Chapter 067
"Ahhh, Shen Jin, you dare to hit me." Shen Zi screamed, but couldn't break free from An Ning's control. An Ping protected Shen Jin and helped her sit back on the chair.
Shen Jin looked at Shen Zi and asked, "Why shouldn't I dare? Didn't I already fight?"
"Shen Jin, you..." Shen Zi was about to go crazy, "You just relied on marrying the Earl of Yongning. Back then in the Rui Palace, you were just a dog following behind me."
Princess Rui frowned and said, "Shen Zi, do you want me to invite a nanny to the Zheng Mansion to educate you?"
Shen Zi's body stiffened, but Shen Jin was not angry at all. She said, "Well, I relied on marrying the Earl of Yongning, so what? And second sister, are you crazy? You and I are both my father's concubines, and my mother is a concubine. How can there be a difference in status?"
"Jin girl is right." Princess Rui said, "If we really want to compare who is better, Jin girl has been raised by my side."
Princess Rui has been accumulating power for a long time. Shen Zi dared to speak to Shen Jin like that, but she didn't dare to speak to Princess Rui. Shen Jin sat beside Princess Rui and said gently, "Don't be angry, mother. Second sister was a good person in the mansion. How come she has become like this in such a short time after marrying into the Zheng family?"
By the end of the conversation, Shen Jin was already full of confusion. "Besides, the rules for Second Sister were taught by the palace nanny. That nanny was specially asked by my mother to grant them to me by the Imperial Grandmother. How come..."
Princess Rui said, "Oranges grown in the south of the Huai River are oranges, while those grown in the north of the Huai River are tangerines, that's all."
The two people's questioning and answering had actually stripped the responsibility of the Rui Palace. With the Empress Dowager as the banner, no one dared to say that the young lady of the Rui Palace had bad manners. Shen Zi's current situation was just that she was affected by the Zheng family. Madam Zheng had blood in her mouth, and she didn't dare to speak at all, for fear of getting even more embarrassed. Listening to the words of the Rui Princess and Shen Jin, she couldn't help spitting out blood and two teeth. The Zheng family was a family of scholars and nobles, and what made them most proud was the rules and manners of the mansion. Now even the remaining honors had been torn away.
Princess Rui said, "Although the second girl is married, she is from the mansion after all. I can't just ignore her. I'll give her twenty slaps." Then she looked at Princess Ruyang and said, "I'd like to borrow the ruler from your mansion, Ruyang."
Princess Ruyang secretly hated Shen Zi for not being able to accomplish anything, but was more likely to cause trouble than to accomplish anything, so she naturally ignored her and said, "Just follow my aunt's orders. Someone bring me the ruler."
Shen Zi shook her head vigorously, "Mother, you can't do this to me." If she was spanked with a ruler at Princess Ruyang's mansion today, she would probably never be invited to be a guest again. Besides, the Zheng family... Thinking of Madam Zheng's appearance, Shen Zi felt a chill in her heart, "You can't do this to me. I'm going to find my father, but he won't allow you to do this to me."
Idiot, Princess Ruyang looked at Shen Zi. Not to mention that Prince Rui was not here at the moment, even if Prince Rui was here, he would not care about Shen Zi for the sake of his face.
Soon a maid brought the ruler, and Princess Rui said, "Cui Xi, you go."
"Yes." Cui Xi took the ruler with both hands, walked up to Shen Zi and said, "Second Princess, I am sorry for my crime."
"No...if you dare, I will kill you..." Shen Zi's voice became sharper and more frightened.
An Ning pushed Shen Zi's right hand out, and Shen Zi clenched his hand tightly, but he didn't know where An Ning pinched. Shen Zi just felt sore and weak, and could no longer clench his fist. Cui Xi took the ruler and hit Shen Zi's palm, "Ah..." Shen Zi's scream was very harsh. Because of what happened just now, people who came to appreciate the flowers in the plum garden came over. At this time, Shen Zi's scream focused everyone's attention on her. I'm afraid even the people outside the yard heard it. Looking at the scene in front of them, no one spoke.
Princess Rui looked at Madam Zheng and said, "I have punished Shen Zi, but...how did my good daughter become like this after coming to the Zheng family?"
The Zheng family has a reputation but no real power. Even if some people think that the Zheng family is innocent, they will not say too much at this time. They will only think that it is Madam Zheng's bad luck to marry a daughter-in-law like Shen Zi.
