princess Rui said, "Your Highness, please enjoy it at home. Don't take it out, or it will cause trouble for your son-in-law."
"Don't worry, I know." Prince Rui assured, "You are not allowed to tell anyone." If Emperor Cheng finds out, this will have to be offered up.
Chu Xiuming and Shen Jin sat back down. Prince Rui looked at Shen Rong and said, "Take Hao'er back with you."
Shen Rong lowered her head, her eyes flashed, and said, "Yes." Then she went up and took Shen Hao's hand and walked out.
Although Shen Hao still wanted to see the cup, he listened to Shen Rong in the end. It might also be because he knew that Shen Rong was his only remaining relative, so he bowed and said goodbye.
Princess Rui then told Shen Jin about the child, and Shen Jin said with joy, "Congratulations, father."
King Rui laughed, nodded proudly and said, "When the time comes, I'll keep him by your mother's side and keep him company."
Shen Jin smiled with her eyes curved, and everyone who saw her could not help but be infected by her happiness. King Rui said, "Xiu Ming, come and have a couple of drinks with me tonight, and celebrate properly."
"Let's do it another day." Chu Xiuming said with a smile, "It's better for father-in-law to rest early today. Even if he doesn't want to drink tomorrow, it won't work."
King Rui finally realized what was happening and realized that Chu Xiuming was worried about his health. He smiled and nodded, saying, "You are really thoughtful."
"Your Highness, didn't you just get a set of toys from the previous dynasty a few days ago? Why don't you take your son-in-law to have a look?" Princess Rui said softly.
Prince Rui nodded and said, "Yes." Prince Rui took the brocade box in his own hands and said, "Xiuming, let's go to the study room and take a look."
Chu Xiuming smiled and agreed, and left with Prince Rui. Princess Rui then looked at Concubine Chen and Shen Jin and said, "I still have to go and take a look at the utensils for tomorrow. You two can do whatever you want."
Concubine Chen then said, "Thank you, Princess."
Shen Jin smiled and said, "Mother, I will go back and check my room. I don't know if mother has done anything else with it."
Princess Rui smiled and said, "You just like to talk nonsense." Concubine Chen and Shen Jin sent Princess Rui out together. Then Shen Jin took Concubine Chen's hand and walked towards Mo Yun Courtyard.
Concubine Chen touched her daughter's hand and suddenly asked, "What's wrong with your hand?"
Shen Jin stretched out her hand, which still looked fair and beautiful, but when Concubine Chen touched it carefully, she found that it was not as delicate as in the capital, "But..."
"When the barbarians besieged the city, I was the wife of the Earl of Yongning, so I couldn't just do nothing." Shen Jin didn't take it seriously at all. She continued to hold Concubine Chen's hand and said as they walked, "I just helped wash the clothes in the back."
Concubine Chen felt distressed when she heard this. It was winter, and the border town was even colder. Although she thought so, she said, "You did the right thing."
"I think so too." Shen Jin said with a smile, "Don't worry, mother."
Anping and Anning knew that Shen Jin had something to say to Concubine Chen, so they stayed away from Concubine Chen's maids so as not to disturb them when they were talking and not to be too late to get there if something happened.
Concubine Chen said, "I don't know what the situation is in that city, but... people always treat each other with sincerity. If you are not sincere to others, how can others be sincere to you?"
"I know." Shen Jin said coquettishly.
Concubine Chen nodded, "You are out there by yourself, you don't need to worry about so many things, and you don't need to worry about me."
"Mother." Shen Jin's face changed, he stopped and looked at Concubine Chen.
Concubine Chen smiled and touched Shen Jin's face like she did when she was a child. She found that Shen Jin's face was even softer and more delicate. She felt relieved and said, "This time, you shouldn't have come back with your son-in-law."
"It was my husband who wanted to come back." Shen Jin said in a low voice, "I didn't say that."
Concubine Chen heaved a sigh of relief, and continued to walk towards the courtyard with Shen Jin, saying, "Don't be impatient when encountering things. Listen more to the people around you, and also listen more to your husband, understand?"
"I understand." Shen Jin felt bitter in her heart and her eyes turned red. Every word that Concubine Chen said was for her consideration, but she didn't mention what would happen to Concubine Chen herself if she and Chu Xiuming didn't come back.
Seeing her daughter living well, Concubine Chen was satisfied. "You came here suddenly today. I will make some snacks that you like tomorrow."
