Chapter 089
Dongdong didn't know what was wrong with him. He didn't want to get close to Chu Xiuming, but he also didn't let Chu Xiuming leave. Both Chu Xiuming and Shen Jin had to stay where Dongdong could see him, otherwise Dongdong would keep barking and crying. Dongdong was usually very well-behaved. Even if Shen Jin left sometimes, as long as Anping and the others were watching him, he would be fine. Who would have thought that he would be so noisy today? However, neither Shen Jin nor Chu Xiuming showed any impatience. Instead, they followed Dongdong's wishes and stayed with him. This made Dongdong laugh non-stop while lying in Shen Jin's arms.
After finally coaxing Dongdong to sleep, Chu Xiuming quietly left for the meeting room, while Shen Jin stayed in the room with Dongdong. Dongdong was sleeping soundly, and Shen Jin lay on his side beside him, watching Dongdong's belly bulging with his breathing, and gently touched his face with his fingers. Who says children don't know things? It's just because they can't express themselves, so they are easily ignored.
Chu Xiuming was in the meeting room. After meeting Zhao Duan first, he listened to Chu Xiuyuan telling him about what had happened during this period. Manager Wang and Manager Zhao supplemented his comments. When he heard Xue Qiao's name, even the usually calm Chu Xiuming's face darkened. After hearing everything, he looked at Zhao Duan and said, "Uncle, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you to write a letter to Mr. Zhao."
Zhao Duan agreed. Since Chu Xiuming did not meet Shen Xi and Zhao Jun, he had to find a way to find those two people and ask them to return to the border town. If he really couldn't find them, he could only wait for them to come back by themselves, which would probably take some time.
Chu Xiuyuan was no longer as calm as usual in front of Chu Xiuming, and asked, "Brother, is that child Third Brother's?"
Chu Xiuming lowered his eyes slightly and said, "Eight or nine out of ten are right."
"Then he must be rescued." Chu Xiuyuan was afraid that Chu Xiuming would be embarrassed, so he spoke first. This way, even if something happened, no one could blame Chu Xiuming.
Chu Xiuming didn't say anything, calculating the gains and losses in his mind, "Bring the map."
"Yes." After Manager Zhao agreed, he personally went to bring out the map. Chu Xiuyuan and Zhao Duan spread out the map.
Chu Xiuming looked at Jiangshu and Fengqu, then tapped with his finger and moved his eyes to the vicinity of these two places. His finger traced along the line and finally landed near a mountain range close to Jiangshu. He said, "Send someone to investigate here. Don't get close. Safety comes first."
The border town has special spies, but such spies are extremely difficult to find, and they must all be trustworthy and loyal. It is difficult to train such people, and what they do is also very dangerous. The area near the mountain range was just his estimate, and it was not worth losing manpower for this.
Chu Xiuming drew a small circle on the map. It wasn't very big, but if he really wanted to send people to investigate, it would probably take several months. "Ten people, three groups."
"Yes." Manager Zhao responded.
Chu Xiuyuan asked, "Brother, do you suspect they are here?"
Chu Xiuming said, "The flood that year was strange in itself. I'm afraid it wasn't a natural disaster but a man-made disaster."
As soon as these words came out, Zhao Duan's face changed and he said, "If this is true, then the Prince of Ying is too crazy. But why did he let Xue Qiao reveal this location?"
"Too confident." Chu Xiuming said in a deep voice. In the final analysis, it was because the Prince of England had won so many victories for so long that it was inevitable that he would be careless. And in the final analysis, he really had calculated Chu Xiuming this time. I'm afraid that Emperor Cheng had also received the news.
After everyone discussed it for a while, Manager Zhao asked, "General, do you want to see Xue Qiao?"
Chu Xiuming's face darkened and he said, "No need, just do as Madam says."
"Yes." Everyone stopped asking questions. The kitchen sent hot noodle soup over and everyone started eating it. At first, Zhao Duan was not used to this habit in the meeting room, but later he found that eating hot food with soup in a bowl made him feel much more comfortable at night, so much so that sometimes he felt something was missing if he didn't eat at night.
In fact, what Zhao Duan didn't know was that before Shen Jin got married, they didn't have this habit. Even if they were hungry at night because of meetings, they would just find some leftover pastries from the daytime. Later, Shen Jin asked the kitchen to stew soup in a large casserole every day, and after eating one pot, they would stew another. Noodles and other things were also prepared, so they could just serve the soup and add the noodles and eat.
