Chapter 304: Arranging Cheng Bingzhi’s Enrollment

Chapter 304: Arranging Cheng Bingzhi's Enrollment

Back at Bishui Pavilion, she closed the door.

Cheng Bingzhi and Cheng Lanying were clamoring to play, and with the old Marquis away from the Marquis's Mansion, they felt even more relaxed and happy, saying that no one in the Marquis's Mansion could suppress them anymore.

Bishuo glanced at her two carefree kids, feeling both frustrated and disappointed.

Why did Lu Lingyun’s three kids know how to cozy up to the old Marquis and Lady Qin, while hers didn’t!

Not long after, Cheng Yunshuo came back.

"Crown Prince."

"Yeah."

With his father off on an expedition, Cheng Yunshuo got a few days off, letting him relax at the Marquis's Mansion.

As soon as he got back, he headed straight to Bishui Pavilion.

"How’s Lord Marquis?"

"He’s leading the troops on the expedition."

"The northwest barbarians are no joke; Lord Marquis is really putting in the work for the Marquis's Mansion," Li Bihan said softly.

Cheng Yunshuo glanced at her, "That’s for the sake of the people and the emperor’s trust."

Li Bihan: "..."

She looked at him, completely indifferent to the family's honor, even thinking his father was the same way.

Isn’t achieving merit and fame all about securing your own wealth and glory?

All that talk about the world, the people, the emperor’s command—it’s just nonsense to fool others. How can anyone actually believe that?

Oh well, she should’ve known Cheng Yunshuo lacks ambition.

If he had any ambition, he wouldn’t have let Lu Lingyun take the reins and boss him around.

But Li Bihan didn’t dare say much, nor did she dare advise him.

She wasn’t like Xing Dairong, who’d boldly push Cheng Yunshuo to achieve glory and build a career so she could ride his coattails.

She wasn’t like Du Ruo, who blindly idolized Cheng Yunshuo, always seeing him as some kind of hero.

She had no expectations of Cheng Yunshuo, only that he firmly hold his position as Crown Prince of the Marquis's Mansion, ensuring security for her and the kids.

His lack of ambition—not chasing glory or fame—was actually better for her. Let his father earn the accolades; he could just enjoy the perks.

"Is Lord Marquis disappointed in Bing Zhi?" Li Bihan cautiously probed.

She didn’t care about anything else—just herself and her son and daughter.

Above all, her son.

"Not at all," Cheng Yunshuo replied offhandedly.

"But just now, both the eldest son and the second son pleased Lord Marquis, only our Bing Zhi... he is young, his learning and upbringing are not as good as the two sons, he didn't even dare to answer Lord Marquis's questions, he must be very disappointed..."

As she spoke, Li Bihan looked at Cheng Yunshuo with probing eyes.

"It's not a big deal."

Cheng Yunshuo glanced at Cheng Bingzhi playing in the yard, "He has always been timid and shy, sometimes even afraid of me, what do you expect from him?"

A couple of days ago, he saw several children fighting over a kite, none of them cried, only he did, it's obvious he's timid.

Among the five children, he is the most timid.

Li Bihan: "..."

"But today is a big day for Lord Marquis's expedition, Bing Zhi performed so poorly, it must have disappointed him, especially since his two brothers are so outstanding."

"If Lord Marquis is disappointed, so be it, Bing Zhi doesn't have to compare with Bingan and Binghao, when he grows up, as long as the Marquis's Mansion is there, he can live a comfortable life of leisure, what's wrong with that."

Li Bihan: "..."

She was at her wit's end. Cheng Yunshuo, who has no ambition, wants to live a comfortable life of leisure himself, and now he wants to set her child on the same path.

Impossible! Absolutely not!

She wants her Bing Zhi to inherit the Marquis's Mansion in the future!

Even if by his generation the Marquis's Mansion is to be demoted to a Baron, her son must be the next Ningyang Baron!

As she spoke, tears welled up in Li Bihan's eyes, looking deeply distressed.

"I know Bing Zhi is not as good as the eldest and second sons, but the more so, the more I worry. Bing Zhi is already four years old, the eldest and second sons were already enrolled in Tianfu Academy at his age. Bing Zhi's natural talent is not as good as his two brothers, I fear the gap will only widen in the future."

A couple of years ago, when Cheng Bingan and Cheng Binghao reached the age for schooling, Lu Lingyun sent them both to Tianfu Academy.

Now it's time for Cheng Bingzhi to start school, but there's no action from Lu Lingyun, no intention of making any arrangements.

Her gentle, obedient gaze pleaded with Cheng Yunshuo.

Her words subtly suggested one thing, that it was time for Cheng Bingzhi to start school.

And it had to be Tianfu Academy.

Having come from the palace, she could see the value of Tianfu Academy at a glance.

The top academy in the Imperial City, she wants her Bing Zhi to inherit the Marquis's Mansion, so naturally, he must start from the best academy.

Cheng Yunshuo heard her words. He pondered for a moment, "Bing Zhi has reached school age, it's time to make arrangements for him."

Hearing this, Li Bihan was delighted, "Thank you, Lord Marquis!"

Although Cheng Yunshuo is a man who doesn't offer much in terms of great achievements or surprises, he usually doesn't avoid his duties.

This is something Li Bihan is quite satisfied with.

It's also a way she has always managed him.

At this moment, Xiao Ju brought in the tea, "Lord Marquis, Concubine Li."

"Is that your signature tea again?" Cheng Yunshuo glanced at the tea and said.

Before Li Bihan could speak, Xiao Ju said, "Yes, these are the new tea leaves that Concubine Li dried yesterday. She specifically asked me to brew them today for you to drink upon your return."

Li Bihan glanced at the fragrant, richly colored tea in Xiao Ju's hands and reluctantly said, "Cheng Yunshuo, if you don’t feel like drinking it today, it’s fine."

"Since you dried it yourself, I’ll have some," Cheng Yunshuo said, taking the teacup and drinking the tea that Li Bihan had personally dried in one gulp.

Since Bingzhi was born, Li Bihan had started making food and drinks for Cheng Yunshuo with her own hands.

She had once been a cook, adept at preparing meals, snacks, and soups. Over the past two years, she began drying and brewing tea for him.

Cheng Yunshuo had no interest in gold, silver, or expensive gifts, but if something was made by hand, no matter how small, he would accept it wholeheartedly.

He didn’t want to hurt her feelings.

After drinking the tea made by Li Bihan, Cheng Yunshuo left Bishui Pavilion feeling refreshed and headed to Lu Lingyun’s courtyard.

In Bishui Pavilion, Li Bihan watched Cheng Yunshuo depart, a slow smile curling her lips.

In Lu Lingyun’s courtyard.

Lu Lingyun had just come out of Lady Qin’s room.

The old Marquis’s departure for the battlefield had greatly affected Lady Qin. She had moved back to the Marquis’s Mansion, and she no longer carried her usual composure and the deep demeanor of the household matriarch. Now, she seemed helpless.

Today, her tone was soft as she spoke to Lu Lingyun, her words tinged with unease. She clung to Lu Lingyun’s hand, talking incessantly, seeking comfort.

Lu Lingyun eventually soothed her, promising to bring the children to visit her every day. Only then did Lady Qin, albeit reluctantly, release her.

As she led Suying and the other two children back to the courtyard, she saw Cheng Yunshuo.

"Cheng Yunshuo is here."

"Dad."

"Dad."

"Father."

Cheng Bingan and Cheng Binghao both called him "Dad," but Cheng Suying addressed him coolly as "Father."