Chapter 120

Chapter 120 Although the original owner of this body and Fang Huaian had mutual feelings for each other, they had not overstepped any boundaries. Even the handkerchief she gave him was not embroidered by her own hand. There were only a few letters discussing poetry and prose, and nothing inappropriate was written in them. It was the purest kind of affection between a young man and a young woman. The Xie and Fang families had been neighbors for decades. As long as Xie Run insisted that she had only sought Fang Huaian's guidance because she didn't understand poetry as a child, would Prince Jing really send someone a thousand li away to compare her childhood handwriting? Xie Run was extremely grateful that the original owner's handwriting had been consistently ugly. While the delivery room was in turmoil, someone had already gone outside to report the good news to the Princess Consort. "Reporting to the Princess Consort, Concubine Xie has given birth to a young master, weighing seven jin and three liang, and he is very healthy!" The Princess Consort finally breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, a healthy child had been born in this household! She could hear the baby's cries from the main hall—strong and vigorous, clearly the sound of a healthy child. Before Prince Jing even returned, the Princess Consort waved her hand generously. "Rewards! Everyone in Spring Mountain Court gets rewards!" "We servants thank the Princess Consort for her generosity!" In an instant, Spring Mountain Court was filled with joy and celebration. The Princess Consort also went to see the child and was delighted to find him healthy. She thought to herself that Concubine Xie was truly blessed. Four children had been born in the household recently, but only hers had been born healthy. With that kind of fortune, it was no wonder Prince Jing doted on her. She deserved the rewards! Prince Jing didn't return from the palace until the hour of Hai, when the sky was already dark. On the way, he heard that Xie Run had given birth to a healthy young master, and the joy on his face was impossible to suppress. He didn't even go to the Princess Consort's Green Pine Court—he came straight to Spring Mountain Court. As soon as he entered the gates of Spring Mountain Court, a maidservant happily congratulated him. "Congratulations, Prince! Congratulations, Prince!" Eunuch Shian followed behind, grinning from ear to ear, and acted as Prince Jing's mouthpiece: "I hear our Fifth Young Master has a loud cry and is very healthy?" "Indeed! We servants could hear Fifth Young Master's cries even from beyond the second gate." "The midwife said his arms are especially strong—it takes two midwives together to bathe him." Prince Jing was overjoyed, his steps brisk as he said to Shian, "Reward those who answered!" Those who received rewards were beaming with joy, while those who didn't cursed their own slow tongues for missing the opportunity. Xie Run had already changed her clothes and was wearing a headband embroidered by Dantao, lying in bed looking at the child. A newborn baby is small and wrinkled, not particularly good-looking. But looking at this child, Xie Run felt a warmth in her heart. She didn't even feel tired anymore. Heavy footsteps sounded from outside the bedchamber, and Xie Run guessed that Prince Jing had arrived. Sure enough, she heard the maidservants greeting him. Moments later, she saw Prince Jing stride in, his stern face filled with joy. "Prince?" Xie Run feigned surprise, her eyes instantly reddening around the rims. She asked softly, "You've finally come." Having just gone through childbirth, Xie Run was not disheveled—her features remained delicate and charming, though tinged with a hint of pale weakness. Her eyes reddening was like Xi Shi clutching her heart—even more pitiable and endearing. No matter how cold and hard Prince Jing's heart was, it couldn't help but soften at this moment. "You have rendered meritorious service in childbirth. I have noted it." "Rest well, and there will be benefits for you in the future." Although Prince Jing hadn't promised Xie Run anything specific, she was quite satisfied. At the very least, Prince Jing was willing to say these words to her. Xie Run tugged at the corner of her mouth and smiled. "Then this concubine will remember that firmly. When the opportunity arises in the future, I shall ask you for a reward." "Then you'd better remember it well. If you forget on your own, I won't remind you." Xie Run's smile grew even gentler. While speaking, Prince Jing hadn't approached the bed, standing by the brazier to warm himself and dispel the chill from his body. Occasionally, he stole a glance at the little one beside Xie Run. Only after confirming that the cold had left his body did he sit down by the bedside. "On the way here, I was thinking about naming the child. Many good names crossed my mind." "But now that I actually see you and your son, I can't think of a single one." Xie Run smiled. "If you can't think of one right away, Prince, take your time. There's no rush." "His two older brothers don't have names yet either, so it wouldn't be proper to name him before his elder brothers." Prince Jing furrowed his brow. "You're too concerned with propriety." Xie Run smiled but said nothing. If she truly disregarded propriety, she would become the next Consort Ning, or the next Jiang Baobao. Although Prince Jing was somewhat aloof, he was also someone who could listen to reason. He didn't dwell on the naming matter and instead took out a small, exquisite longevity lock. He glanced at Xie Run. "The other two have them prepared as well." Xie Run: "..." She couldn't help but burst out laughing. "So the Prince still holds a grudge." But her laughter was too vigorous and pulled at her wounds. Prince Jing was startled and immediately moved to call for someone. Xie Run quickly stopped him. "This concubine is fine—just don't make me laugh anymore, Prince." Prince Jing said with a straight face, "When did I ever make you laugh?" "The Prince didn't. It's all this concubine's own doing for loving to laugh. I brought it upon myself." Xie Run sighed and shook her head, looking at Prince Jing with a helpless expression. Prince Jing's tone softened, and he said lightly, "It's a good thing to love laughing. I just hope our child will also be one who loves to laugh in the future." As he spoke, Prince Jing's demeanor grew somewhat heavy. "I still have two more longevity locks in my possession, but I dare not take them out, for fear they might suppress their souls." At that time, there was a saying that if a child was too weak, their soul could be crushed by a longevity lock. Only healthy children would be given a longevity lock to wear from birth. In the end, Prince Jing was still afraid that those two children might not grow up. Xie Run said softly, "Though I haven't visited the young masters and commandery princesses this past month, I know they have all been growing up gradually." "For little children, being able to eat and sleep well is a good thing." Prince Jing was not comforted and still furrowed his brows. "Duanjing and Zhuangzhuang are fine, but the fourth one..." Whenever he thought of the Fourth Young Master's sickly appearance, Concubine An's timid and cowering figure would involuntarily surface in Prince Jing's mind. Although he did not dote on Concubine An, he had asked the Princess Consort to look after her ever since she became pregnant. He also frequently reminded the various quarters not to let her courtyard lack anything. Prince Jing believed he had never treated her poorly. Who would have thought she would be so incapable of standing firm! Others prayed and longed for children but could not have them, yet she managed to give birth to two with great difficulty—and could not raise either of them well! And his household had no one else who could raise the children. The Princess Consort had already raised Duanjing, and the other Concubine Consorts were either pregnant or had just given birth. He could hardly take Concubine An's children and give them to other concubines to raise. There was no such precedent. Besides, between Concubine Lu and Concubine Wan, which of them was worthy of raising his children?