Chen Xi came over not only to have a daily meal, but also to sit down with Hui Niang and talk about the family matters.

However, Hui Niang didn't want to say anything at this moment. She had already said almost everything she had said in Juyongguan. For her, she was satisfied to see Chen Xi again after less than a month. She had to wait until she could say anything in the boudoir.

"It's not too late, so why don't the master enter the room first?"

After dinner, Dongxi and Sui'an did not retreat. They seemed to be taking care of Chen Hong. In fact, Hui Niang deliberately kept them and waited for Chen Xi to make a decision whether to accept the sisters.

Chen Xidao: "It's not dark this day, can it be said that it's getting late? You won't all go to bed now, right?"

Li Jin smiled and explained: "When you return to the capital, the whole family will be reunited, and sitting down and talking is the right thing to do. Who is in a hurry to rest?"

Chen Xi nodded: "It's true, but this yard looks a bit dilapidated and has no entertainment facilities... It seems that I have to find a larger courtyard for you so that you can live more comfortably..."

"It's not a matter of trouble for the master."

Hui Niang said seriously, "The big houses in the capital have names and surnames. If they are discovered, they are not good for the master... In fact, such a courtyard house is quite good, with the master's bedroom, living room, wing room, and kitchen. There are no people around here, there, only a few girls, and I don't need too many people to serve you. You can have enough food and clothing by relying on yourself."

"Um."

Chen Xi nodded slightly, but didn't say anything.

Hui Niang said again: "I was already planning to go back to the south for winter before, but the master kept it. I wonder when I and Jin'er will go back to the south?"

"Let's talk about it after the Chinese New Year. The business over there will not be any use for you. After a long time of separation, can't you get together for a few more days?"

Chen Xi held Hui Niang's hand and said, "It's rare to have such a leisurely time in the capital. I want to stay with you for a few more days. Hong'er should have a younger brother, too."

Chen Xi stayed at Hui Niang to enjoy the joy of family. No matter how cold Hui Niang is, at least her relationship with Chen Xi cannot be changed. Chen Xi always needs to show sincerity to maintain this relationship, and he came here to fulfill his responsibilities as his husband and father.

When Hui Niang spoke, she intentionally or unintentionally transferred the topic to Chen Hong, which not only involved her son's healthy growth, but also included her future studies. After all, Hui Niang hoped that her son would get his identity and status, and not just be a shameful person like herself.

Chen Xi probably understood Hui Niang's meaning, but did not point it out. Some things are difficult for Chen Xi to solve, such as how to define the identities of Hui Niang and Shen Hong.

Li Jin said: "Master, those Folang Ji people want to do a long-term business with us instead of just a single transaction... Otherwise, we will also send people to Folang Ji country to buy some goods back so that the pricing power will be in their hands?"

When Li Jin talks about business matters, he wants to change the topic more... Li Jin is very sensible. She knows Hui Niang's persistence and is so stubborn that she is so stubborn that she hopes her son has what she can't get. She is making things difficult for Chen Xi in disguise.

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

Hui Niang glared at Li Jin and said, "The Kingdom of Folang Ji is tens of thousands of miles away from the Ming Dynasty. I don't know if I can come back in my life if I go out. Moreover, according to the information I have obtained before, the things brought by Folang Ji people were not produced by their own country, but were obtained from other places... But the court can organize a powerful fleet and go out to sea to take over the small countries on the sea one by one."

Chen Xi smiled and said, "This is a good idea... You can consider it if you go back and ask His Majesty for instructions to build large ships, and then send a fleet to sea. A fleet equipped with new firearms can conquer many overseas islands within a few years and expand territory for the Ming Dynasty... At that time, minerals can be mined and grain can be planted in these places to solve the problem of insufficient supply of materials in Ming Dynasty."

Hui Niang was frightened and hurriedly said, "I don't understand these things. Master, don't take my words seriously. Why is it not my turn to be the court to make the decision?"

Perhaps because he realized that Chen Xi was really likely to make such a suggestion to the court, Hui Niang immediately overturned her thoughts, obviously not wanting to cause trouble, or she was carrying some ideological burden.

When Chen Xi saw that the previous topic about Chen Hong was no longer continued, he laughed and said, "Oh, it's completely dark outside. It's really late. It's time for us to go into the room to rest... Let's talk about it tomorrow if you have something to do!"

Li Jin smiled and said, "It's so good... Sister, let's go into the room?"

Hui Niang was a little unwilling and said, "The master will go back to the Shen family tomorrow morning. It's snowing heavily today. There is no fire in the bedroom yet. It's too cold. Someone needs to preheat it first. After all, the charcoal fire basin cannot be placed next to the couch, so the room must be heated up slowly... Let the girls go and deal with it first. I have something to ask the master."

Li Jin stuck out his tongue and sat aside without saying anything.

"Sui'an, Dongxi, you go to the bedroom to make a fire first, then go to the bed to heat up the bed, and we will wait until we go back to the room!" Hui Niang gave a few instructions to the two girls. After the two girls stepped down, she sat upright and looked at Chen Xi, with a little resentment in her eyes, as if she was waiting for Chen Xi to answer her.

