Chapter 299 - 298: Generous Gift
Ji Mingzhu gave birth to a pair of twins, and the news quickly spread back to the capital.
The first to know were the Emperor and the Empress Dowager in the Imperial Palace.
Last time the Empress Dowager wanted to visit the Ji Mansion, but Ji Mingzhu refused. The Empress Dowager then knew that Ji Mingzhu didn’t want to benefit from her father’s glory and receive extra attention from her.
Therefore, before Ji Mingzhu left the capital, the Empress Dowager did not summon her to the palace to talk.
She had no intention of interfering in Ji Mingzhu’s affairs again, but after the birth of the twins, the Empress Dowager inexplicably felt as though she had gained two more grandchildren.
She ordered a pair of longevity locks to be prepared, along with a pair of fine jade pendants, to be sent along with the gifts from the Emperor to the border.
That day at the city gate, the Emperor promised to give Ji Mingzhu’s children a grand gift.
This time he kept his word.
He directly granted the second-born the title of Princely Heir and made the first-born a County Princess.
The Xie family is not of the royal lineage, so the Emperor’s actions caused quite a stir.
Everyone speculated as to why the Emperor did this.
Was it to deliberately elevate Xie Yunzhen?
Or was it out of genuine love for Xie Yunzhen’s children?
After all, back in the day, the Emperor and Xie Yunzhen were as close as brothers, so close that they almost shared everything.
No one could come up with a reasonable explanation, no matter how much they speculated.
All they knew was that the status of the Xie family had risen, a level of honor that even the Wei family didn’t have!
In the Empress Palace.
Upon hearing what the Emperor did, Empress Wei accidentally pricked her hand with a needle.
Others might not know why the Emperor did this, but she understood.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
Unable to hold back, she muttered, "For those who know, they’re Xie Yunzhen’s children; for those who don’t, they might think royal blood is roaming out there!"
If Ji Mingzhu had entered the Imperial Palace back then, would the Emperor have wanted to give the position of Crown Prince to Ji Mingzhu’s child?
"Mother!"
The young Crown Prince called out in a tender voice, bringing Wei Empress back to reality.
As she held the child, Empress Wei suddenly said, "When that younger sister returns to the capital, you must treat her well and make her like you."
The young Crown Prince looked innocent, completely oblivious to the implication of her words.
Empress Wei’s expression was steadfast.
If the Emperor likes the children borne by Ji Mingzhu, as long as she could win them over, her child’s status would be secure!
News traveled back to the Duke Mansion, and the old madam was extremely happy, asking for Mrs. Guan to be invited to the Crane Dance Hall.
"Has a letter from Ji Mingzhu arrived?"
Mrs. Guan shook her head, calculating that based on the days, Mingzhu should have given birth.
If it weren’t for the Emperor’s efficient sources and quick action, they still wouldn’t know that Mingzhu had given birth to twins.
With anticipation in her eyes, the old madam sighed, "I wonder if the letter has any pictures of the children."
Mrs. Guan’s lips twitched, "She just gave birth, there’s so much to do, Mingzhu is still in confinement now, how would she have the time to draw portraits of the children?"
The old madam’s expression fell once again.
As she turned her jade bracelet on her wrist, she murmured, "They probably won’t come back for the New Year this year. I wonder if they’ll be able to return next year?"
Ever since the old Duke passed away, the old madam’s spirits had not been great, but now, with the good news, she looked revitalized.
Even though Mrs. Guan didn’t like being disciplined by her mother-in-law, she hoped the older lady would take care of her health.
Her own son and daughter were not yet married. If anything were to happen to the old madam, it would delay matters again!
This thought was somewhat selfish, causing Mrs. Guan to blush with embarrassment.
Clearing her throat, she gently said, "Ah Zhen returns to the capital to report every three years, and by then, Mingzhu and the children will come back too. Mother, you must take good care of your health. What’s the point of looking at pictures? When the children return, you can hold and kiss them, wouldn’t that be wonderful?"
"You’re right, I must keep healthy. If I don’t see my great-grandchildren, I won’t die in peace!"
"Mother, don’t say such inauspicious things."
The old madam quickly spat twice, a faint smile appearing on her wrinkled face.
"Mingzhu is a good one, to give Ah Zhen two children at once. I always thought the first branch might not have many descendants, that Ah Zhen might follow his mother’s path and only have one child in his lifetime."
With Princess An He not in the mansion, the old madam spoke without much restraint.
"Looks like I was worrying too much. Mingzhu can really have children, and since the young couple has such a good relationship, once she recovers, there might be more news soon."
Previously, the old madam always thought about taking concubines for her grandson to have a few more people around who understood him.
Also, to temper Ji Mingzhu’s temperament and let her know who was in charge.
But now that Ji Mingzhu proved so fertile, the idea of taking concubines had completely left the old madam’s mind.
Dragon and phoenix twins are a blessing.
Auspicious!
What if a few enchantresses in the residence brought disaster to the little treasures?
Mrs. Guan felt speechless.
Mingzhu is a living person, not a tool for them to produce offspring.
Giving birth is dangerous, it’s like passing through the Ghost Gate.
It’s thankful that Ah Zhen cares about Mingzhu and brought a divine physician along, otherwise, she would worry herself to death for Mingzhu.
Now that all three of them are safe and sound, that is the best news.
As for whether or not to have more children in the future, that is secondary.
Now that Ah Zhen has a son and a daughter, as long as he isn’t greedy, nurturing these two is enough.
Knowing the old madam’s stubbornness, Mrs. Guan didn’t bother arguing.
She simply said, "When Mingzhu’s letter arrives, I’ll let you know."
The old madam nodded repeatedly, "Then bring the letter to Crane Dance Hall, I want to see it myself."
"The letter will surely mention the children’s names. I wonder if Ah Zhen has named them well."
"No, I must write to the clan leader, asking him to give these treasures auspicious and prosperous names!"
Mrs. Guan was extremely troubled.
She thought it’s a good thing Mingzhu isn’t in the capital, for with the old madam’s fussing, she’d surely not be able to have a peaceful confinement.
"Mother, Ah Zhen is talented in both literature and martial arts, you know his abilities well, you should trust him."
The old madam loved hearing that.
Ah Zhen was her most beloved grandson, naturally good in every way.
Once her excitement settled, she gave up the idea of writing a letter.
The skies outside were bright blue.
The old madam, with the help of her nanny, paced to the window.
Gazing intently at the cerulean sky, she spoke wistfully, "It’s still over two years, when they come back, the children will be speaking."
When people age, they long for the scene of a full house with children and grandchildren.
The old madam imagined the twins.
Ah Zhen was the most handsome young man in the capital, and Ji Mingzhu was beyond reproach, so the children must be good-looking too.
If only time could pass a little faster.
She truly longed to see the great-grandchildren.
When she sees them, even if she were to pass away, she would have no regrets.
After spending an hour with the old madam at Crane Dance Hall, serving her meals and medicine, Mrs. Guan finally returned to the second residence.
Mingzhu had given birth, and whether as an aunt or as a niece, she had to send a generous gift to the border.
Lately, she’s been busy with her daughter’s wedding, so has had little time for needlework but still made two sets of tiger-head shoes and tiger-head hats for the children.
Initially, she thought of them as interchangeable attires for the children, never expecting Mingzhu’s belly would be so ’competent’, giving birth to two at once!
The more Mrs. Guan thought about it, the more delighted she felt for Ji Mingzhu.
Having two children to support her, regardless of whether she has more, no one could blame her.
Yet, better not to have more.
That Ghost Gate is a perilous pass, let those who wish to, challenge it!