jdhmnovel Chapter 225 Good News for the Family
Chapter 225 Good News for the Family
In the soft light of dawn, the royal palace of the Nanzhao Kingdom was draped in a golden veil. Gu Liuli rose early and, with the help of palace maids, meticulously dressed herself. She wore a light blue brocade robe embroidered with delicate peony patterns, and a white ribbon tied around her waist, which further accentuated her graceful figure.
"Your Majesty, you look radiant today," a palace maid said with a smile.
Gu Liuli's lips curled up slightly, revealing a faint smile: "Is that so? Perhaps you slept soundly last night." Her voice was soft, like a spring breeze, carrying a touch of gentleness.
Just then, a eunuch rushed in, looking slightly excited. He knelt down and reported, "Your Majesty, great news! News has come from Xijing Kingdom that the Crown Prince's Consort, Jia Xiaoyan, has given birth to a prince."
Upon hearing this, Gu Liuli's eyes flashed with surprise, and a bright smile bloomed on her face: "Really? This is truly a wonderful thing." Her voice was full of joy, and her whole being radiated excitement.
“It’s absolutely true, Your Majesty,” the eunuch hurriedly replied.
Gu Liuli stood up and paced back and forth in the hall, her heart filled with joy. "Quickly, go and tell His Majesty this good news, and prepare some congratulatory gifts. I want to send them to Xijing Kingdom," she ordered eagerly.
"Yes, Your Majesty." The eunuch accepted the order and hurriedly withdrew.
Gu Liuli walked to the window, gazing at the scenery outside, her heart filled with countless emotions. "My sister-in-law has finally given birth safely. Now my brother's spirit in heaven can rest in peace," she murmured softly, tears welling in her eyes—tears of joy mixed with longing.
A short while later, Xiao Jingchuan rushed over. He entered the hall with a joyful smile on his face: "Liuli, I heard that your sister-in-law has given birth to a son. This is a great joy for both our Nanzhao Kingdom and Xijing Kingdom."
Gu Liuli stepped forward and nodded, saying, "Yes, Your Majesty. I have already instructed people to prepare congratulatory gifts. They must be the best and sent to Xijing Kingdom."
Xiao Jingchuan grasped Gu Liuli's hand and said, "You've thought of everything. Once the gifts are ready, I will personally select a few capable guards to escort them to Xijing Kingdom, making sure everything goes smoothly."
Gu Liuli nodded slightly, her eyes full of approval: "That's excellent. Your Majesty, I would also like to write a letter to my sister-in-law to express my congratulations and concern."
Xiao Jingchuan smiled and said, "Alright, go ahead and write it. I'll also write a letter to Jiang Liushen to congratulate him on the birth of his son."
Gu Liuli went to her desk, sat down, picked up her pen, thought for a moment, and began to write a letter. Her handwriting was delicate, and her words were filled with care and blessings for Jia Xiaoyan.
"Sister-in-law, I was overjoyed to hear that you had safely given birth to a son. My excitement is beyond words... I wish you and your child all the best. I will definitely visit you when I have the chance..."
After writing the letter, Gu Liuli carefully checked it over. Only after confirming that everything was correct did she carefully fold the letter and put it into the envelope.
Meanwhile, the gifts were almost ready. There were precious jewelry, exquisite silks, and some auspicious jade items. Each gift was carefully selected and filled with Gu Liuli and Xiao Jingchuan's blessings.
"Your Majesty, the congratulatory gifts have been prepared," the eunuch reported respectfully.
Xiao Jingchuan looked at the gifts and nodded in satisfaction: "Excellent, these gifts will surely express our sentiments."
Gu Liuli handed the letter to the eunuch and said, "Send this letter and the congratulatory gift to Xijing Kingdom. Be careful on the way and do not let anything go wrong."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The eunuch took the letter and congratulatory gifts and withdrew.
