At fourteen, Xiao Yuquan had a very troublesome problem: his Imperial Consort father was pregnant again!
He stared at the mountain of memorials piled high on his wide desk, threatening to bury his small frame, and sighed repeatedly. “Imperial Father has gone to be with Father again! And Heng’er and Wu’er, those two little brats, are completely useless!”
“Brother Chi, I’m so tired…”
Xiao Yuquan complained, then slumped bonelessly onto Song Liechi, who was standing guard nearby.
Song Liechi stiffened for a moment, restraining himself from reaching out to embrace Xiao Yuquan. He could only stroke his head and said in a deep voice, “Shall I help Your Highness?”
But Xiao Yuquan remained dissatisfied, refusing to get up from Song Liechi’s body. Instead, he tilted his head back, drawing closer to him. “No.”
“Brother Chi hasn’t called me Quan’er in private lately!”
Song Liechi’s body stiffened further. He didn’t know whether to withdraw his hand from Xiao Yuquan’s cheek, and could only avoid eye contact. “I haven’t… Quan’er.”
A smile finally spread across Xiao Yuquan’s face. He winked mischievously at the palace attendants standing behind him, but still refused to sit up, continuing to lean against Song Liechi’s arm. “Alright, Brother Chi, read these memorials to me. I don’t want to read them myself…”
Song Liechi had no choice. Afraid that Xiao Yuquan would slip off his arm, he carefully adjusted his posture, but this only caused the boy to tumble into his embrace…
++++++
In the Hall of Heavenly Succession, Xiao Linye, having comfortably passed his political duties to his son, was leaning against the headboard with Pei Lanqing in his arms. He was personally spoon-feeding the Grand Tutor the prenatal medicine, one spoonful at a time.
After giving birth to Heng’er and Wu’er years ago, the effects of the Medicinal Gu had worn off, and both men had finally relaxed.
In the years since, Xiao Linye had devoted himself to nurturing Pei Lanqing’s health, never once considering having another child.
But unexpectedly, during an autumn hunt nine months ago, while battling a fierce tiger, he was struck by a poisoned arrow. The poison on the arrow was highly unusual, and no one in the Imperial Hospital could identify it.
In the critical situation, Pei Lanqing immediately swallowed the last Medicinal Gu pill, which neutralized the poison and resulted in the fourth child now growing in his womb.
When Xiao Linye woke, he was overwhelmed with remorse. For months, he had treated Pei Lanqing like a precious jewel, afraid even the slightest mishap might befall him.
Now that the due date was approaching, his anxiety reached its peak. He had entrusted all political affairs to Quan’er, dedicating himself to personally caring for the Grand Tutor.
“Hiss—” Imperial Physician Feng had said it would be any day now. Pei Lanqing’s stomach would occasionally tighten with sharp pains. Xiao Linye immediately tensed, cautiously stroking his belly. “Is it hurting again? I’ll call Imperial Physician Feng right away.”
But Pei Lanqing simply held his hand, enduring the sudden pain with a gentle smile. “It’s not time yet, Ye’er. You’ve summoned Imperial Physician Feng countless times these past few days.”
Xiao Linye could only wrap his arms around Pei Lanqing, resting his chin on his shoulder. “I’m just too anxious,” he mumbled. “I truly… can’t bear to see the Grand Tutor in pain again.”
At that moment, Tian Rui entered, carrying several ornate silk boxes. After bowing to them, he announced, “Prince Li, upon hearing of the Grand Tutor’s impending delivery, has specially sought out rare and precious tonics.”
Xiao Linye responded with a curt nod and waved him to store them away.
In the Zhaojiang campaign years ago, Prince Li Xiao Huanyan had indeed provided invaluable assistance. Afterward, to avoid arousing the emperor’s suspicion, he had voluntarily requested to leave his fief and reside in the capital.
Since Xiao Linye could keep an eye on Xiao Huanyan, he naturally had no reason to refuse. He approved Xiao Huanyan’s request.
