Chapter 208 Don’t Be Fooled by the Prince
But since the Crown Princess herself was not nervous, Xu Wan also slowly relaxed. She said softly, "Your Highness is about to give birth. You should pay more attention to rest in the near future and don't be affected by some unfounded rumors."
The Crown Princess smiled and said nonchalantly, "Are you talking about the rumors about Jin Cheng's identity? I really don't care. The Crown Prince is the crown prince, so it's normal for him to have any number of women and children. As long as His Highness acknowledges that Jin Cheng is his child, I can take him to the East Palace to raise him at any time."
Xu Wan: “…”Okay, I think you’re being generous.
She smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you are overthinking. This matter is all made up by those people outside. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince loves the people like his own children. If it were any other child, he would definitely save them."
The Crown Princess thought to herself: Of course I know it's fake.
She thought the prince did not answer her question at that time, but when the rumor spread, she understood that the prince had already told her that he trusted her.
So she also has to be his support.
"Madam Zong, don't worry. I will definitely give birth to this child safely." The Crown Princess stroked her belly with tenderness in her eyes. "The imperial physician diagnosed that it might be a girl. His Highness said that she will look like me when she grows up, but I hope she will look like His Highness."
Xu Wan had no prejudice against having a boy or girl, but in this dynasty that valued offspring, they were nobles in the Eastern Palace. Logically speaking, they should need a legitimate son to consolidate their status.
But the Crown Princess's eyes and brows were very calm, like a mother who just hoped that her child would be born safely and live a healthy life.
Xu Wan thought that this was a good thing. The mortality rate of girls in the palace was not as high as that of boys. This child was hard-won, and she also hoped that the little princess would be well.
General Pang's Mansion.
The news that the Zong family brought Zong Jincheng into the palace today was reported back to their house, and General Pang was furious.
"Look, I said he was the prince's illegitimate son. Qingyi tricked him into drinking Hedinghong, but he dared to drink it. Now his body hasn't recovered yet, and he hurriedly summoned the child. It's really hard to end this if he is not his biological father!"
Military Advisor Gou nodded calmly and analyzed: "Yes, General, this child cannot be the Third Miss's. Let's write a letter to the general as soon as possible to prevent him from being deceived and raising a child for the prince in vain."
General Pang nodded repeatedly, "That's right! I'll write the letter right now. I don't know who told you that he looks like the Third Young Miss. I don't think so. That guy is also known as one of the four little dandies in the capital. What does he have to do with the gentle and virtuous Third Young Miss? Oh, I was almost fooled by the Crown Prince. He's so insidious!"
Military Advisor Gou also quickly agreed: "That's right, the prince is too smart, there is no way we can be fooled by him!"
The two of them looked at each other and came to the final conclusion.
After writing and sending the letter, General Pang continued to search among the 308 portraits for the person, and from time to time he cried out in despair: "Help, why are there so many boys born on the sixth day of the seventh month? They are really fertile!"
"There's no end to it. There's no end to it."
“…”
The rumors in the capital were getting more and more fierce, so that Zong Jincheng felt that someone was watching him whenever he went out. Even the guards at the door of the mansion would glance at him from time to time.
The little devil turned around quickly, but didn't catch any of them. They were all so serious that they seemed not to have peeked at him.
But it's different, that feeling of being spied on, even if the eyes can't see it, the body can feel it.
The little devil soon couldn't stand it anymore and went to Xu Wan to make trouble and asked her to find a solution.
Xu Wan didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "There are so many mouths in the capital, how can I stop them? How about I write a picture book for you and make up a love story about your parents, so that everyone will think that you have your own parents?"
The little devil thought about it and nodded quickly: "Okay!"
Xu Wan: “…”
I'm just saying that.
But the little devil took it seriously and pushed her to find someone to write a picture book. Xu Wan looked up at the sky in silence, but still rejected him harshly.
"This is your father and your mother's private matter. If we make up stories about our background and feelings for them, they will definitely blame you when they find out about it in the future." Xu Wan said, "To put it more seriously, this is called slander."
The little devil pouted and said aggrievedly: "But they all talk nonsense and look at me in a random way. I can't go out like this. I'm not happy."
Xu Wan pointed to the countdown on the wall and reminded him, "Little friend, there are still fifty days before you take the exam. You can take this opportunity to concentrate on preparing for the Boy's Test."
"Then what about my reputation and that of the prince?" the little devil continued to be dissatisfied.
Xu Wan sighed and said, "The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess are not afraid of losing face, so what are you afraid of? Besides, there are too many rumors in the capital. They will pass after a while. Who will remember you in a month or two? Oh, that's not right. If you pass the exam to become a Tongzilang, everyone might remember your new identity."
"Boy?" The little devil's eyes lit up.
"Yes," Xu Wan said, "Those who pass the Tongzi exam are called Tongzilang, which is a title exclusively for child prodigies."
The little devil felt so good that he immediately ran back to the key class and studied very hard: "Go! This child prodigy must defeat Tong Zilang!"
Xu Wan smiled and shook her head, feeling helpless and amused: "This kid..."
In late February, good news came from the East Palace.
The little princess was born safely.
As soon as the news came out, every family was extremely happy.
The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess' friends are all happy that they have their first child. It is not easy for them to finally have the fruit of their love after six years of marriage.
The enemies of the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess were all happy that they had not given birth to a legitimate son, so that the Crown Prince's power would not continue to grow. The Emperor was in his prime, and the Crown Prince was in poor health. If he died early in the future and had no legitimate son, then it would be uncertain which prince would succeed him in the future.
In early March, the boy's examination is about to begin.
The three candidates in the Houfu key class were still doing the last three sprint test papers. Xu Wan had someone spend money to collect the past years' real questions of the Tongzi Ke, and then the three private teachers integrated and screened them, picked out the key points that must be tested, and then prepared these three mock test papers.
The little devil has been staying at home reading books and doing tests recently. After eliminating all external distractions, his concentration has reached a new level. He can now finish a set of test papers in half an hour while keeping his handwriting neat and clear.
Pan Hongzhi was very pleased. Although teaching this kid was the most difficult, the sense of accomplishment after teaching him well was incomparable. He smiled with satisfaction and added a few words: "Jincheng, don't lie on the test paper to write during the exam, so as not to smear the wet ink on the test paper."
The little devil nodded and said, "Got it!"