Because Qian Shengyan liked him, Yinzhen rewarded Guo Shi handsomely and even allowed Guo Shi's younger brother—the child who was saved by Doctor Zhou—to enter the palace as an imperial bodyguard.
"With Guo's physique, can he be a bodyguard?" Qian Shengyan was still a little worried, afraid that her son might get hurt again.
Yinzhen shook his head: "It's just a title; I won't ask him to do anything. It's not too late to make plans after he's accumulated enough seniority in a couple of years."
"I see." Qian Shengyan was relieved.
In February, Qian Shengyan did not miss her two children's birthdays despite being pregnant.
Hongli was four years old and Foerguochun was two years old. Qian Shengyan looked at her two children and felt only contentment.
“Mother is pregnant with my brother, so there’s no need for you to take care of these things for your son,” Hongli said like a little adult. Qian Shengyan gently touched his face, without saying anything about how he had everything his sister had for her birthday yesterday.
She only said, "To Mother, no matter how big or small, everyone is Mother's child, Mother's treasure."
"Mother!" The little girl, who had finally learned to call her mother, rushed into Qian Shengyan's arms, smiling sweetly and saying, "Mother, hug Guoguo."
"Mother can't hold you now, little sister, brother will hold you." Hongli said, struggling to pick up his little sister. But he was only about a head and a half taller than Folgochun, and with him holding Folgochun so tightly, both children were red-faced and swollen from holding on.
Qian Shengyan, both amused and exasperated, tried to take Ferguchun away, but Yinzhen, who had arrived, scooped them up in one hand and quickly put them aside.
He also rushed back to celebrate Hongli's birthday. Yesterday was Fuerguochun's birthday, and Yinzhen happened to be free, so he spent the day at home with his daughter. However, he was summoned to the palace early this morning and only just returned in a hurry.
Yinzhen presented the prepared gift to Hongli and patted his still-fluffy head, saying, "Happy birthday."
"Father!" The child couldn't say anything flattering, but his eyes sparkled as he looked at Yinzhen. Ferguchun, standing beside him, curiously rummaged around and asked, "Brother, look, what is it?"
“It’s a book,” Hongli said happily.
But when Folgochun heard this, she lost interest. She smiled and reached out to hug Yinzhen's arm and shook it: "It's still better if Father gives it to me, Folgochun will take it."
Hongli chuckled, and Qian Shengyan laughed as well: "Yes, this is an ancient book that is hard to find. It is indeed not as beautiful as a set of jewelry from our Foerguochun."
Everyone laughed again, and Folgochun also laughed happily.
After his birthday, because he needed to farm, Yinzhen took Qian Shengyan, Hongli, and Foerguochun to stay at the estate.
Although pregnant women cannot soak in hot springs, the forsythia in the village in early spring is in full bloom, and the wild scenery is very charming. Qian Shengyan guided people to prepare various seeds and seedlings while taking Foerguochun running all over the mountains and fields.
She did want to take Hongli with her, but the child studied even harder after getting a few volumes of ancient books he couldn't understand. Qian Shengyan overheard the eunuchs whispering that the Fourth Prince had read more books than the Third Prince.
It's really frustrating.
Ferguchun is now two years old, the most fun time of her life. She walks unsteadily, speaks in a babyish voice, and her round little face is always adorned with a sweet smile. Her big, grape-like eyes blink slightly, and when she wants something, she clasps her little hands together and bows to you with longing eyes, which melts your heart.
Even Yinzhen couldn't resist a few coquettish words from Foerguochun.
The mother and daughter played around in the mountains and picked some wildflowers before returning home. Fergu Chun even picked out a few of the most beautiful ones and asked the skillful Sister Lvshuang to make bouquets for them, one for her brother and one for her father.
This sweet girl really knows how to charm people.
Strangely enough, whether it was because the time had come or because she felt more relaxed after arriving at the estate, Qian Shengyan hadn't vomited recently, the feeling of tightness in her chest had eased considerably, and she was eating more than before. Several maids were so happy that they chanted "Amitabha" along with her, and Yinzhen was also a little happier.
In a way, Qian Shengyan was lucky. Due to matters in the capital that year, Emperor Kangxi planned to set off for Rehe in April. By then, Qian Shengyan would be five months pregnant, which was the most stable and comfortable time. Although the five or six-day carriage ride was bumpy, it was not entirely impossible.
Yinzhen summoned Doctor Zhou to take his pulse and see if he could travel far. Doctor Zhou's answer was ambiguous, but the general idea was that it was only three months since he was born, and it was still uncertain what would happen in two more months. However, if he took good care of himself, he should be fine.
"Pregnancy is really causing too much trouble..." Qian Shengyan said, lying on the small couch, which was quite outrageous. Qingxue could only sigh when she heard this.
Indeed, in previous years when there was nothing to do, pregnant women would simply stay in the capital and not travel around. But this year, the Emperor had something he needed Qian Shengyan to do, and even though she was pregnant, she couldn't refuse.
Qian Shengyan sighed: "So, it's so convenient for men to achieve success in this world. They don't have menstruation, they don't get pregnant, and they don't need to breastfeed. They're very free, they come and go like the wind, they can do whatever they want..."
"What you're saying, Master..." Qingxue said, both amused and exasperated. "Does Master want to be a man?"
"Hmph, if I were a man..." Qian Shengyan pretended to be flirtatious and pinched Qingxue's chin, "I would definitely take our Qingxue into my arms."
Qingxue couldn't help but laugh, while trying to act shy. The maids serving in the room all laughed. At this moment, Lüliu lifted the curtain and entered. Seeing this scene, she twitched the corners of her mouth, but couldn't laugh at all.
Qingxue noticed her expression but didn't show anything for a moment. After they left the house, she asked her again, "Why do you look so pale today? Did something happen?"
“Aunt…” Green Willow bit her lip, but was also a little annoyed, “It’s all because of those few little sluts, what kind of filthy things they say every day! The mistress is still pregnant, and they…!”
"It's just those sour words anyway, why do you listen to them?" Qingxue frowned as well.
She had naturally heard some things; many people knew that Qian Shengyan was originally a servant in a detached palace on the outskirts of the capital, and there was no point in trying to cover it up. This estate was originally an imperial estate, and the servants inside were all appointed by the Imperial Household Department. They were all obsequious in front of their masters, but in front of their servants, they wanted to act like masters.
Such people naturally look down on Qian Shengyan, and thus have more gossip.
"I just can't stand their seductive looks!" Green Willow said angrily. "They all look like rat spirits, yet they always think they can bewitch the prince and hope to follow in his footsteps to achieve the same success!"
"Then let them try, you don't need to worry about it." Qingxue patted Lvliu's hand to comfort her.
Green Willow, being young, might be a little disapproving, which is understandable. But Qingxue understood perfectly well: over the years, hadn't there been countless women trying to get into Prince Yong's bed? Let them try, and they'll know which way the doors of the Censorate open.
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