Tong Wanyan has always held a special place in Dong E Hailan's heart.
She was the only person in the harem whom she was willing to trust and rely on.
Perhaps it was her openness and lack of competitiveness that made her feel safe from being schemed against.
If Tong Wanyan knew that Dong E Hailan thought this way about her, she would definitely think that Dong E Hailan overestimated her.
We're all just ordinary people, and we all have our own selfish desires. When it's time to kick someone when they feel like it, they still will.
The reason she can be so open-minded now is simply because she has many advantages and no one is competing with her, so she can be confident and calm.
To have the demeanor of a great general, one must at least be a general.
Tong Wanyan watched Dong E Hailan pour out her grievances with a smile, her eyes showing no sympathy, pity, or condescending disdain.
It was precisely because of her calmness that Dong E Hailan spoke even more.
“Consort, everyone says that I’m monopolizing my husband’s affections since our marriage, but he’s been frequenting the inner quarters quite a bit. He only visits me less than ten times a month, and in the last month, he hasn’t had a break for more than a few days. Even a clever woman can’t cook without rice; I can’t have a child on my own. My mother is always pressuring me, and she’s practically pointing her finger at me and yelling at me.”
Dong E Hailan spoke with great sorrow, and Tong Wanyan didn't know how to comfort her.
Fortunately, Dong'e Hailan didn't want to be comforted. She took a breath and held back the tears in her eyes: "Consort, may I hug Princess Tana and Prince Hongzhao? If I could hug you, that would be the best."
"Hug me? That's not appropriate!" Tong Wanyan automatically ignored Dong E Hailan's previous words.
Dong E Hailan said shyly, "You are a lucky star, just like the Bodhisattva enshrined in the temple who makes people make wishes. Praying to you more often will bring good luck."
Dong E Hailan is so desperate to have a child that she can even say such things.
Tong Wanyan didn't think she was anything special, except that she was a little beautiful.
"There's no need for you to carry me. I'll have Tana and Hongzhao come over," Tong Wanyan said.
Dong E Hailan looked timidly at Tong Wanyan's slender waist; she still wanted to hug Consort Tong.
Tong Wanyan silently covered her waist with the wide sleeves of her robe.
Xia Zhu watched Dong E Hailan warily, afraid that she would pounce on her without a word.
Dong E Hailan didn't have that kind of courage; she only dared to think about it in her heart. She was a little afraid of Tong Wanyan.
Tana and Hongzhao arrived shortly afterward, two chubby babies with fair and delicate skin, as beautiful as dolls in a New Year's painting. They could be spotted from afar.
Dong E Hailan stared wide-eyed at the two angelic-looking children in the wet nurse's arms.
If she could give birth to a child that was even remotely good, or even a less than ideal one, she would be overjoyed and weep with joy.
"The last time I saw Tana and Hongzhao was at their first birthday celebration. At that time, Princess Tana picked up a rouge box and a small dagger, while Prince Hongzhao picked up a seal, which made Father Emperor very happy." Dong E Hailan stood up, wishing she could go to greet them.
Tong Wanyan glanced at Chun Que unintentionally, and Chun Que nodded to her.
Chunque had some medical knowledge, and while Dong'e Hailan and Tong Wanyan were talking, she secretly observed that Dong'e Hailan did not have anything that would be harmful to a child.
"Third sister-in-law, don't go over and hug them. They're all heavy. You're wearing platform shoes, be careful not to twist your ankle," Tong Wanyan said with concern.
Dong E Hailan wanted to say that she was the daughter of a military general and not so weak.
But upon closer inspection, she found that what Tong Wanyan said was true.
"Good boy, come down and walk by yourself. You're over a year old, you should be able to walk by now," Tong Wanyan said.
Hongzhao was not very willing; he would rather sit than stand, and lie down than sit, he was lazy to the extreme.
Tana was much more lively than him. Upon hearing Tong Wanyan's words, she immediately wriggled in the wet nurse's arms.
The wet nurse carefully placed her on the ground, and Tana, with her chubby little legs, walked unsteadily towards Tong Wanyan.
Royal children usually learn to walk relatively late, and Tana is no exception. She has only been walking for less than a month and still stumbles around unsteadily.
The wet nurse followed closely behind, ready to help her up at any moment.
The weather is getting hot in July, and the plush carpet in the house has long been removed. If I were to fall now, it would definitely hurt.
Hongzhao watched his sister walk on the ground and couldn't help but pat the wet nurse's hand: "Let me down."
The little guy calls himself "Grandpa," how ridiculous!
Dong E Hailan burst out laughing. She was beautiful, and when Hongzhao looked at her, she gave him a kind and gentle smile.
Hongzhao waved his little hand at her: "Bride."
Hongzhao still remembers what Dong'e Hailan looked like at Yinzhi's wedding.
Dong E Hailan was overjoyed: "Prince Hongzhao still remembers his third aunt?"
“This is your third uncle’s wife. You should call her Third Aunt,” Tong Wanyan instructed.
Hongzhao, half understanding, mimicked, "Hello, Third Aunt."
Tana walked past Dong E Hailan's seat with her head down. When she heard Tong Wanyan and Hongzhao say that, she turned around and called out, "Hello, Third Aunt."
Overwhelmed with joy at the unexpected surprise, Dong E Hailan was speechless.
Before coming, she was worried that Tong Wanyan was still attached to the past and would not want Tana and Hongzhao to get close to her.
She was judging others by her own petty standards.
"Consort, may I hold Hongzhao? I'll sit in the chair and hold him for a little while." Dong'e Hailan removed her hand armor and pleaded with Tong Wanyan hesitantly.
"Don't misunderstand, I like Tana too, but Hongzhao seems easier to hug," Dong E Hailan quickly explained.
Tana stumbled to Tong Wanyan's side, her face flushed red.
"Mother, hug me." Tana looked up at Tong Wanyan with her little face.
Tong Wanyan easily pulled her into her arms and wiped the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief: "I also wanted you to hold Hongzhao. I don't know if it's because he was born a little later than Tana, but he's never grown as fast as Tana."
“That’s good. Prince Hongzhao looks very strong and healthy, a smart child,” Dong’e Hailan praised.
Tong Wanyan couldn't help but laugh; both of her chubby little ones were quite robust.
Compared to children of the same age, they are one and a half times the size of other children.
“Although they have gained some weight, they have never been sick since birth. The imperial physician said this is very good, so the Crown Prince and I did not let them eat less or starve themselves,” Tong Wanyan said.
Tana sat in Tong Wanyan's lap, which Hongzhao watched with envy.
He also wanted his mother to hug him, but once his sister sat in their mother's arms, there was no room for him.
If Tana doesn't leave, Hongzhao has no motivation to walk.
He cleverly turned his head and looked longingly at Dong E Hailan.
"Third Aunt, hug me," Hongzhao said.
The baby's innocent voice called out, and Dong'e Hailan, who was somewhat obsessed with missing her child, didn't wait for the wet nurse to put Hongzhao on her lap. She bent down and, imitating Tong Wanyan, scooped Hongzhao into her arms.
In the blink of an eye, she understood what Tong Wanyan meant when she felt a twist in her waist.
Not letting her hug Hongzhao was no polite statement.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
