20demayo Chapter 272 The Emperor and Empress Arrive in Person
Chapter 272 The Emperor and Empress Arrive in Person
Wen Zongji returned to Yunguang Academy with the imperial edict in his hand.
Pei Rujing, who had been waiting, took the imperial edict, examined it carefully, and smiled broadly: "My uncle is really something, he didn't reveal a single clue. I thought he had forgotten about it."
Wen Zongji said, "His Majesty probably doesn't want to affect the lady's pregnancy."
"Granny, I'll have to trouble you to work hard these days. First, arrange for people to tidy up the county princess's mansion. Also, we'll definitely need more people to move there."
The servants of Yunguang Courtyard all had their indentures in Wen Zongji's hands. They hadn't done anything wrong, so Wen Zongji couldn't possibly abandon them; he would definitely take them to the county princess's mansion.
Granny Feng said, "Don't worry, young master. The county princess has many servants with her as part of her dowry. They are all staying on the estate now. This old servant will send them to the county princess's residence right away. Newly recruited people are certainly not as reliable as our own people."
Wen Zongji nodded: "It's fine as you arrange it, Granny."
He didn't care how Granny Feng arranged the people, as long as the arrangements were done well. The affairs of the inner quarters should be Pei Rujing's responsibility.
Granny Feng said, "According to the Great Chu Law, once a county princess obtains a county princess's residence, she is qualified to recruit guards. Although there are only a few, with a quota of only fifty people in one team, these fifty people can wear armor. With them protecting the county princess's residence, the safety of the county princess and her son-in-law is guaranteed."
Don't underestimate the role of armor. Normally, an armored soldier can easily take on ten unarmored soldiers.
Only the royal family, especially those who have established their own residences, are entitled to be equipped with armored guards.
Pei Rujing was previously the Princess of Anhe County, but she did not establish her own residence, so she was not qualified.
The eldest princess had already established her own residence, so her residence was guarded by armored soldiers, which was the source of her confidence to break ties with Duke Pei.
Nobles like Duke Pei and Marquis Zhongyong, although they held titles, had private guards in their households who were not allowed to wear armor. If they wore armor without permission, they could be punished for possessing armor and plotting a rebellion.
This shows just how much benefit Pei Rujing gained from obtaining the county princess's mansion; it wasn't simply about having a place to live.
Wen Zongji pondered for a moment: "I'll take care of the guards."
Although Hou Fu no longer holds a military post, the rift between him and Xun Gui has not ended. With Wen Chuanhong's help, it would be easy for Wen Zongji to recruit some capable guards.
Pei Rujing told Qinghe to put the imperial edict away and asked, "When are we moving?"
"The county princess is currently unwell, and the county princess's residence is not prepared at all, so it is not advisable for her to travel back and forth. Let's wait until the county princess has finished her postpartum confinement."
Although Pei Rujing wanted to see what her county princess's mansion looked like, she knew that moving there now was unrealistic: "Alright, I'll listen to my husband."
Having received the county princess's residence, Pei Rujing was in a good mood. As her delivery approached, she became more and more at ease, showing no signs of nervousness whatsoever.
The eldest princess also came after learning about the county princess's residence: "Once you have recruited enough guards, go to the Imperial Clan Court. Armor and salary will all be collected from the Imperial Clan Court."
The Imperial Clan Court was specifically responsible for managing members of the royal family, and also for interrogating and disciplining royal children.
Neither the Shuntian Prefecture nor the Ministry of Justice were actually qualified to handle cases involving members of the royal family, unless Emperor Shun'an specifically ordered it.
Therefore, the idea that princes should be punished the same as commoners for breaking the law has never been realistic.
"In addition, I have visited your county princess's mansion. Your uncle treats you very well. It is arranged according to the regulations of a princess's mansion. For the safety of the county princess's mansion, more guards are recruited, at least no less than a marquis's mansion. Anyway, it's not like we can't afford to support them."
