Chapter 380: then translation of title

Guangzhou Zhoufu?

Again, Guangzhou Zhoufu?

Du Shanü had still been smiling, but thinking of the earlier ten thousand taels, she suddenly felt a bit short of breath, suspecting she had misheard.

She gestured and called Afang over, taking the little swaddled bundle into her arms before saying:

"I'm not in a position to get up; Afang, go hear the details and then report back."

She was a first-time mother with little experience, so her posture and strength in holding the child were somewhat lacking at first.

However, Ruier in the swaddling clothes was obviously far more tolerant of his mother than others; as soon as he was placed in her arms, his previously furrowed brows and eyes relaxed, and he let out a sweet laugh:

"U—hee—"

Du Shanü's heart instantly softened half; she lowered her head and rubbed her nose against the child's nose:

"Little Ruier is so well-behaved!"

Who would have thought that as soon as she said that, there wasn't even a second laugh in return?

The pink-carved, jade-like doll in the swaddling clothes seemed unaware of his mother's affection, somewhat unexpectedly; he stared at Du Shanü, gradually pouting, looking extremely aggrieved, and whined:

"U—eng—"

Chen Weifang hadn't gone far yet; he turned back, repeatedly making mouth gestures and hand signals.

Du Shanü's heart felt half-dead; she tightened her face, strained her voice as much as she could, and softly coaxed:

"Ayoyoyo~ Is this our Ru~ier~? ~"

Gentle words, utterly soothing.

This was treatment Du Shanü had never given even to Chinu.

Yet the pink-carved, jade-like doll in the swaddling clothes seemed to love this; instantly he loosened his pout, and on that face born with a slightly sullen look, a most charming, peaceful smile appeared:

"U—hee—hee—"

Du Shanü felt relieved, yet at the same time felt a pang of sorrow for herself—

This time, the heart she had been holding onto truly died completely.

Surely she won't have to speak to her eldest son in this tone for the next several decades, will she?

It's not impossible, but straining her voice really hurts!

It seems all she can hope is that her own Ruier, as he grows older, will come to dislike being spoken to this way by his elders......

Du Shanü pinched a bitter tear, while Chinu was overjoyed, sometimes hiding, sometimes popping his head out to tease the child.

His voice was much more relaxed than Du Shanü's; with such coaxing and playing, the little one in the swaddling clothes laughed continuously, unable to contain his joy.

The family of three played for a while, until Du Shanü could barely keep from tiring, then she placed the child on the bed beside her.

Chinu helped her lie down, then said with a smile:

"Wife Master always says this child is spoiled, but in my view, it's not spoilage—it's arrogance."

"Spoiled' refers to appearance and manner, being delicate and lovely."

Although it can also mean excessive affection and pity for someone, looking at it now, it doesn't really match Ruier, who clearly has his own temperament.

Rather than saying it's 'spoiled,' it's better to say it's 'arrogant.'

"Arrogant' means unrestrained, fierce, and doing as one pleases."

Although Ruier has only just been born a few days ago, the temperament he shows clearly fits the character 'arrogant' better.

Doing as one pleases is good; doing as one pleases is fine.

Chinu, coming from an obscure background, all the more wishes for this child to have enough arrogance to look down on the world, not merely to be beloved, but......

but hopes that this child be immersed in power and influence, have a place under heaven, and be able to do as he pleases......

But he would never dare say those words to his Wife Master's face.

The Wife Master, who is close to the people, had previously said she would send the child to school, clearly not having considered how to indulge him.

Therefore, these thoughts, he can only dare to imagine them in his mind......

"No matter which kind of 'spoiled,' as long as he grows up safe and sound, that's good."

As expected, Du Shanü opened with the simplest wish:

"If, on the path to growing up safe and sound, he can also learn a thing or two, that's pure gain; I don't dare ask for anything else."

Chinu bent over beside the two, lowered his head and gently patted the child's swaddling clothes, his brows lowered, not knowing what he was thinking.

Du Shanü had been awake for half a day, inevitably feeling a bit sleepy.

Now Chinu pats the child, lulling him toward sleep; she smells the baby's milk scent beside her and finds herself also somewhat drowsy.

She gave a moderate yawn and muttered:

"Speaking of which, why hasn't Afang come back yet? I'm waiting for him to tell me the details so I can get some sleep."

Bai Liren of Guangzhou Zhoufu had tried to extort ten thousand taels a month or so ago without success, and it's unknown whether he would become angry from embarrassment.

If he does become angry from embarrassment, who knows what underhanded tactics he might resort to.

Now, shortly after the autumn harvest and before the first winter snow, it's a time of strong troops and sturdy horses; if they were to go to war, they'd lack heavenly timing and earthly advantage, and she, a mere Yongzhou Zhoufu, has long been obscure throughout history—she would surely find it extremely hard to match a Guangzhou Zhoufu that has long been renowned......

The more Du Shanü spoke, the more her head ached, even dispelling a bit of her sleepiness.

Seeing this, Chinu hurriedly and carefully advised his Wife Master:

"Wife Master is still in postpartum confinement; under no circumstances should she receive outsiders...... You needn't worry—I saw those Bai family servants last time; when Afang returns, I'll have him look after the child, and I'll go see them."

It's not Chen Weifang who will go, but him.

First, the child has recently become clingy to Afang; second, among the three, Chinu usually attends to Du Shanü, and only Afang knows which wet nurse the child is feeding from.

Anyway, they all need to sleep; adults sleep deeply, the child lightly—having Afang stay behind to watch the child when he wakes up would naturally be better than Chinu doing so.

Besides those two points, there is something even more crucial......

Du Shanü shook herself to focus, her thoughts turning, and she already spoke softly:

Okay, you go.

I've thought it over; you've been with me a long time, and now you ought to take a post in the government office, handle some affairs to show your face—it's not right to remain obscure, lest people look down on you.

As for Ruansizong, I will certainly deal with him in the future; you should gradually build a reputation so you can replace him.

These words are simple, but their meaning is quite thought-provoking.

In short, that is......

Du Shanü is preparing to delegate authority.

Moreover, this is not the kind of delegation of power between her and Chen Weifang as superior and subordinate, but......

She is also preparing to build up Chinu's influence, so as to pave the way for the future.

Du Shanü, on this life-and-death journey, has ultimately seen through some things——

Now that Chinu has a child at her side, she really can't constantly attend her like an ordinary servant; otherwise she might at any time be seen as a male favorite and not even know when.

In the future, when Ruier grows up, if we are to raise the child, seeing that his biological father lacks status, there will inevitably be questions, and at that point no one will be able to answer well.

Rather, it would be better to simply, while Ruier is still young, grant Chinu some real authority.

In any case, we will eventually split into two capitals; for now it's good to let Chinu put her mind at ease.......

Since he wants to gain honor through his son, she will let him do so and bestow upon him a vast wealth and honor.

Thus, his feelings for her will not be in vain.

Moreover, Chinu only has this one child, Ruier; any wealth and honor will ultimately benefit only her own family......

Du Shanü narrowed her eyes, half-asleep.

She could no longer clearly see Chinu's face, yet she could still faintly feel that hint of astonishment on Chinu's face.

Du Shanü smiled, and her last words before sleep were:

I want to observe a double-month confinement; before I finish my postpartum period, you shall handle governance for me.

No matter what decision you make, I trust you.

?? come on, come on! It's rare to be punctual these days......