Moonlight streamed through the window lattice on the night of the Grain Rain, casting swaying shadows of bamboo on the rosewood floor. Su Jinli had just extinguished the goat-horn lantern at the head of her bed when Jiang Yan turned over beside her, the sleeves of his dark nightgown brushing against her swollen belly. Suddenly, a gentle throbbing sensation rippled through her abdomen, like a small fish wagging its tail among the waterweed. She subconsciously held her breath, her fingertips gently pressing against the hardened skin.
"Madam?" Jiang Yan's voice was hoarse from just waking up, and his warm palm covered the back of her hand. "Are you feeling uncomfortable?"
"No..." Su Jinli's voice was filled with surprise, guiding his hand to the place where the fetus was moving. "Look, the baby is moving."
It was an indescribable feeling, at first like the fluttering of a butterfly's wings, then transforming into a more distinct touch. Jiang Yan's fingertips trembled slightly beneath the brocade quilt, as if he had touched some rare treasure. He sat up suddenly, his long hair cascading over Su Jinli's abdomen. He carefully placed his ear against hers, his breath hot through her blouse, burning her and making her itch.
"It's really moving!" His voice was filled with incredible ecstasy, and his eyes were surprisingly bright in the moonlight. "Like kicking... no, like punching!"
Su Jinli laughed when his furry head rubbed against hers. She reached out and rubbed his hair: "It's the middle of the night, can you sleep well?"
"Can't sleep, Madam!" Jiang Yan grabbed her hand, placed it on his lips and kissed it gently, his fingertips stroking the black jade bracelet on her wrist. "Our baby is moving... Was he saying hello to me just now?"
"I'm afraid he's protesting," Su Jinli poked his forehead, "because you're disturbing his sleep."
The sound of the clapper outside the window struck the third watch, but Jiang Yan was like a child who had got a new toy. He listened with his ears tilted, and then whispered to the baby in his belly. It was not until the sky turned pale that he reluctantly closed his eyes at Su Jinli's repeated urging, but his fingertips were still stubbornly on her abdomen.
The next morning, before the morning mist had even cleared from the Prime Minister's residence, Su Jinli's Moon-Lan Pavilion was abuzz with activity. Prime Minister Su stood in the corridor, stroking his goatee, the hem of his peacock-blue robe brushing against the dew-soaked bluestone. For the first time, he hadn't attended court: "Is it moving? Is it really moving? Let me hear it!"
"Father!" Su Jinli protected her belly, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "How can I let a man outside listen to the belly of a pregnant woman?"
"I'm your father!" Su Xiang blew his beard and glared, but due to etiquette, he just rubbed his hands and walked around in the corridor. "When your mother was pregnant with your brother, I also... Oh, no more, quickly tell the kitchen to stew the ginseng soup!"
As he was speaking, the courtyard door was slammed open, and Young Marquis Su rushed in carrying a broadsword with a copper-rimmed handle. The belt of his dark suit hung loosely between his hips, and he had obviously rushed in directly from the training ground: "Sister! Is my nephew about to come out? I made him a wooden sword!" He raised the thing in his hand as if presenting a treasure - it was a short sword carved from locust wood, with the crooked words "Number One in the World" engraved on the blade.
"Nonsense!" Su Jinli glared at him. "The baby isn't even born yet, what do you need a knife for?"
"Why not?" Young Marquis Su confidently placed his knife on the table, causing the teacups to clink. "Boys should play with swords and guns so they can learn martial arts from me in the future! Girls..." He scratched his head, "just play with wooden swords to scare people!"
Before she finished her words, Su Qingyao walked in carrying a mother-of-pearl dressing box, her crimson skirt sweeping across the floor. "Sister, don't listen to his nonsense." She opened the box, revealing a small white jade box. "I've mixed 'Zhuangyuanhong' rouge for the baby. It uses the latest imported rose water and cinnabar. When you put it on your lips, it will be even more festive than when Brother Jiang Yan won the top spot in the imperial examination!"
Su Jinli held her forehead and said, "Sister, we don't even know if the baby is a boy or a girl, why are you putting on rouge?"
"Prepare in advance!" Su Qingyao pressed the jade box into her hand, her fingertips stained with the faint scent of roses. "If it's a boy, just treat it as a birthmark; if it's a girl, dress her up beautifully!"
Jiang Yan came out of the inner room, having just changed into court attire. Seeing this, he couldn't help but chuckle, "Madam, they have good intentions."
Just as the atmosphere was bustling, the bronze bell at the palace gate suddenly rang. The housekeeper hurried in, a look of surprise on his face: "Miss, someone from the palace has come. They say that the Empress Dowager and the Emperor heard that you are experiencing fetal movement and are rushing to the palace!"
Su Jinli was startled and subconsciously stroked her temples: "Why are you here so suddenly? Quick, get someone to clean up the main hall!"
Half an hour later, fresh tea was laid out on the large huanghuali wood table in the main hall of the Prime Minister's residence. The Empress Dowager, supported by a palace maid, entered, her crimson-purple cloak woven with gold trailing on the ground, the white fox fur collar trembling with her steps. "Jinli!" She extended her hand from a distance, her jade armor gleaming green in the sunlight. "I heard our Crown Prince has made a move? Let me see!"
The emperor, dressed in bright yellow formal attire, toyed with a string of walnuts, followed by eunuchs carrying gifts. As soon as he entered the palace, he shouted, "Jinli! I heard!" He circled Su Jinli twice, his dragon boots almost stepping on the hem of her skirt. "Do you think this child is a boy or a girl? If it's a boy, I'll make him 'Little Pepper General'! If it's a girl, I'll make him 'Pepper Princess'!"
Su Jinli looked at Jiang Yan helplessly, and the latter stepped forward to support her: "Your Majesty, Madam cannot stand for long."
"Hey, sit down quickly!" The empress dowager pulled Su Jinli to sit on the couch, and the warmth of her palm came through the brocade, "I was also like this when I was pregnant with the emperor... In the blink of an eye, you are already a great-grandmother!" Her eyes were slightly moist, and she patted the back of Su Jinli's hand.
The emperor pointed at Su Jinli's belly with great interest and said, "Jinli, how about calling her 'Chili Pepper Envoy to Protect the Nation'? It's both impressive and suits your love of spicy food!"
Everyone laughed. Su Jinli touched her belly and suddenly felt it move again, as if responding to the emperor's words. She couldn't help but curl her lips and said, "Your Majesty, please think about the proper title first."
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