The prince first went to see the two children and inquired about their condition from the wet nurse.
The wet nurse was trembling with fear, almost stuttering, when Song Xibai waved her away.
"Your Highness's majesty is growing ever stronger."
After saying that, she turned to teach the prince how to hold the child.
The Crown Prince carefully held his daughter for a while, and even rubbed the newly grown beard on his chin against the child's face, causing Zhaojing to cry out loudly.
Just as Song Xibai was getting worried, she suddenly heard a "smack".
Good heavens, her daughter, who wasn't even a month old, slapped her father across the face.
The crown prince was not angry at all; instead, he burst into laughter.
"She has presence; she's truly worthy of being my daughter."
After laughing, he kissed her little hand and played with her for a while before putting the child down.
But when he went to hug Zhao Yan, the little guy smelled the unfamiliar scent and, without giving him any face, started crying on the spot.
His crying wasn't like a typical child's loud wailing; it was more of a sob, making him look extremely sad.
The prince was so frightened that he dared not approach any further.
Song Xibai picked up Zhao Yan and gently coaxed him until his sobbing subsided.
"This child cries too much." The Crown Prince felt both distressed and puzzled. "Zhaojing is a girl, and she didn't cry like this. It's as if these two children were born the wrong gender."
Song Xibai glanced at him sideways.
"Your Highness, are you blaming me? Blaming me for not giving birth to those two properly?"
The crown prince's heart tightened, and he shook his head repeatedly.
"How could that be? I was just saying it casually, Qingqing, don't overthink it."
"Hmph! If Your Highness doesn't like our Zhao Yan, then find someone else to have a son you like!"
Song Xibai lost her temper, holding the child and sitting sideways on the edge of the bed with her back to the Crown Prince.
The crown prince was puzzled: What's wrong? Why did he suddenly get angry?
He scratched his cheek, leaned closer, and rested his chin on Song Xibai's shoulder.
"You know perfectly well I can't, so why do you have to say such hurtful things? The child is both ours, how could I not like it?"
"That's not necessarily true. Right now, many ministers are waiting to send their daughters into the palace! When the time comes, there will be beauties of all shapes and sizes, and once they get to know each other, who wouldn't be tempted?"
Song Xibai muttered in a low voice.
The crown prince chuckled and reached out to pinch her nose.
"Are you starting to overthink things now that you've had a baby? What was that postpartum symptom that Dingxiang mentioned before?"
Postpartum depression.
Song Xibai blurted out, only to see the Crown Prince chuckle quietly, making him even more displeased.
"Keep laughing! I don't believe you haven't received any news at all."
"How could I not know what they're up to? But so what? It's just wishful thinking on their part."
The Crown Prince said with a smile, then reached out and turned Song Xibai around so that she was facing him.
"Your Highness need not concern yourself with others, but what about your maternal family? The Zhou family has done so much for you, how could you possibly refuse?"
Song Xibai's expression became more serious.
The crown prince paused for a moment: "Where did you hear these rumors? My maternal grandfather is not that kind of person."
Song Xibai twitched the corner of her mouth.
"So, Your Highness, do you trust me, or the Zhou family?"
The crown prince frowned slightly, his fingers rubbing the thumb ring.
"I believe you, but if my grandfather really had this intention, he could have done it long ago. Why wait until now?"
Song Xibai raised an eyebrow.
"Who knows? Anyway, a couple of days ago, the young mistress of the Marquis of Chengen's mansion came over and subtly asked me to persuade Your Highness to give up your plan to make me Empress."
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince's eyes instantly turned cold.
"She really said that?"
"How could such a thing be false? The young mistress said she came on the orders of Marquis Cheng'en."
Song Xibai put Zhao Yan down, put his little hand back into the swaddling clothes, and spoke in a nonchalant tone.
"Actually, I originally wanted to advise you. The Crown Princess is still alive. If Your Highness bypasses her and makes me Empress, who knows how the history books will write it! I probably won't be able to escape the title of a wicked concubine."
"nonsense!"
The prince stared wide-eyed.
"Anyone who dares to write that, I'll chop them down!"
These words were spoken with great conviction, and Song Xibai had no doubt about their truthfulness.
Song Xibai stared at him intently.
The fact that the Crown Prince simply refers to himself as "lonely" reveals that his state of mind has changed considerably.
When they first met, they weren't very familiar with each other, and he referred to himself as "Gu" (孤). But as they gradually became closer, fell in love, and spent more time together, he stopped referring to himself as "Gu" and started calling himself "I" (我).
But now...
Song Xibai lowered her head slightly, her eyelids drooping to conceal her gaze and emotional turmoil.
"I was just saying it casually, Your Highness, there's no need to be angry."
Song Xibai's tone softened, and she took his hand.
Seeing that she was no longer angry, the Crown Prince felt a little relieved, and his expression softened.
"Don't worry, I won't let you suffer any injustice."
Song Xibai smiled and intertwined her fingers with his.
The two cuddled together for a long time until Zhaojing's loud voice woke them up.
"They must be hungry. I'll call the wet nurse in."
Song Xibai got up and was about to leave when the Crown Prince grabbed her arm.
"No need, it's cold outside. You stay inside, I'll go call you."
The crown prince told her to sit back on the bed, then got up and left.
After lifting the curtain, the Crown Prince beckoned to the wet nurse, gave her a few instructions, and then summoned Eunuch Feng.
Feng Jia jogged over with small, quick steps.
"What are your orders, Your Highness?"
The Crown Prince's face was cold: "Have someone inquire whether the Marquis of Chengen's mansion is interested in the Empress's position."
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