The day before the Crown Prince's wedding, Gu Qianxue happened to be in labor.
The Emperor of Dai Viet was furious and announced that the granaries would be opened for three days, allowing those in need to take what they needed.
The emperor's act of kindness ensured that impoverished people who had no food to eat received a month's worth of relief grain.
The people all praised Gu Qianxue, saying that the child was a bodhisattva reincarnated, and the farmers sent their local products to the Eastern Palace to congratulate her.
The crown prince looked at his infant grandson, a hint of pride appearing in his eyes, a deep smile spreading across his lips.
"You are my son and the Emperor's first grandson. In your previous life, your father wronged your mother."
In this life, I will never let her suffer any injustice.
Emperor Dai Viet had few children; including the two princes born to the Empress and the three princes born to the Consort, there were only five in total.
The eldest prince died young, and the Consort's three children were not yet of marriageable age.
Therefore, the child born to Gu Qianxue was the emperor's first grandson.
The Crown Prince knew that the Emperor valued the continuation of his lineage most.
He was determined to go to the palace to request an audience and offer Gu Qianxue the position of his principal wife.
"Your Majesty, these are several names that the Hanlin Academy has proposed for the Imperial Grandson."
"You are so learned and talented, quickly choose a good name for my grandson."
The Empress raised an eyebrow slightly, slowly picked up a stack of Xuan paper from the table, carefully read it, and said in a low voice,
"Practice simplicity, be respectful and practice simplicity in governing your people."
“Cultivate benevolence, cultivate oneself with benevolence, and treat others with tolerance.”
"Well? Have you chosen your empress?"
"Your Majesty, I have specially chosen these two. I wonder if Your Majesty will like them?"
The emperor took two sheets of Xuan paper from her hand and, by the candlelight, carefully stroked each stroke of the characters.
"Excellent!" the emperor murmured in praise.
Suddenly, the steward's voice came from outside.
"Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince and his young grandson have come to pay their respects!"
Upon hearing this, the emperor and empress exchanged a smile.
"Quickly! Quickly, invite him in!"
"Yes! This servant will go and inform them immediately!"
A moment later, the prince, dressed in a long, round-necked golden robe, slowly walked in from outside, holding the infant who was less than a day old in his arms.
"Your subject, along with your young grandson, pays respects to Your Majesty and Your Majesty!"
Congratulations, Father Emperor, on the birth of your grandson!
"No need for formalities!"
When the emperor saw the baby in the swaddling clothes, he could not contain his joy and raised his wrinkled hand to gently stroke the baby's forehead.
"Great! Great! Hahaha!"
This is my first imperial grandson!
Zhiyan, you've really got potential!
Tomorrow is your wedding day, and today you've welcomed a healthy baby! Double happiness! You deserve a reward!
Perhaps it was the emperor's laughter that was so loud that the infant, who had just been fast asleep, was suddenly awakened.
He stared with his round eyes, circling around the adults surrounding him, waving his little fingers toward the ceiling, and making babbling sounds.
Upon seeing this, Li Zhiyan's usually cold eyes suddenly filled with joy. She quickly carried the infant to the Emperor and Empress, excitedly saying...
"Father! Mother! Look, your child has awakened!"
Upon hearing this, the emperor's furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and he carefully examined the infant's face.
"So alike! Absolutely so!"
Upon hearing this, the Empress craned her neck to look at the infant in the swaddling clothes.
When the empress finally saw his face clearly, she understood the hidden meaning in the emperor's words.
The baby's appearance was remarkably similar to that of the former crown prince at birth.
"Hehe, that's probably what blood ties are all about!"
Upon hearing their conversation, Li Zhiyan felt a sense of unease and sought their guidance.
"Your subject is foolish and does not understand the meaning behind Father Emperor and Mother Empress's words."
The Empress's eyes lit up with joy as she looked at the infant, and she said softly,
"This child does bear some resemblance to the former crown prince when he was young."
Zhiyan, you must treat him well.
Upon hearing this, Li Zhiyan's eyes darkened, and he laughed loudly.
"I see! Father and Mother, rest assured, I will treat him well and help him grow up healthy."
"Guards! Bring me the golden mirror that I commissioned for my grandson!"
In a short while, two eunuchs, each carrying one side of the base, slowly lifted up a six-foot-long full-length mirror made of gilded wood.
"Your Highness, this is a gift from me to my grandson. This gold-lacquered wooden mirror was made by the palace's top craftsmen in every step, from selecting the materials and roughing out the blank to carving, painting, and gilding."
Gold symbolizes "refinement," and a mirror symbolizes "progress." Only through continuous refinement can one achieve greatness.
"In addition, your mother and I have already chosen two names for the imperial grandson."
Take them home and consider them carefully, see which one you like.
After speaking, the emperor steadily handed the Xuan paper with the words "Xingjian" and "Xiuren" written on it, which he had just selected, to the crown prince.
"Thank you, Father Emperor, for bestowing upon me the golden mirror!"
Your subject will certainly raise your son to be a pillar of the nation and consolidate the imperial power of Great Yue!
"Tomorrow is your big day. It's getting late, you should go back and rest early!"
Upon hearing this, Li Zhiyan did not move, but knelt down while holding the child.
Seeing this, a flicker of sadness crossed the Empress's eyes, and she questioned her sharply.
"Your Highness, what do you mean by this?"
"Father! Mother! Your son has come today with an important matter to ask of you!"
A hint of surprise flashed across the emperor's eyes, and he asked suspiciously,
"Oh? What do you want? Tell me!"
"Father, Mother, I understand that marriage is not something I can decide for myself."
But Gu Qianxue and I have a debt of gratitude for saving my life.
Although she is my concubine, in my heart I have long regarded her as my wife.
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