Chapter 771: Joyful Omen [Thank You! Again! 37K Words Owed]

The imperial palace,

inside the morning court hall,

“Your Majesty?”

“Mm? Has your minister finished?” The emperor, slightly distracted, smiled at the minister below the steps.

“Yes.”

“Good, return to your place—I understand.” The emperor then turned to the senior eunuch beside him.

The senior eunuch understood, bowed slightly, signaling receipt.

Watching the Grand Chancellor return to his place, the emperor cleared his throat after a brief pause and said: “Are there any other ministers with memorials to submit?”

The hall fell silent for a moment; no one stepped forward.

Seeing this, the emperor waved his hand.

The senior eunuch beside him quickly called out: “Dismiss the court!”

The ministers below the steps all bowed in unison.

The emperor rose from the dragon throne, nodded slightly, then walked briskly toward the inner palace.

The ministers also exited the hall,

onto the courtyard outside,

where Sheng Hong, wearing his official cap and crimson robe, held his ceremonial tablet and occasionally exchanged glances with several colleagues beside him.

As they exchanged glances, all subtly slowed their pace.

Soon, several senior officials clad in purple robes, who had stood at the front of the assembly, approached.

Seeing their superiors draw near, the officials all drifted toward them.

Sheng Hong, drawing near to Minister Li of the Ministry of Personnel, kept his eyes darting; before he could speak, Minister Han beside Minister Li said: “I wonder if our dynasty will welcome another prince today.”

At these words, Sheng Hong’s eyes widened in shock; he exchanged a startled glance with his colleagues.

In their glances, astonishment was mingled with sudden understanding: the emperor’s distractedness this morning had been explained.

Soon after, the ministers dispersed to their respective offices.

Around Minister Li gathered many officials from the Ministry of Personnel; one asked: “Your Excellency, was Minister Han referring to Imperial Consort Rong?”

Minister Li nodded.

“But wasn’t it said Imperial Consort Rong’s time isn’t until next month?” an official remarked.

Sheng Hong nodded vigorously in agreement without speaking.

Minister Li, without turning his head, said calmly: “Imperial Consort Rong has summoned physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy to advance the date.”

“That’s right! It’ll be May in a few days.”

Hearing this, Sheng Hong looked at his colleague with deep admiration and respect, leaving the speaker feeling greatly pleased.

“If Imperial Consort Rong truly bears a prince, the Rong family will be sought after by a hundred households.”

“Brother Jiang speaks wisely.”

Sheng Hong echoed.

As they spoke, they continued walking forward.

“Oh, who’s that young lad entering the palace over there?” one official said, spotting a group in the distance.

Hearing this, the colleagues beside him turned to look.

“That lad is quite tall—just from afar, his bearing seems extraordinary!”

“Probably the son of some military general.”

Listening to the murmurs, Sheng Hong squinted at the distance and said uncertainly: “That looks like Xu Wu’s boy.”

“Xu Wu? Shouldn’t he be in class at the Sheng family’s academy right now?”

Sheng Hong was puzzled and shook his head: “Perhaps I’m mistaken.”

No sooner had he spoken than he saw the young lad, following a junior eunuch, bow and salute from afar.

“That boy recognized one of us!” Minister Li chuckled, stroking his beard.

“Such sharp eyesight—could well be Xu Wu.”

“Xu Wu, this way, please.”

“Very well.”

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded, glanced at the departing high officials, then followed the junior eunuch deeper into the inner palace.

After passing through the corridor between Donghuamen and Xihuamen, they walked for some time more.

“Xu Wu, ahead is where His Highness studies.”

“Thank you, junior eunuch.”

“Xu Wu, you’re too kind.”

As they finished speaking, Zhao Fang emerged from the doorway ahead, wearing light purple robes and a golden belt.

Seeing Xu Zaijing, Zhao Fang’s smile deepened as he walked forward: “Jingge, you’ve come!”

Xu Zaijing quickly bowed and saluted: “Your Highness.”

Qingyun, Zhao Fang’s personal eunuch behind him, bowed in return alongside the female attendant beside him.

As Xu Zaijing straightened, Zhao Fang stepped right up to him.

Looking slightly up at Xu Zaijing, Zhao Fang said: “Jingge, haven’t you grown taller again?”

As he spoke, Zhao Fang reached out to grasp Xu Zaijing’s arm.

Xu Zaijing laughed: “Your Highness, it’s only been a month—how could I—”

Before he finished speaking,

Xu Zaijing felt both arms tighten, and a strong force collide against his calves.

“Hng!”

Hearing Zhao Fang’s forceful grunt, Xu Zaijing stood motionless and asked: “Your Highness, what are you doing? Trying to wrestle me?”

“Heh! What else?”

Zhao Fang kept lowering his body, trying to use his learned wrestling techniques to trip Xu Zaijing.

Seeing this, guards, eunuchs, and female attendants nearby all wore expressions of utter astonishment.

