"It's okay," Su Jinli put down the orange and picked up the wolf hair brush, "write something to relieve boredom."
As she was speaking, Princess Shou'an ran in holding a stuffed doll, followed by a breathless palace maid: "Sister Su! I'm here to listen to a story!"
Ever since the last incident with the pearl hairpin, Princess Shou'an has become Su Jinli's little tail. She climbed onto the soft couch and stuffed the doll into Su Jinli's hand: "Sister, give the baby a name!"
Su Jinli looked at the puppet's crooked eyes and said with a smile, "Princess, what good ideas do you have?"
Princess Shou'an tilted her head and thought for a moment: "How about calling her 'Chili'? She'd be as awesome as her sister!"
Jiang Yan almost spit out the tea he had just drunk: "Princess, this name... isn't it a bit unpleasant?"
Princess Shou'an pouted: "That's called 'sugar painting'? It's as sweet as Brother Jiang Yan!"
Su Jinli laughed so hard she couldn't straighten her back, and the baby in her belly kicked gently, as if in agreement. Jiang Yan looked at them helplessly, but his eyes were full of doting: "Madam, look at the princess..."
"It's pretty good," Su Jinli wiped the tears of laughter, "at least it's better than 'Fatty'."
As the noise was going on, the Emperor and the Empress Dowager arrived, followed by eunuchs carrying gifts. As soon as the Empress Dowager entered, she grabbed Su Jinli's hand and said, "Jinli, I've chosen a few names for the baby. See which one you like."
She unfolded a piece of paper with names like "Jiang Yan, Jiang Ning, Jiang Yue" written on it. The emperor interrupted, "Mother, I think 'Jiang La' is a good name. It's quite impressive!"
Su Jinli and Jiang Yan looked at each other and couldn't help laughing. The Queen Mother glared at the Emperor: "Nonsense! Jinli, don't listen to him."
Su Jinli looked at the name on the paper and thought for a moment, "Your Majesty, I think 'Jiang Yan' is a good name. It means peace and prosperity, and the meaning is good too."
Jiang Yan nodded: "Madam is right."
The Queen Mother smiled and said, "Great! Let's call him 'Jiang Yan'!"
The emperor curled his lips and said, "Alright, I'll listen to you. But my nickname is 'Chili'!"
Everyone laughed. Su Jinli touched her belly, her heart filled with anticipation. Her baby would grow up surrounded by everyone's love and affection, never again experiencing the hardships of life like she had in her previous life.
Chapter 135: The whole family is mobilized as the birth is imminent
As autumn deepened, Su Jinli's belly was so large that she could barely walk. Jiang Yan turned down all social engagements and stayed at Lanyue Pavilion every day, either massaging her legs or reading to her from a storybook.
"Madam, how do you feel today?" Jiang Yan helped her walk in the yard, his voice full of concern.
Su Jinli panted and held her waist: "It's okay, the baby just kicked a lot."
As she was speaking, she suddenly frowned and tightly grasped Jiang Yan's arm: "It hurts..."
Jiang Yan's face changed and he immediately shouted, "Someone, come! Hurry and call the imperial physician! Madam is about to give birth!"
The Prime Minister's residence erupted in an uproar. Prime Minister Su paced back and forth in the main hall, his jade ring clacking in his hand. Young Marquis Su stood guard at the gate, carrying a wooden sword, preventing anyone from approaching. Su Qingyao ran in and out, carrying a freshly brewed calming incense.
Jiang Yan stood outside the delivery room, his palms sweating. He heard Su Jinli's suppressed moans, and his heart tightened. Princess Shou'an pulled his sleeve and asked, "Brother Jiang Yan, is Sister Su okay?"
Jiang Yan touched the princess's head, his voice trembling: "No, the doctor is inside."
After an unknown amount of time, a loud cry was heard from the delivery room. Jiang Yan stood up suddenly, knocking over the chair behind him. A midwife came out holding a swaddling cloth and said with a smile, "Congratulations, Master Jiang, it's a little boy, white and chubby!"
Jiang Yan took the swaddling clothes and looked at the wrinkled little face inside. His eyes instantly reddened. That was his and Su Jinli's child, the most precious treasure in his life.
Prime Minister Su and Young Marquis Su gathered around. Young Marquis Su leaned over to take a look and said, "Sister! My nephew looks just like you!"
Su Qingyao curled her lips: "Nonsense, she clearly looks like Brother Jiang Yan."
As he was speaking, the Emperor and the Empress Dowager also arrived. The Empress Dowager, holding the baby, smiled from ear to ear: "Good! My grandson! He is so handsome!"
The emperor rubbed his hands aside and said, "Let me see it! Well, you are a good boy! Learn to fly a kite from me in the future!"
Su Jinli was helped out, her face pale but with a satisfied smile. Jiang Yan immediately stepped forward to support her: "Madam, thank you for your hard work."
Su Jinli looked at the baby in the cradle, shook her head, and held Jiang Yan's hand: "It's not hard."
Sunlight streamed in through the window lattice, falling on the baby's face. Su Jinli looked at her family and the child in her arms, and suddenly felt that all the suffering in this life was worth it. She had finally turned those grievances into honey, and with the one she loved, she had the sweetest life.
"Just call him Jiang Yan." Su Jinli said softly.
Jiang Yan nodded and squeezed her hand. The cicadas outside the window were still chirping, as if singing for this new life. Their story had just begun, and every day to come would be filled with the sweet smell of honey.
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