"Your Highness."
"Uncle Shou."
Feng Jinyao spoke as she had servants bring refreshing mung bean soup, which had been cooked and cooled, making it perfect to drink now.
When Xiao Tingyi saw the mung bean soup, his brows furrowed, and he spoke.
"You eat these things all day, aren't you afraid of chilling your stomach?"
"Your Highness, please rest assured, this was prepared by the wet nurse for me."
Since becoming the Consort of Ding, she had followed Xiao Tingyi in calling Aunt Zhang "wet nurse." It sounded more intimate than before.
Hearing that it was prepared by the wet nurse, Xiao Tingyi was somewhat relieved.
Uncle Shou walked over and said earnestly, "Your Highness is too cautious. It's normal for the Consort to be afraid of heat due to her pregnancy, as long as she doesn't excessively seek cold. However, these fruits and beans can easily cause abdominal pain, so it's better to consume less."
Upon hearing this, Feng Jinyao knew she would have to give up a few more snacks.
She wondered if she could endure until childbirth and decided to think of other ways.
Since Uncle Shou was here, he naturally had to take her pulse again. As usual, everything was normal.
This child was indeed aware of people, behaving obediently whenever Divine Doctor Zhang visited, never causing a fuss.
Aunt Zhang even said it might be because they were destined to meet.
After giving the usual instructions, Yunxu saw Divine Doctor Zhang out. Only Xiao Tingyi and Feng Jinyao, the couple, remained in the room.
A comfortable bolster was placed on the couch to support her waist.
Since her belly had grown, Feng Jinyao's waist was always sore and needed support.
There was also ice in the room, but Feng Jinyao still felt hot.
Xiao Tingyi took the fan from her hand and began to fan her, but unfortunately, sweat still trickled down her forehead.
"It's supposed to rain in the next couple of days. Once it rains, the weather won't be so hot."
"Your Highness said it would rain a few days ago, and it's been so long, why hasn't it rained yet?" Feng Jinyao chided playfully.
Xiao Tingyi smiled. He wasn't the heavens and couldn't summon rain; this truly stumped him.
"Should I have them add two more buckets of ice?"
"Forget it, the contrast between the cold inside and the heat outside will be too great, making it easier to fall ill."
People say that a calm mind naturally brings coolness, but her child was like a mischievous monkey, causing a lot of commotion. Even if she wanted to be calm, she couldn't.
Seeing this, Xiao Tingyi changed the subject to distract her, hoping she would feel less hot.
"Aren't you always concerned about your cousin? I just received a letter from her."
"Where?" Feng Jinyao's eyes lit up at the mention of her cousin.
Since she came to Jinling City, she had grown closer to her second brother and sister-in-law, but she was too far from home and her maternal grandfather's family.
She only received a letter every few days.
Not to mention that some time ago, Bai Siruo's family had taken their son to Liangzhou.
They were quite daring, taking their child, who wasn't even a year old, on such a long journey.
If it were her, she wouldn't dare to travel far before the child was three years old.
Upon opening the letter, it was indeed Bai Siruo's handwriting.
It described their experiences in Liangzhou, which were incredibly novel.
She had expected the child to suffer some hardship, but surprisingly, he was happier than the adults, not crying or fussing along the way. Especially after meeting his grand-uncle, he didn't want his father or mother anymore, becoming like a little tail attached to Xiao Ji.
Wherever Xiao Ji went, he followed. If he wasn't taken along, he would cry heartbrokenly, as if abandoned.
Out of helplessness, Xiao Ji had to move into the General's mansion to live with them. He couldn't possibly take the child to live in the military camp.
Seeing this, Feng Jinyao chuckled.
The end of the letter also stated that they would come to Jinling City during Xiao Muqian's next leave.
It even added a note: if she gave birth to a son, then forget it, but if she gave birth to a daughter, she would be Jin Ge'er's future wife.
Upon reading this, Xiao Tingyi's expression soured.
He immediately snatched the letter and said fiercely, "Dream on! How can a nephew covet his aunt!"
Feng Jinyao was stunned for a moment, but then she realized it made sense. He was the imperial uncle of Xiao Muqian and Bai Siruo, so their children were her child's nephews.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but laugh.
"Alright, it was just a joke. Besides, didn't Uncle Shou say that it's likely to be a son?"
"I'd rather it be a daughter."
Hearing this, Feng Jinyao's belly reacted again.
Xiao Tingyi pouted, truly unable to resist saying it.
As they were talking, they heard Yunxu call from outside.
"Greetings, Second Master. Greetings, Second Mistress."
Hearing that it was her second brother and sister-in-law, Feng Jinyao's interest was piqued.
Yunxu lifted the curtain for them. As they entered, they felt a refreshing coolness.
Feng Jinlin couldn't help but complain, "This is truly the style of wealthy families. My government office is as hot as a steamer, yet you are so comfortable here."
Upon entering, he saw a large vat of ice, piled up like a small mountain, and thought to himself, no wonder.
Feng Jinlin was much more composed now than he was three years ago.
Although he was still playful with his family, his reputation in official circles was no less than that of the late Grand Scholar Xu.
Everyone said he was indeed Grand Scholar Xu's grandson-in-law; his way of handling affairs and even his sharp and ruthless speech were exactly the same.
On the other hand, his second sister-in-law, Xu Mingyue, seemed to be getting younger with each passing year.
Perhaps it was because she taught at the academy every day, the scholarly aura around her had gradually developed into her own unique charm, making people feel as if they were basking in a spring breeze while also feeling inexplicably admiration.
Even the most insincere words, when spoken by her, seemed to be true.
"Don't listen to your second brother's nonsense. It's because the government is cutting expenses that they've reduced the amount of ice."
"Cutting expenses?" Feng Jinyao had not heard of this and turned to look at Xiao Tingyi.
Seeing him nod, he then said, "It's been nearly three years of drought, with poor harvests and insufficient water sources. Naturally, the national treasury is not abundant."
So that was it. Then, Feng Jinyao suddenly seemed to realize something and asked Feng Jinlin, "So, is my second brother here today as a brother, or as the Prefect of Jinling City?"
Feng Jinlin chuckled, "Ah Yao, you truly are my sister. Your mind is sharper than others."
With one sentence, he praised himself, making both Xu Mingyue and Feng Jinyao speechless with amusement. Xiao Tingyi, however, remained impassive, but his eyes were fixed on Feng Jinlin, waiting for him to reveal his true purpose.
"I originally planned to exchange pleasantries, but you immediately asked me for my reason, making it awkward for me to speak."
"Are you here for money, or for grain?" The Prince of Ding was as straightforward as ever, cutting to the chase.
"Grain."
"How much?"