Chapter Sixty-Nine
"What's wrong?" Yinreng asked anxiously. But as soon as he finished asking, he remembered that Jialuo was pregnant with more than one child, so she must be having a second one.
"Don't bring the baby out, it's cold in winter." When Yinreng heard the midwife say that a little prince had been born, he was happy but also worried that the midwife might be foolish enough to bring the little prince out.
"Your Highness, please rest assured." Even though the midwife was eager to report the good news, she would not forget this point. Now that it was the dead of winter and the weather was freezing cold, the health of the little prince was naturally the most important thing.
The cries of pain that continued to come from inside made Yinreng's heart clench.
While waiting outside, Yinreng lost track of time, only knowing that his body was becoming numb.
Xiao Shunzi knew that His Highness was cold when he heard the Crown Prince sneeze.
They quickly tied a woolen cloak around His Highness's neck. And, isn't there a charcoal brazier? It must be because His Highness stayed up all night that his body is feeling unwell.
Another baby's cry came from inside, and Yinreng's eyes lit up.
She gave birth! She gave birth! The Crown Princess must be safe and sound.
"Is there always food prepared for the Crown Princess in the kitchen?" Yinreng turned to ask Xiao Shunzi beside him, who quickly nodded.
"Your Highness, rest assured, the kitchen is always ready." How could Xiao Shunzi not notice this? No matter what kind of noodles, pastries, rice porridge, meat... everything is prepared, all of which the Crown Princess can eat. If the Crown Princess is hungry, she can have whatever she wants to eat.
The second one was also the young prince.
Yinreng took a deep breath and inquired about the Crown Princess's condition, "Is the Crown Princess alright?"
While Yinreng was waiting for the Crown Princess to give birth, other princesses did come to visit, but unfortunately, just like last time, they were all sent back by the Crown Prince.
What could the princess in the back courtyard do? She could only leave silently, cursing in her heart that the Crown Princess might die, taking her unborn child with her...
Yinreng didn't go out to see the princesses at all; he simply had them driven away. He didn't have the time to deal with them.
Besides, too many people will just get in the way.
Naturally, they had no idea about the wicked thoughts in the minds of these princesses. Perhaps they knew that the women in the harem could not truly be intimate, friendly, and loving, but since the news hadn't reached their ears, they didn't pay attention.
The second one was born, and we don't even know how many more are in her belly. It's multiple pregnancies! Those imperial physicians are utterly useless, saying they can't be sure! Four... there can't possibly be five. They should really teach them some medicine.
"Your Highness, it's getting late. We still need to go to the Fengxian Hall to pay respects to the late emperors today..." Eunuch Xiao Shunzi still had to remind His Highness the Crown Prince. Although the Crown Princess's affairs were also important, going to the Fengxian Hall to pay respects to the imperial ancestors was also an extremely important matter for the Crown Prince.
"I understand." How could Yinreng not know? Anyway, with Father Emperor around, we can pay respects to the ancestors in the Fengxian Hall anytime, but the Crown Princess can only give birth today.
Xiao Shunzi didn't dare to nag the Crown Prince, as he could tell that the Crown Prince was already quite agitated.
I hope the Crown Princess will give birth to the little prince safely.
Hearing Xiao Shunzi's thoughts, Yinreng glanced at Xiao Shunzi but said nothing more.
"Aa ...
Jialuo was already exhausted after a night of labor, and childbirth had drained all her strength, leaving her feeling weak all over.
The midwives around her were terrified by the situation, fearing that something might really happen to the Crown Princess.
"Your Highness, please hang in there a little longer, give it your all, we can see the end, it'll be out soon."
"Your Highness, take a deep breath, and don't fall asleep."
"Crown Princess..."
The midwives around her were all very nervous. The Crown Princess must not have anything happen to her. She has already given birth to two. Judging from the curvature of her belly, there should be at most one more, right?
Yinreng, who was outside, seemed to have heard the noise coming from inside and called out anxiously, "Crown Princess, Crown Princess, I'm here! Hongyao, the children, and I are all waiting for you!!"
Princess Consort, could something have happened to you?
how so?
Seeing those basins of bloody water made Yinreng panic. If someone hadn't been blocking his way and refusing to let him in, Yinreng would have gone in to be with the Crown Princess.
Xiao Shunzi clung to the Crown Prince's leg, saying that a man entering the delivery room would bring bad luck to the pregnant woman. For the sake of his Crown Princess, Yinreng had no choice but to believe in superstition.
Jialuo had no interest in what the men outside were doing; she only knew that she was in great pain and exhausted.
