Chapter 105: Huayang

Chapter 105: Huayang

The number of people Yang Rong'en brought back was substantial. After dealing with them as instructed by the Emperor, Luo Yunlai and his subordinates returned to the Imperial Justice Bureau.

After being attended to by a young eunuch in his own house, receiving a back massage and shoulder kneading, Luo Yunlai went to the Liangyi Hall to find An Jing and asked, "Is His Majesty available now?"

An Jing shook his head slightly, pointing towards the direction of the Chancellery's office, and whispered, "The duty secretary today refused to draft the decree, returning the Emperor's initial proposal. His Majesty is in audience with him right now."

Surprised, Luo Yunlai leaned in closer and asked, "Which dignitary is it?"

"It's Minister Liang Qinian," An Jing replied quietly, lips barely moving.

Minister Liang, already beyond forty, was a top scholar, strictly traditional, having served as a secretary after graduating from the Hanlin Academy. He was known for his orthodox and upright character.

Luo Yunlai shook his head, evidently familiar with the renowned Minister Liang, and without asking why, he moved on to business matters, "Please inform His Majesty through Eunuch An that the issue at Prince Cheng's mansion has been handled. However, recently people from the Marquis of Linping's house have been trying to gather information."

"The Marquis of Linping's house?" An Jing's expression remained unchanged, smiling and nodding, he responded, "Understood, Luo Gonggong, your efforts are appreciated."

After Luo Yunlai, in his dark blue robe, disappeared around the corner, An Jing tiptoed towards the main hall of Liangyi, but before getting close, he heard the sound of a porcelain cup shattering, followed by the Emperor's voice, strained with suppressed anger—

"Since Minister Liang believes this matter is inappropriate, you must have a better suggestion, right?"

An Jing held his breath, inching closer stealthily, and cautiously peeked inside. He saw his master, Sheng An, gesturing with his mouth to leave quickly.

An Jing hastily retreated, but not before hearing Minister Liang Qinian's righteous rebuttal, "Your Majesty, although Gu Bianxu is indeed talented, he has only been in the Hanlin Academy for less than a year. Moreover, with the top scholar Li Huaimin still in his compiling position, how can Gu Bianxu be promoted so exceptionally?"

His Majesty really has a good temper!

An Jing thought to himself as he hurried away.

It wasn't until close to the evening meal, around Shen hour, that An Jing found a chance to quietly discuss with his master what Luo Yunlai had mentioned.

Sheng An nodded and said to An Jing, "Tell Quan Shun from the Palace Servitude Bureau that His Majesty is visiting Empress Zhao in Yaohua Palace today, and there's no need to come over."

An Jing hurriedly agreed and returned to the side room. Indeed, he found Quan Shun waiting there with his tray for quite some time.

Upon seeing An Jing return, Quan Shun smiled apologetically and said, "Eunuch An, His Majesty at this moment..."

Before he could finish, An Jing interrupted, "You can go back. His Majesty is visiting Yaohua Palace today."

"Alright!" Quan Shun, relieved as if pardoned, didn’t bother to check if the Emperor had flipped his attendance token, and cheerfully said to An Jing, "Then I'll be off. Next time, I’ll treat you to a drink, Eunuch An!"

Clearly, for Quan Shun, not having to face an Emperor in a bad mood was a great relief.

The Emperor, unconcerned with the thoughts of his servants, arrived at Yaohua Palace in his imperial carriage. He saw Jiang Hui, pregnant and about to step out to greet him, and quickly went forward to assist her, chiding gently, "Hui'er, you should just stay inside."

Jiang Hui smiled softly and asked in a gentle voice, "Your Majesty, what brings you here today?"

After helping Jiang Hui to a soft chair, Xiao Sheng complained, "That rigid Liang Qinian. I think it's better to transfer him far away. Out of sight, out of mind!"

"Your Majesty is speaking in anger again," Jiang Hui chuckled lightly, not taking up the matter, and personally served tea to Xiao Sheng.

Xiao Sheng took a sip and asked Jiang Hui, "Have you had your dinner yet, Hui'er?"

