Chapter 606
Chapter 606
The next day.
Prime Minister Zhu Hongzhu staggered into the royal palace.
“Grand Tutor, why have you come all this way? If there was a matter to discuss, you could have sent word, and I would have visited your residence.”
Ning Yuanxian rushed out to support Zhu Hongzhu and led him inside.
“Grand Tutor, were you not ill? If something was the matter, you needed only to send a messenger!”
Ning Yuanxian said in an incomparably gentle voice. After entering the study, Zhu Hongzhu moved to kneel. Ning Yuanxian caught Zhu Hongzhu by both arms, almost embracing him, preventing him from kneeling.
“Grand Tutor, you mustn't. You absolutely mustn't!”
After a round of polite formalities, Zhu Hongzhu finally took a seat. On the surface, their demeanor seemed more intimate than before, but in truth, both knew in their hearts that the rift between them could no longer be mended. There was no going back to how things were. Previously, Ning Yuanxian had acted quite freely in Zhu Hongzhu's presence, but now he had become formal and ceremonious. Like a typical monarch addressing an elderly subject.
Zhu Hongzhu said.
“This old subject has served Your Majesty for over thirty years and has held the position of Grand Tutor for twenty-two. It is truly shameful to admit this myself. For over twenty years, I have occupied the seat of Prime Minister, yet my incompetence has led to no accomplishments.”
“What words are these? Grand Tutor, you are the pillar that supports the State of Yue, a mighty tree whose roots run deep, reaching for the heavens!”
“These days, this old subject falls ill more often, and my mind grows clouded with age. I fear that if I remain in the position of Prime Minister, I may cause a great disaster. Therefore, this old subject wishes to resign from the position of Prime Minister.”
Hearing this, Ning Yuanxian was startled.
*What does he mean by this? Is he threatening me? Or is this a strategic retreat, a step back to advance later?*
Ning Yuanxian quickly understood. Zhu Hongzhu was changing his approach, feigning weakness. At a time like this, there was no way Zhu Hongzhu would actually resign from his position. If he were to step down, Zhu Rong would surely take his place, leaving the position of Governor of Tiannan Province vacant. Moreover, the Crown Prince's faction had no official with enough weight to fill that post. Furthermore, the court could not afford to lose Zhu Hongzhu right now; even Ning Yuanxian could not let him go just yet.
Zhu Hongzhu was trying to sound out whether Ning Yuanxian had decided to replace the Crown Prince. If he intended to do so, he would be greatly tempted by the offer. It seems the old saying is true: the older the fox, the craftier it gets. He was subtly probing the king's thoughts. At last, Ning Yuanxian bowed and said.
“Absolutely not! Grand Tutor, have I been neglectful in some way? For you to harbor thoughts of resigning... If I have done something wrong, you must reprimand me. Do not, under any circumstances, abandon me!”
After speaking, Ning Yuanxian bowed deeply to Zhu Hongzhu, lowering his head. Zhu Hongzhu quickly stood and said.
“Your Majesty, you must not do this to this old subject. There is a proper distinction between ruler and minister!”
He desperately tried to help Ning Yuanxian up, but could not manage it. Finally, Zhu Hongzhu moved to kneel himself, taking a lower position. But Ning Yuanxian again grabbed his arms, preventing him from kneeling.
“Your Majesty, please rise. This old subject cannot bear this.”
“If the Grand Tutor promises not to resign, then I will rise.”
“Th-that is...”
“If the Grand Tutor does not rescind his decision, I will remain bowed like this for the rest of my life.”
Zhu Hongzhu said, feigning helplessness.
“Very well, very well. Since Your Majesty will not cast aside this foolish and incompetent old subject, I... I shall remain in the Prime Minister's seat for a few more days.”
“So, the Grand Tutor will not be resigning?”
“I will not. Your Majesty, please rise.”
Only then did Ning Yuanxian straighten up, even wiping sweat from his face.
“Grand Tutor, you see? The very mention of your resignation shocked me so much that I broke out in a sweat.”
Zhu Hongzhu bowed and replied.
“This subject is ashamed.”
Inwardly, Zhu Hongzhu sighed once more. Now, Ning Yuanxian no longer acted like a junior in his presence, but as a king. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Zhu Hongzhu announced his departure. He didn't mention the matter of Zhang Ziyu at all. Because there was no need to mention it in the first place. As long as Zhu Hongzhu showed deference, Zhang Ziyu's appointment as the Central Commander of Tianxi Province was a foregone conclusion. After Zhu Hongzhu left, the king marveled inwardly.
*Shen Lang is truly remarkable. To think everything would unfold exactly as he said. Soon, the grand army will march south to wage war against Prince Gong's forces. I can only hope the tides of war don't turn against us, just as Shen Lang predicted.*
***
Marquis of Xuanwu's Estate.
Shen Mi had become the estate's biggest star. The entire family doted on the baby, and whenever she woke, countless people vied for a chance to hold her. The baby wasn't shy with strangers and didn't like to cry loudly. She would remain quiet in anyone's arms, her large eyes rolling about as she observed her surroundings. Everyone said the baby looked like a little princess, which made Mulan ecstatic. Although she had given birth to this daughter, she proclaimed daily that the baby resembled her father completely and not her.
“This is where Daddy writes!”
“This is where Daddy eats.”
“And this is where Daddy does naughty things.”
Mulan carried the baby, exploring every corner of the estate. Eventually, she stood before the wall where the names of their enemies were written.
“This is the wall with Daddy's enemies.”