Chen Xi looked at Hui Niang in surprise and made a gesture of invitation: "What do you mean by Hui Niang? You can say it directly, there is nothing to avoid."

Hui Niang's expression was full of stubbornness: "Hong'er has not yet settled in the government. Even if she enters school in the future, she will not be able to become an official or even participate in the imperial examination. She will be laughed at when she goes out... Shouldn't the master do something for him?"

Chen Xi nodded and said, "I have sent someone to solve your household registration. I have been naturalized in Guangdong Province before. Now I just need to move to the capital... However, there are too many people watching from the capital. It is best to fall into prefectures around the capital, and it is not within the scope of Shuntian Prefecture... You should know the reason."

Hui Niang frowned slightly: "I don't mean this... Can the master take Hong'er back home and give him a formal identity?"

In one sentence, the atmosphere in the hall became awkward, and even Li Jin felt that Hui Niang was too stubborn.

Hui Niang didn't care much about Chen Hong's identity before, but after returning from Datong this time, her paranoia seemed to intensify. This was related to her growing older and she felt that she was unable to be favored. When a woman was at this age, she had to plan for the future. Hui Niang didn't dare to ask Chen Xi for anything to give her in the future. She would not fight for her, but she had to consider her son and regard her future as a spiritual sustenance.

Chen Xi sighed: "About Hong'er, you will sincerely accept him unless your family knows who his biological parents are... I'm afraid this is a scene that Hui Niang doesn't want to see, right?"

"If I can give him the identity, I will be willing to die even if I die." Hui Niang said solemnly.

Chen Xi became more and more helpless: "There is only one way to do this. Hong'er temporarily enters the Chen Mansion as my adopted son. I will give him the best education. In the future, he can participate in the imperial examinations like all male members of the Shen family and get the best protection. But... he will leave Hui Niang's side, are you really willing to do it?"

"elder sister……"

Based on Li Jin's understanding of Hui Niang, he probably understood that his sister would really do this, so he had to quickly remind Hui Niang to stop this idea.

Obviously, Chen Xi was unwilling to let Hui Niang continue to be paranoid, and at the same time it was more of a consideration for their mother and son. For example, in terms of how big the inner demon Hui Niang is in her heart, the child is always innocent. If Chen Hong is allowed to enter the Shen family, it means that the son will temporarily cut off all contact with his mother, and he will not even know who his biological mother is in the future.

Shen Hong is still young and has few things to carry. Once Chen Hong grows up, the pressure on his identity will be high. At that time, it will be difficult for Chen Hong to make changes. If he is allowed to return to the Shen family with Hui Niang's son, things will sooner or later be found out.

But if you take it back as another layer now, the problem can be temporarily solved and there will be greater plastic space, but this is too cruel for Hui Niang.

"I... can't bear to leave..."

After hesitating for a long time, Hui Niang finally said something.

When Hui Niang lowered her head, she looked miserable. On the one hand, she wanted to give Chen Hong the best environment to grow up so that her son could get rid of the burden of having an illegitimate child. In the future, she had the educational resources and background of the Shen family, and even inherited some of the shade of Chenxi, and had a bright future! But on the other hand, she couldn't bear to leave her heart. Hui Niang's life was already miserable. When her hope for the future was only left, she couldn't bear to say goodbye to her son.

Chen Xi finally felt better and said, "There is another way, that is, you will change your appearance and enter the Shen family. However, your true identity will still be known in the future. With my current ability, it is enough to ensure that you are innocent and allow you to get everything you want in the Shen family..."

"No, there is no such possibility!"

Hui Niang said resolutely, "Even if the master can let me enter the Shen family now, I will not go back. I am not the master's inner room, but the outer house where I am running for the master. There are Jin'er, Sui'an and Dongxi, and so many people who eat with me. I can only support a family. Even if this family is shameless, it is always complete... But Hong'er cannot belong here. He should have a better environment for growth, study and literacy, and take the imperial examination. Although he is young, he has strong learning ability and has a promising future."

Chen Xi sighed: "Actually, you still can't let go of your obsession and dare not face the people in the past!"

A single sentence made Hui Niang feel sad.

Chen Xi's words were like a sharp knife, stabbing directly into the softest part of her heart.

But Chen Xi knew that in order to open the knot in Hui Niang's heart, we must let Hui Niang's old scars be uncovered and the pus and blood inside were released. The more unbearable the past is, the more we have to face it directly.

Chen Xidao: "In the past, people who knew you thought you were dead and offered you a tablet, but they didn't know that you were alive and even became my woman... In fact, everything is not important now. As long as they know that you are alive, it is the best comfort for them. Time can resolve everything, rather than continue to be so stubborn."

"If you die, you will die, and you will never survive." Hui Niang said.

Because the topic was too heavy, the atmosphere was extremely depressing from Chen Hong's identity to Hui Niang's past. Li Jin next to him said: "Master, sister, let's not talk about this. Even if the past is over, what should I mention it?"

Chen Xi said: "Your sister is too persistent. Actually, I hope you sisters will go back to Shen's house with me. Even if I bear the infamy in the world, it doesn't matter. As long as you can get happiness, I can pay all the price."

