The fruit of love
In Feiwei Palace, Concubine Feng was half lying on the couch with her eyes closed, resting.
"How's the Crown Princess doing?"
“I heard from the ladies-in-waiting and the maids that the Crown Princess is very intelligent and has a very high level of comprehension.
It’s just that she gets distracted easily, and...”
As Chao Yue was speaking, his voice suddenly became softer.
"And what?"
Concubine Feng then opened her eyes.
I bowed my head to the moon,
"And they get up late every day."
Hearing this, the imperial concubine smiled.
"Tell the Imperial Food Bureau to pay more attention to the Crown Princess's diet.
And the prince, he works very hard every day, going out early and coming back late."
At this moment, the issue of offspring in the Eastern Palace is what she cares about most.
In the palace, the prince in red stood in front of the desk, with two people standing behind him, Shao Hansu and the transport envoy Zeng Xiang.
"Has there been any movement in the Fan Mansion recently?"
He turned back with a cold look.
"No, Fan Zhong hasn't left the house since he took leave due to illness."
Shao Hansu whispered.
"Song Cangyuan's connection to Xindong must have been facilitated by Fan Zhong, so we must keep a close eye on him to prevent any problems."
Song Chenyu said this and walked towards the seat neatly.
"How is the Huaihe River transport going?"
There was more majesty in his black eyes than usual.
Zeng Xiang bowed hurriedly,
"Everything goes smoothly and it should be completed within five days."
Fuyao stood in the corridor of the East Palace with her head raised, watching the drizzle sweeping across the glazed tiles like silk, splashing out tiny spots of water.
The clothes on her body seemed to be damp, sticking to her waist, making it difficult for her to breathe.
This was their second month living in the Eastern Palace. They had thought that after getting married they would be freer to do what they wanted, but now they were trapped within these red walls every day studying the Book of Rites and other books.
“Crown Princess, this is the Zhenjun porridge that the Imperial Concubine ordered the Imperial Food Bureau to prepare.
He said you've been studying hard lately, so he made this to make up for it."
Aunt Xu came in holding a bowl.
Since Fuyao moved into the Eastern Palace, in addition to Qing Ning and several palace maids, Concubine Feng also specially assigned her two maids who were familiar with palace affairs to serve her.
Fuyao couldn't help but curl her lips. She had been fond of martial arts since she was a child and was used to being free.
Now, in addition to learning these, we also have to abide by all kinds of formalities and etiquette. How can we bear such constraints?
She looked up helplessly.
"Thank you, Madam."
Outside the Eastern Palace Academy, a few birds were chirping on the branches. Fuyao, who was sitting on the futon, was listening to the female official's lecture while quietly stroking the dagger in her sleeve. That was her only thought now.
"Princess."
The female official had a serious expression.
"What are you doing?"
Fuyao looked up at her sharp eyes.
“I’m just wondering, are all these rules and women’s rules really what we need?
Why is it that women’s thinking is so confined?
When asked this question, the female official was silent at first, and then slowly spoke.
“These are things that have existed throughout the dynasties. I hope the Crown Princess will study them seriously.
I think His Highness was attracted to you because he thought you were intelligent, considerate, and able to judge the situation."
Fuyao couldn't help but complain in her heart. She used to be able to ride a horse, practice swordplay, and go to shops, but now she can only smile without showing her teeth and walk without waving her skirt.
What’s even more infuriating is that it’s difficult to even see her husband, who is now the crown prince.
All day long he is either dealing with palace affairs or staying in the East Palace study, and it is difficult for him to even speak a word properly.
Every day when I saw him, I would catch a glimpse of his figure lying on the bed in a daze, not knowing whether he had just come back or was about to get up.
She also felt sorry for him, but she really wasn't happy about this situation.
Thinking of this, she spoke,
"I'm going to the back garden."
Although this place is not very big, there is a bamboo forest, which is where Fuyao can relax secretly every day.
She would practice martial arts here secretly, but these past few days she always felt tired and had no energy when dancing with the sword. She thought it was because she had neglected practice.
"Are you thinking about me?"
The prince's voice came from behind.
Fuyao looked back with some surprise,
"Why are you back so early today?"
