jdhmnovel Chapter 603: Naming the Twins
Chapter 603: Naming the Twins
The old Hanlin led a group of people to the Yangxin Palace in a grand manner, which was unprecedented in the years since the emperor ascended the throne.
There were palace maids on duty in the Shangshufang when the two sides were fighting. When other palace maids on the road saw what was happening, they naturally went to the Shangshufang to inquire a few questions.
As soon as the sun rose, Cui Jinxi told Zhen Huan the story of the fight between the three princes and the clan members in the Shangshufang as a joke.
"Master, when I went to the kitchen to get food, I heard from the servants that a big incident happened in the Shangshufang yesterday. Three princes had a fight with their relatives. The Sixth Prince had a cut on his mouth and his speech was lisp; the Eighth Prince was blinded in one eye and wore an eye patch; the slow-witted Seventh Prince had a facial injury. The opponent's attack was so brutal that he couldn't speak clearly and could only cry in the Yangxin Palace."
"Because the two...three princes were severely injured, the Emperor had Su Peisheng summon the leaders of the other clan members involved in the brawl to the Yangxin Palace. He berated them for over two hours before he finally stopped."
Zhen Huan, who was holding her daughter, frowned and spoke in confusion.
"Jinxi, the Emperor is always calm and composed. How could he be so enraged over a mere brawl? But what's the hidden story behind this?"
"Master, you are wise. I have heard from Xiao Xiazi in the Yangxin Palace that the Emperor suspects the rebels are still determined to stop and are secretly sowing discord between the princes and the clan members. Not only did he send Su Peisheng to investigate, he also asked the Imperial Concubine to check the harem."
When Cui Jinxi talked about this news, the worry on her face flashed away.
After all these years, they have very few people left. If they are unfortunately implicated this time, it may affect their future plans.
She took advantage of Zhen Huan's deep thought and spoke gently.
"Master, I think this is a great opportunity for you. The three princes have caused trouble, and the emperor is feeling very upset. The nurse said that our prince and princess have been changing every day for the past two weeks, so it's a good opportunity for the emperor to come and see them. Perhaps the emperor will be so happy to see these well-behaved and sensible young masters that he will agree to overturn the verdict on the master's behalf."
"You're right. Clear-boiled pear soup will cool you down. Have the kitchen prepare a bowl of it, and you can bring it to the Yangxin Palace for me."
Zhen Huan paused and added.
"Sister Mei has been bedridden since her child's death. Even after her confinement, she hasn't come out to walk around. Ask the kitchen to make a dish of yam and jujube paste cake, and have Baizhi deliver it when the time comes."
The emperor, thinking of Shen Meizhuang's loss of her child, specially allowed Madam Shen to spend the New Year with her in the palace.
After Mrs. Shen left the palace, the gate of Yonghe Palace was rarely opened.
Whenever Zhen Huan saw her youngest daughter, she couldn't help but think of Longyue who lived in Yonghe Palace.
If Sister Mei is devastated, what will happen to her eldest daughter who she raised in her care?
Cui Jinxi often whispered in her ear that the little prince was the child given to her by God.
But when she thought about the fact that this child had taken up her place, a position she had never even seen, Zhen Huan felt as if there was something between them.
She didn't believe that this child would protect her two daughters in the future.
Zhen Huan's eyes moved, and she felt more at ease if she could find a way to bring Huanbi's Ninth Prince to her lap and raise him.
"Jinxi, have you received any letters from home recently?"
Cui Jinxi smiled and said, "Your Majesty, the Master and the Second Miss have both written you a letter, but the light in this room is a little dim, so I'd like to wait until it's brighter so you can see it more clearly."
"The room is dimly lit, so just light a few more white candles. I remember the Ministry of Internal Affairs sent a lot of things over, so go get them quickly and bring the family letters as well."
Zhen Huan had no one to confide in her sorrow, and only the letters from her father and sister could provide her with some comfort.
Her father's letter continued to show his care for her and gave her subtle reminders on some important matters.
In her letters, her younger sister told her about various interesting things at home and in the capital to make her happy.
After reading it, Zhen Huan softly told her younger daughter her sister's belief.
"This is a letter from your aunt, your most beloved sister. In a few days, I will send someone to bring her to the palace to meet you."
The pure eyes of the child in her arms are exactly the same as her sister's when she was a child.
Whenever she saw this child, Zhen Huan remembered her mother's instructions to find a good man who could protect her sister.
The pear soup sent from Zhongcui Palace was so sweet that it touched people's hearts. After the emperor had almost finished handling his government affairs, he came to visit the twins.
"Concubine, please pay your respects to the Emperor!"
"You are still in confinement, so please don't bother with these formalities."
The emperor gave Zhen Huan a fake support but did not move forward.
"I've had some free time today, so I've chosen names for the children. Little Nine and Little Ten have already been named, and I've chosen 'Yang' for Little Eleven. What do you think?"
"Hongyang, this name is very good, implying openness and honesty. This is also what I hope for in a child."
Zhen Huan said with a smile, then turned and gave instructions to Cui Jinxi.
"Go and bring the prince and princess to the emperor for a look."
She never mentioned the ranking.
A moment later, Cui Jinxi and the wet nurse appeared holding the child.
Since Cui Jinxi was walking in front, the emperor took it casually.
