Chapter 439 The Empress was Pregnant
After the burial of Sir Jibei, the majority of people who came to lament returned to the Jiang Family home for the last funeral banquet. Until now, the mourning was over. Everyone involved was so exhausted, especially the Jiang Family. They were too exhausted to say a word.
So, the He Family logically offered to take He Shuijin to take good care of her, “You’ve just finished a big event. And Shuijin is pregnant. She needs someone to take care of her. So, I take her home to have someone take care of her for a few days.”
Madame He murdered He Shuijin’s unborn child for a reason, which caused her eldest grandson to death. Anyway, she murdered her grandson. How could she not feel unashamed and uneasy? But now, she was expecting He Shuijin could have a safe delivery. So, she gladly agreed, “I’m thinking that we are all so busy and exhausted right now. I’m afraid that we may not take good care of her! ”
This matter only frightened He Shuijin and her mother as well as Qiu Yelan. The others didn’t care about it.
Not only did they not know that He Shuijin lost her unborn child but also it was at a time when Marquess Qin decided to declare who was the Young Prince as Jiang Tianchi and other sons were around him.
In fact, it was not a big event at all. For a Marquess family, it could be expected that the first son would be the Young Prince after the demise of Marquess Qin!
Unsurprisingly, his oldest son Jiang Tianqi became the Young Prince. And Empress Dowager Jiang and Emperor also issued a decree to declare him as the Young Prince…
Rather unexpectedly, Emperor additionally mentioned in the decree, “The two Generals stationing in the northern border are faithful, hard-working, and meritorious…” After high praise of Sir Jibei and Jiang Tianchi, Emperor declared that the son of Sir Jibei Jiang Tiancan could inherit the rank of nobility directly when Jiang Tianchi was granted the rank of nobility.
Considering respect for seniority, the title of nobility wouldn’t be the Duke, nor the Marquess, but the Sir.
Sir of North.
The title of nobility admitted the control of the Jiang Family of the northern border.
“This is my duty. I dare not to be rewarded by Your Majesty!” Jiang Tianchi refused without hesitation. And then Emperor insisted, but he refused again. After three rounds, Jiang Tianchi accepted the title, saying “Thanks, Your Majesty.”
Unlike Marquess Qin who declared his oldest son to be the Young Prince until now, Jiang Tianchi declared the Young Prince since he was granted the title of nobility.
“Jiang Tianchi was so arrogant that he declared the Young Prince several days after he was granted the title of nobility.” In the afternoon, Mom Hu threw a few kumquats into the small incense for the fresh aroma while softly complaining to Madame Tao, “The Eighth Young Master showed filial obedience, but in fact…”
“Do you really believe that Chi’er didn’t know what Yadan has done?” Madame Tao said lightly, “Do you think he is a fool? He would believe whatever people in Jing City told? You can ask around about what Yadan has done and you will hear all kinds of ridiculous things from the teahouses or restaurants. If he still believes Yadan, he must have broken his brain when falling down from the horse!”
Mom Hu said embarrassedly, “It is unfair for Jiang Yashuang who has great filial affections and capabilities. The title of nobility is given to the Eighth Young Master. It’s intolerable if you allow me to say!
“You are considering this from the perspective of Jiang Yashuang and so you may think it’s unfair for him.” Madame Tao shook her head, “But from the perspective of father and mother, Declaring the Young Prince should consider the legitimate son first. There are two legitimate boys, with one who is capable of achieving something and the other a total playboy. So, the capable one can earn his own title while the playboy, if you don’t give him the title, he has to depend on the other families after he quickly squanders his share of money left by the parents. ”
Mom Hu mused for a moment and said, “You’re right. Jiang Yashuang has the opportunity to win a title of nobility after he takes control of the Northern Army. ”
Madame Tao laughed, “As for a title of nobility, it may be a lifelong honor for officials. But for the imperial family, it’s just a decree plus the annual allocation of money and grain! What’s so rare about it? Now Chaohai is still around, we couldn’t be too partial to the fourth branch. Otherwise, Tianluan could offer Jiang Yashuang the title of nobility now!”
Qiu Feng was also offered the title of nobility despite his poor background.
“It’s just that…” Mom Hu stammered after she was lectured by Madame Tao.
“What?”
“I feel that Jiang Tianchi is not as affectionate and attentive to Jiang Yashuang as he is to the Eighth Young Master!” Mom Hu hesitantly said, “Although Marquess Qin spent not so much time with two of them, I just have that feeling.”
Madame Tao frowned and mused for a while before saying, “I haven’t brought up Chi’er myself. So, I didn’t know what he was thinking. However, he has only three sons. The only one he can count on is Jiang Yashuang! No matter whom he has a partiality for, he will definitely hand over the Northern Army to Jiang Yashuang!”
As long as Jiang Yashuang took control of the Northern Army, Madame Tao would have made the right decision.
As for Jiang Tianchi’s partiality, it might allocate less family property to Jiang Yashuang. But Madame Tao didn’t give a d*mn care. As long as Jiang Yashuang owned the power, the high position and great wealth would come naturally. Why should they care about the family property?
Madame Tao said calmly, “It’s good for me that the Eighth Young Master doesn’t have any ambition. Otherwise, Jiang Yashuang owns less opportunity.” Jiang Yadan was not close to her, or more exactly, there was a gap between them. So, Madame Tao did not hope that he was on a par with Jiang Yashuang!”
