Chapter 358: The Adults

Chapter 358: The Adults

Although Yu Lan had let go of the past, Zhou Boxu still harbored guilt. He reached out and took Yu Lan's hand, his eyes filled with remorse.

Yu Lan gave him a gentle smile and squeezed his hand in return.

She didn't blame him.

Seeing Zhou Boxu's unusual expression, Noble Consort Yu quickly steered the conversation away, talking about something else.

The two of them had finally found happiness together; there was no need to be shackled by the past.

How could one look forward to the future if they were constantly dwelling on the past?

After a few more casual conversations, the emperor inquired about the progress of the winter coats.

Jiang Shu straightened her expression and said solemnly, "There was a minor hiccup the day before yesterday, which caused some delay, but it will be completed before nightfall today."

Only Jiang Silk Shop encountered issues, and overall, there wasn't much of a delay.

The emperor nodded. "You've worked hard."

"Our Ah Shu is truly remarkable. She deserves a share of the credit for the military achievements at the border," Yu Lan said with bright eyes, sincerely admiring her.

The young misses of Shang Jing considered themselves superior and looked down on Jiang Shu. But when the country was in crisis, they all hid at home, worried and afraid, with no one stepping forward like Jiang Shu did.

Besides wealth, they lacked Jiang Shu's righteous heart and the ability to take charge.

"Indeed, when the Crown Prince returns victorious, we must not forget her when it comes to rewards," Noble Consort Yu said with a smile, looking at the emperor.

"Don't worry, we won't forget."

Mentioning the border war, the emperor's expression turned serious. "The Crown Prince led thirty thousand light cavalry and set off more than half a month ago. He should be nearing the border by now. In another half month, we should receive battle reports."

Seeing the emperor's grave expression, Yu Zheng analyzed, "The thirty thousand light cavalry led by His Highness are all elite troops. They will surely deliver a heavy blow to the northern barbarians. By the time the barbarians recover, our reinforcements and supplies will have already reached the border."

Zhou Boxu also said, "The northern barbarians are fierce, but the Daizhao soldiers are skilled in strategy. The two sides are evenly matched, and the border won't be easily breached."

Thus, it would be a prolonged and fierce battle, depending on which side had sufficient supplies and manpower to endure.

The emperor sighed. "The northern barbarians came with great momentum and won't withdraw halfway. Six months' worth of supplies might not be enough; we'll need to continue preparing."

Yu Zheng said, "Six months is enough time to gather grain from Yingcheng and Dengzhou and send it to the border."

Youzhou, which borders the frontier, produces the most grain in Daizhao and has always supplied the border with provisions.

However, this year's grain harvest was already reduced, and some had been allocated to other regions for emergencies, leaving little surplus.

"Let's discuss this further at tomorrow's morning court. Let's not talk about these things now," the emperor cut off the topic and continued to play with Yu Ziyou.

Court affairs shouldn't be brought into the inner palace, especially on a rare day when the family was gathered together. Such discussions only dampened the mood.

Harmonious times always pass quickly. Noble Consort Yu felt that Jiang Shu and the others had just arrived, and now they were about to leave.

She had wanted to keep them for a meal, but since the wet nurse hadn't come along, Yu Ziyou might get hungry, so she reluctantly bid them farewell.

"Next time, bring the wet nurse and stay longer for lunch before leaving."

"Alright," Jiang Shu softly agreed.

They all left the palace together, and as they parted at the palace gates, Yu Lan took Jiang Shu's hand and said, "You've been busy for so long; you should take a break. In a few days, I'll drop by the prince's place with Yi Jun to visit you."

"Alright," Jiang Shu replied with a smile.

They hadn't hung out in a while; the last time, because of the border conflict updates, they couldn't gather properly.

Once they made arrangements, Yu Lan, assisted by Zhou Boxu, got into the carriage.

The two carriages left the palace gates simultaneously and rode together for a good while before parting ways.

Back at the princess's place, Zhou Boxu asked Yu Lan, "Feeling tired?"