In recent years, Xiao Huanyan had been remarkably well-behaved in the capital, constantly showering Xiao Linye with such solicitous attention. It was impossible to find fault with him, so Xiao Linye had simply left him there.
“Speaking of the previous dynasty, Quan’er has been complaining of exhaustion lately. Wouldn’t it be too much to entrust him with government affairs now?”
But Xiao Linye simply leaned down and kissed Pei Lanqing’s lips, then chuckled. “Grand Tutor, don’t be fooled by our Quan’er. I’ve reviewed the memorials he’s approved these past few days. He’s handling them with ease.”
“Then this…” Pei Lanqing remained somewhat concerned, but Xiao Linye’s words left him puzzled.
Xiao Linye only smiled, pulling Pei Lanqing close and whispering in his ear, “He’s deliberately putting on an act for Lie Chi.”
Pei Lanqing paused slightly, then smiled knowingly. “That Quan’er… truly…”
This minor incident didn’t interrupt their intimacy, but the fourth child in Pei Lanqing’s womb proved to be a slow-moving one. After another three or five days, there was still no sign of movement.
As the Double Ninth Festival, the day for chrysanthemum appreciation, approached, Pei Lanqing complained that his body had grown soft and listless from lying idle all day. Xiao Linye, following Imperial Physician Feng’s advice to walk more to aid the child’s delivery, accompanied Pei Lanqing to the annual chrysanthemum appreciation banquet.
The officials of Great Qi had grown accustomed to the emperor and imperial consort’s affectionate relationship.
Xiao Linye still possessed his handsome and elegant demeanor, his eyes now radiating a more reserved and commanding aura. Pei Lanqing showed no signs of aging, remaining as ethereal and refined as a secluded orchid.
Xiao Linye supported Pei Lanqing as they strolled through the chrysanthemum gardens, admiring the blooms. The two Little Princes, Heng’er and Wu’er, frolicked playfully at their sides. Even Quan’er seized the opportunity to approach them, complaining to Pei Lanqing about her Imperial Father’s laziness.
Despite being the imperial family, there was no hint of cold formality or courtly intrigue. Instead, they resembled an ordinary family, radiating warmth and harmony.
Only when Pei Lanqing grew tired did Xiao Linye help him to his seat.
Meanwhile, Song Liechi had intended to retreat to the ranks of the military officials, but Xiao Yuquan tugged at his sleeve, and the two Little Princes joined in, playfully urging him to stay. Trapped by their insistence, Song Liechi was forced to sit beside Xiao Yuquan.
Witnessing this, Xiao Linye and Pei Lanqing exchanged a glance. Though unspoken, they understood each other’s thoughts perfectly and simply let Xiao Yuquan have his way.
Since Pei Lanqing was unable to drink alcohol during her pregnancy, Xiao Linye instead offered chrysanthemum tea to the assembled officials, a refined gesture that was well-received.
Over the years, Great Qi had flourished under his rule, its prosperity and strength growing with each passing day, already showing signs of a golden age. The realm was united, and all officials held him in deep respect.
Prince Li Xiao Huanyan also sat among the guests. Since his voluntary return to the capital from his fiefdom, he had been exceedingly cautious and low-profile in his actions. Even at this banquet, he rarely spoke to anyone, preferring to sit alone in a corner, sipping tea and occasionally glancing at the couple on the imperial dais with an unfathomable, hidden depth in his eyes.
After the chrysanthemum appreciation banquet, Xiao Linye, who had not attended court for over half a month, finally yielded to Xiao Yuquan’s pleas. Seizing a day when Pei Lanqing’s condition was stable, he summoned the officials for a grand court assembly.
Seeing Xiao Linye finally agree to attend court, Pei Lanqing couldn’t help but shake his head with a wry smile. It was rare for the emperor to be away from his side, and the sudden absence left an indescribable emptiness.
He reclined on a soft armchair, engrossed in a travelogue, waiting for Xiao Linye to return from court.
But instead of the emperor, it was Eunuch Tianrui who arrived, his face pale with panic. “Imperial Consort! Disaster has struck! Your Majesty has collapsed in the imperial hall!”
