Returning to the Past (1)

His clothes taking forever to put on, the little crown prince naturally was also unhappy. These people were practically making him lose face, “Move aside.” He set to the task himself. This can also be considered one of Jing Wan’s little training for the little crown prince. Even though, if no mishap occurs, in this lifetime of his, he will always have people serving him in changing, but Jing Wan felt that this and him completely losing the ability to take care of himself was two different concepts. His father was capable all around, so as the son, he can’t be too lacking either.

Alright, to put in bluntly, unknowingly, Jing Wan was actually raising her son according to a certain someone’s standard, although she herself completely didn’t realize this.

However, it was obvious, in this aspect, the little crown prince was still a bit lacking. Those complicated clothes, how could his short little hands and feet handle properly.

Gong mama went forward, kneeling before the little crown prince, swiftly helping him tidy up, garment after garment. In the end, after putting on the little ornaments, washing his face, and brushing his hair, a tender jade-carved little crown prince was born. The entire process also didn’t take much time. It can be said that Gong mama alone was more capable than all those people by the little crown prince’s side added together.

The little crown prince has always felt that Gong mama was very impressive, the number one capable hand in helping his imperial mother handle palace affairs, seemingly good at everything. Her alone can just compare with eight or ten people. The most classic example was just the people assigned to his imperial mother’s side were a full set, but the great majority were all idle, because they simply weren’t needed. On the contrary, their existence would instead just get in the way of things. The little crown prince pondered whether or not he can ask imperial mother for Gong mama, helping him handle various matters. That way, today’s matter won’t happen again.

“Imperial father, imperial mother, this son will go first.” The little crown prince this while appeared very proper.

Jing Wan nodded.

Once the little crown prince left, it was time to take care of these people.

“Why don’t your Majesty go first.”

Li Hong Yuan didn’t hesitate either, directly getting up and leaving.

Jing Wan first asked about today’s matter, asking in detail.

Once they finished explaining one by one, Jing Wan also realized where the problem lay. The people by her son’s side were too balanced. Now that he didn’t need to be breastfed anymore, his former four wet nurses all became mamas. They each took to their own duties, having the matters in their own hand handled pretty well, but they also refused to give in to the others. When a problem occurs with her son, it was just their shared responsibility, yet at this time, they were all scared of shouldering the responsibility, pushing back and forth, and in the end, just had all the blame pushed onto her son.

Jing Wan nearly laughed in anger.

In her past life, she’d never married, and didn’t have children either, so towards child rearing, she naturally won’t specially go pay attention to. Even if knowing a little, it was also because of just happening to encounter that kind of people. And the experiences of the people at present also somewhat conflicted with her thoughts, so in this aspect, she can be said to be a complete novice. Moreover, there wasn’t the internet for her to search information.

At first, it was grasping too tightly, but afterwards, she seemingly also relaxed too much. However, these all still have the chance to correct.

After all, it wasn’t easy being a novice mother, and a novice mother that didn’t have any reference material had it even harder.

Right now, it was very necessary to place a mama by her son’s side, needing one whose ability stood out from the mass, also worth trusting, and able to subdue the people below.

TN: All

Thinking back and forth, it seems it was still Gong mama that was the most suitable. However, if she has to say, having Gong mama placed by her son’s side was actually a bit like using a big material for something small. In fact, letting Gong mama stay by her side was all like this. However, regardless whether it’s considering for Gong mama’s age, or her being extremely knowledgable towards Jing Wan’s matters, it was all impossible for her to go elsewhere. Her entire life probably can only be used up on Jing Wan. However, fortunately, she herself also wasn’t unwilling.

But, Gong mama came from her husband’s hand, even though in the very beginning, she was someone trained by the people by that ‘dead but spirit still present’ mother-in-law’s side. Perhaps, she was unable to copy, but maybe she can slightly draw on their experiences, or go ask her husband whether or not he had other people in hand?

