Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Things in the residence became lively after that. Two consorts in the Eastern Palace were pregnant, and in their delight, the Emperor and Empress stuffed in another Wen Liangdi and a Shen Zhaoxun. Both were daughters of official families. Every day, I sat on a stool and listened to Rong Niang and Little Deng tell me gossip.

According to Rong Niang, the Crown Prince still did not visit his other women much. He had only gone to Hu Mianmian’s place twice. I already knew that. The morning after Hu Mianmian first received his favor, she came charging over to me like Fan Jin passing the imperial exam. I was genuinely afraid she might faint from excitement.

She said, “Yueying, the Crown Prince is so adorable! He feels like a child who hasn’t grown up yet! Not eighteen, more like eight! I think I love him!”

I stroked my big belly and smiled at her, telling her I was happy for her.

In truth, I was deeply unconvinced. To dress up immaturity in such a fresh and refined way-sure enough, love made people lose their minds.

But thinking about it, the Crown Prince had not treated my Mianmian that way, so I supposed that counted as one good deed on my part. He probably did not want another woman in the Eastern Palace who looked down on him.

As for Wen Liangdi, she had a soft temperament and seemed very easy to get along with. But Little Deng said that Shen Zhaoxun was alluring and dazzling, and spent all day trying to cling to the Crown Prince. A few times, she had almost succeeded, only to be intercepted by one bout of discomfort or another from our Crown Princess.

Qin Yunnong was truly impressing me more and more. She was becoming more and more skilled in the methods a Crown Princess ought to have.

Speaking of Shen Zhaoxun, she was so furious with the Crown Princess that she actually clamored to see me. I assumed she meant to come seek refuge with me. After I politely shut her out, she was scolded by both the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess.

That married pair were no good people. I had refused her so courteously, yet the two of them were busy making enemies for me.

And so, in this daily state of watching the show and rolling my eyes, amid Hu Mianmian’s constant infatuated rambling, my pregnancy passed rather happily. Then one day, while I was teasing Hu Mianmian about her lovesick behavior, I got too excited, laughed too hard, and my water suddenly broke.

I screamed myself hoarse in the delivery room, while Hu Mianmian sobbed outside until she could hardly breathe. Qin Yunnong was carrying one child in her own belly and still had to comfort another child named Hu Mianmian. As for our esteemed Crown Prince, according to Hu Mianmian’s exact words afterward: “Even the way His Highness the Crown Prince paced in anxiety was good-looking. He kept muttering the names of all sorts of deities, too. I was so entranced watching him that I forgot to cry for you.”

What kind of sister was this?! I was in so much pain I wished I could behead that bastard Crown Prince in fury, wished I could uproot a willow tree and smash it down on that dog of a man.

I forgot how long the pain lasted. I only knew that later, I had almost no strength left. In my daze, I heard a baby’s loud cry.

The midwife raised her voice to announce the good news: “Mother and daughter are safe! Congratulations, Crown Prince, congratulations, Side Consort Ruan. It is a little princess!”

My daughter, my darling, the light of the rest of my life-I had finally met you. But I was too exhausted. Before I could even look at her, I fell into a deep sleep.

When I woke, all I saw was the Crown Prince and Hu Mianmian gathered around the little crib, grinning foolishly.

Weakly, I called for Rong Niang. “Rong Niang, the child. Hurry and bring her to me.”

The Crown Prince’s face was full of smiles, and he quickly carried the baby to my bedside.

I hesitated for a long time, but in the end, I still took our daughter from his arms. Even so, I did not dare lift my head to look at him. I did not know how to respond to his joy, as though the two of us were some deeply loving couple.

My daughter was so tiny and soft. She was truly the prettiest, most adorable child I had ever seen. I could not help gently kissing her little cheek. All the pain and grievances no longer mattered compared to my daughter.

I was so focused on looking at my daughter that I ignored the Crown Prince standing by the bed the entire time. When he suddenly spoke, he even startled me. “Yueying, Imperial Father and Royal Mother’s decree has come down. Our daughter has been granted the exceptional title of Princess Mingzhu, meaning the pearl in one’s palm. As for her name, Imperial Father and Royal Mother said we may decide it ourselves. I feel that since you suffered through childbirth, it is only fair that you name her.”

I immediately answered, “I thought of it long ago. She will be called Chan’er.”

May we live long lives, and share the beauty of the moon though miles apart.

My child must have a happy, complete life.