Shi Zhenzhu said with a smile, "The eldest daughter of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion is really beautiful. Nowadays, who in the capital doesn't say that the Rongguo Duke's wife has a good reputation? In the whole capital, you can't find another one who can become the Duke's wife before the age of thirty!"
Her voice is very pleasant, and her laughter is very comforting. Even when she's just chatting casually, it doesn't make you feel uncomfortable.
Shen Mingzhuang nodded with a smile, "The Duchess of Rongguo has a good temperament, so naturally the children she raises are well-behaved."
An Wanqing listened to these words from the side, her eyes flickering slightly. She thought of her husband mentioning someone else's child as well-behaved. She lowered her eyes and pondered carefully. Suddenly, two words appeared in her mind—"Jiang Xuan".
She murmured to herself, and Shen Mingzhuang and Shi Zhenzhu both looked at her, clearly puzzled as to why An Wanqing would suddenly call out the Crown Prince's name.
An Wanqing snapped out of her daze, her heart sinking as she realized she had momentarily lost her composure and had unknowingly blurted it out.
"Oh, no." She quickly explained, "Your Majesty, I was just thinking about something. I heard somewhere that the Crown Prince is a very ambitious and good child, and then I heard you talking about the eldest daughter of the Rongguo Duke's mansion, which is why I lost my composure."
Why would someone mention the eldest daughter of the Rongguo Duke's mansion and immediately think of Crown Prince Jiang Xuan? Shen Mingzhuang pondered for a moment and quickly came to a guess.
There are no secrets in the palace. The things Jiang Wang said to the Shen family women in the Jiaofang Palace that day have already been spread and are probably known outside. Jiang Wang's intention to have the two children visit each other often, and the deeper meaning behind it is also obvious.
"It's alright, it's nothing serious, there's no need to be so formal."
Shen Mingzhuang broke the somewhat awkward atmosphere with a smile, and then gently instructed Man Huan, "Go and ask if the Crown Prince has finished his get out of class yet. If he is free, have him come over and meet the two elders."
Upon hearing this, Shi Zhenzhu and An Wanqing were immediately taken aback. Shi Zhenzhu quickly said, "Your Majesty, there's no need for that. The Crown Prince's studies are important. We'll just sit for a while and then head back."
He looked extremely frightened.
An Wanqing also realized what was happening and quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, Your Majesty, please don't trouble His Highness the Crown Prince."
Upon hearing this, Shen Mingzhuang did not insist, and followed Shi Zhenzhu and An Wanqing's advice, without insisting on sending someone to call his son over.
After all, this child has a high status, and not everyone is destined to be his elder. She only brought it up because she thought that Song Yi and Wei Chen were of the same generation as her, and she also wanted to see how the two of them would react.
Seeing that the two of them had become reserved, Shen Mingzhuang spoke up, "Why did you both enter the palace alone? I heard you've been in the mansion for quite some time now. Is there something wrong with your health?"
Shen Mingzhuang's casual question sent a chill down the spines of both of them.
Shi Zhenzhu smiled and said, "The young master went out two years ago and hasn't been back for long. As for the matter of having children..."
As she spoke, she looked hesitant to speak, and Shen Mingzhuang looked at An Wanqing.
An Wanqing's cherry lips moved slightly, revealing a hint of need, and she said, "Having children is a blessing from the Bodhisattva. I can't help it even if I'm anxious. I've been taking the medicine regularly, but it doesn't seem to be working. I'm afraid it's just not the right time yet."
It was rare for her to say so much, so Shen Mingzhuang nodded and then said, "How about I have Physician Yang from the palace come over and take your pulses? Physician Yang is good at treating women's illnesses and has a lot of knowledge about fertility. Let him take your pulses so that we can have peace of mind."
Although it was phrased as an inquiry, it left no room for refusal. Both of them were at a loss for words, and refusing was out of the question. They could only agree and thank Shen Mingzhuang.
As noon approached, the two could no longer stay. Shen Mingzhuang served tea, and the two bowed in unison to bid farewell to Shen Mingzhuang.
"I will go to the palace to pay my respects to Her Majesty the Empress another day."
Shen Mingzhuang sat upright on the phoenix chair, smiled and nodded, saying nothing, watching the two heirs' wives leave before relaxing and leaning back on the armrest, rubbing his neck wearily.
While such a life may seem lofty and unattainable, it can sometimes feel incredibly exhausting.
Jiang Wang had something to discuss with her ministers at noon, so Jiang Xuan came over to have lunch with her.
This little guy may be small, but he eats quite a lot.
Shen Mingzhuang didn't have much of an appetite, but seeing his son's chubby cheeks, the scallion and pork dumplings he finished in just a few bites, and the goose breast and crystal shrimp, the little guy could finish one in two bites. The way he ate so earnestly made Shen Mingzhuang feel ashamed.
However, the enthusiasm for eating seemed to be contagious. As she looked around, she unknowingly ate a whole bowl of rice, two small steamed buns, a crystal shrimp dumpling, a few pieces of goose breast, Sichuan Mapo tofu... and so on. In the end, she couldn't eat anymore, and Jiang Xuan had also almost finished eating.
After the maidservant helped her wash her hands and rinse her mouth, Jiang Xuan smiled and said, "Mother, your appetite seems to have improved a lot lately."
Shen Mingzhuang felt embarrassed upon hearing this, "It's all thanks to you, the food vlogger. It makes me feel better. If you have time, please come to Jiaofang Palace for lunch often."
Jiang Xuan tilted her head, blinking her big eyes that combined the best features of both her and Jiang Wang, and asked, "Mommy, what is... mukbang?"
He looked at Shen Mingzhuang with some uncertainty. Shen Mingzhuang then realized that she had accidentally inserted content from her past life. However, she didn't intend to fool the child, so she simply explained, "A mukbang is someone who eats very deliciously and easily makes others' appetites good."
Jiang Xuan nodded thoughtfully upon hearing this, then suddenly smiled and said, "Is it because I'm dining with you that Mother has such a good appetite?"
Shen Mingzhuang nodded again, and the little guy smiled, "Then come to Jiaofang Palace every day from now on to have meals with Mother!"
Shen Mingzhuang felt a warmth in her heart as she listened. After all, she was a piece of her own flesh and blood. Even at such a young age, she knew how to care for her. It was worth the trip she had taken to the brink of death.
"Come whenever you want, and don't force yourself if you don't want to. After all, everyone has their own way of life. Your mother doesn't require you to come for every meal."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xuan couldn't help but look up at his mother, a hint of inquiry appearing in his eyes. He had always felt that his mother was different from others, and now he was increasingly finding that his thoughts were just as he had imagined.
After lunch, Shen Mingzhuang took a walk with her son in the Imperial Garden. After Jiang Xuan had to go back to class and said goodbye, Shen Mingzhuang watched her son leave, then suddenly turned and went in another direction.
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