Chapter 10
After we paid our respects, the empress dismissed the other consorts.
Only three of us remained in the hall.
She took my hand, with my sister sitting beside us.
“Ying’er, I don’t know what possessed my sixth son to do something so foolish. He has been confined to his residence.”
Yesterday’s farce had ended with Xiao Yichi’s confinement.
I did not take it to heart, and would not waste any more attention on it.
After our marriage, Xiao Shengjing entered court service too, taking up duties in the Ministry of Rites.
The next time I saw Xiao Yichi was at a palace banquet.
A maid accidentally spilled a cup of tea.
Xiao Shengjing went with me to change my clothes.
As we passed through the imperial garden, we saw Xiao Yichi. Beside him stood the Vice Minister of Rites’ second daughter by his principal wife.
His Majesty was very pleased with the way Xiao Shengjing handled his duties.
He was far more capable than Xiao Yichi.
My father and brothers praised his ability and ambition in front of me too.
When I greeted the empress yesterday, she had hinted that His Majesty intended to make Xiao Shengjing crown prince.
After we exchanged greetings, Xiao Yichi’s gaze settled on me.
“Eighth Sister-in-law, have you been well?”
Xiao Shengjing answered for me.
“Very well, naturally. There’s no need for you to concern yourself on my behalf, Sixth Brother.”
Early the following morning, news came from the palace.
His Majesty had decreed that Xiao Shengjing would be crown prince.
The investiture was set for three months later.
Joy filled me at the news. When I next woke, Xiao Shengjing was sitting beside my bed.
He held my hand tightly, his face full of worry.
When he saw me wake, his expression eased.
“Ah Ying, do you still feel unwell anywhere?”
I shook my head. Nothing felt wrong.
“Ah Ying, you’re pregnant.”
He embraced me in delight. I sat stunned.
In my previous life, I had worn myself out for Xiao Yichi. Every day, I went over what he had done wrong, which official he needed to apologize to, and what the apology should include.
The strain steadily undermined my health. I did not conceive until we had been married a year.
This time, we had been married only three months, and I was already pregnant?
Seeing me remain motionless, Xiao Shengjing grew worried again.
“The physician! Fetch the imperial physician!”
The physician hurried in.
I came back to myself and listened carefully as he said I was a little over a month pregnant.
My nose stung, and tears spilled out at once.
Xiao Shengjing gathered me into his arms.
“Ah Jing, we’re having a child.”
When the news reached the palace, I heard that both the emperor and empress were delighted.
Chest after chest of imperial gifts arrived at the Eastern Palace.
Afraid I would tire myself, Xiao Shengjing personally checked everything being brought in.
On the day of the investiture, I received a letter.
Xiao Yichi had sent it from the frontier.
On the day we learned of my pregnancy, Xiao Shengjing had advised His Majesty that a prince was needed to inspect the border defenses.
His Majesty agreed and named Xiao Yichi himself.
After considering it, I waited for Xiao Shengjing to return and handed him the letter.
He read it without any change in expression, then tossed it into the brazier.
Gently, he stroked my slightly rounded belly.
“I’ll write back to Sixth Brother.”
Several months later, at the first light of dawn, I gave birth to the crown prince’s eldest legitimate son.
Overjoyed, His Majesty named him Xihe.
He wished for the boy to illuminate the whole country like the sun.
It also tacitly acknowledged him as the imperial grandson who would inherit the throne.
On the day of Xihe’s one-month celebration, secret news arrived from outside the palace.
The Sixth Prince had been attacked by the Xiongnu while inspecting the frontier. After desperate efforts to save him, he was left without the use of either leg.
At least he was alive.
I played with Xihe while Xiao Shengjing sat beside me, his expression unchanged.
He waved the messenger away.
A prince with impaired legs would never again be eligible for the highest position.
“After today, shall we let the wet nurse look after him?”
Xiao Shengjing’s voice was gentle, his gaze lingering on me with love.
I could not help blushing. My cheeks grew warm.
“Yes.”
(And That’s the End.)