Chapter 751 - 525: Three Years Later

Chapter 751: Chapter 525: Three Years Later

"Husband!"

Jiang Yu had just finished court and was about to sit in the carriage to go home when someone beside him called out sweetly.

Jiang Yu was already accustomed to it; ever since his wife became pregnant, her previous shrewdness had transformed into a charming clinginess.

Thus, Jiang Yu naturally bid farewell to his colleagues, and as he turned around, Zhou Ying bumped into his arms.

Ignoring the envious, puzzled, or slightly disdainful gazes from others, Jiang Yu supported his wife and walked towards the waiting carriage not far away.

The maids holding food boxes and carrying cloaks consciously fell a few steps behind, following the couple.

"It’s so cold today; why didn’t you rest at home?"

Previously, his wife would sometimes suddenly decide to come near the palace gates to wait for him after court, but recently, as the temperature dropped, it became rare.

With Jiang Yu’s support, Zhou Ying got on the carriage, still very excited.

"I received a letter from Xiao Mi today; she said they’re planning to come back and hold a wedding at home. Oh, and Xiao Wei is bringing his fiancée back too. They’re going to get married together."

Jiang Yu was delighted: "Really? There hasn’t been mention of this in the letters for three months, and now they plan to get married?"

"Yes, and Xiao Mi also said that this time, they’ll stay in the Capital City for six months before leaving."

"Really? They’ve been gone for three years, and surely they must want to come back and visit."

The couple joked as they boarded the carriage. The maid handed the cloak to Jiang Yu, sensibly not boarding the carriage but instead following outside.

If getting married initially was merely convenient and suitable, then these years of respectful and loving relationships have only intensified their affections.

In the early years, they were worried about being sent elsewhere, as it usually was, and thus were careful not to rush into having children.

However, at the beginning of the year, the emperor unexpectedly appointed him and allowed him to remain in the Capital City.

Jiang Yu wasn’t foolish; he immediately realized there was progress on his sister’s end, though those matters are still confidential.

Even though all of the people in the country know that the court is preparing ships for overseas exploration, the progress is unknown except for a few individuals.

Including Jiang Yu, who receives monthly family letters from his elder brothers in charge but knows nothing of any updates.

The emperor’s intention for keeping him in the capital was simple—he wanted his family, far away by the sea, to search for him only in the capital and not elsewhere.

Once he understood this, Jiang Yu calmly accepted that the Capital City was where he’d remain, and he began considering another major life milestone.

Zhou Ying touched her belly: "I should give birth in three months, and father and mother promised they would hurry back before then. Now, I can still catch Xiao Mi and Xiao Wei’s wedding banquet."

They returned by water; the letter had already been sent swiftly, and it’s been half a month since it was written.

Even if they’re traveling upstream, it would at most take ten more days than the journey there, which means within a month, father and mother should be back!

Although they haven’t seen each other for years, they exchange monthly letters, and almost every month, various food items are sent from afar.

The past two years have seen an influx of dried seafood and frozen goods during winter, as improved ships have increased transit speed, bringing more of these items to the Capital City.

Father and mother constantly send delicious foods, various dried seafood, preserved fruits, and nuts, among countless others.

Though parted for several years, their relationship has only grown closer, and they can’t wait to reunite.

"Didn’t father and mother say they’ll stay in the Capital City for half a year? By then, the baby will be three or four months old, and you can rest well and recuperate."

Zhou Ying blissfully replied, "I’m not tired; we have so many maids serving me at home. I’m resting every day."

As mother said, teaching by word and example, father had only mother as his woman throughout his life, loving her dearly, and under such influence, her husband never dallies with other women.

The household has only one female member—her—and whenever someone attempts to send concubines or invite her husband to drink at brothels, he firmly refuses.

Throughout the years, Zhou Ying couldn’t be happier with her current life.

The household servants, whom her husband carefully replaced over the years, are all now loyal people, allowing her to spend leisurely days shopping and managing shops and estates.

Occasionally on days off, her husband even takes her out of town to the estate where they can ride and hunt.

Feeling relaxed physically and joyfully at ease mentally, she is vibrant inside and out compared to other women in their early twenties.

Only she dares confidently to go to the palace gates or where Jiang Yu works without embarrassment to pick him up.

Naturally, Jiang Yu never criticizes her; instead, he always responds gently, sometimes allowing her to pull him along to shop without even changing out of his court attire.

In such manner, Zhou Ying grows happier and feels increasingly youthful.

However, Zhou Ying doesn’t realize that Jiang Yu’s idea of rest and recuperation is quite different from her understanding.

The sole secret Jiang Yu keeps from Zhou Ying is Xiao Mi’s realm.

This secret he might share someday but certainly not now—perhaps after decades, as their lives approach their final moments, he would reveal it.

The carriage quickly returned to the mansion; they had lived there continuously without moving out, although Zhou Ying did purchase a small residence a few months ago.

However, she simply bought it because it seemed suitable, and it counts as part of their property in the Capital City.

Although he is not the heir of the princely family, he is the eldest son, and with his father and mother away, he takes care to keep the large mansion from being cold and empty upon their return.

Moreover, moving is troublesome, and living in the mansion avoids many other hassles.

Carefully supporting Zhou Ying as she alighted, he then wrapped the cloak over her shoulders: "The carriage is warm, but it’s cold outside; don’t catch a chill."

Beside them, the little maid stifled laughter, as her master still tenderly doted on his wife as always.

Even though the wife is pregnant, they’ve never slept in separate rooms, let alone taken concubines and such.

All the upper-class ladies in the Capital City envy their lady.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yu had already instructed the housekeeper to prepare hot food, as recently, the wife’s appetite had increased, and she had already begun rubbing her belly when she alighted the carriage.

When the hot food was ready, he could just hear Zhou Ying expressing her desire to eat.