Chapter 308 - 307: They Are Very Important
On the night of New Year’s Eve, firecrackers and fireworks echoed through Yanzhou City.
Last year, in the capital, Ji Mingzhu was pregnant and couldn’t go out to play.
This year the children were born, but they were still young, needing constant care, so Ji Mingzhu still couldn’t go out.
Just as the two children were awake, Xie Yunzhen proposed a night tour of the General Mansion.
"With so many lanterns hung up, wouldn’t it be a waste not to admire them properly?"
Keeping vigil on New Year’s Eve could be much more interesting than sitting idly.
Ji Mingzhu agreed.
"They need to wear extra clothes, so they don’t catch cold."
Xie Yunzhen nodded and ordered to fetch the children’s small fox fur cloaks.
He had hunted them personally.
The best piece of fur was made into a scarf for Mingzhu, the rest was used to make cloaks for the two children.
The twins didn’t often get the chance to go out; most of the time, they played indoors.
Xie Yunzhen thought the cloaks wouldn’t be needed, but the opportunity came unexpectedly.
While he was busy dressing the children, Ji Mingzhu called two maidservants to remove the New Year’s Eve dinner and reward it to the maids who hadn’t eaten yet.
The main courtyard had many servants, and upon hearing that the masters would tour the General Mansion, maidservants quickly held lanterns ready.
The wet nurse wanted to help hold the children, but Xie Yunzhen didn’t allow it.
He only kept the person holding the lanterns.
He could easily hold the two children by himself, but then he couldn’t spare a hand to hold Mingzhu’s.
Thinking about whether to carry one on his back...
Since the birth of the twins, Xie Yunzhen’s dignified image had largely dissolved.
He was constantly enveloped in the fragrance of baby milk; holding, playing, bathing, and changing diapers were everyday chores.
Born into a noble family, no one else reached such lengths for their children.
Loving anything connected to the things you love is human nature.
The children being spoiled represented Xie Yunzhen’s regard for Ji Mingzhu.
No one in the mansion dared to comply in appearance but oppose in practice, betraying Ji Mingzhu.
The jokes that often rose in other households, like a maid climbing into bed during the mistress’s childbirth to rise in status, had never happened in the General Mansion.
Perhaps Xie Yunzhen hadn’t given others the opportunity to exploit.
Or maybe Ji Mingzhu was skilled at managing the house.
In any case, the troubles encountered by many family heads hadn’t yet troubled Ji Mingzhu.
Xie Yunzhen considered carrying a child on his back. Ji Mingzhu imagined the scene and couldn’t help but laugh.
She teased, "I’ll hold one, otherwise when your mother hears, she’ll think the three of us are bullying you together."
Xie Yunzhen confidently replied, "Impossible."
His mother hadn’t seen the two little ones yet but liked them very much.
When she saw them in the future, they’d surely be her precious gems.
As the saying goes, the relationship is closer with the next generation. Maybe in her heart, Zimu and Zishan are the most important.
"Even if they climbed on my head to poop, she would only praise their bravery, saying they’re capable of great things."
Ji Mingzhu couldn’t help but laugh, "Stop talking nonsense, if the little ones hear this, they might think it’s right, and if they really do it, you’ll have nowhere to cry."
Xie Yunzhen feigned seriousness, "Who’s brave enough! See if I don’t spank them!"
He deliberately kept a stern face, puzzling the twins who couldn’t understand the situation.
The two little ones whimpered in a singsong manner, as if conversing in baby language.
Xie Yunzhen glanced down at them, curious if they were talking bad about him.
Ji Mingzhu reminded, "Are we going for the night tour or not? If we keep delaying, it’ll be their bedtime soon."
"Let’s go now."
To free a hand to hold Mingzhu, Xie Yunzhen decided to carry the second child on his back.
Childbirth leaves lasting trauma on a woman’s body, but Ji Mingzhu had a good constitution and recovered through careful nursing.
The children were still small, and carrying them wasn’t difficult.
Pointing at the second child, "I’ll hold him."
One each, it was fair.
Xie Yunzhen always worried she might develop backache from holding the children too much.
Before he could say it, Ji Mingzhu said, "There’s you anyway."
Xie Yunzhen loved to hear this.
He enjoyed the feeling of being relied upon by Mingzhu.
He handed the second child to her and stroked his son’s head, "Listen to your mother, and don’t move around."
The little one seemed to understand and cozily leaned against his mother’s shoulder.
Wrapped in a cloak, the white fur around his hood made the little one’s face appear round and adorable.
Feeling the soft little bundle snuggling closer, Ji Mingzhu’s heart was filled.
She couldn’t resist kissing her son.
The elder in Xie Yunzhen’s arms pouted, wide eyes pooling with tears.
Before the little girl shed golden beans, Ji Mingzhu hurriedly kissed her.
The little one instantly smiled, changing faces quickly.
Ji Mingzhu was both amused and exasperated, turning to Xie Yunzhen, "This little devil, did she learn this from you?"
Xie Yunzhen’s temperament was peculiar and hard to fathom.
With the twins now adept at changing expressions, Ji Mingzhu suspected it was inherited from Xie Yunzhen.
When Ji Mingzhu said the daughter was like him, Xie Yunzhen was very proud.
"I’m her biological father, so it’s only natural she’s like me."
Ji Mingzhu warned, "Then you should set an example, don’t lead the children astray."
Xie Yunzhen hefted the chubby baby in his elbow, "Our Zimu is strong, if she falls into a ditch she can climb out herself."
Ji Mingzhu was beside herself with laughter, nearly unable to hold the child.
Knowing she was being praised, Zimu also laughed along, revealing her toothless gums, incredibly cute.
Xie Yunzhen sighed, "Just thinking that in the future Zimu might be led away by some brat makes me want to take action."
Ji Mingzhu didn’t want to hear the topic.
Listening too much made her anxious.
Afraid their daughter might not meet a good person when she grows up.
The world is harsh on women, and even with their protection, Zimu might not live a carefree life.
Just imagining such a scenario made her scared.
Not wanting to be overly worried, Ji Mingzhu held her son and stepped forward.
She said, "Your previous suggestion was very sensible."
"Hmm?"
Xie Yunzhen didn’t immediately realize.
Ji Mingzhu replied, "When the siblings are a little older, take them for training, lay the foundation early."
No one can predict what the future holds.
But in the present, they can do their best to nurture them, teaching them survival skills.
With true skills, they can find the best path whether in good or bad times.
Though Xie Yunzhen was ready, seeing the children’s cuteness softened his heart a bit.
These were Mingzhu’s children.
They were very important, without room for mistakes.
But in this position, if he didn’t teach them, others would later target them.
Not being firm meant harming the children.
He patted his daughter’s head, then held Ji Mingzhu’s hand.
Xie Yunzhen said, "I’ll ensure they learn well, if they fail I’ll use the paddle."
Ji Mingzhu looked uneasy, "If they still fail, you should hurry and organize a backup plan for them."
Xie Yunzhen chuckled bitterly, "Madam, you’re shaking their morale!"
"Retreating before starting training, that’s not right."