On New Year's Eve, Shen Hanshan took his two children to Cuiwei Palace.
"Mother, Father said that we will go to the palace with Uncle in the future. Is that true?" Yunxuan's mouth was stuffed full of glutinous rice balls, making her look like a frog with its cheeks puffed out and croaking.
Zhao Zhi swallowed the rice cake in her mouth and nodded. "That's right, when we get to the palace, Xuan'er must listen to Aunt Feng Hong and Uncle." After saying that, she looked at Shen Hanshan.
The fruit wine simmering in the stove beside Shen Hanshan was bubbling and emitting a fragrant aroma.
Shen Hanshan stood up, poured himself some fruit wine, and when he looked up, he met Zhao Zhi's pitiful eyes. He smiled indulgently and said, "You'll be a mother of three soon, why are you still acting like a child? You're such a glutton!"
Zhao Zhi gave a soft snort, then cried out in surprise.
The reason was simple: the little one inside her kicked her suddenly.
"Wow, Xiaoxiao, look! Mommy's belly is all bulging!" Yunxuan put down her chopsticks and stared excitedly at Zhao Zhi's belly.
"Mother, were my brother and I this naughty when we were in your belly?" Yunxuan tilted her head, reaching out to touch Zhao Zhiyuan's round belly, but then became a little scared. In the end, she withdrew her hand.
"Yes, you and your little brother are even more mischievous!" Zhao Zhi gently stroked her belly, comforting the little one inside.
Looking at the heartwarming scene before him, Shen Hanshan couldn't help but tear up as he thought about what was about to happen.
Hopefully, in a few months, she won't blame him.
“My father-in-law is still very weak, but he can walk normally now.” Shen Hanshan took a few sips of fruit wine and changed the subject. “My mother-in-law has taken him to the Zhao residence, so you don’t need to worry.”
"Mm." Zhao Zhi nodded.
Before I knew it, it was late at night.
Shen Hanshan and Zhao Zhi sat facing each other, their eyes meeting from time to time, filled with deep affection and reluctance.
The children were fast asleep. Yunxuan and Xiaoxiao's little faces looked especially innocent and pure in the soft light, and the occasional soft snores sounded like the most beautiful music in the world.
Zhao Zhi's gaze lingered on the children's sleeping faces for a long time, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
Who knows when we'll meet again after this parting?
She gently stroked her swollen belly, where a new life was growing. Her fingers slowly brushed against the stray hairs on Yunxuan's forehead, and an indescribable sorrow welled up in her heart.
She knew that as the children grew older, they would eventually leave her wings and step into a wider, yet unknown world—especially the magnificent palace, a place where power and glory intertwined, yet where undercurrents surged.
"Zhizhi, what are you thinking about?" Shen Hanshan's deep voice gently sounded in her ear.
Zhao Zhi turned her head slightly to meet Shen Hanshan's deep eyes and sighed softly, "I just can't bear to part with them. I'm afraid they won't adapt to life there, and I'm even more afraid... they'll suffer." As she finished speaking, her eyes reddened slightly.
Shen Hanshan pulled her into his arms, gently resting his chin on the top of her head, and softly comforted her: "Zhizhi, our child was destined to be different from other children from the moment he was born. He enjoys the glory that other children can only dream of, but he also has to bear the burdens that he should bear."
These two fledglings will leave us one day, sooner or later.
The best protection we can give them is to teach them how to be resilient and how to stay true to themselves in the face of adversity.
Zhao Zhi nestled against Shen Hanshan's chest, feeling his warmth and steadfastness, and her worries gradually subsided.
She closed her eyes and imagined the children in the palace. Zhao Yi's harem had no concubines, so there was no possibility of them poisoning the children through underhanded means in the struggle for favor.
Although Zhao Yi was estranged from his family, he was a wise ruler in political affairs. With him personally overseeing the careers of her two children, Yun Xuan and Yun Xiao, she really had nothing to worry about.
It's tough on the two children, having to separate from their parents so early. And perhaps they'll be separated for even longer in the future.
The night grew deeper.
"Your Majesty, there is a secret letter from the Emperor Emeritus."
Outside the beaded curtain, Cuiyun spoke softly.
Zhao Zhi slowly got up, tucked the blankets around the children, her eyes filled with reluctance and anticipation. Then, she turned and went to the outer room.
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