Yu Lan answered truthfully, "A little."

"Then I'll let my mom know we're skipping dinner at the Zhou house tonight," Zhou Boxu said, about to call for someone.

Yu Lan quickly stopped him, saying, "I'll be fine after a little rest. It's no big deal."

They missed last month's visit to the Zhou house, and if they didn't go back this month, it wouldn't look good.

She was pregnant with the Zhou family's next generation, and Zhou Tai Fu and Madam Zhou were really worried. Especially Madam Zhou, who hardly ever stepped out, had visited the princess's place three times in the past two months.

Although the child was still in Yu Lan's womb, mother and child were connected, and seeing Yu Lan was like seeing her grandkid.

On days when she didn't visit the princess's place, Madam Zhou kept sending over food and vitamins every so often, inquiring about Yu Lan's health, showing how much she cared.

Now that she was up for going out, it was natural to return to the Zhou residence.

Zhou Boxu said with a tight smile, "If you feel unwell, tell me. Don't overdo it."

Nothing was more important than her and the child now.

"Mm," Yu Lan responded.

The maids laid out breakfast, and the family sat down to eat.

After the meal, Zhou Boxu helped Yu Lan to the couch in the inner room, gave Zhuang Yun some instructions, and then headed out to take care of work.

Yu Lan was still experiencing morning sickness and vomited not long after lying down.

Zhuang Yun, like Zhou Boxu usually did, gently patted Yu Lan's back and asked with concern.

After Yu Lan vomited, Zhuang Yun had someone bring warm tea for her to rinse her mouth.

"Mother, are you feeling better?" Zhuang Yun helped her lie down again.

Yu Lan said weakly, "I'm fine, don't worry."

Having vomited for two months, Yu Lan was used to it, but she always felt weak and listless after vomiting.

After talking with Zhuang Yun for a while, Yu Lan said softly, "I'm a bit tired; I want to take a short nap."

"I'll help you to the bed," Zhuang Yun said, standing up.

Yu Lan said, "No need, I'll just lie here for a while."

It was troublesome to move around, and she wouldn't sleep for long.

"Mother, sleep. I'll stay here," Zhuang Yun covered her with a fur blanket and took a book to read beside her.

Yu Lan looked at his youthful yet calm and collected profile, feeling quite at ease. She closed her eyes and soon fell asleep.

Zhuang Yun quietly and earnestly was reading, marking what he didn’t understand, to ask Zhou Boxu for guidance when he returned.

The morning passed quickly. Zhou Boxu didn’t make it back for lunch. After they ate, Zhuang Yun took a walk with Yu Lan in the garden.

When they got back, they had some tea and a few snacks, then took a quick nap. Before they knew it, it was getting dark.

"The day has gone by so quickly," Yu Lan remarked.

Zhuang Yun said, "The faster it goes, the sooner my siblings can be born, and mother will suffer less."

Yu Lan was charmed by his innocent words and reached out to pat his head.

Zhuang Yun dodged her hand and said, "Mother, please don’t pat my head anymore."

"Why?" Yu Lan was puzzled.

Zhuang Yun coughed lightly, embarrassed, "I’ve grown up, I’m not a kid anymore."

Yu Lan deliberately frowned, "If being nine makes you an adult, then I must be an old woman."

Seeing Yu Lan seemed displeased, Zhuang Yun quickly said, "No, mother, you are still young."

Yu Lan looked at him and said, "If I’m still young, how can you be an adult?"

A child is a child, and an adult is an adult. Each stage has its significance, and she didn’t want Zhuang Yun to grow up too soon.

"But I want to become an adult early to protect mother and my siblings," Zhuang Yun said earnestly, clenching his fists.

Yu Lan gently stroked his head and said, "Your father’s taking care of us, Yun'er, so there’s no need to rush growing up."

After a pause, Yu Lan added, "Everyone grows up, and you might regret not enjoying your youth."

There’s no point in regret, so live in the moment, do what young people should do, enjoy the pleasures of youth, and not worry about things they shouldn’t.