Mulan pointed to the writing on the wall. Many names on this list of enemies had since been crossed out, leaving only the true, irreconcilable foes: Xue Che, Xu Baidao, and Shu Tingyu. Of course, there was also Crown Prince Ning Yi, but his name was not suitable to be written on the wall. At least, not in the past; who knows about now.
“My dear. Your daddy is a petty man. But that's something you should learn from him. That way, you won't lose out in life.”
As Mulan spoke while holding the baby, her body suddenly stiffened slightly. She quickly pretended not to notice, but her heart began to race, and her body even trembled slightly. Even before someone came and clung to her, she felt a tingle in a corner of her heart. Some lecherous rogue approached from behind and grabbed a handful of her round bottom.
“You're terrible. Teaching her such things in front of the baby!”
Mulan leaned her beautiful body against him. The husband she had yearned for day and night, the man she loved most, had returned. The man who appeared in her dreams almost every night was back. Shen Lang held Mulan in his arms, first kissing his great treasure, Mulan, then his little treasure, the baby. Then, the three of them simply held each other quietly, savoring the sweet and serene moment.
After more than a year, he was finally home. Instantly, Shen Lang felt every pore in his body relax in utter comfort, the air filled with warmth and tenderness. He truly wished he could hold his wife and baby just like this, letting time slip by quietly, enjoying eternal bliss.
“Nn, nn...”
Suddenly, the baby made a soft sound and squirmed a little in her tiny body.
“I think the baby needs to poop.”
Before Mulan could even move, Xiao Bing darted over, took the baby, and dashed away like an arrow.
“Miss, don't be too vigorous. If you lie on your side, you won't press on your belly. I have experience with this.”
Xiao Bing left those words behind as she ran off. That lewd Xiao Bing! Truly, they say a name can be misleading, but a nickname never is. Hearing that, Mulan's face instantly turned bright red. She had intended to scold Xiao Bing for being so shameless, but the thought alone seemed to drain all the strength from her body. And then, the scumbag's hand slipped under her skirt.
“Husband, it's... it's still broad daylight. We should go see Father and Mother first...”
Before she could finish her sentence, her skirt had already fallen to the floor.
***
An hour later! Shen Lang, having achieved his goal, was smugly triumphant.
*It seems my combat prowess has increased significantly during my year in the capital. Jin Mulan is no longer a match for me.*
A pregnant Mulan was truly beautiful, her face seemed to glow. Just inhaling her scent made Shen Lang feel like he would pass out from intoxication.
*My treasure is just so beautiful.*
Zhong Shishi and Mulan were known as the twin jewels of the East and West, but after becoming pregnant, Mulan's goddess-like aura had grown even stronger. She had become far more beautiful than Zhong Shishi, radiating brilliance in all directions.
***
That evening, the family gathered for a cheerful dinner. His younger brother Shen Jian's son, Shen Cheng, was now over three months old. Shen Mi was very quiet, but Shen Cheng was a mischievous little rascal who rarely stayed silent, constantly wailing from his little mouth. It was quite a handful for Lady Lin, Shen Jian's wife. For such a gentle and quiet woman to raise such a noisy baby must be quite an ordeal. The moment the two babies saw each other for the first time, they became inexplicably excited.
“Waaaaah.”
“Aah.”
“Gya gya gya gya gya.”
“Gya.”
The two babies exchanged pleasantries in an alien language no one could understand. However, Shen Cheng was loud and talkative, while Shen Mi would only ever respond with a single sound. Unexpectedly, the two babies conversed for a quarter of an hour, seeming to enjoy their chat. Shen Lang's parents were so delighted by the sight they beamed with such joy they could barely keep their eyes open. They were overjoyed to have two babies in the house at once.
“In-law, let's have a drink!”
“Let's!”
At the urging of the Marquis of Xuanwu, Jin Zhuo, Shen Lang's father raised his cup and drained it in one go. His mother-in-law, Suo Peipei, also said happily.
“It feels like our whole family is finally celebrating the Spring Festival today. With Lang'er away this year, the New Year's celebration wasn't any fun at all. The two patriarchs were so glum they drank until they were drunk.”
An Zaitian was still in Raging Tide City. His wife had also given birth to a daughter, who was already a year old and beginning to talk. If all three babies had been here, it would have been even livelier. An Zaishi raised his cup and said.
“Master Li, let us have a drink as well.”
“Ah, of course!”
Li Qianqiu awkwardly raised his cup and drank. And there was one person at the table who didn't quite fit in: Grandmaster Nandu. This elder was on a hunger strike. Ever since being kidnapped, he had angrily declared a hunger strike every day, only for someone from the Qiu clan to force-feed him ginseng chicken soup or porridge. Unable to maintain the dignity of a grandmaster, he was so furious it was a wonder he hadn't killed himself out of sheer frustration.
Mulan, holding Shen Mi, placed a small meat bun in the baby's hand and stood before Grandmaster Nandu.
“Sweetheart, give the bun to Grandpa.”
Shen Mi, of course, didn't understand, so Mulan had to guide her several times until the baby held the bun up to Grandmaster Nandu's mouth. Grandmaster Nandu glanced at the chubby little hand, then at the fair and lovely baby, and after a twitch of his face, he reached out, took the bun, and put it in his mouth. Faced with the adorable baby, his hunger strike finally failed.
“Ah, ah.”
Seeing Grandmaster Nandu eat the bun, Shen Mi squealed with delight and clapped her hands together. In that moment, a warmth entered Grandmaster Nandu's eyes. But not far away, Shen Cheng, thinking his older cousin was talking to him, eagerly and actively replied.
“Ah ah ah ah.”
And so, the two babies once again began their conversation in an alien tongue.