Chapter 295 - 294: Don’t Hold Back
Just as Ji Mingzhu had anticipated, Xie Yunzhen would leave early and return late every day, so busy that he seemed to never touch the ground.
Xi Yu was also nowhere to be seen. If it weren’t for him returning to the mansion to rest at night, she would have suspected Xi Yu had left Yanzhou.
Without the need to entertain guests, Ji Mingzhu only needed to eat well, drink well, rest well, and focus on nurturing her pregnancy every day.
No one in the mansion pressured her, allowing her to be as comfortable as she pleased.
As the days warmed and it became the season for lighter clothing, Ji Mingzhu received a letter from the capital.
The letter first reached Xie Yunzhen.
Busy with official duties, Xie Yunzhen couldn’t find the time to leave, so he sent someone to deliver it to the main courtyard.
At that time, Ji Mingzhu had just finished her dinner and returned from a walk in the garden.
Lan Ci had ranked first in the imperial examination.
The Duke Mansion had arranged his engagement with Yun Ling, and if everything went smoothly, they could be married by the end of the year.
Besides this, Xie Yunling wrote about another matter in the letter.
Rumors were spreading everywhere in the capital, saying that Young General Wei was destined for a bloody fate, and only Zhao Yuqing could save his life.
After the rumors spread, Young General Wei had several accidents, quite unfortunate.
To dispel his misfortunes, the Wei Family came up with a plan, bringing Zhao Yuqing, who was in mourning, into their family.
Now, Young General Wei was so busy he didn’t have time to trouble her and Lan Ci.
Everything written in the letter was good news, lifting Ji Mingzhu’s spirits as well.
Previously, to help Xie Yunling get rid of trouble, she had thought about bringing her to the border.
Now, it seemed that whether in the capital or at the border, Yun Ling could live well.
She lingered for a long time on the word "top scorer."
Xie Yunzhen had long said that Lan Ci had the ability to rank among the top three, and he was right.
Now that Lan Ci hadn’t been assigned an official position yet, she wondered whether he would still come to the border?
After all, that day at the Duke Mansion, Lan Ci had mentioned wanting to follow Xie Yunzhen.
With these thoughts in mind, Ji Mingzhu didn’t go to sleep when it was time.
She stitched small clothes while waiting for Xie Yunzhen to return.
Watching her with her pregnant belly still working on these tasks, Jade felt heartache.
"Madam, be careful with your eyes."
"It’s no problem, I just stitch occasionally, no need to worry."
The room was brightly lit, not affecting Ji Mingzhu’s vision.
Knowing her temperament, Jade did not persuade more, instead, she stayed by her side.
Cutting the lamp wick from time to time.
By the time Xie Yunzhen finished his duties and returned to the main courtyard, the night was already deep.
From afar, he saw the bright candlelight, thinking something had happened.
He hurried his pace, striding quickly into the main house.
The maids in the courtyard hurriedly paid their respects, but before they could greet him, the tall man had disappeared.
"Why haven’t you rested yet?"
Xie Yunzhen walked up to Ji Mingzhu and pulled the small clothes and needle from her hands.
"You’ve done enough already; even if he changes clothes twice a day, it’s enough. Don’t treat him so well."
These were clothes for the child, and reason told Xie Yunzhen he couldn’t compete with the child for affection; that would be childish.
But he just couldn’t help it.
They had been married for years, yet the clothes Mingzhu made for him couldn’t even compare to a fraction of what she made for the child.
Who was more important seemed to have an answer already.
Xie Yunzhen was almost dying of jealousy!
Ji Mingzhu let Jade go to rest, telling her she didn’t need to stay overnight.
"Madam, rest early. There will be milk tea in the morning."
The tone was like coaxing a child, making Ji Mingzhu laugh helplessly.
"You should rest too; you’ve been busy all day."
Jade curtsied and withdrew.