Before they could react, their astonishment turned to shock.

“Hey hey hey!”

It was Zhao Fang, now lying flat on the ground, his upper body pinned by Xu Zaijing’s single arm, his legs swept by a slight leg hook.

As Zhao Fang was thrown down, his legs were flung upward by momentum.

Trapped beneath Xu Zaijing’s grip, Zhao Fang gazed helplessly at the sky and sighed: “I knew it—after all this training, even the palace guards wouldn’t let me be taken down so easily.”

Xu Zaijing applied slight pressure to help Zhao Fang rise and said: “Your Highness, your status is supreme; the palace guards fear injuring you. Just understand the principle behind their restraint during training.”

Zhao Fang nodded, lips pressed tight: “I understand! But I’ve never felt what it’s like to be thrown by you, Jingge.”

After speaking, Zhao Fang stood straight and patted Xu Zaijing’s arm: “You must come often from now on.”

Xu Zaijing smiled but said nothing, clearly implying silent refusal.

Seeing this, Zhao Fang nodded knowingly: “Come on! Let’s go see Imperial Consort Rong.”

As he spoke, Zhao Fang tiptoed and draped his arm over Xu Zaijing’s shoulder, hopping along toward Imperial Consort Rong’s quarters.

“Cough, Your Highness, mind your decorum—” Qingyun began, but seeing Zhao Fang’s look, he wisely fell silent.

“You all, keep your distance from us,” Zhao Fang added.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After walking a dozen steps,

Zhao Fang lowered his arm, glanced back, then whispered: “Jingge, I heard there’ll be a grand event next month in the capital—the Flower Queen’s procession?”

Xu Zaijing smiled awkwardly: “Your Highness, if I tell you the truth, the Empress might have me beaten with ten or more sticks.”

“Mm!” Zhao Fang raised an eyebrow.

Xu Zaijing’s answer confirmed Zhao Fang’s suspicion.

Watching Zhao Fang’s expression, Xu Zaijing said: “Your Highness, if you wish to attend, I suggest you inform the Empress first. Otherwise—”

He leaned close to Zhao Fang’s ear and whispered a few words.

Hearing Xu Zaijing’s words, Zhao Fang’s eyes widened slightly in surprise: “Jingge, how did you know?”

Xu Zaijing smiled: “Six Lang was beaten for this very thing—by Wu Da Niangzi herself—because of me.”

Zhao Fang nodded and continued walking, whispering: “No wonder. Then I must hope Imperial Consort Rong gives my family a son—Father might be so pleased he lets me go!”

After speaking, Zhao Fang looked at Xu Zaijing with a faint smile: “Jingge, today the Fuchang Marquis’s people will also enter the palace.”

Xu Zaijing paused, then nodded with a smile.

Seeing Xu Zaijing’s slightly uneasy expression, Zhao Fang’s smile deepened.

Soon after, the two arrived near the Empress’s quarters.

Seeing Zhao Fang, the female attendant at the gate hurried to report: “The Empress has gone to Imperial Consort Rong’s quarters.”

Outside Imperial Consort Rong’s quarters,

at a distance all around,

Daoists from the imperial temple sat cross-legged, softly chanting blessings.

Not far from the palace entrance, the Emperor sat beneath an expensive canopy, his expression restless as he watched the palace gate.

Beside him stood Princess Yue’er and Princess Yuer, holding hands.

Princess Yue is the daughter of the Empress.

Princess Yu’s full name is Li Qiu, and she is the daughter of Consort Rong.

Princess Yue, being older, looked at her younger sister, whose eyes betrayed slight panic, and said softly, “Yu’er, don’t worry too much about Consort Rong. Your elder brother said he’s inviting someone formidable today.”

Princess Yu’s gaze returned from the nearby imperial bedchamber, and after glancing at her elder sister, she nodded.

Before the Empress, seated beside them, stood a small table with inkstone, brush, paper, and ink; she was copying scripture while murmuring softly.

Zhao Fang, the future Crown Princess, and Gao Taotao stood nearby, helping the Empress grind ink and prepare the brush.

Hearing her daughter’s words, the Empress’s eyes softened with a faint smile, and she exchanged a glance with Gao Taotao.

Then, as cries of pain began to echo from within the hall, the Empress glanced at Princess Yu’s worried expression and sighed lightly.

How many times had the Empress herself endured such agony over the years?

Not far from the Emperor and Empress’s canopy, the entire Fu Chang Marquis family knelt on prayer mats, silently praying for Consort Rong’s well-being.

At that moment, a palace maid stepped out of the hall and reported to the Emperor and Empress: “Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Consort Rong has begun.”

After the Emperor and Empress gave their instructions, the maid bowed and turned back toward the hall.

At that moment,

a eunuch approached and whispered, “Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the Crown Prince and Xu Zaijing have arrived.”

“Hmm, let them come forward,” the Emperor said.

At this, the two young princesses turned their heads curiously toward the palace gate.

