The regent is determined to get the daughter of a minor official.

At this time, the Duke's wife spoke with a smile.

"Your Highness, you have arrived at the perfect time. We have already prepared a home-cooked meal.

Why don't you go have lunch with the princess and the young prince?"

Chu Musheng glanced at Xu Keke and responded with a smile.

"Since the Duke's wife is so kind in entertaining you, I will respectfully obey your orders."

The group came to the dining room and sat down at the table.

There are not many people in the Ningguo Mansion.

The masters are the old Duke, the Duke's wife, and the Crown Prince's wife Li Yueran.

Including Chu Musheng's family of three, there are only six people in total.

As for Dingdang Anxiang, Sheng Er, Sheng Wu and others, the Duke's wife arranged for them to go to another dining hall.

After everyone sat down, delicious dishes were brought up one after another by the servants in the mansion.

Although it is called a home-cooked meal, it is actually very rich.

After all, this was Xu Ke's first time visiting Li Yueran's house alone as her close friend.

And it was booked in advance.

The table was soon filled with delicious food.

Fragrant roast suckling pig, fresh shrimp, lotus-soaked chicken, sweet and sour spare ribs, lotus leaf steamed pork, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, winter melon meatball soup...

Such a sumptuous meal made everyone's appetite increase.

The Duke also took out a bottle of daughter's red wine that he had treasured for many years.

"Your Majesty, you are usually very busy with official duties. Would you like to have a few drinks to relieve your fatigue?"

Chu Musheng thought that there was nothing important to do in the afternoon, so he smiled and said.

"Since the Duke has so graciously invited me, I will have a few drinks."

The Duke laughed heartily.

"Very good, very good. I will definitely have a good drink with the prince today."

Dingdang came over and took the little prince away.

It is said that the Duke's Mansion prepared the young master's favorite food specifically for him.

Since someone was taking care of the child, Xu Ke chatted and laughed with the Duke's wife and Li Yueran while eating.

What does it mean to not talk while eating and not talk while sleeping?

cant.

Especially after drinking.

Chu Musheng and the Duke chatted and the topic turned to Prince Lu's health condition.

“I took some time out today to visit Brother Lu, and he is indeed in a bad condition.

However, a female doctor came to his house today.

This female doctor also rushed here from Chengde County after seeing the notice issued by my order.

The woman claimed she was 70% sure she could cure Prince Lu."

After hearing this, the Duke nodded with emotion.

"If we can really cure Prince Lu, it would be a great blessing."

Chu Musheng drank the wine slowly, glanced at Xu Ke inconspicuously, and spoke.

"I hope so. I also hope that Brother Prince Lu can recover soon."

Xu Keke, the Duke's wife, and Li Yueran also heard their conversation.

The Duke's wife sighed.

"Prince Lu has been frail since he was young, and he's been taking medicine almost all year round. It's really hard for him.

If she can really cure it, that female doctor will have done a great deed."

Xu Keke continued:

"Yes, I just hope that Prince Lu can turn the bad luck into good luck."

At this time, the maid in the mansion brought over a plate of steamed sea bass.

Li Yueran stood up and took it, frowning.

He put the dish on the table, ran out, and started retching outside.

Seeing this, the Duke's wife and Xu Ke hurriedly got up and followed him out.

Li Yueran was pale, holding onto the pillar, and still retching.

The Duke's wife walked forward with a look of concern, patted her on the back, and asked anxiously:

"Daughter-in-law, what's wrong with you? Are you upset?"

Xu Keke also looked worried and handed over a handkerchief.

"Sister Ran, how do you feel?"

Li Yueran took a long time to calm down before straightening up, a hint of shyness and uncertainty on her face.

"Mother, but sister, I...I might be pregnant."

The Duke's wife was stunned at first, then a surprised smile appeared on her face.

"Really? This is such a great joy!"

Xu Keke also became happy.

"Sister Ran, congratulations!"

Li Yueran blushed and grabbed Xu Keke's hand and whispered.

"Mother, but sister, I haven't had my period for a long time. Recently, I often smell no fishy smell. I'm not sure if I'm pregnant..."

"Then what are you waiting for? Daughter-in-law, go sit in the main hall first."

The Duke's wife gave instructions to the maid beside her.

"Go and ask the palace doctor to come and give the Crown Prince's wife a thorough examination."

There was chaos outside, but the Duke and Chu Musheng in the dining hall remained motionless.

Chu Musheng couldn't follow the princess out, as this was obviously a matter between women.

The Duke wanted to accompany the Prince, so he filled another glass of wine for Chu Musheng.

"Your Highness, let's continue drinking and ignore them."

The Duke said with a smile.

Chu Musheng nodded slightly, picked up the wine glass and took a sip.

"My Lord, let's continue."

The two then talked about rebuilding homes in the disaster-stricken areas in the south.

In the main hall, the maid came hurriedly with the court doctor.

The Duke's wife urged.

"House doctor, hurry up, take the pulse of the Crown Prince's wife."

Li Yueran stretched out her wrist and looked at the court doctor nervously.

After the court doctor made a diagnosis, he stood up and bowed in congratulations.

"Congratulations, Madam Guogong. Madam Crown Prince is pregnant. Her pulse is stable. With proper care, she will be fine."

The Duke's wife was so delighted that she asked her maid to reward the palace doctor.

He quickly sent someone to tell the Duke and Chu Musheng the good news.

At this time, in the dining hall, Chu Mucheng and the Duke were chatting excitedly.

Upon hearing the good news from the maid, the Duke laughed heartily.

"Haha, that's great! This is a great event for the Ningguo Mansion!"

Chu Musheng also said with a smile.

"Congratulations, Duke, your family is expecting a new baby."

The Duke picked up the wine glass.

"Thanks to the prince's good wishes, come, let's have another drink!"

The two of them drank it in one gulp, and the Duke poured more wine for Chu Musheng.

He said it with a choked voice.

"Your Majesty, to be honest, I have been waiting for this day for too long!

My eldest son died in the battlefield, leaving me with no grandchildren. Fortunately, I still have my youngest son, Xuzhi..."

Chu Musheng silently accompanied the old Duke in drinking.

How could he not know the situation of Ningguo Mansion?

It was precisely because the Ningguo Mansion was a loyal family, but was persecuted by Princess Jianning, that he had always taken good care of the Mansion.

Everyone has selfish desires.

Chu Musheng subconsciously thought that he might not live past the age of thirty.

When he shows kindness to others, he is also thinking about what will happen in the future when he is no longer around.

Some people, remembering his kindness, took extra care of their princess and children.

After all, royal disputes have always been cruel and ruthless.

Chu Musheng spoke to comfort her.

"My Lord, please don't be too sad. Now that the Crown Prince's wife is pregnant, the mansion will surely be blessed with great fortune in the future."

The Duke wiped his eyes.

"Your Highness is kindhearted and generous. I will never forget the kindness you have shown me in the Ningguo Mansion."

Chu Musheng waved his hand.

"Your Excellency, you are too kind. Several generations of your family have served our dynasty as heroes. I shall do my utmost to serve you."

Duke Ningguo filled Chu Musheng's glass with wine again with a serious expression.

"Your Majesty, I will always remember your kindness to my Ningguo Mansion.

The princess is my daughter-in-law’s best friend, and the young prince is the lucky star of my family.

The first time the young master came back, he brought me the good news of his grandson.

I offer you a toast here. From now on, our Ningguo Mansion will follow your lead."

Chu Musheng followed suit and raised his glass.

"Your Excellency the Duke, you are too kind. The Duke's family and I have a deep bond, and it is only natural that we should support each other."