Chapter 78
Madam Zhao thought carefully for a long time before she said, "This old servant really doesn't know."
Shen Jin listened curiously and put his finger into Dong Dong's hand, letting him hold it and asked, "Besides my father, were there any other princes of the same age as my mother?"
Zhao Ma was stunned for a moment and then thought about it and said, "Yes, in fact, Princess Rui is older than Prince Rui... This old servant thought of one thing. Concubine Liu died right after giving birth to the Sixth Prince, and the Sixth Prince was adopted by the late Queen Mother into the palace. At that time, the Crown Prince had already married the Crown Princess, and the late Queen Mother was already in poor health. Although the Sixth Prince was raised under the name of the late Queen Mother, he was taken care of by the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess. The Sixth Prince also admired the Crown Prince very much... To be honest, the Sixth Prince's age is more suitable for Princess Rui. Before the accident, the Crown Princess even specially summoned Princess Rui to the palace..."
Shen Jin suddenly asked, "What about the Sixth Prince?"
"Excellent." Nanny Zhao said, "The Sixth Prince was taught by the Crown Prince himself." Prince Rui was far inferior to the Sixth Prince, but considering that Prince Rui was Shen Jin's biological father, Nanny Zhao did not say this.
Shen Jin moved his fingers and felt Dong Dong's hands were soft. "Mother must be very upset."
Chu Xiuming remained silent, and Shen Jin asked again, "Madam Zhao, if the Crown Princess wants to marry Mother to the Sixth Prince, will they be allowed to meet in advance?"
Madam Zhao said, "Yes, the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess are not rigid people. Especially the Crown Princess will definitely let the Sixth Prince and Princess Rui get in touch first. After all, sometimes even if the two sides are good friends, things like fate are hard to tell. What if they end up with a couple with bad intentions... The Crown Princess feels sorry for the Sixth Prince."
No wonder Princess Rui never cared about how Prince Rui flirted with other women, because she didn't care.
Moreover, it is natural that Princess Rui would hate Emperor Cheng. According to Nanny Zhao, the Sixth Prince and the Crown Prince have an extremely close relationship, so why would Emperor Cheng keep such a person around?
Dongdong's uncomfortable groaning caught Shen Jin's attention. Shen Jin hurried over to take a look and found that Dongdong had urinated. Just as Shen Jin was about to take action, he saw Chu Xiuming had already taken over and said, "Let me do it."
"Okay." Shen Jin didn't say anything, because he could only see Dongdong once every other day, and Chu Xiuming actually missed Dongdong too.
After changing the diaper, Dongdong stopped making trouble. Shen Jin stopped thinking about it and Chu Xiuming stopped talking about it. He asked, "Did Dongdong make trouble at night?"
"It's OK." Shen Jin said with a smile, "Dongdong is very well behaved."
Chu Xiuming looked at the faint blue in Shen Jin's eyes, and didn't say anything. He just responded and touched Dongdong's face, "The Queen Mother should take action in the next few days."
"Yes." Shen Jin nodded, "Can we leave soon?"
Chu Xiuming nodded and said, "Very soon."
Shen Jin laughed when he heard that, kissed Dongdong's little face and said, "Dongdong, we're going home soon."
Chu Xiuming sat next to Shen Jin. Shen Jin reached out and pushed him, whispering, "I haven't taken a shower for a long time." After saying that, she glared at Chu Xiuming. She had already asked her mother, and she knew it wouldn't take so long. Dongdong was very well behaved and the birth went smoothly.
"I'm sorry, my lady." Chu Xiuming comforted her gently.
Shen Jin nodded, she also felt very aggrieved.
Chu Xiuming held Shen Jin's hand. Shen Jin felt something was put on his hand. He lowered his head to see that his hand was covered tightly by Chu Xiuming. After feeling it for a while, Shen Jin said, "Bracelet?"
