nyslfriends Chapter 376 A Joyful Reunion
Chapter 376 A Joyful Reunion
Consort Yuan said, "The Second Princess is a good girl, but this Eighth Prince, despite my best efforts in raising him, how could he have turned out like this at such a young age? It really bothers me to think about this."
Shen Shixi said, "The nine sons of the dragon are all different. Don't be discouraged. A child's birth is one thing, but their upbringing is also very important."
I know what your concerns are. It won't come to that. Even if the things you're worried about happen in the future, neither the Emperor nor I will blame you. You can rest assured.
Consort Yuan said, "Your Majesty, I hope that everything will be alright for the Crown Prince, and that he will grow up safely and peacefully."
Shen Shixi said, "Dongjun's path is different from anyone else's. His life will not be smooth, and he will face many hardships and challenges. However, I have confidence in him."
Consort Yuan exclaimed, "Of course! The Crown Prince is truly wonderful!"
The Crown Prince approached, grinning at Consort Yuan. He had the Emperor's face, but the Empress's demeanor, which melted Consort Yuan's heart. She reached out to the Crown Prince, "Dongjun, may I, your mother, give you a hug?"
He smiled and shook his head at Consort Yuan, then leaned into his mother's arms, saying, "Father won't allow it."
Shen Shixi explained, "His Majesty instructed him not to get too close to anyone other than His Majesty, me, and Xihe, and to be wary of those who serve him closely. His Majesty is being a bit too anxious."
Consort Yuan understood, "The Crown Prince is truly clever; he's so young, yet he still remembers it."
Shen Shixi said, "That's good about him. He remembers everything I tell him, which saves me trouble."
The news that the eldest princess had been confined to her quarters by the emperor spread throughout the palace.
Upon hearing this, the Third Prince cursed him as an idiot.
His nanny's surname was Qin. She was someone left behind by his birth mother. She was honest, loyal, and the only one from the original group who remained by his side.
Granny Qin brought him food and anxiously advised, "Why does Your Highness always have to be at odds with the First Princess? You're always stirring things up. Be careful that if the Empress finds out, it will affect your future."
As the second prince grew older, the Empress Dowager often instructed him to do things, which he found quite impressive.
The second prince said, "She's always going against the Empress Dowager. I've disliked her for a long time. If the Empress Dowager hadn't been too lazy to deal with her, let's see if she could have taught her a lesson! What an idiot!"
Seeing the lotus root soup on the table, he asked, "Where did the lotus root come from?"
Granny Qin served him food, saying, "I heard it's nine-hole lotus root from Jiangxia. The Empress said you love lotus root, so she ordered the Imperial Kitchen to make bone broth for you."
The second prince drank three bowls in a row. The lotus root was excellent; it melted in his mouth.
"The lotus roots from Jiangxia are the best; this is a top-quality starchy lotus root."
The eldest princess threw a tantrum in the palace. The headmistress glanced inside, but the princess wouldn't listen to anything and was too lazy to do her job anymore.
Du Cairen was taking her medicine when she heard the news. She coughed up blood, weak and feeble. "Your Majesty... Your Majesty is too... too heartless! She's still my eldest daughter!"
Jin Tao stood to the side without saying a word. Sister Yin Xing shouldn't have left the palace. She enjoyed herself and then left, leaving Jin Tao to serve her so closely. What bad luck!
"Summon, summon the nun to come see me." Consort Du was panting as she spoke.
The Imperial Medical Academy used the best medicine, but her condition was beyond saving.
She hated Yinxing to the core, but the Duke's mansion had already been completely destroyed. The money she saved had to be used to support her maternal relatives who were in exile. She faced difficulties everywhere and dared not die.
When the headmistress arrived, Consort Du accused her of not managing the eldest princess properly. The headmistress was more wronged than Dou E. "The eldest princess has always been unruly. If you are dissatisfied with me, Consort Du, please tell Her Majesty the Empress that I am incompetent and can be replaced."
"You, you dare to talk back?"
Although the headmistress was kneeling on the ground, she stood up straight. "The eldest princess has been disrespecting her stepmother for more than just a day or two. I have never taught her like this. The reason why the eldest princess is like this is because the concubine always lectured her in front of her."
Lady Du was so angry she almost fainted, coughing incessantly. The headmistress then took her leave.
Shen Shixi received a letter from Quanzhou that the dock and shops had been completed and would officially open to merchants next spring. At that time, more than a hundred overseas merchant ships would dock as agreed.
This news had already been spread throughout the Great Zhou territory beforehand, and even many merchants in Beisha and Xiling knew about it; everyone was waiting for this moment.
After Lin Mao's death in battle, Pei Yanli took charge of the Quanzhou Charity Hall. Yi'an went there and helped him a lot. She was very capable, concealed her identity as a princess, and dealt with everyone inside and outside the hall without any airs. She was very likable.
She herself also enjoys this free life.
Yi'an's letter was also sent to Shen Shixi. In the letter, she said that she did not want to return to the capital for the time being, nor did she want to be a princess anymore. She wanted to be an ordinary person and live an ordinary life.
She also frankly admitted that she had feelings for Pei Yanli and felt that he felt the same way, but she didn't know how to make it clear. She sincerely asked her sister-in-law for advice.
Shen Shixi replied with a handwritten letter, in which he said, "No matter what kind of life you choose, there is no doubt that you have royal blood flowing in your veins."
Therefore, whenever you are injured or wronged and want to come back, the gates of the palace are always open to you. You can come back anytime, and there will always be a princess's residence waiting for you; it will be your home.
When it comes to matters of the heart, if you like someone, bravely tell them. It's your business if you like them, and it's his business whether they accept it or not. It's okay if they don't accept it; it's not shameful. It's better than missing out and regretting it later.
As for marriage, just think of it as a joyous encounter. Don't overthink it. If it's meant to be, great; if not, part amicably. It's not a big deal. However, every marriage requires careful management, and this is a lesson you need to learn for yourself.
Upon receiving the letter, Yi'an burst into tears.
No matter where she is in the world, if someone gives her confidence, she will have the courage to move forward without hesitation.
On New Year's Eve, a palace banquet was held.
The Empress Dowager made an appearance. She was furious when Shen Shixi threatened her last time. Later, her contact with the outside world was cut off. In addition, the Cui family, whom she had supported, plotted a rebellion, which was equivalent to slapping her face several times. Ashamed to see people, she has been keeping a low profile ever since.
When the Empress saw that the Emperor was carrying a large pregnant belly again, he led her in carefully. The Empress Dowager was quite surprised, but this time, she was wise and did not ask any questions.
The emperor and empress bowed to her, and she quickly replied, "Your Majesty, you need not stand tall with your pregnant belly. The imperial heir is of utmost importance."
Dongjun and Xihe stepped forward and bowed respectfully, saying, "Grandchildren greet their Imperial Grandmother!"
The Empress Dowager truly adored these two children; not only did they look exactly like the Emperor, but they were also incredibly intelligent.
"Come quickly to Grandmother!"
Dongjun and Xihe then passed by.
Shen Shixi and the Empress Dowager had a bad relationship, but that was a matter between the elders. She never said anything about it in front of her two children, never commented on any elder, and did not want to influence or affect the children's perceptions.
The siblings went over, one on each side, and sat on the Empress Dowager's lap.
The Empress Dowager spoke with her two grandsons for a while before exchanging pleasantries with the Empress, asking, "Why is the Empress's belly so big?"
Before the Empress could speak, the Emperor said smugly, "Chen Yuan is pregnant with twins again this time."