Princess Rui said, "Twenty slaps on the face. I just hope that next time I see her, she can behave like before."
Madam Zheng's dress was covered with blood she had vomited, there were two teeth on the ground, her cheeks were red and swollen, and even her hair was disheveled. She looked extremely embarrassed and pitiful at this moment, but the old woman had no sympathy at all. Following the order from Princess Rui and the order from Princess Ruyang just now to listen to Princess Rui, she slapped Madam Zheng hard in the face.
Shen Zi stood outside the pavilion, looking at everything in front of him, but he was thinking in his heart, things had already become like this when Earl Yongning was not here, if Earl Yongning was here... Looking at Princess Ruyang who was sitting aside watching the show, and Princess Zhaoyang and Princess Chenyang who were standing next to them, he was afraid that these three would not be spared either.
After beating Madam Zheng and Shen Zi, Princess Rui stood up and said, "It's my fault for disturbing Ruyang's mood today. Please invite Ruyang to my house another day and host a banquet for him."
Princess Ruyang said, "It was Ruyang who failed to entertain us well."
Princess Rui smiled, glanced at Madam Zheng and Shen Zi, and said, "Ruyang is thoughtful. I will leave with my two daughters first, so as not to delay everyone's fun."
Shen Qi and Shen Jin both followed Princess Rui. Princess Ruyang hated them so much in her heart, but she had to put on a smile and personally saw Princess Rui off with her two sisters.
After returning to Prince Rui's Mansion, Princess Rui asked Shen Qi and Shen Jin to go back and rest first. She had to talk to Prince Rui about what happened today.
Concubine Chen and Nanny Zhao were both waiting for Shen Jin in the courtyard. They had not expected Shen Jin to come back so early, so they were relieved to see that Shen Jin was fine. Nanny Zhao said, "I'll go check the kitchen to see if the steamed yogurt with sugar that Madam likes is ready. If it is, Madam, please eat it first. Is there anything you would like to have for lunch?"
"I want to eat noodles." Shen Jin said, "I want beef."
"Okay." Nanny Zhao agreed immediately and went downstairs to get busy.
Shen Jin looked at An Ping and An Ning and said, "You two are tired today, so go down and have a rest."
An Ping and An Ning responded respectfully and went downstairs to change their clothes and wash up. Concubine Chen poured a bowl of red date soup for Shen Jin and asked, "But what happened?"
"Nothing happened." Shen Jin thought for a moment and said, holding the hot red date soup in both hands and taking two sips, "It's just that my mother had someone slap Madam Zheng in the face, and then beat Shen Zi with a ruler."
In Shen Jin's words, no matter what the matter is, it is not a big deal. Just like when everyone was worried about the disappearance of Earl Yongning, only Shen Jin always felt that Earl Yongning would come back safely because he promised.
Concubine Chen frowned and said, "What's going on?"
"It's a bit troublesome to talk about." Shen Jin sipped the red date soup. "Shen Zi cried and complained that she was not living well in the Zheng Mansion. Mother asked someone to summon Madam Zheng and slapped her 20 times to set an example. Then Shen Zi said some bad things. Mother said that she became unruly after marrying into the Zheng Mansion, so she asked someone to slap her hands and slap Madam Zheng 20 times."
Concubine Chen took a breath. Shen Jin looked at her and said, "If mother is curious, when Anping comes, just let her tell her."
"Yes." Concubine Chen said, "Are you hungry? Do you want some more cakes?"
Shen Jin thought for a moment and nodded, "I'm a little sleepy and a little hungry."
"Wait until after lunch before going to sleep." Concubine Chen reached out and touched Shen Jin's hand, and said only after seeing that it was warm.
Shen Jin nodded.
In Minzhong Prefecture, Xi Yunjing said, "Your wife is pregnant now, so you shouldn't go to a place like the execution ground, as it has a strong negative energy."
Chu Xiuming was wearing an official uniform and was straightening his sleeves when he heard this. "It's as if if I don't go, the order is not mine. Besides, I'm not asking my wife to go to that kind of place."
Xi Yunjing took the imperial edict and handed it to Chu Xiuming, saying, "That's true. Besides, killing those people is also a good deed."
Chu Xiuming held the imperial edict in his hand, narrowed his eyes and said, "Wait for me on the boat."
Xi Yunjing stretched and said, "Okay, it's finally almost over."
