Beautiful, kind-hearted, and not stupid, Yinreng held Tong Wanyan as if she were a priceless treasure.
In such a warm moment, two people lean against each other, feeling comfortable even without speaking.
At that moment, Tana and Hongzhao ran into the courtyard.
The wet nurse who served the two followed behind in fear and trepidation, falling far behind.
It's not that the wet nurses weren't attentive; the two chubby babies were just too fast runners, their little legs darting around at lightning speed. The servants couldn't exactly sprint off, and having to follow behind to protect them, they naturally couldn't catch them.
Su Jixiang stood guard at the door and watched as Xia Zhu embraced Tana and Hongzhao, one in each arm, and breathed a sigh of relief.
“You all wait at the door, there are servants here,” Su Jixiang said.
The wet nurse quickly bowed her head in agreement, stood aside and waited, and did not come forward again.
"My lord, Consort, the young prince and the young princess have come to pay their respects." Su Jixiang bowed and gently knocked on the door.
Tong Wanyan looked at Yinreng helplessly: "Those two little devils are here again, they can't leave a moment of peace."
Yinreng was even more distressed than her. He had finally been able to be close to his wife and enjoy some time alone with her. However, while no outsiders dared to interfere, his own son and daughter came over, leaving him helpless.
"The thought of having another clingy little one next year gives me a headache," Yinreng said. "I wonder how other families with dozens of children manage to live."
“There are very few people in the world like you who only stay with one person and personally raise their children,” Tong Wanyan said with a smile.
The praised Yinreng proudly puffed out his chest: "I am no ordinary person."
Tong Wanyan and Yinreng were cuddling together in the room, tidying their clothes and sitting down.
Tana and Hongzhao, who were waiting outside, couldn't wait any longer. They called out one after the other, "Father, Mother, we've come to pay our respects to you."
"Come in," Yinreng said in a deep and serious voice, tossing his pigtail behind his back.
In front of the children, he was a dignified father.
Strict father and kind mother, even in the most prestigious imperial family, follow the same pattern.
Tong Wanyan smiled gently and beckoned to Tana: "Come here to your mother. It's getting cold, yet you two are still sweating so much. Did you go for another run in the garden?"
Tana obediently climbed into the seat next to Tong Wanyan and sat close to her.
"No, Mother, my brother and I didn't go to the garden. We were probably too hot because we were wearing too many clothes," Tana said in her childish voice.
As she spoke, she looked up and gave Tong Wanyan a sweet smile that left everyone defenseless.
Hongzhao obediently found a small stool to sit on. He didn't dare to sit next to Yinreng, and there were no seats next to Tong Wanyan, so he had to find one himself.
“Sister is right, it was the wet nurse who made us wear too many clothes,” Hongzhao chimed in.
Yinreng bent down and reached out to touch Tana's head, picking up a petal.
"Where did this come from?" Yinreng asked.
Tana and Hongzhao exchanged a glance, unable to find an excuse.
These flowers only grow in gardens, and even then, they're only found within gardens. You can't get them unless you wander around aimlessly.
"You two little rascals, you're so naughty," Tong Wanyan said with a doting smile.
Tana chuckled, her soft little hands gently stroking Tong Wanyan's belly: "Mommy, how much longer until my little brother comes out? I told my brother that we'll take him hiking, picking flowers, and chasing rabbits together from now on."
Yinreng's expression towards Tana was always a little softer than his expression towards Hongzhao.
"He will be born next summer," Yinreng said to Tana earnestly, without any perfunctory tone.
Tana tilted her head, took off her shoes, and sat cross-legged: "Father, my brother and I were born in spring, and my little brother was born in summer. So if we have another brother in the future, will he be born in autumn?"
Yinreng's lips were stiff; he couldn't answer.
Tana sighed like a little adult and said, "Father doesn't know? Then I'll ask Fourth Uncle. Fourth Uncle is so amazing, he knows everything, he must know when my brothers will be born."
Seeing the veins throbbing on Yinreng's forehead, Tong Wanyan quickly turned the boy's face away: "As your mother and father's children, each of your births is a blessing from heaven. Therefore, your father and mother would not know whether your other younger brothers and sisters would be born in autumn, spring, summer, or winter."
"Mother is so smart, smarter than Father and Fourth Uncle!" Tana clapped her hands happily after receiving an explanation.
In reality, how much do children really understand? All they want is an answer that can fool them.
Tong Wanyan explained, and although she didn't quite understand, she nodded and said she understood.
Hongzhao stared intently at Tong Wanyan's slightly protruding belly: "Mother, Aunt's belly was so big before, and then she gave birth to my little sister. Will Mother's belly grow that big too?"
“Yes, a child grows a little bit in its mother’s womb before being born into the world,” Tong Wanyan said.
"Won't it hurt when Mother's belly gets so big?" Hongzhao asked immediately.
Tong Wanyan was stunned for a moment, as was Yinreng; neither of them could react for a moment.
Tana had already pressed her face against Tong Wanyan's belly, puffing out her cheeks and blowing, "Tana will blow on Mother's belly, Mother, don't feel pain."
Tong Wanyan's tears fell instantly.
At that moment, she inexplicably understood how deep the bond between parents and children was. And how much her child deserved to be loved.
"Silly child, Mother doesn't care." Tong Wanyan hugged Tana in her arms and gently kissed her cheek.
Tana nestled shyly against her chest, laughing happily.
"Mother hasn't held Tana in a long time. Tana knows that Mother has a little brother and can't hold me and my brother. When my little brother comes out, Mother will hold Tana and my brother more often." Tana snuggled in Tong Wanyan's arms, but although she was reluctant, she turned and sat to the side.
Tong Wanyan looked at Hongzhao, who also looked eagerly in agreement.
Tong Wanyan smiled and said to Hongzhao, "Come here, let your mother kiss you too. You are all your mother's children, I can't favor one over the other."
Hongzhao looked at Yinreng with a questioning gaze. Although expectant, he still restrained himself and said, "Sister is a girl, so Hongzhao should give way to her. Father and I made a promise that we will protect Mother together."
Yinreng got up and picked him up from the stool; the father and son rarely showed such closeness.
Manchus believed in holding grandchildren, not sons. Emperor Kangxi often held Hongzhao in his arms, but Yinreng, as his father, never held him after he became old enough to understand.
"It's fine for you not to move around too much and to occasionally get close to your mother," Yinreng said, bringing Hongzhao to Tong Wanyan.
Tong Wanyan leaned out and kissed Hongzhao on the cheek.
Hongzhao covered his face shyly and laughed, "Mother, Hongzhao loves you!"
Tana, not to be outdone, said, "Tana loves Mother too, and Tana will protect Mother!"
Tong Wanyan smiled sweetly: "Mother knows. Mother's Tana and Hongzhao are the best and most obedient children. Mother loves you both."
Yinreng coughed, covering his mouth with his fist. Tong Wanyan said knowingly, "I love you too, Your Majesty."
"I know." A blush crept across Yinreng's face.
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