Since Xiao Che's shocking declaration of being a "doting father" in the Imperial Garden that day, the atmosphere between him and Lin Wanwan has become increasingly sweet and affectionate.
That warmth, transcending the status of emperor and empress and belonging only to ordinary couples, was like the warmest fireplace in winter, making Kunning Palace cozy and inviting.
As Lin Wanwan's belly grew larger each day, the focus of the entire palace shifted completely from court affairs to the soon-to-be-born imperial heir.
The first to get busy was the Imperial Household Department, which was in charge of all expenses in the palace.
That afternoon, Lin Wanwan was taking a nap on a soft couch, while Xiao Che was engrossed in reading a book he had "seized" from the prime minister, titled "One Hundred Solutions to Childcare." Suddenly, an eunuch's voice came from outside the hall, announcing that Wu Dehai, the chief steward of the Imperial Household Department, was requesting an audience.
"Summon." Xiao Che replied indifferently without even looking up.
Soon, Wu Dehai, a slightly overweight man in his fifties, led several young eunuchs in, bowing and smiling broadly. In their hands, they carefully carried some things wrapped tightly in bright yellow brocade.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness." Wu Dehai's voice was full of joy. "Your Majesty, according to the rules passed down from our ancestors, before the birth of a royal heir, some of Your Majesty's old belongings from your childhood must be brought out. This is to symbolize the continuation of the bloodline and also to pray for the little prince's well-being, hoping that he will be as intelligent and healthy as Your Majesty, and enjoy lasting blessings."
As he spoke, he waved his hand, and the eunuchs behind him presented the items they were carrying one by one, carefully uncovering the brocade on them.
The first thing that catches the eye is a small and exquisite cradle. The cradle is made entirely of the finest sandalwood. Although it is old, it is very well maintained. The wood is warm and smooth, and the dragon patterns carved on it are still lifelike, exuding a profound sense of history and royal majesty.
Next came several neatly folded baby clothes. They were swaddling clothes and undershirts made of the softest satin, slightly faded from washing, but the small dragon patterns embroidered with gold thread still shimmered softly in the sunlight.
Pointing to these items, Wu Dehai's face was filled with pride as he introduced them: "Your Majesty, look, this cradle is where you slept back then. And these little clothes were all sewn for you stitch by stitch by the best embroiderers in the palace. These are all treasures imbued with Your Majesty's imperial aura, and it couldn't be more auspicious for the future prince to use!"
Looking at these little things that bear the marks of time, Lin Wanwan couldn't help but feel a warmth in her heart. She could even imagine how adorable Xiao Che must have looked as a baby, sleeping in this tiny cradle and wearing these little clothes.
This sense of ritual in passing on bloodlines is heartwarming and touching.
She turned her head to see Xiao Che's reaction, assuming he would show the same nostalgic and tender expression as she did.
However, what she saw was something she had never expected.
The smile on Xiao Che's face had frozen completely at some point.
His deep phoenix eyes stared intently at those so-called "treasures," and his originally gentle gaze gradually turned cold.
The temperature in the entire bedchamber seemed to drop by more than ten degrees in that instant.
Wu Dehai was still eloquently introducing the "glorious history" of these old objects, completely unaware that beside the dragon throne, an active volcano was about to erupt.
"Your Majesty, these things have been washed and scented by your servants; they are absolutely clean. Would you like to send them to the nursery now?" he asked expectantly.
Xiao Che remained silent.
His face was as black as the bottom of a pot.
Lin Wanwan's inner alarm bells rang; she knew that expression of his all too well. It was the prelude to his extreme displeasure, an impending outburst. But...why? Was there something wrong with these things?
She subconsciously looked up at the emoji area above his head.
With just one glance, Lin Wanwan instantly understood everything.
There, a gigantic, bright red "[Refuse! .gif]" emoticon dominated the entire screen, bouncing wildly back and forth as if staging a silent, fierce protest!
Below that giant emoji, a line of large characters, also written in blood red, exuded domineering and disdain:
"Why should my son/daughter be secondhand?!"
Lin Wanwan almost couldn't catch her breath.
Second-hand...second-hand?
Looking at the "royal artifacts" on the ground, which were full of historical significance, and then at the line of complaints about modern consumerism above Xiao Che's head, she was at a loss for words.
Finally, under Wu Dehai's expectant gaze, Xiao Che slowly spoke.
His voice was icy cold, devoid of any warmth.
"Wu Dehai".