Chu Xiuming nodded and walked out of the house. He had spent a long time pretending to be nice to these people, secretly contacting old members of the Chu family, sending people to the military camp, collecting all kinds of evidence... He arranged everything step by step for today.
The execution ground was already full of people at this time. Many of the onlookers were blocked aside by the soldiers. They looked excited and as if they couldn't believe it. The moment they saw Chu Xiuming, those who were whispering to each other stopped and looked at Chu Xiuming at the same time.
Chu Xiuming walked onto the makeshift wooden platform and said, "Bring the prisoner."
The executioners were all soldiers. After Chu Xiuming finished speaking, a group of soldiers escorted five people and made them kneel on the ground facing the people. In the middle was Lord Liang. Lord Liang's eyes were bloodshot. When he saw Chu Xiuming's expression, he looked as if he wanted to pounce on him and bite off his flesh. Chu Xiuming's face was serious and his voice was low. He unfolded the imperial edict with a trembling hand and said, "Your Majesty sent me here to get rid of you people." The identities and crimes of the five people were mentioned one by one. When he said the last sentence, Chu Xiuming tightened his hand holding the imperial edict, "You are the leaders of a region and should benefit the people of a region. However, you have miscarried the trust of the people and massacred them and falsely claimed military merits. Kill them."
As the last word fell, the executioner swung the sword in his hand fiercely. The man who was so arrogant a few days ago now had his head dropped to the ground, and blood spurted out.
“Oh my God…”
"My child's father, someone finally avenged you..."
After the first cheer came from the crowd, it was followed by cries of pain, and even the soldiers' faces showed some emotion.
Chu Xiuming had the bodies dragged down and piled aside. Ten more people were brought up. This time Chu Xiuming did not speak, but the people around him read out the identities of these people one by one. They were all family members of the offended officials, including Liang Yi. Liang Yi shouted, "Chu Xiuming, you are ungrateful..."
"Liang Yi, in the 19th year of Yongqi, in order to seize the heirloom of the Wang family, he framed and killed 37 members of the Wang family. In the 20th year of Yongqi..." Chu Xiuming recounted all the things Liang Yi had done. Sometimes, even if it was just a disagreement, Liang Yi would kill an entire family. He really regarded human life as worthless.
"Kill." As Chu Xiuming finished speaking, the executioner's knife also fell.
These officials were very wealthy, had many wives and concubines, and countless children. All men over the age of ten were brought to the execution ground today. After all of them were chopped off, the executioner went down and was replaced by a new group of executioners. All the people seemed tireless, and except for a moment of silence when the identities of these people were called out, they cheered the rest of the time, and even shouted the name of Earl Yongning.
The group of people brought up were obviously the generals in the army. They were the ones who colluded with Lord Liang and others to deceive their superiors and subordinates and commit heinous crimes. These people shouted that they were wronged. Chu Xiuming heard this and his eyes became even colder. He said, "My Chu family has made a fortune through military merit, but I, Chu Xiuming, dare to swear to heaven that the people I killed were those who deserved to be killed, and the places where the swords pointed were all places to be slaughtered. The troops I led were worthy of the attack and defense, and I have never stained the blood of innocent people in my Tianqi Dynasty. Do you dare?"
Chu Xiuming narrowed his eyes to hide his disappointment. "I also hope that I have wronged you. If you cry out for justice now, what about those innocent people who were killed? Aren't they more wronged? Kill them."
The bodies were piled up one after another. In the end, the people found that the person being piled up was someone they knew. They looked at each other in bewilderment. However, some people who knew the truth felt relieved and shouted, "Kill! Kill these ungrateful wolves!"
"What's going on?" someone asked in a low voice.
The crying man had tears and wrinkles all over his face, as if he had gone through all kinds of hardships and vicissitudes. "These beasts, they were the ones who colluded with the pirates! It was them, they led the beasts, and they found my granddaughter who had hidden in the mountains and brought her out to harm her... Just because my granddaughter didn't want to marry that beast, he led people to kill the people in my granddaughter's village... beasts..."
"No wonder... No wonder the villages harmed by those pirates all have grudges against these people..."
Many people started crying and shouting, but it was unknown how many of them were true and how many were false. Many things were blamed on these people, but they were not innocent, as they had done such things before.
"I was forced to do this. If I didn't lead the way, someone else would... but they would kill me..."
