At this moment, Princess Zhaoming was breathing a bit rapidly. When Rong Heng rushed into her courtyard, her maid was beside her, talking about the arrangements for the coming days.
"The draft this year will be postponed. Judging from the current situation, the imperial examination might also be postponed. However, since we have some free time and Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has given the order, several married princesses and Your Highness the princess should make arrangements to hold several banquets to calm the panicked hearts in the city."
The royal family has always been like this. After any turmoil, they always need to soothe the hearts of the people.
Princess Zhaoming rubbed her head, her tone getting urgent: "Everything falls on me. I'm always the one to make decisions. I'm just a princess, and also the matriarch of the Rong family. Unlike the princesses who are more idle and only need to take care of the affairs of their princess mansions... People say that Her Majesty the Empress Dowager values me the most, and I'm more glorious than the princesses. But who knows the bitterness in my heart?"
The maid comforted her carefully: "Madam has been too tired these days. The eldest young mistress asked the servants this morning if there was anything she could help with..."
Speaking of Mrs. Shao, Princess Zhaoming perked up a bit: "Forget it. She's pregnant, and it's not even three months yet. How can she handle things? If only my younger sister - in - law were more capable... Forget it, none of them can be counted on."
The maid quickly added: "Madam, just endure for a few more days. Once the third young master marries in Miss Ning'an, you'll be much more relaxed."
Speaking of this, the corner of Princess Zhaoming's mouth finally lifted a bit: "Yes, Ning'an is a very smart girl and most capable. I went to see A Sui yesterday and saw him looking at the calendar to pick a date. He's clearly a thoughtful one. What's there on the calendar? I've looked at it long ago. If it's suitable, she can be married in this October... But your Duke isn't of a good temper. He's afraid his granddaughter will be mistreated, so he wants to wait until the year after next."
The maid chuckled: "The Duke is like a child now. He needs Madam to keep urging him."
Princess Zhaoming said proudly: "That's right. Except for Ning'an, I'm the only one in the family who can manage your Duke and the heir. The year after next? I'm already a grandmother. I won't agree to be so busy. I said long ago that if it has to be the year after next, it's not appropriate for a betrothed girl to stay in her fiancé's family. The Zeng family should take her away. Let's see if your Duke can bear to be separated from his granddaughter for two years."
The maid grinned: "Yes, the third young master and Miss Ning'an aren't in a hurry, but the Duke will be extremely anxious."
When Princess Zhaoming mentioned this, she became beaming. She lowered her voice and motioned for the maid who had served her since childhood to come closer: "Do you think they aren't in a hurry? I used to think they were forced. But in the past few days, I've observed them secretly. On the surface, they don't interact, but actually... Tsk - tsk, they clearly care about each other in their words."
Seeing that the princess was in a good mood when talking about the two young people, the maid deliberately said more about things in Ning'an's room, which finally made Princess Zhaoming completely relax. She continued to laugh while muttering.
"After Ning'an gets married, I'll hand everything over to her. She's smart. She used to manage the Shi family very well. Oh, there will be a whole bunch of things after she's welcomed in. Forget it, I'll just be busy for another half - year. I just hope these younger generations won't bother me anymore and can make their own decisions."
The maid quickly said: "Madam is right. Madam, please rest assured. Next month, the second madam will take the fourth young master back. The fourth young master's marriage will probably be arranged in Wuyun. We just need to wait for the news. Madam doesn't need to take care of it."
Princess Zhaoming's eyes narrowed into slits with a smile and she nodded repeatedly: "That's great. I'm just waiting to hold my little granddaughter."
Mrs. Shao was only a little over a month pregnant, but Princess Zhaoming always said that there must be a little girl in her belly. She looked forward to a granddaughter from Mrs. Shao's belly every day.
Just as she finished speaking, they heard the exclamation of the maid outside: "Fourth young master, this servant will go and announce first... Fourth young master, please slow down."
Before Princess Zhaoming could react, she saw Rong Heng running in. He knelt down with a thud in front of her imperial couch and kowtowed: "Aunt, please have mercy on Heng'er."
Princess Zhaoming quickly got up and sat upright. Fortunately, she always carried herself well. As long as she was out of her bedroom, she was neatly dressed without a trace of laziness. At this moment, her sitting posture was just a bit improper.
She quickly told the maid to help Rong Heng up and asked: "Heng'er, has something happened? Just tell Aunt. Aunt will make the decision for you."
Rong Heng knelt there without getting up. He stammered, his face red, but he just couldn't get the words out.
Princess Zhaoming's eyelids twitched. She exchanged a look with the maid beside her and tentatively asked: "Heng'er is growing up. Is there... something important?"
After much hesitation, Rong Heng told her everything that had happened during the free medical consultation that day.
Princess Zhaoming felt a rush of anger and was on the verge of fainting. She asked repeatedly: "This happened ten days ago. Why are you telling me only today? Don't let others think, think..."
Think that the Rong family is irresponsible.
Princess Zhaoming's heart ached. In her mind, she could already picture Zeng Ruoyun being restless day and night because of her lost reputation, yet still having to help her uncle and brother take care of the emperor in the palace.
