Chapter 73

Song Dingxiang burst into laughter.

It is quite natural for young people to be attracted to each other, and Zhenshu was indeed beautiful. Although she was a maidservant, she was a senior maidservant from the Prince's Palace. Her every move was far more elegant than the daughters of wealthy families from small towns. It was only natural that her foolish younger brother would fall for her.

However...

"Never mind whether she likes you or not, tell me, what qualities do you have that could make a girl like her like you?"

Song Hutou scratched his head for a while, saying, "I am good-looking."

Rolling her eyes, Song Dingxiang said, "There are plenty of good-looking men out there. Do you think she has never seen a good-looking man before? Besides that, what else?"

Grinning, Song Hutou said, "I also have a sister who is the county princess."

Mocking him, Song Dingxiang said, "I asked you to talk about your own qualities. Having a sister who is the county princess is indeed true, but do you know how difficult it is for a girl to rise to the rank of a major servant girl in the Prince Palace? Based on that, Zhenshu is hundreds of times stronger than you in terms of character and intelligence. If she stays in the Prince Palace, when she gets older, the princess will personally arrange a good marriage for her. She would either marry a trusted servant in the mansion and become the housekeeper's wife of the Prince Palace, or she would be sought after by officials from slightly less prestigious families outside. But what about you?"

Song Hutou could no longer smile. Apart from being good-looking and having a sister who is the county princess, what other qualities does he possess? "Does being hardworking count?"

Song Dingxiang responded, "In our village, who can eat and drink without being hardworking?"

"Me, I..." Song Hutou scratched his head for a long time, unable to say anything.

Sighing, Song Dingxiang said, "I really hope Zhenshu can be my sister-in-law. With her around, I won't have to worry about you. But you also need to find out if she is willing. I'll ask her for you. If she's not willing, don't pester her."

Anxiously, Song Hutou said, "Sister, am I that kind of person? Have I ever harassed other women?"

Ignoring him, Song Dingxiang waved her hand and said, "Alright, you can go now. Keep an eye on these shops for me. I'll assign a few people to help you. If it suits you, you can stay, if not, return them to me, understood?"

"Understood, Second Sister. Please help me ask, if Sister Zhenshu is willing..." he trailed off.

Zhenshu was not willing.

She gently bowed to Song Dingxiang and said, "It's not that I look down on your brother, but there is someone in my heart already. Even if a good person comes to propose, I will not agree. When I was in the Prince Palace, the princess permitted me to marry at the age of twenty, and I have been waiting for that day to come."

Song Dingxiang exclaimed, "This is news to me! Who is this person? Is he still in the prince's palace? If he is, I will speak highly of you to help you win him over."

Blushing, Zhenshu said, "Madam, please don't trouble yourself. That person, that person is right here in our mansion."

After thinking for a moment, Song Dingxiang asked, "Is it Moyun?"

Zhenshu quickly shook her head and said, "No, it's not him. It's, it's... it's the son of the chef."

The son of the chef is also a chef himself, eighteen years old this year. He cooks delicious dishes and is quite tall, with an average appearance but a stable personality.

Ah, him..." Song Dingxiang nodded. After some consideration, she said, "You must think carefully. Although my brother may not have many skills, he is still my brother. I won't treat him unfairly in the future, naturally, I won't mistreat his wife either."

Zhenshu smiled and said, "I know that Madam has a kind heart, otherwise you wouldn't ask such questions. It's just that I and Afu have always had a good relationship since we were young, and I hope that in four years, I will marry Afu."

"It's fine, it's just that my brother doesn't seem to have much luck. Since the queen has promised you to marry Afu, after four years, you will move from my home to here to get married. I will provide you with a generous dowry."

"Thank you, Madam!" Zhenshu immediately knelt down, her eyes filled with excitement.

Song Dingxiang smiled and said, "Please get up quickly, don't kneel down so often, my knees hurt for you. Afu is the son of the chef... I remember there wasn't a manager for kitchen procurement yet?"

