The two fair-skinned babies bounced and jumped energetically in the hands of the two wives, showing no fear whatsoever.
Yinzhen stood beside Rouyin with a broad smile, looking at the two lively children.
The Crown Prince stood to the side watching this scene, his eyes darkening. He felt that the sunlight today was particularly dazzling. The Crown Princess, dressed in a pale yellow cheongsam, stood to the side and glanced at the Crown Prince with a hint of bitterness, but more so with sarcasm.
Crown Princess Wende of the Guarjia clan, born into the Han Chinese Army of the Plain White Banner, was the legitimate daughter of Shi Wenbing, a third-class earl. Outsiders only knew of her noble status as Crown Princess, but no one knew the bitterness in her heart. The Crown Prince favored his concubines over his wife, disregarding the law. He indulged the rampant evil deeds of his subordinates, and his domineering and forceful nature initially made him somewhat obedient. However, with the indulgence of his concubines and corrupt officials, he became increasingly arrogant, even going so far as to cultivate relationships with his own faction of ministers in court. The Crown Princess was a clever woman; she did not believe that Emperor Kangxi, in his prime, would tolerate a Crown Prince who had grown up and posed a threat to his power. However, in a marriage, the loss of one is the loss of the other. She pitied her only daughter, hoping she could find good support.
Thinking about all this, the Crown Princess looked at the Crown Prince's eyes, which were filled with a mixture of hatred and fear. She hated that he, as the Crown Prince, still coveted her younger brother and sister-in-law, and she was also afraid that one day the truth would come out and she and her child would be implicated.
She walked forward calmly and cheerfully, blocking the prince's view. Looking at the two children who had already been baptized, she said, "Oh dear, I'll have to hold these two children properly today. Fourth sister-in-law is truly blessed."
After bowing slightly to the side, Rouyin held the adorable Ilejia in her arms and said to the Crown Princess, "Your Highness, please. These two children are a bit tiring for my hands. It's so kind of me to hold them for you."
The Crown Princess had originally made this move for the Crown Prince's sake, but now, looking at the incredibly adorable Ilejia, she couldn't wait any longer. The little princess was fair-skinned and clean, with jet-black, slightly curly hair, big round eyes, thick eyelashes, and rosy little mouth babbling in baby talk. She was a living, exquisite porcelain doll, capable of melting even the coldest heart. The Crown Princess, who already loved children, looked at her closely and held her in her arms, teasing her.
The little princess wasn't shy at all. Her big, round eyes stared at the beautiful aunt she had never seen before, and she suddenly giggled.
Rouyin poked Yilejia's delicate white face: "This child is destined to be with the Crown Princess. He smiled as soon as he saw her."
The Crown Princess nodded with delight. "Does this child have a nickname yet? She looks so adorable. She'll definitely be a stunning beauty who captivates all the talented men in the capital." This was no exaggeration. As a child who inherited seven-tenths of her mother's beauty, Ilejia's future appearance would be enough to charm countless young men.
Rouyin smiled gently, "Her nickname was given by Fourth Master, An'an. I don't expect her to be very beautiful in the future, I just hope that she can grow up healthy and safe."
Upon hearing this, the Crown Princess thought of her own frail and sickly daughter and agreed, "Yes, it's good that the child is safe and sound." She felt a surge of goodwill towards the Fourth Prince's wife.
The banquet ended quickly, and Rouyin said to Liu Qing, "Put away the gifts that the guests gave to Honghui and Yilejia separately and send them to the storeroom." Rouyin planned to build up some financial security for her child from a young age, and was thinking about opening a few more shops to provide for the child later.
Yinzhen chuckled, "Your Highness has just bought some gifts for the child, why are you already worrying?" Seeing the mother and child making the same frowning gesture, his heart softened. He took Yilejia, who was looking around in Rouyin's arms, and skillfully bounced her little body, feeling her heavy weight, and smiled with satisfaction.
"Master, of course, the dowry and family fortune for this child must be saved up from a young age. As their mother, I just hope that there can be more." Rouyin said helplessly.
Hearing Rouyin's words, Yinzhen was also troubled. Thinking of the power struggles in the court and the Crown Prince's tyranny, he turned to look at his wife, who was as beautiful as a fairy. His ambition grew even stronger. "Don't worry, Yin'er," he said, "the child's family fortune is my guarantee. Anyone who bullies our little princess, I'll skin them alive." A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes as he finished speaking. (A pity for the future imperial consort.)
Children's energy is limited, and the two little white dumplings started to get sleepy after the formalities. Seeing this, Yinzhen asked the wet nurses who were waiting nearby to take them back.
He gazed at Rouyin, her flawless, fair face radiant under the lamplight, her eyes sparkling with captivating charm. He couldn't help but scoop up his wife, still slender despite having given birth, and carried her to the bed, his voice hoarse as he said, "Yin'er, we should get settled." His large hands shielded Rouyin from her mesmerizing gaze, and from the intimacy that filled the room.
Rouyin planned to have as many children as possible while the struggle for the throne among the nine princes hadn't yet intensified and while Emperor Kangxi was still relatively healthy. She reasoned that having more children would only be safer once he ascended the throne. Therefore, she had already taken a fertility pill (the pills were random, depending on individual constitution), but she herself didn't know how many children she was carrying; the system would have to scan and determine that later.
During this time, Rouyin also enjoyed a leisurely life of raising and playing with the baby. She would occasionally embroider some small clothes and hats, and taste some pastries provided by the small kitchen. She lived a very leisurely and carefree life, which made the busy Fourth Prince very proud. This was all his contribution to his wife.
Hua Rui chattered excitedly to Rou Yin, "My lady, something big has happened outside the manor!"
Rouyin asked with some curiosity, "What is it?"
Hearing that her master was interested, Hua Rui perked up and said, "The court wants to bestow a marriage upon Lin Cheng, the eldest son of General Lin Zhengwei, a first-rank official, and the young general. Then, General Lin said that he had been betrothed to Princess Lijia, the eldest daughter of Prince Gong's mansion, since childhood. So General Lin asked that since his eldest son is getting older, Princess Lijia should marry his son as soon as possible."
Liu Qing asked doubtfully, "Isn't this a good thing?"
Hua Rui shook her head. "It would be a good thing if we could get here. It's a pity that General Lin and his cousin in the manor were childhood sweethearts and secretly developed feelings for each other. When he heard that the princess was coming to the capital, he eloped with his cousin."
Shi Liu exclaimed in shock, "This Princess Lijia is a member of the imperial family. Although His Majesty has not issued an imperial edict, it is common knowledge. Aren't you afraid that His Majesty will blame the General's Mansion for running away from the marriage?"
Rouyin raised an eyebrow and said meaningfully, "This general's mansion is so powerful and has made such great contributions. Does he think that a princess from a princely family is no match for his legitimate son?!"
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