"Yes." Chu Xiuming let go of the bracelet after he put it on Shen Jin. Shen Jin saw that it was a wooden bracelet, only as thick as a finger and round. There were no carvings on it, only the pattern of the wood itself. However, it had been finely polished and there was no roughness at all.
Shen Jin raised his hand and looked at it for a long time and said, "I like it!"
Since she became pregnant, Shen Jin seldom wore jewelry. After Dongdong was born, she even stopped wearing earrings and jade bracelets. Chu Xiuming originally wanted to carve a hairpin for Shen Jin, but Shen Jin didn't need it now, so he made her a bracelet.
"Beautiful!" Shen Jin shook her hand. This bracelet was made by Chu Xiuming according to Shen Jin's wrist, and it fits her very well.
Chu Xiuming reached out and pinched Shen Jin's earlobe without saying anything.
Dongdong was chewing his little fist. Chu Xiuming took a cloth and wiped Dongdong's saliva. Dongdong looked at Chu Xiuming with his eyes open, not knowing what he was looking at. Chu Xiuming glanced at Shen Jin who was still admiring the bracelet, then looked at his son and squeezed his little fist.
When Shen Jin had finally been in confinement for forty days and was able to take a bath, Emperor Cheng finally got the news. He looked at Lord Cheng'en and said, "Are you serious?"
"I would never dare to deceive Your Majesty with such a thing." Duke Cheng'en also said with a pale face, "It is absolutely true. If it weren't for... how could we have achieved the current situation with just those anti-people people?"
The four descendants of the King of England made Emperor Cheng confused, and there were even barbarians. Emperor Cheng did not have the slightest doubt. After all, the King of England had done such a thing in the past, and it was reasonable for his descendants to join forces with the barbarians. Thinking of what happened in the past, Emperor Cheng was not afraid.
"You go down first." Emperor Cheng said in a deep voice.
Lord Cheng En said, "Yes."
Emperor Cheng thought of the missing Prince of England. At the time, between the descendants of the King of England and the descendants of the Crown Prince, he chose to wipe out the Crown Prince's lineage with all his strength. After all, the Crown Prince was the truly legitimate one, while the King of England's lineage was infamous for eternity. But now Emperor Cheng felt a little regretful. The King of England's lineage had no scruples about fighting for the throne.
After thinking for a long time, Emperor Cheng felt confused and said, "Go see the Queen Mother."
Li Fu lowered his head and responded.
In the Empress Dowager's palace, upon hearing the palace maid's message, the Empress Dowager was not at all surprised. She just sighed and raised her hand. Nanny Zhen bent down and helped the Empress Dowager stand up, then walked out. When Emperor Cheng saw the Empress Dowager, he breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Mother, Shuzhong..."
"Madam Zhen, take some people downstairs. No one is needed to serve here." The Queen Mother interrupted Emperor Cheng and said.
"Yes." After Nanny Zhen led the others to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager and Emperor Cheng, they withdrew.
Li Fu glanced at Emperor Cheng, and after Emperor Cheng waved his hand, he also led his men to retreat and closed the door.
The Queen Mother then sat down and looked at Emperor Cheng and said, "What happened in Shu?"
Emperor Cheng said, "Mother, the matter in Shu was pushed by the Crown Prince of Ying, and they even contacted the barbarians again."
The Queen Mother was shocked, as if she had just heard the news. She frowned and said, "Is this news accurate?"
"Lord Cheng'en just found out." Emperor Cheng said in a deep voice, "I think it can be correct."
"Lord Cheng'en...it's no wonder." The Queen Mother sighed, "How is the Second Prince doing?"
Emperor Cheng actually still values this legitimate son. "I have someone negotiate for him. His life is safe."
The Queen Mother thought for a moment and said, "What about Ruyang?"
Emperor Cheng shook his head and said, "Ruyang and the Prince Consort have only been in the border town for a short time. Although the progress is good, in the end..."
