Chapter 32
I waited anxiously at home for a long time for Chen An's reply. My messages seemed to have fallen on deaf ears. Even at my baby's third-day baptism, I only managed a quick glance.
I could feel that he was avoiding me, and I finally realized that when he really wanted to avoid me, I really couldn't talk to him.
The day passed in a daze. To reassure my brother, I forced myself to stay calm, staying for a short while before leaving. He frowned but didn't ask any questions. Since I didn't want him to find out, he feigned ignorance.
My father was so busy with my brother that he paid no attention to me. It was my mother who finally called me into the study about two weeks after the incident.
On my way to the study, my hands began to tremble uncontrollably. It turns out I care so much about the little prince. I couldn't help but smile bitterly.
I took a deep breath and pushed open the door to the study. My mother was busy at her desk. When she heard me come in, she didn't even look up. "Close the door."
I closed the door, stood by the desk, and hid my uncontrolled hands in my sleeves.
"Mother." My voice became a little hoarse.
Only then did my mother feel something was wrong. She stopped what she was doing and looked at me.
"What happened recently?" asked the mother.
I felt my heart finally land safely. I thought Chen An had made the decision.
Before I could say anything, my mother continued, "Ever since your brother gave birth, you've been so absent-minded. I heard that you've been putting off many things until the last minute. Today, even the Minister of Finance expressed his concern for me. You're all close friends and acquaintances at the Ministry of Revenue, and I'm sure there's nothing wrong at court that would warrant such behavior. Anran and the child are both fine, and there's nothing unusual about the confinement period. So, what could be causing this? I've never seen you in such a state before."
Seeing me lowering my head, my mother asked in confusion, "Are you having a quarrel with Chen An? It shouldn't have lasted that long. Chen An is a sensible child and won't have a big quarrel with you."
The mother was analyzing the situation herself when she suddenly stood up and asked, "What were you doing out there?"
Seeing my mother's speculation becoming increasingly off-topic, I quickly stopped her, "How could that be? I'm not that kind of person!"
My mother sat back down, pretending she hadn't doubted me before. "I do believe you." Then, she frowned and looked at me. "Why is that?"
I feel that if there are any problems, I still need to discuss them with my parents.
"Before, Chen An liked his brother's child very much. I was worried that we would not have children in the future, so I explained things to Chen An in advance to prevent him from worrying about pregnancy in the future."
After hearing this, the mother couldn't help but gasp and felt unwell all over.
She looked at me as if I were mentally retarded. "Are you stupid? Although our family doesn't have many children, it's not to the point of being completely childless. Aren't you worrying too much?"
"What if?" I stiffened my neck.
"You little idiot, get out of here. I thought it was something serious." My mother cursed and kicked me out.
After I told my mother, I felt a little relieved. I thought she would find a way to make sure I wasn't left without a master. As expected, it was always better to ask my mother for help when I needed help.
Later, I didn't see any action from my mother's side, but my father entered the palace. Moreover, every time my father saw me, he had a look of regret on his face.
The Queen's residence was bustling with activity. Ever since the Third Princess had a daughter, the Queen's smile hadn't wavered. Finally, a major worry had been put to rest. After all, she had always worried that they would remain childless.
"Pong, hey, win." The Queen spread out her cards with a smile. "I've been very lucky these past few days."
After saying that, he took his father's hand and walked towards the main table. "I'm a little tired. Let's take a rest. You haven't come to see me for a long time. What's going on today?"
After sitting down, my father finally spoke, "It's An Lan. She was so foolish and said so much nonsense that Chen An ignored her for several days. She didn't know how to find someone to comfort her. Instead, she stayed at home with me and her mother, sighing and complaining. It really annoyed me."
The Queen perked up at this moment, "Oh, there's this matter, but Chen An didn't mention it. I've seen their relationship progress rapidly in the past two years, and they often date secretly. Not to mention, Chen An hasn't been here for several days."
The Queen's attendant beside him continued, "The little prince hasn't come for ten days."
After hearing this, the Queen finally became serious and asked, "Has it been that long?"
The father then continued, "On the day of Ranran's birth, An Lan saw that Chen An really liked children, and she thought of our family's lack of offspring. She actually told Chen An bluntly that we might not have children in the future. Don't you think that's hurtful? Even if you want to avoid putting pressure on the other party, you shouldn't say that!"
At the end of his words, the father slapped his leg angrily.
The Queen frowned, with a hint of doubt, "Lanlan, you're in good health!"
"That's right. I wonder how she interprets the lack of offspring." His father looked puzzled. "I came because I couldn't stand seeing her so distracted. I wonder what Chen An's attitude is."
After a pause, he continued, "Lanlan might be afraid of missing Chen An."
The Queen nodded without saying anything, "I'll ask Chen An, this silly boy has learned to hide things."
After her father left, the Queen sent someone to invite Chen An over.
Chen An still looked cheerful, and shouted as he entered the room, "Father, did you miss me?"
The Queen said nothing, but took Chen An's hand and asked him to sit close to her. Chen An followed her lead and took the Queen's arm and leaned over.
The Queen touched Chen An's head, with a hint of sadness, "My An An has grown up."
