Chapter 286: Grand Finale: Nine

Grand Finale: Nine

In the first year of Xingning, on the night of the fifteenth day of the first month, Nie Jinxuan gave birth to a son.

Upon hearing the news, the entire court and public cheered. Not long after the little prince's full-month celebration, Duke of Qi Qiu Mubai returned to the capital with his troops, and then, in less than half a month, Yin Fengzhan announced the establishment of the Empress!

Regarding this news, the entire Eastern Ling, from the imperial court down to the common people, did not take it to heart! Although Nie Jinxuan was the daughter of the former traitor Nie Wenhao, her reputation among the people was very good, even reaching the level of legend. Therefore, whether it was the common people in the market or the officials in the court, there was no objection!

Anyway, she was already the predetermined one, and now that the child had been born, who would dare to touch this eyebrow?! That would be purely seeking death!

The ceremony for establishing the Empress was set for the fifth day of the fourth month, which was a beautiful time of spring. So, once this date was set, everyone looked forward to it. The Ministry of Rites knew how much Yin Fengzhan valued Nie Jinxuan, so as soon as the news came down, they immediately began to arrange it without stopping, fearing that if something went wrong, it wouldn't be as simple as losing their official positions!

You must know that back then, that Western Di princess, just because she had thoughts of harming the new Empress, even though she didn't succeed, was still subjected to death by a thousand cuts, and it was done on the spot! That was a Western Di princess, and in front of their State Preceptor, she was carved up like that. Goodness~, that was a real knife! Compared to that Western Di princess, what were they?! If they caused trouble...

Everyone's thoughts were the same. After all, there was no way around it; the scene of that death by a thousand cuts at the state banquet was truly too terrifying! That screaming was really...

Therefore, now in the entire Eastern Ling, as long as they heard that the matters ordered from above were related to the new Empress, everyone didn't even dare to let out a fart and worked diligently. It was even said in official circles: one could commit a crime, but one must never provoke the Empress's business!

The Ministry of Rites was busy, and at the same time, the inner palace was not quiet either. For a time, inside and outside the imperial palace, it was bustling with activity!

It was just that while they were busy, it was only those officials and workers who were busy. As for the masters like Noble Consort Zhang, they were still very leisurely. Plus, Nie Jinxuan had given birth to a little prince, which made everyone even happier. So, once Nie Jinxuan finished her confinement, whenever they had time, everyone would flock to Yongle Palace to make a fuss.

"Yo~, hurry, hurry, let me take a look, see if our treasure is being good today~"

In Yongle Palace, as soon as Noble Consort Zhang entered the door, she vied to see the child. At this time, Jin Jingwen, Qiu Pingting, and the Duchess of Qi were talking to Nie Jinxuan while teasing the child. Hearing this, they were not stingy and directly let Shui Yun carry the child over for Noble Consort Zhang to see.

After so many years, there was finally a child in the palace, and a little prince at that, so he was naturally loved endlessly. And this child was also likable; although there were always people coming to look at him, he was not at all shy, blinking his eyes obediently, and wouldn't always cry, which naturally made people love him even more.

So, as soon as she took the child, Noble Consort Zhang laughed from ear to ear.

"Oh my, look at this child, he is truly well-behaved, just looking at him makes people like him!"

I don't know if it was because she was getting older, but anyway, every day Noble Consort Zhang came over, she had to say this a few times to be satisfied. So, as soon as her words fell, Consort Li, who had come with her, couldn't help but complain:

"Alright, every time you come, it's these few sentences, I don't know why you don't change them... Come, come, let me hold him too~! Yo, this little darling, he's truly beautiful~! Even our Jingyun wasn't this good-looking when he was little~! When he grows up, he'll be extraordinary~!"

With less of the backstabbing of the past, Consort Li had now recovered her straightforward nature. Being complained about by Consort Li to her face, Noble Consort Zhang didn't get angry. She raised her hand to tease the child again, and seeing the little guy laughing and blowing bubbles, Noble Consort Zhang laughed uncontrollably. Then, Noble Consort Zhang turned and came to sit beside Nie Jinxuan.

