Wen Tang felt very embarrassed, so while Qin Gong was taking a bath, she called the wet nurse outside to bring the two children in.
Every night before she went to rest, she would go to see the two children first. Today she was busy and had not seen the children yet. Moreover, Qin Gong had not come back at night these few days, so the two children had to be looked after by their biological father.
The wet nurse soon came in holding two babies wrapped in soft quilts.
Xia Jie'er was a person who could not sit still. She babbled and waved her little arms and legs, kicking the air. When she saw her mother, her big black eyes immediately curved into crescents, and she grinned with her toothless little mouth.
Huai'er on the side was much quieter. He just opened his big black eyes and looked into the room curiously. After looking around, his eyelids began to droop. Wen Tang kissed and hugged the two children.
"Two good kids."
She sat on the couch and teased them in a low voice. The two children were so happy that they rushed to their mother to hug them.
After a while, Qin Gong came out around the screen. When he came over, Wen Tang moved aside to make room for him so that he could take a good look at the two children. He was usually busy with official duties, and most of the time he could spend with his children was squeezed into this short period of time in the middle of the night.
Qin Gong sat down and met the eyes of the two children.
Sister Xia tilted her head curiously, while Brother Huai yawned and showed little interest.
Then Xia Jie'er got tired of the old and loved the new. After a while, she stretched out her hands and wanted her mother to hug her.
As soon as she stretched out her hand, Qin Gong picked her up, and Xia Jie'er was stunned.
Huai Ge'er didn't seem to be sleepy anymore, and he opened his eyes to watch the fun. Qin Gong stretched out his other arm and picked up Huai Ge'er as well.
The two babies were stunned for a moment, and then they started babbling to each other.
Qin Gong coaxed them briefly, and the two children curiously explored their father's chin and lapels.
Later, Wen Tang saw that everyone was getting along well, so he stopped disturbing the two children's sleep and signaled the wet nurse to take the children back to sleep.
The door closed gently, the child's tender babbling suddenly disappeared, and the room became dead silent again.
The hangover soup that Wen Tang had asked someone to prepare was placed on the small table next to her. She turned around, cleared her throat, and glanced at the small table. The messy things on it had been taken away.
She turned around, facing Qin Gong, and specifically picked out some matters at the mansion and said, "Master, you've been busy outside these days, but there are some things going on at home. There's another happy event in the second house. The second master's new concubine has been diagnosed with pregnancy. The old ancestor and mother are very happy, and they specially prepared a small banquet tonight."
"Well, as usual, prepare some more gifts to send."
"Of course." Wen Tang replied.
Then the two ended their discussion on this topic. After all, it was no longer a novelty for the second wife to give birth to children one after another.
Having run out of topics to talk about, Wen Tang wanted to go to bed and sleep. He let down the curtains and covered himself with the quilt so that he wouldn't have to face his cold face anymore.
Wen Tang, "Master, you must be tired from all the socializing outside. It's rare that you come back early today, so please settle down as soon as possible."
It was pitch black outside the window, with only the faint sound of a night watchman's clapper coming from afar, drifting in and out.
The old woman who was keeping watch came in quietly and extinguished the candles one by one.
Wen Tang habitually moved to the innermost side of the bed. It was hot, and there were large copper basins filled with ice cubes on the four corners of the bed. Wen Tang actually wanted to sleep on the outside as it was cooler.
In the darkness, she lay flat on her back while Qin Gong was taking off his clothes. After the rustling sound of his clothes, Wen Tang didn't look to the side. The bed beside him sank slightly and he got on it.
Wen Tang silently moved a few inches further inward.
"Did Sister Xia cry and make a fuss at night?"
It's rare that he was the one asking questions tonight.
Wen Tang knew he was referring to Xia Jie'er's refusal to sleep and constant crying at night a few days ago. However, Xia Jie'er had been much more well-behaved these past few days, getting along well with the new wet nurse. At first, she'd whimper a few times symbolically, then cry for a while, and the wet nurse would feed her. She'd cry a few more times, still crying and eating, and finally she was completely at peace.
Wen Tang told the truth, "Xia Jie'er is very well behaved."