The Young Prince was declared and Jiang Tianchi was about to go back to the northern border.
Although he had formulated a plan for the Beihu’s invasion and entrusted the northern border to his trustworthy subordinates during his absence. But anyway, he was the General. He had to go back to the northern border to preside over the big picture to strive to achieve success at one time!
… It was not until then that Madam Zhuang arrived.
No one would blame her. After all, she was a woman. No one would expect her to ride back without much rest like Jiang Tianchi, right?
Not to mention that Jiang Tianchi went first and took all the good horses along the way, Madame Zhuang and others had no horses to change at all! This meant that neither she nor her escorts could go fast. Once the horses were tired to death, it would be miserable!
So, Madame Zhuang went into the mansion with a disheartened face. When she greeted Madame Tao and Madame Ou and asked for forgiveness, they both expressed their understandings, “You’re just a woman. You set off a few months ago but arrived here so soon. You must have shuttled back and forth without rest. It’s good that you’re all right. We didn’t wait for you to catch up with your uncle’s funeral. After all, Tianchi can’t delay in Jing City. It’s not your fault. You go to your uncle’s grave tomorrow and offer a column of incense. It’s all right to show your mind!”
Jiang Tianchi said, “I’m leaving tomorrow. The military situation is urgent and I can’t wait for you. Moreover, you just come back. You shouldn’t go back the next day. It’s unreasonable to the elders and it’s also bad for your health. It’s better to spend the Spring Festival in Jing City and recover for a few months. You can set off next year.”
He reminded, “After all, our daughter and son-in-law are still in Shazhou. They don’t dare to come back. It’s the end of the year now. Don’t mention it this year. Send a letter to call them back at the beginning of next year. You can see them for yourself. Even if the children are in trouble when they come back, you can protect them if you stay in Jing City.”
Madame Zhuang gave an irrelevant answer, “In the blink of an eye, Jiang Yashuang becomes a father. Think about the time when he and Jiang Yadan were still in swaddling clothes. It seemed as if yesterday!”
“…” The sons, daughters-in-law, and servants around her didn’t understand her meaning. Only when Jiang Tianchi understood it, he couldn’t help smiling bitterly and asked all of them to leave. He sighed, “You’re so narrow-minded… My uncle just passed away. According to the rules, we all have to mourn for one year. Not to mention taking mistresses, even singing and dancing have to be banned. You know how my uncle treated us before he went away. I’m not such a conscienceless person!”
“A year, right?” After thinking for a while, Madame Zhuang nodded with satisfaction, “I’ll go to Beijiang before the mourning period finishes. You behave yourself! Our youngest child Jiang Yashuang becomes a father now. If you have any inappropriate ideas, don’t blame me. You’ll never have the end of it!”
Jiang Tianchi also felt embarrassed that she could always remember not to let him have an affair. He twitched his mouth and said, “Don’t worry! As for Beihu, although I have entrapped them seriously this time, these barbarians are always fierce and stubborn. It’s not so easy to give them an unforgettable lesson… There must be so many things to do in the army. If I can complete them all before the mourning period finishes, it’ll be the blessing of my uncle in heaven!”
After all persuasions, Madame Zhuang promised to stay in Jing City for a few more months.
Jiang Tianchi thought it was a good arrangement for his children and grandchildren in the branch. After so many years, the fourth branch finally had the elder to support!
But he didn’t realize that this might be good news for Jiang Yashuang. However, it came as a bolt from the blue for Jiang Yadan’s backyard, especially for Jiang Yadan’s sons and daughters of concubines who had been thoughtful!
Two days ago, they were led by the legitimate mother to visit grandfather. Madame Zhuang was a grandmother who didn’t even look at the children and grandchildren of concubines. After seeing Madame Zhuang, they thought Jiang Tianchi was so kind. He not only asked the names of his grandchildren one by one and gave them gifts, but also hugged several younger grandchildren in person… They thought he was their backer. But now, the backer left suddenly and “considerately” advised a tough elder to stay!
However, Chu Yitong and Zhu were relieved, “I hear that our mother values legitimate ones over concubines. Our good day is coming!”
Quickly they sent servants to inquire about Madame Zhuang’s preferences, in order to select gifts to please their mother-in-law.
As for Qiu Yelan, she could live comfortably without Madame Zhuang. But she was still full of enthusiasm to discuss with Mrs. Qu, Mrs. Zhou, and others about how to please her mother-in-law, “My mother seems to prefer the dish of wild duck last time…”
Before she finished, Chen Shui walked in hurriedly, “Madame! Good news. Good news…”
“You are such an idiot!” Mrs. Qu opened her mouth and closed it again. She would scold Chen Shui if it were at the time before Jiang Jinglang was poisoned. She thought that she neglected her duty and disappointed Madame Zhuang’s trust. Since then, she felt ashamed to put on airs again. She still scolded lower servant girls. But she would no longer scold such a close maid as Chen Shui.
But Mrs. Zhou scolded unhappily, “Sir Jibei has just gone. Our master has just left Jing City. You ran in happily and repeated good news. Are you afraid that other branches can’t say that we are lack manners or lack of filial piety?”
Chen Shui was embarrassed for a moment. After all, Mrs. Zhou had a good temper and wasn’t terrifying as Mrs. Qu. Chen Shui smiled faintly and asked for forgiveness casually. Later, she slightly grinned and said, “The Empress is pregnant!”