Chapter 85 – Our baby is about to be one month old, can you please let me go?!
Two days before the full moon banquet, Zhao Mian suddenly fell ill. The little guy fell ill without any warning, crying continuously, having high fever, vomiting milk, and his fair face turned red from the heat.
Zhao Qi experienced for the first time the anxiety and responsibility of being a parent. He knew that for a baby to grow up safe and sound was a blessing. In ordinary families, among seven or eight children, only three or four might grow up safely; even a slight cold could be fatal for a child.
Zhao Qi was burning with anxiety and even lashed out at the wet nurse and nannies looking after Mengmeng. Jiang Dehai, who had served him for so long, had never seen him so angry and distressed.
Fortunately, Xiao Shiqing stayed by his side, calmly managing the situation, and Yonghua Palace did not turn into chaos.
The experienced pediatrician examined Zhao Mian and prescribed medicine. Zhao Qi and Xiao Shiqing personally fed the medicine to their son and used a cool towel to lower his temperature. After a night, the fever finally subsided.
The two of them stayed up all night, watching their child sleep in the cradle. Zhao Qi, still feeling scared, buried his face in Xiao Shiqing’s arms and asked for a hug.
“It’s been hard,” Xiao Shiqing said, leaning down to kiss the top of his head, “Shall I carry you to bed for a while?”
Zhao Qi shook his head wearily, saying, “I still have to attend court later.”
“Skipping court for a day is no problem.”
Zhao Qi tugged at the corner of his mouth, clinging even tighter to Xiao Shiqing. “Everyone says I’m a foolish emperor, but you’re even more foolish than I am. You keep persuading me not to attend court or discuss state affairs—truly a beauty who brings disaster.”
Xiao Shiqing replied, “If being a wise ruler would tire you out, I’d rather you be a foolish emperor.”
“Then I really won’t attend court?”
“Yes, don’t go.”
Zhao Qi was silent for a moment, his body trembling slightly. “Brother, I’m so scared.”
Xiao Shiqing knew what he was afraid of and held him even tighter. “Don’t be afraid. I will protect our child and see that he grows up well.”
Though Zhao Qi said he wouldn’t attend court, half an hour later, he still went as if he were a grandson. Xiao Shiqing knew he couldn’t be persuaded otherwise, so he let him have breakfast before leaving.
As Zhao Qi exited the Yonghua Palace, he happened to run into Empress Dowager Wen hurrying over.
Upon seeing him, Empress Dowager Wen asked, “I heard that Mianmian was ill? How is he now?”
“The fever has subsided, and there’s no danger. Mother, don’t worry,” Zhao Qi said. “Also, his nickname is Mengmeng.”
Empress Dowager Wen ignored the latter part of the sentence, patting her chest. “Thank goodness, thank goodness. Ancestors bless us.”
Zhao Qi nodded, still feeling a lingering fear. “Yes, thank goodness.”
Empress Dowager Wen glanced at him and asked, “Are you scared?”
“Mm…”
Empress Dowager Wen sighed. “Since ancient times, having many children has been considered a blessing. Qi’er, your father had many concubines in the palace, and many of them were pregnant with dragon seeds. Some had accidents during pregnancy, some had difficulties giving birth, and only five princes were born successfully, three of whom died early. In the end, only you and Zhao Tong grew up. That’s why your father, after making you the crown prince, also issued an edict to make Zhao Tong a prince. After all, he had only two sons; how could he not be fond of them?”
Zhao Qi’s mood grew heavy. “Mother, why are you telling me this?”
Empress Dowager Wen took Zhao Qi’s hand and said gently, “Qi’er, even noble families desire many descendants. How much more so for the imperial family? It’s not that I curse Mianmian, but if something happens to him in the future, what will happen to the Zhao family’s throne?”
Zhao Qi blinked. “So, what does Mother mean?”
Seeing that Zhao Qi understood, Empress Dowager Wen spoke more earnestly. “The empress must be established, and concubines must be selected. Otherwise, who will ensure the continuation of your line?” She glanced at Zhao Qi’s belly. “You can’t expect to have Xiao Shiqing father another child, can you?”
“Uh…” When Zhao Qi was still straight, he had once thought of having one son and one daughter to complete a ‘perfect’ family. Now that he had a son, he was still short of a daughter.
It was impossible for him to find another person to bear children, but he wasn’t too eager to do it himself either. After experiencing it once, he knew how exhausting and grueling pregnancy and childbirth could be. He couldn’t predict the future, but having just given birth, the pain was still vivid in his memory. If he were to have another child, he would definitely explode on the spot.
Sigh, if only Xiao Shiqing could bear the child, it would be so fair.