"This child looks a little older, but is he the Eleventh Prince?"
"Your Majesty, it is the Eleventh Prince."
Cui Jinxi, who had just taken the princess from the nanny's arms, replied respectfully.
Zhen Huan transferred all her guilt towards the other child onto the princess, and she would hug the princess and talk to her every day.
Cui Jinxi was afraid that her master would have an opinion about what she had just done, so she placed the child in her arms.
"My Lady, the little princess opened her eyes the moment she saw you. She knew you were here and she was so happy."
"She's only half a month old, what can she know? You're just trying to make me happy."
Although Zhen Huan said this, her eyes looking at the child were softer.
The emperor looked over from the side and was in a trance for a moment.
When he entered the main house, Rouze was caressing her bulging belly with a loving look on her face.
If she gave birth safely, their child should...
At this time, Hongyang in his arms cried loudly, bringing the emperor's thoughts back.
"What happened to the Eleventh Prince?"
The nanny stepped forward, took the child, and explained in a low voice.
"Your Majesty, the baby, who is only two weeks old, is crying because he is wet and hungry."
"Please allow me to take a look at you, brother."
"Mammy, Hongyang is a very sleepy child. Please take him back home."
Zhen Huan gave the emperor an apologetic smile, "It's almost time for Hongyang to rest. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
"It's okay. We've already checked on the child."
The emperor took the teacup handed to him by Cui Jinxi.
"Brother has already got a name, so we can't favor one over the other. Concubine Zhen, it's up to you to decide the title of our princess, so please think carefully about it."
"Thank you very much, Your Majesty, for your grace."
Zhen Huan gently touched the tender face of the child in her arms.
"When I saw Silang on Lingyun Peak, I knew that you, like Huan'er, had never forgotten each other. I have a strong character, and fortunately, the emperor did not abandon me. This is a great blessing."
"'I may not have the wings of a phoenix, but our hearts are connected by a single thought.' This line of poetry has often come to my mind. The princess's title should be Lingxi. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
"Lingxi, we have a spiritual connection. Huan'er is a wonderful name. You and I have a spiritual connection for many years. Our daughter will be named Princess Lingxi."
The emperor clapped his hands and told the good news with a smile.
"I have few children, and I informed the ancestor yesterday when I started writing. The princess will be raised in the harem before she gets married. Hongyang will move to the prince's residence in the future. With Lingxi by your side, you won't be too lonely."
"Thank you very much for your grace, Your Majesty."
Zhen Huan hugged her daughter again to express her gratitude.
Royal princesses were destined to marry into a foreign kingdom from the moment they were born, and successive emperors generally treated the princesses well.
There is no clear rule on whether the princess should be raised by her biological mother. Now that the emperor has spoken, Lingxi can stay by her side.
"Huan'er, I've long told you that you don't have to say 'thank you' all the time."
The emperor always felt that Concubine Zhen seemed to be a little colder towards her after returning to the palace.
But he was busy with political affairs, and accidents happened one after another in the harem, so he had no time to accompany her.
Zhen Huan explained with a smile.
"Silang, Huan'er knows what you're thinking, but the palace rules cannot be abolished. As a concubine, Huan'er cannot do anything that would embarrass you."
"You are also considerate."
The emperor leaned closer and fiddled with Lingxi's clasped hands until his daughter's mouth opened slightly, then he reluctantly withdrew his hand.
"I came here today for another matter. February 1st is the full moon day for Hongyang and Lingxi. However, I need to leave the palace for spring plowing, and you are still in confinement. I'm thinking of putting the full moon banquet on hold for now and holding a hundred-day banquet later. What do you think?"
"I thank Your Majesty for your consideration. I will obey Your Majesty."
Whether it is a full moon or a hundred-day banquet, Yunli, who is in mourning for Concubine Shu, cannot attend. It makes no difference to Zhen Huan.
Seeing how obedient she was, the emperor felt a trace of guilt.
"Huan'er, Hongyang and Lingxi's hundred-day banquet is a great joyous occasion. I have granted your family permission to visit them in the palace. I will send Su Peisheng to inform the Imperial Concubine later."
"I remember that the last time I visited the palace, it was your mother and sister. Are you visiting them again this time?"
"Your Majesty, it is my mother and sister who are entering the palace this time. However, the Zhen family is guilty, and it is not appropriate for my mother and sister to appear in public. I would like them to enter the palace a few days earlier or later."
Zhen Huan looked at the emperor with gratitude.
"You have done me a great favor by sending people to Ningguta to bring my family back. I don't want to embarrass you."
"Your mother and sister are guests I invited into the palace. Why can't they show themselves in public?"
The emperor tilted his head and gave orders in front of Zhen Huan.
"Su Peisheng, send someone to the Zhen Mansion to convey my order, allowing Madam Zhen and her daughter to enter the palace to attend the prince and princess's hundred-day banquet."
"Yes, I will go and deliver the message right now."
It was basically a lucrative job for the eunuchs in the palace to convey imperial decrees outside. Su Peisheng thought about it and decided that this time it was Xiao Dongzi's turn.
So he asked Xiao Xiazi to go back to the Yangxin Palace to inform people.
The emperor is doing this to save face for her natal family, which is exactly what Zhen Huan wants.
She just felt sorry that the emperor didn't respond to her, otherwise she could continue to plead for her family.