Because everyone thought it was good, it continued to this day.
Chu Xiuyuan then took out the newly made border defense map and discussed it carefully with Chu Xiuming. This was the first time he had done such a thing alone, so he was inevitably a little nervous. Although they had roughly discussed the locations before departure, they still had to rearrange them according to the specific circumstances when they arrived at the destination.
So Chu Xiuming explained those parts in more detail and also included his own ideas. Chu Xiuming nodded from time to time while listening. After Chu Xiuyuan finished speaking, Chu Xiuming smiled and said, "Very good."
Chu Xiuyuan blushed and said, "And the veteran over there gave me advice."
"Everyone has their strengths. It's impossible to be an expert in everything. What you need to do is to know people and make good use of them." Chu Xiuming said.
"Yes." Chu Xiuyuan's face became serious, realizing that this was not only the way to be a general, but also the way to be a king.
Chu Xiuming didn't say anything else. The others talked about some other things and then left. After all, Chu Xiuming had just returned today and was a little exhausted. When he returned, he saw Shen Jin, who was obviously very sleepy and kept yawning, but was forcing herself to wait for him. His expression relaxed, and he sent away An Ning who was keeping watch. Then he walked over, bent his head, kissed Shen Jin's forehead, and said, "Go to sleep, I'll be there soon."
Shen Jin nodded, yawned again, and then whispered, "Hurry up."
"Yeah." Chu Xiuming went to the side to wash up and take off his clothes. In just a short cup of tea, Shen Jin had fallen asleep, and Dongdong was sleeping soundly in the middle of the bed, lying in a big letter "X" in a domineering manner, and moving his little mouth from time to time. Fortunately, the bed was made large, Chu Xiuming turned off the lights, climbed onto the bed, and gently held Dongdong in his arms. Although Shen Jin was asleep, she still rolled into Chu Xiuming's arms naturally. However, because there was a son in the middle, she could not do it like before, but it was not bad. After all, Shen Jin was used to having Dongdong in her arms. She didn't even wake up. She moved a few times to adjust to a comfortable position, holding Dongdong in her arms, and found a place in Chu Xiuming's arms, and moved her lips comfortably.
Chu Xiuming's eyes had already adapted to the darkness. Looking at Shen Jin's appearance, he gently touched her face with his fingers, "Give me five years, and I will accompany you to travel all over the world." Thinking of his young lady's preferences, Chu Xiuming chuckled and added, "Try all the delicacies in the world."
Chu Xiuming gently touched the corner of Shen Jin's eyes with his fingers, and then he closed his eyes. Five years was the time he set for himself and also a promise he made to Shen Jin.
When Shen Jin woke up the next day, it was already noon. Not only was Chu Xiuming not around, but even Dongdong was gone. Shen Jin propped himself up and felt lazy all over. Nanny Zhao had been waiting outside. When she heard Shen Jin's voice, she asked the maids to bring hot water, and she went to get clothes for Shen Jin to cover. She also poured out a bowl of goat's milk that was warming on a small stove nearby. The goat's milk was slightly hot, but not scalding. Drinking it made her feel comfortable all over. After drinking the goat's milk, the maids also brought hot water and helped Shen Jin to wash and dress.
Shen Jin then asked, "Where are my husband and Dongdong?"
Zhao Mama was also very happy at this time. Now that the general was back, her wife didn't need to be so tired. Seeing that her wife slept until this time today, she must have felt much more relaxed. "The general is playing with the young master and the little one."
Shen Jin nodded, sat in front of the dressing table, asked Aunt Zhao to tie her hair, and said, "Today Dongdong is willing to get close to her husband."
Aunt Zhao dressed Shen Jin up quickly. Shen Jin smiled and said, "Let's go and take a look."
"Yes." Nanny Zhao accompanied Shen Jin to another room. That room was specially cleaned up for the little one to live in. It was too big now and could not live in the rabbit nest. Moreover, those snow rabbits had given birth to many little rabbits, and there was no place for it. Although Shen Jin knew that the little one was not afraid of the cold, she couldn't bear to let it live in the original place in such a cold day. There was no other way in the capital at that time. After returning, Shen Jin asked someone to clean up a small room. There was no bed, table or chairs in the room. A blanket was spread on the floor. Nanny Zhao also made a large cushion for it with cloth that was big enough for it to lie on.