Lost in thought, Zhao Qi was startled by Empress Dowager Wen’s stern voice. “Qi’er, did you hear what I said?”
Zhao Qi came back to his senses. “I heard. I’ll think about it. Mother, I have to rush to court, so I’ll talk to you later.”
On the day of Zhao Mian’s full moon celebration, the child had fully recovered. His eating, drinking, and bodily functions were all normal, and Zhao Qi finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The wet nurse dressed Zhao Mian in a new, bright red outfit, which looked quite festive. Zhao Qi stood by the cradle, talking to Zhao Mian in words the baby couldn’t understand.
“Mengmeng is one month old now. Are you happy?”
“Yiya—”
“Ah, so cute. I’m glad the late emperor didn’t abandon you,” Zhao Qi said, rubbing Mengmeng’s nose. “You need to keep growing, and become as beautiful as your father, okay?”
“Aiya—”
“Your Majesty,” Xiao Jinzi said, “Doctor Mei has arrived.”
Zhao Qi picked up Mengmeng and said, “Come, let’s go see Father.”
Doctor Mei examined Zhao Qi and said, “Your Majesty has sufficient vitality and is recovering very well. You no longer need to take tonic medicines daily.”
“That’s good. I don’t like taking tonics at all,” Zhao Qi said, then gestured for Doctor Mei to come closer. “Come here.”
Doctor Mei approached, puzzled. “Your Majesty, do you have any instructions?”
Zhao Qi asked quietly, “How many times can the childbirth medicine from Dongying be used?”
Doctor Mei replied, “Generally, it’s only effective once.”
Zhao Qi frowned. “What do you mean by generally?”
“Since Your Majesty has already had one child, the residual effect of the medicine in your body is minimal, making it difficult to conceive again,” Doctor Mei said. “So there’s no need for any contraception measures.”
Zhao Qi’s face reddened. “When did I ask you about this?”
Doctor Mei patted his mouth and laughed. “I spoke out of turn.”
“Dismissed for now,” Zhao Qi said. “Remember to come to the full moon celebration for the little prince tonight.”
Doctor Mei bowed deeply. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Before the palace banquet, Xiao Shiqing returned from outside the palace.
Zhao Qi had just changed clothes and greeted him with a bright smile. “Brother, you’re back! How is the Xiao residence?”
“Everything is fine.” Xiao Shiqing’s household was in order, though many distressed relatives had come seeking help, all of whom were turned away by Xiao’s mother. Following Xiao Shiqing’s instructions, Xiao’s mother put on a pitiful demeanor, claiming that Xiao Shiqing’s condition had worsened after hearing about the family’s troubles and that he was bedridden, unable to assist others.
“Did your parents come to the palace?” Zhao Mian’s full moon celebration was quite grand, with many imperial relatives, high officials, and noble ladies invited, including Xiao Shiqing’s parents.
“They came.”
“Do they know—”
“No,” Xiao Shiqing said. “I’m afraid it will scare them. We can tell them when the time is right.”
Zhao Qi had no objections. “That works.”
“What about Mian’er?”
“Just finished feeding and is sleeping—oh, and his nickname is Mengmeng!”
Xiao Shiqing smiled. “I’ll go see him.”
“Your Majesty, Prime Minister,” Jiang Dehai approached, holding a brocade box. “This was sent from Nanzhou by Prince Zhaonan with express delivery.”
Xiao Shiqing said, “Open it.”
Jiang Dehai opened the box to reveal a golden longevity lock and a letter.
Zhao Qi scrunched up his nose in distaste. “It’s so ugly.”
Xiao Shiqing read the letter briefly and said, “Li Chi Su mentioned he specially asked a high monk to bless the longevity lock. Wearing it can ward off disasters and protect against misfortune.”
Zhao Qi picked up the longevity lock and examined it skeptically. “Is that really true?”
“He also said,” Xiao Shiqing said coldly, “that he will come to the capital and that you should wait for him.”
Zhao Qi: “…”
Seriously, with the full moon celebration for the baby and all, can’t he just leave us alone?!
Xiao Shiqing tossed the letter aside, approached Zhao Qi, and said with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, “Does Your Majesty want to wait for him?”
Zhao Qi raised his hands in a half-hearted gesture of defense, laughing awkwardly. “Brother, what kind of joke is this? Who is he that I should wait for him?”
Xiao Shiqing looked down at him and smiled slowly. “Is that so?”
“Yep!”
Xiao Shiqing’s gaze darkened. “If you’re not waiting for him, who are you waiting for?”
Zhao Qi met his gaze and felt a tightening in his chest, a vague premonition. He licked his lips and said, “I’m only waiting for you, Brother.”