"This servant...this servant is here!" Wu Dehai was startled by his sudden cold tone.
Xiao Che extended his slender fingers, pointed at the things on the ground, and slowly asked, "Tell me, what... are these?"
"It's...it's something Your Majesty owned when you were young..." Wu Dehai stammered, sweat already beading on his forehead.
"Old things?" Xiao Che sneered, a laugh that made Wu Dehai's heart tremble. "That sounds nice. In my dictionary, there's another way to say those two words."
He paused, then uttered two words, each one distinct and clear, that terrified Wu Dehai:
"Second-hand!"
Before he could finish speaking, he slammed his hand on the armrest and shouted sternly, "My child, the future crown prince of the empire, why should he use things that others have used?! Even if that person is me, it is unacceptable!"
This overwhelming rage finally erupted completely.
Wu Dehai was so frightened that he knelt down with a thud, trembling like a leaf. He couldn't understand why this "inheritance" that symbolized supreme glory had become such a worthless "second-hand item" in His Majesty's mouth!
Xiao Che, however, had completely fallen into his own domineering and childish logic. His possessiveness and competitive spirit were amplified infinitely when it came to his child!
"Issue my decree!" He stood up and paced back and forth in his bedchamber, issuing a series of outrageous orders.
"All baby products must be completely remade for me using the finest materials!"
“A cradle!” He pointed at the innocent rosewood cradle, his eyes filled with disdain. “This kind of wood is unworthy of my child’s sleep? Go! Use that piece of golden nanmu wood that has been stored in the national treasury for a thousand years to make a new one! The biggest! The most magnificent! The dragon and phoenix carvings on it, trimmed with gold and adorned with gemstones!”
"And clothes!" His gaze fell again on the soft satin undergarments. "Tianshan snow silk! It must be the newly tribute snow silk from Tianshan! I want my child to wear the softest and most comfortable clothes in the world from birth!"
"And that!" He seemed to remember something, pointing to an empty space. "A rattle drum! A rattle drum can't be made of ordinary wood! Go! Carve one for me using the largest, flawless piece of Hetian jade from the imperial treasury! Cover the drumhead with... with gold leaf!"
This series of commands was like thunderbolts, striking Wu Dehai and all the palace servants behind him until they were scorched and their souls were scattered.
A cradle made of thousand-year-old golden nanmu wood? A swaddle made of Tianshan snow silkworm silk? A rattle drum carved from Hetian jade?
Your Majesty, you're not raising a child, you're raising a deity! How much... how much will this cost?!
However, Xiao Che's madness was far from over.
After issuing a series of orders that could be described as "wasteful," he even looked down on the palace's top craftsmen!
"These artisans in the palace are crude and lack any innovation; I don't trust them." He frowned, as if dealing with some matter of paramount importance. "Wu Dehai, draft an imperial edict for me immediately!"
"Draft... what decree?" Wu Dehai asked in a trembling voice.
With his hands behind his back, Xiao Che spoke arrogantly in a tone that looked down upon the world: "I hereby issue a decree to recruit the most skilled craftsmen and the most ingenious artists from across the land! Whether they are carpenters, jade carvers, embroiderers, or craftspeople, as long as they are the best in the world, I will take them all!"
"I want them to create a toy that is unique in the world for my child!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Wanwan finally couldn't help but hold her forehead.
She finally understood that this emperor wasn't preparing things for the child; he was clearly using the power of the entire empire to satisfy his own pathetic, laughable, and childish competitive and possessive desires!
Wu Dehai was completely speechless. He mechanically kowtowed, memorizing each of the orders that would have made the Minister of Revenue commit suicide on the spot, and then scrambled out of the room.
Silence returned to the sleeping quarters.
After issuing a series of orders, Xiao Che seemed finally satisfied. He sat back down next to Lin Wanwan, a smug look on his face, as if he had just won a great victory.
Looking at his eager-for-praise expression, Lin Wanwan said helplessly, "Your Majesty, actually... there's no need for such extravagance. Those old items symbolize inheritance and are also a token of our affection..."
"Intentions?" Upon hearing this, Xiao Che immediately interrupted her, his face full of disapproval. He grasped her hand and, with an extremely solemn tone, uttered the "tyrant" declaration that would silence all historians.
"My children must have the best!"
He looked at her, his eyes gleaming with an undeniable light and a pure, domineering fatherly love.
"I want him/her to know this from the moment he/she is born,"
"His/her father is the most powerful person in the whole world!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com