Chapter 78 078 "Man'er".
After the New Year, some officials in the capital and local governments were reassigned.
Because there has been no war in recent years, there have been few changes in the official positions of the three major Beijing garrisons and the Imperial Guards, and Xiao Rong, Xiao Hu, and Xiao Lin, the three fathers and sons, remain the same.
The two sons-in-law of the Luo family, who were civil officials, were different. The eldest son-in-law, Pei Xingshu, was promoted from a sixth-rank official in the Ministry of Revenue to a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Works, in charge of the Water Conservancy Bureau. Xiao Yu had just returned to the capital last year and was promoted to the fifth-rank official in the Censorate. He was not promoted again this year, but Emperor Yongcheng appointed him as the tutor of the Crown Prince, which was also a fifth-rank position.
After receiving the news from Xiao Yu, Luo Fu first inquired about her salary: "If I take on two jobs, will I also receive two salaries?"
Xiao Yu: "I will receive the full salary from the Censorate and half salary from the Eastern Palace, because from now on I will only be on duty for three mornings every ten days, unlike other officials who have to serve nine days every ten days."
Luo Fu laughed and said, "Giving you half the salary for such a short time is quite a bargain. What does a horse groom even have to do?"
Xiao Yu: "My main responsibility is to organize and compile the classics, histories, philosophical works, and collections of the Eastern Palace. Sometimes I also need to help the Crown Prince answer his questions."
"Answering questions and providing explanations? Wouldn't that be equivalent to being a teacher?"
"The Crown Prince's tutors are the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor, Grand Preceptor, Grand Protector, and Junior Tutor, Junior Preceptor, and Junior Protector. The Ladies-in-Waiting are equivalent to the subordinate officials of these tutors, and they only play a guiding role in the Crown Prince's education."
Luo Fu recalled for a moment and said, "The Crown Prince seems to be seven years older than you? I heard from the princess that the Crown Prince is well-read. Can he really respect a young man like you?"
Xiao Yu: "A person's knowledge and talent have nothing to do with age. Moreover, I suspect that the Emperor summoned me to the Eastern Palace so that I could serve the Crown Prince in advance and be regarded as his close advisor."
After the incident of deposing the crown prince, Xiao Yu now interprets every decision Emperor Yongcheng makes as a wise and far-sighted ruler. He proved his loyalty to the Great Zhou with two remonstrances, so the emperor pardoned him and gave him important responsibilities, hoping that the crown prince would continue to rely on him as a loyal minister in the future.
When others say this, it's easy for it to be interpreted as arrogance and boasting, but Xiao Yu has an air of integrity, and whatever he says sounds like a statement of fact.
Luo Fu raised her hand to touch Xiao Yu's face: "You're not exactly thick-skinned, are you? Why do you always like to brag?"
Xiao Yu smiled and took his wife's hand, asking, "Then why does Your Majesty think that the Emperor sent a young man like me to assist the Crown Prince?"
Luo Fu blinked and offered a guess: "The Emperor is kind and afraid that you will cause trouble again after the Crown Prince ascends the throne, so he sent you to test the Crown Prince's temperament first. If the Crown Prince is not as magnanimous as the Emperor, and you are clever and quick-witted, you would better restrain yourself in the future. Don't think that every emperor has the Emperor's good temper."
As if inspired, Xiao Yu said very solemnly, "Thank you for your advice, Madam. When I go to the Eastern Palace, I will carefully observe the Crown Prince's temperament and character."
Back at the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince held Xiao Yu in high regard. This admiration had nothing to do with Xiao Yu's lack of intention to help him win the position of Crown Prince; it was purely an appreciation for Xiao Yu's talent as the top scholar in the imperial examinations, as well as his courage to speak frankly, his perseverance and diligence, his care for the people, and his effective governance. Perhaps it was also related to Xiao Yu's ethereal and otherworldly appearance. Therefore, whenever it was Xiao Yu's turn to be on duty at the Eastern Palace for half a day, the Crown Prince would summon Xiao Yu to discuss classical texts or inquire about his political views on a certain state affair.
From the beginning of the first lunar month to the beginning of the second lunar month, they met several times. The Crown Prince was very satisfied with Xiao Yu's politeness, erudition, and insightful views, while Xiao Yu was also very satisfied with the Crown Prince's humility, gentleness, and open-mindedness.