The Queen Mother said, "Emperor, the most important thing now is to prevent the barbarians from breaking through the border."
Emperor Cheng's expression changed and he said, "Mother, are you letting Chu Xiuming go back just like that?"
The Queen Mother saw that Emperor Cheng was unwilling to accept this, and she sighed in her heart and said, "I just want to ask you, which one is more important now? Or... which one is a greater threat to you, the King of England or his descendants?"
"Descendants of the King of England." Emperor Cheng said in a deep voice. Moreover, the prince's lineage had been purged countless times by Emperor Cheng, and it was likely that there were really no people left.
The Queen Mother said, "If the Prince of Ying really colluded with the barbarians, could Ruyang and the others resist it?"
Emperor Cheng stopped talking, and he understood that if this was true, Ruyang and the prince consort were definitely not as reliable as Chu Xiuming.
The Queen Mother slowly exhaled and said, "Emperor, the Prince of Ying has been preparing for more than 20 years. This incident in Shu is just an opportunity to act. None of us knows his other cards, so we have to be on guard. As for the Chu family... I have always disagreed with you dealing with the Chu family."
"But Chu Xiuming..." Emperor Cheng said in a deep voice.
The Queen Mother shook her head and said nothing more, "Think about it yourself."
Emperor Cheng felt that the threat posed by the Crown Prince of England was greater. If they really joined forces with the barbarians and laid siege to the city, Emperor Cheng thought about the situation at that time. Although he did not think that he was worse than..., when he thought about the scene at that time, Emperor Cheng still felt a lingering fear.
"Then let Chu Xiuming go back." Emperor Cheng thought for a long time and finally decided, "Bring Shen Jin and the child to the palace to accompany the Queen Mother."
The Queen Mother looked at Emperor Cheng and said, "Emperor, do you think it will work?"
Emperor Cheng said, "I think he cares a lot about his wife and children."
The Queen Mother asked in return, "Emperor, do you think Earl Yongning will lack a wife and children?"
Emperor Cheng asked, "What does the Queen Mother mean..."
The Queen Mother said, "Emperor, what you need to do now is to win over Earl Yongning, and not let people feel suspicious. Earl Yongning will never surrender to the Crown Prince of England."
"I understand." Emperor Cheng exhaled slowly, "I decree to confer the title of Yongning Marquis to Yongning Earl."
The Queen Mother nodded and said softly, "You and Prince Rui are the only two sons I have in my life. I always want you to be well. Mothers are always selfish..."
"Mother, don't worry, I will take good care of my brother." Emperor Cheng promised.
The Queen Mother smiled and nodded without saying anything else. Emperor Cheng had an idea in his mind, so he left without saying anything else. Nanny Zhen came in and looked at the Queen Mother who was twirling her Buddhist beads and said, "Queen Mother, do you want to use something?"
“No need.” The Queen Mother lowered her eyes slightly and said, but she was still thinking in her heart about how to make Prince Rui and his family leave the capital. Emperor Cheng was her son, and she knew him best. When nothing was wrong, Emperor Cheng would naturally take care of Prince Rui, but if something happened... Just like because of a guess, she married Prince Rui's daughter to Earl Yongning, and was unwilling to issue a self-criticism edict, so she pushed all the blame onto Prince Rui.
When the imperial edict from Emperor Cheng conferring the title of Marquis of Yongning on Chu Xiuming was delivered to Chu Xiuming, no matter what people in the capital thought, they all sent gifts of congratulations. After Chu Xiuming received the edict, his expression did not change at all, he just submitted a letter of thanks.
Zhuangzi also got the news. Shen Jin was teasing Dongdong with a golden bell when he heard it and said, "Anything else?"
Madam Zhao said, "There is nothing else."
Shen Jin said, "So we are going back to the border town soon, right?"
Aunt Zhao said respectfully, "Yes."
Shen Jin thought about it and nodded, "Then Madam, please pack the luggage first."
