Chapter 469: Chapter 465: Surprise_1
 

After Yingbao gave birth, Wei Zhan immediately sent Song Changshi to Qinchuan County to share the good news.

He then personally wrote and sent a notice to Beijing.

Jiang Sanlang, his wife Chunniang, and Yanru hurried over, bringing with them clothes for the baby suitable for all four seasons.

Seeing her parents and second aunt arrive, Yingbao was anxious to get out of the bed.

“Baobao, stay in bed.” Chunniang helped her daughter back into a seated position: “You’ve only given birth a few days ago, you cannot get out of bed so soon. You need to recuperate properly. As the older generation says, if you tire yourself out so soon after giving birth, you might suffer from uterine prolapse in the future.”

Yingbao had no choice but to lie back down, saying, “Father, mother, second aunt, you must have had a long journey. Go have some food and rest first, and we can talk later.”

“We’re not tired, let us first take a look at our granddaughter.” Chunniang looked at the baby lying on the bed with affection and asked, “Have you chosen a name for her yet?”

Yingbao: “Not yet.”

Chunniang laughed: “Let’s give her a nickname for now, so we can call her something.”

Yingbao thought for a while: “Let’s call her Nuannuan.”

“Nuannuan, what a good name. Just hearing it makes one feel warm during winter.” Wei Zhan grinned widely, showing his teeth.

These past few days, he had been busy looking after his wife and had forgotten to name their child.

After the parents-in-law and second aunt had seen the baby, Wei Zhan led them to the side hall for a meal.

Rarely, he invited his father, the head of the Wei family, to mingle with the guests. Of course, his mother was also present at the table.

Since then, Chunniang and her husband, Jiang Sanlang, stayed at the Princess Residence for more than a month, returning home only after the Cooking Stove Day.

Just as the New Year was approaching, the emperor’s rewards arrived belatedly.

Along with the rewards, there were also two royal edicts, separately summoning Wei Fanzhi and Jiang Bao to Beijing to serve as the Chu Prince’s companions in reading.

Weiwulang and his wife were overjoyed upon receiving the edict, because it also stated that, as parents, they could accompany them to Beijing and have a residence of a seventh-grade official in Beijing.

This meant their son could potentially be granted an official title directly.

Weiwulang, upon receiving the edict, was so excited he didn’t know what to do with his hands.

The Wei family head was also very happy, patting his fifth son on the shoulder: “You should accompany Fanzhi to Beijing as soon as possible, I will contribute some funds for you. You should buy another house in Beijing, and I might pop over when I’m free.”

The grandson’s trip to accompany the emperor to Beijing might result in him being granted an official title. As a grandparent, he would naturally want to share in the glory.

Although his son-in-law was also a high-ranking official, he was married into the Princess Residence, which made the Wei household feel like they had wasted efforts bringing up this son.

Upon hearing these words, Weiwulang looked somewhat unnatural, and after brewing for a long time, he finally said: “Father, I’m not yet aware of the situation in Beijing. We’ll talk about buying property there later.”

The Wei family head gave his fifth son a sideways glance, snorted twice: “Alright, I know what you’re worried about. I’ll ask your eldest brother to come back, and you’ll be in charge of managing our three properties in Beijing.”

“It’s not what son meant.” Weiwulang hastily said, “I just think the expenses in Beijing are quite expensive. As a business family, buying so many properties not only wastes funds but also incurs property taxes, I don’t see the need.”

The Wei family head glared at him: “I can afford the property taxes, no need for you to worry about it!”

Weiwulang’s wife saw that her father-in-law was getting angry, hurriedly pulled at her husband’s sleeve, urging him to curb his words.

Thus, the Wei head immediately wrote a letter to his eldest son, asking him to come back, and arranged for fifth son to manage the houses in Beijing.

The Lady of the Cao Family was both surprised and remorseful.

What surprised her was the good fortune of Weiwulang. His son had been chosen by the emperor to study with Prince Chu.

Everyone knew that the current emperor only had Prince Chu as his son, and the rest were daughters. Maybe other concubines had given birth to sons, but they didn’t manage to survive.

