Chapter 271 - 270: New Year’s Eve Dinner
Xie Yunling spent both Xie Yunzhen’s and Ji Mingzhu’s money again, and the amount was quite considerable. Mrs. Guan felt uneasy about it.
Upon seeing that screen, she scolded Xie Yunling furiously.
She ordered her not to spend the young couple’s money anymore.
During the New Year’s Eve dinner, she handed Ji Mingzhu a thick red envelope.
"Next year’s Spring Festival, I don’t know if you’ll be able to come back. This is the New Year’s lucky money I’m giving early for the child. You keep it for him."
Ji Mingzhu hadn’t had a chance to say anything before the red envelope was stuffed into her hand.
"It’s for the child; you must not use his money."
Ji Mingzhu smiled openly, "Then I won’t be polite. In a couple of years, I’ll have him bow to you."
Mrs. Guan nodded repeatedly, "You must take care of yourself and the child. Don’t worry about anything else."
Ji Mingzhu acknowledged with a nod.
Compared to others, who have to manage the household while competing strategically with their husband’s concubines, she was quite relaxed.
"I’m well, don’t worry about me either."
It was clearly a good day, yet Mrs. Guan inexplicably felt the urge to cry.
Mingzhu did not marry far away, but they still faced separation.
And there was Brother Xuan, alone in Shu, uncertain if he was doing well.
During the festive season, if there’s no one to accompany him for the New Year’s dinner, he’ll be all alone, how pitiful he must be.
Mrs. Guan’s eyes suddenly reddened, and she patted Ji Mingzhu’s hand, "When you go to the border, if Ah Zhen bullies you, write to your aunt. Your aunt will definitely be on your side."
Though it wasn’t time to part yet, Ji Mingzhu also felt quite sad inside.
After her parents passed away, her aunt sheltered her from the wind and rain, protected her, and helped her grow up safely. She was the person who loved her the most.
The grace was so great that calling her a rebirth mother was not too much.
Yet she hadn’t done anything for her aunt, and whether she could be filial in the future remained unknown.
Ji Mingzhu’s eyes became moist, "You stay well in the mansion. Whenever there’s a chance, I’ll definitely bring the child back to see you."
Not wanting to spoil the New Year’s atmosphere, Mrs. Guan pressed her fingertips, wiping away the moisture brimming at the corners.
"I’ll be waiting then. When the time comes, please bring me something fresh from beyond the frontier so I can broaden my horizons."
Ji Mingzhu nodded repeatedly, "Absolutely."
Pregnant women’s emotions can’t be too agitated, so Princess An He voiced a reminder, "Younger sister-in-law, it’s better to focus on Brother Xuan’s and Yun Ling’s marriage matters; I will keep an eye on Mingzhu’s."
A smile broke through Mrs. Guan’s tears, "Sister-in-law only has one daughter-in-law. I know you treasure Mingzhu. If Ah Zhen bullies her in the future, sister-in-law, you must stand in line with us."
Princess An He felt intensely embarrassed.
What’s the point of saying that now?
When did she ever treasure Ji Mingzhu?
If Ji Mingzhu wasn’t carrying Ah Zhen’s child, she wouldn’t bother giving a second glance.
Thinking about the emotions of a pregnant woman, the cold words in her mouth were swallowed back.
"Let’s start eating. The elderly lady is getting on in age, and Mingzhu is pregnant. This year, we won’t stay up at the New Year’s Eve vigil. After eating, everyone will return to their respective courtyards to rest."
The main house was quiet, no need to stay up.
The second house was different; there were several concubines in the back courtyard.
After the New Year’s Eve dinner, Mrs. Guan had to return to the second house, summon the obedient concubines into the courtyard, talk about family matters, and give them a stern reminder.
Burying the old with the young, the elderly lady was lacking in energy and didn’t say much.
Her gaze remained on Ji Mingzhu’s belly, looking mournful.
The elderly lady understood her body’s condition.
Once the young couple left, it was unlikely that they would return to the capital for a couple of years.
