Ninth Imperial Glorious Phoenix Chapter 310

Chapter 310: Joke 

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The women of the Fu family fell silent. 

Everyone present was no fool; they understood what this meant. This was not like the normal selection of a study companion for the prince, which was the utmost honor. Instead, this situation came with significant risks. However, politics worked this way: without taking risks and making bold moves, how could one reap the greatest benefits? 

The women didn’t know the true intentions of Fu Cong and his son, and they couldn’t influence the men. After a moment of silence, Lady Qian spoke softly, “The Great Empress Dowager has already spoken; it’s not easy to refuse.” Although she knew that burdening the eldest grandson was heavy, different from ordinary children, when faced with real danger, a mother could not help but feel heartache and worry.

Madam Cui comforted her, saying, “Eldest daughter-in-law, don’t worry too much. I’ve already talked to your father and he said he has his own plans. The child won’t suffer. Lin Er is the eldest legitimate grandson, and he has made merits. In the future, whether at home or in the clan, he will have the prestige and capability to shoulder responsibilities.”

That’s the way it is. One has to make sacrifices to reap rewards. If necessary, she could call Fu Lin over at a more appropriate time to give him some guidance. While the situation at home was good now, it would be wise to let Fu Lin learn more skills and expand his network. Perhaps when the danger truly came, his chances of survival would be even greater. This was the principle of fortunes and misfortunes interdependent. Mingzhu no longer dwelled on this matter and asked, “Has everything been going well at home these days?”

Madam Cui smiled and said, “There’s another piece of good news I want to share with Wangfei.” She waved and called Third son’s wife, Lady Ai, over, holding Ai’s hand and said, “Your third sister-in-law is pregnant again.”

Ai blushed shyly and lowered her head. She and Fu Mingqing had been married for many years and had only given birth to two daughters. They had been hoping for another child for a long time, and finally, she was pregnant.

Lady Qian joked on the side, “Your third brother is overjoyed. Originally, he wanted your third sister-in-law to rest at home, but your third sister-in-law insisted on coming to see you.”

Madam Cui smiled, “In your third sister-in-law’s hometown, there’s a saying that if a newlywed touches a pregnant woman’s belly, she’ll soon become pregnant too. Today happened to be a good opportunity, so she came along.”

Lady Ai said hesitantly, “Originally, it would be better to have a boy, but I don’t know whether it’s a girl or a boy. But it’s always good for Wangfei to be happy early.”

Her nursemaid confessed, then explained, “I advised Third Madam that Wangfei had just gotten married and there was no need to rush, but Third Madam insisted, saying it was her own heartfelt intention. She wasn’t afraid of Wangfei misunderstanding.”

“Thank you, Third Sister-in-law, for thinking so considerately for me. How could there be so many concerns between family members?” Mingzhu smiled and listened to them, feeling warm inside. She gently placed her hand on Lady Ai’s still-unnoticed belly and said firmly, “Rest assured, Third Sister-in-law. This child will definitely be a nephew.”

Mingzhu wasn’t just saying this randomly because she remembered that Lady Ai was pregnant with a boy in her memory, and he was the youngest boy in the next generation. This child was the only one who survived and was sent away with Madam Cui, the only flesh and blood left by Fu’s family.

Lady Ai liked hearing these words and blushed, saying, “I’ll take your auspicious words. It’s not that I don’t like having a daughter, but with a boy at home, his sisters will be stronger. They’ll suffer less bullying after marriage.”

Fu Second Madam teased her, “Third Sister-in-law is thinking so far ahead. Now my unborn nephew already has two older sisters. I wonder how many more brothers and sisters you have to take care of. Your responsibility is indeed heavy and far-reaching.” She meant that Lady Ai didn’t know how many more children she would have.

Lady Ai shyly rebuked her and said, “I can’t compare to Second Sister-in-law’s good fortune. Last time when Second Brother came home and stayed for half a month, you gave birth to a nephew for me. When Second Brother comes back at the end of the year, I wonder what else will be added…”

Fu Second Madam, Lay Su, blushed and hurriedly covered her mouth, “You’re saying nonsense in front of your mother-in-law and sister-in-law. You’re so immodest. If you weren’t pregnant, I’d have to beat you up.”

Mingzhu smiled with her lips pursed. She liked it when her sisters-in-law were affectionate and cute like this. It’s not that she didn’t get upset about friction, but overall, everyone was very intimate and united. Otherwise, they wouldn’t spoil her so much.

Madam Cui and Lady Qian were also laughing. They were used to joking around at home, but because they were visiting the Ying Mansion to see the sick, they couldn’t be too rowdy. Madam Cui cleared her throat and said, “Alright, I know you’re all great contributors. Each of you will receive a red packet when you go back. Now, keep your mouths shut tight and don’t embarrass the Wangfei.”

Lady Ai and Lady Su both smiled and thanked Madam Cui respectfully. Lady Qian pretended, “Mother can’t be biased, I want one too.”

Madam Cui lovingly said, “Of course, of course, everyone will get one.”

Mingzhu also joined in, “I want one too, don’t leave me out.”

Madam Cui glanced at her, “You’ll get one when you have your own!”

Mingzhu pouted and coquettishly rolled around in Madam Cui’s arms, “No, no, Mother is biased, I want one.”

Suddenly, a maid outside announced, “His Highness is here.”

“The banquet is ready. I’ll invite my mother-in-law and sisters-in-law to join us.” Yuwen Chu came in and saw Mingzhu rolling around in Madam Cui’s arms, playfully complaining. He couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his eye and said with a smile, “What’s going on? I could hear you making a fuss from afar. What do you want?”

The daughters of the Fu family all smiled with their lips pursed. They could joke and laugh behind people’s backs, but it wasn’t appropriate to say such things in front of outsiders. Madam Cui vaguely said, “She’s just feeling jealous of her sisters-in-law, thinking I treat them better than her. She’s scolding me for being heartless.”

Yuwen Chu was smart and didn’t inquire further. He continued Madam Cui’s joke, “Isn’t she heartless? No matter how well I treat her, she always says it’s not enough.”

“Where did I? Your Highness is wronging me.” Mingzhu blushed and gave him a side glance when no one was looking, but couldn’t help but laugh. She rarely saw Yuwen Chu joking with people, especially with the womenfolk. The fact that he could joke so casually and comfortably with Madam Cui and the others indicated that he really didn’t see them as outsiders.

Madam Cui and the others could naturally feel Yuwen Chu’s gracious treatment towards them, and they were all very happy. They were even more respectful towards Yuwen Chu. Because Mingzhu needed to rest and couldn’t accompany the banquet, and Yuwen Chu personally arranged the company, Madam Cui and the others drank three cups of wine in his honor before bidding farewell and leaving, leaving them to eat slowly.

Madam Cui and the others lingered for almost four hours before taking their leave. Lady Qian took advantage of no one paying attention and quietly handed a maid to Zheng Momo, “I heard that Wangfei has been having headaches lately. This maid is skilled in massage techniques, leave her for Wangfei to use.”

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