Chu Xiuming felt very uncomfortable. He had actually been hesitating whether to kill these people or not. They were certainly guilty, but the biggest sin was committed by these officials in central Fujian. However, this kind of atmosphere could not be allowed to grow. The charges against these people were read out one by one. Among them, dozens of people who took the initiative to collude with the pirates were beheaded as before. The rest were brought up, but Chu Xiuming did not kill them again. He just said, "You can be spared the death penalty, but you can't escape the living crime. I will set off immediately to suppress the pirates. If you are willing, come with me. Kill ten pirates and you will be exempted from punishment. If you are unwilling to go, you will be exiled a thousand miles away according to the original criminal law."
After saying this, Chu Xiuming no longer looked at these people. He just said, "You go and register them. Those who are willing will be given weapons and armor. Those who don't want to go will be locked up first." After saying this, he took his people away.
Chu Xiuming's swift and decisive actions naturally made many people vent their anger, but it was inevitable that some people would feel unstable, so after killing people, he would use this bloodiness to lead people to suppress the bandits. As long as they won the battle, the rest of the things would be easy to arrange.
The ship and soldiers were ready. Chu Xiuming changed out of his official uniform and stood at the bow in silver armor. Xi Yunjing, also wearing armor, stood beside Chu Xiuming and said, "We must win this battle."
"Yes." Chu Xiuming responded, "Minzhong will be handed over to you when the time comes."
Xi Yunjing exhaled slowly and suddenly smiled, "If grandfather saw me in my current state, he would not recognize me."
"It's time for you to get married." Chu Xiuming said.
Xi Yunjing covered his eyes with his hands and said, "Yes, I can't let the Xi family end with me, but how many people still remember the Xi family now?"
Chu Xiuming felt sad and said, "We remember it, and many people remember it."
Xi Yunjing took a deep breath and said, "Then go back and ask your sister-in-law to help me keep an eye on it."
Chu Xiuming thought of Shen Jin and said, "Okay."
Shen Xuan thought that it would take a lot of effort to find Chu Xiuming, but he didn't expect that he would be found as soon as he entered central Fujian. It was Chu Xiuming who sent someone to wait for him at the city gate. However, Shen Xuan arrived at an unlucky time and missed Chu Xiuming.
Shen Xuan still felt it was unreal to know the news about Chu Xiuming all of a sudden. After listening to the guard's report, Shen Xuan was dumbfounded. He knew that his brother-in-law was very powerful, but he didn't expect him to be so powerful. "What if the news spreads to the capital?"
"The general said it's fine." The guard came from the border town and said, "The evidence is solid. When the time comes, we can take the heads of the pirates and set up a pavilion in the capital. We can ask painters to paint them and send them to the capital for Your Majesty. It will be a great achievement. We brought a lot of coarse salt on the ship this time."
Even if Shen Xuan didn't know anything, he felt that Emperor Cheng would not be happy to receive this gift, unless Chu Xiuming's head was placed on the top of the Jingguan. And coarse salt? Shen Xuan was stunned for a moment before he realized what the coarse salt was used for.
Shen Xuan didn't dare to say this, he just asked, "I also have a letter from your general's wife."
"The general said that he will be back in ten days at most and five days at least, so you can just wait here peacefully," the guard said. "If you have nothing to do, please help organize the confiscated property and count how many households there are in Fujian, how many people are in each household, and how much property they have."
Looking at Shen Xuan's expression, the guard said, "This is what the general said."
Shen Xuan gritted his teeth and said, "My brother-in-law really thinks highly of me."
The guard smiled and said, "The general said he was eager to return home, so he asked the prince to help him a lot."
Although Shen Xuan looked conflicted, he was happy and touched by Chu Xiuming's trust in him. Even his mother, Princess Rui, had never thought so highly of him. It seemed that his ability was recognized by Chu Xiuming. "Okay, go and arrange for the people I brought with me."
"Yes." The guard responded.
On the warship, Xi Yunjing looked at the sea chart and asked, "Is it really okay to leave those matters to Prince Rui?"
"Yes." Chu Xiuming narrowed his eyes, pointed at a few places, and said to the generals in the room, "Follow this direction when the time comes..."
After Chu Xiuming finished speaking, the generals all left. Xi Yunjing asked again, "Are you sure everything is OK?"
"Of course someone did that." Chu Xiuming said, "They just borrowed the identity of the prince of Rui."
Xi Yunjing thought about it and nodded, "That makes sense."