Pei Rujing nodded: "Okay."
indeed!
Pei Rujing's dowry was so generous that even if she were a spendthrift, it would take her a long time to squander it all.
Since the money is just sitting in the bank anyway, it doesn't earn interest and you have to pay the bank money in return, so you might as well spend it.
The eldest princess looked at Wen Zongji: "What did your father and mother say?"
Wen Zongji said, "Father told me to arrange the moving time myself."
"Of all virtues, filial piety is the most important. Jing'er, even if you move to the county princess's mansion, you still have to go back to the marquis's mansion from time to time to pay your respects to your mother-in-law."
It's all about appearances; doing it thoroughly doesn't take much effort.
Pei Rujing was actually not very patient with saving face, and the county princess did not need to give face to anyone.
However, she got along fairly well with Madam Jiang and her sisters-in-law in the household, so she was willing to put on a show of politeness.
"Mother, I understand."
The eldest princess instructed Wen Zongji: "When you go to the county princess's residence, you must keep a close eye on Jing'er. Don't let her become so arrogant and forget the rules just because she's in charge of the household."
Wen Zongji looked at Pei Rujing.
Feeling embarrassed, Pei Rujing said in a coquettish voice, "Mother, what are you saying? How could I possibly be so presumptuous?"
The eldest princess glanced at her: "I wouldn't dare underestimate you."
Pei Rujing objected: "That's all outdated information. I'm about to become a mother, and I'm much more mature now."
After saying that, she gave Wen Zongji a meaningful look, asking him to vouch for her.
Wen Zongji chimed in, "The county princess is indeed much more composed."
Compared to the county princess who would throw tantrums and break things at the beginning of their marriage, Pei Rujing has become much more composed.
The eldest princess reluctantly believed it.
……
As time went by, Pei Rujing's due date drew closer.
That day, Pei Rujing was sitting in the courtyard basking in the sun; the April sunshine was very warm.
While she was eating snacks, she suddenly felt a series of sharp pains in her abdomen, so painful that she couldn't help but cry out, "Ah—!"
For a moment, all the servants were on edge.
Granny Feng remained calm and quickly gave instructions: "First, help the county princess into labor. Quickly call the midwife over and have the kitchen prepare hot water and ginseng soup. Also, send someone to inform the son-in-law and the princess as soon as possible."
Qinghe asked in a low voice, "Granny, what about the Duke's mansion...?"
After all, Duke Pei was Pei Rujing's biological father.
Granny Feng glanced at her: "Do you want to upset the county princess?"
Qinghe immediately shut up.
Rules are rules.
But of all things, the pregnant woman is the most important. Now that Pei Rujing is about to experience the most dangerous thing, her feelings are the most important.
While Pei Rujing was sweating profusely from the pain, waiting to give birth.
The palace was in an uproar!
When Emperor Shun'an learned that Pei Rujing was about to give birth, he immediately left the palace, taking with him the imperial physician who was most skilled in gynecology.
When the Empress learned that Emperor Shun'an was leaving the palace, she went with him.
Princess Changning naturally followed along.
Thus, only the Crown Prince remained in the vast palace, while the Emperor, Empress, and Princess Changning left the palace.
To ensure their safety, hundreds of imperial guards were dispatched, and the group proceeded in a grand procession to the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence.
The people who witnessed this scene were astonished.
"This is...the Emperor's presence? What major event has occurred in the capital that the Emperor has actually left the palace?"
Emperor Shun'an rarely left the palace except for summer retreats at the Western Garden and royal hunting trips.
The people of the capital rarely saw the emperor's procession, so when they saw it, they were all stunned and immediately told their relatives and friends.
As a result, news of the emperor's journey spread throughout the capital at an extremely rapid pace.
Emperor Shun'an did not conceal his whereabouts, so his destination was naturally clear.
The Marquis of Loyalty and Valor's Residence!