Children Playing, Gradual Decline (2)

Even though it wasn’t too obvious, but to a certain degree, this already revealed some of Jing Wan’s preferences.

Jing Wan idly chatted and drank tea with the noble madams. Because there was nothing related to governmental affairs, she naturally won’t go talk with the court officials.

Just, when nearing the afternoon mealtime, a small problem occurred at the play park. There were two kids that were too wild, accidentally bumping into the crown prince. The palace servants guarding by the side simply weren’t able to block in time. The little crown prince started crying, his forehead even bruising a little.

This time, it had everyone all startled terribly. After bringing before Jing Wan, a group of people knelt down to beg for forgiveness.

Jing Wan held the little crown prince that had already stopped crying, looking him over. There doesn’t seem to be any problem, for the most part unable to make out anything. After coaxing a few words, the little crown prince started smiling again.

Just, before Jing Wan could speak, the little boy that had bumped into the little crown prince just got smacked several times on his back, even getting sternly reprimanded by his mother, “Who told you to be this reckless and rude, do you not have eyes.”

Jing Wan seemingly recalled that this child came from an assistant minister’s family, his age even within her selected ranged. Jing Wan knew that his mother was just doing this for her to see, appearing as if unrelenting, but it was merely for the sake of reducing his offense. Looking at that child’s stubborn stance, although seemingly also scared, yet still not crying, when at home, afraid he was also cupped in the palm like a treasure. “Alright, stop, merely a small accident, a trivial matter, why the need to be this hard?”

“Your Highness, you may not know, this rascal is normally very mischievous. If one doesn’t beat for three days, he can climb the roof. Today, his Highness the crown prince…..”

“Alright, this empress knows what you want to say. Already said it’s just a small accident. This empress won’t blame him. You all can get up.”

Carefully peeking at Jing Wan’s complexion, it seems she really doesn’t have the intention to blame. The madam finally relaxed a breath, standing up with her son. Her heart that was about to escape her throat also returned to its original position. She really was scared to death. If by chance the empress was extremely protective of her child, then the aftermath, she practically didn’t dare to imagine.

Jing Wan beckoned towards the little boy, “Come before this empress.”

The little boy hesitated for a moment, only daring to go forward after getting lightly pushed by his mother, “Your Highness.”

Jing Wan smiled, “Good child, don’t be scared, tell this empress, what’s your name, and how old you are.”

The little boy crisply answered, and probably because of clearly sensing Jing Wan’s goodwill, his guts also grew.

He appeared to be a mischievous child, but Jing Wan was quite fond of him, “In the future, occasionally enter the palace to come play with the crown prince, alright?”

“Okay.” The little boy flatly agreed.

His mother was both happy, yet worried, and also vexed.

TN: All

What she was happy about was that he can accompany the crown prince. This was something that many people sought after.

What she was worried about was just this naughty nature of his. If by chance, just like today, he were to cause trouble in the palace, what will they do?

And what she was vexed about was that this damn child that didn’t understand anything, without even thinking, just this thoughtlessly agreed. Does he even know what he agreed to?

However, when the empress was speaking, she, a titled madam, certainly can’t just casually butt in, thus she can only think in a positive direction. The empress selecting her child just meant that her child was actually very good. Moreover, since the empress already spoke, there naturally was no leeway for them to refuse. Then, listening to her Highness’s meaning, it was just occasionally entering the palace, so naturally not that big of a deal.

However, even if knowing that they won’t refuse, Jing Wan still inquired, “Your family’s child, this empress quite like. This empress’s words just now, you can take back to discuss with your family. Whether it’s agreeing or not, it all doesn’t matter. This empress won’t insist.”

Even if not insisting, they still won’t dare to refuse, instead even delightfully agreeing. Moreover, this kind of thing, if they were to refuse, they will probably get viewed as being stupid.

“Your Highness, for this rascal to be able to play with the crown prince, that is his good fortune cultivated from several lifetimes. This subject’s family certainly will be very happy.”

“No rush, go back and discuss it first.”

Even so, the little crown prince’s first playmate more or less was already decided.

Quite a few people that had that thought inwardly tore at their handkerchief. It really was having dogshit luck, a typical case of obtaining a blessing from a disaster.

However, this kind of thing, they also didn’t dare to imagine it happening on themselves. The same thing might also because of it being different people lead to different outcomes. Setting up an accident with the crown prince, and afterwards get noticed by her Highness, perhaps it might really bring disaster to the whole family. No one would be that stupid to do this kind thing.

Accidents can even be divided into big and small, and to deliberately cause, the nature of it was just completely different. Even if not losing a single hair, the nature of the matter will still incur her Highness’s thundering wrath.

Obviously, there won’t just be one playmate. However, the ones afterwards, Jing Wan no longer said anything about.

After the afternoon meal, the court officials as well as their family members all successively left the palace.

Luo Old Madam however stayed until the very end. Jing Wan asked about the marriage arrangements for the remaining Luo family children. Previously, she’d been too busy, thus not noticing, but several have already reached marriageable age.

“Your Highness is busy looking after the major matters of the country, and also need to raise the crown prince, so very exhausting. These trivial matters, how can one let it distract your Highness. Their marriage arrangements, only their parents need to worry over.”

Jing Wan helplessly laughed, “Yes, grandmother is right. Just, there are probably quite a few that want to make ties with our family, right?”

