Chapter 260 - 259: Have a Few More Children
Xie Yunzhen and Xi Yu are good friends.
Though they always tease each other, when the time comes, they’re ready to go to great lengths for each other.
Xie Yunzhen says he feels at ease with Xi Yu around.
Xi Yu agreed and decided to accompany them for a year at the border.
Of course, Xie Yunzhen didn’t take advantage of his friend for nothing.
Upon returning home, he gifted Xi Yu with the medicine given by the Emperor, which Mingzhu didn’t need.
Mingzhu is not a stingy person, and Xi Yu saved her life, so she’s happy to give away as much medicine as she can.
The New Year is approaching.
Despite the rush, Xie Yunzhen listed the gifts and had them sent swiftly to the Yuan Family in Yangzhou.
Mingzhu has a complicated relationship with the Yuan Family and initially only planned to send a New Year greeting to Yuan Changan.
She didn’t expect Xie Yunzhen to make such a grand gesture.
She explored his face for a while.
"What are you doing?" Xie Yunzhen asked, feeling amused by her touch.
"Seeing if you’re wearing a human skin mask, being swapped."
Xie Yunzhen chuckled.
He guided Mingzhu’s hand down to his neck, "Check carefully, don’t miss any clues."
Mingzhu pinched his face, "Where did the old Xie Yunzhen go?"
Xie Yunzhen’s eyes turned cold, with a dangerous glint, "Don’t you like me the way I am now?"
"I didn’t say that."
Mingzhu pushed against Xie Yunzhen’s chest, trying to keep her distance.
She wondered what was in his head, always misinterpreting her intentions.
When things don’t go his way, he tends to be unreasonable.
Mingzhu understands Xie Yunzhen’s temperament very well.
Xie Yunzhen held onto her insistently, demanding Mingzhu to verbally affirm that she liked him whether it was the old or current him, only then reluctantly releasing her.
The New Year gifts for the Yuan family were lavishly prepared.
Both the elders and children in the household received their share.
Xie Yunzhen’s expression changed from casual to serious.
"I was jealous of him proposing to you, almost took you home myself, and made foolish moves in Yangzhou, later troubled him frequently when he came to the capital."
Xie Yunzhen’s look was apologetic, "I even showed off our intimacy in front of him, which was like rubbing salt into his wounds. Those actions were despicable, not funny at all."
He analyzed his own feelings, full of regret towards Yuan Changan.
Mingzhu was truly surprised.
"You used to be like a rooster, pecking at anyone you met, didn’t expect you to admit your mistakes someday?"
Xie Yunzhen couldn’t help but smile wryly, "I’m being sincere."
Mingzhu stroked his head, "Be more courteous to him in the future, don’t always make things difficult for him."
Xie Yunzhen rested his chin on Mingzhu’s shoulder, continuing to express the regret buried deep in his heart.
"I targeted him countless times, yet in the end, he was the one who helped me. If something happened to you, I don’t know if I’d lose my mind, he’s my great benefactor."
With that, he kissed Mingzhu’s face.
"I’ll write the New Year’s letter. Last time I didn’t see him in the barracks, I should thank him."
Mingzhu could feel his sincerity, so she didn’t object.
"He’s helped me greatly, I can’t repay him enough..."
Xie Yunzhen interrupted her, "Him helping you is helping me too, all gratitude should be repaid by me, you shouldn’t feel burdened, or keep thinking about him."
A sense of responsibility towards Yuan Changan was one thing.
Not wanting Mingzhu to think about another man was another.
Xie Yunzhen distinguished the two clearly!
He gently caressed her belly, "Your only task now is to take care of yourself and the child, avoid getting sick or hurt, and always stay by my side."
Mingzhu covered the back of Xie Yunzhen’s hand, "I’m actually a bit scared too, so you need to stay with me."
"Mmm, I’m not going anywhere now."
Fame and fortune are not as important as Mingzhu.
The most critical task for Xie Yunzhen now is to be there for her during childbirth.
As for what comes after, as long as Mingzhu and the child are healthy, everything else will be negotiable.
Despite the tight schedule, the year gifts were prepared overnight. They were taken to Yangzhou as soon as the city gates opened the next day.
Xie Yunzhen and Mingzhu went out of the city again, this time to pay respects to General Ji and Mrs. Ji.
Unexpectedly, they encountered a familiar face.
The person supposed to be enjoying leisure in the palace, Empress Dowager Zheng.
She wore plain clothes and was accompanied by a trusted female official.
There were offerings placed before the tombstone, and incense and paper money on the grave.
Upon seeing Mingzhu, Empress Dowager Zheng asked, "Has your health fully recovered?"
Mingzhu bowed slightly, "Thank you for your concern, it has fully recovered."
Empress Dowager Zheng gazed at Mingzhu.
Though she had always been courteous yet distant, this time it felt different.
Empress Dowager Zheng silently sighed.
The foolish actions of the Emperor must have left a knot in Mingzhu’s heart.
To her, everyone in the palace is met with caution, no longer trusted.
Regret filled Empress Dowager Zheng’s eyes, she thought she could protect her daughter.
But in the end, she couldn’t offer any help.
"You will be leaving the capital after New Year, it’s going to be difficult to see you again. I wonder if I have the honor to visit your house as a guest?"
Mingzhu, aware of the past between their parents, understood Empress Dowager Zheng’s intention.
She likely wanted to visit her father’s old residence in a rightful manner.
Mingzhu felt reluctant.
After all, it was also her mother’s abode.
If Empress Dowager Zheng had put aside personal feelings, visiting the house would be an honor for the Ji Family.
Now isn’t the right time.
If she brought her home for mere glory, she’d have no face to pay respects to her mother.
Just as she was pondering how to phrase her refusal, after paying respects, Xie Yunzhen returned.
"Really unfortunate, Mingzhu is pregnant and probably doesn’t have the energy to host you."
Empress Dowager Zheng didn’t intend to make things difficult for Mingzhu.
This visit was about putting past personal feelings to rest.
For years, she held onto grievances against their passing, which was somewhat ridiculous.
She spent a lifetime competing and battling, finally finding peace, realizing that clinging to past people and events was counterproductive.
By proposing to visit the Ji Family, she hoped to give Mingzhu face, so others wouldn’t overstep boundaries.
She didn’t expect to be refused.
Mingzhu’s conflicted expression was noted by Empress Dowager Zheng.
Just as she was ready to change the subject, she heard the surprising news.
After the initial shock came genuine delight.
Mingzhu’s previous child was ultimately lost for the court.
If the Emperor hadn’t sent Xie Yunzhen to suppress the rebellion, those people wouldn’t have targeted her.
Having another pregnancy now is wonderful!
She secretly resolved to scold the Emperor and Empress properly upon returning to the palace.
If they dared to commit any foolish acts, she wouldn’t let them off easily!
Looking at Mingzhu’s belly, the joy was unmistakably genuine.
"Having a child is good! Both the Xie Family and Ji Family have few direct descendants, bear more while you’re young, it will strengthen the families’ legacies later."