The elderly lady felt afraid.
She feared that when the time came, she wouldn’t get to see her great-grandchild’s face.
But leaving Ji Mingzhu in the capital, Ah Zhen wouldn’t agree.
The elderly lady felt extremely distressed.
Having enjoyed a lifetime of wealth in the Duke Mansion, now it was more prestigious than ever, yet she couldn’t feel glad.
She wanted the mansion to be lively, with children and grandchildren all around, but why was it so difficult?
Being stared at by the elderly lady, Ji Mingzhu felt very uncomfortable.
She ate a bit less than usual.
Xie Yunzhen, who’s been focused on picking fish bones for Mingzhu, saw her put down her chopsticks and asked, "Are the dishes not to your taste?"
Ji Mingzhu shook her head, "I had some snacks earlier; I’m not hungry now."
Xie Yunzhen didn’t force her to eat more.
After all, there’s a small kitchen in the courtyard, and if she’s hungry, there are always hot dishes and meals available anytime.
He asked again, "Are you tired? Do you want to rest early?"
According to the routine from earlier days, Ji Mingzhu needed to take an hour’s nap during the daytime.
"You eat first; I still want to chat with Aunt."
Princess An He glanced at the elderly lady, inwardly cursing the spoil-sport.
Her tone strangely, "Mother-in-law, don’t be too sad; you have more than just Ah Zhen as a grandchild. Holding a great-grandchild is quite simple."
The elderly lady wasn’t naive enough to think Princess An He was referring to Brother Xuan.
It had been twenty years, and she still held resentment for past events.
Closing her eyes, "The past is gone, let’s not bring up old matters again."
Princess An He scoffed coldly in her heart, not having the knife slice into herself makes her able to brush it off lightly.
Only once that unfaithful man died did this old lady know pain.
Suddenly growing several years older, and on top of it, now she’s sickly, constantly on the brink of death.
To accumulate virtue for her grandson, Princess An He decided not to squabble with the elderly lady.
"Mother-in-law, you will definitely live a long life. In a few years when Ah Zhen brings the child back, you must give him a big red envelope."
The elderly lady pulled herself together.
"You’re right, I must take good care of my health. If I don’t see my great-grandchild, I won’t be able to rest in peace."
With that, her gaze again fell upon Ji Mingzhu.
Her eager expression seemed to wish the great-grandchild would pop out the next instant.
Xie Yunzhen’s expression subtly shifted; no wonder Mingzhu couldn’t eat. Being stared at like that, how could there be no pressure on her?
"The Emperor has ordered me to guard the border; it’s a sign of his trust. Mingzhu doesn’t mind the hardships of the border, which in itself is deeply moving. She is the one the Xie family should care about, for only if she is safe and healthy can the child be well."
Implicitly, it was a reminder not to constantly mention the great-grandchild, invisibly placing pressure on Mingzhu.
The elderly lady pretended not to understand, "The conditions at the border are harsh. Why not leave Mingzhu in the capital? Once the child is born, she can stay in the mansion to raise him or travel to the border to seek you, entirely at her discretion—what do you think?"
Princess An He thought to herself, the old woman really knows how to plan; even as a mother-in-law, she hadn’t dared to suggest leaving Ji Mingzhu in the capital.
She promptly argued, "Let her follow Ah Zhen; we can’t have a repeat of past events."
Aside from being kidnapped by rebels, Ji Mingzhu’s entry into the palace also left Princess An He with psychological trauma.
Should the Emperor have another impulsive moment and wish to use Ji Mingzhu and the child as pawns, holding them captive, she wouldn’t know how to cope.
It was best to bring them to the border.
As long as Ah Zhen is safe, the child will surely be very well protected.
With the lesson from last time, Xie Yunling would never leave Mingzhu and the child in the capital.
They were his weak spots, and should anyone dare to touch them, he’d absolutely go mad!
Under the table, he gently squeezed Ji Mingzhu’s hand.
For their family of three, they must not separate.
Mingzhu is present.
The child is present.
So he is present!