“Exactly. If not for him, how would Xuanba have died so young?” Mentioning this matter, Li Jiancheng still harbored deep resentment. Jirong smiled slightly. “This is precisely what we can use to our advantage.” She then whispered in Li Jiancheng’s ear, causing him to gradually relax his furrowed brow.

After Jirong finished speaking, Li Jiancheng stood up. “Good, I’ll go now. I hope things will go as we planned, otherwise…”

Jirong smiled slightly and straightened his clothes. “Even if not, it’s not an unsolvable situation. When someone has preconceived notions, no matter what others say or do afterward, it’s very difficult to change that impression.”

Li Jiancheng smiled and caressed her cheek. “Fortunately you’re my Fourth Madam, otherwise I’d truly have to worry.”

Jirong smiled brilliantly. “My lord treats this concubine with deep affection, so I will certainly assist you with all my strength to help you achieve your wishes.”

“Good!” Li Jiancheng said loudly. “If I succeed, you’ll be the greatest contributor, and I will not treat you poorly.”

“This concubine knows.” Saying this, Jirong added, “It’s getting late. My lord should hurry.”

“Very well.” After watching Li Jiancheng ride away with Xue Wanche, Jirong also returned to her tent. A maid was feeding Li Chengzong. Though this child was born at full term, he was weak and sickly with a poor appetite. They had consulted many physicians and tried numerous tonics, but nothing worked—he still wouldn’t eat what he wouldn’t eat, and still got sick when he got sick. They could only hope his constitution would improve as he grew older.

When the maid saw Jirong enter, she quickly stood and bowed. Li Chengzong swallowed what was in his mouth, and seeing the maid wasn’t continuing to feed him, immediately cried out, “I want more! Feed me more!”

Li Chengzong’s appetite had always been poor. Even when nursing, he would only eat a few mouthfuls after much coaxing. This was the first time Jirong had heard Li Chengzong actively ask for food. She said joyfully, “Chengzong, what do you want to eat?”

Li Chengzong extended his small finger to point at the bowl in the maid’s hands. “I want to eat this, Mother. This is very tasty.”

Before Jirong could ask, the maid explained, “In response to Lady Ji, it’s bean curd pudding. Young Master’s appetite has been extremely poor these past few days, so this servant thought to make a bowl of bean curd pudding for him. Unexpectedly, Young Master really loves it—he’s eaten almost this entire bowl.” As she spoke, she panicked and knelt down. “This servant prepared bean curd pudding for Young Master without Lady’s permission. This servant knows her crime.”

Jirong said nothing, only took the bowl from her hands, scooped up a spoonful, and brought it to Li Chengzong’s mouth. Before she could say anything, he had already opened his little mouth and eaten it, delighting Jirong immensely. After feeding him the remainder, she carefully wiped Li Chengzong’s mouth. He tilted his little head and said, “Mother, I want to eat this tomorrow too.”

Jirong smiled indulgently. “Good, as long as you like it, you can eat as much as you want.” She then said to the maid still kneeling on the ground, “Given that Young Master loves it, I’ll overlook this transgression. Starting tomorrow, you’ll make a bowl of bean curd pudding for Young Master every day.” After a pause, she asked, “You’re called Qiulin?”

“Yes.” After Qiulin responded, Jirong said, “You’re more thoughtful than the others. I’ll have someone increase your monthly allowance. Take good care of Young Master, and you’ll be rewarded in the future.”

Qiulin was overjoyed and quickly said, “Lady Ji can rest assured. This servant will care for Young Master with all her heart.”

“What are you discussing?” As the maid was responding, the pregnant Zheng Shi walked in with a smile. After Jirong gave birth to Li Chengzong, she too had become pregnant, bearing Li Jiancheng’s second son, Li Chengdao, in the twelfth year of the Daye era. Now she was pregnant again.

“Elder Sister.” Jirong called out and quickly stepped forward to support her. “Didn’t the physician tell Elder Sister to rest in bed? Why did you get up?”

“I’m fine. That physician is just making a fuss over nothing. Lying in bed all day would make even a healthy person sick.” Zheng Shi sat down with her assistance. “By the way, what were you just discussing?”

Jirong smiled. “Nothing much. This maid made a bowl of bean curd pudding, and Chengzong happened to like it, so I praised her a few words.”

Hearing this, Zheng Shi was also quite surprised. She was well aware of how picky Chengzong was and how he disliked eating. Finding something he enjoyed eating was truly not easy.

At this moment, Li Chengzong rushed into Zheng Shi’s arms and said coquettishly, “Big Mother!” Since Li Chengzong was born, Zheng Shi had been very good to him, always showing concern for his welfare, so he was very close to her.

Seeing this, Jirong quickly scolded, “You child, didn’t Mother tell you? Your Big Mother is pregnant now, so you can’t be so careless. Why won’t you listen? What if you cause Big Mother to have pregnancy complications?”

Li Chengzong pouted aggrievedly. Zheng Shi said sympathetically, “He’s just a child who doesn’t understand. Why scold him? Besides, I’m fine.”

“It’s precisely because he doesn’t understand that he needs more instruction, otherwise it’ll be too late if something really happens.” Regarding Jirong’s words, Zheng Shi disagreed. “What trouble could such a small person cause? Stop talking now.”

Seeing her say this, Jirong had to let the matter drop. After a while, she asked, “By the way, Elder Sister, did you come over for something?”

Faced with Jirong’s question, Zheng Shi smiled. “Nothing particular. The servants bought some cloud-slice cakes that we rarely get to eat. I thought Chengzong might like them, so I brought some over.”

As she spoke, the maid who had come with her took out a plate of cloud-slice cakes from the food box. Zheng Shi took a piece and handed it to Li Chengzong, who was nestled in her arms. “Chengzong, try this. It’s very delicious.”

Li Chengzong had just eaten a bowl of bean curd pudding and couldn’t eat anymore. He reluctantly took two bites before going off to play. Zheng Shi watched his thin figure and sighed. “Chengzong is good in every way, just a bit weak physically. But don’t worry too much, Sister. I’ve heard there are many physicians with excellent medical skills in Chang’an. After our army takes Chang’an, we can ask them to examine Chengzong—perhaps there will be improvement.”

Jirong sighed. “I hope so. Otherwise, constantly getting sick every few days is truly worrying.”

Zheng Shi comforted her. “Actually, Chengzong’s health has improved considerably compared to before this past half year. I believe it will continue to get better.”

While they were talking, Li Jiancheng was galloping with Xue Wanche. After riding for about two hours, Xue Wanche pointed ahead. “Eldest Young Master, look. That should be the Second Young Master’s troops.”

“Mm.” Li Jiancheng responded, cracking his whip to make his horse go even faster. At the same time, Li Shimin’s group also spotted Li Jiancheng galloping toward them.

Duan Zhihong quietly gripped his sword hilt and said alertly, “Second Young Master, be careful!”