Chapter 265 - 264: Feeding
Xie Yunzhen suddenly remembered something.
Just as Xie Yunling was also present, he informed them before getting off the carriage.
"The imperial decree for marriage has been sent to the Wei Family."
The Wei Family has marriageable daughters and unmarried grown sons.
The only one worth mentioning by Xie Yunzhen would be Young General Wei.
The Duke Mansion didn’t receive an imperial decree for marriage, indicating the main character is someone else.
Ji Mingzhu wasn’t concerned about the Wei Family’s affairs, but now that Yun Ling was involved, she had to ask more questions.
"Which family’s daughter is it?"
"The Zhao Family."
Due to Xie Yunzhen’s connection, Ji Mingzhu inevitably had to interact with the families of court officials.
Thus, when he mentioned it, she knew which Zhao Family it was.
The Zhao Family came from humble beginnings and had no foundations in the capital; it was the Emperor who personally supported them into the court.
Although the Zhao Family seemed inconspicuous, when officials like "Mr. Zhao" became numerous, they could gradually dismantle the power of aristocratic families.
Betrothing a Zhao daughter to Young General Wei indeed matched the Emperor’s way of doing things.
Xie Yunling patted her chest, looking visibly relieved.
"You all don’t know, after the palace banquet that day, Young General Wei came to talk to me. I was really afraid he would urge the Empress to directly send me an imperial decree for marriage."
Ji Mingzhu looked serious, "If this happens again, tell us early."
Marriage is a significant matter, concerning a woman’s fate.
Ji Mingzhu didn’t want Yun Ling to be schemed against.
Xie Yunling touched her stomach, innocently saying, "I heard good news that day and just forgot about the worrying matters."
With her brother around, Xie Yunling wasn’t that afraid.
Even if an imperial decree for marriage really came, as long as she said she wouldn’t marry, her brother would surely figure something out for her.
Thinking along those lines, Xie Yunling’s resentment towards Princess An He dissipated.
The aunt had long hoped for a grandson, and since Sister Mingzhu has finally become pregnant again, it’s only natural for her to be more attentive.
A niece couldn’t compare to a biological grandchild.
Such is human nature.
They reached their destination.
The long street was bustling with people, with vendors and performers, very lively.
Xie Yunzhen had a private room in the tavern, allowing a view of the whole city’s grand scenery.
Previously, when Ji Mingzhu entertained Yuan Changan, they had been there once.
Xie Yunling was still mindful of buying a screen and skincare cream, "Sister Mingzhu, I’ll come find you later."
Ji Mingzhu was not reassured, "Just send someone to buy them, no need for you to go yourself."
"The shop’s nearby, it’s no trouble."
Previously, Xie Yunling had also gone out with her maids without elders accompanying her.
Since it was in town and not somewhere secluded, she felt no harm.
Ji Mingzhu, having been through it, understood the impatience of young girls.
"We’ll accompany you."
There were many people on the road, even more in the shops.
Xie Yunling suggested, "If you’re worried, I’ll take a few more servants. If something happens, I’ll have someone report to you."
"Let Tianshui accompany you."
In the end, it was Xie Yunzhen who made the decision and handed a silver note to Xie Yunling, "If it’s not enough, put it on my tab."
Tianshui was Xie Yunzhen’s man, often moving about outside, known by many.
With him accompanying Xie Yunling, anyone with sense wouldn’t bother her.
Taking Ji Mingzhu’s hand, they walked into the tavern, "The child is growing up, if we manage too much, it might annoy them."
Ji Mingzhu turned to look at Xie Yunling.
The young girl waved at her with a cheerful smile, "I’ll be back soon."
Ji Mingzhu was amused and concerned, "Be safe."
Then she instructed Tianshui, "Keep close, don’t let her get lost."
Tianshui bowed slightly, "Rest assured, madam."
Watching them leave, Ji Mingzhu then followed Xie Yunzhen upstairs.