Zhenshu replied, "There was a procurement manager before, but he was sent away by you, Madam, for being greedy. Now the kitchen is unmanaged, and Afu personally buys everything daily and keeps account of it. But our mansion already has grains and vegetables, and Madam's family often sends eggs and the like. There's not much to procure."

Song Dingxiang nodded, understanding. As long as there are no mishaps in the next four years, Afu will be promoted to manage kitchen procurement, and Zhenshu will also become the matron in charge of the mansion.

As soon as Zhou Yinuo heard the news, he rushed back. Without changing his clothes, he first asked where Madam was. Then, he ran over and hugged Song Dingxiang, who was directing the planting of lotus roots in the yard.

The surrounding servants quickly turned away as if they hadn't seen anything. Song Dingxiang blushed with embarrassment and exclaimed, "You're all sweaty, let go quickly, do you want to suffocate me?"

"Hehe," Zhou Yuno took advantage of the situation to kiss his wife's face and then let go, "Have the lotus seeds all been planted?"

"Yes, we received lotus seeds from home, and yesterday we dug up lotus roots and sent a cart over. The kitchen said they would be stewing ribs tonight, so I picked two fresh and tender ones for you. They're peeled and ready to eat, sweet and crispy. You should go change your clothes first." Song Dingxiang pinched her nose in displeasure.

In a rush, Zhou Yinuo went back to bathe and change clothes. His room was next to Song Dingxiang's, without the separation seen in wealthy households. In his mind, living together with his wife was the most comfortable arrangement.

Moyun helped him remove his armor, put on a comfortable cotton robe, and handed him a towel to dry his hair.

Zhou Yinuo asked, "Were there any events at home while I was away?"

Moyun smiled, "Nothing of note, but General, do you want to hear from me or from Madam?"

"Smooth talker," Zhou Yuno clicked his tongue, took the towel and started drying his hair himself, "It's good that nothing happened, but make sure to take care of Madam. Don't let her get overworked, understand?"

"I know, General, rest assured." Mo Yun grinned and directed the others to carry out the bath tubs, and wiped the water off the floor. "Madam is efficient in her actions, she likes to do things herself, and some tasks are done by her before we can even do them. General, please talk to Madam nicely and ask her to leave some work for us too."

Zhou Yinuo grunted, pushing the cloth onto Mo Yun's face, saying, "Stop acting smart when you have the advantage, has Madam come back yet?"

"I'm back, as soon as I entered the door I heard you scolding someone." Song Dingxiang walked in smiling, took the cloth from Mo Yun's hands, and said to him, "Go get some snacks to fill the General's stomach."

Mo Yun nodded, smiled and ran out, closing the door behind him.

"These days are getting colder, have we burned the dragon grass at home?" Zhou Yinuo lifted Song Dingxiang's slender waist, and they sat on the kang together.

Song Dingxiang wiped his hair ends with the cloth, which had become smooth and shiny due to recent improvement in nutrition, and she grabbed a handful of it in her hand.

"We burn it in the evening, there are not many people in our family, so I have arranged the living space to concentrate on heating. This house is too big, no matter how much firewood we burn, it doesn't feel as warm as home."

Zhou Yinuo buried his head in Song Dingxiang's neck and mumbled, "Then burn it all day, we can afford those firewood now, and we can't even use up the firewood brought to us by the village's home."

Li Sheng bought a large amount of firewood in the village, and except for their own use, almost all of it was transported here. Song Xingyi also burned the kang early, and because of the cold weather, they also lived together to save some firewood. As a result, the servants used more firewood daily than the masters.

"We don't need that many people either, I want to allocate a few clever ones to my older sister and younger brother. By the way, have you seen those properties under your name?" Song Dingxiang asked.

Zhou Yinuo replied, "I haven't seen them, I can't understand them anyway. You can look at them, if there's anything that bothers you, you handle it. After all, I eat and live off you, I don't want to worry."

Song Dingxiang couldn't help but chuckle at Zhou Yinuo's roguish remark. Pinching his ear, she playfully chided, "It seems you're the one who's taking advantage of the situation. You're asking me to keep an eye on your belongings when you should be doing it yourself."

