After the court ceremony was over, he left the palace and returned to the palace. It was already noon.
Little Xiao Ming woke up a long time ago. After drinking two large bowls of milk, he refused to sleep anymore and howled with his eyes closed.
As soon as the couple entered the yard, they heard this devilish wailing sound.
Prince Jin frowned, "How did the nurse take care of Xiao Ming? Why did she make Xiao Ming cry like this?"
"It's not the wet nurse's fault. It's your son who is attached to his mother. He will cry like this if he doesn't see me." Jiang Changning explained.
King Jin frowned even more, "How can a man be so clingy to his mother?"
Jiang Changning's mouth twitched slightly, "Your Highness, the man you are talking about is less than three months old, still a little baby."
"Don't spoil him too much." Prince Jin said seriously.
"Prince, if you want to be a strict father, please wait until he grows up. He is still young now." Jiang Changning ran quickly towards his beloved son.
"Walk slowly, don't trip." Prince Jin reminded anxiously from behind.
Jiang Changning ignored him and walked briskly. He didn't even feel the weight of the phoenix crown on his head.
Three wet nurses plus Nanny Feng, Shu Fei, and Fu Cui, a total of six people surrounded Xiao Ming and tried to coax him, but to no avail. The little guy cried so hard that his face turned red.
"Baby, mommy is here, don't cry anymore." Jiang Changning said softly.
Hearing the familiar voice, the little guy's crying paused for a moment, then continued.
All others heard was crying, but Jiang Changning could hear the changes in the crying.
The previous crying and wailing were emotionless, just dry howling, but later on, the crying and wailing were filled with grievance.
Jiang Changning held her son in her arms and coaxed him, while Fangju stood behind her and helped her take off the phoenix crown.
After Xiao Ming stopped crying, Jiang Changning changed into light clothes, fed him, and then held Xiao Ming in his arms and went to Liuxuanyuan with Prince Jin to pay New Year's greetings to the Concubine Dowager.
"Grandma's little darling is getting cuter and cuter." The concubine hugged her grandson and smiled happily.
The concubine's love for her grandson was also reflected in the red envelopes, which included ten silver notes with a face value of one thousand taels each.
"Mother, you have become rich?" Prince Jin laughed, "Then give some to your son."
Toffee slapped his hand away, "No."
"Mother, you favor your grandson and not your son?" Prince Jin asked, pretending to be sad.
Jiang Changning smiled, "Now that you have a grandson, your son is worthless."
The Toffee nodded in agreement, "That's right."
King Jin covered his chest and said, "My heart is broken."
"Now that you are a father, you should be more stable." The concubine smiled at her grandson, "right, little darling?"
Xiao Ming smiled unconsciously, and the concubine was even happier. "Grandma's little baby also agrees."
Seeing that the Concubine Dowager looked content with having a grandson, Prince Jin breathed a sigh of relief. He thought that his mother would not have time to stuff more people around him in the future.
During the national mourning period, there is no need to go out for social events. Just send a visiting card to express your condolences.
However, the Prince of Jin only had a few days of leisure time without any social engagements. On the fifth day of the first lunar month, he became busy again because of some matters at the government office.
He was busy with his own things, and Jiang Changning's life was still leisurely. Xiaochun brought back ten people selected by Jiang Nan and entered Rujingyuan.
Among the ten people, there are seven girls and three boys. The oldest is ten years old and the youngest is three years old.
A three-year-old boy doesn't know how to serve others. Jiang Changning wants him to play with Xiao Ming, grow up together, and be Xiao Ming's bodyguard in the future.
"What's your name?" Jiang Changning asked with a smile.
"To answer your question, my name is Gou. No, Master Nan gave me another name. My name is Tianyue."
"This is a very grand name." Jiang Changning said with a smile.
On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Jiang Changning allowed some people in the mansion to go home to celebrate the festival.
Chunhong was one of these people. She excitedly told her roommate, "I didn't expect the princess would let us go home for the holiday."
She had originally planned to ask for leave to go to her date with Xiaodouzi, but now that’s not the case.
Early in the morning, Chunhong dressed up, put on the new clothes made for the servants in the mansion, and left the mansion carrying a small bag.
Chunhong was not born in a family and did not live near the palace. She walked for half an hour before she arrived at the entrance of Jingnifang. "Aunt Li's business is good."
The woman selling needles and thread at the entrance saw her and said with a smile, "Chun Nizi is back for the festival."
"Yes." Chunhong said with a smile.
The name Chunhong was given to her by her nanny after she was sold to Sinufang by her father. Her name at home was Jiang Chunni.
The Jiang family has lived in the compound in Jingnifang for decades. Chunhong greeted people along the way. As soon as she entered the compound, she saw her mother fetching water from the well. She hurried over to help, "Mom."
"Nizi, you're back." Jiang's mother smiled happily.
Chunhong saw the bruises on her cheeks and her face darkened, "Dad hit you again!"
"No, it was a collision." Jiang's mother waved her hand.
"Mom, you don't have to lie to me." Chunhong carried the bucket and went into the house.
The Jiang family occupied two west wing rooms and a west corner room. They lived in the wing rooms and used the west corner room as a kitchen.
After pouring the water into the large vat, Chunhong asked, "Where are Taoni and Dongzhi?"
"We went to the temple fair to sell things." Jiang's mother smiled with satisfaction. If her children had not been sensible, she would have not been able to endure this life.
At noon, Taoni and Dongzhi came back, but Jiang's father was nowhere to be seen. I wonder if he was gambling with others again.
Jiang's mother wished her husband would not come back, so she cooked lunch for her three children.
Taoni and Dongzhi carried their baskets and went to the temple fair again. Mother Jiang took her eldest daughter aside to have a private conversation.
Chunhong thought about her appointment with Xiaodouzi, so she didn't stay at home for long. She stuffed the things in her bag to Jiang's mother and said, "Mom, I'll come back to see you when I'm free another day."
"You should work hard in the palace and find a way to redeem yourself when you have the chance. You are getting older and it's time to think about your marriage." Jiang's mother sent her out.
Chunhong walked to the entrance of the square, looked around, and soon saw Xiaodouzi. She ran over happily, "Brother Dou."
"Sister Hong, you look so beautiful today." Xiao Douzi coaxed her sweetly.
"I'm using the rouge you gave me." Chunhong said shyly.
Xiaodouzi smiled and said, "I knew this rouge would suit you."
"Brother Dou, today is the Lantern Festival. I'll treat you to some Yuanxiao."
"How can I let you treat me? I'll treat you." Xiaodouzi took Chunhong to the stall to eat Yuanxiao.
After eating Yuanxiao, Xiaodouzi took her to stroll the streets for a while, and then took out a purse, "Sister Hong, there is a peace amulet inside. Give it to the young master of the palace, so that he won't cry all day and night."
"Brother Dou, the young master didn't cry at night." Chunhong said.
"The young master doesn't cry at night now, but he will cry at night in the future. All children are like this. If you offer the amulet in advance, the young master won't cry at night, and you will have done a great deed. Then, you can become the head maid."
"Brother Dou, you treat me so well."
"You are the wife I want to marry. If I don't treat you well, who else should I treat well?" Xiaodouzi stuffed the purse into her hands.
Xiao Douzi spoke sweet words with eloquence, which made Chunhong very happy. She never thought that this amulet might very likely become her death warrant.
(End of this chapter)