Rong Heng explained: "I rushed back that day, but Aunt and Mother were out. When you came back, I hadn't figured out how to tell you. Then something happened to Third Brother and Cousin, so I didn't think it was appropriate to say... Later, Aunt was so busy, and Miss Zeng entered the palace, so I put this matter aside..."
Princess Zhaoming couldn't help but hit Rong Heng on the head with the account book in her hand: "You child are so muddle - headed. How could you put aside such a big thing? Oh..."
Rong Heng pouted: "I heard from Brother Zeng this morning that they will leave in three days, so I went to look for Miss Zeng. But she, but she..."
Princess Zhaoming said with deep distress: "Heng'er, you're so stupid. You ignored this matter before, and Miss Zeng thought you didn't want to take responsibility. The Zeng family doesn't care about power. They're afraid of being said to be climbing up to our family, so they won't take the initiative to mention it. But you, a noble son of the Rong family, have disgraced their daughter. Even if it wasn't intentional, you have to be responsible, right?"
Rong Heng nodded repeatedly like a chicken pecking rice. He looked up and asked: "But she ignores me, Aunt. What should I do? Cousin said I should come to you. Can you help me?"
Princess Zhaoming rolled her eyes and asked: "Heng'er, you're only sixteen. You're still young. Miss Zeng is, so to speak, your distant cousin. Do you...?"
Rong Heng kowtowed: "Aunt, Heng'er will marry no one but her in this life."
Only then was Princess Zhaoming relieved. Although they still had to take responsibility even if the two had no feelings for each other, she was afraid that Rong Heng would be muddle - headed and like that cousin from the Xia family. In the future, it would be a mess and Miss Zeng's life would be wasted.
Naturally, they first informed Mrs. Xia. When Mrs. Xia heard this, she was overjoyed. These days, many ladies in the capital had flattered her. Their words implied either A Sui or Heng'er. A Sui was cold - hearted, but Heng'er loved to laugh. Every time he went out, he would attract a lot of admirers, and there were especially many match - makers in the family.
She had also thought that her niece Ting'er from her natal family was still young, and it was just her own thought. It wasn't a settled matter yet, so it was okay to make other arrangements. But she didn't think highly of the girls in the capital. They were all so delicate.
The only girl she liked, Zheng Chi, got along with her son like a brother. She had already been betrothed to the Tang family early on, so Mrs. Xia had to give up.
Since Miss Zeng Ruoyun came, Mrs. Xia had been very happy. At that time, she only regarded her as a younger - generation girl and thought how lucky she would be if she could have such a daughter. She didn't expect that this girl would soon be coming into the family?
The two sisters - in - law hit it off immediately and told Brothers Rong Feichi and Rong Feizhe about this matter.
The two brothers didn't have as many thoughts as the ladies. They just thought that since they had disgraced Miss Zeng's reputation, they should be responsible and marry her into the family properly.
The question was whether to marry her in a hurry now or wait for a couple of years until the children grew a bit older and let Rong Heng return to the capital to hold a grand wedding.
At this moment, Princess Zhaoming had forgotten the complaints she had made to the maid about having to take care of everything. She just said repeatedly: "No, no. Even if the Zeng family is willing, I'm not. We can't let others think that we in the Rong Mansion are neglecting her because the girl has lost her reputation."
Mrs. Xia hesitated: "But Miss Zeng is almost half a year older than Heng'er. She's already almost seventeen..."
Princess Zhaoming's eyes narrowed with a smile: "It doesn't matter. According to the order of seniority, A Sui's marriage should come first. October this year is a good month. You parents will have to come back one more time. Then you can just set the marriage of Heng'er and Ruoyun. By next year..."
Rong Heng's heart skipped a beat. Aunt had changed her address from Miss Zeng to "Ruoyun", which seemed to imply that the matter was already settled.
When Princess Zhaoming said this, the whole family nodded. They started to talk in a hubbub about informing their father first and then inviting the second and fourth masters of the Zeng family over to discuss the details carefully.
Mrs. Xia rubbed her hands excitedly: "Oh, I thought the matter of my sons getting married and me having grandchildren was still far away. I didn't expect that within a few months of coming back, both my sons' matters have been solved. I'm really at ease."
Princess Zhaoming also laughed from ear to ear: "Yes. In the future, Ning'an and Ruoyun will each give you a precious little granddaughter. You'll be over the moon."
While the two sisters - in - law were joking, Rong Heng's heart suddenly sank.
They were discussing it so well, but Ruoyun hadn't even agreed to marry him yet.
He hesitated and pulled on Aunt's sleeve with a wronged look: "Aunt... What if Ruoyun doesn't agree?"
Princess Zhaoming smiled: "You silly child. Her unhappiness is just shyness. She lost her reputation in public. How could she not marry you? However, you handled this matter improperly. You made her think you didn't want to take responsibility. You should coax her more later. Do you understand?"
Rong Heng shook his head: "No, Aunt. I told her that day that I would be responsible. But she... She said she's a doctor. She once saved a drowning person with artificial respiration and an old man with phlegm disease. If she had to be responsible to everyone, would she have to marry everyone?"