Long Xuan Mo finally felt at ease.
"Oh, Wende, I received a letter from Ah Lan today. She’s expecting a little baby. Could you speak with Father Emperor tomorrow and ask if Ah Lan could return to the capital after her baby turns one year old? Please reassure Father Emperor that Ah Lan will send me the designs for the new weaponry in a special way. I will translate them for you; it won’t delay any important matters."
In Ah Lan’s letter, she also mentioned that her brother-in-law threw a big feast to celebrate the news of her pregnancy, ending up sleeping with his arms around a table leg all night. She too was happy for Ah Lan.
Upon hearing this, Long Xuan Mo’s actions paused, then he bent down to lift his beloved wife and headed toward the large bed.
Caught off guard, Yang Mengchen let out a low cry of surprise, hastily wrapping her arms around Long Xuan Mo’s neck, chiding, "What are you doing?"
"Making a son."
As Long Xuan Mo replied, he laid his wife on the bed, following which he lay on top of her. Swiftly stripping both of their clothes, he was about to conquer when Yang Mengchen stopped him.
"What’s the matter?" Long Xuan Mo asked, breathing heavily with confusion.
Yang Mengchen gently stroked her stomach, "Our baby might be here." A tender smile spread across her face.
Long Xuan Mo was startled at first but then placed his hand on his wife’s stomach, "Is what Ah Jiu said true?"
"The night before last, I had a dream. I dreamt of a chubby child calling me ’mother.’ The elders say that’s an auspicious sign," Yang Mengchen spoke softly. "When I woke up yesterday, I took my pulse. It might be too early to tell, but in a few days, we should be able to confirm if there’s a baby."
Long Xuan Mo never believed in these things, but seeing the happy expression on his wife’s face, he chose to say nothing. He climbed off her and carefully dressed them both, while trying to calm the surging passions within him, and gently embraced his wife.
Neither of them felt like sleeping, happily discussing topics about the child, including potential names for the baby.
The next day, before heading to the early court, Long Xuan Mo instructed Mo Mei to inform Lady Hua that Yang Mengchen would not be visiting Hua Mansion starting today. He specifically told Sister Jin and others to take good care of Yang Mengchen. He also ordered He Junyuan to have people thoroughly clean the Crown Prince Mansion inside and out, ridding it of anything inappropriate for the time.
"Crown Princess Consort, what happened?"
As soon as Long Xuan Mo left, Sister Jin and the others looked at Yang Mengchen with suspicion; Long Xuan Mo’s series of instructions had been somewhat puzzling.
Yang Mengchen blushed slightly. The pregnancy wasn’t even confirmed yet, but Long Xuan Mo was already taking it so seriously. She shared her feelings with the others.
Thinking that the mansion would soon have a young master, everyone beamed with joy.
Being older and experienced, Sister Jin was particularly sensitive to such matters. She guessed there was a ninety percent chance that it was true. Her old face bloomed like a chrysanthemum with joy. Suddenly thinking of something, she cautioned softly, "Crown Princess Consort, though it’s not yet confirmed, you and the Crown Prince must be careful not to harm the baby." The Crown Prince and Crown Princess Consort were young and robust, and she worried that without restraint, they could harm the child, which would be terribly regrettable.
"Don’t worry, sister. Wende and I will be careful," Yang Mengchen nodded.
Since the Crown Princess Consort was knowledgeable in medical skill, she should know the importance of caution. Sister Jin just wanted to kindly remind her, "Also, before the pregnancy is confirmed, the news must not be leaked. Even after confirmation, no visitors should be received for the first three months to avoid unnecessary trouble."
Yang Mengchen appreciated Sister Jin’s kind intentions. In this era, when a woman’s pregnancy was certain, only close relatives were informed. News of an unsteady pregnancy would not be disclosed until after three months, as children were thought to be too fragile, and it was feared that any upset might harm the child. For the first three months, the expecting mother would also avoid receiving guests. Coming from the modern world, she didn’t believe in these superstitions. Her concerns were about other factors.
Lady Hua, upon hearing that Yang Mengchen would not visit, thought she had tired her out over the last few days and felt very sorry. Since she couldn’t leave, she had to ask Mo Mei to bring some nourishing gifts back to Yang Mengchen to help her recuperate.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