I wonder if Prince Shen Xuan of Rui, who is already feeling touched, would still think Chu Xiuming is a good person after knowing this.
Chu Xiuming had no intention of blocking the news, and he even submitted a memorial to Emperor Cheng in person, but he did not send an urgent message. By the time Emperor Cheng received the memorial, the matter in Minzhong had already been settled, and even the Jingguan had been built not far from the pier.
Shen Xuan had become much darker and thinner, but his complexion was good. To everyone's surprise, Shen Xuan had a talent for these mundane things. In just a few days, he had managed to get everything in order, saving Chu Xiuming a lot of trouble.
"Brother-in-law, do you really want to give this painting to His Majesty?" Shen Xuan asked with some embarrassment as he looked at the picture of Jingguan drawn by the painter.
Chu Xiuming raised his eyebrows and looked at Shen Xuan and said, "Of course, it would be bad if such a grand event was not known to His Majesty."
Shen Xuan thought about it and said nothing more. Anyway, Chu Xiuming was confident in what he did. "By the way, what did my sister write in the letter?" After reading the letter, Chu Xiuming started to get busier with his men, and managed to finish a task that should have taken five days in just three days.
When Shen Jin was mentioned, Chu Xiuming's eyes softened a little, but he didn't say anything. He just ordered, "Distribute the property seized from the house according to this. And if anyone can produce evidence, return what should be returned to the people."
"Don't you want to inform His Majesty about this matter?" Shen Xuan asked.
Chu Xiuming said, "Your Majesty has ordered me to do what is convenient for me."
"That's right." Shen Xuan sighed, "But these people are really greedy. Even after distributing these, there will still be a lot left. I think His Majesty will be satisfied."
Chu Xiuming did not speak. Shen Xuan took the things Chu Xiuming had decided on and left. Xi Yunjing then came out from behind and said, "Your Highness is still too naive. How could you possibly give away something you have already obtained?"
"We still have to give some." Chu Xiuming said, "From what we got from the pirates, except for the three layers given to the soldiers and generals, the remaining two layers will be left for you, and the fifth layer will be transported to the border town."
Xi Yunjing nodded. Chu Xiuming said that he was not going to manage the affairs of Fujian openly. After all, Xi Yunjing did not hold an official position. "Among the things seized from the property, apart from those distributed to the people, separate the ones that are not worth mentioning and send them to the capital. The rest will be transported to..."
Chu Xiuming spoke in a low voice, and Xi Yunjing wrote it down, "Don't worry."
The two discussed for a while and made sure that there was nothing missing. Xi Yunjing then asked, "By the way, what did your sister-in-law write to you?"
Chu Xiuming looked at Xi Yunjing without saying anything. Xi Yunjing looked at him for a while, shrugged and said, "Well, I don't really want to know. It's rare. I'm going to have a wife soon, and someone will write to me by then."
"Yeah." Chu Xiuming finally groaned and pointed at the door. Xi Yunjing's eyes twitched before he went out.
When there was no one around, Chu Xiuming leaned back in his chair, a bit of fatigue showing on his face. He rubbed his brows with his hand. In fact, Shen Jin's letter only had one sentence and a drawing of something that looked like cotton. Chu Xiuming looked for a long time before he was sure that it was the little one. He was afraid that the little one had grown too fat because he was not around.
Chu Xiuming thought of what Shen Jin wrote, and his eyes softened. Shen Jin only wrote eight words in the letter, "Why haven't you come back yet?"
Thinking of his wife's expression when she wrote these words, Chu Xiuming touched his chest with his right hand, where there was a peace locket carved from warm jade. "It will be soon. I will be back soon."
The news from central Fujian could not be concealed this time even if Emperor Cheng wanted to, because it was submitted from below and many officials had already seen it. Naturally, Prince Rui's Mansion also knew about it. Shen Jin was now six months pregnant. The thing she looked forward to most every day was feeling the baby move in her belly. Shen Jin found it funny to think of the first time the baby moved and was so scared that she thought she was going to give birth and almost cried. At this time, she was lying on the chaise longue, with a cushion specially made by Madam Zhao and others beside her, and she was reading a military book slowly in her hands.
Concubine Chen always found it funny when she saw her daughter reading military books to the children seriously, especially when Shen Jin looked drowsy after reading for a while, probably because she didn't understand what she was reading. "Do you want me to change the book for you?"
