Chapter 250 The Reckless Little Calf

There weren't many people in the harem to begin with, so it was natural that everyone would know about the slightest thing that happened.

That evening, Fucha Yingjun recounted the incident as a joke.

She laughed heartily while holding her stomach, and steadied herself by holding the Emperor's arm. "Your Majesty, you have no idea how angry Xiyue has become. She came to me and the Empress Dowager all afternoon to complain, saying that she wants to have the Southern Palace staff properly disciplined."

Seeing how happy she was, Hongzhao could only smile wryly. "Her personality is so impulsive, I wonder who she takes after. I don't think Gao Bin is like that. I'll have him bring his wife into the palace sometime so I can have a good look at her."

"Then let's wait until Sister Xiyue is pregnant, and then we can bestow a favor upon her." Fucha joked for a while, then sat on the edge of the bed, clutching his chest to calm his emotions—"I heard that Your Majesty has arranged for Prince Qing and Lord Lü Jia to work with Lord Gao Bin on flood control. As for Sister Xiyue..."

Hongzhao understood her meaning. His father and brothers, having gained favor in the previous dynasty, would naturally bestow favors upon the concubines in the harem; the most typical example was Consort Nian in Shou'an Palace, but...

"She has only just ascended the throne and been granted titles. Her initial title is already that of a concubine. It's not appropriate to grant her another title so soon. Let's wait a bit longer." Hongzhao had learned this from his father: being stingy with the titles made the ranks of concubine and noble consort seem much more valuable.

Fucha Yingjun did indeed like Gao Xiyue's vivacity. She casually mentioned it, and when the Emperor disagreed, she didn't say anything more. Instead, she brought up another matter: "Has Your Majesty seen Fuheng? He was just a little boy when I left home. Has Your Majesty tested him?"

Speaking of this, Hongzhao's eyes lit up, clearly showing his approval—"Not bad, really not bad, this child already has some of Yingjun's talent."

Of course, this was a joke he made to tease Yingjun, but looking at her blushing cheeks, Hongzhao had to admit that she had shown extraordinary talent from a young age to become a famous minister.

Watching the little boy bow to him solemnly, his small face full of seriousness, he lowered his head and pondered carefully to answer his question. The words he spoke did not seem to be the thoughts one would have at his age.

"If he had been born a few years earlier, I would probably have had another study companion."

Hearing Hongzhao's sigh, Fucha chuckled softly, "It's not too late now. Being able to learn and practice by your side is already a blessing."

Besides, even if they were born a few years earlier, they would definitely replace either Fu Yu or Fu Liang. How could the late emperor allow three children from the same family to be by the side of the crown prince?

Hongzhao unconsciously stroked Yingjun's bulging belly. Outside, the rain was drizzling, and the crackling sound of bamboo flowers bursting open occasionally echoed inside the house. This kind of leisurely chat during the rainy night was a rare and peaceful experience.

“It’s not like Fu Yu and Fu Liang just mentioned that they’re about to leave. Third brother and sister-in-law, along with the imperial sister, have also left the palace for the Prince’s residence. Fu Heng can come to the palace and talk to you from time to time. You are seven months pregnant now, so I will have your mother come to the palace to accompany you tomorrow. Having your family around will always put your mind at ease.”

He straightened Fucha Yingjun's body and repeated the words he had said countless times before—"I have arranged the midwife, the midwife, and the wet nurse. There are not many things to do in the harem now, and the Empress Mother can also help. Don't think about anything these days, just take good care of yourself."

These words were not just empty words. Fucha Yingjun could feel that since she became pregnant, there had really been nothing for her to worry about. The Emperor had taken care of everything for her, even more meticulously than she had done herself.

She had prepared herself mentally for the deep and unforgettable experience of entering the palace, but it was clear that this preparation was somewhat unnecessary.

She was naturally moved by this. She reached out her slightly cool hands and gently wrapped them around the large hands on her stomach. Her voice was full of tenderness and affection. "You said before that there is no need for thanks between husband and wife. So let me take care of this year's birthday banquet. It is my way of expressing my feelings."

It's already December, and Hongzhao's birthday banquet is just around the corner. The Imperial Household Department has proposed several regulations, but Hongzhao has rejected them all. Fucha is bringing this up again, which is also meant to be a reminder.

Hongzhao shook his head again—"Birthdays can be celebrated every year, but let's skip this year. I am still in mourning and it is not appropriate to hold a banquet in the palace. I am not in the mood for it either."

In the past, every year on my birthday, the first person to start planning the birthday banquet was not me, nor my mother, but my father.

Every year, birthday gifts appeared before him in ever-changing ways, not limited to food, clothing, or decorative items. Ministers would submit memorials to offer their congratulations. At first, he was carried to the ceremony. Later, he was led by his father, the Emperor, and eventually, he was able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the person he had always looked up to.

Every year, the celebrations are lively and bustling. Even the servants know that the emperor is in a good mood at this time of year, and they can receive a lot more in rewards.

Now, the person who had been worrying about me all along has disappeared.

This is his first birthday since he left. Although time can heal all wounds, the interval is too short. Hongzhao doesn't want to be reminded of the past, so he simply decided to celebrate this year.

Fucha knew the Emperor's unresolved feelings, and seeing that he was not in a good mood, she simply said, "If you don't want to hold it, then we won't. Your Majesty, I will personally cook you a bowl of longevity noodles to bring you good luck."

...

This is the kind of thing that I can't help but keep thinking about.

As his birthday drew closer, everyone knew that the Emperor was very filial and did not want to hold a banquet to celebrate during the mourning period, so they stopped mentioning it frequently.

On an ordinary afternoon, Hongzhao was holding a memorial, frowning and looking at it with a blank expression. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at a small dog playing happily in the open space of the hall, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously curved into a smile.

That was Ama's "new favorite" in the last two years. It was lively and affectionate, and it ran around like a little calf. But it knew exactly who to please and was very clever. Even Hongzhao felt quite happy just looking at it sticking out its tongue and laughing. So he let it run around in the palace.

However, when it comes to pet ownership, his experience is still no match for his father's.

In the blink of an eye, the puppy seemed to have taken aim and lunged at the box piled with folded documents against the wall. Xiao Dezi's pupils dilated and he tried to stop it, but it was too late.

With the sound of pages and books fluttering to the ground, everyone in the hall froze, not daring to make a further move.

Hongzhao also froze, but not for any other reason.

After his father passed away, he moved directly into the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Because he was very familiar with the place, he didn't change any of the furnishings. He just cleaned it up and moved in. These things were always on the table, and Hongzhao never paid any attention to them.

But the obstructions in front had all been knocked to the ground, revealing an exquisite box hidden behind it, gleaming brightly, waiting for Hongzhao to explore.