Chapter 31

The next day, I accompanied my father again, and my father gave my brother many detailed instructions.

I saw two older men in the room, probably sent by the palace. My father had brought two of them with him, but when he saw this, he didn't mention keeping them.

Fortunately, when I got married, a trustworthy uncle came as a dowry.

Before leaving, I secretly told Kong Qing that there was a pregnancy oil in Yujun Tower, so he should remember to apply it to his brother every day. But he still had to be careful, as stretch marks are not a good look.

Day by day, my brother's belly was swelling like a balloon, even though he was exercising every day. This also frightened the two uncles in the palace.

I was relieved that the Third Princess spent all her time with her brother except for official business. But it was her brother who couldn't stand it anymore, "She stares at me all day, really!"

The closer it got to the third trimester, the more irritable my brother's gentle nature became.

"It turns out that pregnancy is more uncomfortable than I thought. Modern women are really great. They can still work while pregnant!"

These days, I have also learned some knowledge about production, and I can only sigh that the Creator is truly amazing.

I cautiously walked around the yard with my brother. By now, I probably couldn't see my own feet.

"I've been here during my pregnancy. The people in the greenhouse on the farm must be incredibly busy, right? The supply of all kinds of vegetables never stops." My brother glanced at me and said, "Your sister-in-law has been wanting to thank you for a long time, but I stopped her."

Seeing that my brother was a little tired, I helped him sit on a chair to rest.

"Why are you being so polite to me?"

My brother raised an eyebrow, "That's what I said."

After a pause, the brother asked again, "I heard from father that you postponed the wedding date?"

The wedding was originally scheduled for April, but I postponed it to the end of June.

"Yeah, your due date is in April, and I'm afraid we'll meet." I knew what my brother meant. "Don't worry, I've discussed it with Chen An and told Dad. Chen An means the same thing."

"That's good." My brother finally relaxed his brows. He was also worried that it would affect our relationship.

The Emperor and Empress also agreed to this matter and did not say anything. After all, they are both human beings.

Over the past two years, my relationship with Chen An has been very stable. Since I turned eighteen, I have finally come to understand the desires of women in this era.

Chen An has always felt insecure. He always thought that I decided to marry her because of the relationship between our two families and that accident.

There are some things that will secretly make me feel wronged and red-eyed. Until one time, when my explanations were fruitless, I couldn't help myself and pulled him into the house, pressed him down and kissed him for a long time.

He was terrified. When I let go, his lips were already red and moist. I stared at his mouth and wanted to continue, but he suddenly covered his mouth with both hands, his eyes wide open, like a vigilant deer.

I moved my hand, and he pushed me away and ran away. My arm rested against the door, my head resting on it. I couldn't help but chuckle at the memory of that soft, jelly-like feeling. The women here are truly nasty, and I'm no exception.

However, after this incident, he became more confident and assertive towards me, even to the point of being bossy. Seeing him so lively and vivid, I felt very happy.

Of course, I caught him kissing me secretly a few more times in the days that followed, and even once, I put my hand inside his clothes.

Chen An also cooperated with me, even though his face always blushed like blood. Especially once, when someone walked by, he was shaking all over. I, however, went even further, rubbing my teeth against his neck, forcing him to cover his mouth with his hands. Of course, I didn't see him again for over a month after that.

To be honest, I am really looking forward to the wedding. Thinking of Chen An, I can't help but curl my lips. My brother is also very pleased to see my happy look.

"very nice!"

"yes!"

On the day my brother went into labor, my mother and the Third Princess were still attending court. I, a sixth-rank official in the Ministry of Revenue, was on my way to deliver something to the Ministry of Works when I saw the people from the Third Princess's residence tumbling and crawling toward the court. I hurriedly called out to them. Before I could ask, they'd already announced, "The Master is giving birth."

I didn't care about anything else. I stuffed the things in my hand into the hands of my colleague next to me and ran out while shouting, "Take a leave for me."

When I arrived, my father was already in the yard.

"What's wrong? What's wrong?" I ran into the yard in a panic.

Basins of hot water were already being poured into the room. Father gritted his teeth and said, "Your brother is becoming increasingly unreasonable. He didn't immediately tell me what was happening, but instead made his own arrangements. He waited until the outbreak was officially underway before sending word. Luckily, I instructed Kong Qing to send a message if he felt unwell."

His tone was harsh, but his hands had already begun to clench the handkerchief anxiously.

I walked around in circles in the yard, but couldn't help but lean against the window.

"Brother, brother, how are you?"

From inside the room came the sound of my brother gasping in pain, "It's okay, don't worry, this is just the beginning."