After contemplating, she still ruled out the second idea. Based on that nature of his, even if there is, he most likely will say there isn’t. Rather, she can convince him by saying it was for herself, but clearly, it’ll be someone placed by her son’s side. This lie will just be too clumsy. When time comes, never mind her and her son getting ‘reprimanded’, the person in hand might also get dragged away.

That’s why, the best way was still to train someone on their own. Just, the time it will take certain won’t be short. Before that, she will probably still have to trouble Gong mama a little, having the matters by her side reduced a little.

Speaking of which, as the esteemed empress, to think that she would actually face the awkward situation of having no one usable. If said outside, probably no one would believe.

Jing Wan self-examined and reflected upon herself. In the end, it was still because of her. Seemingly, as long as there was enough people to use, then it was just good enough for her. The rest were all decorations.

This bit, she definitely needed to change. In the future, when she grows old, it’s impossible for it to still be these people serving by her side. They will also grow old, so it’s impossible for them to serve her for a lifetime.

This can be taken slowly. Right now, the mama candidate for her son was the most crucial. Who to use?

Jing Wan’s servant girls that have already married simply weren’t within the scope of consideration. As her son’s head mama, they must have all their thoughts placed on her son. In this way, those that have a husband and have children as attachment certainly won’t do. Not being able to be wholehearted towards her son was one thing, but also she couldn’t bear letting them be apart from their family.

Among the first rank servant girls that have been by her side since the beginning, Hei Mei was actually still single, and moreover, has continuously insisted on not marrying. However, Jing Wan reckoned that this idea of not marrying was more or less swaying right now. Besides, Jing Wan felt that Hei Mei carrying out orders was for the most part not a problem, but letting her be in charge of a bunch of people, her IQ and EQ were probably all lacking a little. The other first rank palace maids by her side appeared pretty good, but their age was a bit too young. In a few years, perhaps they will also want to leave the palace. Wasn’t one precisely released last year.

Combing through all the people, she still wasn’t able to find a suitable one, quite a headache.

Jing Wan had this matter told to Gong mama. Gong mama just said it wasn’t problem, and towards the problem Jing Wan faced, she also had a bit of thought. However, this for the time being was hard to say, “His Highness right now is still small, needing your Highness to look after for a few more years. Once his Highness is able to distinguish right and wrong on his own, knowing good from bad, then the purpose of the mama by his side won’t be that necessary anymore. After supporting for another eight to ten years, once his Highness takes in a crown princess, these matters naturally will have the crown princess to take care of. That’s why, your Highness doesn’t need to worry too much.”

Jing Wan looked to Gong mama, rather speechless. Her son was still that tiny, yet already thinking about finding a wife for him?

Gong mama seemingly made out Jing Wan’s thoughts, her eyes containing a smile, “Does your Highness feel it’s still too early? But, in quite a few families, when raising their daughters that are around the same age as his Highness, it’s all according to the standards of becoming the next empress.”

Jing Wan didn’t speak. This wasn’t a certainty, but rather a reality.

However, having her son’s matters all pressed onto her future daughter-in-law that still doesn’t exist yet seemingly wasn’t too good.

“When your Highness married his Majesty, your Highness was also just fifteen. The matters by his Majesty’s side at the time were also all handled by your Highness.”

“Mama, is it that your eyes are sharp, or are you the worm in my stomach, knowing all my thoughts.”

“It’s because your Highness doesn’t hide anything in front of this servant, thus this servant would know.”

Since that’s the case, “Alright, I’ll take a look again. If truly no good, then will just handle according to your idea. However, mama, you will be quite busy.”

“Your Highness is too serious. It’s actually just some small matters.”

Things were just settled like this. Two days later, Jing Wan selected the candidates for the little crown prince’s study companions, selecting five people. And unlike the usual practice, for the sake of making it more convenient for their studies, saving them the trouble of traveling back and forth, thus all residing in the palace, Jing Wan instead permitted them to return home for two days once every five days. Compared to what everyone assumed would be returning home for a day once every half a month, it was much more relaxed.