"No." Shen Jin yawned, put down the military book, took a sip of brown sugar water and said, "My husband is a general, so powerful, our child will definitely be more powerful than my husband in the future."
"Why?" Concubine Chen deliberately teased her daughter.
Shen Jin smiled with a little pride. Because he had been kept as a pet, his face was rosy and he had gained some weight. When he smiled, his dimples became more obvious. "Of course it's because the mother of the child is so smart."
Concubine Chen laughed, "You are the naughty one."
Madam Zhao brought some walnut cheese and said, "I think what Madam said makes sense."
Shen Jin nodded and said, "Mammy still loves me."
Concubine Chen thought of Chu Xiuming, who had not yet received any news, and sighed slightly in her heart, but she did not show it on her face. She just said, "When Earl Yongning comes back, you are not allowed to be so naughty again."
Shen Jin puffed up her cheeks, "My husband wouldn't think so." She moved her lips again and muttered, "If my husband doesn't come back, I won't pay any attention to him."
"We will ignore the general then." said Nanny Zhao.
Shen Jin held her belly and laughed, "No way, Aunt Zhao must have said that my husband has lost weight and is going to make something delicious for him." Then she pointed at the little one lying on the ground chewing on the beef bones that Yongle Hou Shizi had someone buy and cook for him, and said, "When my husband comes back, the little one will be in trouble."
As if hearing his own name, the little guy looked up at Shen Jin, "Awoo?"
Shen Jin started laughing again, but didn't dare to laugh too loudly. Looking at her daughter who was laughing so foolishly, Concubine Chen somehow thought of the saying that a woman becomes stupid for three years during pregnancy. Her own daughter was stupid enough to begin with, and if she continued to be stupider...it would be better for Earl Yongning to come back soon.
Concubine Chen said with some concern, "Princess Ruyang and her husband have already gone to the border town. Are they really okay?"
"It's okay." Shen Jin said nonchalantly, "My brother is here."
Madam Zhao also smiled and said, "Don't worry, Concubine. The capital has sent many people to the border town in the past few years, and there has been no trouble."
Shen Jin nodded, "Just keep it."
Concubine Chen glared at her daughter and said, "It's not as easy as you say."
Shen Jin blinked and smiled without any explanation. However, Nanny Zhao knew that what Shen Jin said was true, but no one believed it.
Suddenly An Ning came in hurriedly from outside, and Aunt Zhao asked, "What's wrong?"
"There's news about the general." An Ning said with a smile, "Sister Cui Xi is here and is waiting outside."
"Please come in." Shen Jin said.
An Ning responded and invited Cui Xi in. Cui Xi was the most useful person around Princess Rui, so it was not an exaggeration for An Ning to call her sister. After coming in, Cui Xi bowed to Shen Jin and Concubine Chen, and then said, "The prince just came back and told the princess about the news of Earl Yongning. The princess asked me to tell the third princess and make her happy."
Shen Xuan was an honest man. Because he didn't know Chu Xiuming's arrangements and was afraid that if he sent the letter back to the capital, Emperor Cheng would find out and ruin Chu Xiuming's arrangements, he didn't even send a single letter home after arriving in Fujian. Therefore, Prince Rui only learned about the news in the court.
Cui Xi repeated what Prince Rui had said, and Concubine Chen's heart finally relaxed. She didn't care what Earl Yongning had done, as long as Earl Yongning was alive and safe, that was enough.
"Reward." Shen Jin waited for Cui Xi to finish speaking, then said with a smile.
Cui Xi did not refuse this time. An Ping took a purse and put it in Cui Xi's hand. Cui Xi thanked him before putting it away.
"The princess said that the princess should rest assured. I think Earl Yongning will be back soon. When the time comes, let the prince teach Earl Yongning a lesson. Although he has made great contributions to the country, he has wronged the princess after all." Cui Xi said.
Shen Jin smiled and nodded, "Okay!"
Cui Xi said a few more words and then left.
Shen Jin sat on the chaise longue holding her belly. Concubine Chen said, "Thank God, I'm glad you're okay."
Aunt Zhao also smiled and said, "Madam, you can rest assured now."
Shen Jin didn't say anything, as if he was thinking about something, and suddenly asked, "If the baby in my belly is a girl, is it bad for me to read military books to her?"
"..." Concubine Chen, who was about to go to worship Buddha, paused and turned to look at her daughter.
The joy on Nanny Zhao's face froze. Anping and An Ning looked at each other, not knowing what to say.