Madam Zhao looked at Shen Jin's expression and said, "Madam doesn't seem happy?"
"Because it's useless." Shen Jin said, "Although my husband has been promoted to a noble title, we are back in the border town, and this title is of little use."
Shen Jin put the golden bell aside, picked up his son, kissed his little face and said, "It would be better to give him some rewards. But I think the salary will be higher in the future, which is also a pleasant surprise."
Chu Xiuming is not like those people in the capital. His greatest reliance is not his title. Upon hearing this, Madam Zhao smiled and said, "Madam is right."
In the Rui Palace, Princess Rui was packing Shen Xi's luggage. Now that the title had been given, it was almost time for Chu Xiuming to return to the border town. "Cui Xi, call Xi'er."
"Yes." Cui Xi responded respectfully and went to invite Shen Xi over in person.
Border town is not as good as the capital. To put it bluntly, Shen Xi is living under someone else's roof. Although Princess Rui knows that neither Chu Xiuming nor Shen Jin will treat their son badly, she is still reluctant to let him go. Shen Xi came over quickly and smiled when he saw Princess Rui, "Mother."
"Come." Princess Rui looked at her son with a softer look in her eyes. She waved for Shen Xi to come over and asked, "Take a look. Do you like it?"
Shen Xi then looked at what the maid was holding. Princess Rui said, "Put it on and show it to me."
"Okay." Shen Xi agreed.
Princess Rui prepared a set of riding clothes for Shen Xi, which was just right for wearing now. After Shen Xi came out after changing, he smiled and said, "Mother, I like it very much."
"Yes." Princess Rui helped her son to adjust it herself and said, "It's good as long as it fits."
Shen Xi smiled and said, "It fits me very well. Thank you, mother."
Princess Rui patted her son's head gently and said, "Okay, change it. I have something to say to you."
"Yes." Shen Xi went downstairs and changed his clothes again. Cui Xi had already brought the cakes and fruits that Shen Xi liked, and then went downstairs with the other servants in the room.
Princess Rui asked Shen Xi to sit next to her, and Shen Xi asked, "Did mother make the clothes for me?"
"Yes." Princess Rui handed her son a piece of snack and said, "You go back and pack up in the next few days. I think your third brother-in-law and his family will be back soon. You can go with them then."
Shen Xi's eyes were bright and his face was full of joy. Princess Rui looked at her son and smiled. Shen Xi blushed and shouted, "Mother, I will write to you."
"Okay." Princess Rui responded softly, "I'm going to say a few words to you today. You have to remember them, okay?"
Seeing Princess Rui's expression, Shen Xi also put away his smile, nodded seriously and said, "Don't worry, mother."
Princess Rui looked at her son and said, "Once you get to the border town, no matter what you see, don't send a letter back to the capital, understand?"
"Why?" Shen Xi asked with a puzzled look.
Princess Rui said, "When we get there, you can ask your third brother-in-law or third sister."
Shen Xi nodded and said, "I see. Can I write about the scenery and interesting things along the way to my mother?"
"Okay, but after you finish writing, go ask your third brother-in-law or third sister." Princess Rui instructed.
Shen Xi frowned and said, "I remember it."
Princess Rui said, “When you get to the border town, don’t get close to Ruyang and the others.”
"Son, doesn't he need to go and pay a visit to his cousins?" Shen Xi looked puzzled.
Princess Rui looked at her son and said, "Go ask your third brother-in-law or third sister when you get there."
Shen Xi said, "Mother, do you mean that no matter what I want to do, I have to ask my third brother-in-law or my third sister first?"
Princess Rui nodded and said, "You can ask them if you have any questions, but don't ask the rest of them, you have to listen to them."
For the first time, Shen Xi felt that leaving home was not a good thing. Princess Rui said, "Xi'er, before your eldest brother went to Minzhong, I told him that if Chu Xiuming was fine, he should not come back unless I wrote to him. I will also tell you this today. Unless I write to ask you to come back, you should stay in the border town and listen to your third brother-in-law and your third sister in all matters."
