He Zhao
Gonna give birth?!
Prince Xuan suddenly woke up, and hurriedly asked people to prepare hot water, scissors, etc. Then he quickly carried Princess Xuan to the delivery room that had been prepared early in the morning.
The midwife was in place, and Princess Xuan's wet nurse and two maids sent by the Li family were also by her side. The imperial physician came to take Princess Xuan's pulse and said that everything was fine, but the baby was anxious to come out.
Upon hearing this, Prince Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, the imperial physician had repeatedly warned them during the pregnancy that Princess Xuan's pregnancy was so difficult that the baby might be born prematurely, perhaps half a month, ten days, or even eight days later, so they needed to be prepared at all times. Because of this warning, the people around Princess Xuan were constantly on the lookout. Now, as soon as the master made the move, several older and more stable maids issued instructions in an orderly manner. Fortunately, they had prepared in the morning, otherwise they would have been in a state of panic in the middle of the night.
On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, concubines have to pay their respects to the wife, and Prince Xuan's mansion naturally has such a rule.
Unexpectedly, they received the news that Princess Xuan had launched the rebellion in the middle of the night. Liang Pei'an, who was beside Prince Xuan, personally went to each courtyard to report the situation: There is no need to pay respects today, everyone just stay in their own courtyards.
Of course others were happy about it, but Concubine Li and Li Qingping could no longer sit still when they heard this and hurried to the main courtyard.
Prince Xuan, who had been waiting outside all night without sleep, saw the two of them, especially Concubine Li, who was only three months pregnant and so anxious. He comforted her, "Don't worry, Princess, you're doing well. Qingyan, you're also pregnant with twins, so be careful too."
Li Qingping was supporting Concubine Li. Knowing that they were worried about the condition of Princess Xuan, Huixin, who was standing by, took the initiative to explain everything in detail: "The master went into labor at the beginning of the morning, and the three maids were waiting by her side. The midwife felt the master's fetal position and found it was correct, so she taught her how to breathe and exert force. She was whispering quietly to conserve her strength for labor, as they say shouting and yelling can easily cause her to lose her strength and fail to deliver."
Hearing this, Li Qingping and the others had a rough idea in their minds, and asked again, "Why did the queen suddenly start?"
At this time, Prince Xuan told them what the imperial physician had said, "The mother is weak and uncomfortable, so it is not surprising that the child will be born early."
Knowing that there wasn't an accident causing the premature birth, Li Qingping and Concubine Li breathed a sigh of relief. Then, looking at Prince Xuan's slightly haggard face, they advised, "Sir, why don't you go and rest for a while? We can stay here."
"I also endured a lot of hardship when I was on duty, so it's no big deal. But you..." Prince Xuan glanced at me and said with a smile, "You two rushed here as soon as you got the news, right? Have you had breakfast? Don't let me faint from hunger while you're still standing."
These words startled Li Qingping and the other two, and they realized belatedly that they were a little hungry.
"Liang Pei'an, please ask the concubine and the wife to sit in the house, and ask the kitchen to send breakfast over." Prince Xuan ordered.
Li Qingping asked, "Will you come too?"
Prince Xuan waved his hand and said, "Come back and keep watch for me after you've used it."
Having said that, Sister Li Qingping had no choice but to agree and go inside to sit down and have breakfast.
After breakfast, Li Qingping asked Concubine Li to stay in the room. After all, she was pregnant and it was better to be careful. Prince Xuan also had a simple meal and didn't feel like resting. He went to wait outside the delivery room.
Near noon, the sun was high in the sky, the weather was clear and there was no snow, and Princess Xuan gave birth to a little boy smoothly.
Although the little boy was born prematurely, he was heavy enough and not too thin. He looked healthy at first glance, which was really a happy occasion.
Prince Xuan was delighted to have a legitimate son, and as it was also the first day of the Lunar New Year, he immediately rewarded everyone in the palace. He didn't even have time to eat lunch, and hurried to the palace to announce the good news to the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and Concubine Xian.
The palace was already bustling today, with ladies from various royal families coming to pay New Year's greetings, so the good news naturally spread quickly.
The emperor was naturally delighted. Prince Xuan was the eldest son and had spent the longest time with the emperor among his brothers, naturally sharing a deep emotional bond. It could be said that, aside from the crown prince, Prince Xuan was the emperor's most beloved son. The emperor loved his eldest son's legitimate son equally, and since this boy had been born on an auspicious day, he immediately bestowed upon the young grandson the grandson's name: He Zhao.
曤 means bright, which is exactly suitable for today's weather.