Song Chenyu reached out and tucked a strand of hair on her cheek that was blown away by the wind behind her ear, his eyes full of love.
"I missed you, so I came back."
Fuyao lowered her head, her cheeks slightly red.
Seeing her like this, Song Chenyu couldn't help but smile.
The two have been married for almost a year, but she still feels shy from time to time.
"It must be tiring to study this every day."
He held her in his arms, lowered his head, and rubbed his tall nose against her warm forehead.
"Who says it isn't?"
Fuyao, who was being hugged, suddenly felt aggrieved.
As soon as she finished speaking, she was hugged tighter.
He knew that although she had never complained in front of him, he could imagine her discomfort.
His Fuyao loves freedom so much, but now he is like a bird in a cage here.
If he had a choice, he would rather take her away.
So when he learned about his own life experience, he was shocked and worried about Fuyao's situation.
At the beginning, both Madam Tong and Princess Xisa hoped that Fuyao could stay away from the court and live the life of an ordinary citizen, but now they have dragged her into the center of this vortex because of them.
Thinking of this, his heart couldn't help but ache.
Now he could only do his best to give her the most comfort.
He didn't want her to learn too many of the palace's red tape; he liked her original frankness and freedom.
"I'll come back early tomorrow and take you out of the palace to relax."
Song Chenyu whispered in his ear.
"Really?"
The person he had just held in his arms immediately pushed his arm away and said excitedly.
He nodded heavily.
Fuyao raised her head and stared at him with sparkling eyes. Suddenly, she stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the neck.
Song Chenyu didn't expect her to be like this. His Adam's apple rolled up and down unconsciously, and his heart was in turmoil.
He lowered his head and couldn't help but kiss her lips.
Ugh.
As soon as she touched him, Fu Yao pushed her away, and she suddenly felt nauseous.
"What's wrong?"
Song Chenyu hurriedly supported her body with one hand and stroked her back up and down with the other hand.
Fuyao lowered his head and placed his right hand lightly on his chest, thinking that he had been feeling tired these past few days and now he was retching.
Is it possible?
Seeing that she was silent, Song Chenyu frowned.
"Let the imperial physician take a look."
Then he picked her up and walked towards the bedroom.
"Congratulations, Your Highness."
Doctor Qu, who had just finished the diagnosis, bowed.
"The Crown Princess is pregnant."
Hearing this, Song Chenyu was overjoyed. He hurried to the bed and his eyes fell on her lower abdomen.
"Fuyao, we have a child."
Fuyao nodded with a sweet look on her face.
"We have a child."
Song Chenyu felt a strong sense of guilt in his heart. Since entering the palace, he has been busy with government affairs and has indeed neglected Fuyao.
He was extremely busy with matters such as the grain transport, border reports, and the insect plague on the Liangzhe Road.
The news that the Crown Princess was pregnant soon spread throughout the palace. Concubine Feng came to visit from time to time, asking about her well-being, fearing that something might have gone wrong.
Even the frail official seemed to feel much healthier after hearing this.
Princess Jinru and Madam Ling would come to the palace every now and then to chat with her and relieve her boredom.
And since that day, although Song Chenyu was still busy, he would come to the palace at the hour of Mao every day to stay with Fuyao for a while.
He would bring some candied chestnut cakes or some new tea from Yu'an City, and watch her eat them while she chattered about trivial matters in the court.
Fuyao touched her slightly protruding belly and suddenly asked,
"Your Highness, I wonder if the child will look like me or you when he is born?"
Song Chenyu looked down at her, his eyes so soft that they could drip water, "It would be good if she were like you, who can dance with a sword and tell funny stories.
If he is like me, I will personally teach him how to ride and shoot arrows."
He paused.
"But no matter who he looks like, he is my Crown Princess's daughter, so naturally he is precious."
Fuyao was amused.
She originally thought that this deep palace would smooth out her edges, but she didn't expect that the little life in her belly would become the most gentle bond.
That day, she was basking in the sun by the window when she suddenly felt the fetus moving, as if a small fish was swimming in her belly.
Song Chenyu happened to come in, hurriedly knelt down beside her, and whispered across her belly,
"Baby, I'm Daddy."