When Shen Jin arrived, he saw Dongdong sitting excitedly on Little Bit's body. Chu Xiuming bent down to support Dongdong to prevent him from falling down, while Little Bit was turning around in the room.
When Dongdong saw Shen Jin, he grinned and shouted, "Mother! Mother!"
Shen Jin had played with Dongdong like this before, but it was too tiring to walk with bent over all the time, and the little guy wouldn't let others get so close to him, so he could only play with Dongdong for a short while at most. But seeing Dongdong's excited look today, he thought Chu Xiuming had been playing with him for a long time.
"Dongdong, have you been good today?" Shen Jin came over, stretched out his hands and took Dongdong off Little Bit, so that Chu Xiuming and Little Bit could take a break.
Chu Xiuming had a smile in his eyes. Dongdong hugged Shen Jin's neck tightly with both hands, his little face flushed, "Ah!"
Shen Jin kissed Dong Dong on the cheek and said, "You are so good."
Chu Xiuming had actually been playing with Dongdong for more than half an hour. He stood up straight and felt a little sour, but not unbearable. Dongdong threw himself into his mother's arms and looked at Chu Xiuming. Chu Xiuming's eyes flashed, and he went over to kiss him on the cheek and said, "Good boy."
As expected, Dongdong was happy. Chu Xiuming knew how heavy Dongdong was. After seeing Shen Jin holding him for a while, he took the initiative to take him over. Dongdong looked at Shen Jin and said, "Ah!"
Chu Xiuming didn't wait for Dongdong to scream again, and directly carried Dongdong on his shoulders. Dongdong exclaimed, and stared with wide eyes at the little hands grabbing Chu Xiuming's hair without any lightness. He looked very happy and no longer wanted Shen Jin to hold him. He sat on Chu Xiuming's shoulders. Chu Xiuming held Dongdong's legs with one hand and supported Dongdong's back with the other hand to make him sit very steadily.
The little one also followed Chu Xiuming, whimpering from time to time. Shen Jin smiled and said, "I'm a little hungry."
Chu Xiuming nodded when he heard that. Because he had to protect Dongdong with both hands, he couldn't hold Shen Jin's hand. Shen Jin didn't care about that and just walked beside Chu Xiuming. Dongdong could accept Chu Xiuming so quickly. I think he spent a lot of effort this morning. When the family of three arrived at the dining room, they saw Chu Xiuyuan had arrived. Chu Xiuyuan looked at Chu Xiuming and laughed, "Brother, sister-in-law, Dongdong, come and give uncle a hug."
Dongdong knew Chu Xiuyuan, and he grinned when he heard that, but he did not stretch out his hand to Chu Xiuyuan like he did before. Although throwing high up was fun, he now felt that sitting so high was more interesting.
Chu Xiuyuan looked at Dongdong and said with a smile, "It is true that father and son are connected by heart."
Chu Xiuming nodded, and when he entered the house, he put Dongdong down and held him in his arms. Not long after, Concubine Chen came over, accompanied by Shen Hao. She smiled apologetically and said, "I'm late."
Shen Hao followed Concubine Chen closely. Concubine Chen held his hand. Shen Jin smiled and said, "Mother, brother, what kind of dumplings do you like to eat?"
Shen Jin naturally saw Shen Hao's hostility towards her, and there was a hint of vigilance in this hostility, as if he was afraid that Shen Jin would snatch Concubine Chen away. Shen Jin was not the type of person who would care about things, and she also saw that Shen Hao was really close to Concubine Chen, and Concubine Chen was not averse to it, so she naturally would not make things difficult for Shen Hao. In fact, she understood that Shen Hao did this because he was uneasy.
So Shen Jin took the initiative to speak at this time. Shen Hao looked at Shen Jin, lowered his head and said nothing. Concubine Chen also understood that Shen Hao was not a bad person by nature, but he was spoiled and lost his sense of propriety. However, the successive blows in recent years have made him much more sensible, and he was abandoned by his sister Shen Rong. Concubine Chen has been the best to him since Concubine Xu was locked up. Shen Hao knew that there was nothing worth Concubine Chen's pursuit of him. Such goodness is naturally really good, so he is even more afraid of losing it.
