Chapter 300 - 299: Vigilance in Times of Peace
The news that Ji Mingzhu had given birth to twins first spread to the capital, and then to Princess An He.
Having a grandson and a granddaughter all at once, Princess An He could hardly believe it.
She read the letter several times to confirm that Ji Mingzhu had indeed given Ah Zhen two children.
The eldest was a girl, named Zimu.
The second was a boy, named Zishan.
There was also a small portrait attached, showing the twins sleeping peacefully in their crib.
The delicate brushwork captured the adorable expressions of the two children, which didn’t seem like her own son’s style.
After a brief contemplation, Princess An He realized who the artist was.
Ji Mingzhu had given her two grandchildren and now even used the portrait to win her favor, dissipating much of the discomfort in Princess An He’s heart.
The Duke Mansion was already well-established, and Ah Zhen was quite admirable. What’s the lack of a powerful in-law?
Hadn’t he relied on himself to make the Duke Mansion even more prominent?
Though Ji Mingzhu might not have been much help, she hadn’t held him back either; as she once said, she would stabilize the inner household for Ah Zhen.
Now it seemed Ji Mingzhu had truly achieved that.
For the sake of the two children, Princess An He decided to sincerely accept Ji Mingzhu as her daughter-in-law.
A harmonious family leads to prosperity.
Ah Zhen was happy, and her greatest wish was for the two children to grow up joyfully and peacefully.
She said to her mother, "We’ll set off for the capital tomorrow. I have to wait at the mansion, in case they send another letter anytime."
This place was too far from the capital, causing the news to always be a step behind, preventing her from seeing her grandchildren’s portraits sooner.
It’s still better to return to the capital.
Although there were some unsightly people at the mansion, no one dared to give her trouble, so life was still quite pleasant.
The only drawback was that she couldn’t go to the border.
And the children couldn’t return to the capital for now either.
Upon receiving the order, her mother immediately had people pack their bags. This trip was meant to ease the melancholy of separation from her son.
Now that the purpose was achieved, returning to the capital was a good idea.
...
Border.
When Ji Mingzhu received the royal decree, her mind was blank. After coming to her senses, she felt it was a troublesome honor.
They were not people of the Royal Family, so giving Zimu the title of County Princess was inappropriate.
With a heart full of anxiety, she accepted the congratulatory gifts from the capital, ordering the large items to be taken to the warehouse.
The smaller items were placed in prominent places to show the Emperor’s favor.
Xie Yunzhen, being a man, naturally understood the minds of other men.
That person was clearly afraid Zimu would be mistreated, so he gave her the title of County Princess.
She was his and Mingzhu’s child, and he had already planned for the family estate to be divided between the two children in the future.
What need was there for another man to worry unnecessarily!
In his heart, he cursed those coveting Mingzhu with every vulgar word he could think of.
They had children now, yet still harbored improper thoughts towards Mingzhu, utterly shameless!
Seeing Xie Yunzhen with a solemn expression, as if facing a formidable enemy.
Ji Mingzhu dismissed the maids and servants, and asked uncertainly, "Is the Emperor doing this to target you?"
Ji Mingzhu was aware the Emperor once had such thoughts about her.
Yet now with the harem filled with countless beauties, it was evident that the Emperor didn’t pursue steadfast fidelity in relationships.
Given this, she was surely of little consequence in the Emperor’s heart.
Thus, these troublesome rewards were likely aimed at Xie Yunzhen.
It is said that pregnancy makes one foolish for three years; ever since having children, Mingzhu had been more forgetful than before.
Xie Yunzhen’s lips curved up slightly, "Yes, they’re aimed at me."
"So what should we do?"
Xie Yunzhen remained calm, touching Ji Mingzhu’s cheek, "Thunder and blessings are all favors from the sovereign, just accept them first."
Ji Mingzhu sighed; what else could they do but accept, as they had no right to refuse.
"If the sky falls, you’ll bear it. I’m not worrying about it."
Xie Yunzhen only wished for her to be carefree.
With a teasing air, "I’ll shoulder it for now. When the children grow up, I’ll pass the burden to them."
Ji Mingzhu got stuck on this, "They’re just newborns, and you’re already planning to pressurize them. Is this how you are as a father?"
Xie Yunzhen looked completely justified.
"Some things must be cultivated from childhood, to remain vigilant in times of peace."
He made sense, and Ji Mingzhu could harden her heart to do what’s necessary for the children.
But to talk about this now seemed a bit premature.
At least, wait two or three years, until the children could understand words, to bring it up wouldn’t be too late.
She brought the gift from the Empress Dowager to the bedchamber.
The two little ones happened to be awake.
Ji Mingzhu showed the longevity lock and Jade Pendant to the siblings, who were already wearing a pair of small gold locks, prepared early on by Xie Yunzhen.
Now, the pair from the Empress Dowager could only be displayed as auspicious ornaments.
"Mother will keep these for you for now, and return them in a couple of years."
The longevity lock had two golden bells hanging from it, emitting a crisp sound.
The two little ones were attracted.
They looked at the object in Ji Mingzhu’s hand with wide, curious eyes, stretching out their small hands, trying to grab it.
Like kittens fishing, just as the little one was about to touch it, Ji Mingzhu lifted the longevity lock.
Repeating this several times, the little ones started making soft, whimpering sounds in protest.
Xie Yunzhen, watching, found it hard to resist.
Taking the item from Ji Mingzhu’s hand, he said, "Let me amuse them."
Ji Mingzhu cast a sidelong glance at him, "Are you really going to amuse them, or make them cry?"
Xie Yunzhen looked embarrassed.
For some reason, every time he played with the children, they wouldn’t cooperate.
Just ruffling them would make them cry.
Leading Mingzhu to misunderstand, thinking he was bullying them behind her back...
"This time I won’t let them cry."
Ji Mingzhu didn’t believe him, "Go attend to your official duties, don’t just stand around here."
Xie Yunzhen eyed her with a dangerous look, "Are you saying I’m an eyesore now?"
"I never said that."
The two children weren’t fussy at all; they would sleep quietly after being fed.
During the confinement period, the wet nurse was responsible for taking care of the siblings; though Ji Mingzhu wanted to care for them herself, Xie Yunzhen disagreed.
At most, he allowed her to feed the children a few times during the day.
At night, the wet nurse would take the two children to a side room for care.
Xie Yunzhen’s aim was for her to recuperate well; as Ji Mingzhu was not one to be ungrateful, she followed his arrangements.
Now that her confinement period was over, her body had recovered well, and the two little ones could return to the main house, sleeping with their parents at night.
Children grew fast, and compared to their birth, the siblings were now fair and tender, extremely adorable.
Even though the second sibling was a bit thinner, with meticulous care, no illness had occurred.
Only then did Ji Mingzhu and Xie Yunzhen feel relieved.
Since the children were rarely awake, Ji Mingzhu wanted to spend some time playing with them.
Leaning over the crib, her smile was unconcealable and the love in her eyes was overflowing.
Xie Yunzhen said jealously, "Ever since we had them, your attention is no longer on me."
"You’re not a child anymore, do you still need me to accompany you?"
"Yes, I do."
Xie Yunzhen was resolute in his tone.
Casually taking away the small gold lock from Ji Mingzhu, "Really wish they’d grow up fast, then go to school, so they won’t monopolize your attention."
Ji Mingzhu ignored him, continuing to play with the two children, leaving Xie Yunzhen with only the back of her head.
Xie Yunzhen circled around to her opposite side, joining her in amusing the children.
Suddenly he said, "Be wary of the Wei Family. Anytime and anything related to them, keep yourself and the children away."