Being picked to study with the prince now, it was certain they would rise to high positions in the future, gaining titles and promotions without any doubt.

What delighted her was that her husband was finally returning from Beijing.

Presumably, he would bring along her half-sister. When the time comes, she would definitely teach that little wench a lesson!

Cao Family’s lady was tormenting herself over how to manipulate her half-sister who was about to return while regretting why her son couldn’t be this lucky.

If her son could also become the Chu king’s companion reader, her husband would definitely hold back his dismissive attitude towards her.

With such thoughts in mind, she said to Wei Wulang and his wife, “Fifth brother, fifth sister-in-law, why not take your nephew Shu Nan to Beijing as well? He will be eight years old after the New Year and he could already take care of his younger brother.”

We Wulang glanced at his sister-in-law and said indifferently, “I’m sorry sister-in-law, the imperial decree did not allow us to bring other family members.”

Cao Family’s lady: …

She watched Wei Wulang and his wife turn around and leave, her handkerchief twisted tightly in her hand.

Humph! What’s so great about it! Isn’t he just a companion for reading? One day, if he offends the Chu king, he won’t even know how he died!

Princess Residence,

Yingbao was preparing for her nephew’s journey to Beijing.

Medicine made from wu ding zhi was indispensable, as were some antidotes and medicine for all kinds of common ailments.

“You go to Beijing first, and then I will have your parents go there too. Your brother Huzi is getting married in March, and they were planning to go to Beijing to preside over the wedding anyway.”

Jiang Bao nodded: “I know.”

Yingbao added: “I will also arrange for Xinghua and He Xiang to go with you, along with your two servants, who will take care of your daily life for now.”

“Hmm.” Jiang Bao turned his head to Wumei, “Is brother Wumei going?”

On hearing this, Wumei immediately hid behind Yingbao and muttered, “I don’t want to go. I’m just fine studying with auntie. Humph! I’m very busy, I have to take care of my little sister every day. I can’t go to Beijing.”

Jiang Bao rolled his eyes. “Does your sister need you to take care of her?”

Wumei nodded vigorously: “Yes! I tap-dance for my little sister every day, and she loves watching it. She always smiles.”

“Your sister is just over a month old, does she understand…” Jiang Bao was speechless.

Wumei made a face at him, “Of course she understands! My sister likes me very much.”

…

Two days later, Jiang Bao and Wei Fanzhi, accompanied by the county officer issuing the imperial order, returned to Beijing.

Watching the several carriages gradually disappear into the distance, Yingbao then held Wumei’s hand and went back to their residence.

She was very assured about Jiang Bao’s journey to Beijing, because his brothers Jiang Jie, Jiang Wu, Huzi and Jiang Quan were all in Beijing, and would definitely look after this little brother.

Moreover, Wuyang grew up with him since childhood, they shared meals and slept in the same room. They were like real brothers and would certainly take care of each other.

But, why didn’t Wumei’s parents come to pick him up?

Ying Bao glanced at Wumei who was looking down and sighed softly in her heart.

This child was most pitiful. It was unknown what he had experienced in the imperial palace. At such a young age, he was extremely apt at reading people’s faces and trying hard to please everyone in the house.

She was afraid that someone would take advantage of him, so she took care of everything herself and did not let the servants underestimate this child.

The so-called ‘large stores bully customers, large servants bully masters’, if a servant feels that their master is easy to manipulate, they will not respect him. Therefore, she had to let Wumei understand that a master should have their dignity and servants must obey their commands.

A while ago, Yingbao had dismissed two disrespectful servants who had asked Wumei to massage their feet and shoulders.

“Auntie, will I go to school in the future?” Wumei asked, tilting his face up.

Biao brother Jiang had left, and Brother Fanzhi had also left. Now he was the only one left in the school. He was a little afraid and did not want to face the stern teacher alone.

Yingbao patted his head: “Yes. I will find a few children of the same age as you to attend school. They will all have to call you elder brother.”

Wumei’s eyes lit up: “Great! I’ll be an elder brother then. Will they all have to listen to me?”

“Yes.” Yingbao planned to find some smart children from the countryside, slowly nurturing them to become her aides.