nucmednet Chapter 215 Falling out
Chapter 215 Falling out
Upon hearing Prince Duan's request, the Emperor readily agreed, saying, "That child Yun'er is so pitiful, and now she shares her mother's surname, Xiao. It's only right to grant her the status of a princess. How about this, let's bestow upon her the title of Princess Yong'an!"
Prince Duan was overjoyed. He had been mentally prepared for the Emperor's opposition today. After all, a princess's daughter could only be granted the title of county princess under normal circumstances.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. On behalf of Princess Yong'an, I thank Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor! Thank you for your great favor!" Prince Duan knelt on the ground and respectfully kowtowed to the Emperor, expressing his heartfelt gratitude.
Princess Yong'an, this is an immense favor! With this title, who will dare to bully Yun'er in the future? Jiahe will inevitably have to deal with the royal family in the future, and Yun'er will inevitably have to come into contact with the young ladies of the royal family. With the title of Princess Yong'an, those who look down on Yun'er will have an extra layer of consideration and will not dare to be too presumptuous!
The Emperor smiled and waved his hand, "Brother, there's no need for that. Just send more of your family's vegetables and fruits to the palace! Next year, when the fruit trees in the Prince's residence bear fruit, I hope you can send more to the palace as well!"
The vegetables and fruits in Prince Duan's mansion are so delicious, supposedly because of the well water. Vegetables and fruits irrigated with the mansion's well water seem to carry a faint, ethereal quality. Eating vegetables and fruits grown in the mansion can strengthen the body and improve complexion.
Prince Duan laughed heartily, "Very well, no problem. Starting tomorrow, I will have more vegetables and fruits brought to the palace!"
The Emperor said, "The cucumbers are very good. I like to eat them. Pick more cucumbers!" It is said that cucumbers can nourish the skin, improve complexion, and help with weight loss. They are a good thing.
Prince Duan: "Okay, no problem!"
When you get back, tell Zisu to give them plenty of cucumbers. Not only does the Emperor like them, but he also loves them, as do Shangguan Yi, Yu Han, Shangguan Rui, and Shangguan Zhi. Especially those two little ones, Shangguan Zhi and Shangguan Rui, who love to eat cucumbers like fruit. They don't even peel them, just eat them with the peel on. Every time we see those two boys eating cucumbers, it's as if they're eating some kind of heavenly delicacy, making everyone's mouths water.
When I told Zisu about it, she immediately smiled and said, "Okay, no problem! This year, I also plan to build a greenhouse so that we can eat fresh vegetables and fruits in winter."
"Growing vegetables and fruits in greenhouses? Hmm, that's certainly a good idea!" In this Western Liang Kingdom, quite a few noble families do use greenhouses to grow flowers. But no one uses them to grow vegetables. Zisu is truly quick-witted; how did she come up with the idea of growing vegetables in greenhouses?
It must be said that Zisu is truly extraordinary. Growing vegetables in a greenhouse—the idea seems simple, yet no one had ever considered it before. Zisu's ability to think of it demonstrates her intelligence, wisdom, and modern thinking.
No matter how he looked at her, he felt that Zisu had a bit of an ethereal, otherworldly quality. Otherwise, how could she be so intelligent, and how could she have so many novel ideas?
Before we knew it, it was late autumn.
Zisu began to arrange for the construction of a greenhouse in the vegetable garden. The guards of the manor all pitched in, and soon a large greenhouse was completed. This greenhouse covered the entire vegetable garden, and it was supported by bamboo and wood. The roof of the greenhouse was covered with oiled paper, the kind used to make transparent oiled paper umbrellas, which could not only protect against rain, snow and cold winds, but also allow the sun to shine through the oiled paper into the greenhouse.
This kind of greenhouse is different from the greenhouses built by noble families for growing flowers and plants. Those greenhouses for growing flowers and plants have roofs covered with tarpaulin, which prevents sunlight from penetrating. When it's not raining, snowing, or cold, the flowers and plants have to be moved to the courtyard to bask in the sun.