Shen Hao also knew that this was not a good thing to do. After all, Shen Jin was Concubine Chen's biological daughter, but... Shen Hao bit his lip and moved closer to Concubine Chen.
Concubine Chen sighed slightly in her heart, but didn't say anything. Chu Xiuyuan didn't really like Shen Hao. In his opinion, boys should behave like boys. But it didn't matter to him, so he didn't interrupt. Chu Xiuming smiled gently and said, "Mother-in-law, please sit down first."
"Yeah." After this journey, Concubine Chen became much closer to Chu Xiuming. Although she sat down with Shen Hao, her eyes were always on Dongdong who was wearing a cotton-padded jacket in Chu Xiuming's arms. Dongdong was wearing a cotton-padded jacket with a red background embroidered with golden carp, and a tiger-head hat on his head. His eyes were black and moist, making him look particularly cute.
Seeing Shen Hao's expression, Shen Jin didn't intentionally pull him aside to talk, but just smiled and said, "Mother, do you think Dongdong is cute?"
"What a beautiful child, and very strong." Concubine Chen praised, "He is a good child, and he is well raised."
Shen Jin nodded proudly and said, "Of course."
Concubine Chen gave Shen Jin a glare, but then she started to laugh. Shen Jin asked someone to make the dumplings, putting all the fillings together and putting them in a basin. In addition, she also made a bowl of hot and sour soup for everyone. Nanny Zhao did not follow, but went to the kitchen to prepare food for Dongdong. Ever since Dongdong could eat complementary foods, Nanny Zhao prepared all the food herself. For this, she even gave the cakes for Shen Jin to make to the cook.
Several people sat together and chatted. Most of the time, it was Concubine Chen and Shen Jin who were talking, while Chu Xiuming and the others were listening. Shen Hao was much more relaxed now. Although he didn't say anything, he looked up and listened to Concubine Chen chatting. While Concubine Chen was listening to Shen Jin talking, she touched the teacup and felt that the temperature was just right, so she pushed it towards Concubine Chen's hand.
Although Concubine Chen was listening to her daughter talking about her grandson, she did not completely ignore Shen Hao. She turned her head slightly to look at him. She happened to be feeling thirsty, so she took a few sips of tea, then took a piece of walnut cake and put it in Shen Hao's hand. Shen Hao smiled and started to eat.
Shen Jin naturally noticed this, and his eyes turned softer when he looked at Shen Hao.
Dongdong sat in Chu Xiuming's arms, watching Shen Hao eat. His white and tender little hand slapped Chu Xiuming's hand hard and pointed at Shen Hao, "Eat!"
Chu Xiuming looked down at Dongdong and said, "You can't eat it."
Dongdong understood the word "no" and looked at Chu Xiuming with wide eyes in disbelief. After thinking for a while, he shouted, "Father, eat."
Now not only Concubine Chen, but also Chu Xiuyuan and the others all looked at Dongdong. Chu Xiuming still shook his head. Dongdong blinked. Where was the father who agreed to everything he said in the morning? Where did he go?
Shen Jin laughed out loud, and when Dongdong looked over, he also took a piece of dessert and started eating happily. Dongdong's little mouth opened and closed, looking at Shen Jin, but Shen Jin finished his piece without letting him taste it. Dongdong's eyes immediately turned red, "Woo..."
Concubine Chen didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She looked at Shen Jin with some reproach, "How can you tease a child like this?"
Chu Xiuming held Dongdong and rocked him gently a few times. Dongdong didn't cry at all, but just hid his head in Chu Xiuming's arms angrily.
A few people were chatting and laughing when Nanny Zhao brought people to bring up the food. In addition to the dumplings and hot and sour soup that Shen Jin ordered, there were also a few dishes such as egg custard and fish paste from Dongdong. After everything was served, a few people sat down. Zhao Duan did not come today, but took his son Zhao Che back to the courtyard specially prepared for them in the mansion. After all, if you really think about it, their relationship is still a bit distant, and it is more comfortable for family members to be together during the winter solstice.
Moreover, Zhao Duan and his family are used to eating glutinous rice balls during the winter solstice, and they don’t really like eating dumplings.