In the darkness, Qin Gong's voice was deep, but Wen Tang could also make out that he said "hmm".
The conversation stopped again. Wen Tang thought it was time to go to bed, but she felt that Qin Gong next to her seemed not to have fallen asleep yet.
Wen Tang turned over. The smell of alcohol on his body had dissipated, replaced by a fresh fragrance, probably because he used her jasmine flowers in the bath.
Wen Tang, "Master, Sister Xia and Brother Huai are both sensible. You can just focus on your official duties outside and don't worry about the family matters."
"These past few days, it's not official business. Several officials have to leave Beijing on business and won't be able to celebrate my birthday in time, so they can't come to my house, so they congratulated me in advance."
It turned out that he was not busy outside, but was outside accepting early birthday wishes from colleagues, toasting each other and listening to music.
Wen Tang, who had been dealing with people at the banquet today, felt that Qin Gong was living a really good life.
She rolled over again, no longer facing him, and lay flat on her back.
"The ancestor has entrusted Qin Ruoyue's marriage to you. Does she have a satisfactory candidate? Have you chosen one?" he asked.
When talking about the tasks that his subordinates had to report, Wen Tang became quick-witted. Qin Gong's mind had always been on government affairs. He only asked a few questions about trivial matters at home, as long as there was no shortage of material things, not to mention such internal matters as the marriage of the women in the mansion. He noticed Qin Ruoyue's marriage and asked her if she had chosen a suitable person. He must have a plan in mind.
When two families marry, they never consider the love between the man and the woman, but rather power and profit.
She said, "A few days ago, I had the name cards of several young men that the old lady had selected for me to look over. It seems that the fourth young lady hasn't found anyone in particular yet."
"Master, do you have a candidate in mind? It's the talented young man I met at the banquet these days." She asked tentatively, already having a guess in her mind.
"If you can find a suitable candidate, it will really solve my urgent problem."
Wen Tang's words were sincere. If her eldest brother Qin Gong personally decided on the candidate, she would save herself a lot of trouble and effort, and the old lady would have no objection, so everyone would be happy.
"The old lady said that family background, character, appearance and talent must all be outstanding." She added, specifying the requirements.
"Of course everything is good." Qin Gong admired the other party very much. He came from a noble family. Although he was a concubine's son of a noble family and his mother was of low status, he had been raised outside in his early years. However, he rose to prominence with his talent and became the top scorer in the imperial examination. Despite the oppression of his family that valued the eldest son over the illegitimate son, he returned to the capital with his outstanding political achievements when he was exiled to the south of the Yangtze River. He had a bright future.
Qin Gong paused, a hint of consideration in his voice, "It's just that her personality is not suitable, I'm afraid we are not a match."
Wen Tang pondered for a while, "Fifth Miss is also of marriageable age. Fifth Miss has a gentle personality. What do you think?"
Qin Gong did not respond. Wen Tang guessed that he still felt that Qin Ruoyue, whose biological mother came from a prominent family in Qinghe, was more suitable.
Wen Tang said, "Master, don't worry too much. The fourth young lady is used to being at ease in the mansion now. She may be a bit lively, but when a girl has a lover, she will naturally learn to restrain her temper and learn to be dignified and prudent. There is still a long way to go, and she may become a qualified mistress."
Qin Gong glanced at her sideways, then he said "hmm" very lightly as a sign of approval.
On the wedding night, Wen was young and naive. She didn't even dare to raise her head when drinking the wedding wine. She had to be reminded by the matchmaker before she could raise her eyes timidly. She was even more at a loss in the bridal chamber. She couldn't even undress him, let alone say any sweet words.
He originally thought that the wife he married would always be so timid, but over the years, Wen had grown up to be a well-rounded person. She was dignified and measured in front of others, but behind the scenes she also knew how to act like a little girl, gentle and considerate, and gave birth to a pair of beautiful and lovely children for him.
Wen Tang waited for a while, and when Qin Gong didn't speak again, she felt relieved and closed her eyes, ready to dream. But just as she closed her eyes, he turned over and whispered in her ear, "Although the second house now has five children, it's all because my second brother has many concubines. You don't have to compare."