Zhou Yinuo grinned mischievously, "What do you mean 'my belongings'? I'll just transfer everything into your name. After all, you're not going to let me starve, are you?"

Song Dingxiang found herself at a loss for words, gently pushing him away, "Alright, alright. When are we leaving for the capital?"

"We just got back a few days ago..." Zhou Yinuo groaned in frustration. "I don't like going to the capital, let alone spending New Year's there. I'd much rather celebrate with our family. Mother's dumplings are so delicious, I'm afraid I won't get to taste them anymore."

"Keep your voice down! What if the princess hears you? She'll be heartbroken," Song Dingxiang exclaimed, pinching Zhou Yinuo's mouth into a duck-like beak.

"Never say such things again, understand? You've been away from your parents for so many years, and they think of you every day. Even if you don't like the capital, you shouldn't dislike your own parents. It's not that they don't want to be good to you, but they simply haven't had the chance..."

Zhou Yinuo gave Song Dingxiang a placating kiss, hoping to regain his speaking privileges. "I know," he mumbled, "I'm just... a bit awkward about it. And speaking of which, if they're my parents, why do you still call them princess and prince? You should change and call them 'Mother' and 'Father,' you know?"

"Use your brain!" Song Dingxiang glanced at him and couldn't help but laugh.

Zhou Yinuo was stuffed with snacks and insisted on going to see Song Xingyi and the others. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw Liu Dagui chasing after the twin maids with Jin Qiao'er in the yard, making them giggle.

"Oh, Uncle Liu, put them down quickly, these two girls are heavy, be careful not to strain your back." Song Dingxiang was startled, afraid they might fall.

"Second Madam!" The two little maids immediately got off the ground upon seeing Song Dingxiang and ran over, calling out, "Second Aunt, Second Uncle!"

Zhou Yinuo bent down, effortlessly lifting the two little girls onto his shoulders so they could sit. The little girls weren't afraid of heights, one hand grabbing Zhou Yinuo's hair, the other waving cheerfully.

Liu Dagui, sweating profusely, ran over and smiled, "Why is Second Lady here today?"

"Zhou Ge is back today, so I came over to freeload a meal. Uncle Liu, don't spoil them by playing like this, it won't be good if they get too used to it." Song Dingxiang sighed as she saw how tired Liu Dagui looked.

Liu Dagui waved his hand, saying, "Hey, I'm happy to have this opportunity. It's mainly because the kids always sneak into the West Courtyard, and the old lady can't keep an eye on them, so I help watch them."

Kids at the age of three or four are mischievous, not yet old enough to help with chores, full of energy and eager to play all day long. With everyone busy in the household, no one has time to watch the little ones.

Li shi is getting older, she can manage one or two years old, but these energetic kids are another story; it takes effort to keep up with them.

"It's my negligence," Song Dingxiang said as she walked inside, "Later, I'll bring some people from over there to help out, so that Grandpa and Grandma don't have to struggle."

Liu Dagui hesitated for a moment and tentatively asked, "What about the people sent by the Princess? Hmm... maybe it's better to buy people ourselves, easier to train."

Understanding his concern, Song Dingxiang replied, "A few rough workers, their contracts were sent together, Uncle Liu, you have to manage them properly."

Liu Dagui breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "As long as they can work, that's all that matters. We don't need that many people in the house anyway, it's just been really busy lately."

Song Dingxiang went straight to where Li shi and the others were, finding them sitting on the kang, cutting fabric. Seeing Song Dingxiang, Li shi exclaimed, "What? Just sent you back a few days ago, and here you are knocking on the door again?"

"Grandma!" Song Dingxiang stamped her foot in frustration, "If you keep saying that, I won't leave."

"Grandma, Fifth Grandaunt, Sixth Grandaunt." Zhou Yinuo let the little girls down from his shoulders and patted their heads, "Go, go play with Ya Ya."

The little girls ran off hand in hand, smiling happily.

