Chapter 80 Midsummer Good News and Childhood Sweetheart
Chapter Eighty: Midsummer Good News and Childhood Sweethearts
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, Zi Mo and Zhao Yue have turned three, the most lively and adorable age. Meanwhile, more good news arrives from Kun Ning Palace—Su Su is pregnant again.
Li Qianche had originally decided to spare Su Su the pain of childbirth. After she gave birth to twins, he secretly ordered the Imperial Hospital to carefully develop a contraceptive soup for men, which he would drink before each sexual encounter to ensure safety.
However, on the night of Su Su's birthday a month ago, the two were in high spirits and drank a few more cups than usual. When their passion was at its peak, they made love until late at night. When they woke up the next day, they had completely forgotten about the contraception.
Two months later, Su Su's period was still late, so she summoned the imperial physician for a checkup and learned that she was pregnant again, almost two months along.
Upon hearing the news, Li Qianche was filled with mixed emotions. He was naturally happy, but he was also worried and heartbroken. Holding Su Su's hand, he sighed, "It was my negligence that made Su'er suffer again."
Seeing the worry in his eyes, Su Su gently comforted him, "Why should Your Majesty blame yourself? Didn't those ministers of the previous dynasty always secretly complain that Your Majesty's offspring were not numerous enough? Now that another one has been added, it will shut them up and also fulfill Your Majesty's reputation of 'many children, many blessings,' isn't that perfect?" Her tone was light and teasing, trying to dispel his unease.
Knowing her feelings, Li Qianche could only accept it helplessly, but he took even better care of her, almost to the point of being meticulous.
In the blink of an eye, Su Su was already four months pregnant. It was the height of summer, and the courtyard of Kunning Palace was shaded by green trees, with cicadas chirping incessantly.
Su Su disliked the heat, so she had a chaise lounge with a jade mat placed under the eaves so she could lie down and cool off.
Not far away, Pei Jingnian, who was a year older, was squatting under the shade of a tree with Zi Mo and Zhao Yue, playing cricket fighting with great interest. Mu Hanyan sat beside Su Su on an embroidered stool, enjoying chilled lotus leaf drinks and refreshing mung bean cakes together.
Looking at Su Su's still slender limbs and slightly protruding belly, Mu Hanyan smiled and said softly, "Your Majesty's pregnancy looks very good. It seems even easier than when you were pregnant with Zi Mo and Zhao Yue."
Su Su stroked her belly, her brows relaxed, and she was also surprised: "Sister Hanyan is right. When I was pregnant with Zimo and Zhaoyue, I vomited a lot in the first three months, but this time I've been really well-behaved. Apart from being a little sleepy, I haven't had too many discomforts."
"He must be a good boy who knows how to be considerate of His Highness," Mu Hanyan said with a smile.
Su Su nodded in agreement, her eyes filled with tender anticipation.
At this moment, Chunlan came in with a smile and reported: "Your Majesty, the young mistress has brought Miss Hua into the palace."
Upon hearing this, Su Su said happily, "Quickly, please invite my sister-in-law in."
Zhaoyue, who was watching her brother Jingnian fight crickets, immediately raised her head and asked in a childish voice, "Mother, is it sister Hua'er who has come?"
"Yes, your aunt brought your little cousin," Su Su said with a smile.
Zhao Yue immediately perked up, clapping her hands and running to greet her. Seeing this, Jing Nian quickly took Zhao Yue's hand, a hint of barely perceptible grievance on his face: "Yue'er, as soon as Hua'er comes, you don't even see your brother Nian anymore."
Zhao Yue turned around, blinked her big eyes inherited from Su Su, and explained earnestly, "Brother Nian, when Sister Hua'er came last time, I promised to take her to fly a kite. I can't go back on my word."
Upon hearing this, Jingnian immediately said, "Then I'll teach you and Hua'er how to fly kites, shall we?"
“Great!” Zhaoyue immediately beamed.
This scene was nothing new to everyone. Ever since he was old enough to understand, Jingnian had been like Zhaoyue's little guardian angel, always following behind her.
No wonder, Zhaoyue was born with a beautiful and lovely face. When she smiled, her eyes curved, and anyone who saw her would feel their heart melt. Not to mention Jingnian, who was the same age, even the eunuchs and maids in the palace loved this lively and cheerful little princess.