Fuyao looked at the tips of his red ears and suddenly felt that the red walls of the East Palace were not so disgusting after all.
At least here, there is someone who will accompany her until the child grows up, wait for him to ride the fastest horse and see the strongest tide.
The winter in Yu'an is damp and cold.
Song Chenyu finally had half a day off, and he took a walk in the imperial garden with Fuyao in his arms.
She was wearing a loose maternity dress and holding a pastry in her hand. She had gained a lot of weight in just a few months.
"When spring comes, I'll take you to Jingci Temple."
Song Chenyu pointed to the distance.
"I heard the osmanthus flowers there bloom early."
Fuyao took a bite of the dessert, and it was so sweet that she squinted her eyes.
"I want to ride your horse."
"Okay." Song Chenyu lowered his head and kissed her forehead.
"I'll have someone prepare the most docile Jade-topped Chi, and I'll make sure it doesn't disturb you and the child."
As soon as the female official from the East Palace left, she announced that Shao Hansu had arrived.
Fu Yao was very happy. Since she went to the Eastern Palace, it was not easy to see the people from the past.
"Brother Shao."
She was sitting and reading a book, then she dropped it and stood up.
"Princess."
Aunt Xu beside her looked up at her.
Seeing this, Fuyao's smiling face gradually faded.
"Shao Shaoqing."
"This humble official greets the Crown Princess."
Shao Hansu walked over slowly and spoke politely.
"This is what Miss Xian Ning asked me to bring to you."
Qing Ning hurriedly took the food box from his hand.
"Sorry to bother Shao Shaoqing."
Fuyao nodded.
Today, Shao Hansu came to the East Palace to discuss something with the Crown Prince, and Xian Ning specifically asked him to bring Fuyao with him.
After Shao Hansu delivered the things, it was not convenient for him to stay for long, so the two chatted for a few minutes and then left.
Qing Ning opened the food box he brought, and it turned out to be the Huang Yuan rice crackers made by Fu Yao's mother, which was her favorite when she was a child.
Xian Ning knew that she was greedy during pregnancy, so she made some specially.
At that moment, Fuyao's eyes were wet.
After lunch, Fuyao asked Qingning to take the lunch box and go to Feiwei Palace with her.
"Fuyao pays homage to the Empress."
She entered and bowed.
The seated Concubine Feng glanced at her big belly and pointed at the seat on the right.
"Come and sit down, don't get tired."
After sitting firmly, Fuyao asked Qingning to open the food box.
"This is a famous snack in our Ganzhou. Sister Xianning had it brought into the palace, so I wanted to let the queen try it."
A smile appeared on the face of Concubine Bai Jing.
"It's hard for you to always think of me."
“That’s what should be done.”
Fuyao smiled faintly.
The imperial concubine looked down at her belly.
"I have something I want to discuss with you."
"Go ahead, Madam."
Fuyao spoke.
The imperial concubine pursed her lips.
"Your belly is already five or six months old. The most important thing now is to take good care of yourself."
She paused for a moment.
"Chen Yu is currently acting as regent and is very busy.
I know you two have a good relationship, but he also needs someone who is close to him.
Therefore, I thought of finding a suitable person to send to the Eastern Palace.
I also know that Chenyu doesn't want to let you down. That person only needs to take care of his daily life and will never threaten your position.
Please also understand the feelings of a mother."
Fuyao understood what she meant, and gently exerted force on the hand holding the handkerchief.
Seeing her silence, the imperial concubine sighed and continued,
"I understand your feelings very well, just like I did at the beginning.
But Chenyu is not an ordinary person, he is the future monarch.
Even if he did not have three palaces and six courtyards, for the sake of royal offspring and the needs of all parties in the palace, he would certainly not marry only one wife.
So I think you should be mentally prepared.”
Her words were like a stone that created ripples in Fuyao's heart.
After a while she slowly opened her mouth,
"It's all up to you, Madam."
After leaving Feiwei Palace, Fuyao walked absent-mindedly.
In fact, she had thought about such a situation since she moved into the East Palace.
But she naively thought that there might be another possibility.
Her heart seemed to be tugged at by someone. She felt that love was selfish. If one really loved, she believed that no one would be willing to share their lover with others.
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