Chapter 466: Birth
The father and son, the ruler and his minister were discussing matters when a palace maid came in to report, her tone cautious.
"Your Majesty, the Eighth Prince has hanged himself."
The atmosphere in the hall was silent for a moment.
After a moment, Emperor Defeng spoke in a calm voice.
"Just follow the common people's etiquette. No need to report back."
The palace maids withdrew respectfully.
Emperor Defeng's face was gloomy and he did not mention Xiao Yanlin again. Xiao Yanci also tactfully did not say anything more.
No matter what happened in life, there is no need to hold on to it now that the person is dead.
Immediately afterwards, the Crown Princess and the Concubine also hanged themselves, ending their young lives.
Emperor Defeng did not punish them, but they saw no hope of survival, only endless darkness, so they chose to end it all.
This news never reached Emperor Defeng's ears.
Lu Zhiran soon learned that Xiao Yanci had been named the crown prince. She was not surprised and felt a sense of relief in her heart.
The successive changes of power in the court made the people extremely excited.
Who could have imagined that the late emperor who had already died would come back to life, the newly crowned emperor would become a traitor, and the former "conspirator in rebellion" Prince Jin would become the crown prince for his meritorious service in protecting the emperor.
These stories, one after another, are even more exciting than storytelling.
The common people actually don’t care who will be the emperor. What they really care about is whether the previous decree to reduce taxes by 10% is still valid?
Emperor Defeng understood the people's sentiments well and quickly issued an edict: the previous decree to reduce taxes by one tenth would remain in effect.
The people were reassured and kowtowed to praise the emperor's benevolence.
Everyone in Prince Jin's mansion began to get busy again, preparing for his next move into the Eastern Palace.
On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, the prince's enthronement ceremony was completed.
After completing this major task, Emperor Defeng issued an edict, allowing his ministers to rest for ten days and resume writing after the Lantern Festival.
After a year of fear and trepidation, the ministers finally put their minds at ease.
Those who should be liquidated have been completely liquidated, and they don’t have to worry about the rest anymore.
At least, as long as they don't do anything stupid, nothing will happen.
On the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, Lu Zhiran held a banquet in the East Palace and invited Xiao Baozhu, Xing Chuxue and Jiang Nansheng to attend.
There were so many things going on recently that no one could catch their breath.
Now that we finally have some free time, it’s natural for us to get together.
Otherwise, after some time, Xing Chuxue would have to return to her fiefdom with Prince An.
Xing Chuxue's figure is a little fuller than before, but not fat, just the right amount of plump, which has a unique charm.
In contrast, the chubby Xiao Baozhu has become thinner in the waist and her cheeks have become much thinner, now only as big as a palm.
Xing Chuxue couldn't help feeling a little annoyed, and she pinched the soft flesh on her waist.
"I absolutely cannot eat any more from now on, or I'll really grow sideways."
After the previous tense days and with the nourishment of love, Xiao Baozhu's spirit was visibly radiant and her appetite had mostly recovered.
From the moment she sat down, her mouth never stopped talking.
After hearing what Xing Chuxue said, she asked, "Why, does Fifth Brother dare to despise you?"
Xing Chuxue immediately defended Xiao Yanheng, "Your Highness is a very good person and never dislikes me."
On the contrary, he always pinched the soft flesh on his waist and said that it would be better to be a little fatter so that it would not be irritating to the touch.
But she couldn't say that.
"I think I'm a little too fat. It's best the way you are now."
"But I can't eat whatever I want. It's hard to think about it."
Xiao Baozhu originally thought that she would look better with a slimmer figure, but Sun Muzhi and Zhen both said that she looked better as before. Coupled with the temptation of delicious food, Xiao Baozhu immediately gave up her obsession with her figure.
What’s the point of living if you can’t even enjoy delicious food?
Lu Zhiran and Jiang Nansheng both looked at them with a smile and did not participate in this topic.
Being fat or thin, beautiful or ugly are all personal preferences and choices. It’s okay as long as they feel it’s okay.
Xing Chuxue quickly put the matter aside. She looked at Jiang Nansheng with an embarrassed expression.
"Nan Sheng, can you take my pulse?"
Xiao Baozhu was puzzled. "What's wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell?"
Lu Zhiran and Jiang Nansheng suddenly understood and looked at her belly.
As expected, Xing Chuxue said, "I want to see how my body has recovered and whether it's suitable for pregnancy now."
She had suffered a serious injury before and her body was damaged, making her unfit to have children.
It just so happened that Xiao Yanheng was also recuperating and was not suitable for having children, so Xing Chuxue suppressed her anxiety.
Now that a year has passed, Xiao Yanheng's old illness has been almost cured, and she has also been recuperating for so long, she has started to have ideas again.
Jiang Nansheng happened to be there, so she brought up the matter.
Jiang Nansheng didn't refuse and reached out to take her pulse.
"You took great care to recuperate after your injury, and the damage has been made up. Now that you're healthy, you just need to relax and the baby will come naturally."
Hearing this, Xing Chuxue seemed to have taken a reassurance pill and smiled instantly.
Jiang Nansheng changed the subject, "But, if you want to have a child, you can't diet blindly, otherwise your body will suffer."
Xing Chuxue was alerted when she heard this, and immediately gave up the idea of eating less to maintain her figure.
Xiao Baozhu also stretched out her hand and looked at her eagerly.
"Ah Sheng, please show it to me and Sister Ran."
When Lu Zhiran heard that she wanted to take herself along, she didn't object.
Although she was not in a hurry to get pregnant, it wouldn't hurt to take her pulse first.
Jiang Nansheng checked their pulses one by one and gave them some reassurances.
"You are both in good health. It's only a matter of time before you get pregnant."
Jiang Nansheng offered further advice, "However, as a doctor, I advise you that having children too early is not beneficial. Especially you, Baozhu, you could wait another two or three years."
Xiao Baozhu was a little confused about this.
"I'm already 15 years old. Isn't this the age everyone gets pregnant and has children?"
Jiang Nansheng spoke earnestly, "Giving birth is a daunting task. It's not that simple. A woman who has just reached adulthood hasn't developed her body well. According to my experience with traveling doctors from all over the country, the best childbearing age for a woman is between 20 and 25."
This was the first time Xiao Baozhu heard this statement, but since it was Jiang Nansheng who said it, she couldn't help but feel more convinced.
Xing Chuxue seemed to remember something, "Albert once said something similar."
Xiao Baozhu looked at Lu Zhiran and said, "Sister Ran, you are the only one among us who meets the requirements. You must hurry up and give Seventh Brother a child. I am looking forward to becoming his aunt."
Lu Zhiran never expected that the first person she met to help her give birth would be Xiao Baozhu.
Jiang Nansheng laughed and joked, "This matter cannot be done by Zhiran alone, Ah Ci needs to work harder."
Lu Zhiran: ...
Well, he's working hard enough, he doesn't need to work any harder.
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