Chapter 433 The Child

Jiang Huan slept very soundly, as if she wanted to make up for all the energy she had exhausted during childbirth.

When she opened her eyes again, it was already bright outside the window, and warm, soft sunlight streamed in through the window frame, with a faint smell of medicine in the air.

She moved slightly, feeling as if her whole body had been disassembled and reassembled, leaving her weak and sore.

"Awake?" A deep, hoarse voice came from beside me.

Jiang Huan turned her head and met a pair of bloodshot eyes.

Huo Lin sat on the edge of the bed, still wearing the same clothes stained with dark dirt, with stubble on his chin, looking haggard.

When he saw that she was awake, he immediately bent down and took her hand that was outside the blanket.

"How are you feeling? Still in pain? Are you hungry? Do you want some water?"

A barrage of questions came at him, his tone urgent, completely losing his usual composure.

Jiang Huan felt incredibly soft-hearted seeing his disheveled and nervous appearance, and also found it somewhat amusing.

She tried to speak, but found her throat was so dry that she could only manage a few breathy sounds.

Huo Lin immediately understood, poured a cup of warm water, tested the temperature himself first, and then carefully fed it to her lips little by little with a silver spoon.

The warm water soothed her parched throat, and Jiang Huan felt a little better. She even managed to pull out a playful little face and raise her hand.

"I'm fine, but what about those two brats? They exhausted me like this, I need to spank them."

Huo Lin chuckled upon hearing this, and then grabbed her restless hand: "It's all good. The twins are both very healthy. The wet nurse just finished feeding them and is sleeping now."

[She deserves a beating, but she's too young. I'll beat her together when she grows up!]

[Last night was truly terrifying; she was nearly scared to death. Thankfully, everything is alright.]

However, because of the premature birth, she will probably need to be cared for even more carefully. Hmm... let's find a few more reliable wet nurses.

When Jiang Huan heard that she had given birth to twins, her eyes crinkled with laughter.

Having both a son and a daughter, both healthy and safe, is truly wonderful!

But why do I always get the feeling that the two kids might team up and cause trouble on the roof? That's probably a common worry for new parents.

"If she's asleep, I won't beat her. Let me see her first," she requested softly.

Huo Lin nodded immediately and turned to the palace servants waiting outside, instructing them, "Go and have the wet nurse bring the prince and princess over."

A short while later, two experienced wet nurses each carried a small baby in their arms.

The two little ones were fast asleep with their eyes closed.

Because they were premature, they were noticeably smaller than full-term babies, with reddish and wrinkled skin, looking like two quiet little monkeys.

But upon closer inspection, one can vaguely discern the shadows of their parents in their eyes and brows.

The one on the left has eyebrows that vaguely resemble Huo Lin's, while the one on the right has lips that curve more like Jiang Huan's, slightly upturned.

Jiang Huan's heart softened instantly. She reached out her fingertips and gently touched the cheek of the child closest to her.

She felt a soft, warm touch, brimming with the vibrant life of new life, a wondrous sensation that brought tears to her eyes.

"So tiny..." she murmured, her eyes filled with maternal warmth, "They look just like two little kittens."

Huo Lin also came over, his gaze lingering tenderly on the two children's faces. He was about to reach out and touch them like Jiang Huan had, but his fingertips twitched and then he withdrew them.

They're so small, as soft as tofu. I could easily hold both of them in one hand. I mustn't be clumsy and break them.

This feeling is truly wonderful; my heart is full and throbbing, like I'm holding two tiny flames inside.

After looking at her for a while, Jiang Huan suddenly remembered something, looked up and asked Huo Lin, "Have you chosen a name yet?"

Upon hearing this, Huo Lin paused for a moment, but deliberately softened his tone: "Not yet. I was thinking that after you wake up and rest for a couple of days, we can think about it together. In the meantime, we can just give you a nickname."

[Actually, I've privately come up with dozens of names, poring over countless ancient texts, but I still feel they're not good enough, not worthy of my child with her.]

[The choice must be the one with the best, most grand, and most auspicious meaning; there can be no carelessness.]

[Nickname... um, let her choose. Whatever she likes, she can call me that; whatever she suggests is fine.]

Jiang Huan knew perfectly well what was going on with him, that he was working so hard he was almost bald, yet he was pretending to be nonchalant.

Tsk, so concerned about saving face that it's a pain in the ass. Why not just say you're overwhelmed by the choices?

She lowered her eyelashes, looked at the two sleeping babies, thought for a moment, and said softly, "As for nicknames, I think they are so small and premature. I don't expect them to be very successful in the future. I just hope that they can grow up healthy and happy without any illness or disaster. How about we call them An'an and Lele?"

Huo Lin paused for a moment, then whispered and repeated the two words: "An'an, Lele..."

A genuine and warm smile spread across his eyes, like spring ice melting.

"Alright, as you wish." He reached out again, stroking the swaddling clothes of the two children with his fingertips, his voice gentle, "My An'an and Lele will surely live a peaceful, healthy, and happy life."

[An'an, Lele... Good, really good, better than any grand ambition or imperial ambition.]

My precious treasure deserves a lifetime of peace and prosperity; no one should dare to disrupt this perfect harmony.

Huo Lin stayed with Jiang Huan in the bedchamber for a long time, personally supervising her as she ate the nourishing porridge specially prepared by the imperial kitchen.

On the morning of the third day, seeing that Jiang Huan's complexion had improved, Huo Lin carefully instructed the palace servants before changing into his court robes and preparing to attend court.

Just before leaving the palace, he turned back and gave Jiang Huan a deep look.

"You should rest well. I'll be right back."

Jiang Huan smiled and nodded: "Go ahead, I'm fine. I'd like to take a ten-lap walk in the Imperial Garden."

......

On the throne room.

Huo Lin sat upright on the dragon throne, the gloom between his brows vanishing completely.

He handled several backlogged and urgent administrative matters swiftly and decisively, demonstrating clarity and efficiency.

Then, he slowly swept his gaze across the civil and military officials in the hall, his voice steady and powerful, clearly resounding throughout every corner of the hall.

"The Imperial Noble Consort recently gave birth to a prince and a princess for me. Both mother and children are safe and sound, which brings me great comfort."

Upon hearing this, whether their intentions were genuine or not, the courtiers immediately stepped forward, lifted their robes, and knelt down as if they had rehearsed their actions.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations on the birth of your son, a son of noble birth! May your empire be forever secure!"

For a time, the hall was filled with various songs of praise and celebration, creating a festive and peaceful atmosphere.

When the noise subsided, Huo Lin raised his hand, and the hall instantly fell silent.

He continued, "The names of princes and princesses should not be taken lightly, Ministry of Rites."

The Minister of Rites immediately stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your subject is here!"

"After the court session, you must immediately select characters to name the princes and princesses. The characters must have auspicious meanings and resonant sounds. Report them to me in three days."

"Your subject obeys the decree!" The Minister of Rites hurriedly accepted the order.

Just as the ministers thought the good news had been announced and were about to offer their praises, Huo Lin paused slightly, his gaze becoming increasingly profound.

"In addition, Imperial Noble Consort Jiang is gentle and virtuous, and has made meritorious contributions in giving birth to the imperial heir. I have decided to choose an auspicious day to hold the ceremony of her being made empress."