Reason still prevailed; she knew she was carrying a child and had to give birth. Gritting her teeth, she gripped the sheets tightly and screamed with all her might, "Aaaaaaahhhhhh!"
Yinreng anxiously pressed his knees against the door and shouted inside, "Jialuo!!!"
As soon as Yinreng finished speaking, a baby's cry came from inside. Yinreng's eyes lit up immediately. It's born! It's born!
"Crown Princess, is the Crown Princess alright?" Yinreng's first concern was whether his Crown Princess was alright, and he anxiously called out to her from inside.
Hearing the Crown Prince's words, the midwife held the baby inside, while another midwife pressed on the Crown Princess's belly.
The pain has subsided, so it should be over. At the same time, we need to clean up the lochia for the Crown Princess.
One of the midwives quickly came out, and as she did, someone else immediately closed the door behind her, ensuring proper insulation.
"Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations on the birth of your son, Princess Consort! Both mother and child are safe and healthy." The midwife's face beamed with joy. How could she not be happy?
You know, the Crown Princess gave birth to a baby boy in a row, and both the child and the mother are safe and sound. How could His Highness the Crown Prince not be happy?
If His Highness the Crown Prince is pleased, how could he not bestow more rewards?
As expected, upon hearing the midwife's words, Yinreng's face lit up with a happy smile, his surprise and delight evident. "Really?"
"Good, good, reward! Reward!!! Each person will receive half a year's salary." Yinreng's joy had overwhelmed his reason, and he waved his hand.
With his highly profitable glass workshop, he was incredibly wealthy, much to the delight of the midwives, whose monthly wages were already quite high, and now they were being rewarded with a bonus that would last for half a year!
The news that the Crown Princess was about to give birth spread at the palace banquet, and everyone from the inner palace to the front court knew about it.
Indeed, many people hoped that the Crown Princess would eventually give birth to several princesses, or that she would simply die.
Of course, many people, such as the Fucha family, also hoped that the Crown Princess would give birth to her child safely.
When Kangxi woke up, he learned that the Crown Princess was still giving birth, and he frowned slightly, worried that something might have happened to her as well.
He knew the difference between children with mothers and those without, and he didn't want Bao Cheng's children to end up like Bao Cheng.
She looked down at Xiao Hongyao beside her, her eyes filled with pity. She was sure the Crown Princess was safe and sound.
As for the sacrificial ceremony, I suppose the Crown Prince won't be able to come today. Although I'm somewhat dissatisfied, it's understandable, so I'll barely suppress my dissatisfaction.
No sooner had he gotten up to wash than someone from Yuqing Palace arrived with good news: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, good news has come from Yuqing Palace! The Crown Princess has given birth to a little prince."
When Liang Jiugong heard the news, he was also very surprised and asked if the Crown Princess was alright. Knowing that the Crown Princess was safe, he nodded and quickly came in to report.
However, when the matter was reported, it was not mentioned, since the Crown Princess was not one of the Emperor's concubines, and the situation of the young prince was more important.
Upon hearing this news, Emperor Kangxi looked over in surprise, his face beaming with joy. "A little grandson of the emperor? Good, good, Baocheng has done a great service this time."
He immediately praised Bao Cheng, but then seemed to realize something was amiss before saying, "The Crown Princess has made a great contribution, not bad, not bad."
"A generous reward, a hefty reward! Liang Jiugong, a double reward!" While others received a "one" reward, the Crown Princess directly doubled the reward, demonstrating her immense wealth and generosity.
Kangxi's hearty laughter and unrestrained voice woke up Xiao Hongyao, who was still asleep.
Little Hongyao was still half asleep when he heard his grandfather's hearty laughter. "What reward?"
"Grandpa Huang?" He got up, got out of bed, and asked with some doubt as he walked over.
Kangxi turned his head and looked at little Hongyao, then picked him up in his arms. "Hongyao, you have a younger brother now, and you suddenly have a younger brother! Aren't you happy?"
Kangxi felt that the crown princess he chose for Baocheng was quite good. Back then, there were four princesses, but fortunately the other two had accidents, otherwise, the crown princess would not have fallen to Baocheng.
As for the secret formula for conceiving a child that Yinqi mentioned before, it was all nonsense. Kangxi didn't take it to heart at all, otherwise he wouldn't have asked about it twice.
"A little brother?" Upon hearing this, Xiao Hongyao was initially confused, but then he realized what was happening and jumped up with joy, clapping his chubby little hands. "My little brother is out! Mother! Mother made my little brother appear?"
Change?
Kangxi paused for half a second, then nodded, "Yes, that's right."