At this point, Prince Duan finally realized why no one had thought of using greenhouses to grow vegetables and fruits. It turned out the problem was sunlight. Without sunlight, the vegetables and fruits would inevitably grow poorly. No one had previously considered using the oiled paper from an oil-paper umbrella as a roof to solve this problem.
At this moment, Prince Duan felt even greater admiration for his wife, Zisu. Zisu was indeed exceptionally skilled, unmatched by anyone. "Oh my," he thought, "how could she be so clever? How did she think of using the oiled paper from an oiled paper umbrella as a canopy?"
Prince Duan himself never imagined that he would feel inferior to him.
With many hands making light work, and the guards all possessing high martial arts skills, the greenhouse was completed in less than three days. Zisu then arranged for several earthen stoves to be built in the vegetable garden, specifically for burning firewood to increase the temperature of the greenhouse. With earthen stoves, there was no need for braziers, as braziers were not as safe as earthen stoves.
When I told everyone this, they couldn't help but praise me highly.
The princess's idea is truly extraordinary! How could she be so clever and come up with such a thing? She is truly a woman who is just as capable as any man, earning the sincere admiration of all these highly skilled men!
Once the greenhouse was set up, Zisu directed a dozen or so guards who had experience in farm work to begin cultivating vegetable seedlings and preparing the vegetable plot. They divided the one-acre plot into several sections: a leafy greens section, a cucumber section, a green bean section, and a ginger, scallion, and garlic section. Even with just these few sections, everyone was stunned by what they saw.
Ten days after the vegetables were planted, tiny seedlings sprouted.
Zisu was very happy, and Prince Duan was also very pleased.
If it succeeds, then all of Zisu's hard work will have been worthwhile. Moreover, the Emperor Emeritus, Empress Dowager, and Empress in the palace are all eagerly awaiting the vegetables and fruits that Zisu has cultivated in the greenhouse.
Zisu devoted most of her attention to taking care of Hua'er and Jin'er, and the rest of her attention to the vegetables and fruits in the greenhouse.
Prince Duan felt a pang of jealousy as he was neglected.
Now, in Zisu's heart, the vegetables and fruits in the greenhouse are more important than him. Alas, there's nothing she can do; his love for her is so unwavering. He can't bear to take a concubine, can't bear to bestow a title upon a secondary wife, can't bear to hurt her. Perhaps, because she trusts him too much, she has overlooked his feelings.
Zisu disregarded Prince Duan's feelings, and she paid even less attention to Consort Qin. Aside from visiting Rongfu Hall to pay her respects on the first and fifteenth of each month, she rarely showed herself before Consort Qin. If Consort Qin wanted to see her grandchildren, she could only go to Rongrui Hall, glance at them briefly, and leave.
Nowadays, her relationship with Zisu, while not at its lowest point, is certainly not very good either. Zisu gave birth to a son and a daughter with her first pregnancy, which was a great triumph and a resounding slap in the face to Consort Qin.
Back then, she even complained that Zisu couldn't bear children, and in front of Zisu, she said she would arrange for Prince Duan to marry a concubine. A concubine was someone whose status could be described as "marrying," just like a wife in an ordinary family. She could be listed in the family genealogy, and her children could be considered legitimate sons.
If the principal wife has no son, but a concubine gives birth to a son, it will seriously affect the principal wife's status. Therefore, Consort Qin really offended Zisu. If Zisu hadn't been so magnanimous, the two women would have been locked in a bitter feud long ago.
Currently, Zisu hasn't fallen out with Consort Qin and is willing to maintain a facade of harmony, which Consort Qin should be grateful for. Therefore, one must not be foolish or make mistakes. Otherwise, it will trigger a chain reaction.
At this moment, Consort Qin deeply missed the happy days she spent with Zisu, those sweet times when they ate together, chatted, and took walks together every day. Even now, she felt a pang of regret.