"I understand, mother." Shen Xi asked after hesitating for a moment.
Princess Rui patted her son's head and said, "Remember this, and you will understand it later."
"Yes." Shen Xi said, "Don't worry, mother. I know that you are doing this for my brother and me. I will definitely listen to you."
Princess Rui smiled and said, "What makes mother the happiest in her life is having you three. What will happen to mother and your sister in the future depends on you two brothers."
Shen Xi nodded solemnly, "Okay, I will definitely work hard."
Princess Rui helped her son straighten his collar, then said, "Okay, go back and pack your things. Don't bring too much. I'll prepare the rest for you."
"Mother, who should I take with me?" Shen Xi asked.
Princess Rui said, "Don't take anyone with you. Your third sister will send someone to take care of you."
Shen Xi nodded when he heard that, and thought about what to take with him.
The next day, Emperor Cheng summoned Chu Xiuming to the palace and said in the study, "My dear, please pack up your things and go to the border town in the next few days."
Chu Xiuming accepted the order respectfully without asking any further questions.
Emperor Cheng hesitated for a moment and said, "My dear minister, you know what is happening in Shu."
"I have heard something." Chu Xiuming said.
Emperor Cheng sighed, but did not hide the matter of the Prince of England. After all, the person who hated the King of England the most in the world was probably Chu Xiuming. The King of England had sold out the defense map, and in order to expel those barbarians, many people in the Chu family died. Even Chu Xiuming's brother died in battle because of this.
As expected, Emperor Cheng saw Chu Xiuming's expression change, "No wonder I have always felt that those barbarians have not made any moves during this period of time."
Emperor Cheng had not thought of this at first, but after hearing Chu Xiuming's words, he realized that in previous years, there were always constant frictions on the border, but now it is so peaceful. "What do you think, my dear?"
Chu Xiuming shook his head and said, "I haven't been back to Border Town for more than a year."
Emperor Cheng said, "The stability of the border depends on you, my dear minister."
"I obey your command." Chu Xiuming said in a deep voice.
Emperor Cheng asked, "If you need anything, please let me know."
Chu Xiuming narrowed his eyes and said, "Your Majesty, please summon Princess Ruyang and her husband back to the capital."
How could Emperor Cheng be willing to fail at the last moment? Hearing this, he said, "Marquis Zhongyi is quite capable. I will order him to listen to you, my dear minister. Don't worry."
Chu Xiuming frowned, but didn't say anything else, "The matter of food, fodder, supplies, and war horses."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Cheng, although somewhat reluctant, still said, "Don't worry about these, my dear ministers."
Chu Xiuming accepted the order and expressed his gratitude.
If Emperor Cheng wants Chu Xiuming to do something, then Chu Xiuming can naturally make a request. However, if Chu Xiuming mentions food and grass right away, Emperor Cheng will probably refuse. So first mention something that Emperor Cheng is unwilling to agree to, let him refuse, and then mention food and grass, so that Emperor Cheng will find it difficult to refuse.
In fact, the reason Chu Xiuming did this was because he thought about what his wife usually did. If she wanted to do something and knew that Madam Zhao would refuse, she would first act coquettishly and go to Madam Zhao, and propose something that Madam Zhao would definitely not agree to. Then, after being rejected, she would state her real purpose with a wronged look on her face, and then Madam Zhao would generally agree.
For example, if Shen Jin actually wants to eat yogurt, he will usually ask for an ice bowl. After Nanny Zhao refuses, he will suggest eating yogurt as a second choice, and Nanny Zhao will go and prepare it for Shen Jin.
