In the dead of winter, the weather was freezing cold.
Li Yunyan has been trapped in the villa for several months.
The villa was filled with servants, who waited on them hand and foot, providing them with a comfortable and luxurious life. They didn't have to get up early every day to treat patients, cut or dry herbs, and there was no trouble coming their way. Aside from the fact that they couldn't leave the mansion, there was nothing wrong with it!
Li Yunyan is a rather lazy person by nature. Since she has decided to keep a low profile, she will not be too hard on herself and will focus on enjoying life.
Gu Yingzhi also hired famous teachers to give one-on-one lessons to the children in the mansion, so she no longer had to worry about the children's education and resumed her days of lying in bed reading storybooks.
Gu Yingzhi loved her languid demeanor; it meant she was content with the status quo and had no intention of running away.
He walked to the soft couch, pulled her into his arms, touched her warm little hands, and then kissed her fair, jade-like cheek.
Li Yunyan turned her head away, muttering, "Hey, stop it! It tickles!"
Gu Yingzhi has always been domineering. Now that he wants to kiss her, he won't stop until he does.
Before long, Li Yunyan was pinned to the waist and held by the back of her head, kissed breathlessly by him.
He pulled her into his arms, her face flushed, and said with a hint of pleasure in his voice, "Yanyan, Mother Consort may be arriving in a few days. Be prepared."
Li Yunyan looked up in surprise, "Your mother? The Imperial Concubine? How could she leave the palace?"
Gu Yingzhi gently pinched the tip of her nose. "Father has always loved Mother dearly. As soon as Mother said she wanted to come out and see her grandson, Father agreed!"
"Do they know about the child?"
"Yes, don't worry, only Mother and Father know, nothing will happen!"
Li Yunyan felt relieved again. "Anyway, it's your own child, so you have to take responsibility for protecting him!"
"Of course!" Gu Yingzhi was overjoyed to hear her say that the child was hers and hugged her even tighter.
A hand gently rested on her lower abdomen. "Yanyan, despite all my efforts to pamper you, there's still no sign of a baby?"
Li Yunyan lowered her eyes, thinking: Even if you try a hundred times harder than you are now, you still won't get any news! After all, it's a product of the system...
But a look of worry appeared on her face: "Back then, I was pregnant with three children, and my body was severely depleted. Perhaps I damaged my health at that time, and I may never be able to conceive again."
After saying that, she pushed him hard and said indignantly, "If you still want children, go find another woman to have them! Don't ever come looking for me again!"
After saying that, she turned away angrily.
Gu Yingzhi naturally pulled her back into his arms.
His heart ached; he had been too hasty and hadn't thought of these things!
For an ordinary woman, giving birth to just one child during a pregnancy is already a brush with death, let alone three at once!
And at that time, she only had Xiangxia by her side, and there was no one to help her recover. It was a blessing from God that she was able to give birth to these three children safely!
He was too greedy!
He patted her back gently, coaxing her skillfully, "Yanyan, don't be angry! It's my fault! I won't mention it again, okay?"
Li Yunyan turned her head away and ignored him, casually throwing a tantrum.
Gu Yingzhi hugged her, kissing and coaxing her, "Yanyan, be good. Next spring, I'll take you and the children out for a spring outing, okay?"
"real?"
Li Yunyan turned her head, looked up at him with joy, her eyes shining like stars.
A wave of bittersweet emotion welled up inside him. "Really."
After saying that, he hugged her tightly again, and pleaded in a low voice, "Yanyan, smile at me more often from now on, okay?"
Li Yunyan nestled quietly in his arms, neither agreeing nor refusing.
*
Consort Shu arrived two days later.
A tall and exquisite carriage with a canopy stopped in front of the villa, and two maids helped a dignified noblewoman down from the carriage.
Gu Yingzhi was already waiting at the door. When the carriage stopped, he went up and bowed.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty!"
Consort Shu placed a hand on his wrist, her tone slightly anxious, "Quickly take me to see my little grandson!"
"Mother, don't worry! The children are all waiting for you inside!"
Consort Shu walked briskly, saying, "How can I not be anxious? Other princes your age already have a whole bunch of children! Only you! I can only watch others enjoying their grandchildren, and it makes me so envious!"
Seeing that his mother's temperament was still as fiery as before, Gu Yingzhi knew that his father still doted on his mother as always, and he felt relieved.
He whispered a reminder: "Mother, when you see Yanyan later, you mustn't give her a hard time!"
Consort Shu glared at him. This son of hers used to be indifferent to other women; she'd assumed it was just his nature. Now, however, he was protecting a woman like a spoiled brat—it infuriated her!
"I understand! Just because she gave me three grandchildren, I won't do anything to her!"
Upon entering the second gate, Li Yunyan and her three children had been waiting for a long time. When they saw Gu Yingzhi helping a beautiful woman in, they knew that this must be Consort Shu.
Consort Shu was the emperor's favorite concubine. She enjoyed the emperor's favor for more than 20 years after entering the palace, which shows that she was exceptionally beautiful and had a remarkable personality.
"This humble woman, Li Yunyan, pays her respects to Your Highness, the Imperial Concubine!"
"Grandson Gu Chenyun/Gu Chenhui/Gu Chenxi greets Imperial Grandmother!"
"Alright, alright, get up now!"
Consort Shu hurriedly went to them and carefully examined each of the three lovely children, one by one.
"So alike! Absolutely so!"
The old nanny Yuan, who was standing next to Consort Shu, chimed in, "Your Highness, the two young princes look exactly like the Prince when he was a child!"
"Yes! They look like they were made from the same mold!" Consort Shu's eyes were filled with tears as she knelt down affectionately, hugging this one and then that one.
Finally, she pulled the little dumpling Gu Chenxi into her arms and called her her darling, "Our Xi'er looks a bit like Yingzhi, come and let Grandmother hold you!"
Gu Chenxi wrapped her arms softly around her neck and called out in a sweet voice, "Grandmother."
"Hey! Hey! Such a good boy!"
Seeing Li Yunyan standing meekly to the side, Gu Yingzhi felt pity for her and softly called out, "Mother."
Consort Shu glared at him with a look of disappointment and frustration, seeing the disloyal look in his eyes.
Then he turned his gaze to Li Yunyan.
“Raise your head.”
Her voice was gentle, yet it carried an undeniable air of authority befitting a person in a superior position.
Li Yunyan used to be the Empress Dowager, so she's not afraid. She's just putting on an act now!
She slightly raised her head, glanced at Consort Shu, and then immediately lowered her face again.
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