Seeing that Shen Jin had no intention of taking Dongdong out of Chu Xiuming's arms, Concubine Chen did not say anything more. Chu Xiuming brought the egg custard to feed Dongdong first. Shen Jin asked Concubine Chen and Shen Hao to start eating first, and she picked up one for Concubine Chen first, and then picked up one for Chu Xiuyuan and Shen Hao respectively. They did not eat at a big table, but a round table that was neither too big nor too small, which could just accommodate several people and not be too far away. Chu Xiuyuan and Shen Hao sat next to each other, and Chu Xiuyuan took care of Shen Hao.
There were all kinds of fillings in this pot of dumplings. It wasn't that it was impossible to tell them apart, because the dough was all made with vegetable water, which made the dumplings look a little different in color. But even Shen Jin couldn't tell what the fillings were.
Dongdong watched everyone eating dumplings, and he also ate his own egg custard. Chu Xiuming fed Dongdong a little unfamiliarly. He saw how Zhao Ma and others fed him in the morning, so although he was a little unfamiliar, he was not completely ignorant. In order to have two mouthfuls of egg custard, he scooped some fish paste for Dongdong. Dongdong liked the fish paste very much. Before the spoon reached his mouth, he reached out to grab Chu Xiuming's wrist and pulled it towards him. He was quite strong.
Although it is said that people should not talk while eating or sleeping, they are all close people. If it is really like this all the time, it is inevitable that they will feel a little strange. Shen Jin watched Chu Xiuyuan take a bite of the dumpling, paused and asked, "What's the filling?"
"Pork with leeks." What Chu Xiuyuan disliked most was leeks, so when he looked at the remaining half of the dumpling, he dipped it in the hot and sour soup before putting it in his mouth, and then looked at Shen Jin with some suspicion. He thought his sister-in-law might have guessed it, so she deliberately gave it to him. He noticed that before that, Shen Jin looked carefully at the color of the dumpling skin.
After Shen Jin knew about it, he looked at Concubine Chen. Concubine Chen took a bite helplessly, tasted it, and then said, "It's cabbage and eggs."
"Oh oh!" Shen Jin looked at Shen Hao again.
After tasting it, Shen Hao said, "It's meat, and there's radish in it."
Shen Jin knew about it, and then she happily started to eat it. She took a bite and found that it was leek and egg. Like Chu Xiuyuan, she didn't like leek. After swallowing it, she said, "Leek and egg, it's not delicious."
Chu Xiuyuan raised his eyebrows and waited for Shen Jin to eat the remaining half, then he saw Shen Jin put the dumplings she didn't like directly on the plate in front of Chu Xiuming, and she changed to other dumplings to eat. She ate the ones she liked and put the ones she didn't like on Chu Xiuming's plate.
Seeing that Chu Xiuming was not angry and even ate the dumplings calmly, Concubine Chen saw that Chu Xiuming was used to it and looked a lot more relaxed. Chu Xiuyuan carefully avoided all the dumplings with green skin, but even so, sometimes he would eat something he didn't like. The same was true for Shen Hao. There seemed to be a lot of dumplings in a pot, but he finished them very quickly. This time, there was no big pot with all kinds of fillings. Instead, each filling was placed on a plate, and the maid who served the dishes even explained the fillings of the dumplings clearly, and he could eat whatever flavor he liked.
Dongdong was full, sitting in Chu Xiuming's arms and watching everyone eat dumplings, not making a fuss. Chu Xiuming was also very skilled in using chopsticks with one hand. Chu Xiuyuan was talking to Concubine Chen about the local customs. Shen Jin was full and drinking hot and sour soup and said, "When it's warmer one day, I'll take you out for a walk. There are actually many fun places and delicious food in the border town, but the taste is a bit strong, and mother might not be used to it. Third brother should like it."
Shen Hao's eyes lit up when he heard this. Although he was young, he was still very interested in playing. Shen Jin continued, "But my second brother is out for the time being. Why don't we let him take my third brother out to play?"
"Can I go out and play?" Shen Hao asked.
Shen Jin nodded and said, "Of course, when you are familiar with the border town, you can go out by yourself, but you must say hello to the doorman."
Shen Hao looked at Concubine Chen, who smiled and said, "Sure."
After hearing Concubine Chen speak, Shen Hao said, "I know!"
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