"Okay." Shen Jin agreed with a smile, but tears fell. It's not that she doesn't like to cry, she just didn't cry before. Now that she is back to her mother, she can't hold it back anymore. She knows that whether it is Chu Xiuming or Madam Zhao, they all feel that they treated her badly at the beginning, so they love and pamper her even more now. Therefore, she never tells others about her grievances, nor does she talk about the bad things in her past, but with her mother, she no longer has to hide these.
Concubine Chen knew her daughter was crying, but she pretended not to know and took her into the house. The maids did not follow her in, and she even closed the door considerately. Concubine Chen then took a handkerchief and carefully wiped her daughter's face and said, "You are so old, and you are still crying."
"Mother." Shen Jin threw herself into Concubine Chen's arms. This was what her mother often said when she was bullied and cried secretly when she was a child. "My husband is very good to me, really."
Shen Jin didn't know what to say to reassure Concubine Chen, but she knew that her mother's wish was only for her happiness. "Wait a little longer, I'll take you away, and we'll live together in the border town."
"Silly child." Concubine Chen took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, with a smile on her face but tears falling. "Since I came to the palace, I have never planned to leave again."
Although she was conferred the title of concubine, she was ultimately just a concubine and had been inferior to others all her life. Why should she cause trouble for her daughter and constantly remind others that the Lady of the Earl of Yongning was a concubine's daughter?
"I am living a very good life now." Concubine Chen would not tell Shen Jin about these thoughts, but just smiled and said, "The princess takes good care of me, and the servants in the mansion are also very diligent because of my status as a son-in-law. Besides, Li is pregnant, and she will bring the baby to me when it is born, so you don't have to worry about me."
Shen Jin bit her lip and said nothing more, but she had already made up her mind. She would take her mother away if she had the chance. Life in the palace was not as comfortable as her mother said. The princess could go out for social events, but Concubine Chen could not leave the yard at all, not even enter the front yard. No matter how beautiful the scenery in the backyard was, she was already tired of it after seeing it for more than ten years.
Concubine Chen stopped talking about her own affairs. She hugged Shen Jin and sat on the couch. She asked about the border town. Shen Jin answered one by one. Unlike Shen Zi and others who were perfunctory, she talked about the scenery of the border town, the bustle of the trade market, and many other things. She wanted to describe all the scenery to her mother. "I also have a dog named Little One. My husband said that when it grows up, it will be taller than me when it stands up."
"Just naughty." Concubine Chen said with a smile. She knew Shen Jin liked these fluffy things since he was a child. However, with so many children in the mansion, Concubine Chen dared not let Shen Jin raise cats or dogs. The furs he received every year were just his allowance. Shen Jin was on his body, so he didn't use much. "You don't need to send me so many furs in the future. My allowance is enough."
"There are many in the border town." Shen Jin said with some pride, "My husband said that when the weather gets cold, he will put leather in my house. It will be comfortable and warm."
Nothing could make Concubine Chen happier than her son-in-law being willing to pamper and love her daughter. "No wonder I think you've become more silly since you got married."
"I'm so smart!" Even my mother couldn't say that. Shen Jin subconsciously retorted, "Really."
Concubine Chen did not say anything, she just thought that it was good this way. Only when someone pampers and loves you will you become silly, and only when you are happy will you become more innocent. Her daughter had lived too hard in the palace for the past ten years, and now things are good for her.
Shen Jin glanced at Concubine Chen and said, "Really?"
"Yes, it's true." Concubine Chen touched her daughter's face and looked at her clothes carefully. They were not the dowry from Prince Rui's Mansion. They looked inconspicuous but everything was exquisite.
Shen Jin smiled and said, "My husband prepared two pieces of Yuehua brocade for mother, one elegant white and one crimson purple."
"I have no use for them. Give one to the princess and keep the rest for yourself." Concubine Chen said.
Shen Jin leaned over to Concubine Chen's ear and whispered, "Yuehua Jin made a small dress, it's very comfortable, mother can wear it, I also prepared one for mother."
"Just give me the crimson one." Concubine Chen just said, "We don't need so many."
Shen Jin pursed his lips and agreed, "Okay then."
Concubine Chen took Shen Jin's hand and walked into the inner room. She opened the jewelry box and took out a jade pendant from the bottom. She reached out and touched it carefully before hanging it around Shen Jin's neck. She said, "This was secretly given to me by your grandfather before he passed away. He said that it could be my dowry when I got married, and I could give it to my future children or husband. When I was carried into the Rui Palace, I secretly took it out and gave it to you today. Your dowry was prepared by the palace. Even if I gave it to you, it was all things in the palace, except for this jade pendant."