He didn't want to correct Hongyao on that word, fearing that Hongyao would then ask him how the child was born, which would leave him speechless.
Well... I should say, it's not appropriate to bring up this kind of thing with someone who's still four years old... He's four this year, so it's not appropriate to bring it up with four-year-old Hongyao.
"Wow, Grandpa, Hongyao, Hongyao wants to go back to see his little brother." Hongyao happily toddled away on his short legs.
"No, you need to wash up and have your meal first. We'll have the ancestral worship ceremony later, and you'll be allowed to go back after everything is finished." They're probably still busy right now, and Hongyao wouldn't have time to deal with them if he went back; in fact, he'd just get in their way.
Oh, I can't say that about my little grandson. I can only say that... it might have neglected Hongyao, or delayed the servants from taking care of the little grandson.
By the way, with a new little prince all of a sudden, are there enough wet nurses?
"Liang Jiugong, have the Crown Prince prepared the wet nurses and servants for Yuqing Palace?" Everything else can be delayed, but his little grandson cannot go hungry. It's cold in winter, and if he catches a cold, he might die. There must be enough people to serve him and keep watch at night.
"Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince had already made preparations more than two months ago." Liang Jiugong had heard before that His Highness the Crown Prince had been working on the Imperial Household Department for a long time, going through several batches of people before finally selecting the servants and wet nurses.
They even said they didn't know how many children they would have, yet they ordered a ration for five children...
She was still there crying to the Emperor, complaining that Yuqing Palace was too small, and with so many children, there was nowhere for them to live.
When Kangxi heard this, he was indeed silent for a short while. The reason why he let Bao Cheng live in Yuqing Palace instead of the Prince's Residence when he was a child was because it was closer.
But now that it has become a symbol of the Crown Prince's palace, he can't just move the Crown Prince away, can he? Wouldn't that make people in the court and the harem think that he is dissatisfied with the Crown Prince as the heir apparent?
In the very end, pretending to know, we'll expand again, and expand again...
Fortunately, Yinreng hasn't had many more princesses in recent years; otherwise, there really wouldn't be enough room for them.
Headache.
"Grandpa, Grandpa, Hongyao wants to see his little brother. Is his little brother handsome? Is his little brother cute? Is his little brother obedient?" Little Hongyao was still very excited and expectant about his little brother, and of course, he kept asking Kangxi's clothes. Under the education of Yinreng and Jialuo, little Hongyao was quite looking forward to his little brother.
She doesn't have the idea of "I don't want a second child," and she certainly doesn't think that her younger brother will compete with her for her father's and mother's affection.
Emperor Kangxi recalled the newborn baby. Was it good-looking? Certainly not. It was ugly, like a red-skinned monkey.
But when he saw Hongyao's expectant eyes staring at him, he fell silent. Was it wrong of him to have directly shattered Hongyao's fantasy?
After hesitating for a few seconds, he said, "Maybe not as good-looking as our Hongyao."
Hongyao had been praised many times for being super cute, so it was normal that his younger brothers weren't as good-looking as him. He nodded and said, "It's okay, Hongyao won't look down on his younger brothers."
Kangxi remained silent, not wanting to expose Hongyao's current imagination, perhaps because Hongyao's imagination was different from what he knew.
But I had other things to do in a little while and really wasn't in the mood to discuss this issue, so I nodded and said, "Hongyao is such a good boy."
The news that the Crown Princess had given birth to a prince on her first attempt gradually spread to the outside world.
The most excited of all was the eldest prince; he practically jumped for joy. "My son!!!"
"My lady, did you hear that? One son, one son! We, we only need one, that's enough!!!" She was so excited she was about to explode. The Crown Prince's secret formula for having a son must be working.
The first time, she had a son; the second time, she had another son.
To the First Princess Consort, Yinti's excitement was utterly baffling. The Crown Princess had given birth to a son, and it really had nothing to do with her, okay?
Do you know that your behavior at the New Year's Eve banquet yesterday has already caused gossip?
"Yes, indeed, but you don't need to get this excited, okay?" The First Princess Consort was indeed happy and expectant, if what Yinti said was true.
However, the First Consort had been giving birth to several princesses over the years, so the Irgen Gioro clan was anxious and even sent her a secret formula for conceiving a child, saying that all the consorts in the capital were drinking it.
She had tried it, but it never resulted in her giving birth to a son, so the First Princess had no hope at all.
Unlike Yinti, this was Yinti's first time encountering such a secret formula for conceiving a child. The First Consort had used it before, but she had never told Yinti about it.