"I was wondering how you came back, turns out it's because your husband is back, or else why would you think of coming back?" Li shi continued teasing.

Song Dingxiang sighed helplessly and said, "Fifth Grandaunt, Sixth Grandaunt, listen, Grandma has already said everything, what else can I say?"

The old ladies laughed, and Sixth Grandaunt said, "If you don't come back, your Grandma is always thinking about you, left with one Dingxiang and right with another, we're tired of hearing about it."

Li shi added, "Exactly, it's always nagging. Dingxiang, a few days ago your First Aunt and Second Aunt came over few days ago and brought some oranges from the south, take some back with you, we can't finish them all here."

Song Dingxiang sat on the edge of the kang, picking up a shoe to inspect, "My First Aunt and Second Aunt came? How come you didn't call me back?"

"They came in a hurry, just dropped off the gifts and had to rush back, the whole family is dependent on them." Li shi sighed, "My two daughters, they've married too far away, so every time they come and go, it's quite a hassle. This time they won't be able to come back for Chinese New Year."

Fifth Grandaunt commented, "Daughters need to marry nearby, like Dingxiang here, where they can just walk over, see each other every day, it's reassuring for our hearts."

During dinner that night, the General's Mansion sent several dishes made with lotus roots. The chef, used to making fine cuisine, had to adjust here and made every dish substantial. Especially the stewed spare ribs with fresh lotus roots, served in two large bowls, delicious and fragrant.

"No wonder they come from the Prince's Palace, the food is delicious," the Song family enjoyed the meal with smiles.

Zhou Yinuo said, "I actually think Mom and Aunt's cooking is the best. These dishes are fancy, but they lack flavor. I keep thinking about Mom's stewed fish with pancakes, and Aunt's stewed chicken, and Grandpa's stewed lamb. Makes me crave it so much I can't sleep."

The whole family burst into laughter. Song Xingyi said, "Zhou Zi used to be a quiet one, never said much. But now he's grown up, and his sweet talk is real."

"That's the truth," Zhou Yinuo said seriously.

After a while of laughter, Song Dingxiang said, "Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, Dad, Zhou Ge and I will have to go to the capital soon. The Prince over there has sent a request, wanting Zhou Ge to be included in the family tree. With this back and forth, it looks like we'll be spending the Chinese New Year in the capital."

Song Xingyi remarked, "Being included in the family tree is a good thing, people need roots, and the family tree is your foundation. In the past, when your name was removed from the Zhou family's family tree in the village and listed separately, it always felt like something was missing. But now, it's all good."

Zhou Yinuo smiled, "Grandpa, I don't really mind about the family tree or not. Dingxiang is giving me a family by marrying me. Our children will naturally take care of me in my old age. Without a family tree, starting from Dingxiang and me, over time, a new family will naturally emerge."

Song Xingyi replied, "You're optimistic, but you shouldn't say such things lightly. Your parents might feel uncomfortable hearing that."

Zhou Yinuo glanced at Song Dingxiang and smiled, "Dingxiang has said the same to me, Grandpa, I understand."

"Well..." Song Xingyi thought for a moment and then said, "Your parents have been looking for you for so many years, and now they are finally reunited. When you go to the capital for the New Year, you should take the initiative. In the past, you used to live nearby with Dingxiang, so you didn't miss these days of the New Year. As a child, you should think about what the elders want. Since you're going back for the New Year, stay a few more days, don't rush back, you understand?"

Zhou Yinuo nodded solemnly, "Grandpa, I understand."

As they prepared to go to the capital, Song Dingxiang wasn't sure what gifts to bring. After all, the in-laws were a prince and princess and lacked nothing in their daily lives.

Fang Shi said, "They may not realize that they lack anything, but what you bring is your sincerity. It wouldn't be right to go empty-handed. We don't have much here, so take some spicy cabbage, soybean curd, at least it's something fresh. And bring some fresh lotus roots, we grow them ourselves, it's considered precious anywhere. Also, bring some canned goods, I sent your brother to Zijin's place, he can bring them back in the evening. Don't forget the chili sauce, we didn't make soy sauce this year, bought the sauce from another merchant, fried it with plenty of meat and mushrooms, very fragrant."