“What our family? That is the Luo family. Your Highness is of the imperial family.” Luo Old Madam corrected.

“Grandmother’s meaning in these words, it’s no longer acknowledging me as someone from the Luo family? The Luo family’s ancestral records still have my name. Could it be that you even want to have me expelled from the clan?”

Luo Old Madam helplessly sighed, “Increasingly outrageous. You’re the empress. Your speech and conduct all need to have propriety.”

“It’s just grandmother here right now. If switched with others, it certainly won’t be like this.” Jing Wan said rather boldly.

Although she indeed can’t pamper her, but this kind of Jing Wan, how can Luo Old Madam still be aloof towards, how can she harden her heart. “Oh you, just born to subdue me.”

Because of Luo Old Madam’s helplessness, Jing Wan joyously laughed, getting dyed again with a bit of that ‘delicateness’ from the past. Perhaps should say, it actually has always existed. Just, because it can’t come out, that’s why Jing Wan had it buried in the bottom of her heart. But at appropriate times, it will still come out.

“Grandmother still hasn’t informed me just how lively it is at home lately.”

“Is there even a need to mention? That scene, you can probably imagine already. In the entire capital, there probably isn’t any official family that doesn’t want to make marriage ties with the Luo family, the difference just being whether or not they have self-awareness.” If they do, then naturally it’s just sighing at home, and afterwards, place the matter aside. If not, then naturally they will just think of every way to squeeze into the Luo family. Even if getting rejected, they still won’t give up, continuing to look for other ways. If not reaching the last moment, they probably won’t settle down.

“Then, are there candidates?”

“Your grandfather will handle it. We don’t need to bother.”

Interfering in the grandchildren generation’s marriage arrangements, it’s not that Luo Pei Shan was a busybody, but rather, he had no choice but to get involved. Towards the Luo family descendants’ marriage arrangements, one must be prudent.

Jing Wan also understood her own grandfather’s intention, so she didn’t say anything. “Even so, grandmother should still warn the younger brothers and sisters, so as to not get schemed against when going out.” Some people, for the sake of achieving their goals, were completely unscrupulous. Since they can’t breakthrough from the front, then it’s just taking a roundabout path. Perhaps not ‘letting the rice be cooked’——-that’s creating a grudge, and even if forcing a marriage tie, it still won’t end well———but, falling into the water and whatnot, that was also enough.

“Back then, you’d taught your third brother quite a few ways how to avoid those women outside. The others, once they see enough, no matter what should still be able to learn a little.”

Jing Wan smiled. Towards this matter, she was even quite proud.

“Time sure passed quickly. Unknowingly, it’s already been five years since entering the capital.” Jing Wan suddenly felt somewhat rueful, staring into the space, her gaze a bit fleeting.

“Indeed, really quick. At the time, just wanted to look for a good family for you, watching you marry, hoping that you can be in perfect harmony with your husband, loving and affectionate. If possible, also want to watch you give birth and raise children, be safe and healthy, having everything go smoothly, living in happiness. However, with how you are right now, even if grandmother immediately dies, can still close one’s eyes in peace.”

“How come grandmother is suddenly saying such unlucky words, quickly take it back. I don’t like hearing.” Jing Wan pretended to be angry.

“Oh you, still childish, for grandmother to have been able to live to this current age, it’s already enough.”

“How can it be enough? You certainly can live over a hundred. You still need to watch Tian Lin get married and have children.”

Luo Old Madam stared at her and a moment later, “En, our Wan Wan is the empress, the mother of the country, the golden mouth saying jade words, grandmother certainly will live long over a hundred.”

Jing Wan lightly frowned, feeling not too well.

After sending away Luo Old Madam, Jing Wan was still worried, letting the imperial physician go to the Luo Manor for a look. They weren’t able to find any major ailments, but her body was indeed rapidly declining.

Jing Wan was somewhat in a daze, her mind blank for a very long time. Afterwards, after returning to her sense, she hastily wrote a letter to Li Hong Yuan. She wanted to know, in his past life, when did her grandmother pass away? According to him, even ‘her’ death, her grandmother had managed to endure, so there was no reason for where everything was perfectly fine, yet her body was instead declining even more quickly. It completely didn’t make sense.

Because she was worried about this matter, in the days after sending out the letter, Jing Wan’s spirit all wasn’t too well. All the way until Gong mama mentioned the matter regarding Tian Lin’s playmates did Jing Wan finally cheer up a little, “How’s the situation?”

Gong mama had a list of names given to Jing Wan, having all the information on the boys that matched the requirements recorded on there. Because it was all just small children, the contents weren’t considered much, and the validity of it was also very high. Naturally, the smaller the child, the fewer the information. Among the one-year olds, Jing Wan just planned on picking one or two. That was purely just coming to play with him. Because among the playmates, it was extremely likely for some to become his study companions in the future, that’s why, for the great majority, it was better for them to be two three years older. If there are indeed ones that are particularly outstanding, even if a little younger, once Tian Lin starts his schooling, they can then add them in.

Jing Wan picked about ten in one breath, coming in turns by group, with just two to three entering the palace every other day. The specifics can be adjusted later. The time when entering the palace also isn’t strict, whether it’d be in the morning or the afternoon. They will also all be sent back every day, and won’t stay overnight in the palace. Moreover, Jing Wan also promised that during this time, they will appropriately look after.

This matter was just decided like this.