The fool has become a spirit, and she can speak

Chapter 1762 Visiting the Hong Mansion

"White jade paperweight".

"Do you know that can kill people?"

"I knew it! I was so dizzy."

"Because of what?"

“They pointed out my shortcomings, and not only did they hit me, they also fined me half a year’s salary.”

Upon hearing this, Shang Xi exclaimed, "Half a year's salary is quite a lot of money! If you had known this would happen, you shouldn't have come to the palace today."

Cheng Feng said, "I was just concerned about my son, so I thought I'd ask him so I'd know what was going on."

"What results did you get from asking?"

"It means that when various countries present princesses as tribute, my uncle said that he would accept any request."

Shang Xi, who had just been showing concern for Cheng Feng, immediately released her hands from Cheng Feng's face. "I thought you could turn the tide by rushing into the palace, and this is the news you brought back?"

"Wife, I'm already lucky to be alive. I barely escaped with my life today, and my head is spinning!"

"What's the use of getting beaten up? Getting beaten up didn't get anything done!"

"Wife, you can't blame me for being useless. You couldn't have done it either."

This is true; it's all beyond our control. If Shang Xi's words had any effect, she would have run to the palace much faster than Cheng Feng. Shang Xi picked up Cheng Feng's head again and looked at him, "You too, knowing that your uncle likes to beat you, you should watch your words. It's pointless to beat him like this, and you've been fined half a year's salary for nothing. Why don't you go back to our courtyard to recuperate with such a serious injury? Why are you sharing a bed with our son?"

Cheng Feng said, "The servants in the manor said that Hong Jiutong was talking to you in our courtyard. How can I face my daughter-in-law like this, with my head wrapped in gauze?"

Shang Xi rolled her eyes at Cheng Feng, "You're so stubborn you'll suffer for nothing. I've already sent Jiu Tong back to her parents' home."

Upon hearing this, the father and son lying on the couch simultaneously sat up. Shang Xi involuntarily leaned back slightly. "I told Jiu Tong to go back to her parents' home, why are you two so agitated?"

Cheng Youning said excitedly, "Mother chased her away? Does that mean she won't come back?"

Seeing the expectation in the eyes of the father and son, Shang Xi patted them on the head. "What are you thinking! Do you think I'm that kind of wicked mother-in-law? Jiu Tong's mother had been suffering from abdominal cramps last month and couldn't sleep at night. Yesterday, when we hosted a banquet for everyone, I noticed she looked unwell. When I asked her, she was evasive and wouldn't tell the truth. I only found out what happened when I asked Jiu Tong today. Jiu Tong is worried about his mother, but he's bound by etiquette and doesn't go out or casually visit his parents' home. I scolded him a few times before he went back to his parents' home for a short stay."

Cheng Youning slumped onto the wooden couch in disappointment, sighing, "Oh dear, I thought she was never coming back!"

"You Ning, what's going on in your head? Who was it that was so righteous and arrogant, siding with the Emperor, saying that there were just another woman in the household? Now you're hoping she'll go back to her parents' home?"

“Mother, you don’t know my concubine. She’s always frowning, as if there’s some kind of funeral in the family. Every time she sees me, her smile is stiff and fake. She never smiles at me sincerely. What’s even more puzzling is that she has no cooking skills but always insists on cooking. She’ll eat the food herself, but she always sends some to my room. Only my beastly Four Monkeys are willing to eat it.”

Cheng Youning's chattering mouth was like popping beans, and Shang Xi never listened to her side of the story. She believed Hong Jiutong and his servant more, saying, "Youning, Jingjing didn't say that!"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Youning's expression changed, and he sat up straight again. "What did she say? I knew I couldn't stand Jingjing. Turns out she was gossiping about her son to her mother. Wait until she comes back from her parents' home with Hong Jiutong, and I'll teach her a lesson. How dare she speak ill of me behind my back? I, the Crown Prince, will not let her off easily."

Shang Xi scolded, "If you bully that master and servant, I'll punish you. In a couple of days, take some things to visit Madam Hong in Hongfu. After all, she's your mother-in-law."

Cheng Youning raised his chin, "I am the Crown Prince, how could I condescend to see her! I will not go."

"Everyone knows you're the Crown Prince. So what if you're the Crown Prince? Why are you putting on airs? Even if you don't go, you should at least prepare a small gift and send someone to visit you. Fengqi's water conservancy projects all rely on Hong Zhe. He's a meritorious official, and his son, Hong Yunrang, is your great-uncle's adopted grandson, Prince Nie. You and Hong Yunrang are as close as brothers. It's only right and proper that you personally prepare a small gift and visit the Hong residence. You are Fengqi's heir apparent. Visiting the sick family members of ministers is the way to manage subordinates. You should treat the virtuous with courtesy and show them favor. Don't put on airs here, just having the empty title of Crown Prince. Look at how your great-uncle treats ministers and their families. You really should learn from your great-uncle's methods of managing people."

Cheng Feng covered his head and slowly lay down, his tone as serious as Shang Xi's, "You Ning, your mother is right. That person isn't just your mother-in-law; she's the family member of a meritorious official. Visiting her in the hospital will not only demonstrate your respect and consideration for this important official, but also cultivate your image of benevolence. You Ning, don't blame your father for not reminding you, your reputation isn't very good. Just last year's kite incident implicated countless people, and it's still being talked about as a joke in the streets! You should try to win people over and stop relying on your great-uncle."

Cheng Youning thought about it and agreed with her parents. "Father and Mother are absolutely right. I will personally make a trip to the Hong residence in the next few days."

Cheng Feng said, "If you're going, go soon. Don't drag your feet. How many people who do great things are indecisive?"

Cheng Youning was finally persuaded, "Then I will have someone prepare gifts and go to the Hong residence later."

……

As dusk fell, colorful lanterns were hung up on the streets, and shops gradually lit up their lamps. Street vendors continued to look after their businesses, occasionally letting out shouts that attracted passersby to stop and watch. At this time, Fengying City was not as lively as during the day, and the crowds coming and going were still endless.

The Crown Prince's carriage wound its way through several streets and alleys before finally stopping in front of a vermilion gate. The servants of the Hong household, seeing that it was His Highness the Crown Prince alighting from the carriage, turned and ran to inform their master and mistress, their anxious greetings failing to reach the Crown Prince himself.

Cheng Youning shook his head, but he was used to it. It was normal that the servants in the manor were not prepared because he had not sent anyone to inform them in advance.

Cheng Youning looked up at the sky. Sparse raindrops were already falling. She felt a little annoyed. The gatekeeper of the Hong family was really too reckless. The autumn rain was the coldest. A gust of autumn wind blew, and the raindrops gradually grew bigger. There was no one to lead the way.