When Princess Xuan woke from her coma, Li Qingping happened to be sitting by the bed, holding the newly born Erlang Jun Heluo. Seeing her awake, he smiled and said, "Your Highness, are you awake? Little Heluo just woke up not long ago. The child just finished feeding and refused to sleep, so I held him and comforted him for a while."
"He Zhao? Is that the child's name?" asked Princess Xuan.
"Yes. The Emperor gave it to me." Concubine Li beside him also smiled and said, "Would your Majesty like some food?"
Princess Xuan had no objection to the name. After all, it had a good meaning, and it was given by the child's grandfather, the Emperor. She was also a little hungry; giving birth was truly exhausting, so she nodded, and Concubine Li sent for some food to be brought in.
When Prince Xuan heard that she had woken up, he said a few words of concern through the door and told her to have a good rest during the confinement period and not to worry about anything else.
Princess Xuan thought for a moment and said, "How about letting the sisters Qingyan and Qingping take care of Hezhao's third day bath?"
What's wrong with that? Prince Xuan was overjoyed to have his wife give birth to a legitimate son, so why wouldn't he accept? Furthermore, Prince Xuan had originally intended for Li Qingping and Concubine Li to handle the third-day bathing ceremony.
The day of the third day bath was a lively one, as almost all the royal relatives who could come were there.
Princess Xuan was still in confinement and had not been seen in public. Sister Li Qingping was helping her to enshrine statues of Bixia Yuanjun and other deities in front of the confinement room.
As the Xuan Wang Princess's family, the Li family arrived early. Seeing her eldest daughter in confinement, Cao, the biological mother of Xuan Wang Princess and Concubine Li, couldn't help but tear up: "Seeing that the Queen is doing well now, I'm relieved."
"We three sisters help each other in this mansion, so don't worry, mother." Concubine Li leaned towards Cao in dependence.
Cao said to her, "The concubine is pregnant now, so you should be more careful."
Concubine Li responded, and then kept talking to Cao.
Princess Xuan was listening, occasionally chiming in. She caught a glimpse of Li Qingping sitting nearby, and smiled as she said, "Mother, give He Luo a hug."
Erlang had just finished feeding when his nurse brought him in for Li Qingping to take over. She was closer to her grandmother in the Li family, and her relationship with Cao was more like a meeting to pay respects, so there wasn't much to talk about. So while the Princess Xuan and her sister were talking to Cao, Li Qingping sat beside them holding Heluo.
This child was not as noisy as when he was in his mother's womb. He was quiet for three days after birth. He slept when he was full and ate when he woke up. Even if Li Qingping teased him, he would only hum a few times symbolically.
After hearing what Princess Xuan said, Li Qingping took Erlangjun to Cao's arms.
"Erlangjun is so good." Cao hugged her little grandson and smiled happily: "The queen was very uncomfortable during her pregnancy. I thought it was a troublesome thing."
Cao added, "Mother was overjoyed to hear that the Empress had given birth to a legitimate son and that the concubine was also pregnant. It's a pity that my legs are not so convenient, and I can't leave because of the New Year's greetings from my family. Otherwise, I would have come to the palace in person to visit the Empress and the others and Erlang."
Princess Xuan asked softly, "Grandmother, how is your health lately?"
"The old lady eats well and sleeps well. When she has time, she lets the maid help her walk around. She is in good health. She will have no problem living for another ten or twenty years. Don't worry, Your Majesty."
When Li Qingping heard Cao mention his grandmother, he still didn't say anything, but he listened much more attentively.
"Yes, the old lady still talks about Madam often." Cao took the initiative to talk to Li Qingping, "I heard that Madam is more favored now, so the old lady is much more relieved."
Li Qingping was startled and said softly, "Thank you, Grandmother, for your concern."
Concubine Li beside her said coquettishly, "I know, Grandmother loves my sister the most, and the Empress and I don't bother to nag about it."
Concubine Li acted so childishly that everyone laughed.
However, there were not many moments like this when they talked about family matters. Soon, the princes' wives, led by the Crown Princess, arrived and came in to talk and congratulate the Princess of Xuan. Li Qingping and the others bowed and greeted her before leaving. Cao also followed them out to receive the ladies outside.
Erlangjun's third-day bathing ceremony went smoothly.
The third-day bathing ceremony emphasizes the "clacking of the basin," and the louder the baby cries, the more auspicious it is. I had initially thought Erlangjun's quiet nature would make the process awkward, but unexpectedly, as soon as Helang was placed in the tub, he began babbling.
Then it was Grandma Jixiang and Madam Cao who started to fill the basin, adding all the fine gold, silver, and jewelry. Then the Crown Princess and other aunts filled it up completely. Erlangjun seemed to be feeling unwell and cried loudly.