I kept chattering at the window, asking questions from time to time, and soon someone came out and drove me away.

Not long after, the Queen and the Young Prince also arrived, inquired about the situation, and waited together in the yard.

"Where is Chenxi?" asked the Queen.

"He probably hasn't left court yet." I replied casually.

Actually, the Queen asked us about this, and it's hard to say when the court will end. It's just a coincidence. But judging by what my father said, my brother might have already decided to do it before the Third Princess left, and he just held back until she left before making any arrangements.

Near noon, the third princess ran into the yard in a state of embarrassment, her court dress in disarray.

"Where's Ranran? Did she give birth?" he asked as he rushed into the house. He was quickly stopped.

"It won't be that fast." The Queen replied unhappily.

The third princess also lay down on the window where I had climbed before and asked loudly.

"Ranran, how are you? Does it hurt?" There was a tremor in his voice.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Giving birth is always painful. Only my brother could endure it. He hasn't even cried out yet.

No one in the room paid any attention to her. It was probably a critical moment and no one could take care of her.

Sure enough, after a while, the sound of a baby crying could be heard from the room. Soon, the door opened from the inside, and someone came out to announce that the father and daughter were safe.

The Third Princess had already slid into the inner room from the side as nimbly as a monkey. "Ranran, how are you?"

I wanted to go in, but it wasn't convenient, so I stood by the door and waited. Inside the room, my brother's voice was soft, and I couldn't hear what he said, but I was glad he was safe.

A crowd gathered around the child. The Queen held him for a while, and now the father was holding him. A group of people were discussing who the child looked like. I secretly curled my lips. It would be best if he looked more like his brother. That would make my brother's reincarnation more complete.

Only after Kong Qing came out and nodded to me did I enter the inner room.

The room had been tidied, the faint scent of incense, tinged with floral aromas, masking the stench of blood and sweat. My brother was covered in a brand new, soft silk quilt, with only a few messy strands of hair clinging to his face, revealing a hint of the embarrassment of childbirth. The Third Princess knelt on one leg on the footrest, tightly grasping her brother's hand. She didn't even glance at the entrance.

I stood by the bed and looked at my brother. He curled his lips and nodded at me, and I smiled back. After the imperial physician came in and took my pulse and confirmed that I was fine, I breathed a sigh of relief. Suddenly, I felt a little weak all over.

After I confirmed my brother was safe, I followed the imperial physician out. The little prince had unexpectedly arrived, playing with the baby. After the imperial physician's report, my father and the empress carried the child inside.

I leaned against the table, and the little prince came up to me, "The child is so cute, so small."

Chen An's eyes were shining, full of expectations and desires for the future.

I raised my hand and touched his head, "Do you like it?"

Chen An nodded obediently and gestured to me with a little excitement.

"Did you see it? It's only about the length of my forearm. The smaller end is completely covered by my hand."

"Chen An," I couldn't help but interrupt him, "We may not have children."

Chen An was stunned for a moment, his eyes were full of confusion, and it seemed that he didn't understand what I was saying.

I glanced into the inner room, took Chen An's hand, and led him out. He remained completely still, oblivious to the stares of others watching us hold hands. His eyes remained fixed on me, a mixture of bewilderment, confusion, and remorse. By the time I pulled him into the carriage, his eyes had turned red, tears filling their sockets.

I pushed him down to sit down and held him in my arms. He began to struggle hard, crying loudly.

"Listen to me, Chen An, it's not that I don't like you, nor that I don't want a child of ours."

Chen An's struggle finally subsided, "Why? Why?" Chen An's voice was filled with helplessness.

I loosened my embrace and grasped his arms with both hands. I stared into his eyes and whispered, "You know, our family has never had many children. If anything happens, don't hold out all your hopes. I'm worried it'll be too stressful for you. If, if anything, we really don't have children in the future, we'll still be fine."

Actually, there's more to it than that. My brother was born with a circumcision, but I wasn't, so I don't know if that will have any impact. We should have made it clear before we got married, especially since Chen An is so excited about the child.

Chen An kept sobbing with his head down, and ignored me for a long time. I began to feel very anxious, but I could only say tremblingly: "If you don't want to get married, I can tell Aunt Emperor."

After saying this, we both fell silent until my father's voice came, "Where's An Lan?"

Chen An wiped his face with his hand, opened the car door, got out, greeted my father, and left. My father looked at me who had not moved and asked in confusion, "Did you make Chen An angry again? Chen An doesn't seem to be in a good mood."

I watched Chen An leave, feeling uncomfortable as if my heart was being clenched by five fingers, and my voice felt a little scattered, "Father, don't worry about it."