"Hehe~, good, good, good, truly good! Jinxuan, it was hard on you too~! But speaking of which, you were really smooth when you gave birth. I heard the news and rushed over, and not long after I arrived, you had already given birth... Sigh, you know, when I gave birth to Xuan'er, I wasn't that quick! It took a full three hours, and that was considered smooth! I didn't expect it to be even smoother for you~!"

Now, Noble Consort Zhang treated Nie Jinxuan like her own daughter. Plus, there was no one else in the palace, and now that she had given birth to a royal heir, Noble Consort Zhang was even closer to Nie Jinxuan than before! Even her way of speaking was not as particular as it used to be! At this time, as soon as Noble Consort Zhang's voice fell, the Duchess of Qi, who had similar experiences, also nodded repeatedly.

"Hmm, the Dowager Consort is right. Thinking back, when I gave birth to our Zheng'er for the first time, I suffered quite a bit. Counting it all up, it took a whole night before it was over! The suffering I went through at that time, don't even mention it!"

For ancient women, giving birth was a hurdle; it was the same whether you were a commoner or a palace noble. Hearing the two experienced older women say this, Qiu Pingting immediately raised her little chin and chimed in:

"Oh my, Mother! That's why I say Sister Xuan is amazing~! Before, you all said that when Sister Xuan was pregnant, she couldn't eat this or that, and said she couldn't get tired, but what happened? So, Sister Xuan's words still make sense!"

"You girl, stop being glib! You're a fence-sitter, as if you didn't say that back then!"

Regarding Noble Consort Zhang and the others, the Duchess of Qi didn't dare to be too presumptuous, but she wouldn't be soft-spoken to her own daughter. Watching the mother and daughter bicker, everyone was amused. Then, Nie Jinxuan chimed in:

"Actually, it's just a simple principle. The imperial physicians in the Imperial Hospital also know it, but everyone thinks that when pregnant, one should eat more and move less, and as a result, good intentions lead to bad outcomes~!"

Although Nie Jinxuan was a forensic doctor in her previous life, she understood simple medical principles! Plus, she understood her own physical condition, so she was very confident when acting. If she were frail herself, she wouldn't dare to move around recklessly!

"So that's why, Jinxuan, you know the most! But speaking of which, back then because of this matter, it seemed like Zhan'er was scared half to death..."

Noble Consort Zhang took the lead to talk about Yin Fengzhan. Hearing this, everyone opened their chatterboxes, and even Consort Li sat over holding the child.

"Oh my, what's nervousness? I heard that it was even more lively when the Empress was giving birth! They said the Emperor was so anxious that, in just that short while, he almost rushed into the room and strangled those midwives and palace maids!"

"Sigh, isn't that so! You came late, you didn't see the situation at that time. If it weren't for me grabbing him, if it were someone else, he would have slapped them to death directly!"

At the time when Nie Jinxuan gave birth on the night of the Lantern Festival, Noble Consort Zhang was the first to arrive. Because Nie Jinxuan's birth was smooth, by the time Consort Li and the others heard the news and ran over, it was already over. Therefore, they naturally didn't see Yin Fengzhan's near-out-of-control state at that time!

Noble Consort Zhang was not a gossipy person, but this matter was truly too funny. So, at this moment, it was no wonder she shared it with everyone.

"And, let me tell you all, that's not even all! Jinxuan gave birth quickly, and in a little while, we heard the child cry. And when he cried, guess what? The Emperor was stunned!"

"Ah? Really?"

"Isn't it true? Could I lie about this?! Then, when the palace servant came out to pass the message that a little prince had been born, I was also happy. But as it turned out, I didn't hold the Emperor back, and the Emperor rushed in! At that time, I thought, this must be because he heard a prince was born and was overly happy. If he didn't know his own strength and held the child, what if he hurt the child? So I quickly followed him in. But I didn't expect that after rushing in, the Emperor didn't even look at the child once and went straight to the Empress's side!"

Noble Consort Zhang spoke vividly. Hearing that this had happened that night, everyone present laughed uncontrollably.

"Hahaha, is that true? Dowager Consort, this is... this is too exaggerated!"