Chen An laughed, "Father, don't you want me to grow up?"
The Queen looked at Chen An with loving eyes, "Yes, your dear darling has learned to hide his sadness when he grows up."
Chen An's smile froze on his face, and he asked with a dying struggle, "What are you hiding?"
The Queen's concerned and distressed gaze made Chen An lower his head as if being pricked by a needle, and soon, big tears fell.
"My silly child, what do you think?"
Chen An suppressed the tears that welled up in his eyes, choked with sobs, and spoke in a broken voice, "Father, did she not like me, so she said that we can't have children, so that I would give up?"
Chen An suddenly threw himself into the Queen's arms, crying even harder, "Father, Queen, I don't want to cancel the engagement. I can only hide and dare not respond. I really like her, really like her, very much."
The Queen's eyes were filled with tears, and she said, "My dear, no one can force you. You are the most honorable legitimate prince of the Xia Dynasty. No one can force you!"
"But I want his heart. I'm so greedy." Chen An cried and shook his head.
The Queen gently pushed Chen An away and held his face, "How do you know her heart is not with you?"
"But, but she said we won't have children, and she doesn't want my child." Chen An's face was full of confusion.
The Queen sighed and gently wiped the tears from Chen An's face with a handkerchief.
"Silly boy, is that what she meant? Even if she did, whose child does she want? There's not even a man around her." It was also thanks to the fact that I have avoided other men except Chen An like the plague and kept my chastity pure all these years.
As the Queen spoke, she looked towards the entrance of the palace, her expression becoming serious and noble. "Chen An, you are the only legitimate prince, and you grew up by your father's side. You can see the twists and turns in the palace. Over the years, who among these people could have surpassed your father? Your mother and I are keeping a close eye on An Lan, and we are sure that no one is there. You will be married to her soon. If you don't have this little confidence now, what will you do if someone else comes along in the future?"
Chen An was still sobbing, "Father, I want her to like me too."
The Queen was helpless. "Little fool, she doesn't like you. Would she send her father to me to explain just because she didn't get a response from you?"
After hearing this, Chen An's mood finally improved a little, "Has my uncle come today?"
The Queen nodded. "Baby, relationships need to be managed on your own. When you encounter problems, you can't just hide them away. If you don't solve them, they will always exist. You need to learn to communicate with each other, instead of just guessing at each other like you do now."
The Queen looked at Chen An's thoughtful expression, paused, and then said, "As for the issue of children, just let nature take its course. Remember, whether or not she really is childless, since she said it in advance, then if she doesn't have any in the future, it's her problem, not yours. Don't think about it yourself. She has a younger sister, and her family won't put pressure on you."
The Queen was still very sure that Chen An was the legitimate prince after all, and that all the people in Jing'an Marquis's Mansion were smart.
Chen An nodded obediently.
The father and son talked for a long time, including but not limited to various ways of dealing with things after marriage.
Until the end, when Chen An was about to leave, the Queen hesitantly whispered in Chen An's ear, "I guess you don't want others to try it in advance, but her family mentioned the issue of offspring in advance, and your father is still a little worried. Find a time to try An Lan and see if she can do it."
The Queen was also embarrassed to be concerned about this issue of the younger generation. Chen An's face flushed with shame, and his voice was so low that it was almost inaudible, "An Lan...it should be fine."
After saying that, Chen An ran away. The Queen was stunned at first, but soon reacted and frowned.
"Go call the doctor who usually checks Chen An's pulse."
When the doctor arrived, the queen inquired about Chen An's health in detail. The doctor also explained in detail. The queen gave the attendant a look, and the attendant told the other attendants to leave and closed the door.
Seeing this, the Doctor couldn't help but get nervous. The Queen then whispered, "Don't be nervous. I just want to ask you, is the little prince's virginity still alive?"
The doctor was stunned. Although he didn't understand the meaning, he immediately replied, "My Queen, the little prince is a virgin."
The Queen finally breathed a sigh of relief, and after a moment's thought, she asked, "Could this woman possibly tell me if I'm okay with that by taking your pulse?"
The doctor quickly thought about what the queen meant, and combined with the previous question, he almost understood what the queen meant.
"It is possible to return to the Queen."
The Queen nodded and said, "Go down."
The personal attendant led the doctor out and, after leaving, stuffed a purse into his hand. "The queen is concerned about the little prince's health."
The Doctor accepted it and nodded, "I understand. Your Majesty truly loves your son."
They were all smart people, and they understood it immediately. "I wonder which imperial physician usually visits the Marquis' Mansion?"
The Doctor thought for a moment and whispered, "If I remember correctly, it has been Doctor Chang who has been taking the Third Princess's pulse in recent years."
"Oh, really? Thank you so much for today, Doctor. Take care."
After the Doctor left, the attendant reported the truth to the Queen. The Queen then remembered the Imperial Physician who had been with the Third Princess since her accident. "I understand. Let's ask Imperial Physician Chang to come over tomorrow. It's been a while since I've checked on Chenxi."
Afterwards, the Queen got the answer she wanted, and she never mentioned the matter again. But my brother scolded me when he found out.
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