Shen Jin looked down at the jade pendant. It was just a simple peace locket. Because it was often played with, it was smooth and beautiful. He said, "I will wear it." He stuffed it into his clothes, but found that it was not cold at all, but a little warm. "This..."
"Yes, it is warm jade." Concubine Chen did not say anything just to wait for Shen Jin to find out. "Your grandfather knew that if it was carved too finely, it would be easy to be discovered, so he made it so simple and rough. Even if someone saw it, they would not be able to recognize it without careful examination."
Shen Jin said, "Grandfather is really a shrewd man."
Concubine Chen slowly exhaled and said, "Well, otherwise how could we have accumulated all that family fortune, but... forget it, let's not talk about these things. You can keep the jade pendant or give it to your son-in-law." She didn't say the rest of the words, but started talking about other things.
The mother and daughter laughed and talked for a while, then they heard a knock on the door. Concubine Chen said, "I'm afraid your son-in-law is here to pick you up."
Shen Jin was filled with reluctance. Concubine Chen smiled and took her daughter's hand and walked out. When they reached the yard, they saw Chu Xiuming standing there. How could Concubine Chen bear to leave her daughter, but she knew that her daughter was happier with Chu Xiuming.
The two walked to Chu Xiuming's side, and Chu Xiuming said, "Mother-in-law."
Hearing these two words, Concubine Chen's eyes turned red and she responded, "Don't call me like that in the future."
Chu Xiuming's mother-in-law is Princess Rui, and she can only be Princess Rui. With just one sentence, Chu Xiuming could feel Concubine Chen's deep affection for Shen Jin. He respectfully gave Concubine Chen a junior's salute. Although he didn't say anything, his meaning was very clear. Shen Jin's eyes were full of tears. He sniffed and felt that he had cried more today than in the past year.
Concubine Chen was completely relieved. She looked at Chu Xiuming and said, "You two should live a good life from now on." Then she put Shen Jin's hand in Chu Xiuming's hand.
Chu Xiuming said calmly, "I will treat her well for the rest of my life." This is the promise of a mother who loves her daughter.
Concubine Chen smiled and agreed, and personally escorted the two out of the courtyard. Shen Jin turned her head to look at Concubine Chen from time to time, until she got on the carriage and sat directly in Chu Xiuming's arms, she said in a crying voice, "I haven't asked for my resignation from my father and mother yet."
"The princess said we should just go." Chu Xiuming gently pressed his young lady's head, letting her lean on his arms and said, "Just come early tomorrow."
"Yeah." Shen Jin said.
Chu Xiuming said gently, "I will stay with you in the palace for a few days. I think the prince and princess won't mind."
"You just kept calling me father-in-law." Shen Jin smiled. With a husband who was willing to coax her, how could she look sad in front of him? No wonder Chu Xiuming was so generous in giving King Rui something he had always wanted. After all, it was all for her.
Chu Xiuming saw Shen Jin's smiling face and thought that it was better for his wife to smile. "Call her when we get to the palace."
Shen Jin smiled and grabbed Chu Xiuming's finger and bit it lightly, then said coquettishly, "Mother actually said I was stupid today and told me to listen to you..."
Chu Xiuming listened to Shen Jin talking. They were all insignificant things. Sometimes she would jump to another thing. Not only that, she also commented on the snacks made by Concubine Chen. Chu Xiuming didn't feel bored at all when talking about trivial family matters. Instead, he felt warm.
However, things are unpredictable, even Chu Xiuming can't predict everything. At night, Shen Jin was sleeping soundly, and was suddenly awakened by a dog barking. Chu Xiuming had already sat up and said, "I'll go take a look."
Shen Jin's face flushed red, and he nodded and said, "Are you hungry, little one?"
Chu Xiuming shook his head and said nothing. He just put on his coat and went out. Aunt Zhao and the others were also awakened and hurried over to help Shen Jin get dressed. Shen Jin was also worried about the little one and asked, "What's going on?"
The usually sensible little one had run to the door of their house at some point, barking loudly, with his body arched and his fur standing up. He looked extremely nervous and fierce. When he saw Chu Xiuming, he just continued to bark towards the west. Not like the usual howling when he was acting coquettish, but barking non-stop.
Chu Xiuming looked to the west, frowned and thought for a moment, then his expression suddenly changed and he quickly walked into the house and shouted to the guard, "Call everyone out."
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