Chapter 9: Night Talk at the Duke Mansion

Xu Zaijing and Xu Zaihang were debating who had better horsemanship at today’s polo match; both had been taught early, and though they didn’t need to pass the imperial exams to secure their futures, holding the status of a scholar still earned them greater respect in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

The two carts behind carried Xiao Zhu and the other personal maidservants of Sun Shi, while the last cart held the accompanying servants.

About halfway through the journey, the convoy stopped; the maids in the middle cart brought warm soup tea to the front cart, while others carried steaming tea to the rear.

The maid who came to the rear was a personal attendant named Xiao Dan; she glanced nervously at the driver and whispered, “Madam instructed that the afternoon is still chilly, so please have some tea to warm yourselves.”

The household servants naturally thanked her.

The driver poured some hot tea into his bamboo flask but didn’t thank her; Xiao Dan’s eyes flickered to his throat, wrapped in a cloth—she remembered a scar there, a knife wound across his throat.

Somehow, the driver had survived a scar on his throat, despite whatever he’d endured.

Though the Hou Fu didn’t enforce rigid discipline, household matters were never to be casually discussed.

Xiao Dan could only privately wonder.

After resting, they resumed their journey home.

By the time the Xu family entered through the main gate, the sky had darkened.

After washing up, the family sat at the dining table, with several maids standing by to serve.

Xu Zaijing, accustomed now to the diet of this world, ate like a little pig.

In ancient times, a strong body was essential to survival—he didn’t want to die from a simple cold.

His hearty eating stirred appetite in his older siblings.

When night fully fell, a boy from the outer courtyard arrived at the gate.

“Madam, Master has returned—he just dismounted.”

“What?” Sun Shi was startled, for her husband always sent word a month in advance before returning—why had there been no notice this time?

Hearing this, the Xu children’s eyes lit up with joy, for whenever their father returned, he always brought gifts.

Soon Xu Minghua washed off the dust of travel, and seeing his family gathered in the hall, his stern expression softened into a genuine smile.

Behind him, his personal steward held several leather bags.

Sun Shi rose but asked no questions.

Xu Zaiend and the other children stared eagerly at the leather bags.

The Xu family’s joy needed no words.

Xingguo Lane.

Princess Pingning returned to her residence; the Duke was among the highest nobles of the Great Zhou, his duties immense, and the old Duke still lived, while the princess’s husband already held an official post.

After bathing and changing, the princess went to her in-laws’ courtyard; though her status was exalted, she would not neglect the proper conduct of a daughter-in-law.

Normally, the Duke’s lady would never require the princess to perform actual service or stand in rigid etiquette.

As the maids placed a fish soup on the table, Princess Pingning’s expression changed abruptly; she quickly pressed a handkerchief to her mouth.

The lady-in-waiting beside her hurried over.

“What’s wrong?” the Duke’s lady asked at once.

The princess lowered the handkerchief and shook her head, but before she could speak, another wave of nausea rose to her throat.

The old Duke’s face showed concern, then he glanced at his wife and a spark of joy appeared in his eyes.

He turned to his son and said, “Go fetch the Taiyi physician at once!”

The Duke’s second son blinked in surprise.

“Yes, Father.”

But the princess, still feeling unwell, hadn’t yet realized what it meant.

The lady-in-waiting said nothing; if she were truly pregnant, the physician would confirm it—but if she jumped to a conclusion and caused false joy, she’d face severe consequences.

As Xu Zaijing was unpacking his gifts, a loud *boom* echoed through the city sky.

Someone outside reported fireworks being set off.

Xu Minghua glanced up and said,

“Whose household has good fortune?”

His children barely glanced up—they were too absorbed in their gifts.

Xu Zaijing’s gift was a small bow with twelve miniature feathered arrows.

His older siblings received fur garments and writing tools.

Standing behind his youngest son, Xu Minghua corrected his bow-drawing posture while explaining key techniques.

Sun Shi, daughter of a military family, added from beside him,

“Husband, be careful—don’t let the bowstring cut Zaijing’s hand.”

“No need to worry; this bow isn’t that strong.”

Xu Zaijing, in his arms, carefully pulled the bow—he’d noticed that even with the faintest effort, the bow was nearly snapping.

Xu Zaijing clenched his lips in careful exertion; Xu Minghua mistook it for gritting his teeth.

*Snap.*

The arrow struck the back of a nearby chair.

Xu Minghua laughed happily.

“Zaijing, again! Again!”

After a lively evening, everyone retired to their quarters.

Xu Zaijing was still young and had no separate courtyard; he was lulled to sleep and carried off by his nurse.

Sun Shi didn’t ask why her husband returned so suddenly—if there was a reason, he’d tell her; but if it involved secrets, he couldn’t speak openly.

Xingguo Lane.

Duke Mansion.

The Taiyi physician had just confirmed: Princess Pingning was pregnant.

The old Duke and his lady sighed with joy and immediately notified the authorities, setting off fireworks to celebrate.

They also sent messengers to the palace to inform the Emperor and Empress.

After dinner, everyone returned to their own courtyards.

As Princess Pingning prepared for bed, she suddenly recalled something from the polo field that day.

She smiled, amused at her cautious husband.

She took his hand and said,

“Husband, something strange happened at the polo field today.”

The young duke stared at his wife in surprise—she, a princess raised in the palace, had seen countless things, yet found something strange?

“Oh? What could possibly astonish you?”

Etiquette was for outsiders; in their private chambers, husband and wife were tender and relaxed, just like any ordinary couple.

Princess Pingning said, “Today, on a whim, I spoke with the madam of the Yongyi Marquis’s household. Her youngest son, Zaijing, wanted to set his teacup back on the table himself. The lady-in-waiting cried out, ‘Slowly, slowly!’—can you guess what Zaijing said?”

“‘I can do it myself?’”

“No.”

“‘Mind your own business?’”

“How could he be so rude?”

Princess Pingning playfully tapped her husband.

“‘Please ask the nurse to help me?’”

“No.”

“Then I truly can’t guess.”

“Hahaha.”

Speaking of Xu Zaijing, Princess Pingning felt genuine delight.

Seeing her so amused, the young duke grew even more curious.

“Tell me, tell me!”

“This little Zaijing said—”

The princess looked at her husband’s wide eyes,

then said,

“That little Zaijing said: ‘Mama, the nurse says to go slow because Princess Auntie and Wu Auntie both have babies?’”

“Oh? That’s extraordinary!” The young duke’s face showed astonishment.

“Now I recall—the blue robe he wore was embroidered with a cute qilin,” the princess said.

“The qilin bringing children—this has been said since ancient times. Could it be you’re carrying—”

“Stop, stop! Don’t jump to conclusions!”

Princess Pingning hurriedly said.

If she bore a son, the mountain of wealth from the Xiangyang Marquis’s household would have an heir, and the future of the Duke Mansion would have hope.

It would also mean the Hou Fu and Duke Mansion could continue their alliance through a shared successor.

“Fine, fine—we’ve unknowingly received their blessing.”

“Exactly—we must find a chance to repay them.”

By the way,

In two years, His Majesty’s birthday will be a full-ten-year celebration. Though Father and Mother will surely prepare something, we’ve married now—we must have our own gift.”

“Don’t worry—I’ve already begun preparations.”

Dear readers, if you feel anything is tedious, awkward, or contains typos, please point it out promptly, thanks (ω)

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(End of Chapter)