"Not yet," Jiang Hui replied. "Today, the small kitchen prepared hot pot. Would Your Majesty care to join?"

It was only early September, seemingly too early for hot pot, but Jiang Hui suddenly craved it, and the small kitchen naturally obliged.

"Hot pot?" Xiao Sheng raised an eyebrow slightly and smiled, "Sure, it's been a long time since I've had it."

For a while, the two sat opposite each other in the warm pavilion. Xiao Sheng instructed Sheng An to bring their son over and place him on a small chair beside them to join the meal.

Underneath the pot, red ember coals simmered the fire, emitting no sparks to ensure the child's safety. Still, they moved his specially made chair from the Palace Servitude Bureau a safe distance away.

The child, unable to reach but able to see, played with a silver spoon in his hand, poking at the boneless fish balls in his bowl, and exclaimed, "Daddy, bad!"

Unperturbed, Xiao Sheng continued to place small pieces of rabbit meat into Jiang Hui's bowl with long bamboo chopsticks, saying, "When you grow taller, you can eat with daddy and mommy."

Nearly two years old, the child seemed to understand and turned his head to look at Jiang Hui.

Jiang Hui nodded at him and said softly, "Daddy is right. Eat more, and you'll grow taller."

"Eat more," the child repeated, halting his playful actions with the fish balls, gripping the spoon handle sideways, and finally managing to get the fish into his mouth.

Jiang Hui couldn't help but smile, but the smile pulled at her round belly, suddenly causing a sharp pain.

Clutching her stomach, her face turned pale instantly, startling Xiao Sheng, who hurriedly came to her aid, anxiously asking, "Hui'er? What’s wrong? Is it time?"

Counting the days, it was indeed about time for the birth.

Jiang Hui nodded, catching her breath, and said to Xiao Sheng, "Your Majesty, take our son away..."

"I understand," Xiao Sheng said as he picked up Jiang Hui to take her to the birthing room.

Autumn Kui had already directed the palace staff into action. The midwife Qian Mama and the medical woman quickly entered the birthing room, while Sheng An brought the on-duty Imperial Physician Liu to wait outside.

The child called out "Mommy" a few times from his small chair, squirming to get down. Pomegranate approached, speaking softly, "Would the little master like to go play in the eastern annex with me? You haven't finished solving yesterday's Kongming lock puzzle."

"No!" The child clambered down from the chair, not wanting to be held by Pomegranate, and stumbled as he ran in the direction of Jiang Hui.

He was stopped outside the birthing room. Pomegranate and several wet nurses caught up to him and tried to soothe him, but the child, distressed, began to cry loudly outside the door.

Xiao Sheng had no choice but to come out from the birthing room and hold his son, comforting him, "Don’t cry, little one. Mommy will worry if she hears you. And if she worries, it will hurt more."

"If I don’t cry, mommy won’t hurt," the child said, ceasing his wails and lying still in Xiao Sheng’s embrace.

At that moment, the Empress entered from outside the hall, her skirt still slightly wrinkled, evidently having rushed over upon hearing the news.

After paying her respects to the Emperor, she saw Xiao Sheng holding the eldest prince, eyes fixed on the birthing room, and understood it wasn't the time to speak. She ordered tea and snacks to be prepared for the Emperor and sat quietly to the side, waiting.

This delivery was indeed smoother than when carrying their first child. Jiang Hui’s labor went relatively well, and at the hour of Chou, Qian Mama emerged with a swaddled infant, smiling at the Emperor and Empress, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, and to the Empress. Consort Zhao has given birth to a girl, both mother and daughter are safe!"

The Empress sighed with relief, subtly observing the Emperor's reaction. She saw his usually deep eyes light up with joy, and heard his voice rise slightly—

"Consort Zhao has given birth to the Third Princess, meriting a reward. Increase her provisions by an additional twenty percent. The Third Princess, named Yu Xue, is adorable and dear to my heart. She shall be titled Princess Huayang!"

——

Attached Tooth Sequence Diagram (Jianzhao, Second Year Edition)