Gu Qingchen, who is almost a month old, is no longer the wrinkled baby she was when she was born. Her face is fair and tender, and her big eyes are bright and lively. When she smiles, her eyes curve into crescent moons.
Everyone in Zhaoning Palace liked this newly appointed young prince.
As the full moon celebration approached, the Clothing Bureau rushed to make several outfits for Gu Qingchen and took them to Zhaoning Palace for Jiang Yu to choose from.
Jiang Yu looked at the several sets of clothes in front of her, and then glanced at Gu Qingchen, who was completely unaware of the situation.
"Ah Chen, which one do you like?"
Do you prefer this miniature, gilded prince's robe, or this bright red, festive robe, or perhaps... this bright yellow one...?
Um?
Jiang Yu realized something was wrong, and her face darkened. "You're making bright yellow clothes for Prince Chen?"
According to the rules of etiquette, only the emperor, empress dowager, and retired emperor can wear bright yellow, followed by the crown prince. Although A-Chen is a prince, wearing bright yellow is still an overstepping of his authority.
"Your Majesty, these three colors were specially chosen by His Majesty." Seeing that Jiang Yu was somewhat displeased, the head of the Imperial Wardrobe quickly knelt down.
"Was it ordered by the Emperor?"
"Exactly."
"Alright, you may leave now. Leave these three garments behind." After the official in charge of the imperial wardrobe left, Jiang Yu turned to Wan Ji and instructed, "Go to the Hall of Supreme Harmony and invite the Emperor over."
Although I know that Ayan values Achen, if I let Ayan have his way, it might sow the seeds of future trouble.
Thinking of this, Jiang Yu looked at Gu Qingchen in the swaddling clothes.
Both of them were her own flesh and blood, so she had to think things through carefully.
Gu Qingchen's little hands started moving around restlessly, opening and closing, while she kept making babbling sounds, as if she wanted to communicate with Jiang Yu.
"What do you want to say to the Empress Dowager? Are you also looking forward to your full moon celebration?"
Jiang Yu picked up a specially made rattle drum from the palace servants and shook it, producing a rhythmic sound. Gu Qingchen smiled, revealing his toothless gums.
"Eee-yah-yah—"
“In a few days, Achen will be able to go out and see the world.” Jiang Yu said with a loving expression. “Achen has never been able to take you out to see the world since you were born. And... Mother will be able to go out too.”
Good heavens, she's been cooped up in Zhaoning Palace for a month now.
If it weren't for Granny Ling wiping her body every day, she felt like she would have withered away.
Hearing Jiang Yu's words, Ling Mama couldn't help but laugh. The Empress Dowager must be tired of postpartum confinement. If it weren't for the Emperor Emeritus, she probably would have run out of Zhaoning Palace long ago.
It's almost been a month now.
......
The Hall of Supreme Harmony.
"Why does the Empress Dowager summon me?" Gu Qingyan put down the memorial in his hand and looked up at Wanji after hearing Wanji's words.
"This servant does not know what Your Highness is referring to. Just now, the head of the Clothing Bureau went to Zhaoning Palace to deliver the clothes for Prince Chen's full moon banquet. Your Highness asked why the clothes were made in bright yellow."
Wanji's words were watertight; they seemed to say nothing, yet they said everything.
Upon hearing this, Gu Qingyan's brows relaxed. "Let's go, I'll go to Zhaoning Palace to see the Empress Dowager."
Zhaoning Palace.
Gu Qingyan heard Gu Qingchen's babbling voice from outside the house, and his smile immediately spread across his face, and he quickened his pace.
"Mother, your son has arrived."
As Gu Qingyan spoke, he picked Gu Qingchen up from the cradle. Gu Qingyan was now extremely skilled at holding children, and Gu Qingchen became excited as soon as he saw Gu Qingyan.
Even the sounds of "Eeya ya ya" grew louder.
Gu Qingyan glanced at the clothes on the side and then looked at Jiang Yu. "The clothes from the Clothing Bureau are finished. Which one does Mother Empress think looks best?"
"I haven't even said anything to you yet, why did you have someone prepare bright yellow clothes?" Jiang Yu feigned anger. "This is like putting both you and A-Chen on the fire at the same time. As your mother, I will only feel extremely distressed."
"Your Majesty has misunderstood me."
Gu Qingyan lowered his eyes and said, "I didn't really want Achen to wear this bright yellow one. I just wanted everyone in the palace to know that Achen is the little brother I cherish most."
"Is that really all there is to it?" Jiang Yu was clearly somewhat skeptical.
Gu Qingyan nodded heavily, silently apologizing to Jiang Yu in his heart. In fact, he had really thought about letting Achen wear bright yellow. He was the emperor, and if he wanted Achen to wear it, then Achen could wear it.
But if the Empress Dowager doesn't allow it...
Gu Qingyan shook the little guy in his arms; even his older brother couldn't help him.
As if understanding Gu Qingyan's inner thoughts, Gu Qingchen suddenly started to cry, which startled Gu Qingyan, who quickly walked around and swayed, saying, "Don't cry, Achen, your brother will coax you to sleep."
Seeing this brotherly and respectful demeanor, Jiang Yu's nameless anger instantly dissipated.
I simply can't get angry.
......
The full moon banquet arrived as scheduled. After the morning court session, all the civil and military officials quickly returned to their residences to prepare for their next trip to the palace.
The palace gates remained open throughout the day, seemingly welcoming the guests who had come to celebrate Gu Qingchen's full moon banquet. The palace servants were all dressed in festive clothes, their faces beaming with joy.
In Zhaoning Palace, Gu Qingchen finally put on that bright red dress, along with tiger-head shoes personally sewn by Granny Ling, and a tiger-head hat on his head, making him look cute and festive.
Gu Qingchen, rarely held in Gu Lin's arms, kept fidgeting uncomfortably. Gu Lin, already stiff as a wooden sculpture, looked to the wet nurse for help.
Why is he moving around so much?
"Your Majesty, the young prince is feeling a little unwell." The wet nurse tentatively stepped forward and took Gu Qingchen back. Gu Qingchen immediately calmed down in the wet nurse's arms, and did not forget to show Gu Lin his back.
"This kid, he's not happy even though I'm holding him?" Gu Lin said quietly as he moved his stiff limbs. For the past month, he had felt that this kid had a problem with him!
Whether it's Ayu holding it, Ayan holding it, or even Granny Ling holding it, it's extremely well-behaved and even knows how to smile at people.
Only when he holds her does she wriggle around like a bug, sometimes she cries loudly, and sometimes she even pees all over him!
That's why he couldn't help but suspect that the kid had a problem with him.
Gu Lin snorted and walked towards the bronze mirror. He needed to find an opportunity to complain to A Yu!
A beautiful woman was reflected in the bronze mirror.
After giving birth to Gu Qingchen, Jiang Yu gained a beauty she hadn't possessed before, making her seem approachable. Her face also gained some weight, making her look plump and dignified.
Gu Lin couldn't take his eyes off Jiang Yu at first glance, staring at her eyebrows and eyes until Jiang Yu became a little embarrassed.
Why are you staring at me like that?
"You're beautiful, so I want to keep looking at you."
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