Shaking his head, Hongli released her, took her hand, and gently comforted her, "No, this has nothing to do with whether the child is legitimate or illegitimate."
Since it wasn't because of her status, Su Yushan really couldn't understand, "Then why?"
There were things he didn't want to say, but Yu Shan insisted on asking, so he had no choice but to give an answer.
"Children of the royal family, regardless of whether they are legitimate or illegitimate, are named very late, usually around two or three years old. It's not that the Emperor is dissatisfied with our children, but because the children need to be vaccinated against smallpox. The best age for vaccination is between two and three years old. If the vaccination is successful, the child will never get smallpox; if it fails... the child will not survive."
Only then did Su Yushan understand this unwritten rule: "That's why children aren't named before they're vaccinated, because no one can guarantee they'll be vaccinated successfully. Only those who survive the vaccination process are allowed to be named?"
With a soft sigh, Hongli nodded in agreement, "This is not a very auspicious thing to say. I was worried that you would be concerned if I said it, so I haven't mentioned it to you."
Smallpox was difficult to control in the Qing Dynasty, and the only way to prevent it was through inoculation. Even Emperor Qianlong's children were no exception. However, even for the imperial family, the imperial physicians could not guarantee that every child would survive. Children with weaker constitutions had a hard time making it to the end.
Upon learning the truth, Su Yushan suddenly felt a little scared, unsure whether her child could escape the ordeal of smallpox vaccination.
Gently patting the back of her hand, Hongli comforted her softly, "I will ask the most experienced imperial physician to inoculate the child with smallpox. You can rest assured that he will be fine."
Given the current situation, vaccination is the best option. Getting vaccinated in advance is always better than contracting smallpox later.
After thinking it through, Yu Shan stopped worrying. After all, it would be another year and a half before the child could be vaccinated against smallpox, so there was no point in her worrying now!
Since a formal name couldn't be chosen yet, Hongli thought about giving the child a nickname. He suggested a few, but Yushan disliked them all, saying they were too formal. So she came up with one herself.
"How about we name him Sugar Bean? I hope he can be sweet and happy every day."
After thinking it over carefully, Hongli said, "Isn't this a girl's name? When you have another daughter, you can use this nickname. A boy should be given a more masculine name."
Su Yushan muttered to herself, "Why bother with gender-specific nicknames? As long as it's easy to pronounce."
She thought it didn't matter, but Hongli was particularly sensitive to words. He spent a long time choosing before deciding on "Yan Yan," which meant virtuous and talented.
It's just a nickname, is it really necessary to be so formal? Su Yushan sighed helplessly, but then thought Yan Yan sounded nice too, so she gave in to his wish.
"Alright then! You can choose this nickname, but I'll have to choose the next one."
After discussing it, the two happily made their decision. She wanted to tell the child the new name, but when she sent someone to inquire, she learned that the child had just finished eating and fallen asleep. Yu Shan could only wait until the child woke up before telling him.
Disturbed by Hongli's actions, she was no longer sleepy and got up to dress. As she was leaving the tent, she noticed a box on the table next to her and couldn't help but wonder, "What's that?"
Hongli then remembered Su Mingfeng's instructions and sighed inwardly that he had been too busy to remember. "Your elder brother came over in the afternoon. In addition to delivering the invitation, he also prepared a birthday gift for you. Jiafeng and Yuchan both prepared three gifts in total, all of which are in boxes."
Overjoyed, Su Yushan brought the box to the table and shared the gifts her family had given her with him. "This bamboo landscape pen holder must have been a gift from my eldest brother."
Hongli nodded and smiled, "You guessed right. Mingfeng said he carved this for you in his spare time."
"These aquamarine earrings are undoubtedly a gift from Yu Chan." The light blue beads, as clear as seawater, were very appealing to her. Noticing a dagger nearby, Su Yushan asked curiously:
"Did Jiafeng prepare this? Why would he send a dagger?"
“He heard that we were attacked on our last trip and was worried that you might get hurt, so he gave you a dagger to carry with you when you travel.”
"I didn't realize this rascal was so thoughtful!" Stroking the gifts her family had given her, Su Yushan was touched and delighted, her face beaming with joy.
Hongli pondered to himself, "Yuchan is getting married at the end of the month. As her brother-in-law, I should give her something. I'll do what I did last time and give her five hundred taels of silver. What do you think?"
"No!" Su Yushan immediately stopped her. "Last time, when Jiafeng got married, you gave five hundred taels of silver, and the maids in the mansion all complained. I know you meant well, but I don't want them to gossip behind my back again. I also have some silver saved up, so I'll give it to Yuchan. You don't need to give any more silver."
Hongli disagreed with this statement. "It's fine if there are people in the palace to keep an eye on things, but now that I'm in my own residence and spending my own money, what right do they have to gossip? If anyone dares to talk about it, I'll waive their monthly allowance!"
No matter how Yu Shan tried to persuade him, Hongli insisted on giving it to her, saying that her three siblings should be treated equally and that he should not show favoritism. "What you are giving is your sentiment, and this is my sentiment. I know what I'm doing, so you don't need to persuade me anymore, or I'll get angry."
He was adamant, and Yu Shan couldn't persuade him otherwise. She sighed helplessly, "Alright then! I won't argue, I'll follow your arrangements."
Yu Chan's wedding is at the end of the month, and Li Yu's wedding is three days later. Therefore, Hongli specially gave him a few days off to prepare for the wedding at home.
October 18th was the day Li Yu and Yun Fang were to get married. Yun Fang was to get married at her own home. Su Yushan wanted to be by her side to witness the wedding, but if she wanted to go, she would have to stay at Aunt Liu's house a day in advance.
Furthermore, Fu Qing is Yun Fang's sworn brother. He would definitely be present at Yun Fang's wedding, and to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings, Su Yushan ultimately did not go. She only silently wished Yun Fang and Li Yu a long and happy life together.
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