After the eunuch left, Gu Liuli and Xiao Jingchuan sat facing each other. "Liuli, with your sister-in-law giving birth, the relationship between our Nanzhao Kingdom and Xijing Kingdom will become even closer," Xiao Jingchuan said.
Gu Liuli nodded in agreement: "Yes, this is a good thing for the people of both countries. I hope that the two countries can continue to live in peace and friendship."
Xiao Jingchuan gently grasped Gu Liuli's hand and said, "I am deeply gratified to have you by my side, offering me advice and strategies."
Gu Liuli smiled and said, "Your Majesty flatters me. This is our shared wish; I was merely doing my part."
Then, Gu Liuli thought of Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao and said, "Your Majesty, when the children return, tell them this good news as well. They will be very happy."
Xiao Jingchuan smiled and said, "Okay, once they find out, they'll definitely pester us to go to Xijing Kingdom to see our little brother."
The two looked at each other and smiled, filling the hall with a warm atmosphere.
A few days later, the guards who had gone to Xijing Kingdom returned. They brought back letters from Jiang Liushen and Jia Xiaoyan, as well as some specialties from Xijing Kingdom.
Gu Liuli eagerly opened Jia Xiaoyan's reply and read it carefully. In the letter, Jia Xiaoyan expressed her gratitude to Gu Liuli and shared some interesting stories about the children.
"My dear sister, I was filled with warmth upon receiving your congratulatory gift and letter... The child is healthy and adorable; looking at him every day brings me immense happiness..."
After reading the letter, Gu Liuli's face was filled with a happy smile: "It seems that my sister-in-law and the child are doing well, so I can rest assured."
Xiao Jingchuan also finished reading Jiang Liushen's reply and said, "Jiang Liushen said in the letter that he would invite us to Xijing Kingdom to attend the full moon banquet when the child is one month old."
A hint of anticipation flashed in Gu Liuli's eyes: "That's wonderful! I really want to see my sister-in-law and the child. Your Majesty, we must go then."
Xiao Jingchuan nodded and said, "Of course. We'll go as a family, and the children can get together too."
In the royal palace of the Nanzhao Kingdom, the afternoon sun was warm and gentle, draping the imperial garden in a golden veil. Little Nan Yao, like a joyful little deer, skipped and hopped among the flowers, clutching a freshly picked blossom in her hand, her face beaming with an innocent smile.
"Sister Xiaolian, look how pretty this flower is! I want to give it to Mother." Xiao Nanyao held up the flower in her hand, her eyes sparkling like stars in the night sky.
Xiao Lian followed behind Xiao Nan Yao, smiling as she said, "Your Highness, these flowers are so beautiful. The Empress will surely love them."
Just then, a eunuch hurried over and, upon seeing Xiao Nanyao, immediately bowed respectfully: "Your Highness, the Empress requests your presence in her palace."
Xiao Nanyao blinked and asked curiously, "Sister Xiaolian, what does Mother want to see me about?"
Xiao Lian shook her head, indicating that she didn't know either. Although Xiao Nanyao was full of questions, she still followed the eunuch to the palace. Along the way, her little head kept thinking about various possibilities: was her mother going to buy her new clothes, or was she going to take her to a fun place?
Soon, Xiao Nanyao arrived at the palace. Pushing open the door, she saw Gu Liuli sitting on the couch, a gentle smile on her face.
"Mother, you were looking for me?" Little Nanyao ran over, threw herself into Gu Liuli's arms, and said coquettishly.
Gu Liuli gently hugged Xiao Nanyao, patted her head, and said, "Yao'er, your mother has good news to tell you."
Little Nan Yao raised her head, her eyes wide with anticipation, and asked, "What good news, Mother?"
Gu Liuli smiled and said, "Your aunt, Lady Jia Xiaoyan of Xijing Kingdom, has given birth to a little brother. From now on, you will be the older sister."
