Chapter 488: No Need for Many Children
In August, the weather is hot.
Lu Zhiran's pregnancy has reached three months. Her fetus is now stable and she can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
After the first three months, Lu Zhiran's appetite improved a lot, her waist became much thicker, and her face had noticeably more flesh.
Jiang Nansheng would come to check her pulse every now and then. Her pulse was very good, and everyone felt reassured.
This news was kept strictly confidential and outsiders knew nothing about it.
Three months later, those who were eyeing Xiao Yanci's backyard began to get restless again.
The court officials submitted another memorial, criticizing Lu Zhiran for not being able to conceive an heir and give birth to children for the prince.
Xiao Yanci's expression was gloomy and he did not speak.
At this time, the director of the Imperial Observatory came out.
"I observed the celestial phenomena tonight and saw the 'Tian Rui Star' looming on the east side of the Purple Palace. This is a sign that the Concubine is pregnant. Furthermore, the 'Tian Xi Star' entered the East Palace, and the Red Luan Star moved. I'm afraid that the Crown Princess... has received the favor of Heaven."
As soon as these words were spoken, the court was in an uproar.
Xiao Yanci then spoke and reported to Emperor Defeng.
"Father, I haven't had time to report to you yet, but the Crown Princess is already three months pregnant. The fetus is now stable and everything is fine."
Emperor Defeng laughed heartily. "The Crown Princess is pregnant. This is truly a joyous occasion. Pass on my instructions. Give her a pair of century-old ginseng and ten boxes of blood swallow's nest..."
Emperor Defeng had wanted to reward him for a long time, but the news had not been announced yet, so the reward had to be put on hold for the time being.
Only then did the ministers realize that the prince had deliberately concealed the matter, and the emperor's attitude showed that he had clearly known about it for a long time.
So, these people who were jumping around became a joke.
The Minister of Rites was impatient. "The Crown Princess is pregnant. It is indeed a great joy, but His Royal Highness is a man of ten thousand gold. How can he be left without anyone to serve him? The Crown Princess needs to rest and recuperate to protect her pregnancy. We should also select more ladies to enter the Eastern Palace!"
Immediately, a minister spoke up in agreement.
"The Book of Rites says: 'A gentleman has three palaces and six courtyards to expand his lineage.' Even if Your Highness doesn't do this for yourself, you should still consider the country!"
Unexpectedly, Xiao Yanci did not object to this matter, but nodded in agreement.
"What you all said makes sense. The matter of the concubine should indeed be put on the agenda."
His attitude surprised the ministers, but they soon breathed a sigh of relief.
It would be great if the prince was willing to give in. Then they would all have the opportunity to get people into the Eastern Palace.
As soon as this thought arose, the Director of the Imperial Observatory spoke loudly, "Your Highness, I have something to say—although Tianrui is prominent, it clashes with Xianchi! If a new person were to be accepted into the Eastern Palace at this time, Xianchi's lascivious energy might harm the heir to the throne. At best, the fetus would be disturbed, and at worst... a star would fall from the sky!"
As soon as these words were spoken, Xiao Yanci's face changed immediately, and the ministers were in an uproar again.
Emperor Defeng's face was gloomy, and he was surrounded by a layer of heavy majesty.
"Lord Qu, are you sure?"
The Imperial Observatory's Director, Lord Qu, said solemnly, "Your Majesty, this matter concerns the heir to the throne. I dare not speak nonsense."
Emperor Defeng frowned and said nothing for a while.
Xiao Yanci also remained silent, as if he was caught in a dilemma.
After a while, Emperor Defeng spoke, "The heir to the throne should be the most important thing. We will discuss this matter later."
Those court officials who had just started counting the abacus beads were instantly disappointed.
Why is it so difficult for them to get someone into the Eastern Palace?
After the court was dismissed, Emperor Defeng summoned Xiao Yanci to the imperial study and looked at him with a gloomy gaze.
"Prince, were you the one who arranged what the Director of the Imperial Observatory said today?"
Emperor Defeng did not beat around the bush and directly raised the question.
Xiao Yanci immediately knelt down, "Your Majesty, I dare not deceive you. I know full well that it is my duty to continue my family lineage. This is also the foundation of the stability of the Great Qi Nation. I will never put the cart before the horse for the sake of personal feelings and disregard the stability of the country."
Emperor Defeng fixed his gaze on him for a long while, then finally withdrew his gaze and softened his tone.
"It's good that you know your limits. No matter how close your relationship is with Mrs. Lu, you shouldn't favor her exclusively, and you shouldn't be deceived by her and let her influence your decisions."
Emperor Defeng warned him, but Xiao Yanci said sternly, "I am not a lustful or foolish man, and I will not be influenced by women. Mrs. Lu is not an ignorant woman without measure. On the contrary, she has always advised me to take concubines. As the Crown Princess, she is beyond reproach."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Defeng said nothing more.
Xiao Yanci left the imperial study with a normal expression, except that his palms were slightly sweaty.
Just now, he lied to his father.
It was he who bribed the director of the Imperial Observatory.
Did the emperor really believe him?
At least on the surface, he believed it and didn't dwell on it anymore.
This is a game between father and son.
As Emperor Defeng grew older and gradually delegated power, the power between father and son began to shift.
Crown Prince Xiao Yanci gradually overwhelmed Emperor Defeng.
Emperor Defeng also realized this, so today's accountability was taken lightly.
Because he knew that he could no longer control his son.
Emperor Defeng was hunched over, his eyes were dull and cloudy, and he felt an unprecedented sense of melancholy in his heart. He looked old and tired.
Feng Youcai is also old and his back can no longer be straightened.
He looked at the dazed old emperor and spoke softly.
"Your Majesty, if you are tired, please take a rest."
Emperor Defeng pounded his leg, his tone lamenting and melancholy, "I'm old, it's time to rest."
Power is truly fascinating. Even if you decide to let go, when you realize that you cannot control or decide something, you will still feel unwilling and find it difficult to let go.
In the evening, Xiao Yanci told Lu Zhiran about this.
"Father may have seen that I was lying, but he didn't pursue the matter further. He made a concession."
A complicated feeling arose in Lu Zhiran's heart.
"But the courtiers will not budge; they will keep bringing this up again."
Xiao Yanci said in a condescending tone, "Then I will refute them again and again until they shut up. Zhiran, I do this not only for you, but also for the country and future of Da Qi. The succession of emperors in the past dynasties has always been accompanied by blood and slaughter."
"He fathered a bunch of children with a bunch of women, and in the end, the legitimate and illegitimate children fought against each other, brothers quarreled, and they killed each other. Aren't these painful lessons enough? Our son will be the only crown prince and the only legitimate heir."
"If this baby is a princess, we will have another one. If this baby is a prince, then there is no need to have another one. He will be the crown prince of the Great Qi Dynasty. I don't need many children to bring me good fortune. One child with you is enough."
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhiran's face showed emotion again.
She didn't expect Xiao Yanci to say such a thing.
His eyes were sincere and his words seemed to come from the bottom of his heart.
It is very rare for him to have such clear thoughts.
Perhaps, one day, when he faces more temptations, he will change his mind and accept new people.
But at least at this moment, he was sincere.
He offered her a sincere heart, and she would repay him with the same sincerity.
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