If she hadn't wanted to arrange a concubine for Prince Duan, she could be happily playing with her grandchildren in Rongrui Hall every day. She wouldn't be like this now, feeling like a thief every time she visits the children. Each time, she rushes in and out, afraid of upsetting Zisu.
Now, Zisu has a son and a daughter. When Hua'er was celebrating his third birthday, the Emperor bestowed upon him the title of Heir Apparent, and Jin'er was also granted the title of Princess Yongfu. Decades later, the one in charge of this royal residence will definitely be Hua'er, and it's absolutely impossible for him to be the child of some concubine.
In other words, Shangguan Zisu has firmly established herself in the Duan Prince's residence. As long as she doesn't make any catastrophic mistakes, no one can take away her status as the Duan Prince's consort. Such a Zisu will inevitably become increasingly assertive. She is capable herself and has the Duan Prince's favor and love; why would she need to be subservient to her mother-in-law?
Conversely, as the mother-in-law, she has to take the initiative to build a good relationship with Zisu. Otherwise, if she wants to win Zisu's respect and live a happy life surrounded by her children and grandchildren, it will probably just be a fantasy.
Therefore, Consort Qin dared not offend Zisu and sincerely hoped that Zisu could live peacefully with her. She warmly welcomed Zisu's visit to Rongrui Hall to see her grandchildren. Besides, her daughter was divorced and had a four-year-old child. Jiahe would need Zisu's help and care if she wanted to find a good family in the future!
Her daughter's divorce had been a thorn in her side. Especially since her daughter went to Rongfutang every morning to pay her respects, and living a single life at such a young age, it truly troubled her. All she wanted was for her daughter to find a good family and get married as soon as possible.
Zisu knew what she was thinking but didn't expose it, simply keeping her at arm's length. When the girl came to Rongrui Hall to visit her grandchildren, Zisu would subtly avoid her, trying not to be alone with her. Only when Prince Duan was home would Zisu be a little more enthusiastic and not deliberately avoid her.
On this day, Consort Qin came to Rongrui Hall to visit her grandchildren, or more accurately, to visit her grandson.
As soon as she entered, she went straight to her grandson's cradle, picked him up, and called him "my dear grandson." As for her granddaughter, Jin'er, she only glanced at her briefly and never held her.
How many times has this happened? Let's put it this way, every time she comes here, it's the same number of times she ignores Jin'er.
Zisu couldn't hold back any longer and said, "Mother, if you're so sexist, you should come to Rongruitang less often when the children are a little older!"
Consort Qin couldn't help but scold, "What are you saying? It's only natural for me to come see my grandson. Why are you stopping me from coming?"
Zisu: "But when the children grow up and become sensible, Jin'er will be hurt by your preference for boys over girls!"
Consort Qin: "Oh dear, she's just a little girl, not as precious as a grandson, isn't that obvious? Isn't that how it is in every family? So what if she likes her older brother a little more? She gets hurt like that. Such a child, so lacking in responsibility and magnanimity, is better off without!"
Zisu got angry: "If you're going to talk like that, then don't come here again! You're not welcome here! So what if you're a daughter? Aren't daughters human too? Didn't you start out as a little girl yourself? We're both women, yet you look down on women. It's absolutely intolerable!"
Consort Qin was also annoyed: "Back then, my parents didn't value me either, but I still made it through, didn't I? Being born a girl, it's only natural that I wouldn't be treated as well as a boy. When I was young, I was very honest and well-behaved, and I never felt resentful because my older brother and younger brother were more valued or received more favors than me! Jin'er is a princess of the Duan Prince's Mansion, so she should have enough magnanimity and composure. Otherwise, she doesn't deserve to be my granddaughter!"
Zisu became even angrier: "Whether Jin'er is worthy to be your granddaughter or not is none of your business. She only needs to be worthy to be my daughter! I'll say it again, starting tomorrow, don't come to Rongrui Hall and leave! Even if you come, I won't let you see the child. I mean what I say! Even if you complain to the Emperor, I won't back down! I'll love my daughter myself, and my son is enough for me and the Prince to love!"
