Chapter 329 Besides thinking about him, I still think about him
After Yan Shixu left the capital, Wen Li'er deeply felt that this huge palace was like two completely different worlds when he was there and when he was not.
When he was around, even though he was busy with government affairs and sometimes didn't come to visit her and the children for a month or even longer, she felt at ease at that time.
Knowing that he is within the palace walls, working by candlelight in the imperial study and making plans in the court, that busyness is a visible peace.
She just had to look after the children, do her job, and wait for him to come.
But now, he has been away from Beijing for only a month, but Wen Li'er feels that time seems to be stretched to an infinite length, and every day is filled with unspeakable loneliness.
She didn't even dare to count the days, for fear that the growing longing would consume her.
In the first few days, she was still able to rely on the firm belief of "waiting for his triumphant return" to keep her spirits up.
She handled the harem affairs and important matters of the National Defense Fund Raising Office as usual, and spent her free time accompanying her three children.
Every morning, she would go to the Empress Dowager's small Buddhist temple to chant scriptures and pray.
Amidst the curling green smoke, she silently recited the verses left by Master Xuwu that day in her heart countless times, praying devoutly over and over again, hoping that the Buddha would bless her husband with peace and safety, and that he would return home soon.
However, in the past few days, the longing that has been lingering in my heart has been like the toughest vines in spring, growing wildly and entwining tightly.
The daytime can still be filled with trivial matters, but when night falls and everything is quiet, and she is the only one left in the huge bedroom, the boundless silence seeps into her bones.
She tossed and turned in bed, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the cool and smooth satin quilt beside her.
I could still smell the unique and refreshing scent of ambergris on him, and his steady and even breathing seemed to linger in my ears.
The clearer it is, the emptier my heart feels.
Besides thinking about him, I still think about him.
Her eyes became moist without warning, and the tears from the corners of her eyes silently soaked the brocade beside her pillow.
Wen Li'er wiped away her tears in a daze, and asked herself: When did I become so fragile and melancholy?
This really isn't like her.
The next day, she forced herself to cheer up.
When facing the children, her smile is still as gentle as water. She patiently answers Xiaoxiao's questions and teaches Tiantian and Miaomiao to speak.
Miaomiao can already call out reduplicated words like daddy, mommy, grandpa, and hug.
Every time she waved her chubby little hands and called daddy, Wen Li'er wanted to hold her in front of Yan Shixu.
Let him see their daughter, how well-behaved and lovely she is.
But this little guy Tiantian really made her anxious.
Because he never opens his mouth...
Wen Li'er waved a rattle in front of his face and taught him in a gentle voice: "Tiantian, follow mother and learn: Daddy... Daddy... Mother..."
Tiantian's big eyes, which were originally open, closed calmly.
Wen Li'er knew that he was not asleep, but she continued to shake the rattle in defiance.
"Tiantian, hurry up and learn from your mother. Call daddy... daddy..."
Tiantian seemed to be annoyed by her noise. He stretched his arms and legs, turned over nimbly, lay on the small bed, and faced her with his butt.
Wen Lier: "..."
I really want to spank his little butt.
Qingmei, Qingzhu and others who were standing by were trying hard to suppress their laughter.
The little prince is very agile when turning over, but he has a peculiar personality. He doesn't like to cry or laugh. Now there is another problem: he doesn't like to speak.
I didn't sleep well last night. Wen Li'er played with the child for a long time, and the tiredness was like a thin mist that could not be lifted.
She supported her chin with one hand, drowsy.
The other hand holding the rattle also rested on his knees, and he did not take the next step.
The palace ladies looked at each other in confusion.
The master has been in this state these days, often taking a nap while talking.
She couldn't muster the slightest interest in the table full of delicacies carefully prepared by the imperial chef.
After trying to eat a few bites with my chopsticks, I felt a heaviness in my stomach and lost my appetite.
She became thinner day by day, and her originally fitted palace dress now seemed a little loose at the waist.
Her slender waist was so thin that it could be held in one hand, which made her look fragile and vulnerable.
Xiaoxiao snuggled up to Wen Li'er, and his little hands clumsily and gently smoothed her slightly furrowed brows.
He tilted his head and asked, his little face full of seriousness and worry.
"Mother, do you miss Father? Father is out fighting the bad guys. He will be back soon after he drives them away. Xiaoxiao is waiting for Father with you."
Miaomiao, who was standing by, seemed to sense her mother's depression. She put down the cloth tiger in her hand, opened her big, innocent and clear eyes, and looked at her mother curiously.
She tilted her head for a moment, imitating her brother, then stretched out her chubby little hands to reach for Wen Lier's clothes.
The wet nurse was worried that the little princess would wake up the queen, so she carried Miaomiao to the side hall.
Seeing this, Tiantian's wet nurse also followed with the little prince in her arms.
Qingmei wanted to wake up her master and go to bed, but was stopped by Qingzhu.
Qingzhu shook his head slightly at her, went to the bedroom to get a thin blanket, and gently covered his master with it.
But even though her movements were very gentle, Wen Li'er still woke up.
She rubbed her brow and said, "It's easy to feel sleepy in the summer."
But the palace maids thought that she was not sleepy, but just depressed.
They tried various ways to cheer up their master, bringing her her favorite cakes, suggesting they go to the Imperial Garden to relax and see the lotus flowers in full bloom, and even racking their brains to tell her interesting stories they had heard in the palace.
"Your Majesty, today in the lotus pond of the Imperial Garden, a kingfisher caught a very big fish!" Qingmei tried to describe it vividly.
"Yes, your Majesty, the sun is shining outside and the wind is refreshing. Why don't you go out for a walk?" Qingzhu also whispered.
However, Wen Li'er just shook her head dejectedly, and the corners of her lips barely raised a very faint arc: "No, let's just rest here."
There was an unconcealable fatigue and laziness in his voice.
As Nanny Qin walked into the hall and saw Wen Li'er's appearance, her guess became more certain.
At first, everyone thought that the master was worried about the emperor's safety and was too worried, which led to his lack of energy and appetite.
But after observing him for the past few days, the increasingly obvious symptoms—lethargy, anorexia, depression, weight loss, and...
Nanny Qin was calculating the days in her mind. Her mistress's period was already five or six days late and still hadn't arrived...
She suppressed her excitement, stepped forward, and cheerfully suggested, "Your Majesty, I've noticed that your appetite has been declining these past few days, your complexion has lost some color, and you seem tired. This is no small matter. Your health is of paramount importance. Why don't you send for the imperial physician to take a closer look? It will put your mind at ease."
Wen Li'er looked at the swaying green bamboo outside the window and just waved her hand gently when she heard this.
"No need. The only ones on duty at the Imperial Hospital now are Doctor Wu and two elderly doctors. They're constantly being asked to come to the residences of relatives outside the palace, and they're kept busy like spinning tops. Why bother them with such a small trip for such a small matter?"
She thought that it was because the weather had been getting hotter recently that she felt lazy and had no appetite.
Wen Li'er said this and covered her mouth with her hand and yawned slightly.
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