Chapter 149 Auspicious Omens
In the past few days, the entire palace has been filled with the joyful chatter of the palace servants.
When the palace servants heard that the princess had been born, Chu Huaiyu had given generous rewards to everyone in the palace, so everyone was busy celebrating.
"His Majesty is so kind to the Empress and the Princess. Such a generous reward! We are all benefiting from the Princess's good fortune!"
"Indeed, the princess is so beautiful and lovely, she's sure to have a blessed future!"
The palace maids wore small red velvet flowers in their hair, and the eunuchs wore red silk ribbons around their waists. They all had happy faces and their eyes were full of joy.
The festive atmosphere in the palace grew stronger, and even the air was filled with joy.
The chief eunuch in charge of the imperial kitchen had received orders from Eunuch Wei early in the morning and was now leading a group of imperial chefs to work, directing his subordinates to properly package the prepared wedding cakes and sweet soups.
"Eunuch Wei said that with the birth of the princess, every palace should send celebratory cakes and sweet soups so that everyone in the palace can share in the princess's joy!"
Upon hearing this, the imperial chefs worked even faster, and the ingredients on the cutting board were quickly transformed into exquisite wedding cakes.
The entire imperial kitchen was immersed in a busy yet festive atmosphere.
Along the palace path, palace servants walked briskly, their laughter echoing throughout the palace, spreading joy to every corner of the palace.
In the imperial court, a group of princes, ministers, and court officials looked respectful and joyful, holding congratulatory messages that had been prepared in advance.
Upon Chu Huaiyu's arrival, everyone bowed and offered their congratulations in unison: "Your Majesty, we congratulate you on the birth of your princess!"
"The birth of the princess is accompanied by auspicious clouds and purple aura from the east, a sign of good fortune for the country and a blessing for the nation!"
Chu Huaiyu looked at the court officials bowing respectfully below the steps and felt that their words had touched his heart. His eyes were full of satisfaction.
"All of you, please rise. Thank you for your kindness."
"The princess's safe birth is indeed an auspicious sign. I have decided to grant a general amnesty and reduce taxes! Tomorrow morning court will be held so that all the people of the world can share in this joy!"
Upon hearing this, the ministers immediately replied in unison with utmost respect, "Your Majesty is wise! This action is in line with the will of the people and will surely make the people of the world grateful for Your Majesty's benevolence, and will also bring blessings to the whole world for the princess!"
After speaking, the Minister of Rites slowly unfolded the congratulatory letter and read aloud his blessings for the princess and his hopes for the nation's future. Every word was full of sincerity, which drew nods of agreement from the court officials below.
In an instant, the sounds of congratulations from inside the hall resounded throughout the entire Forbidden City.
Chu Huaiyu briefly explained a few matters to the court officials, and then instructed everyone to withdraw.
...
In the capital, the people rejoiced upon hearing the joyous news of the princess's birth, the emperor's general amnesty, tax reductions, and the planned lantern festival.
"That's wonderful! His Majesty has granted a general amnesty and reduced taxes, which means our lives will be much easier this year!"
"The princess is truly an auspicious sign! She has brought so many benefits to our people since her birth. May the princess grow up safely and be blessed with abundant good fortune!"
"His Majesty dotes on the princess so much that he personally bestowed upon her the name Lingyang!"
In the streets and alleys, people were talking about the joyous occasion of the princess's birth, their words filled with gratitude and blessings.
At this moment, inside Chengqian Palace.
Chu Huaiyu sat by the bed, gently took Lu Zhaoxue's hand, and told her about the jubilant scene in the capital.
"Zhaoxue, look how blessed our Zhaozhao is! She received the blessings of the world from the moment she was born. She will surely have a smooth and happy life from now on!"
Lu Zhaoxue's gaze fell on her daughter's peaceful sleeping face, and a smile filled her lips.
Chu Siheng, far away in the southern desert, was sitting quietly at his desk, a deep melancholy in his eyes.
It wasn't until his trusted confidant brought in a letter and whispered that it had been sent urgently from the capital that a glint suddenly appeared in Chu Siheng's eyes.
He quickly opened the letter.
Suddenly, a warm, smooth jade pendant slipped from the envelope and landed on the table, making a crisp, gentle sound.
Chu Siheng quickly picked it up, and the moment his fingertips touched the jade pendant, he felt a warm sensation spread from his fingertips into his heart.
He read the letter with bated breath, a smile involuntarily creeping onto his lips. The letter read: "Congratulations on Your Highness's joyous occasion! Zhaoxue has given birth to a healthy baby girl, whom we have named Zhaozhao. The child was born with this jade pendant on her person, which must be the will of Heaven."
“At that time, Zhaoxue was still unconscious, so I dared not make a sound. I quietly put away the jade pendant and returned it to her personally after Zhaoxue woke up.”
"Zhaoxue, mindful that Your Highness is far away in the southern desert and worries about you day and night, specially instructed me to send the jade pendant along with this letter, hoping that Your Highness will feel at ease upon seeing the jade and return home."
Chu Siheng's eyes were filled with ecstasy, and even the hand holding the jade pendant trembled slightly.
He pressed the jade pendant tightly against his heart, his fingers stroking it repeatedly, as if he could touch his daughter's soft face and the gentle eyes of his beloved through the pendant.
Chu Siheng's heart was filled with anticipation as he murmured softly, "Zhaozhao... my daughter..."
If he just waits a little longer, until the time is right, and then takes down Chu Huaiyu in one fell swoop, he will never have to be separated from his wife and daughter again...
At that time, he would hold his soft and sweet daughter in his arms and spend quality time with Lu Zhaoxue to make up for the time he had missed.
The thought of reuniting with the mother and daughter in the future filled Chu Siheng with an even stronger sense of warmth.
He had to win, and he would win! For Lu Zhaoxue, and for their newborn daughter…
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