Xi Lingyuan leaned against a soft couch covered with thick brocade, a brocade quilt embroidered with a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix covering her. Although her face was still somewhat pale, it already exuded a gentle vitality. She looked at the figure not far away, bent over writing furiously, her eyes tender.

Kang Kang, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, sat behind a long table not far from the warm couch. The table was piled high with memorials, and a vermilion brush lay to the side. But instead of memorials, a thick medical book lay open before him, with several small mortars and a delicate jade bowl beside it. He was intently grinding several medicinal herbs, his movements slow and precise, producing a soft, rustling sound. Occasionally, he would pause to jot something down on a piece of paper, or ponder for a moment, his brow furrowed with the focused and meticulous demeanor of a physician.

“Brother Kang Kang,” Xi Lingyuan’s voice, soft and gentle with the unique warmth of postpartum, broke the silence of the room, “Could you drink half a bowl less of the herbal soup today?” She frowned slightly, her tone slightly coquettish, “My mouth is full of bitterness.”

Hearing the sound, Kang Kang looked up, put down the pestle in his hand, and a helpless yet doting smile immediately spread across his face. He got up and walked to the bedside, naturally reaching out to check her forehead temperature, then gently holding her wrist, his fingertips resting on her pulse for a moment.

“A-Yuan,” his voice was gentle, yet firm, “this ‘Guiqi Yangrong Decoction’ is a prescription I carefully considered. It’s the safest way to replenish qi and blood. It’s a bit bitter, but good medicine tastes bitter. Be good, just bear with it for a few more days.” He bent down, picked up the warm medicine bowl from the low table beside him, scooped up a spoonful, carefully blew on it, and brought it to her lips. “Here, let me feed you. After you finish this bowl, I’ll give you a candied plum, okay?”

Looking at his handsome face so close to hers, Xi Lingyuan saw that his eyes, always brimming with concern, now held a coaxing smile, and any resistance she felt vanished. She obediently opened her mouth, swallowed the bitter medicine, and her brows furrowed even more. After finishing the bowl of medicine, a crystal-clear, honey-preserved plum was promptly placed in her mouth, instantly melting away the bitterness. With the plum in her mouth, she squinted her eyes contentedly, like a lazy cat.

"How are things at court?" she asked, swallowing a plum. During her postpartum period, the affairs of state were temporarily handled by several trusted ministers and Kang Kang. Important memorials were sent to her for her personal review, and the final decision-making power remained in her hands, but the specific implementation and many trivial matters fell on Kang Kang's shoulders.

Kang Kang put the medicine bowl back, picked up a clean silk handkerchief, and gently wiped the corner of her mouth. "Nothing serious, just some year-end routines and border reports. The Ministry of Personnel has submitted the regulations for next year's spring imperial examinations. I've looked at them, and they're generally fine. We'll finalize the details when you're feeling better. The Ministry of Revenue reported on the snow situation in several prefectures, and I've ordered the local granaries to be opened for relief. I've also sent people from the Ministry of Works to inspect the dikes and houses. The Ministry of War..." He reported clearly and logically, his voice not loud, but carrying a reassuring calmness.

Just then, a slight noise came from outside the warm pavilion. Two experienced wet nurses entered, carrying swaddled babies. One of the babies in the swaddle was awake, its big, dark eyes looking around curiously. It was the second child. He always seemed to have something in his hand, and at this moment he was unconsciously clutching the tassel of the swaddle. The other baby was sleeping soundly, its little face rosy. It was the eldest child. One of its little hands was habitually resting on the warm, smooth white jade pendant on its chest.

"Your Highness and Second Prince have awakened and wish to see His Majesty and the Emperor," the wet nurse said respectfully.

Kang Kang immediately stopped reporting, his eyes softening instantly. He strode over and skillfully took the awake baby from the wet nurse's arms. The little guy, nestled in his father's arms, babbled and waved his little hands wildly, accidentally slapping Kang Kang's chin.

"Oh my, our little tiger's paws are quite strong." Kang Kang chuckled, rubbing his chin against his son's soft little hand. He carried the child to the edge of the bed, leaning down so the little guy could see Xi Lingyuan, "A Yuan, look, the second one is full of energy."

Xi Lingyuan reached out and gently touched her son's delicate cheek, her eyes filled with tenderness. "You little rascal, you're so young and you already know how to 'hit' your dad?" She turned to look at her eldest son, who was sleeping soundly in the wet nurse's arms. "The eldest is quite steady, sleeping soundly." She looked up at Kang Kang, with the pride of a new mother and a hint of teasing, "Kang Kang, tell me, whose personality do they take after?"

Kang Kang sat on the edge of the tatami mat, holding his eldest son's peaceful sleeping face, then looking at his lively, wriggling second son in his arms, and chuckled, "The way the eldest son holds the jade pendant so quietly is somewhat reminiscent of your composed demeanor when you're reviewing memorials, A-Yuan. As for the second son..." He lowered his head and rubbed his nose against his son's little nose, making the little guy giggle, "This energetic and unpretentious nature, is probably inherited from me, this 'quack doctor'?"

"Nonsense," Xi Lingyuan glared at him, her eyes full of laughter. "My Kang Kang brother is a miracle doctor, a healer with miraculous healing skills, not some quack!" She watched Kang Kang skillfully hold and play with the child, his composure when handling state affairs blending strangely with his tender affection at this moment, without any conflict. For the past month, he had taken care of her tirelessly, personally examining her pulse, prescribing medicine, and arranging her meals, while also squeezing in time to handle heavy official duties. Though occasional signs of fatigue appeared on his brow, he never showed the slightest impatience in front of her. She saw this devotion, and it warmed her heart.