Chapter 288 - 287: Letting Go of Grudges
During the Lantern Festival, the city is hosting a lantern fair.
It’s bustling with excitement.
Ji Mingzhu is pregnant. Although the pregnancy is stable, Xie Yunzhen is still worried.
Thus, he didn’t take her to join the festivities.
On New Year’s Eve, they encountered trouble when going out, so this time Xie Yunling didn’t want to leave the mansion either.
She feared bad luck would lead her to cross paths with certain people again.
She was aware of the situation with the Zhao Family. Given Young General Wei’s behavior that day, it was likely he was plotting to annul the marriage.
Whether or not he marries Zhao Yuqing, Xie Yunling wanted no part in it.
Whether for her own sake or for the Duke Mansion, she had to keep her distance from danger.
Though she couldn’t join the crowd outside, the mansion had arranged for a troupe to perform, so it wouldn’t be boring.
As the time to part approached, Mrs. Guan repeatedly reminded Ji Mingzhu, "You are no longer alone now; be careful on the road. If you feel unwell, tell Ah Zhen, don’t force yourself."
Ji Mingzhu nodded repeatedly, "The world is vast, but the child in my belly is the most important. I won’t jest with my health."
"You’re wrong."
Mrs. Guan replied earnestly, "You are the most important. Only when you’re well will the child be well."
Ji Mingzhu was touched.
Only someone who truly cares for her would think she is more important than the child.
Mrs. Guan further advised Xie Yunzhen, "Don’t rush the journey; take care of Mingzhu and the child. The Emperor knows your situation and won’t blame you."
Xie Yunzhen agreed to everything she said.
"Once we’ve settled, Second Aunt can come to stay with us at the frontier when you have free time."
Princess An He couldn’t easily go to the frontier to reunite with them, but Mrs. Guan could.
Since she got married, other than occasionally visiting her family, Mrs. Guan had not left the capital.
Although no one restricted her, for some reason, Mrs. Guan felt that Xie Yunzhen’s suggestion was impractical.
Sighing, perhaps this was the feeling of being helpless.
Although she had personal freedom, she was already overwhelmed by her children and trivial matters of the household.
The frontier was so far; she couldn’t go.
She patted Ji Mingzhu’s hand, "Aunt will wait for you to return. By then, your family of three must be complete, no one missing."
Last time they parted, Mingzhu lost the child.
If there’s another accident this time, it’s not just Mingzhu as the involved party; Mrs. Guan herself wouldn’t be able to accept it.
Ji Mingzhu held Mrs. Guan’s hand in return, pretending to be relaxed, "By then, I’ll bring you fresh things from the frontier. You wait here for us in the capital."
Mrs. Guan nodded repeatedly, "Aunt will go nowhere, just wait for your return."
Also, there’s Yun Xuan in Shu, and Ah Zhen said he would return within a year.
Mrs. Guan didn’t know if there would be any changes, but she could do nothing.
She could only guard this large mansion and wait for her children to return.
As parting approaches, it’s easy to feel sentimental.
In past years, although there were many unwelcome people at the feast, the atmosphere was different.
Princess An He had lost her usual vigor, and she seemed distracted, thinking of something else.
The Old Madam, a white-haired elder bidding farewell to a black-haired junior, her health wasn’t as good as it used to be; she left the table early after the meal.
The concubines in the backyard did not attend the family banquet, but the first house’s illegitimate daughters and the second house’s illegitimate sons and daughters did attend.
However, with Princess An He and her son present, no one dared to speak.
Second Young Master Xie was not a talkative person either.
For a moment, only Mrs. Guan’s reminders to the couple could be heard.
Xie Yunzhen toasted Second Young Master Xie, "Second Uncle, going forward we rely on you to take care of the mansion. If there’s anything, first consult my uncle. If still undecided, write to me."
Second Young Master Xie was somewhat intimidated by his nephew.
He once thought that Ah Zhen was punished by the Emperor and would never recover.
