Chapter 269 - 268: Each Gets What They Need
The son born is a cut sleeve...
Xie Yunzhen felt worse.
His face turned dark, "Stop talking nonsense."
Xie Yunling knew she misspoke and could only cover her embarrassment with a smile.
Jokingly, "As long as Sister Mingzhu is the one giving birth, I will love the child whether it’s a boy or a girl."
Xie Yunzhen didn’t want to be outdone, "I love them too."
Mingzhu was the woman he loved most, even if she gave birth to a foolish and ugly child, the child would still be his treasure.
Instinctively, he reached out to touch Ji Mingzhu’s belly again, only to get his hand slapped.
"Don’t keep touching, it’s not good for the child."
Xie Yunzhen awkwardly withdrew his hand, "I just want to develop a bond with him."
Xie Yunling said, "What bond does touching a belly create? It’s better to read storybooks to Sister Mingzhu before sleep everyday. The child will remember your voice and will definitely be close to you in the future."
Those storybooks were about romantic scholar-beauty tales, which Xie Yunzhen felt weren’t suitable for a child.
He thought seriously for a moment, then said to Ji Mingzhu, "Starting tonight, I’ll read military strategy books to you and the child."
Ji Mingzhu pressed her temple, "Can I refuse?"
"No."
As the saying goes, a stupid bird flies first; learning the art of war from the womb, their child surely won’t be easily deceived!
Ji Mingzhu looked utterly hopeless.
Xie Yunzhen consoled her, "It will be better after these few months. Once the child is born, I’ll make a small room, read military books and bring him in, then send him back to play with you after reading."
Xie Yunling sincerely sighed, "Being your child must be really tough."
"Parents all over the world have tender hearts," Xie Yunzhen said wistfully, still wearing a slight frown.
Even on the battlefield, Ji Mingzhu had never seen him troubled.
No matter what he did, he was always at ease.
Only in front of her and the child did he reveal a side that outsiders never saw.
Ji Mingzhu gently stroked her belly, "You’ll be the strict father, I’ll be the compassionate mother. You’ll handle the child’s discipline."
Xie Yunzhen protested, "The child will hate me."
"If you teach well, the child will understand your good intentions and won’t hate you."
"That’s no good; though we can divide tasks. You teach him to read, I’ll teach him martial arts."
Ji Mingzhu coaxed him, "This is about defending your paternal authority. Are you sure you don’t want to control everything?"
Xie Yunzhen: "..."
If Yunling weren’t here, he’d really want to silence Mingzhu.
Always hoodwinking him!
Xie Yunling used to feel at ease playing with them but now felt uncomfortable.
Feeling like she was intruding on the couple.
A fake cough, "How come Tianshui hasn’t returned, could she be held up?"
Standing by the window to look out, after about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Tianshui appeared into view.
A moment later, the door of the private room was knocked.
Xie Yunzhen sat up straight, "Come in."
Tianshui entered with her head down, without holding back, "Young General Wei has sent Miss Zhao to the government office."
"Huh?"
Xie Yunling was even more puzzled, "Miss Zhao jumped into the river for him, shouldn’t he send her back to the Zhao Family and settle her properly?"
Tianshui thought the same, yet this Young General Wei was not like most people.
"The Young General said Miss Zhao randomly jumped into the water, suspecting her of trying to frame him. He asked the government officials to investigate properly, and said he would report it to the palace, requesting the Empress to cancel the engagement."
The air fell silent for a moment.
Xie Yunling and Ji Mingzhu exchanged glances, both showing concern.
With an engagement pending, Young General Wei was already so difficult to deal with.
If he actually cancels the engagement, who knows what might happen?
Xie Yunzhen didn’t want Mingzhu to worry about this; years ago, she fell seriously ill from pent-up stress.
She was pregnant now and couldn’t afford to dwell on it.
"Don’t waste concern on inconsequential people. If truly curious about future developments, just wait a couple of days."
Seeing Mingzhu’s worried expression, he reassured her, "Don’t worry, as long as I don’t consent, he can’t marry Yunling."
Currently, in the Xie household, decision-making power was in Xie Yunzhen’s hands.
In court, his words held significant weight.
Xie Yunzhen’s stance was crucial, setting both Ji Mingzhu and Xie Yunling at ease.
This situation dampened the mood for fun, and after trying a few snacks and having a cup of tea, they returned home.
Meanwhile, Young General Wei left the soggy Zhao Yuqing at the government office and prepared to leave.
The officials handling the case were flustered.
"Young General, please sit by the fire for a moment. I’ll have someone go to the tailor for clothes for you both, change the wet ones before you go home—it’s cold and you can’t catch a chill."
By then, the Zhao Family should arrive.
How to arrange for Miss Zhao should be their issue; he didn’t want to handle this hot potato.
This marriage was decreed by the Emperor himself; a few complaints from the Young General could not alter established facts.
Meddling in this wouldn’t benefit him at all.
Seeing Young General Wei wanting to leave, he quickly detained him, "Young General, during this festive season let’s talk openly. In my opinion, Miss Zhao worried excessively for you, without thinking, leaping with you. If there’s misunderstanding, talk it out well and resolve it; don’t let misapprehensions affect future marital harmony."
Young General Wei had wondered if Zhao Yuqing truly loved him deeply.
Otherwise, why would she jump into the river seeking death for no reason?
Yet the latter part of the official’s words woke him.
Zhao Yuqing didn’t sincerely love him; she likely felt threatened seeing him speaking with Xie Yunling and deliberately used this to connect with him.
They already had an engagement—it was as if they had physical intimacy since he embraced Zhao Yuqing in public.
He glared coldly at Zhao Yuqing, since arriving at the office she hadn’t uttered a word.
With stubborn expression, lips tightly shut, as if suffering tremendous injustice.
Young General Wei frowned irritably.
"Stop expecting that pity will soften me. If you hadn’t staged this, even if there was to be a cancellation, I’d shoulder the blame myself, but now that you coerced me with a river jump, don’t blame my callousness and disregard for your situation."
He had decided, if Xie Yunling agreed to marry him, he’d accept whatever penalty without using Zhao Yuqing as a scapegoat.
Now, he changed his mind.
Starting with Zhao Yuqing would make cancelling the engagement easier.
Zhao Yuqing shivered intensely from the cold, despite having a brazier beside her, and was still extremely cold.
Her lips were pale, devoid of any color.
She pulled her cloak tighter, observing Young General Wei calmly.
"The Emperor granted this marriage—a huge imperial favor—and if Young General seeks cancellation now, whose face do you think you’re insulting?"
"Are you threatening me?"
His face turned stern, killing intent seeping from his eyes.
Before engaging him, Zhao Yuqing was anxious, unsure how best to achieve her goal.
Now, her troubled heart found solace.
To handle Young General Wei, a man both upright and unrighteous, she needed utmost sincerity.
She pulled a smile, showing a faint smirk, "Not at all, I just think we can benefit mutually."