Chapter 321 The Birth of a Prince
Therefore, she had no choice but to accept this important task of offering advice.
However, when she entered the palace to request an audience with His Majesty, she was led to the residence of Minister Cui.
This was also the first time she had the opportunity to see the legendary "Qingxin Temple".
After passing several layers of red walls, one suddenly sees towering pines and cypresses, bamboo groves concealing the path, and moss growing on the stone steps, resembling a secluded ancient paradise.
The path is paved with smooth pebbles, and the grass on both sides is growing wildly, adding to its charm.
Walking along the path, you can see several palaces with blue tiles and stone walls.
Copper bells hang from the eaves, making a soft, melodious "ding-a-ling" sound when the wind blows.
Inside the hall, there was a bronze incense burner that was half the height of a person.
Pale blue smoke billowed from the furnace, spreading with the wind and carrying a faint scent of medicine and pine needles.
She stood at the foot of the steps, watching the wisp of smoke rise slowly, and suddenly felt a little dazed.
Is this a royal palace or a fairyland?
The eunuch led her around the main hall and into the backyard.
Just after turning through a moon gate, the view suddenly opened up before us.
An ancient cypress tree stands in the courtyard.
The tree trunk was so thick that it took two people to hug it, and its vigorous branches stretched out in all directions, casting a dense shade that covered most of the courtyard.
Beneath the ancient cypress trees, Li Yuanzhao sat cross-legged on a futon, playing chess with Cui Wulang, who was also sitting opposite him.
She wore a gray-blue Taoist robe, without a crown, and her long hair was loosely tied up. She lacked some of the majesty of an emperor and had more of a rare sense of leisure.
Cui Wulang sat opposite her, still wearing a gray-blue Taoist robe, with a lotus crown on his head.
This was the first time she had met Cui Wulang.
Upon seeing him, he understood why His Majesty insisted on bringing him back to the palace.
This Cui Wulang truly deserves to be called one of the "Twin Jewels" alongside Pei Huaijin in the past.
The gray-blue Taoist robe he wore did not make him look desolate; on the contrary, it made him appear as elegant and refined as a jade tree.
Unlike others, he was very tall. Even though he was wearing a loose Taoist robe and sitting cross-legged, you could still see that he had broad shoulders, a narrow waist, a pert bottom, and long legs.
What's most special about him are his phoenix eyes. A single glance from them makes one feel as if the hustle and bustle of the world has faded away and a crane in the clouds is right in front of them.
As expected, Your Majesty's vision remains as sharp as ever.
With such looks and bearing, it would be hard to find another like him in the entire capital. No wonder His Majesty is so fond of him.
When Li Yuanzhao saw her, he said casually, "You're here. Have a seat."
When Cui Wulang saw Su Qingci sit down next to Li Yuanzhao, he stood up without even glancing at Su Qingci.
"Since Your Majesty has important matters to discuss, I shall take my leave. The fire in the medicine furnace in the front courtyard is at a critical stage and needs to be kept in mind."
Seeing this, Li Yuanzhao was not annoyed. He waved his hand and said, "Go."
Cui Wulang then turned and left, his bluish-gray figure quickly disappearing outside the moon gate.
Li Yuanzhao gestured to Su Qingci to take over Cui Wulang's position.
As soon as Su Qingci settled down, Li Yuanzhao smiled and explained to her, "Don't be offended, he's just like that, a little shy around strangers."
Hearing His Majesty's words, which were tinged with a hint of doting, Su Qingci was momentarily at a loss for words and could only lower her head to examine the chess game on the board.
Upon closer inspection, he was slightly taken aback.
The chessboard was filled with black and white pieces, but the game itself... was simply a joke on a child!
The white pieces were like a child learning to walk, moving haphazardly here and there without any strategy.
There is no strategy, no offense or defense; the black pieces are placed wherever the white pieces are placed, and the white pieces are randomly placed wherever the black pieces are placed. They don't even understand the most basic principle of a living group.
Black, however, played defensively, sometimes deliberately giving way to escape, and sometimes adding pieces according to the opponent's strategy, thus keeping Black occupied for most of the game.
And look at the black chess piece that His Majesty is holding between his fingers...
That white piece was actually placed by Cui Wulang.
I never imagined that someone as ethereal as this would be an idiot.
He doesn't know how to play chess, yet he's been sitting here quietly, playing with me for so long.
His Majesty, though a master of chess, was willing to spend half a day playing against this terrible chess player.
For a moment, she couldn't tell which of the two men was more patient.
Seeing Su Qingci frown and reluctantly make a move, Li Yuanzhao finally spoke and asked, "You came here today also to persuade me?"
Su Qingci straightened his expression and said seriously, "Your Majesty, the matter of an heir concerns the very foundation of the nation. The court officials are deeply worried, and the people are eagerly awaiting his arrival..."
Li Yuanzhao placed a piece, interrupting her directly, "There's no need to persuade me anymore, I already have it."
"What?!" Su Qingci exclaimed in shock upon hearing this.
Li Yuanzhao raised an eyebrow at her, "Why are you so surprised?"
Su Qingci's gaze unconsciously drifted to Li Yuanzhao's stomach beneath his wide robe.
That area remained flat, showing no signs of pregnancy whatsoever.
Incredulous, she asked repeatedly, "Is Your Majesty truly telling the truth? Has the imperial physician been summoned to examine her? How many months has it been?"
"So many questions?" Li Yuanzhao chuckled, looking at her with a half-smile. "Anyone who didn't know better would think that I'm carrying your child, Prime Minister Su?"
Su Qingci blushed, her face turning bright red. "It was my slip of the tongue... but I truly didn't expect it to happen so suddenly. Could it be..."
Judging by this date, could it be Minister Cui's?
The moment the thought crossed her mind, her heart tightened.
Cui, the Vice Minister, was originally a remnant of a traitor, and was heavily criticized when he entered the palace.
If His Majesty's first heir turns out to be his own son, it will surely cause a huge uproar in the court.
Li Yuanzhao seemed to see through her thoughts and said calmly, "This is no one's child; she is a daughter bestowed upon me by Heaven."
"A daughter?" Su Qingci was taken aback again, and subconsciously asked, "How can Your Majesty be so sure that this is definitely a daughter?"
Li Yuanzhao smiled but said nothing. He simply picked up a black piece and gently placed it on the chessboard, thus ending the game.
Looking at her enigmatic smile, Su Qingci ultimately decided not to ask any further questions.
Sure enough, a few days later, the imperial physician diagnosed His Majesty as being three months pregnant.
When the news spread, the whole country rejoiced, and the court officials were finally relieved.
Even the palace ladies secretly speculated about whose blood the unborn child belonged to.
After all, three months ago, there were far more than just one person who had received imperial favor.
Six months later, the emperor's first son was born, a daughter.
From this dynasty onward, all princes and princesses were called "princes" and were ranked according to their age; the title of princess was no longer used.
The eldest prince was different from the moment he was born.
His body shape is much plumper and stronger than that of an average baby.
However, he was able to stand while holding onto the railing in May, and in July he was even able to call out "Mother Queen".
The court and the public were astonished and all called him a "child prodigy".
The eldest prince's eyebrows and eyes bore no resemblance to any of the other concubines in the harem.
Only his eyes were exactly like His Majesty's.
No one was sure whose bloodline it was.
Therefore, although the eldest prince was raised under Pei Huaijin's care, everyone in the harem doted on her.
After all, everyone secretly harbored a sliver of hope: this child might just be their own flesh and blood.
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