Consort Qin was so angry she jumped up and down: "You won't let me see the child? You dare! If you dare, you don't even need to complain to the Emperor, I'll just have my son divorce you!"
Zisu sneered, "This marriage was bestowed by the Emperor Emeritus. Unless His Majesty agrees, he cannot divorce me!"
Consort Qin: "Very well! Then I'll select plenty of concubines, secondary consorts, and maids for him. I want to see who's afraid of whom!"
Zisu snorted coldly: "If that's the case, I'll divorce the prince and take the children far away! Back then, when I made my request to the Emperor Emeritus, he agreed and allowed me to divorce him with the children!"
In fact, she never mentioned the child to the Emperor Emeritus. Under those circumstances, how could she possibly have thought of taking the child with her?
Consort Qin, however, was unaware of this and was immediately terrified upon hearing her words. Hua'er was her son's eldest son, and had been designated as the heir apparent. Even if she took him away, he would still be the heir apparent of the Duan Prince's mansion—that much would not change. However, this would make things very complicated within the Prince's mansion. When the grandsons grew up, it was possible that brothers would turn against each other, and fathers and sons would become enemies.
This was an outcome she absolutely did not want to see!
She silently turned and left.
As she walked back to Rongfutang, her heart was still filled with turmoil.
Shangguan Zisu's attitude is so tough, so she has such a strong backing! She's just a little cold to Jin'er, and she hasn't given Jin'er any attitude, so why would she deprive her of even the right to see her grandson?
No, she couldn't give up like this! When Hao'er returned, she would definitely tell her son to put Shangguan Zisu in her place. Not letting her see her grandson was practically torture; it was no different from not letting her eat.
When Prince Duan returned home, he naturally went to Rongrui Hall first to visit his wife and children. After changing into his everyday clothes, he went to Rongfu Hall to visit his mother, where he sat and chatted with her for a while.
After changing into casual clothes and playing with his children, he said to Zisu, "I'm going to visit my mother. We'll have dinner together when I get back. Wait for me, I'll be back soon!"
Zisu said, "Sit down, I have something to tell you!"
Prince Duan sat down as instructed: "What's wrong with you?" He was being so serious, as if he had something important to say.
Zisu: "Today, I had a huge fight with your mother!"
"Huh? What on earth happened?" Prince Duan was taken aback. He knew that Zisu had always been very tolerant of his mother since they married. How could things have come to this?
Zisu said, "She comes to Rongruitang every day specifically to see her grandson, but she doesn't even spare a glance for Jin'er. I couldn't take it anymore, so I told her to at least treat Jin'er better, or she shouldn't come anymore! She got angry, and the two of them had a falling out." She then recounted the events of the day in detail, truthfully.
Upon hearing this, Prince Duan breathed a sigh of relief. So that's how it is. This isn't an irreconcilable conflict. "Alright, don't overthink it. I've actually wanted to talk to Mother about this for a long time. I'll go and talk to her now, hoping she'll treat Jin'er better in the future. You're right, if she doesn't respect Jin'er, she'll definitely be hurt when Jin'er gets older."
Zisu nodded: "Alright, go ahead. You can stay there for dinner tonight! I was also in the wrong today, and she must be in a bad mood. Keep her company; after all, she is your mother."
Prince Duan pulled Zisu into his arms, lowered his head, and kissed her lips. He held her for a long time before releasing her, whispering tenderly in her ear, "Zisu, I am so grateful for your magnanimity. Thank you for being so good to me, thank you for thinking of me so much. Don't worry, I will definitely persuade Mother to treat Jin'er better!"
A warm embrace, a deep kiss, and a few heartfelt words warmed Zisu's heart. With tears in her eyes, she smiled and said, "Thank you too, thank you for trusting me so much, thank you for loving me so much!"
Prince Duan hugged her tightly again: "Silly girl, if I don't trust you, who can I trust? If I don't love you, who can I love?"
This story will soon reach its finale. Leave a comment if you'd like to see a side story for any character; I'm currently brainstorming ideas.