"Coming up with names alone is really taxing. How about we all brainstorm? Each of us can name one place."
Caixue was always the one who loved to join in the fun.
She couldn't wait to jump out, waving her hand and shouting.
"I'll go first, I'll go first. The young master's room shall be called Ruyi Hall."
Caixue's thoughts were simple, but they were also filled with blessings for the child. There was nothing more important than a life of smooth sailing, good health, and prosperity.
At first, everyone felt a bit shy. But after Caixue took the lead, they all boldly started naming places.
Zhao Luochun scratched his head and named a pavilion in the back garden Yunzhong Pavilion.
Hua Ci, being somewhat literate, pointed to another pavilion and renamed it Banjuan Tower.
Gradually, the study, the bedrooms, and even several corridors all had names. Only the main name of the courtyard was still left unnamed.
Among those present, the only ones who hadn't named a place were the couple Zhao Luoning and Ji Shisu.
"The main name of this courtyard should surely be decided by you two, the masters of the house."
Zhao Luochun was in high spirits. On one hand, he ordered someone to write down all the names just given so that the craftsmen could make the plaques and hang them up.
On the other hand, he urged Zhao Luoning and Ji Shisu.
These two were quite leisurely. Originally, he had deliberately left the naming task for them. But Zhao Luoning was good at it. With just one sentence, she had assigned all the tasks.
"Yes, Miss. We've helped you come up with so many names. You should at least name one yourself."
Although Caixue was now a princess, she just couldn't change the habit of calling Zhao Luoning "Miss".
Zhao Luoning didn't mind. It was just a form of address.
This was the Chen State, not Buda. There was no need to be so particular.
Seeing everyone busy with the naming, Ji Shisu and Zhao Luoning had a sudden flash of inspiration and came up with an idea.
The two looked at each other and smiled. They knew they had thought of the same thing again.
They were so in sync that there was no need for words.
It was only then that Caixue realized that Miss was setting a trap again and making everyone jump into it.
It was obvious that Miss didn't want to bother coming up with names herself, but instead claimed it was to pool everyone's wisdom.
She had only been away for a few days, and she had forgotten Miss's shrewd merchant nature.
"We've already had an idea for the main name. It shall be called Liujing Courtyard."
There was no need for further explanation. Everyone present understood.
Watching the servant write the three flamboyant characters of "Liujing Courtyard" in black ink on white paper.
Ji Shisu stepped forward and put his arm around Zhao Luoning's shoulder.
Among their siblings, they were now all together, but only Luojing was lying alone underground.
The fact that Luojing had never experienced such a lively and happy time before his death was Zhao Luoning's greatest regret.
When they decided to make this place the residence of the Bai family, Ji Shisu had already ordered someone to move Zhao Luojing's remains from the Zhao family's tea mountain.
At first, Zhao Luoning was afraid that after the Zhao family's tea mountain was sold, no one would take care of Zhao Luojing's remains, so she wanted to buy the tea mountain in someone else's name.
Unexpectedly, Ji Shisu had beaten her to it and protected Luojing well.
Now, Zhao Luoning finally had a real home of her own and a place to settle down. She could properly bury Luojing.
Luojing liked peace and, like Zhao Luoning, liked to stand on high places and enjoy the scenery.
Zhao Luoning buried him on the back mountain and erected a tombstone, but didn't engrave his name on it.
Zhao Luoning didn't plan to make Luojing's matter public.
She had discussed it with Zhao Luoyu. The two of them would live on together in Zhao Luojing's identity.
Together, they would keep Zhao Luojing's memory alive in this world.
After the plaque was hung up, Zhao Luoning and Ji Shisu chose an auspicious day and moved into Liujing Courtyard.
As for the other courtyards?
This was a huge project that would take at least three to five years to complete. Zhao Luochun was still working hard on it.
Not long after they moved in, the little one in Zhao Luoning's belly started to clamor to leave his mother's body and breathe on his own.
Liujing Courtyard
Shrill screams came from the delivery room.
Ji Shisu, who was waiting outside, wished he could just smash his head against the wall and die.
Why did he let Ning'er get pregnant? Dammit!
For some unknown reason, the midwife had been inside for more than two hours, but the baby still hadn't been born. Throughout the whole morning, not only was Zhao Luoning exhausted from shouting, but even those waiting outside were tired of listening.
This child, no one knew what was going on with him. He just loved to torture his mother.
When Zhao Luoning was first pregnant, she suffered severe morning sickness. She almost fainted several times.
Later, when the morning sickness finally got a bit better, the baby started kicking. It was as if he was doing somersaults in Zhao Luoning's belly, often keeping Zhao Luoning and Ji Shisu awake at night.
Anyone who had witnessed his mischievousness would say that this child was very strong.
Since he was so strong, he should have been born easily. Why had there been no sign of him coming out for so long?
Those who had been waiting outside since early morning included Ji Shisu, as well as Mrs. Zhao, who had rushed over after hearing the news.
Zhao Luoming had also come and was standing beside Caixue.
Caixue was so anxious that she couldn't sit still. Every time Zhao Luoning let out a scream, she would tremble.
It was as if the pain could be transmitted to her through the screams.
Jingxiu, Guixiu, Rendong, and Qiuling were naturally accompanying Ji Shisu and waiting. Once the midwife needed anything, they would quickly pass on the message.
Luoyu had also rushed over with Ji Shijun after hearing the news. They were now waiting outside the door, extremely terrified.
Shihuan had also come along. But after all, he was still a child. At first, he was very nervous about the situation inside the room. But as his patience wore out, he started hanging around Ji Jianxue and trying to get close to her.
Since everyone was busy with Zhao Luoning's matter, the responsibility of taking care of Jianwen naturally fell on Jianxue.
Ji Jianwen deliberately went against Ji Shihuan. He babbled and gestured "uncle" to Shihuan and "sister" to Jianxue.
He clearly distinguished their generations.
Ji Shihuan was very unhappy about this.
In fact, he preferred to hear this little kid call him "uncle" and Jianxue "auntie".
He made up his mind that in the future, he would often give this little brat some lectures and make him change his address.
Zhao Luoming personally invited Doctor Xu over, just in case.
Yarong went to the kitchen to check if the cooks were being lazy. Hot water had to be supplied constantly and couldn't be stopped.
The fact that this child couldn't be born made everyone's hearts ache.
Mrs. Zhao even took out her Buddhist beads and made a vow in front of the Buddha, willing to sacrifice her own lifespan to ensure the safety of Zhao Luoning and her child.
Suddenly, the room fell silent.
Although Zhao Luoning's screams were heart - wrenching and worrying, once the room became quiet, everyone's hearts were in their throats.
Ji Shisu was even more so. He banged on the door desperately.
If it weren't for Yuchi and Guixiu holding him back, he would have surely broken into the room.
"Ning'er, Ning'er. Let go of me."