On the fourth day of the second month, after a half-hour discussion, Xiao Yu was supposed to take his leave, but before that, he asked the Crown Prince for a few days' leave: "Your Highness, according to the physician's prediction, my wife will give birth in the next few days. As a first-time father, I am even more nervous and apprehensive than my wife. Even though I am in the government office, I have no heart for official duties. Therefore, I humbly request Your Highness to allow me to stay at home to accompany my wife until she safely gives birth to the child."
The Crown Prince smiled and said, "Go ahead and come back when you're done. I also want to congratulate you both on the birth of your son."
Xiao Yu thanked him and left happily.
As the Crown Prince watched Xiao Yu's retreating figure, his thoughts drifted back to the Crown Princess's first childbirth. She was only seventeen that year, living alone in the Prince's mansion far from home, with him as her only family. She was heartbroken and physically weak, and it took her a whole day to give birth to her daughter with great difficulty. The Crown Prince would never forget the scene of her lying on the delivery bed with her eyes closed and her face pale.
That evening, the Crown Prince dined at the Crown Princess's house, with his son and daughter by his side.
After the children left, the Crown Prince mentioned to his wife that Lady Xiao Yu was about to give birth.
Because Luo Fu always appeared smiling in front of her, the Crown Princess smiled unconsciously when she thought of Luo Fu, and looked out the window and said, "I hope they, mother and child, are safe and sound."
She looked out the window, but the prince seemed to see a moon radiating a soft glow. The moonlight used to be cold, but tonight it was warmed by that fleeting smile.
"It's getting late, let's get some rest."
.
Considering that her youngest daughter-in-law might start a pregnancy at any time, Madam Deng brought her mother-in-law, Wang Qiuyue, to the Zhongyi Marquis's residence in advance. Having been a daughter herself, she knew that at this time, the presence of her own mother would be the most reassuring for her youngest daughter-in-law.
Roland also started visiting every other day, and with visits from his mother-in-law, mother, and sisters-in-law, Xiao Yu, who was on leave at home, suddenly seemed somewhat superfluous. Xiao Yu was still a man of propriety; whenever his two sisters-in-law and his wife's elder sister came, he would greet them and then go to his study in the front yard to stay alone.
Roland teased her sister, "When I gave birth, your brother-in-law wasn't an official yet. If I were to give birth now, I really don't know if he would be willing to ask his superiors for leave just to be with me."
Yang Yanzhen: "Yes, I've always been in the capital. At most, I've heard of officials taking leave after receiving a message from their families, but I've never heard of anyone taking leave several days in advance."
Li Huaiyun, who was not talkative, nodded silently.
Luo Fu: "...That's because Xiao Yu is the most daring. He's not even afraid of going to jail, so what's a little leave?"
All the women laughed, and the laughter carried all the way to the study in the front. Xiao Yu, who was holding a book, looked out the back window and guessed that his wife's older sister had told some funny story. Both of his sisters-in-law were rather quiet and rarely made people laugh like that.
After his sister-in-law and wife's elder sister left, Xiao Yu returned to his wife's side and took meticulous care of her.
During the day, Luo Fu preferred to sit with her sisters and sisters-in-law. With so many people around, time seemed to fly by as they chatted. But at night, when everything was quiet, Luo Fu preferred to lie next to Xiao Yu. She couldn't stand having her mother or sisters with her, because while she could easily order Xiao Yu around if she got up in the middle of the night, she couldn't bear to wake her sisters and mother.
Xiao Yu's arm, which he was holding, was stronger. Whenever she woke him up, his eyes were clear and calm, showing no signs of fatigue.
On the night of the eighth day, Luo Fu suddenly woke up from a deep sleep. Her abdomen ached every now and then, but it was still bearable.
Luo Fu knew this was a sign, but she wasn't sure, so she continued to lie still, not rushing to push the man next to her.
Her attention was focused on herself. After another throbbing pain subsided, she realized that Xiao Yu had actually sat up.
Why are you awake?
Is she about to give birth?
The couple spoke almost simultaneously, then fell silent at the same time.
