CH 94.1

With the huge commotion at Rongxi Courtyard, it soon spread throughout the manor.

In Siyi Courtyard, Consort Jin heard the news and said with a smile, “Someone’s about to get in trouble. Heh, such poor memories.”

There was indeed someone who had a poor memory, but it wasn’t Side Consort Xu or Side Consort Liu. It was a little concubine who was rewarded by the emperor along with these two.

After Jin Wang ordered someone to investigate, the culprit was found with almost no effort.

The main thing was that this person was also stupid, not bothering to conceal her jealousy at all. She said that Yaoniang was pregnant now, yet still held onto Jin Wang, eating meat by herself, not even giving others any soup.

No one saw this concubine ever since. It was unknown where she was taken.

And Mrs. Li’s situation was also not good, she was frightened to death by Jin Wang’s methods.

The maid who leaked the truth had her tongue pulled out in front of her. Mrs. Li was so scared that she peed her pants on the spot, got a high fever at night, then became bedridden.

After lying in a groggy state for a few days, her mind finally cleared for a bit, so she made a fuss about going home.

Over these few days, Mrs.Li’s illness was very serious, so Huiniang had to keep watch and care for her. When she finally had some free time, she went to see Yaoniang.

Looking at her sister, Yaoniang felt a little awkward. Huiniang sat down opposite her, “Tell me what happened.”

Then Yaoniang told her about how Yan’er brought a man to slander her reputation. Huiniang was so angry that she started cursing immediately. As for the fate of Yan’er, there was no need to ask. According to the methods of Jin Wang, this kind of person would not have a good ending.

Huiniang didn’t say anything about it, she just patted Yaoniang’s hand. “Since he knows to protect you, I am relieved. Your brother-in-law and I are going to leave tomorrow.”

Anxious, Yaoniang asked, “Why are you leaving in such a hurry!”

“The time we stayed in the manor is not short. Your brother-in-law’s job can’t be delayed. Besides, I’m not sure how long it’ll take for her to recover from her illness. She might be able to recuperate better at home.” Huiniang was referring to Mrs. Li.

Seeing Huiniang’s persistence, Yaoniang said, “Then, I guess I shouldn’t keep you for any longer.”

“En. When I have time, I’ll bring Hong’er and Ming’er to see you.”

“Then you must keep your word. Xiaobao likes to play with Hong’er and Ming’er the most.”

At this time, Xiaobao, who was set up by his mother, was very depressed.

Ming’er was naughty, scurrying around the room. Chun’er chased after him until she was out of breath with exhaustion. She had to worry about him falling and she also feared that he would knock something down by accident. Hong’er was about the same age as Xiaobao, but he was much lazier. Xiaobao was already on the ground and had walked a few laps, yet Hong’er didn’t feel anything at all. He simply laid on the bed without moving, like a mountain.

To be honest, Xiaobao was also lazy. After moving around for a bit, he returned to the bed.

In the past, he could still sit quietly for a while, but now that there was Hong’er next to him, he was unable to sit still.

Hong’er was very curious about Xiaobao. Leaning towards him, he touched Xiaobao’s little feet and pulled at his clothes. Xiaobao was pulled by him a couple of times but didn’t make any fuss.

Yaoniang and Huiniang walked into the room and saw this scene.

Huiniang smiled and said to her sister, “Look, Hong’er still likes little brother Xiaobao. He hasn’t seen him for a few months, yet he still hasn’t forgotten him.” 

Yes, Hong’er used to love provoking Xiaobao.

Xiaobao was the only one who wasn’t aware of this. Back then, he hadn’t experienced rebirth yet.

It wasn’t early anymore, Yaoniang didn’t keep Huiniang for much longer. Travelling from Jin Wang Manor to Linyun County was about a day’s worth of journey if they rushed. The Yao Family had to get up early the next morning.

The next day, Yaoniang personally sent off Huiniang and her family.

It was quite different from their arrival. The Yao Family left with four carriages travelling together. Mrs. Li rode in one by herself while Huiniang, Yao Cheng and their two children sat in another. The rest of the carriages were all loaded with things.