With three carts of local products, Song Dingxiang finally embarked on the road to the capital that she vowed never to return to.

*

The Princess Consort waited eagerly every day, and finally, she saw the arrival of the people.

Zhou Yinuo was led into the courtyard by the steward, and the Princess ran over in tears, embracing him, "My son."

Zhou Yinuo remembered his wife's and grandfather's words. He awkwardly put his hands on the Princess's back and patted gently, "Mother, I'm back."

After enough time with her own son, the Princess Consort thought of her daughter-in-law. She quickly wiped her tears, took Song Dingxiang's hand and said, "From now on, my son will be entrusted to you. You must... Oh, I shouldn't have said that. Look at my son's energetic appearance, I know you have put in a lot of effort."

Song Dingxiang smiled and said, "Mother, rest assured, I will take good care of Zhou Zi... uh, Yinuo."

Upon hearing Zhou Zi's name, the Princess seemed momentarily confused and said, "I know, Sheng'er used to be called Tiezhu. That name, it's really... it's really... Thank goodness your grandfather helped him change his name, otherwise, when people talk about General Zhou, they would say Tiezhu. Oh my."

Song Dingxiang just smiled and jokingly glanced at Zhou Yinuo.

Zhou Yulin also rushed back from the palace, delighted to see Zhou Yinuo and gave him a hug, saying, "Big brother, you're finally back, Father and Mother talk about you every day."

Zhou Yinuo said, "In the future, I will come back to celebrate the New Year with you every year. If I can't come back from the battlefield, then let Dingxiang come back to accompany you for the New Year."

Song Dingxiang:...

Zhou Yulin said, "Nowadays, there won't be any more wars in the northern regions for a few years. Brother, do you still want to go to the battlefield to gain merit? You might not have the opportunity in the future."

After dinner, the family sat together to chat. Whether in the countryside or in wealthy households, gossiping and chatting were always essential.

The Princess Consort looked at her youngest son and said, "Now that your brother is married, he just needs to have a child. What about you? It's time for you to find a wife, right?"

Zhou Yulin chuckled, "Mother, please don't pick on me. With Sister-in-law leading the way, you either find those noble ladies who are only interested in romantic affairs, or those who are too submissive and lack initiative. It has become my dilemma, isn't it unjust?"

Song Dingxiang, feeling surprised, looked at the Princess Consort.

The Princess Consort remained stoic and said, "I'm doing this for your own good. If your brother doesn't want the position of heir, your future wife will be the lady of the house in the mansion. Would you be willing to pick someone who isn't suitable?"

After speaking, she scolded Zhou Yinuo with a glance.

Zhou Yulin shrugged and said, "Then why don't I become the heir, and let Sister-in-law manage the household?"

"You are courting trouble, talking nonsense like this. Do you think your sister-in-law owes you for managing the household?" The Princess Consort was furious at his words.

Zhou Yulin continued, "Since my brother and I share everything, and my sister-in-law is the eldest in the family, what's wrong with her managing the household?"

Song Dingxiang quickly interjected, "No, find a reliable wife for yourself. I am already exhausted managing the household with your brother, and with you added to the equation, I might be worked to death."

Zhou Yinuo added, "Exactly, your sister-in-law is delicate, you should make your own decisions and not burden her."

Zhou Yulin raised his hands and said, "What should I do then? Mom used to think highly of those noble ladies, now suddenly she feels that none of them are good enough. Eldest Brother, pity your brother here."

The Princess Consort laughed and scolded, "You rascal, forget it, pick whoever you want to marry, do you think I will still worry about you?"

"See, we didn't even talk much and you're already turning against me," sighed Zhou Yulin. "I'm really struggling."

Song Dingxiang chuckled at his antics.

——— Author's Note:

After the New Year, she will return home, and Dingxiang should have a baby soon!!