Zhao Jiaqi glanced at the schadenfreude onlookers, "I never talked to the child about it at all, it's just that after today's incident, I realized that our child has truly grown up."
She spoke from her heart, her most genuine thoughts, yet a sense of sadness inexplicably arose, and she couldn't help but sigh.
Fan Zehao was perplexed. Why was she so worried and even sighed when the child had grown up and become sensible?
"This... aren't you happy that the child has grown up? Why are you so distressed?"
Zhao Jiaqi replied, "When children grow up, they don't need their mothers anymore. How can I not worry?"
Grown-up children meant they would spread their wings and fly, and a mother would instantly lose her pillar of support.
Hearing his wife's words, he chuckled and put his arm around her shoulder, resting his head on it. He said with a light laugh, "Children grow up sooner or later. You can't follow them around forever. Everyone has their own life. Why do you have to be so involved with your children? Didn't you say this to me before?"
Why was she like this now?
This was not something that could be persuaded; she had to figure it out herself. After speaking, Fan Zehao began to play with her fingers. Since it was a rare moment of ease, he wanted to do what he liked.
Zhao Jiaqi lowered her gaze, looking at her husband's indifferent attitude. She took a deep breath. He was truly carefree, as if the children weren't his but some other man's.
"Fine," she thought, "children and grandchildren will have their own fortunes. Let them be."
As the end of the year approached, the snow in the sky fell with increasing speed. Now, in and outside the city, every household started sweeping snow as soon as they opened their eyes each day, fearing that the white snowflakes would collapse their roofs.
Regarding the issue of warmth, they had already prepared ample firewood since entering the twelfth lunar month. They would "hibernate" in their homes, with the rooms heated warmly, not fearing freezing to death. Speaking of this, they truly had to thank the Prince and Princess; the heated walls and kang beds were all invented by them. Otherwise, countless people would have frozen to death in this weather.
The servants in the prince's mansion were no different. They woke up early to sweep and sweep. Even during this time, she received an invitation to appreciate plum blossoms. Upon seeing the gilded and luxurious invitation, her heart collapsed for a moment.
Shaking her head, she asked with confusion, "In this cold weather, isn't it more enjoyable to sit indoors and eat hot pot while admiring the snow?"
Going out in the biting cold to look at flowers was bothersome, not to mention the icy wind that would seep into your clothes.
Yu Meng glanced at the invitation, a half-smile playing on her lips. "This is what ladies from wealthy families do to pass the time. It's nothing more than a matchmaking session."
"It seems the son of this lady of the house is already over eighteen. He just came of age a few days ago, and now she's inviting ladies to admire flowers. Her intentions are quite obvious."
After Yu Meng finished speaking, she resumed playing chess with her father as if nothing had happened, not taking the matter to heart.
However, the matter of Mrs. Li's son coming of age was something she was genuinely unaware of. After her daughter's words, she placed the invitation aside and pondered it for a long time.
After a pause, she suddenly asked Yu Meng, "Have you seen this son of Mrs. Li? What do you think of him?"
Her hand, holding a black chess piece, trembled. Yu Meng immediately looked up and blurted out, "Her son has a very distinctive appearance. He's striking the moment he appears. The first impression is that his looks are truly outstanding. He's nicknamed 'the eating machine'."
Her words piqued the curiosity of Zhao Jiaqi and Fan Zehao. They both looked at her and asked, "Is there something wrong with this young man eating so much? A growing son can eat his parents out of house and home, as the saying goes."
Zhao Jiaqi nodded in agreement with her husband, "Being able to eat a lot proves he has a strong constitution, not a sickly one. Why does your description sound a bit sarcastic?"
Yu Meng put down the black chess piece in her hand and chuckled, a hint of mockery in her tone. "He is indeed very distinctive. Everything from his ankles to his waist is proportionally the same, and his upper and lower body are equally thick. If you want to find his eyes, you have to dig through his face to discover them. You can't see them at all without a close look."
Following Yu Meng's description, Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi's minds conjured an image that was... difficult to bear.
"Furthermore, even if you find his eyes, you can't be sure he's looking at you."
Zhao Jiaqi's lips twitched. She felt her daughter was exaggerating a bit. "Are you looking down on him? You shouldn't slander him. Your words are quite... quite mocking."
The word "immoral" was on the tip of her tongue, but she quickly changed it.
Yu Meng chuckled and raised an eyebrow. "I'm just telling the truth. That kid has cross-eyes. Mother, if he's facing you, can you be sure he's looking at you and not himself?"
The couple was stunned. At that moment, they had no words to refute.
Zhao Jiaqi rubbed her nose and lowered her eyes. People who can eat a lot are not necessarily healthy; there might be unexpected circumstances.
An unexpected accident, that is, an accident has occurred.
Less than an hour after the invitation was sent, Pingting arrived, her face flushed from the snow. Since giving birth to her son, she had rarely gone out. Her visit in this bitter cold genuinely surprised Zhao Jiaqi.
Zhao Jiaqi put down the warm stove in her hand and smiled at her guest, "Seeing your rosy cheeks, have you had any good news lately?"
She playfully took off her cloak and sat beside Zhao Jiaqi, smiling. "They say people with good news are always spirited. I received an invitation from Mrs. Li and came to ask if you knew anything about Mrs. Li's son."
Zhao Jiaqi raised an eyebrow. "Are you already planning to find a son-in-law for your eldest daughter so soon?"
Her niece was only twelve this year. Arranging a marriage so early seemed a bit hasty. And after Yu Meng's rather unflattering description of Mrs. Li's son, Zhao Jiaqi couldn't even imagine what the child looked like.
However, Pingting waved her hand and shook her head. "My daughter is still young. It's not for her, but for the child of my daughter's older sister who has reached marriageable age. I thought these two families had similar backgrounds, and I don't like socializing with city ladies, so I came to ask my sister-in-law for information."
Speaking of her friend, Pingting had only gotten to know her in the last year or two. She heard that she had moved from a neighboring town and happened to live next to their separate residence, so the two families became familiar with each other over time.
This was also thanks to the current era of peace and prosperity. Fan Xudong had not returned to his territory and was living with his wife and children in their separate residence within the inner city.
Occasionally, Fan Xudong would return to his territory to inspect it. He commuted between the two places, spending more time in the inner city.
Seeing her good nature, Zhao Jiaqi pondered for a moment. "I haven't met this son of the Li family either, but I've heard some rumors. If it were my daughter, I would definitely not let Yu Meng marry him."
Pingting was not foolish and naturally understood the meaning behind her sister-in-law's words. Although not stated directly, her attitude was very clear.
She smiled and nodded. "Sister-in-law, I understand. Let's drop this matter. I don't like to meddle in others' affairs."
Zhao Jiaqi smiled and pushed a plate of melon seeds towards her. "These are salted and unsalted melon seeds just made by the cook. Try them. How do they compare to the dry-roasted ones?"
"Salted and unsalted?" Pingting reached out and grabbed a small handful. "Then I must try them. If they're good, I'll pack the rest to take home for my mischievous children to try."
The two sisters-in-law chatted and laughed, while Yu Meng and Fan Zehao listened, interjecting from time to time. The room was lively.