Although Nanny Zhao also knew about Shen Jin's little trick, she just fell for it. It was a tacit understanding between Shen Jin and Nanny Zhao. Chu Xiuming had seen it so many times that he just used it today... Unexpectedly, the effect was quite good. However, Emperor Cheng was not Nanny Zhao. He never thought that Chu Xiuming's real purpose was food and grass. Even if Emperor Cheng took the initiative to ask Chu Xiuming to let Princess Ruyang and the others go back, Chu Xiuming would not agree.
After Chu Xiuming returned, he personally led people to pick up Shen Jin and Dong Dong and brought them back home, and then began to prepare to leave Beijing. Originally, they were planning to leave Beijing secretly, so they needed to travel light, but now they wanted to leave openly, so they didn't need all that. Shen Jin also sent people to buy a lot of things, especially medicinal herbs.
After Emperor Cheng told Chu Xiuming about leaving Beijing, Prince Rui sent a letter to invite Chu Xiuming and his family to his house. Because Shen Qi was about to get angry, she didn't come out to meet the guests this time. Shen Jin came with Dongdong in her arms. Princess Rui took off the rings on her hands and held Dongdong in her arms for a while, then handed him to Concubine Chen to look after. Shen Jin sat aside with a smile on her face. Because she was well taken care of during the confinement period, she was a little fatter and her face was rosy. "Mother, I'll put Dongdong here and go see my sister."
"I'll go with you." Princess Rui said with a smile when she heard this.
Concubine Chen had nothing on her because she had a child by her side. She was watching Dongdong and Prince Rui's youngest son playing together in the bed. There was actually nothing that such young children could play with, but the two fair and tender children lying together were particularly pleasing to look at.
Shen Jin agreed, and Princess Rui looked at Concubine Chen and said, "Sister Chen, I'll leave these two children to you."
Concubine Chen agreed with a smile and said, "I'm afraid I can't take care of it alone, so why not let An Ning stay and help." She had seen An Ning's skills, so if An Ning stayed, both Concubine Chen and Shen Jin would feel more at ease.
"Okay." Shen Jin said with a smile.
An Ning responded respectfully and stood beside the bed.
Princess Rui nodded when she saw that everything was arranged properly, and walked with Shen Jin to the courtyard where Shen Qi lived. The delivery room and other facilities had already been prepared. Princess Rui said, "Jin girl, I will entrust Xi'er to you."
"Don't worry, mother." Shen Jin knew that Princess Rui asked Shen Xi to go with them. "I will take good care of my brother, but mother... do you really want my brother to go to the battlefield?"
After all, swords have no eyes. Even if Chu Xiuming made the best arrangements, if an accident really happened, Shen Jin was afraid that Prince Rui and Princess Rui would blame them instead. Moreover, Shen Jin felt that Princess Rui might not have told Prince Rui about this matter.
Princess Rui knew what Shen Jin meant, so she just said, "Young eagles always have to learn to fly. Even if something really happens, it's not your fault. This is Xi'er's own choice."
In fact, Shen Jin was still a little hesitant. After all, even though Princess Rui said so, it was hard to say what she would think when the time came.
Princess Rui naturally understood, and smiled and said, "Jin girl, wealth and honor are sought in danger. Although Xi'er is still young, he is also a boy. A man should be upright. Otherwise, how can he become the pillar of the family and protect his wife and children in the future?"
"Mother." Shen Jin called out.
Princess Rui said, "Do you know why I haven't arranged a marriage for Xuan'er?"
Shen Jin shook his head honestly and asked tentatively, "Because there is no suitable one?"
"Because Xuan'er couldn't protect his wife and children." Princess Rui said, "But now he can, and he has grown up a lot."
For some reason, Shen Jin felt a little sad when listening to Princess Rui's words.
Shen Jin responded, but Princess Rui stopped talking about it and just said, "Besides Xi'er, my mother's family's children will also arrive in the border town one after another in a while."
"Mother..." Shen Jin didn't know what to say.
Princess Rui reached out and patted Shen Jin's hand, "Sometimes people's luck... Forget it, there's no point in telling you this. Go back and tell Chu Xiuming that sometimes people tend to ignore what's in front of them. It's just the darkest place under the lamp."