Some of the things were from Yaoniang for her sister, brother-in-law and her two nephews. Jin Wang also ordered people to give them some money for travelling. Although it was said to be money, it was actually useful things like food and clothes.

Jin Wang was extremely generous. When those items were brought up, Yaoniang couldn’t help but smack her tongue.

Even though she was smacking her tongue, she was also happy in her heart. Jin Wang’s action showed that he valued her sister’s family and was giving her a face.

Inside the carriage, Huiniang glanced at Yao Cheng. “I thought you were reluctant to leave.”

Yao Cheng smiled bitterly, “Why would you think that?”

Huiniang snorted without speaking.

Yao Cheng knew that she still remembered what had happened before but he had already explained himself. He just lost his head at that moment. Besides-

“I’ve already thought it through. However much ability I have is however much I am capable of. With my mother like this, even if I did get a promotion, she could still trip me up. To be honest, this is also good. Once we’re back at the county, the county magistrate will definitely promote me to be a head constable. Being a head constable is also enough for me.” 

The man showed some weakness and Huiniang also didn’t have an unreasonable temper. She whispered: “Our family has no power or influence. Yaoyao seems to be favoured now, but life is actually not easy. So if possible, let’s not add to her troubles.”

Yao Cheng nodded, “I know.”

As for Yan’er, the two unanimously decided to overlook her.

From the surface, Yan’er never arrived at Jin Wang Manor but someone had bribed the maid to deliberately spread rumours to give trouble to Yaoniang. But actually, according to Jin Wang’s methods, it was highly likely that Yan’er really did go to Jin Wang Manor. Then she did something that made Jin Wang furious, so Jin Wang personally took care of her.

This matter was related to Yaoniang’s incident back then. Huiniang didn’t tell Yao Cheng everything about what had happened and only said that Xiaobao was the biological son of Jin Wang. Unlike Mrs. Li, Yao Cheng wasn’t stupid, so he could piece together the truth himself.

If their relationship with Jin Wang was not handled properly, it would be a disaster. Now that both his mother and sister had caused trouble, Yao Cheng decisively chose to go back before anything else was to happen.

Yaoniang came back from the outside and had just entered the east side of the courtyard when Hong Die approached her. In a low voice, she said, “Madam, His Highness asked people to pack your things.”

Pack up? To move where?

Naturally, it was to the main bedroom.

Yaoniang blushed and nodded.

Soon when Xiaobao came over, he found that his mother had moved.

Yaoniang was busy directing a few maids to clean up, so she drove Jin Wang and Xiaobao out.

Hong Fei took Xiaobao back to the east side of the courtyard. Jin Wang hesitated then decided to follow them.

On the Kang, there was a small table covered with Xiaobao’s stuff and various snacks.

These snacks were made according to Xiaobao’s taste. They were all small cakes and pastries. Small and exquisite, they were as big as Xiaobao’s fist, the size was just right for him to hold in his hand.

In the past, Yaoniang didn’t have much time to play with him. He could amuse himself on the Kang for an entire day, by crawling, standing, walking and eating snacks when he was hungry. Yet, now for some reason, Xiaobao felt bored from staying on the Kang.

Jin Wang knew that Xiaobao could talk now. He had heard him call mother several times. Not only did he know how to say mother, but also Hong. As soon as Xiaobao called Hong, the maids would all run over. This ‘Hong’ was naturally referring to Hong Chou and the others. He also knew to say Chun and Qiu, which was for the two maids serving him. When he needed Nanny He, he would call out He. He could recognize and say all their names.

The only word he hadn’t said was dad.

Jin Wang ordered everyone to leave then looked at the little boy.

As expected of his son. No matter how he looked, he resembled himself. Why didn’t he notice this before?!

“Xiaobao, say daddy.” Jin Wang had never said something like this before, and he couldn’t get used to it. There was obviously no one around, only this little baby, yet he was still a bit embarrassed.

Xiaobao was too lazy to bother with him. He got up, shuffled his butt, and turned his back on him.

“You can call mother so why can’t you call father?” Jin Wang moved so that he was facing him again.

Xiaobao shuffled around and turned his back on him again.