Xiao Nanyao paused for a moment, seemingly not fully understanding the meaning of the title "elder sister." She tilted her head, asking in confusion, "Mother, what is an elder sister?"
Gu Liuli patiently explained, "Sister, your job is to take care of your younger siblings, protect them, and play with them. From now on, you will be the closest person to your little brother. You should take care of him just like Mother took care of you."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Nanyao's eyes sparkled with excitement: "Wow, I'm a big sister now! Does that mean I can play house with my little brother and tell him stories?"
Gu Liuli smiled and nodded: "Of course you can. Yao'er is so smart and cute, she'll definitely be a good older sister."
Xiao Nanyao jumped down from Gu Liuli's arms, spun around the room a few times, and said happily, "I'm going to be a big sister! I'm going to be a big sister! I'm going to give my favorite doll to my little brother and take him to the Imperial Garden to see the rabbits."
As she spoke, Xiao Nanyao suddenly stopped and asked earnestly, "Mother, when will my little brother come to our house? I really want to see him soon."
Gu Liuli smiled and said, "When your little brother turns one month old, we'll go to Xijing Kingdom to see him. Then you'll be able to meet him."
Little Nanyao clapped her hands excitedly and said, "Great! Great! I'm going to prepare lots and lots of gifts for my little brother."
At this moment, Xiao Nanyi also entered the palace. Hearing Xiao Nanyao's words, he smiled and said, "Yao'er, you're going to be a big sister now, so you can't be as naughty as before."
Xiao Nanyao pouted and said, "I won't be naughty. I'll take care of my little brother in the future, and I won't let him cry."
Xiao Nanyi patted Xiao Nanyao's head and said, "Okay, then let's take care of our little brother together, okay?"
Xiao Nanyao nodded vigorously: "Okay, okay, brother, let's be good older brothers and sisters to our little brother together."
Looking at the two children's innocent and adorable appearance, Gu Liuli felt gratified. She said to Xiao Nanyao, "Yao'er, being a big sister isn't just about playing. Sometimes your little brother will cry and throw a tantrum. You have to be patient and comfort him. Don't rush him."
Xiao Nanyao nodded earnestly: "Mother, I understand. I will be very patient. I will also teach my little brother to sing and dance, and introduce him to every flower in the palace."
Xiao Nanyi added from the side, "I will teach my little brother to ride horses and shoot arrows, so that he can be as brave as me."
Gu Liuli smiled and said, "You are all good children. When we go to Xijing Kingdom, we must take good care of our little brother so that Aunt and Uncle can rest assured."
Xiao Nanyao suddenly remembered something, and took Gu Liuli's hand to ask, "Mother, can I ask my little brother to call me sister from now on?"
Gu Liuli smiled and said, "Of course you can. Once your little brother learns to talk, he'll definitely call you 'sister' sweetly."
Little Nanyao imagined her little brother calling her "sister" in his sweet, childish voice, and a happy smile spread across her face. She ran to her room, took out all her toys, and began to choose a gift for her little brother.
"This little wooden horse, little brothers will definitely like it, and this rattle drum, it's so much fun to shake." Xiao Nanyao said to herself as she picked things out.
Xiao Lian watched from the side and said with a smile, "Your Highness, you are so kind to your little brother."
Xiao Nanyao raised her head and said earnestly, "I'm the older sister, of course I should be good to my little brother. Sister Xiaolian, do you think my little brother will like these gifts?"
Xiao Lian said, "The little brother will definitely like it. Her Highness always chooses such wonderful gifts."
Xiao Nanyao carefully put the selected gifts together, wrapped them up, and then said to Gu Liuli, "Mother, when we go to Xijing Kingdom, I will give these gifts to my little brother."
Looking at Xiao Nanyao, Gu Liuli was deeply moved: "Yao'er, you are such a thoughtful and kind older sister."
Xiao Nanyao smiled happily; she couldn't wait to meet her little brother and begin her "older sister journey."