After that, without paying any attention to Shen Jin who looked confused, he entered Shen Qi's courtyard. Shen Qi was leaning on a cushion. She looked better than when Yongle Hou Shizi was just powerful. When she saw Princess Rui and Shen Jin, she asked, "Where's Dongdong?"
"Don't leave it in the room." Princess Rui said, "It's not convenient for you now, so I didn't bring it."
"I want to see more of Dongdong." Shen Qi said with a smile, "Sister, I asked someone to prepare some things for you. They will be delivered to your house later. If you need anything else, just write to me directly, okay? Don't put yourself in a difficult position."
"Yes." Shen Jin responded without hesitation and said, "Don't worry, sister."
Shen Qi sighed somewhat and said, "I always feel like you left just when you were about to come back."
"Sister, if you have the chance in the future, remember to come and play with me and your husband." Shen Jin held Shen Qi's hand and said, "I prepared some things for the child, so I'll send them to you first." After all, Shen Jin could not attend the child's third-day bath and full-month celebration.
Shen Qi smiled and said, "Okay."
Shen Jin was dressed very simply today, with only a wooden bracelet on her wrist. Shen Qi noticed it at a glance, but couldn't tell what kind of wood it was made of. Shen Jin also noticed Shen Qi's eyes, smiled but didn't mention anything about the bracelet. After all, the Prince of Yongle was now in Shuzhong, and sometimes it was not convenient to say something in front of Shen Qi.
Shen Qi didn't ask anything. After talking for a while, Princess Rui took Shen Jin away and let Shen Qi continue to rest.
In Prince Rui's study, Prince Rui looked at Chu Xiuming and said, "I will leave my son to you."
"Don't worry, father-in-law." Chu Xiuming said.
Shen Xi stood aside without saying anything. King Rui coughed awkwardly and said, "By the way, Xi'er is young, so we won't let him go to the battlefield where swords and guns are indiscriminate."
"Father..." Shen Xi was about to speak when King Rui glared at him.
"I am talking to your brother-in-law." King Rui said in a deep voice, "Stand aside."
Shen Xi was still a little unconvinced, but he didn't say anything. Chu Xiuming smiled when he heard it, "Don't worry, father-in-law."
Prince Rui nodded with satisfaction, and then said, "But son-in-law, you also know that Xuan'er is the prince of the palace, and Xi'er still has no title..."
Shen Xi's face turned red. King Rui almost said directly that if he was not allowed to go to the battlefield, he would have to have military merits. Chu Xiuming also understood and said, "Don't worry, father-in-law, I understand."
Sure enough, Prince Rui smiled happily, and consciously protected his son, allowing his son to gain military merit. When he had time to spare, he would visit his mother and make sure she got a title for her second son.
Prince Rui gave a few more instructions, and then he was satisfied to let Chu Xiuming and Shen Xi go to bond. After they left the study, Shen Xi said, "Third brother-in-law, don't take my father's words seriously."
Chu Xiuming heard this and said, "Do you feel that you are being looked down upon?"
Shen Xi didn't say anything. Chu Xiuming patted Shen Xi on the shoulder and said, "There are no parents in the world who don't love their children. Your father-in-law has done a lot for you."
If it weren't for his two sons, how could King Rui be willing to take risks? However, Chu Xiuming couldn't tell Shen Xi about these things in person. "In fact, you can go and talk to your mother-in-law."
Shen Xi nodded and said, "My mother told me to listen to my third brother-in-law and my third sister."
Chu Xiuming agreed, "I understand."
Princess Rui did not invite them to have dinner at her mansion. After all, they were about to leave Beijing and had many things to do. In addition to the things prepared for them, Princess Rui also had the luggage prepared for Shen Xi delivered to them, but Shen Xi still stayed in the Rui Palace.