"I woke up when I heard your breathing was off," Xiao Yu replied, then went outside to light a few more lamps and brought one in.
Luo Fu thought for a moment, then decided not to push her luck and said, "You tell us to get things sorted out here first, without disturbing the other courtyards."
The task of delivering the message was left to the maid on night watch. Xiao Yu gently helped the lady up and helped her change her clothes.
Upon hearing the news, Wang Qiuyue, who was sleeping in the backyard, rushed over and took her daughter from her son-in-law.
Midwives, doctors, and wet nurses were all arranged in advance, and several sets of necessary supplies were prepared in advance. Shensitang was busy but organized.
Giving birth inevitably involves a long period of pain, but fortunately, Luo Fu's delivery went relatively smoothly. She went into labor on the night of the eighth day of the lunar new year, and the baby was born before noon on the ninth day. It was a six-pound, six-ounce baby boy, and both mother and child were safe.
The formal name will be chosen during the baby's first birthday celebration, but the couple had already decided on the nickname, which was decided by Luo Fu. Regardless of whether it's a boy or a girl, they will both be called "Man'er".
The Crown Prince was clearly quite interested in Xiao Yu's first child. When Xiao Yu came to the Eastern Palace to serve again on February 12th, the Crown Prince summoned him and first asked about the child: "Is it a boy or a girl? Have you given him a nickname yet?"
Xiao Yu bowed and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. It's a boy. My wife named him Man'er, which means 'the emperor receives the maps and records of the four seas, receives the tributes of all nations, pacifies the Chinese within the country, and pacifies the barbarians without.'"
Upon hearing the origin of the name, the crown prince smiled.
This is a line from Ban Gu's "Rhapsody on the Two Capitals" praising the achievements of Emperor Ming of Han, Liu Zhuang. Coincidentally, Liu Zhuang was the fourth son of the founding emperor of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the second emperor of the Eastern Han Dynasty, and a wise ruler recognized by later historians. He, as the crown prince, was also the fourth son of the founding emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty and was about to become the second emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
"So your wife is also so learned," the Crown Prince praised promptly, hoping Xiao Yu would interpret his smile as admiration for his wife.
Xiao Yu explained, “My wife has not read the ‘Rhapsody on the Two Capitals,’ but when she named the child, she hoped that the child would be as strong and agile as the young barbarian tribesmen of Loujiang that I described. She also asked me to write a letter to Pang Xin, the magistrate of Loujiang, so that he could convey the name to the leader of the Abao tribe. The leader of the Abao tribe would surely feel my respect for the barbarians from this nickname. In the eyes of the Abao tribe and even the seven barbarian tribes, my affection for them would also symbolize the goodwill of the Great Zhou court towards the barbarians. Perhaps one day, this goodwill can be used by our Great Zhou.”
The Crown Prince nodded approvingly: "Your wife has indeed not read your letters in vain. Even after you returned to the capital, she still remembered to help the court maintain relations with the seven barbarian tribes. And Yuanzhi, why did you quote the 'Rhapsody on the Two Capitals'?"
Xiao Yu exchanged a glance with the Crown Prince, making no attempt to hide his expectations for the Crown Prince, and said frankly, "Because I really like this sentence, I look forward to presenting it to Your Highness one day."
The Crown Prince stood up, put his hands on Xiao Yu's shoulders, and said earnestly, "I also look forward to that day. I hope that Yuanzhi will spare no effort to help me pacify the Chinese people internally and pacify the barbarians externally."
Xiao Yu was slightly taller than the Crown Prince, but his fervent gaze revealed his loyalty to the Crown Prince.
Three months later, Consort Li Huaixiu of the Eastern Palace also gave birth to a baby boy safely, and the Crown Prince immediately bestowed upon him the nickname "Xia".
Emperor Yongcheng: "...What the hell? Just because it's born in summer, it's called 'Xia'?" Isn't the fourth prince supposed to be very talented?
The Crown Prince smiled and explained the origin of the name "Man" in Xiao Yu's family's Man'er.
Emperor Yongcheng gave the new crown prince a deep look: "It's good that you have this intention, but you must not be too hasty."
The Crown Prince respectfully agreed.
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Author's Note: Here it is! 100 little red envelopes, see you tomorrow~
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