"You're right, my lady. He's a man of refinement. How could he be so undignified? Hehe, my lady, take good care of yourself. After the New Year, we'll have a son in one go. We won't have to envy others. Oh, we don't even need a New Year anymore. Hehe, there are still two years left..."
Excitement, joy, happiness, and self-cultivation for a whole year—at this time, Yinti was still a young man full of vigor, and it was truly amazing that he could restrain himself.
The princesses in the back courtyard were all secretly criticizing the First Princess Consort for being a jealous woman who wouldn't even share the soup with others when she ate meat. The First Prince hadn't entered their courtyard for a very long time.
How could the First Princess Consort not have heard about these things? It's just that Yinti's thoughts couldn't be conveyed to those people, so in the end, she could only silently bear it all alone.
Emperor Kangxi generously rewarded the Crown Princess, and the Empress Dowager, one of the most powerful figures in the harem, also bestowed a generous reward upon her. She even told those around her with a smile, "The girls from our Khorchin are truly exceptional."
Before the Empress Dowager passed away, she had already told her that she was a descendant of Su Mo'er (Su Mala Gu), and that they were closely related by blood.
"Your Majesty is right," said the nanny beside her, then lowered her voice to remind Her Majesty that such words must not be spread to others.
"Yes, yes, it's good that the Crown Princess knows." The Empress Dowager nodded as if she had suddenly realized something, smiling happily like a kind and gentle old lady.
When the concubines in the harem learned that the Crown Princess had given birth to a prince in one pregnancy, they were shocked. "We never expected that the Crown Princess would be such an amazing person."
"Why was the Crown Princess able to give birth to a prince in one pregnancy? I've never heard of such a thing in the royal family before."
"Could it be because the Wuya family has some secret formula for conceiving children? Didn't Consort De also give birth to six children?"
"If that's the case, then Consort Rong must also have a secret to having children. She gave birth to six children, five of whom were princes."
Who knows!
Amidst these rumors and gossip, the story that the Crown Princess possessed a secret formula for conceiving a child spread.
At this moment, Jialuo, who was still fast asleep, was unaware that the nannies around her were taking care of the little prince. Because it was a single pregnancy, they were all being very careful, as the baby was much smaller than a normal fetus.
During the ancestral worship ceremony, no one spoke much. However, when they dispersed, several princes couldn't help but run up to Yinreng and say, "Congratulations, Crown Prince."
"Congratulations, Second Brother."
"Second brother, you're amazing! You had a son in one pregnancy! I've never heard of anything like it."
"Isn't that right? Our Qing Dynasty imperial family has never had one before."
Yinti first offered his congratulations, but he didn't go forward because he was pushed aside. For example, the fourth prince, the fifth prince, and others all wanted to ask Yinreng how he managed to give birth to a prince, and how he had given birth to so many children at once.
They were shocked.
Listening to his younger brothers quietly asking Yinreng for advice, Yinti proudly raised his chin and said, "You're too late. This is Yinreng's last secret recipe for having a son."
Hearing the chaotic thoughts of everyone, Yinreng glanced at the eldest brother not far away and said, "It's all because of me, I'm strong and healthy..."
Yinreng wouldn't be foolish enough to spread rumors outside and deceive his eldest son, because the eldest son is simple-minded and easily fooled. If word got out, wouldn't he lose face? Because he really didn't have any so-called secret formula for having a son.
Besides, whether you have sons or not is none of my business. It doesn't stop me from showing off anyway.
"Hahaha." Yinti laughed loudly, but after being glanced at by Yinreng, his laughter stopped abruptly. "Yes, yes, like the Crown Prince, strong and healthy."
Yinti muttered to himself that Yinreng was talking nonsense. No one was as strong as him, okay? Yinreng? With that small frame?
However, Yinti also knew that it was because Yinreng had given him the last copy, and he couldn't get it out if word got out.
"The Crown Prince is absolutely right!" Yinti said, nodding vigorously. The others looked at Yinti with a subtle expression, as if they were questioning whether Yinti had gotten his hand caught in a door when he went out today.
Besides the issue of fertility elixirs, there's also the question of positions. Could it be that different positions are causing the problem?
Yinreng had no interest in discussing such matters of the bedroom with his brothers, so he pushed them away and left. When they tried to pull him back, they looked at Yinti.
Yinti was really smart this time. "Alright, alright, stop blocking us here. The Crown Prince is going back. We'll see our little nephew at the full moon celebration."
Yinti took their enthusiasm as a desire to see his nephew, and was very proactive and nonsensical, not allowing them to disturb the Crown Prince at all.
"Boss, what are you doing?"