Shen Jin pursed her lips and became more serious. After thinking for a while, she said, "Forget it. Let's wait for my husband to come back and let him think of a solution."
Chu Xiuming didn't know that his wife had already prepared a difficult problem before he returned. After he finished dealing with all the matters in Minzhong, he set off with his men and left with light luggage. The rest of the things were given to Xi Yunjing to arrange for them to be delivered to the capital.
It was snowing heavily when he arrived in the capital. When he arrived at the gate of the Rui Palace, Chu Xiuming dismounted and the guards knocked on the gate...
Shen Jin was sitting in the room, with a charcoal basin at her feet and a specially made rack on top. She had recently become addicted to roasted sweet potatoes, but Aunt Zhao wouldn't let her eat too much, so she could only eat a small piece a day. An Ping turned the sweet potato over and said, "It will be ready soon, Madam, don't worry."
"Yeah." Shen Jin nodded and said, "It will taste better if you bake it for a little longer."
Shen Jin has always been patient when it comes to food.
Chu Xiuming said something to someone and walked quickly towards Mo Yun Courtyard without even going to see Prince Rui and Princess Rui. He was actually faster than the person who delivered the message.
The little kid who was playing in the snow suddenly stood up, moved his ears, and ran towards the gate. When he passed by An Ning, he brushed past her legs without stopping, which scared An Ning so much that she shouted, "Little kid."
But the little one ignored An Ning, so An Ning quickly put down her things and went to chase after him. She saw the little one rushing towards a man in a dark cloak, and shouted happily, "Awooo awooo awooo awooo awooo..."
The person who came was Chu Xiuming. He took the little one in his arms and lifted him up with one hand, saying, "It's time to train."
"Awoo..." The little guy stretched out his tongue and licked Chu Xiuming hard.
Chu Xiuming let go of the kid, put him on the ground and glanced at An Ning.
Shen Jin, who was waiting for the roasted sweet potatoes in the room, was stunned for a moment when he heard the little one's voice. He suddenly looked up at the door, stood up with one hand on his stomach and the other on the handrail, and walked outside. An Ping was stunned for a moment and shouted, "Madam." He quickly grabbed the cloak and rushed over, only to see that Shen Jin did not go out, but stood at the gate, looking at the people in the yard.
Chu Xiuming naturally saw Shen Jin as well, and he untied his cloak. The snow on his body fell to the ground along with the cloak. Then he walked towards Shen Jin and said, "Come in. It's cold outside."
Shen Jin moved his lips, and when Chu Xiuming came closer, he grabbed his hand, only to feel it was very cold. He quickly pulled him into the house, and looked at Chu Xiuming with red eyes. As soon as Chu Xiuming entered the house, he smelled the aroma of roasted sweet potatoes. He took a look and reached close to the charcoal basin to warm his hands. After making sure that his hands were not cold and his body was no longer cold, he touched Shen Jin's face and said, "I'm back."
Anping and Anning quietly retreated and closed the door. Nanny Zhao and Concubine Chen were also outside the room. Both of them were smiling. Nanny Zhao said, "I'm afraid the general has lost weight. I'll go make some good things. With the general accompanying you, Madam will definitely be able to use them more."
Shen Jin finally couldn't help it, she grabbed Chu Xiuming's hand and put it on her face, and said in a tender voice, "Why did you come back just now?"
It was a simple sentence, with a hint of coquettishness, but it also contained an indescribable sadness and grief.
"My belly is so big." Shen Jin started crying. She has always been a pampered person, but she couldn't be pampered when she was in Prince Rui's Mansion. After marrying Chu Xiuming, her little pampering became big pampering. "My legs still hurt at night..." She cried while saying this, which made Chu Xiuming feel particularly distressed and he hugged Shen Jin in his arms.
"I'm so scared..." Shen Jin's tears turned into tears after being hugged by Chu Xiuming, "I'm so scared... They bully me when they see you're not around..."
"I don't even know if the baby in my belly is a boy or a girl... wuwuwuwu... I don't know whether to read the military book or the poetry collection... Why don't you come back... The military book is so boring and I feel sleepy reading it... It's all because you didn't come back..." Shen Jin kept crying and complaining. One day, when she ate something she didn't like during a meal, she blamed it on Chu Xiuming not coming back. "Wuwuwuwu, the sweet potato seems to be mushy... It's all because you came back so late!"
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