As they were talking, Pei Yunxi entered, carrying Su Hua in her arms. Just as Yunxi was about to bow, little Su Hua, dressed in a pink blouse and with her hair in two buns, opened her big, bright eyes and, in a childish voice, imitated an adult, saying, "Greetings, Auntie~"
Her adorable and sweet appearance instantly melted Su Su's heart. She quickly waved her hand and said, "Hua'er is so good, come here and let Auntie hold you."
Su Hua obediently toddled over, and Su Su bent down to kiss her soft cheek, her heart overflowing with affection. Zhao Yue immediately ran over and took Su Hua's hand: "Hua'er, come on, let's go fly a kite!"
Su Hua obediently let Zhao Yue lead her, and the two little girls held hands and were about to walk out. Jing Nian naturally followed closely behind. Su Su hurriedly instructed Chun Lan to follow and take good care of them.
Watching the children run off, Su Su smiled at Yun Xi and said, "Hua'er has always been so well-behaved and quiet since she was little, unlike Zhao Yue, who is like a mischievous monkey, always teasing cats and dogs and never quiets down."
Pei Yunxi looked tenderly at her daughter's back and said, "Hua'er is obedient, but she is too timid. Sometimes when Ji Zhi looks at her, he can't help but worry, always afraid that Hua'er's gentle nature will make her easy to be bullied when she grows up."
Su Su chuckled upon hearing this: "How old is Hua'er? And your brother is already worried that she'll be kidnapped?"
Yunxi laughed, "That's right, Ji Zhi dotes on Hua'er like a precious gem, afraid of breaking her if he holds her in his hands and melting her if he keeps her in his mouth."
Mu Hanyan, standing to the side, nodded in agreement: "That's how it is when you have a daughter. You always have endless worries, afraid that she will be wronged or that she will meet the wrong person."
Su Su looked at Yun Xi and teased, "Sister-in-law, why don't you give Hua'er another little brother? He can protect his sister in the future."
Upon hearing this, Pei Yunxi blushed slightly, her hand unconsciously touching her lower abdomen, and she whispered, "Your Majesty was right... I was thinking of waiting three months before saying anything."
Su Su was both surprised and delighted: "So my sister-in-law is pregnant too! That's wonderful! My brother must be overjoyed to know!"
Mu Hanyan also smiled and congratulated her, "Congratulations, little sister."
Yunxi thanked Mu Hanyan first, then said to Su Su, "Ji Zhi is very happy. He was initially worried about me going to the palace today, but Hua'er kept mentioning that she had made a promise to fly kites with the princess, so he finally agreed."
As the group was chatting and laughing, Zi Mo, who had been quietly squatting to the side watching the crickets, walked over at some point. He looked up at Pei Yunxi with his little face and asked in a serious tone, "Is Auntie going to have a little brother too?"
Su Su was amused by his mature demeanor and bent down to ask him, "How does Zi Mo know that Aunt is definitely carrying a younger brother?"
Zi Mo blinked his deep eyes, which resembled Li Qianche's, and said seriously, "Zi Mo guessed."
His confident yet bewildered expression immediately made Su Su, Mu Hanyan, and Pei Yunxi burst into laughter.
Before long, Zhaoyue, Suhua, and Jingnian ran back, drenched in sweat from playing. Su Su quickly took out a soft silk handkerchief and personally wiped the sweat from Zhaoyue and Suhua's foreheads. She then instructed Qiuju, "Go and bring the chilled almond cheese to the children to cool them down."
This almond cheese, served chilled, has a smooth and creamy texture, is slightly sweet but not cloying, and not too cold, making it perfect for children to enjoy in the summer.
The four children sat around a small table on the porch, munching on cool, sweet almond cheese, occasionally letting out satisfied sighs.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the branches and leaves, casting dappled shadows that fell upon their innocent and carefree smiling faces.
Su Su, Mu Hanyan, and Pei Yunxi exchanged smiles, feeling that nothing could be more peaceful and serene than this.
Little did they know that these four innocent children, along with the two unborn babies in their wombs, would embark on their own magnificent and legendary lives in the distant future.
The threads of fate had already quietly intertwined under the shade of the trees in this midsummer, laying the initial foreshadowing.
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