Chapter 282 - 281: Prenatal Education
Xie Yunzhen returned to the mansion, with the imperial edict no longer in his hands.
Ji Mingzhu shared his thoughts, feeling it was a hot potato.
Using it smoothly now seems to be a good decision.
As the departure from the capital drew near, Ji Mingzhu asked Xie Yunzhen, "How do you plan to handle matters with Lan Ci?"
Xie Yunzhen had previously mentioned for Lan Ci to return and wait for news.
"If he wants to marry my sister, he should take the imperial examinations, proving he is truly capable and not just a straw bag."
Ji Mingzhu nodded, "That’s how it should be."
Yun Ling is a wonderful girl and should marry a good man.
Judging by Xie Yunzhen’s words, Lan Ci has a great chance of being in the top three.
If so, this marriage prospect is promising.
After all, talented young men are rare; as long as he doesn’t stray, he is destined for great fortune.
Xie Yunzhen added, "He wants to go to the border, but he must demonstrate his capabilities."
"If the Emperor favors him, desiring to keep him in the capital or dispatch him elsewhere, what then?"
Xie Yunzhen raised an eyebrow, "That’s his own matter to resolve, if he waits for others to arrange everything, what kind of future will he have?"
He wouldn’t agree for Yun Ling to marry someone who is unreliable.
Otherwise, Yun Ling may suffer hardships and grievances.
For now, Lan Ci seems acceptable.
His widowed sister-in-law is smooth in her dealings, but neither curries favor with the powerful nor the rich, and she doesn’t suddenly regard herself superior due to newfound wealth.
Previously, the Empress hosted a banquet, asking the women to donate money to purchase grain for the front lines.
Upon investigation, Lan Ci’s sister-in-law donated a sum, though not in her own name.
She runs a business in the capital, naturally encountering officials’ families.
Xie Yunzhen wasn’t surprised by the investigation results.
Manager Liu is decisive in her actions, outdoing many men.
Being influenced by her, if Lan Ci learns from her strengths and possesses knowledge, his future path will surely broaden.
All necessary matters have been handled, the rest is for the elders and Yun Ling to decide.
When necessary, he’ll lend support.
He embraced Ji Mingzhu, casually picking up the garments she made.
Comparing them to his hand, feeling they aren’t much larger.
Without having held their child in their past life, Xie Yunzhen might have thought the clothes were ill-fitting.
Such small garments, indicating a newborn is tiny and particularly delicate.
Just imagining that scenario, Xie Yunzhen felt nervous.
Arrangements for Mingzhu have been settled, with doctors accompanying her.
But the manpower and resources needed for the child remain lacking.
With a serious demeanor, he asked Ji Mingzhu, "Should we find a nurse for the child?"
Such is common in noble households.
Xie Yunzhen was also cared for by a nurse when he was young.
At three or four, upon beginning formal education, Princess An He rewarded the nurse with silver and sent her away from the Duke Mansion.
Ji Mingzhu was raised by her mother and didn’t have a nurse.
Thus, she hadn’t considered it.
"I can handle it myself, no need for a nurse."
Xie Yunzhen felt for her, "Caring for the child personally will be hard, he’ll need feeding at night, and you won’t get a full night’s sleep."
To Ji Mingzhu, it wasn’t an issue.
"There’ll be help in the mansion, I only need to nurse him, it’s not tiring."
Xie Yunzhen looked at Ji Mingzhu’s profile, suddenly asking, "Will he sleep with us at night?"
Ji Mingzhu paused, not having thought that far.
Once she realized, she chuckled slightly, "If you’re unwilling, you can move out yourself."
Barring the times separated by work, Xie Yunzhen and Ji Mingzhu slept together every night.
Suddenly relocating would be unsettling for him.
With precedence, moving should be the child’s choice.
Holding the small garment, "What if we accidentally squash him?"
"What if, when turning over, we unknowingly press on him, could he be injured?"
Ji Mingzhu: "..."
Suddenly sensing he could be dangerous.
Her gaze lingering on Xie Yunzhen for a moment, she earnestly said, "You move to the study for a year first."
Xie Yunzhen: "..."
With the child not yet born, his status seemed precarious.
Concern arose in Xie Yunzhen.
If his place in the bedroom was lost over time, would Mingzhu’s heart still belong to him?
Holding Ji Mingzhu tightly by the waist, "Let him sleep in a crib."
Ji Mingzhu previously thought the child might be cold sleeping alone, sharing a quilt could keep the child warm.
With Xie Yunzhen’s concerns, she too worried about accidentally pressing the child.
A crib seemed safer.
Though thinking as such, Ji Mingzhu intentionally teased Xie Yunzhen, "Children are sweet and soft, I want to sleep with him."
Xie Yunzhen retorted, "I am sweet too."
Pushing Ji Mingzhu’s head into his neck, "Smell and see for yourself."
With a sachet and daily bathing and incense, the fragrance was Mingzhu’s choice.
Magnolia was delicate and pleasant.
Blushed by his actions, Ji Mingzhu steadied herself on Xie Yunzhen’s shoulder, "Pay attention to fetal education."
Xie Yunzhen chuckled, "Let the child learn how to interact with a partner early."
Unlike his past, being contrary, repeatedly hurting those he cherished.
Brushing his lips against Ji Mingzhu’s cheek, Xie Yunzhen said, "What style of crib would you like, I’ll make one as the child’s first gift."
Mingzhu made garments for the child, he too should craft something.
Else, he would feel inadequate as a father.
Ji Mingzhu eyed him, "Can you make it?"
"No."
Xie Yunzhen smiled, "But I can learn."
It’s a token of his affection, Ji Mingzhu didn’t want to dampen his enthusiasm.
"Study well, craft a strong and beautiful crib, lest it fall apart when the child lies in it."
Xie Yunzhen’s lips twitched, "Am I that foolish?"
"Who knows?"
Xie Yunzhen carried her to the study, with a mischievous look.
"Haven’t read the military texts today, if my wife thinks I’m foolish, let’s extend fetal education by half an hour, so the child won’t follow me in foolishness."
Ji Mingzhu sighed.
Nightly, he unwaveringly studied military texts for two quarters, saying it’s for the child to learn actual skills before birth.
Without fail, they lulled her to sleep.
Adding half an hour would be arduous, Ji Mingzhu couldn’t imagine.
"Xie Yunzhen, this is torture."
Xie Yunzhen stifled his laughter, "My wife mustn’t slack, one must endure hardships to rise above others."
Ji Mingzhu: "..."
For effective fetal education, Xie Yunzhen meticulously sourced introductory military texts, aiding the child’s comprehension.
Besides, he gathered ancient literature and artwork for Ji Mingzhu’s enjoyment.
Planning to invite musicians and dancers for performances at the mansion in the border region, alleviating Mingzhu’s boredom.
Moreover, the child could be influenced by music and rhythm.
Other skills were reserved for the child’s later learning.
Xie Yunzhen filled the schedule with precision, leaving Ji Mingzhu feeling overwhelmed.
Once again lamenting, "Being your child, truly exhausting!"