After the controversy surrounding the pregnancy-stabilizing drug, Su Jinli felt relieved, her mind becoming more open. She knew that as long as the Emperor and the Empress Dowager supported her, those clowns trying to stir up trouble in the shadows would ultimately struggle to stir up any major waves. So, she picked up her pen again and immersed herself once again in the world of storytelling, as if that small world could allow her to forget all her troubles.
That day, sunlight streamed softly through the carved window lattices, filling the room. Su Jinli sat leisurely on the couch, leisurely eating an orange that Jiang Yan had carefully peeled. The juicy, tender orange segments took her first bite, their sweetness spreading across her tongue. She couldn't help but narrow her eyes slightly, savoring the moment's comfort.
"Ma'am, the new issue of 'Flying Fox' is selling like hotcakes!" Bookseller Boss Wang, beaming with joy, personally visited. His smile curved, his wrinkles folded together, like a blooming chrysanthemum. His joy was palpable, as if this hot-selling novel had brought him endless wealth and glory. "We've printed an extra 5,000 copies this time, and I can't believe they sold out in less than three days!" Boss Wang excitedly waved his hands, as if describing a truly earth-shattering event.
Su Jinli nodded slightly, a faint smile appeared on the corner of her mouth, and she said softly: "I know, thank you for your hard work, Boss Wang." Her voice was soft and soothing, with an innate elegance and calmness, as if she had already anticipated the hot sales of "Flying Fox".
Jiang Yan quietly ground ink nearby, his movements calm and focused. The ink slowly spread across the inkstone, emitting a faint fragrance. Hearing Boss Wang's words, he raised his head slightly, his eyes filled with concern, and said, "Madam, please write less and don't tire yourself out. You're not feeling well right now, so you should get more rest." Jiang Yan knew Su Jinli's passion for writing, but at this moment, he was even more concerned about her health. After all, the baby in her belly was the most important thing.
"It's okay." Su Jinli gently put down the orange in her hand and reached for the wolf-hair brush beside her. She stared at the tip of the brush, her eyes revealing a persistence and determination. "Writing something is just right to relieve boredom. It's better than doing nothing all day." As she spoke, she gently turned her wrist and dipped the brush into the inkstone, as if ready to unleash her inspiration on paper at any moment.
Just then, brisk footsteps approached, accompanied by a palace maid's hurried call: "Princess, please slow down!" Before she had even finished speaking, Princess Shou'an had already rushed into the room like a cheerful fawn, clutching a stuffed doll. Her face flushed from running, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she exclaimed, "Sister Su! I'm here to listen to a story!"
Ever since the incident with the pearl hairpin, Princess Shou'an had grown close to and dependent on Su Jinli, always clinging to her like a little tail. At this moment, she swiftly climbed onto the soft couch and sat down affectionately next to Su Jinli. Then, eagerly shoving the stuffed doll in her arms, her eyes filled with anticipation, she said, "Sister, give the baby a name!" The baby she was referring to was, of course, the unborn child in Su Jinli's belly.
Su Jinli looked down at the crooked eyes of the puppet in her hand, as if she could feel the care and childlike fun that Princess Shou'an put into making it. She couldn't help but smile and asked softly, "Princess, do you have any good ideas?" Her voice was as gentle as a spring breeze, gently brushing against Princess Shou'an's heart.
Princess Shou'an tilted her head, a look of serious thought on her face. After a moment, her eyes lit up, and she said excitedly, "How about 'Chili'? Just like my sister!" She remembered Su Jinli's heroic feat of using chili peppers to repel bandits, and felt the name was perfect—a name that would showcase Su Jinli's courage while also adding a touch of playfulness.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yan nearly spit out the tea he had just taken. He quickly put down his teacup, looked at Princess Shou'an with a helpless expression, and said, "Princess, this name... doesn't seem to fit in with our traditions. I'm afraid it's not a good name." Although Jiang Yan thought Princess Shou'an's idea was naive and cute, as a father, he still hoped to give his child a more stable and elegant name.
Seeing this, Princess Shou'an pouted slightly, a look of grievance on her face. However, she soon had a new idea. With a roll of her eyes, she said, "That's called 'Sugar Painting'? Just as sweet as Brother Jiang Yan!" She remembered Jiang Yan's usual gentle care for Su Jinli and felt that the name "Sugar Painting" could capture the sweetness and warmth that Jiang Yan possessed.
Su Jinli burst into laughter, nearly collapsing at Princess Shou'an's whimsical ideas. The baby in her belly seemed to sense the joy, kicking gently as if expressing its approval. Jiang Yan, watching them like this, eyes filled with fondness, said helplessly, "Madam, look at the princess... she's so quirky, there's really nothing we can do about her." Despite his words, his tone lacked any blame, instead filled with fondness for Princess Shou'an.
"That's good," Su Jinli said while wiping away tears of laughter, "at least it's much better than the 'fat boy' you mentioned before." She felt that Princess Shou'an's proposal was full of childlike innocence and fun, and added a lot of joy to the family that was about to welcome a new life.
Amidst the laughter and chatter, a eunuch's shrill voice suddenly rang out from outside the doorway, announcing, "The Emperor and the Empress Dowager have arrived!" Immediately afterwards, the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, flanked by a throng of eunuchs and palace maids, slowly entered the room. Upon entering, the Empress Dowager walked straight towards Su Jinli, took her hand with a look of concern, and said with a kind smile, "Jinli, I've chosen several names for the baby. Please see which one you like." As she spoke, the Empress Dowager pulled a piece of paper from her sleeve and gently unfolded it. On it were neatly written names like "Jiang Yan," "Jiang Ning," and "Jiang Yue." Each name held a beautiful meaning, reflecting the Empress Dowager's earnest hopes for her unborn child.
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