Capítulo 1683: Chapter 1683: Good Dad
Chang Xhong didn’t say anything, Wu Shangheng rode over, “His horse got startled, almost hit a carriage on the road.”
Ming Rui was alert, “How did the horse get startled?”
Chang Xhong rubbed his nose, “When I was riding, a wild cat dashed out, the horse got a bit scared but nothing major happened. You see both the horse and I are fine.”
After speaking, he shot a glare at Wu Shangheng, who spoke quickly.
Ming Rui pulled his little uncle over to confirm that he wasn’t injured, then felt relieved, “Didn’t really hit the carriage?”
Wu Shangheng laughed, “Didn’t hit it, but the young lady inside the carriage was frightened, your little uncle apologized.”
Chang Xhong, not wanting to see Wu Shangheng, thought nothing would have happened if he hadn’t agreed to go horse riding with Wu Shangheng today, “Let’s go back home.”
Ming Rui signaled for his little uncle to ride in the carriage together, Chang Xhong handed the horse to a young servant, and after getting in the carriage, Chang Xhong exclaimed, causing Ming Rui to look over, “What did little uncle see?”
Chang Xhong, “The carriage that just passed was the one I almost hit.”
Ming Rui saw a somewhat old carriage, followed by two house servants and a woman sitting outside, indicating it wasn’t a journey for a prominent young lady, “Looks like they are coming to the capital from elsewhere.”
The servant had a weary face, evidently from the exhaustion of traveling.
Chang Xhong, “Hmm, they spoke with a southern accent.”
Ming Rui saw his little uncle put down the carriage curtain, “When we get home, I won’t hide this from you.”
Chang Xhong, “Please don’t—could you bear to worry your grandma?”
Ming Rui, “Haha.”
Chang Xhong, “…”
Ah, nephews become less cute as they grow up!
When Zhulan found out, she was indeed worried and couldn’t help but scold, “If something happened to you, it would have been the death of me and your father.”
Chang Xhong, “Mother, it was an accident today. You must trust your son’s riding skills.”
Zhulan asked, “Did you apologize for almost hitting the carriage today?”
“Already apologized.”
Zhulan saw her son had no intention of saying more and glared at him, “Behave yourself for a while.”
Chang Xhong appeased her with a smile, “I’ll honestly stay at home.”
Chang Xhong kept his word; if he said he wouldn’t go out, he stayed cooped up at home. Time went by quickly, and in an instant, the date for Yu Die’s wedding was set. The Liu family wanted to marry a new bride into the home this year, but since Rong Yushang hadn’t completed the anniversary, and they felt a winter wedding would be too harsh, they finally agreed to marry in the spring next year.
With the wedding date set, Yu Die matured considerably, became more stable than before, and instead of organizing trips to town, she focused on learning how to manage the household.
This day, Zhao Shi took Yu Die out, and upon return, she was carrying a large box.
Zhulan looked at the three-layered box, “Have you ordered more jewelry?”
Zhao Shi smiled brightly, “Mother, take a look.”
Zhulan was indeed curious. Opening it, she found one layer of hairpins, one layer of bracelets, and the last layer of delicate jewelry, “A generous gesture!”
Zhao Shi, “I went through the dowry list and thought there weren’t enough pieces of jewelry. The Liu family has a deep background, and the eldest daughter-in-law comes from a good family as well, so I bought some more to add.”
Zhulan stood up and fetched a small box from the cabinet, handed it to Zhao Shi, “I was originally planning to give this to you before Yu Die’s wedding, but I’ll give it to you today to keep.”
Zhao Shi knew this was the dowry addition for her granddaughter from her mother-in-law, “Thank you, Mother.”
She didn’t delay with pretense. The mother-in-law had prepared for each granddaughter, and delaying would have seemed too fake.
Zhulan added, “I heard from Chang Yi that you want to take Yu Die to see her dowry store and manor.”
“Let Yu Die familiarize herself with the servants accompanying her dowry, and understand the manor’s production, so she’s not fooled by the servants in the future.”
“Very good, you’ve thought it through carefully.”
Zhao Shi said, “I’ve learned everything from you, Mother.”
Zhulan added, “With Yu Die getting married, your second wife will be left with Ming Feng only.”
“With only Ming Feng left, my husband and I will be more at ease.”