Shen Xi was allowed to go the day before Chu Xiuming and Shen Jin left. This was Shen Xi's first time away from home, and he felt a little nervous and excited. However, when he actually left Beijing, Shen Xi turned his head to look at the city gate, and felt a little melancholy in his heart.
Chu Xiuming took good care of his brother-in-law and said, "He will be back."
Shen Xi nodded and said, "Yes."
In the Rui Palace, Princess Rui sat in front of the bronze mirror, looking at herself in the mirror, and asked, "Xi'er and the others have already left the capital, right?"
"To answer your question, Princess, yes." Cui Xi said.
Princess Rui exhaled slowly and nodded, "Let me be alone."
"Yes." Upon hearing this, Cui Xi took her people downstairs and stood guard outside the door herself.
Princess Rui opened the jewelry box, inside were some jewelry neatly arranged, all of which were used by Princess Rui frequently. She looked at the magnolia hairpin inside. Although she placed this hairpin here, she had never worn it. She reached out and took it out, gently stroking it with her fingers.
That year, she met the young man in brocade robe, with a bright smile and full of elegance, and she knew not the taste of sorrow.
That year, she knew that when they grew up a little more, she would marry this boy and fall in love for the first time.
That year, they met in the garden of the Prince's Palace, and he stuffed the hairpin into her hand and said he wanted to marry her.
When the learned young man saw her, he blushed and stammered to explain that when they got married, he would give her a jade hairpin that he had carved himself, not the one in her hand. Only then did she learn that the young man saw the jewelry his brother prepared for his sister-in-law and just said that he thought the jade color was suitable for her, so he shamelessly asked for it.
But she never waited for the boy she wanted to marry, and she even didn't know where to pay tribute to that boy.
Which of those charred bodies is the boy she has been waiting for?
In fact, it doesn’t matter if she can’t recognize him or doesn’t know him. At least in her memory, the boy is still wearing the same brocade robe, instead of looking completely unrecognizable.
She really didn't care about Prince Rui as her husband, because the young man she cared about, the one she wanted to wait for and marry, was no longer around.
In fact, she hadn't thought about these things for a long time, and even the boy's face was blurred. She just saw the wooden bracelet on Shen Jin's wrist and thought that it was made by Chu Xiuming himself, which was why Shen Jin cherished it so much.
Princess Rui looked at the jade hairpin and chuckled. This smile was different from her usual smile. The corners of her eyes were slightly raised. She was not dignified or gentle, but full of energy.
"When we get married, I will tell my brother, I will take you out of the capital, and we will travel to every place in the Tianqi Dynasty."
"At that time, we rode horses to the northwest and watched the misty rain in the south of the Yangtze River..."
"My sister-in-law said that she hopes I can marry a caring wife. I want to be a responsible person and protect my wife and children all my life, and not let them suffer any grievances."
"I want to marry you. I like to see you smile and feel so proud. I will treat you well and make you happy for the rest of your life."
"My brother said that nothing will happen. Besides, I will protect you. Even if the King of England really comes, I will protect you. Even if I die, I will die before you."
Princess Rui put the hairpin back away. She would never get the hairpin that belonged to her in her entire life.
"Liar." Princess Rui said in a low voice.
They had clearly agreed on it, but she didn't expect that would be the last time they met. She still remembered the young man in silver armor who sneaked over the wall and was fearless. She handed him the coat she had made, and he smiled brightly and hugged her.
That one hug.
"Your Highness." Cui Xi's voice came from outside. Princess Rui closed her eyes and returned to her usual appearance, dignified and gentle.
King Rui asked, "Where is the princess?"
Princess Rui closed the jewelry box, stood up and walked out, saying, "Your Majesty."
"Hey, why are your eyes red?" Prince Rui asked Princess Rui.
Princess Rui said gently, "I was just thinking of Xi'er."
"Me too." King Rui sighed, "The children have grown up."
"Yes." Princess Rui said, they have all grown up...
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