At that time, he even considered having his own son vie for the position of heir to the Duke Mansion.
Now recalling it, Second Young Master Xie felt ashamed.
If Ah Zhen were to find out, it would likely be hard for him to have a place in the Duke Mansion.
He quickly lifted his cup, "Ah Zhen, Second Uncle wishes you and Mingzhu a safe journey. Remember to write often from the frontier so as not to worry your grandmother, your mother, and Second Aunt."
About Second Young Master Xie’s thoughts, Xie Yunzhen was aware.
It was human nature.
As long as he didn’t do anything to harm the interests of the Duke Mansion or hurt those dear to his heart, he could turn a blind eye.
He raised the cup and drank it all in one go.
The Xie family was deeply rooted and even had relations with the Prince Mansion. Although sent to guard the frontier, Xie Yunzhen was not worried about being distanced from the center of power.
He had already made arrangements here in the capital and paved the way for Xie Yunxuan.
Once Xie Yunxuan returned to the capital, with the mansion taken care of, Xie Yunzhen had nothing to be concerned about.
His most important task now was to accompany Mingzhu during her pregnancy, ensuring she safely gives birth.
Princess An He roused herself and said to Xie Yunzhen, "If you need anything, write to your uncle. Don’t face things alone. With him in the capital to help, you can be at ease."
Xie Yunzhen nodded.
Though their relationship as mother and son hadn’t been close over the years, Xie Yunzhen knew that his mother was wholeheartedly for him.
He remained adamant, as long as she didn’t hurt those he cared about, everything was negotiable.
"Mother, take care of your health too. If you feel cooped up, travel south for a while. I will speak with the Emperor."
After saying it, Xie Yunzhen regretted it.
This was a shadow in his mother’s heart.
Sure enough, Princess An He’s expression changed, as if recalling unpleasant memories.
But she quickly returned to normal.
Over the years, Princess An He had already lost affection for the old Duke.
She was just unwilling, which was why she kept causing disturbances.
With death, past troubles no longer mattered.
Seeing her son’s regretful expression, Princess An He thought, Ah Zhen still cared for her.
As long as she didn’t target Ji Mingzhu and loved her grandchildren properly in the future, their relationship as mother and son would surely improve.
She quietly exhaled.
Smiling, she said, "I’ve been weary of the capital. After the New Year, it’ll be springtime again, and should you secure the Emperor’s favor, I’d also like to head south to see the beautiful scenery."
Princess An He wore a light smile, and even under close scrutiny, Xie Yunzhen didn’t see any reluctance.
He said, "Then bring more people with you and don’t go to remote places."
Princess An He also had estates in the south.
Before marriage, she stayed there for two years.
With guards by her side and being a Commandery Princess, she had protection wherever she went.
Being cared for by her son, Princess An He was in a good mood.
She even felt that making a trip south was a good choice. Having wasted so many years over a faithless man, if she didn’t seize the time for enjoyment now, she would truly grow old.
By then, she would be stuck in a cold, lifeless mansion, with nowhere to go.
While she could still move, and with Ah Zhen and them not in the capital, she might as well travel around.
Princess An He had never been one to procrastinate, so she immediately urged Xie Yunzhen.
"You’re leaving the capital in a few days. Hurry up and get things done, lest you leave and I’m left alone sitting on a cold bench."
Xie Yunzhen said, "Tomorrow morning, I’ll enter the palace."
The Emperor initially wanted to host a banquet to see them off, but Xie Yunzhen refused.
Firstly, banquets were dull with endless socializing.
Secondly, with Mingzhu pregnant, attending social gatherings wasn’t suitable.
Engaging in such exhausting and unrewarding activities, Xie Yunzhen wasn’t keen on performing.
Tomorrow he would bid farewell in the palace, the day after, pay respects to his father- and mother-in-law, then leave the capital with Mingzhu.
Everything in the mansion was well-arranged, and they could depart at any time.