"That's right, brother, why are you stopping us? Even if you don't want it, we still want to know."
"What do you know? What could the Crown Prince possibly say to you? It's all just luck. Go back now, it's so cold." Only after Yinreng had walked away did Yinti release his hand.
"Also, the Crown Princess just gave birth, and the Crown Prince wants to go back to be with her. Don't stand in his way." Yinti scolded his ignorant younger brothers, adopting an attitude of 'listen to your elder brother'.
The fourth brother and the others were all smart men, none of them were stupid. Seeing Yinti's attitude, they felt that something was wrong.
That shouldn't be the case. The eldest son is the one who most wants to give birth to a legitimate son. Seeing that the Crown Princess has given birth to a child, how could he not be tempted?
They even helped the Crown Prince stop them... Oh, "Big brother, did you know something beforehand?"
"That's right, brother, why are you stopping us?"
At this moment, it was Yinti who was being targeted. Yinti was not flustered at all. "What? What could I possibly know? Could I possibly know in advance that the Crown Princess would give birth to a little nephew? I only found out this morning."
What secret formula for having a child? I don't have one, and I didn't get it from the Crown Prince either.
I know nothing about this; I'm just happy for the Crown Prince.
No matter what his younger brothers said, Yinti always said the same thing, leaving Yinzhen and the others speechless.
Yinzhi was not worried because his wife had given birth to a legitimate son. Although Tian Gege's son had died young, she still had two sons, which showed that he was still quite capable.
Yinzhen currently has no sons, which is a great worry for him...
The fifth princess, Liu Jia, gave birth to a son born out of wedlock. We don't care about legitimate sons, but who would complain about having too many sons?
"Father, Father, have you seen your younger brother?" When Yinreng returned to Yuqing Palace, Kangxi had already sent Hongyao back. It just so happened that Yinreng met him after saying goodbye to his younger brothers, which was something Kangxi had anticipated.
It would be strange if the other sons weren't curious about the fact that Yinreng had given birth to a little prince.
But while they surrounded Yinreng with questions, they couldn't squeeze past their own son, Hongyao, who was only four years old and too small to withstand the pressure.
Sure enough, as soon as they met, Xiao Hongyao thought of his mother and younger brothers again and asked about the question he had asked this morning. He said that telling his grandfather and his father were two different things.
"No." He had also hurriedly changed his clothes and came over. He only knew that the Crown Princess and her son were safe and sound. He was also worried that he might still be cold because he had been standing all night.
"Wow, Hongyao wants to be the first to see his little brother!" Little Hongyao bounced around on his short legs, happily snuggling up to his mother.
Yinreng: You're not the first one. The first person to see a son should have been the midwife.
However, when faced with his son's excitement and anticipation, Yinreng nodded, "Alright, you'll be the first to see them. But no matter how your younger brothers look, as the older brother, you can't be scared, understand?"
Yinreng still remembers the first time he saw Hongyao, that ugly red-skinned monkey, which really scared him.
"Father, are you looking down on Hongyao? How could I be scared by my brothers?" Hongyao asked in shock, a little annoyed. His father was underestimating him. Was Hongyao the kind of coward?
"Is that so? Then Father will wait and see. If Hongyao is not scared, then Hongyao wins, okay?" Yinreng gave Hongyao a heads-up.
Hongyao nodded very seriously, with a confident air about him; he was sure to win.
Upon arriving at the main courtyard, just as she was about to rush in, Yinreng pulled her to his room to change her clothes. "We just came back from outside. It's cold outside. The younger brothers are still small and shouldn't be exposed to the wind and cold. They need to change their clothes and warm up before going over."
"Xiao Shunzi, pour Hongyao a cup of hot tea." After finishing the cup of hot tea, the time was just right.
Yinreng's words made Hongyao nod as if he understood, but he wasn't a brat, so he naturally wouldn't insist on rolling on the ground to show that he wanted to go see his younger brother right now.
She changed her clothes, but insisted on wearing her previous bright red outfit because her mother said it was festive!
After everything was ready, Yinreng led Hongyao inside.
Full of anticipation, Hongyao, guided by the wet nurse, arrived at the adorable little cradle.
She raised her cute and adorable smile, eager to greet her younger brothers and leave them with the best possible impression.
Then, I saw an ugly, wrinkled monkey, tiny in size, and... and all red...
She stood there stunned for a second, then burst into tears, crying out, "Father, Father, my little brother, my little brother has been stolen!!"
This isn't...this isn't my brother! Waaaaaah!
My little brother can't be this ugly. He must have been stolen and replaced with an ugly little brother...
(End of this chapter)
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