“Good boy,” Xiao Shiqing said, pressing his body close to Zhao Qi and speaking in a deep voice. “There’s still an hour before the palace banquet. Is there anything Your Majesty would like to do?”
“I—I don’t know.”
Xiao Shiqing’s face brightened with a smile. “How about I keep Your Majesty company and have some fun?”
In the next moment, Xiao Shiqing lifted him effortlessly and gently placed him on the bed.
Zhao Qi’s heart raced, his face flushed red, and he called out to his brother in a flustered manner.
Xiao Shiqing chuckled. “It’s not like we haven’t done this before. Why are you so nervous?”
Zhao Qi, feeling shy, said, “That time doesn’t count. I don’t even remember it.”
Xiao Shiqing’s eyes grew serious. “This time, I’ll make sure you remember.”
Zhao Qi: “……”
Since Xiao Shiqing made that statement, every time Zhao Qi thinks about Mengmeng’s full moon celebration, his thoughts inevitably drift to “bedroom matters.”
During Mengmeng’s full moon, he and Xiao Shiqing were finally going to complete the great harmony of their lives—they were going to consummate their marriage!
Zhao Qi was a mix of anticipation and slight nervousness, feeling a bit restless even while lying beside Xiao Shiqing at night. In contrast, Xiao Shiqing seemed completely unaffected, going about his business as usual.
So… the emotions were quite complex. But this was normal; it would be strange if Xiao Shiqing were as nervous and uneasy as he was.
Mengmeng’s full moon banquet was to be held at the Wanshou Palace, just like Zhao Qi’s birthday banquet last year. Zhao Qi happened to pass by and saw the eunuchs busy preparing the venue, suddenly feeling a bit lost in thought.
Jiang Dehai, who was following him, asked, “Your Majesty?”
Zhao Qi sighed, “Everything began here.”
What happened at the palace banquet last year might have been the biggest turning point in his life. If not for that birthday banquet, Jiang Bao’er’s fertility medicine, Rong Tang’s “Everlasting Thoughts,” and even if he hadn’t been drunk, he certainly wouldn’t be standing here today, watching others busy themselves for his son’s full moon banquet.
He might not have changed, still maintaining a relationship with Xiao Shiqing that was a blend of friendship and enmity, always on guard.
Rong Tang was definitely out of the palace by now. Given Rong Tang’s nature, he probably wouldn’t have entered government service but would return to his hometown in Cangzhou, like Yu Chenshui, to live a secluded life in the mountains, enjoying a leisurely existence like the “plucking chrysanthemums beneath the eastern fence, leisurely seeing the southern mountains.”
He Chengzhou would remain a spirited and dashing young man. They would be very good friends. Every time He Chengzhou went on a campaign, Zhao Qi would embrace him as both an emperor and a brother, sending him off with well wishes.
As for Li Chisu… never mind, he couldn’t be bothered to imagine.
However, there are no “ifs” in this world; what he imagined could only be “ifs.” The path he walked now, although never anticipated, was still a very good and long one. With a lover and a son, as Xiao Shiqing said, he would no longer be alone.
Zhao Qi recalled some past events and, feeling a sudden whim, said, “It’s been a long time since I visited the inner palace. I’d like to go take a look.”
Jiang Dehai hesitated, “Your Majesty, if the Prime Minister finds out, he might get jealous again.”
Zhao Qi chuckled, “There’s no one in the inner palace. I’m just going to enjoy the scenery. What’s there to be jealous of? He’s not a jealousy expert.”
Jiang Dehai had no choice but to agree, “Yes.”
All the beauties kept in the inner palace by the previous emperor had been dismissed. The empress dowagers left by the late emperor were all living in Xuchun Garden. The vast inner palace was as desolate as the Cold Palace, with most of the palace maids and eunuchs who used to serve the beauties reassigned elsewhere. Each palace now had only one person left, doing some cleaning and tidying up.
Unless something unexpected happened, the inner palace would remain this quiet until Mengmeng ascended the throne.
Zhao Qi first went to Mingcui Palace, where Jiang Bao’er had lived in the past. Zhao Qi remembered that originally delicate beauty who, due to his order, diligently “exercised” until her limbs were muscular. He couldn’t help but feel a bit sentimental. In fact, Jiang Bao’er wasn’t a bad person; stealing the Everlasting Thoughts wasn’t meant to harm anyone, but was merely for self-preservation.
“How is Jiang Bao’er faring in the dungeons?” Zhao Qi asked.
T/N: There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~
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Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!
If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield
If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’
How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection
What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love
How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep
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