Afraid she’d miss a step, Xie Yunzhen kept a tight hold of Ji Mingzhu’s hand, barely daring to breathe.
Once in the private room, he took a deep breath.
"Isn’t that quite exaggerated?"
"It is."
Ji Mingzhu said, "Yet you still take me out, wouldn’t it be easier just to lock me up inside?"
Xie Yunzhen caressed her wrist, "I used to really think about locking you up, not letting you go anywhere or be seen by other men."
"But now it’s different, I know you have me in your heart, no one can take you away. Besides, pregnant women cooped up at home tend to have wild thoughts. Going out more, relaxing, benefits both you and the child."
The first half of the sentence rendered Ji Mingzhu speechless.
Recalling Xie Yunzhen’s past "glorious deeds," she didn’t doubt the truth of the words.
Displeased, she withdrew her hand, "Hardly surprising Yun Ling thought you were a good man. If she encountered a scoundrel like you, she’d certainly think otherwise."
Xie Yunzhen’s eyes turned sharp, "My sister, who dares to bully her?"
"You know that’s bullying?"
Ji Mingzhu immediately caught the flaw in his words.
Xie Yunzhen was slightly embarrassed but insisted, "That’s why I didn’t do it. Knowing my mistake and correcting it, you should commend me."
She had only ever seen someone with this thick skin.
Sitting by the window.
"I hope Yun Ling has good fortune and doesn’t end up with a scoundrel like me."
Xie Yunzhen’s smile widened.
He is a scoundrel, but Mingzhu still chose him; if this isn’t true love, what is it?
He quickly pecked her on the cheek.
"All Xie Family members are lucky. Yun Ling will surely have a good marriage."
This was what Ji Mingzhu loved to hear, "Let’s hope so."
Xie Yunzhen, with one arm around Ji Mingzhu’s waist and the other holding a gilded menu, said, "Order everything you want for a taste, let the child have a taste too."
He still remembered the dream he once had; their child was very fond of eating.
Fair, plump, and very adorable.
Though the child wasn’t born yet, because of that dream, Xie Yunzhen was eager to provide.
If not for the doctor’s advice on moderation, he’d love to have Mingzhu and the child plump and round.
Ji Mingzhu’s morning sickness wasn’t severe, and her appetite was better than usual.
She first ordered some of Yun Ling’s favorite pastries, then some suitable for a pregnant woman.
"Once we go to the border, we won’t be able to taste this again; today, I want to feast."
Xie Yunzhen raised an eyebrow, "No problem, we can bring the chef along."
Ji Mingzhu: "..."
On the other side, Xie Yunling had the screen sent home and ran into Young General Wei just after leaving the embroidery shop.
He wore a gloomy expression and didn’t see her.
Afraid of being approached again to say unnecessary things, Xie Yunling instinctively wanted Tianshui to block her.
But Tianshui was tall and conspicuous, so Xie Yunling had to keep her head down and prepare to detour.
"Miss Xie."
Hearing Young General Wei’s voice, Xie Yunling walked faster.
Not daring to turn her head.
As if there were ferocious beasts behind her.
Young General Wei scratched his head in doubt, looking around, he didn’t see anyone causing trouble for Xie Yunling.
Could she be avoiding him?
Young General Wei believed he hadn’t done anything to harm Xie Yunling, even after she rejected his proposal on the Jinluan Hall; he hadn’t taken it to heart.
Xie Yunling wasn’t engaged, nor did she have a preferred suitor, this he knew.
Thinking she might have misunderstood him, and thus deliberately avoiding him, Young General Wei pursued without hesitation.
He had to let Xie Yunling know.
The Zhao Family wasn’t a proposal from the Wei Family.
He wasn’t the kind of man who was fickle and liked whomever he met.
"Miss Xie, wait."
"I have something to say to you."
Like a siren’s call to the ears, Xie Yunling quickened her pace.
Regretting deeply in her heart.
Why bothered with a screen, when her brother promised to buy it, did she eagerly want to bring it home?
Really without merit!
Now, she’s caught a problem!