"That's right, Dowager Consort, how could he not even look at the child once?"

Qiu Pingting and Jin Jingwen laughed until their bellies hurt, but they couldn't help but chime in and ask. Hearing this, Noble Consort Zhang waved her hand.

"Oh my, how would I know?! But I saw it with my own eyes! He really didn't look even once. If you don't believe me, ask Jinxuan!"

Hearing Noble Consort Zhang throw the question to her, Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but smile helplessly, then couldn't help but sigh.

"Alright, stop talking! I didn't notice at the time, but it seems that was indeed the case... However, don't talk about it being smooth. Even so, he wasn't satisfied! He said that if it had been any later that day, he wouldn't have been able to stand it. He even said that since there was already one, he wouldn't have any more!"

Speaking of this, Nie Jinxuan felt angry. The first birth took only half an hour, which was just over an hour. She, the one giving birth, hadn't felt anything yet, but he was complaining that he couldn't stand it. What kind of thing was that?!

Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but pout. Seeing this, it led to another burst of laughter. After laughing, Noble Consort Zhang composed her expression and looked at Nie Jinxuan, saying:

"Alright, in any case, this also shows that Zhan'er cares about you. Otherwise, if it were someone else, they wouldn't be like this! But Jinxuan, speaking of which, the child doesn't have a name yet, right? Did Zhan'er not find time to bestow one?"

"I told Fengzhan, he was too lazy to think and said he would let me decide! But before I could think of one, the Fifth Imperial Uncle jumped out and said he would name him, saying this was the current legitimate eldest son of the royal family and it couldn't be taken lightly!"

Actually, regarding the name, Nie Jinxuan and Yin Fengzhan were quite open-minded. It was just unexpected that at this time, the Fifth Imperial Uncle would suddenly pop out and take on this task!

What worried Nie Jinxuan was that this had been mentioned for a while, and now that the child was over two months old, the Fifth Imperial Uncle still hadn't come up with a name!

Sigh, Nie Jinxuan really didn't know how naming a child could waste two months! Plus, although she was the predetermined Empress, she was ultimately a junior in front of the Fifth Imperial Uncle, so she naturally couldn't take the initiative to ask.

Nie Jinxuan wasn't really complaining, she just felt that the Fifth Imperial Uncle was indeed as unreliable as others said. Hearing this, Consort Li suddenly realized and said:

"Oh my, no wonder I heard Fengjin say a while ago that the Fifth Imperial Uncle was suddenly reading books. At that time, I thought it was strange, thinking he was flipping through books to name his grand-nephew!"

"Hahaha~"

Consort Li's words led to a burst of laughter from everyone. But it was true; the young ones present didn't know, but those who were older knew clearly that back then, the Fifth Imperial Uncle was famous in the royal family for being unreliable and untrustworthy, even more so than the current Prince Gong, Yin Fengxuan! It was just that now that he was older, he was a bit more honest, but his roots were there after all. Now that he had done this, it was not surprising!

Just like that, a group of women laughed for a long time. But the Fifth Imperial Uncle was an elder after all, so after saying a few funny things, that was the end of it. Then, Noble Consort Zhang and the Duchess of Qi asked about Nie Jinxuan's health, and Nie Jinxuan answered them one by one.

After making a fuss for most of the day, finally, as it was nearing noon, everyone left one after another. Soon after, Yin Fengzhan walked in from outside.

Nowadays, no matter how busy Yin Fengzhan was, he would eat all three meals a day with Nie Jinxuan. The people in the palace knew the rules, so they had prepared everything early. As soon as he entered the door, Yin Fengzhan was not in a hurry; he first looked at Nie Jinxuan, then sat in the seat beside her.

"Did Aunt and the others come again?"

"Hmm, we talked for a while."

While responding, Nie Jinxuan took the child from the palace maid, dismissed the palace servants, and walked behind the screen to breastfeed the child herself. Seeing Nie Jinxuan go over, Yin Fengzhan also stood up and followed. Seeing Nie Jinxuan holding the child and breastfeeding, Yin Fengzhan couldn't help but have a strange look on his face.