Hui Niang shook her head and said, "No, Hong'er can study and go on the imperial examination in the future. Even if he is not by my side, I feel very pleased... As long as he has a future prospect... As for whether he recognizes me, it is actually not important."

"Sister, I can't bear to leave Hong'er. He left. The yard is deserted. What's the point?" Li Jin said sadly.

Because of Chen Hong's existence, Li Jin gave up a lot and gave up a lot. She had long regarded Chen Hong as her future reliance, just like Hui Niang. This is a child who is highly anticipated and the shared efforts of her and Hui Niang.

Hui Niang said, "Jin'er, you have your own path. I'm not young anymore. It was more like a bad relationship when I was with the master. In fact, you can be a concubine openly and enter the Shen family. Life there can make you feel more at ease and no longer have to run around like me and wander around."

"Sister is going to drive me away?"

Li Jin suddenly felt sad. The two girls had a deep relationship. After losing the support of the family, Li Jin completely treated Hui Niang as her own sister. Many things were planned by Hui Niang.

Li Jin now has a strong sense of belonging. Not only did Chen Xi give her, but more importantly, Hui Niang and Shen Hong bring her. Even if she knows the situation of her family now, she understands that many things will never go back to the past. Li Jin now wants to maintain her life at this time.

Chen Xi sighed, "If you have to say these things, they are all my sons. Will I treat Hong'er badly? Even if I take him home in the future, I will say that he was born in the outdoor room. Who can tell me the truth?"

Hui Niang shook her head and said, "With the master's reputation, the Shen family will surrender, but they cannot accept it sincerely. This child will never be recognized by others in the future, and will be inferior to others wherever he goes... I don't want to put heavy shackles on him."

Chen Xi can understand Hui Niang's mentality.

For the bright future of his son, Hui Niang even let Chen Hong leave her and enter the Shen family, even if she just studied and pursued fame as Chen Xi's adopted son, and even did not let Chen Hong know that she had her mother.

To a certain extent, Hui Niang's maternal love is great, but Chen Xi can feel Hui Niang's selfishness.

"Let's talk about it later."

Chen Xi frowned and said, "At least I will not let Hong'er leave you now, so that he can accept more maternal love. In the future, he can have a better future with you. He may not necessarily need to go to Chen's mansion to live a life without tolerance and love."

Because of Hui Niang's identity, Chen Xi was suspicious and did not want Hui Niang or Chen Hong to change the existing structure of the Shen family. It might be possible in the future, but at least not now.

Hui Niang suddenly fell silent, very satisfied with Chen Xi's delay and perfunctory way. The only way she could express her protest was silence. She understood Chen Xi knew what she was thinking.

...

...

The wind and snow are getting heavier.

The north wind was howling outside the window, but the room was warm. Chen Xi did not have the habit of going to bed early. When everything in the couch became quiet, he was still thinking about Hui Niang and Shen Hong. Many things made him feel depressed and unable to let go.

Because the window was too windy, the maid came out to help block it at night. Seeing that Hui Niang was still not asleep, Chen Xi couldn't help but say, "It seems that this place is not suitable for you. I don't need to change your residence in the past two days, at least it will be better to shelter from the wind and rain than now."

Hui Niang shook her head and said nothing, but Li Jin on the side said, "Master, it's been rumored outside that you are about to be named Duke. That's the highest title in the Ming Dynasty. In the future, will you be the Duke?"

Chen Xi looked at Hui Niang. Under the faint light, Hui Niang's face was not very clear, but Chen Xi could feel the sorrow in Hui Niang's heart.

Chen Xi thought to himself: "Isn't Hui Niang aware of the fact that I want to be a prince. I hope Chen Hong can come to the Shen family earlier and at least get a certain status in the future by inheriting the title? But only the eldest son can enjoy the title of the Ming Dynasty. How could Chen Hong have a chance as a concubine?"

Even though Chen Xi did not want to divide the legitimate and illegitimate issues, many practical problems in this era are in front of him. The "Da Ming Linghu Ling" stipulates: "The son born to a traitor shall be divided according to the number of sons." This means that the inheritance share of the concubine's son is only half of the legitimate son, and only if there is no legitimate son, can the concubine's son share the property equally.

Not to mention royal families or nobles, even ordinary farmers have the highest inheritance rights, and the concubine's son usually gets a small part of the assets and goes out to settle down again.

Chen Xidao: "Many things are just rumors from the outside world. Even I was just hearing the news and not confirmed. In fact, there was a little unhappy between my Majesty and I. Because of the admonition, I have to rest at home. How could Your Majesty easily be awarded the title?"

Hui Niang looked at Chen Xi, then turned her head and continued to look towards the window. Even if she was just staring quietly, it was a kind of protest.

Chen Xi asked, "If I were to be named, would you be happy Jin'er?"

"Of course I'm happy."

Li Jin said happily, "After the master is awarded the title, his status will be greatly improved. At that time, there will definitely be rewards for the land and houses. At that time, the master will be even more invincible in the court..."
To be continued...