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Yet Rong Shu knew that her second sister's words came from the bottom of her heart.

In her previous life, after the Cheng'an Marquis Estate was destroyed, the last thing Rong Wu had said to her was, "Sis, I was wrong before."

Fortunately, this time around, Rong Wu was no longer the plucked peacock she had been in her past life.

She smiled and replied, "You're doing it for your mother, and I'm doing it for mine. There's no right or wrong in that."

Rong Wu smiled too.

The two sisters had similar personalities. If not for their respective mothers, they might have become close friends since childhood.

After chatting with Rong Wu for half an hour, Shen Yizhen sent someone to invite them to the main hall for lunch.

After the meal, Rong Wu returned to the Jiang family residence, while Gu Changjin took Xiao Huaian to Minglu Mountain for hunting. Rong Shu, her mother, and Rong Ze spent their afternoon sipping tea and conversing in the old plum grove.

Shen Yizhen inquired about Lady Rong's recent condition.

Rong Ze spoke casually, "Grandmother hasn't been in good health since we arrived in Taiyuan Prefecture. The doctors have examined her but said there's no cure."

A sigh escaped her lips as she finished speaking.

Once an elderly person suffers a stroke, how could it possibly be cured?

Grandmother was now unable to speak or take care of herself, relying entirely on Uncle Three and Aunt Pei for her basic needs. Uncle Three supported his livelihood by selling calligraphy and paintings, rising early and retiring late each day.

Despite this, Uncle Three had never officially elevated Aunt Pei to the status of a concubine.

Rong Ze, being a man himself, had some understanding of his indecisive elder's sentiments.

He was likely still waiting for Madam Shen.

On that day when Madam Shen dispatched someone to Taiyuan Prefecture to invite them to escort Zhaozhao to the capital, she also sent a letter to Uncle Three.

Uncle Three's face had initially been filled with joy, but after reading the letter, he fell into a long silence.

The next day, he didn't accompany them to the capital to see Zhaozhao off. Rong Ze knew very well that it wasn't because he didn't want to come; Madam Shen must have forbidden him from doing so. The letter probably explained the reason, but as for what that reason was, Rong Ze couldn't guess.

Upon hearing Rong Ze's words, Shen Yizhen felt a pang of nostalgia. Looking at him, she asked, "How is your mother? What are your plans for the future?"

"Mother is doing very well," Rong Ze smiled and said, "She mentioned that the best times she shared with Father were in Taiyuan Manor. Returning to the Rong family's ancestral home has brought her more joy than our days in the Marquis's residence ever did. As for me—"

Pausing at this point, he cast a glance at Rong Shu before continuing, "His Highness has recommended me for a position at the Prince Shun's Estate."

Taiyuan Prefecture was the fiefdom of Prince Shun, Xiao Yi, who was effectively the uncrowned king within its borders.

Rong Ze was still pondering whether the Prince had summoned him to the Tranquil Mansion to act as a spy?

Seemingly perceiving his thoughts, Gu Changjin spoke in a gentle tone, "Prince Shun is a man of broad-mindedness and kindness. His only shortcoming is that he is easily swayed by others' opinions. I recommend you to serve at Prince Shun's residence due to your abilities. I hope you can assist him greatly in governing Taiyuan Prefecture."

Prince Shun is a gentle soul, with no intention of vying for the throne. He holds Gu Changjin in high esteem, even bordering on admiration. If Rong Ze were recommended by Gu Changjin, he would certainly be entrusted with important responsibilities.

Rong Ze chuckled to himself, realizing that he had wrongly judged the situation with a petty mindset.

He then bowed respectfully and apologized, "It was presumptuous of me to guess at Your Highness's intentions."

Upon hearing Rong Ze's words, Rong Shu promptly grasped Gu Changjin's motive and said, "Prince Shun is a kind person. With your recommendation, Brother will surely be given significant duties."

Rong Ze nodded, his face breaking into a smile.

The evening banquet was set amidst the old plum grove, timed perfectly with the autumn season when crabs were at their most succulent.

Shen Yizhen ordered a table filled with golden crabs, and Rong Shu's appetite was insatiable. After indulging in one, she still craved more, but Shen Yizhen stopped her, giving her a sidelong glance. "Crabs are cooling, you shouldn't overindulge."

Rong Shu found this unusual. Her mother hadn't stopped her from eating them last year.

In the next moment, as if remembering something, her ears tingled with warmth, and she quietly withdrew her chopsticks.

That night, after Rong Shu finished her grooming and emerged from the bathroom, she noticed a plate of stir-fried crab roe on the table.

Curious, she glanced at Gu Changjin and asked, "Where did this come from?"

Gu Changjin stepped forward to drape a robe over her shoulders. "I had Chang Ji fetch it for you. Don't worry, your mother won't know. Didn't you want to eat some earlier?"

Rong Shu looked at him and said, "Mother is right. This food is cooling, it's not good to have too much."

This girl with a voracious appetite actually resisted.

Gu Changjin raised an eyebrow. "You're really not going to eat it?"

Rong Shu softly hummed in response, then suddenly, on her tiptoes, she playfully whispered into his ear, "Don't you want to have a little baby with me?"

Just now, her mother had secretly told her to resist her cravings and avoid consuming excessively cold foods. She mentioned that Rong Shu and Gu Yunzhi were at the perfect age to start a family.

Rong Shu mused about how wonderful it would be to have a child who resembled both Gu Yunzhi and herself.

Chapter 123

"You don't want to have a little baby with me?"

The moment Rong Shu finished speaking, Gu Changjin's hands, which were adjusting her waistband, paused.

He lifted his gaze to look at her.

Amidst the bright lanterns, her lotus-like face was veiled in a warm golden glow. Her moist eyes reflected the light, revealing a hint of anticipation, an inexplicable tenderness, and a strange allure that stirred compassion.

Gu Changjin had never considered what kind of child they might have together. Every image in his mind featured only her.

For him, as long as she was in this world, the lights were warm, and the future held promise.

Every day is sweet with her.

Yet, it seems she yearns for a child between them. If she desires it, how could he deny her?

The man lifted her onto the table and, lowering his voice, inquired, "Zhaozhao, what kind of child do you wish for?"

Rong Shu tilted her head in thought for a moment before saying, "It doesn't matter if it's a boy or a girl, as long as it's healthy. Of course—"

She curved her brows, tracing Gu Changjin's prominent brow ridge with her fingertip, gazing at him and saying, "I hope this child inherits traits from both you and me. One glance should reveal that this is the offspring of Gu Yunzhi and Rong Zhaozhao."

He consistently calls her "Rong Zhaozhao."

That Rong Zhaozhao who, behind the lowered curtains, always addresses him as Yunzhi.