Finally, Grandma Jixiang patted Erlangjun's back with an onion and threw it to the roof, which meant he was extremely smart, and the weight on the scale meant he would shoulder important responsibilities.
After all the procedures are completed, the third-day bathing ceremony is over.
Erlangjun had cried loudly before, which was fine during the ceremony, but it was a little heartbreaking after the ceremony. Furthermore, Erlangjun was a quiet person to begin with, so crying until his voice was hoarse was a big deal.
Unfortunately, the wet nurse couldn't coax the baby into a coaxing position for a while, and when she was handed to Princess Xuan, the baby came down quietly, but was still sobbing.
Concubine Li, who was standing by, suggested, "Why don't you give it a try? He Luo has been very well behaved in your arms these past few days."
Li Qingping was just trying it, but she didn't expect Erlangjun to really calm down in her arms.
"You little brat." Princess Xuan smiled and touched her son's face. "Are you choosing your aunt over me, your mother?"
Erlangjun didn't understand anything. He just smacked his lips and fell asleep peacefully.
Li Qingping smiled and said, "The Queen Mother asked the wet nurse to bring Heluo to her more often when he is awake. Maybe he will forget about me in a few days."
Princess Xuan tapped her son's nose and said gently, "Stinky boy."
Seeing that Princess Xuan was a little tired, Li Qingping and the others decided not to stay any longer and stood up to take their leave.
Children grow up very quickly. In the blink of an eye, Erlangjun passed the full moon, and the day passed again. He and Luo were healthy, eating well and sleeping well.
Over there, the eldest son, Jun, and Yan, had also safely turned one. The second daughter, Yuzhen, wasn't as healthy as her brothers, but she wasn't sickly either. With careful care, she wouldn't be a problem growing up. And the eldest daughter, Yujin, was no exception. The little girl had already started riding and archery, and compared to her peers, she was quite good.
Prince Xuan was delighted that all his children were so healthy. After all, his brothers had all lost children in infancy. As he hadn't experienced the pain of losing a child, he was naturally overjoyed.
The weather in June gradually became warmer, and Concubine Li gave birth to the third son of the royal family.
Prince Xuan named his youngest son Hexian, which means brightness.
Concubine Li suffered immensely during the birthing of this son. She was already afraid of pain, and the weather was hot, so ice wasn't allowed in the delivery room. The pain and heat caused her to sweat profusely, soaking her bedding. She spent half a day unable to deliver the baby. Fortunately, both mother and child were safe in the end.
However, looking at her wrinkled and red son in the cradle, Concubine Li was still full of joy.
She is so amazing! She actually gave birth to a little person!
Prince Xuan was amused by her joy. He liked Concubine Li's innocent nature, but now he was a little worried about whether she could take good care of the Third Young Master. After all, in terms of mentality, Concubine Li was still a child herself. She even made the Third Young Master cry and laughed beside him, which gave Prince Xuan a headache.
That day, they stayed in Li Qingping's courtyard, and after making love, Prince Xuan told her about this matter.
"Qingyan's personality hasn't calmed down even after becoming my mother. I'm afraid she's just treating me like she gave birth to a child for fun. It's really frustrating."
Listening to his half-complaining yet doting tone, Li Qingping knew very well that he liked her very much in his heart, so he smiled and said, "Isn't that good? After all, a concubine knows her limits. It's okay to take He Xian out to play." Besides, Sanlangjun is neither a legitimate son nor the eldest son. He doesn't need to do much in the future. It would be better for him to be an idle and wealthy young man.
Prince Xuan tapped her between the eyebrows and said with a smile, "Qingyan's childishness is due to your indulgence."
Li Qingping smiled but said nothing.
She was now looking at him honestly with her hair loose, her eyes full of spring, and this smile made Prince Xuan's mind come up again.
"Princess and Qingyan both have their own children. What about you? When will you give me a child?"
Li Qingping looked at Prince Xuan in surprise.
In fact, she had originally thought that Prince Xuan would never give her a child in this lifetime. After all, it was still the same old problem. The three sisters of the Li family were already very powerful in the backyard. If the three of them had their own children, then the next generation of children would be a unique group.
Prince Xuan, however, seemed to have forgotten the issue. While carrying out his wish, he whispered tenderly in Li Qingping's ear, "Would you please give me a daughter? A girl who looks like you."
Li Qingping didn't know whether she could give birth to a girl, she only knew that she was about to fall apart.
Woo woo woo, Prince Xuan should just find someone else to have a child with. She already has her elder daughter and two younger brothers, which is enough for her.
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