Chapter 716 - 261: Treason?
Chapter 716: Chapter 261: Treason?
Chaoyang wanted to go outside. The news of him having Zhaocai carry him on its back to run out spread throughout the entire Xu Mansion in no time, and soon, everyone in the mansion came over to intervene.
Mrs. Guo and Mrs. Qiao said, "Why won’t you let the child go out on the street? Just dress him warmly. It would be good enough for him to look outside through the carriage window. Our Chaoyang is already so big. What’s the point of keeping him locked up in the house all day?"
De’an chimed in, "Wanqing, if you don’t have time, Yanhe and I do. Hand Chaoyang over to us, and we promise to bring him back to you safe and sound."
Even Kaiyan, Xiang’er, and the others looked at Chen Wanqing with eyes that clearly said, "Poor Chaoyang," and after much sweet-talking, they finally coaxed the boy out of Chen Wanqing’s arms. Chaoyang wasn’t shy with strangers at all; he would let anyone hold him.
Xu Su Ying had said more than once that Chaoyang was lucky to be born into wealth, with people keeping a close eye on him all day long. If he had been born into a poor family, a hundred Chaoyangs wouldn’t be enough to lose.
After dinner, Chen Wanqing carried Chaoyang to pay her respects to her grandmother, only to find the courtyard scattered with various palace lanterns. There were all kinds of lanterns—revolving scenic lanterns, Lotus Lanterns, rabbit lanterns, goldfish lanterns, and more. Further away, there even seemed to be a small rabbit hutch. Under the eaves hung a birdcage, inside of which a lively kingfisher chirped, CHEEP CHEEP. Once inside the room, the display was even more extravagant: tangram puzzles, rattle drums, clay dolls, root-carved puppies...
If she hadn’t understood at first, Chen Wanqing certainly understood now. She was rendered completely speechless.
"If you miss Chaoyang, just tell me, and I’ll bring him over to you..." she trailed off.
Her grandmother waved her hand. "That’s not what I meant."
Seeing Chen Wanqing place Chaoyang beside her, her grandmother beamed from ear to ear. She hugged Chaoyang and immediately started cooing, calling him her sweet darling and precious treasure.
"The child wants to run outside all day because the holidays are approaching and it’s lively out there," her grandmother reasoned. "My courtyard is large and usually too quiet, so I thought I’d decorate it a bit. Chaoyang can come over and play here from now on."
She stubbornly refused to admit that her heart ached for the child and she worried he would catch a cold outside. She also wouldn’t admit that she felt sorry for herself—if she didn’t see Chaoyang for even a quarter of an hour, she would miss him so much she’d feel frantic.
What else could Chen Wanqing say? She could only agree, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Afterward, when she brought this up with Mrs. Zhao, Mrs. Zhao immediately suggested, "How about I tidy up my courtyard too?"
Hearing this, Chen Wanqing burst into uncontrollable laughter.
The time came for the New Year’s Eve palace banquet.
Chen Wanqing left Chaoyang with Mrs. Zhao and Xiang’er, accompanying the Xu Family into the palace. She didn’t have to attend this time, but she chose to come anyway. Jing was out there on the front lines, bleeding, strategizing, and exhausting himself; she couldn’t be a burden to him from the rear.
Sure enough, when they went to the inner palace to pay their respects to the Empress and Empress Dowager, the Empress’s eyes lit up at the sight of her. The Empress Dowager specifically glanced her way and asked her grandmother, "This gentle and dignified lady looks a bit unfamiliar. Is she Mr. Zhao’s wife?"
Chen Wanqing stepped forward at the mention of her name and curtsied to the two of them.
Her grandmother, remaining in her seat, said with a smile, "Indeed, she is my granddaughter. She gave birth half a year ago, and on the baby’s one-hundred-day celebration, you and the Empress even specially bestowed gifts upon them."
For such rewards, unless the palace had given specific instructions, there was no need to enter the palace just to express gratitude. Simply kowtowing at the palace gates before returning home was sufficient. That was exactly what Chen Wanqing had done. On that day, Mrs. Guo had personally accompanied her to the palace gates, where they performed the grand ritual of three kneelings and nine kowtows to fulfill their etiquette.
Both the Empress Dowager and the Empress were aware of this. The Empress Dowager gave a slight nod and said, "Mr. Zhao is dedicating his loyalty to the country. It is only right and proper for the palace to bestow a reward for his eldest son’s one-hundred-day milestone."
She then praised Chen Wanqing continuously. Finally, taking Chen Wanqing’s hand, she said, "Mr. Zhao’s current assignment is fraught with immense difficulties, yet he hasn’t slacked off for a single moment. Mrs. Zhao has borne his children and taken care of his mother and sister. She is truly a paragon of womanhood..."
She bestowed many more gifts upon her, which would naturally be delivered by palace servants when it was time to leave.
There were still many people waiting behind them to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager and the Empress. The Xu Family didn’t overstay their welcome, leaving after just a brief visit.
Once they arrived at Linde Hall for the banquet, Xu Su Ying finally relaxed her tense nerves, turning to look at Chen Wanqing with worry.
Chen Wanqing pulled her mother over to take a seat before whispering, "You hid the fact that Father and Jing encountered danger because you didn’t want me to worry. I don’t blame you. In fact, I’ve been hiding something from you too."
Xu Su Ying asked curiously, "You’ve been right under my nose this whole time. What could you possibly hide from me?"
"There are too many listening ears and prying eyes in the palace. It’s not convenient to talk right now. I’ll tell you once we get home."