Xie Yunzhen put the small clothes and needle away properly so Mingzhu wouldn’t have trouble finding them next time.
"Do you want to ask about things in the capital?"
Ji Mingzhu nodded, "Lan Ci ranked first, what position will the Emperor give him? Will he stay in the capital, or be assigned elsewhere?"
She asked several questions in a row.
It was obvious she truly cared about Xie Yunling, including Lan Ci’s matters.
Xie Yunzhen sighed, "Just for this, you couldn’t even sleep?"
"It’s a big matter; it concerns where Yun Ling will live after marriage."
Having grown up in the capital, no matter where she lived in the future, Ji Mingzhu only hoped she could live a good life.
Now that things were not yet settled, she couldn’t help but worry.
Ji Mingzhu leaned on a low table, wanting to kneel on the soft bed to ease the discomfort of sitting too long.
Seeing her intention, Xie Yunzhen quickly wrapped his arms around Ji Mingzhu’s waist, lifting her horizontally back to the canopy bed.
He let her lie on her side, skillfully placing cushions around her.
Once everything was settled, he began to explain, "I’ll have him stay in the capital, so when Yun Xuan returns, they can support each other."
At the border, no one could hinder Xie Yunzhen.
But in the capital, the intertwined powers of various families could make it difficult for Xie Yunxuan.
Ji Mingzhu asked, "Will the Emperor agree?"
Xie Yunzhen didn’t give a definite answer, "It depends on how he maneuvers."
"Lan Ci lacks a foundation, sometimes it might just be wishful thinking."
Seeing her worried face, Xie Yunzhen couldn’t help but grin and tapped her upturned nose.
"Don’t worry too much, or you’ll get wrinkles."
Ji Mingzhu immediately pressed her temples, making her face more taut.
She hummed, "I haven’t got any wrinkles yet, why should I worry?"
Xie Yunzhen chuckled lightly, leaning down to kiss her expressive eyebrows.
"Even if you did get wrinkles, you would still be the most beautiful one."
Ji Mingzhu lifted her delicate chin, "Stop being a smooth talker."
Heaven knows, this was Xie Yunzhen’s true feelings.
Mingzhu had a peerless beauty, both in looks and bone structure, utterly flawless.
Even when she grew older, she would still be the most striking.
Holding Ji Mingzhu’s little face, fair and silky like precious jade, Xie Yunzhen stared, more and more enamored.
His thumb kept rubbing, his gaze at her red lips grew deeper.
The atmosphere became awkward.
The man leaned closer, Ji Mingzhu gently reminded, "There’s a little one in my belly."
Xie Yunzhen, at the prime of youth and desire abundant.
Having endured for several months, the slightest hint of intimacy easily elicited a reaction.
His thumb brushed over Ji Mingzhu’s soft lips, "I can endure."
Until Mingzhu’s postpartum confinement was over, he wouldn’t engage in that.
The potential risks of temporary satisfaction, he couldn’t afford.
He couldn’t eat meat, so he had to sip the soup.
The man’s deep eyes held a stronger possessiveness, Ji Mingzhu covered her lips, "Then why are you staring at me?"
"I want to kiss you."
With that, he took Ji Mingzhu’s hand, interlocking their fingers, and moved in to capture that soft pinkness.
Relentlessly, as if he couldn’t kiss enough.
Bringing Ji Mingzhu’s hand to his collar, "Madam, I’m fine, don’t hold back."
Ji Mingzhu couldn’t hold back her laughter.
Giggling uncontrollably, her hands lost their strength.
Xie Yunzhen patiently guided her.
Lately, he had to visit the barracks daily, occasionally sparring with the soldiers.
It might be an illusion, but compared to his time in the capital, his muscles seemed a bit sturdier.
Before the lights went out, she wanted to take a good look.
Her slender fingers hooked his waistband, Ji Mingzhu’s expression was proud.
"Take it off."
Xie Yunzhen chuckled deeply, "How much?"