"Isn't there a wet nurse?"

"Breastfeeding is good."

"......"

Yin Fengzhan didn't say anything. Although he didn't say anything, Nie Jinxuan knew his thoughts, so she rolled her eyes at him.

"This is your son, not someone else's! Why are you always at odds with him?"

Nie Jinxuan felt sorry for her son, but Yin Fengzhan had little enthusiasm for his son, which made Nie Jinxuan very angry. At this moment, hearing Nie Jinxuan say this, Yin Fengzhan didn't say anything. He lowered his eyes and looked at his son, who was drinking milk happily. After a moment, he muttered:

"Troublemaker!"

"Hmm? What did you say?"

"Nothing!"

Saying this casually, Yin Fengzhan glared at his son again. Seeing him blinking at him while drinking milk, Yin Fengzhan pursed his lips, then turned and walked out directly.

Days passed one by one. Later, on the fifth day of the fourth month, the ceremony for establishing the Empress was held as scheduled, and Nie Jinxuan finally became the mother of the nation of Eastern Ling in a legitimate way.

And just a few days after the ceremony, news finally came that the Prince and Princess Xuan of Tiancheng would arrive in the capital in ten days.

Hearing this news, Yin Fengzhan didn't have much of a reaction, but Nie Jinxuan was very happy. But while happy, she also suddenly understood why the Prince and Princess Xuan had said they had set off long ago but hadn't arrived yet, and now that the ceremony was over, the news came... It turned out they were waiting for Yin Fengzhan to give her a title!

After all, although she and Yin Fengzhan were together back then, it was ultimately not a proper relationship. They had waited for over twenty years, so there was no reason for them not to see her, and they had sent letters before. So if Yin Fengzhan had never given her a title, then Princess Xuan would probably have come privately. But now that her title was proper, they would come together as a couple.

Clearly, this was to support her! Thinking of this, Nie Jinxuan felt even more favorable toward Princess Xuan.

In the fifth month, the spring breeze was bright, and the flowers were in full bloom; it was the best time of the year.

Today was the day the Prince and Princess Xuan entered the palace. This time, the Prince and Princess Xuan were not coming for state affairs, but for a private visit. But even so, Nie Jinxuan still attached great importance to it. She got up early and began to direct the palace servants to decorate.

When everything was ready, Yin Fengzhan also came over. Soon after, they heard the eunuch outside announce in a loud voice:

"Prince Xuan and Princess Xuan of Tiancheng have arrived."

At this moment, Nie Jinxuan was a bit nervous. Hearing the eunuch's announcement, Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but raise her eyes, but the moment she saw the people coming, Nie Jinxuan was stunned.

To create an atmosphere, Nie Jinxuan had specifically chosen the Imperial Garden to welcome the Prince and Princess Xuan. At this moment, it was the fifth month, and the flowers were in full bloom, with the air filled with intoxicating floral fragrance. The bright sunlight fell, brilliant but not as hot as in summer, and the rockeries and clear pools nearby revealed a picturesque scenery...

Under such charming scenery, on the other side of the red carpet, two figures walked slowly.

The two moved harmoniously and elegantly. As they slowly approached, one could see the man had sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes, with peerless features, and his slightly smiling eyes revealed a mesmerizing brilliance. He wore a dark purple brocade python robe with embroidered gold silk patterns, which was noble and imposing, and the faint smile lines at the corners of his eyes outlined the unique flavor of a mature man!

Turning to look at the woman beside the man, her features were as exquisite as a painting, her skin white and delicate, especially those eyes, which revealed a breathtaking magic in their coldness, faint but making people unable to help but be intoxicated. Her white clothes set off her slender figure, as if she were a snow lotus on a high mountain, untainted by the mundane world!

A demon!

Nie Jinxuan had never thought that this word could be so fitting for a man!

Ethereal!

She never expected that a woman could have such charm! Not to mention being able to topple a country or a city, she was definitely unforgettable!

Nie Jinxuan was extremely surprised, and the palace servants beside her forgot the rules, staring straight at them, unable to move their eyes away no matter what! ===== CHAPTER 287 =====