Zhulan calculated in her mind, the first wife still had two sons to marry, and with Yu Die getting married, the second wife would have only Ming Feng left. Time really does fly, and the grandchildren are all approaching marriage age.
The next day, Lady Li came to the main courtyard with her grandson Xiwen. The little guy, having just left his mother, was particularly clinging to Lady Li now.
Zhulan took a careful look, “He’s gotten a bit chubbier.”
Lady Li put her grandson down, the little guy sweetly greeted everyone, and Lady Li then said, “All my attention has been on Xiwen, I’ve been personally cooking his meals.”
She prided herself on her cooking skills. Her grandson, having left Ran Wan, had a dry mouth and couldn’t eat, so she worked hard to prepare delicious food for him. Not only did he not lose weight, but he even gained some.
Zhulan asked, “Why didn’t Wen Yue come with you?”
Lady Li said, “She is practicing her calligraphy and said she’ll come over once she’s finished.”
“Wen Yue’s personality is much like her father’s.”
Lady Li nodded in agreement. The granddaughter had an especially solemn face like her eldest son, whereas the soft and adorable grandson was more endearing. Seeing her grandson perk up his ears trying to listen in, she burst into laughter, “Xiwen has such a pleasant personality. He smiles at everyone he meets.”
Zhulan, “Sons take after their mothers, some traits resemble Ran Wan.”
Lady Li suddenly said, “I heard from Lau Jia that the in-laws have also gone to the grasslands.”
“If we had known earlier, we would have left with Ran Wan.”
Lady Li shook her head, “They wouldn’t have gone to the same place. Ming Teng said the father-in-law has taken up a new post.”
Zhulan hadn’t known this and thought Lau Jing was doing quite well, “Now that you mention it, I haven’t seen An Xiao for a few days.”
Lady Li, “Ming Teng is teaching An Xiao to read. The little one is so young yet starting to learn. I told him but Ming Teng won’t listen.”
“I think Ming Teng is idle at home.”
If Rong Yushang hadn’t passed away, Ming Teng would be busy with affairs and wouldn’t notice time passing quickly. Now that he’s leisure, time seems slow.
Lady Li grunted, “Why doesn’t he learn from Lau Jia if he’s so idle? Lau Jia worked a patch of land in the courtyard to grow vegetables, and I’ve not seen him help.”
“Is that for growing vegetables? I thought Lau Jia was going to use it for cultivating flowers.”
Lady Li, “Lau Jia asked me for advice, definitely for growing vegetables.”
Zhulan thought to herself, like mother-in-law, like daughter-in-law, “I am planning to go to pray with Aunt Tao tomorrow, are you going?”
Lady Li shook her head, “I won’t be going.”
“Alright, then tomorrow I’ll take Yu Yi with me.”
The eldest daughter-in-law was busy with the grandson, the second daughter-in-law with tutoring the daughter, and Su Xuan didn’t like the Buddhist ceremonies, so only Yu Yi could accompany her.
At the Ministry of Rites, Chang Yi returned with a bundle of handwritten notes he had acquired.
Ji Deming had been waiting by the door, “Lord Zhou.”
Chang Yi, “Do you need something?”
Ji Deming held the notes, “The Second Prince asked me to give these to you.”
Chang Yi had been looking for woodcarving notes for his son, often inviting craftsmen from the Ministry of Works for meals, just for the notes. Did the Second Prince find out?
Ji Deming noticed Lord Zhou hadn’t taken them, “Sir, the Prince also wants to contribute.”
Chang Yi smiled slightly, “I have already gotten what I wanted, thank His Highness for me.”
If the prince had his ideas about opening a new course, he would admire the Second Prince. But now, heh, how foolish would he be to let the Second Prince intervene, just to bully his son who’s merely a scholar?
Ji Deming’s smile stiffened, as Zhou Changyi just walked away like that!
Chang Yi was not afraid of the Second Prince. He had no leverage against him, plus his father was around, so the Second Prince couldn’t do anything to him.
Chang Yi returned to his room, carefully perusing the notes. To obtain them, he not only hosted guests but also expended a lot of favors. For the sake of his son, it was all worth it!
He didn’t have his father’s abilities but could try his best to fulfill his son’s desires. Thinking of his son’s joyful expression, the corners of his mouth lifted!