She didn't compare.
Wen Tang was blocked by him before he could even utter a word. He was unable to speak and could only utter a few shattered sounds occasionally.
--
The next morning, the sky was dim,
"Grandma, this is the list of gifts that need to be counted today."
A few more people were added to the gift list for Qin Gong's birthday banquet.
The servant held up a thick stack of gift lists, unfolded them, and read them aloud.
Mrs. Zhou stood behind Wen Tang, and gently pounded her sore lower back with a small jade hammer with concern.
"Jingwugong Mansion. Ten pieces of Shu brocade, Nanzhu..."
Mother Zhou suddenly stopped pounding her waist.
"Zhang Zhuangyuan." The servant turned a page and spoke loudly.
"Zhang Zhuangyuan?" Mrs. Zhou was stunned.
The servant was so engrossed in his meditation that he was also stunned for a moment. He rubbed his eyes and withdrew his gaze from the swaying shadows of the trees outside the door. Then he looked at Zhou Pozi with a surprised expression.
"Zhang Yao?" Mother Zhou looked up.
The servant heard it and laughed, "Mother Zhou, you misheard. This is Zhang Ji, the newly crowned champion of this year's exam, not Zhang Yao, the renowned champion in Beijing."
"Zhang Ji?" Mrs. Zhou finally came to her senses, smiled awkwardly, and slapped her lips lightly, "Look at me, I don't understand."
The servant in front also laughed. "Don't blame Madam Zhou. Madam Zhou often lives in the inner palace, so she's naturally heard a lot about Zhang Zhuangyuan. This top scholar appears every three years, and the capital is not short of talent. A top scholar title is precious elsewhere, but here, it's really not rare. But Zhang Zhuangyuan is different. He passed the imperial examination with three first places and his essays in the palace examination were so amazing that when people mention this surname, they think of it as Zhang Yao Zhuangyuan, Zhang Zhuangyuan long or Zhang Zhuangyuan short. The previous Zhang Zhuangyuans of this dynasty, including this year's new Zhang Zhuangyuan, have been overshadowed by this homophonic surname."
"He's the hot new kid on the block..."
Mother Zhou was obviously not very interested in how this great man rose to prominence, and only urged the servant to continue reading.
Wen Tang had been listening quietly, with no expression on his face. Only now did he speak calmly, "Go on."
The servant quickly stopped talking and continued to read the list, "Yes, Tongzhengshi..."
--
On this side of the path, a figure emerged from the tree-lined avenue. Judging from her figure and dress, she was a maid. She walked straight towards the fourth girl.
The maid was Yinzhu. She had just returned from the side hall after finally getting some news, and her face was filled with unconcealable joy.
Qin Ruoyue ate the grapes fed to her by the maid and asked, "Are you really coming?"
Yinzhu nodded. She heard it carefully in the side hall. The three words "Zhang Zhuangyuan" were all reported on the gift list. Besides, according to common sense, he was back in Beijing for work. It was the birthday party of the Duke's Mansion. All the important figures in the capital would come to show their faces, right?
The maidservant beside her, Ah Xi, still had a worried look on her face. She whispered, "Miss, he is a stranger after all. Privately..."
Yinzhu disagreed. "Didn't the current little princess ask someone to express her feelings a few years ago? Miss, you know this. Besides, among the noble families in the capital, aren't there ladies and talented men who privately pass on poems and letters to each other, creating a good story? Let's not talk about distant ones, just take that..."
Qin Ruoyue naturally knew about the little princess. A few years ago, the little princess did say privately that she had a favorite candidate. The other party was very talented and famous, but later nothing came of it. She even closed the door to visitors for a long time because of this.
This year, the little princess appeared happily again, and the top scholar Zhang also returned to Beijing this year.
The princesses made friends privately, so why couldn't she?
Yinzhu, "Of course, we can't be too conspicuous at the beginning. Miss, why don't you start by singing and dancing in poetry?"
"On the day of Master's birthday banquet, Miss Wen will also be there. She is a talented woman and a close friend of yours. It would be extremely elegant to have her help pass on a piece of poetry."