Chapter 573 - 213: The Brother-in-Law’s Power (Part 2)

Chapter 573: Chapter 213: The Brother-in-Law’s Power (Part 2)

They had dinner at the Chen family’s home as usual. After the meal, Xu Shiling and his nephew, Xu Yanlin, left together.

Xu Suying tried to get them to stay this time, but Xu Shiling declined.

He had many things to consider.

He was worried that if his letter hadn’t reached the Capital City yet, malicious rumors might reach his mother’s ears first, causing her to swing between joy and anxiety and disturbing the old woman’s peace of mind. He was also concerned that someone might try to stir up trouble over Zhao Jing’s status as the top scorer in the provincial examination.

So, after thinking it over, he decided it was best to leave for now. There would be plenty of opportunities to get closer after the Lu Ming Banquet.

As Xu Suying and her family watched the figures of Xu Shiling and Xu Yanlin disappear into the thick night fog, they turned to head back inside.

But Chen Wanqing said, "Mother, Father, you two go on home. Jing and I are going back to Xinghua Alley."

"What? You’re not staying here tonight?"

"No, we can’t. The servants from home came to get us at noon, but they didn’t explain things clearly, so we rushed over in a hurry. We didn’t even have a chance to tell my mother-in-law, so I’m afraid they’re at home worrying."

"You’re right, you should let them know. Alright then, it’s not too late yet. You two should hurry home."

Although she told them to go home, Zhao Jing had been in the spotlight so much lately that Xu Suying worried some resentful scholar who had failed the examination might try to ambush him. So, she had two servants go back for the horse-drawn carriage to escort them personally.

Chen Wanqing wanted to say it wasn’t necessary, but in the end, she kept silent.

Halfway there, they saw Cao Xu coming to pick them up with a carriage, so Chen Wanqing and Zhao Jing switched carriages and headed home.

When they arrived home, Mrs. Zhao and Xiang’er were still doing needlework in the flower hall.

Now that the weather had turned cold, a brazier was lit in the mornings and evenings for the sake of Mrs. Zhao’s health.

The two of them—mother and daughter-in-law—sat by the warm brazier, making small talk while they waited for the couple to return.

Seeing them walk in, they quickly put down their work and hurried over excitedly.

"You’re finally back."

"Nothing serious happened, did it? Where did the honored guests come from? They’re your mother’s relatives, aren’t they?"

Chen Wanqing walked in and took Mrs. Zhao’s arm. "You guessed right. It was my mother’s older brother who came looking for her."

Mrs. Zhao and Xiang’er gasped. "It was really your mother’s brother?"

"Her full-blooded brother? Has Aunt’s identity been confirmed?"

Chen Wanqing nodded and carefully explained the day’s events to them.

By the time she finished, Zhao Jing had also entered the living room.

Mrs. Zhao looked at her son, then at her daughter-in-law, unsure for a moment whether she should be happy or worried.

Zhao Jing saw through his mother’s thoughts at a glance. "Are you worried that now that my mother-in-law is the daughter of a noble family, my marriage to Wanqing will be annulled?"

That was exactly what Mrs. Zhao was thinking.

After all, if Xu Suying’s youngest brother was already a Magistrate, what kind of powerful figures must her father and other brothers be?

Chen Song and Xu Suying had been together for half their lives and even had grown children; it was impossible for an old married couple like them to get divorced.

But the same might not be true for Jing and Qing’er.

After all, Qing’er was still so young, and the two of them didn’t even have a child yet.

Though she thought this, she didn’t dare say it out loud. Mrs. Zhao quickly waved her hands. "What are you saying? You two are so in love. Others might not know, but how could I not?"

’They’re inseparable. If Jing is home on a day off, Qing’er will sleep in until late morning nine times out of ten.’

She had been through that stage of life herself, so how could she not know how affectionate the young couple was?

But Qing’er was, in the end, a granddaughter of the Xu family. Their opinion couldn’t be ignored.

All of Mrs. Zhao’s worries were written plainly on her face. Not only did Zhao Jing understand, but Chen Wanqing did as well.

At this, Chen Wanqing couldn’t help but smile. "Don’t you worry about such things. If you have the time, you could help us by making a few sets of baby clothes."

Mrs. Zhao’s eyes lit up. "Qing’er, are you pregnant?"

Even Zhao Jing turned to look, his brow furrowed in disbelief.

Chen Wanqing shook her head, and the light in Mrs. Zhao’s eyes instantly dimmed. "I didn’t mean anything by it, I..."

"It will happen sooner or later. If not this year, then next. I promise you’ll be able to hold your grandchild."

"Really?"

"If you don’t believe me, don’t you believe Jing? Once he’s finished with the Imperial Examination and the palace examination, he won’t be under so much pressure. When the time is right, a child will surely come."

"That makes sense, that makes sense. Then I’ll hurry and make more clothes for the baby."

Mrs. Zhao bustled off happily. Chen Wanqing gave Xiang’er a look, then pulled Zhao Jing back to their room.

The moment they were in the room, Zhao Jing pulled her into an embrace. "Wanqing... do you want to have a child?"

"Don’t you?"