Moments later,

Zhao Fang arrived with Xu Zaijing before the Emperor and Empress.

“Your servant/this humble subject bows to Your Majesty and Your Majesty.”

“Come, find a place to sit.”

The Emperor waved his hand.

Zhao Fang and Xu Zaijing responded with a bow and walked beneath the canopy.

Seeing Princess Yu standing beside the Emperor, her eyes filled with worry and fear, Zhao Fang glanced at Xu Zaijing.

Then, Zhao Fang shook his head slightly, touched.

After some polite refusal, Xu Zaijing was reluctantly seated near the Empress.

The Empress turned her head and asked Zhao Fang, “Fang’er, why just now did you shake your head?”

Zhao Fang smiled, glancing at Gao Taotao, who looked puzzled beside the Empress, and said, “Mother, I was just recalling something from before.”

The Empress paused, fragments of memory flashing through her mind, then smiled at Xu Zaijing.

Then Zhao Fang rose from his seat and walked to the Emperor’s side, leading both younger sisters to sit near his own place.

Looking at Princess Yu, who kept glancing toward the hall, Zhao Fang knelt down and smiled, “Little sister Yu, rest easy—Consort Rong will be fine today.”

“Thank you, Elder Brother,” Princess Yu replied brightly, then glanced at Xu Zaijing, who smiled and nodded at her.

While Zhao Fang spoke, the Empress whispered a few words to Gao Taotao beside her.

Although Xu Zaijing and Liang Han had once made Cao’s cousin Zhijie cry at Wu Dainiang’s polo field,

since the misunderstanding was cleared, Gao Taotao had held a favorable impression of Xu Zaijing these past days.

Hearing the Empress’s brief account, Gao Taotao nodded thoughtfully and whispered to her, “Auntie, no wonder the Crown Prince is so close to Xu Zaijing.”

The Empress smiled.

Sitting beneath the canopy, Xu Zaijing glanced around and noticed Rong Feiyan kneeling on a prayer mat not far off.

The girl had her eyes closed, praying earnestly, utterly unaware of Zhao Fang and Xu Zaijing’s arrival.

Soon, the area beneath the canopy grew quiet.

The sun climbed higher,

and Xu Zaijing, with his keen hearing, occasionally caught faint murmurs from within the hall—the palace maids and female physicians speaking, women biting down on something as they grunted with effort.

“It began at the exact hour of Mao (after six a.m.), and now two hours have passed—how much longer will it take?”

Zhao Fang, seated above Xu Zaijing, said with concern.

As he spoke, Zhao Fang unintentionally glanced at Gao Taotao beside the Empress.

Xu Zaijing looked toward the bedchamber and said softly, “The maids and physicians seem orderly—there’s likely nothing amiss.”

“Mm,” Zhao Fang nodded.

More time passed, and Xu Zaijing was watching the sun beyond the canopy.

Suddenly,

Xu Zaijing’s ears twitched, and he turned toward the bedchamber.

Seeing Xu Zaijing’s reaction, Zhao Fang frowned in confusion: “Jingge, what’s wrong?”

Before Xu Zaijing could answer,

Consort Rong’s personal maid, her sleeves rolled up, rushed out of the hall with a radiant smile—before she could speak, the sound of a newborn’s cry echoed from within.

The commotion drew the attention of the entire Rong family, who had been kneeling in the sun for hours.

Whether the Marquis and his wife or Dou Shi, their gazes mirrored Rong Feiyan’s—filled with hope and trembling uncertainty.

The Emperor rose and asked the maid, “How is it?”

The maid, still sweating, knelt and cried out, “Congratulations, Your Majesty, Your Majesty—it’s a prince!”

“Hahaha! Two little sisters, we have a younger brother! Hahaha!” Zhao Fang shouted.

Then Zhao Fang turned and enthusiastically embraced Xu Zaijing.

The two young princesses nearby also turned toward them.

The Empress immediately moved to the Emperor’s side, seeing him standing slightly unsteady, and quickly slipped her arm through his.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty, joy to Your Majesty,” the Empress said with a smile.

The Emperor nodded repeatedly, gazing at the Empress with relief: “Good! Truly good! Rewards!”

On the other side,

hearing the maid’s announcement, the Marquis of Fu Chang’s Lady first looked around in stunned delight, then tried to rise.

But whether from joy or the sun’s heat, she collapsed halfway up, eyes rolling back as she fainted.

“Mother!” Rong Feiyan cried out.

Hearing the commotion, Xu Zaijing started to rise to help, but saw a maid already running over.

Soon,

the area before the hall grew busy again; after the female physician examined her, the Marquis’s Lady had suffered a “joy faint”—she was treated with acupuncture and soon recovered.

After all the exhaustion, joy, and worry, Rong Feiyan finally noticed Xu Zaijing standing beside Zhao Fang.

Something crossed her mind, and suddenly her cheeks grew warm.

(End of Chapter)