Yihua was finally able to take a nice bath and wash her hair, and Honghui's full moon celebration arrived as scheduled.
Thanks to Granny Chen's meticulous care, and because Yi Hua didn't worry excessively like the original owner, she spent almost all her time playing with her chubby son. After her postpartum confinement, she changed into traditional Manchu attire and looked even more radiant and beautiful than before. In addition, her figure hadn't fully recovered after giving birth, and her full figure exuded a captivating charm that left Hong Xiao speechless.
"You look so beautiful today, Madam. I think even Chang'e in heaven must look just like you," Yu Xiao teased. Now that their mistress was peaceful and cheerful, they, as servants, no longer needed to be constantly on edge to serve her.
If I am Chang'e, then who is Zhu Bajie, or Yinzhen?
Yi Hua couldn't help but laugh and said, "Stop flattering me. Is Hong Hui awake? If he is, bring him here and take out the matching outfits I specially prepared for today."
Honghui is not the same as when he was born. He is awake most of the time and can sense the emotions of the people around him. He will make a sound when he has a need or wants to be held. If no one pays attention to him, he will cry on his own. He is a smart and healthy baby.
Moreover, as long as you keep him by your side, his big, watery eyes look at you with an expression of complete dependence, making you want to give him your heart.
Yi Hua put on a red cloak, personally changed Hong Hui into a red robe, and patted his bottom.
"How festive." Yi Hua leaned closer to Hong Hui, and the little rascal very cooperatively gave her a sweet, milky kiss.
Honghui seemed to sense his mother's good mood, occasionally letting out giggles, clapping his little hands, and drooling unintentionally.
"She's really my little darling." Yi Hua picked her up and bounced her around; the child had gotten quite heavy.
Yinzhen valued Honghui highly, and the full moon banquet was a grand affair, with princes from the palace coming to show their support, making it a lively and festive occasion.
Yi-hua carrying Hong-hui naturally became the focus of everyone's attention.
When Yinzhen looked at Yihua, whom he hadn't seen for a while, a flash of amazement crossed his eyes. The Fujin was breathtakingly beautiful today.
When his gaze fell on the chubby little boy in Yihua's arms, Yinzhen felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He needed to see this son every day; he felt uneasy if he didn't see him for a day.
The Third Prince's wife, Lady Dong'e, and Yihua had always had a good relationship. She said, "Sister-in-law, I hardly recognize you now that you're dressed like this. You're like two completely different people."
The Third Prince's wife had a lukewarm relationship with him, and she had a son of her own. She didn't care much about his favor, so she was also a beautiful and charming woman.
"Sister-in-law is quite a sight to behold, yet you come here to tease me." Yi Hua covered her mouth and laughed. "Why didn't you bring Brother Hongqing along? The two brothers are about the same age, and they'll surely play together in the future."
The Third Princess nodded with a smile: "I know you're short of energy during your postpartum period, and it would be a mess to bring him along and cause trouble for the family. You can invite me separately another time."
"Definitely," Yi Hua replied.
The First Lady drank her tea alone, not interrupting. She couldn't help but feel sad when she saw other people's baby boys; it wasn't that she couldn't have children, but she had always been a girl. While a Manchu woman's daughter-in-law was naturally noble, her husband had no legitimate son, making her inherently inferior to her brothers.
The veiled insults from Consort Hui in the palace are nothing compared to the bitter medicine she's been forced to drink every day; she can't even taste the bitterness anymore. When will she finally have a son?
Fortunately, she is not the one who is most anxious right now. The Crown Princess, who is supposed to be all show and no substance, is also outwardly strong but inwardly weak, and is maintaining her dignity on her own.
The Crown Princess caused a scene at the Fourth Prince's residence during the baby's third-day celebration. It is said that the Fourth Prince ignored Yi Hua for a month, disregarding the fact that she had just given birth.
She looked at Yihua, who was patting Honghui, with a mocking expression. So what if she has a child? She's still not favored.
Yinzhen sent Su Peisheng to take Honghui away, which naturally made him look good in front of his uncles again.
The gifts from Emperor Kangxi and Consort De arrived one after the other, and the items were all standard auspicious objects, without the special treatment given during the baby's third-day celebration, where they were given a name separately.
This action put the older princes at ease.
The Fourteenth Prince insisted on holding Honghui and wouldn't let go, jumping around in the courtyard, which made Yinzhen's face darken.
Fortunately, Honghui was brave and kept laughing happily without bursting into tears. After being picked up by Yinzhen, he even reached out to the Fourteenth Prince, meaning he still wanted to play with his Fourteenth Uncle.
Yinzhen, being a child at heart, immediately became happy: "Fourth brother, although you are annoying, your little nephew is really cute. Why don't you let your younger brother raise him for a few days? I will definitely teach him all eighteen martial arts skills."
Yinzhen took a breath and said, "Have you finished your studies? Why don't you come with me to the study and we can have a proper discussion?"
After hearing this, Yinzhen ran away as fast as he could, for on such a joyous day, who had the patience to talk about scholarship?
***
The full moon banquet ended in a lively atmosphere. After seeing off the distinguished male and female guests, Consort Ulanara stayed behind.
Looking at the revitalized main courtyard and Honghui, who was fast asleep, she smiled with satisfaction: "You've finally come to your senses, child. Although we are wives, we are not Buddha statues in a temple. How can we suppress our emotions and desires? It's all thanks to the old lady in the family that you've been talking about Buddhist sayings since you were so young."
"Honghui really knows how to solve things. You figured it out in just one month. You're such a lucky boy." The more Ulanara looked at her grandson, the more she liked him, praising him endlessly.
"Mother—" This was the first time Yi Hua had met the original owner's mother, but the original feelings seemed to be influencing her as well; that innate desire to be close to her was undeniable.
Yi Hua wrapped her arms around her mother's and gently rubbed against her: "Mother, I missed you so much."
Ulanara softened her heart and touched Yihua's cheek: "You've gained weight, that's good."
"Is Honghui making trouble for you?"
Upon hearing this, Yi Hua's face lit up with smiles. She proudly exclaimed, "Mother, you don't know how well-behaved Hong Hui is! He almost never cries. He just whines when he wants to eat, drink, or pee. He's so adorable!"
"Mom, doesn't he look just like me when I was little?"
Ulanara Fujin retorted, "Prince Honghui's face and appearance are exactly like those of the Fourth Prince. When you were little, you would cry and make a fuss whenever things didn't go your way. Prince Honghui is just like the Fourth Prince. If you were as well-behaved as Prince Honghui, I would have fewer wrinkles."
"Mother! You've got a grandson now, but you don't want your daughter anymore," Yihua pouted.
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