in2ebook Chapter 228 Lady Ming is not without her own children.
Chapter 228 Lady Ming is not without her own children.
That afternoon, Cheng Yan waited patiently for his longevity noodles.
Qin Yizhen was so annoyed by him that she had someone bring over a small stove and a small pot.
Under Chen Yinniang's guidance, once the water boiled, the prepared noodles were put into the water. After they were cooked, they were taken out, some salt and sesame oil were added, and some hot water from the small pot was poured over them. A simple bowl of longevity noodles was then ready.
Qin Yizhen examined the finished product carefully and thought it wasn't bad. The noodles looked good, were cooked, and no longer clumped together. They smelled of wheat and sesame oil.
She was satisfied as long as it was edible, even if it didn't have the best color, aroma, and taste.
"Alright, go ahead and eat." Qin Yizhen rested one hand on the table, her palm supporting her chin, watching him eat. "This is my first time cooking, so if it's not good..."
Cheng Yan picked at the noodles with his chopsticks, then raised an eyebrow and asked, "What if it's not good?"
"Not tasty?" Qin Yizhen raised an eyebrow and scoffed. "Even if it's not tasty, you have to swallow it. I'm a princess, you know that?"
“I’m your uncle, you know that?” Cheng Yan said.
Qin Yizhen's face flushed, and she reached out to pinch his arm: "If you keep talking nonsense, then you can become my uncle, and I'll toast you every day."
Seriously, has this guy been corrupted by Princess Huizhen? He just spouts these kinds of things without thinking. He even calls himself "little uncle." How dare he? Doesn't he think he's a beast?
Qin Yizhen's eyes darted around, and she suddenly said, "How about I call you this tonight?"
Cheng Yan dropped his chopsticks, quickly refusing, "Please don't."
"Oh, why are you refusing now?"
"Hmm... I feel like a beast..." The reason is simple: I can't bring myself to do it.
Seeing that he seemed to be in a bad mood, Qin Yizhen laughed and said, "Alright, hurry up and eat, or the noodles will get soggy."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Yan quickly put these chaotic thoughts aside, picked up his chopsticks, and continued eating his longevity noodles.
The noodles were somewhat vegetarian, without any meat or fish added, but Chen Yinniang's cooking skills were excellent. The dough she kneaded was extremely chewy, and the cooking time was just right. She added some salt and sesame oil to enhance the flavor, making it quite delicious.
Cheng Yan ate noodles and drank soup at the same time, then scooped up a spoonful of soup and held it to Qin Yizhen's lips. Qin Yizhen looked around the room, and only when she saw that no one was around did she eat.
"Not bad." Qin Yizhen praised her own cooking skills. "I never thought I had this talent."
Cheng Yan asked her, "Would you like something to eat?"
Qin Yi shook her head: "No, I just ate not long ago, I don't want to eat anymore."
Seeing that she really wasn't going to eat, Cheng Yan quickly finished the bowl of noodles.
As the sun began to set, the two went to the study to read. Cheng Yan took out a newly acquired travelogue, held her close in his arms, and the two read together.
Seeing the different local foods and customs, Qin Yizhen was also very interested. She thought that this person was really lucky and had great perseverance to be able to travel to so many places.
The journey was slow and the road was long, taking a month or even several months, traversing forests and crossing rivers, spending the night in the wilderness.
Even in times of peace, there may be bandits and man-eating beasts on the road.
"When you went out to fight, did you go to many places?"
"There are quite a few, but we've been busy with the war and haven't paid much attention to these customs and traditions. So, do you want to go?"
"Can I go?"
“When Your Majesty is older and the world is at peace, I will go with you. Then you can go wherever you want, and stay as long as you like in any place you like.”
Qin Yizhen was very tempted, but after thinking about it, she finally shook her head: "I'm afraid of hardship and fatigue. I don't really like long journeys. Besides, if we leave like this, what about Mother? Are we going to leave Mother behind?"
Cheng Yan paused, then sighed, "You're always like this."
What is it?
"Always thinking about others."
“But the Empress Dowager is no ordinary person. We previously said that once His Majesty assumes full power, the Empress Dowager will no longer need to concern herself with these matters. If she does not like the palace, we will bring her back to live with us.”
"Yes, yes, she is none other than me. I misspoke." Cheng Yan immediately admitted his mistake. "That's not what I meant. I just think that sometimes you should think more about yourself and be happier. You should learn from Huizhen."
"I don't want to be like her," Qin Yizhen scoffed. "I think I'm happy just the way I am, and I'm happy being with everyone."
"Alright, alright, then we'll ask your mother if she wants to go. When you're sightseeing, I'll be your bodyguard, okay?"
"That's more like it." Qin Yizhen was finally satisfied. "Look at this, this is delicious too. No, I have to let Chen Yinniang read more of these travelogues and try making these dishes. Who knows, I might be able to eat anything without leaving the house."
The couple would sit together reading and chatting, occasionally disagreeing and even arguing for a bit, but they would quickly make up.
As the sun sets, life unfolds peacefully.
To be with you day and night, forever—that is all one could ever ask for in life.
......
The following day at court, Empress Dowager Cheng claimed to be unwell and suspended court for the day. Immediately, a physician from the Imperial Medical Bureau entered the palace to examine Empress Dowager Cheng's pulse.
According to Empress Dowager Cheng, she dreamed of her mother last night. Her mother cried incessantly in front of her, making her unable to eat or sleep.
On that day, Emperor Jing'an invited a diviner (an official responsible for divination and prediction, similar to the Imperial Observatory) to consult the gods and ask Lady Ming what she desired.
Another night passed, and Empress Dowager Cheng dreamed of her mother again. In the dream, her mother cried and complained that she had no descendants to support her after her death, and that Marquis Chengen had abandoned his wife and daughters to marry someone else in order to climb the social ladder. Now, there was no place for her in the Cheng family.
At the next morning court session, Empress Dowager Cheng brought up the matter, asking her ministers to help her resolve her worries and ensure that her mother would not be disturbed after her death.
The officials all offered their opinions.
Some people say that Lady Mingguo was the original wife of Marquis Chengen, and that Zhang was vicious and unworthy of her. They suggest that the Cheng family should welcome Lady Mingguo back, and Zhang should become a concubine.
Some people say that Lady Zhang was also the wife whom the Marquis of Chengen married with all the proper rites and formalities. Moreover, since the Marquis of Chengen and Lady Zhang are both dead, it is unreasonable for their descendants not to recognize their marital relationship. Even if the Cheng family were to bring Lady Ming back, they could only be considered as the two principal wives.
Just then, Minister Li of the Court of Judicial Review stepped forward: "Do you all not remember that Her Majesty the Empress Dowager once said that Lady Ming also did not wish to return to the Cheng family?"
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, it would be better to find someone to be adopted by Lady Mingguo, so that she can continue her family line and become her descendant. In the future, her descendants can worship her as their ancestor. With descendants to worship her, Lady Mingguo will surely find peace in the afterlife."
"Adoption?" Emperor Jing'an suddenly said, "Why adopt? Lady Ming has her own children!"