SFS Chapter 584: Die in His Arms
Chapter 584: Die in His Arms
On the fourteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, Concubine Hui Shen and Concubine Xi Zai Bai gave birth to princes one after another.
However, Xi was often beautiful but had a tragic fate, and unfortunately passed away after giving birth.
The emperor was grateful for Xi Chang's contribution to childbirth and posthumously conferred the title of noble lady on her to express his grief and commendation.
The next day, he felt pity for the Eleventh Prince who had lost his biological mother, so he ordered Su Peisheng to send the person to the prince's residence to keep the Ninth Prince company.
As soon as Bao Ge heard the news, she complained indignantly.
"Master, I heard that the Ninth Prince is a night cryer. If we send the Eleventh Prince over, won't the Prince's residence be in turmoil?"
"Young Master, you study and practice martial arts during the day. What if you can't sleep well at night?"
An Lingrong took a sip of the fragrant honey water and smiled comfortingly.
"Bao Ge, Hongzhan has his own ideas about this matter. You don't need to worry too much."
"Hongzhan said your Buddha Jumps Over the Wall is delicious with rice. Can you make another pot?"
An Lingrong also liked the sticky soup poured over the rice.
"Yes, Master. I will do it right away."
When Bao Ge was washing jars in the small kitchen, she realized that she had been fooled by her master.
But when she thought about how the meals she cooked were loved by the masters, big and small, she smiled and got busy again.
Bao Ge didn't know it was her that left, so Bao Que came up to An Lingrong and reported in a low voice.
"Master, the news just arrived from a subordinate is that the Black-Faced Man's parents are both orphaned, and he has no brothers or sisters. We only heard from an elderly man that he once served in the army. After returning, he lived alone, never interacting with anyone, not even his own people."
She hesitated for a moment and then continued.
"Master, I personally think that if this black-faced girl is innocent, it would be a great thing for Baoge to marry into such a family."
"That guard is indeed a good candidate, but his background is too clean, which makes people suspicious."
An Lingrong also hoped that the guard simply liked Baoge, but things were unpredictable, so she had to be cautious.
"Bao Que, you should find a way to keep Bao Ge in Yongshou Palace and try not to let her go to the former court."
"Yes, Master, I understand."
After Baoque agreed, he immediately started talking about Yonghe Palace.
Shen Meizhuang insisted that the emperor was blessed with great fortune, and with her motherly heart she moved the emperor and made him agree to visit the Tenth Prince in Yonghe Palace every day.
"Master, the Emperor has been visiting the Tenth Prince for two consecutive days. The palace servants are saying privately that Concubine Hui is calculating. She is using the Tenth Prince to win favor."
An Lingrong didn't make any comment, but asked instead.
"Bao Que, what do you think?"
"Master, I deeply agree with you."
Because the Emperor went to visit the Tenth Prince, he shortened the time he spent guiding the Sixth Prince in his studies.
Baoque just felt that the seemingly dignified and generous Concubine Hui was scheming and wanted to challenge her master.
"It's hard to say, let's wait and see."
Not only Baoque had this question, Mrs. Shen also asked in a low voice when only the mother and daughter were left.
"Son, I know you love the Tenth Prince, but there's no need to compete with the Imperial Concubine. I heard from Qingju that there are rumors out there..."
Shen Meizhuang held her mother's hand tightly, asked her to sit on the edge of the bed, and comforted her softly, "Mother, you worry too much. I have never thought of competing with the Imperial Concubine for favor."
There was a flash of pain in her eyes. "I am an unfilial daughter. I have made you worry about me."
When her mother, who was in her early forties, entered the palace, her hair was still black, but now, because she worried day and night about her and the evil child who should not have survived, her hair has turned gray.
"Mei'er, why are you saying this? When you were born, the clan decided to let you enter the palace as a concubine. Your father, like your mother, wanted you to live a peaceful life. But even if he objected, they threatened to remove your name from the family tree..."
Mrs. Shen couldn't stop crying when she thought of how her husband had stayed up late in the study worriedly.
"We can't help you."
After entering the palace, she learned from Qingju about her daughter's past years and felt so heartbroken that she couldn't breathe.
Whenever I think of it, I want to cover myself with the quilt and cry.
But the palace had strict rules, and Mrs. Shen was afraid of implicating her daughter, so she didn't even dare to cry secretly.
It was only these past few days that I was worried about my daughter and grandson, so I took the opportunity to cry a few times.
Shen Meizhuang gently wiped away Mrs. Shen's tears and comforted her softly.
"Mother, the imperial physician said that women in confinement shouldn't cry. You absolutely cannot be so sad again. Although my daughter has not been favored in recent years, the money sent by the clan has allowed her to live a decent life in the palace."
"Now that I have given birth to the tenth prince, my life will naturally get better and better."
"When you return to Jeju someday, please persuade your father."
After comforting her mother, Shen Meizhuang smiled and said.
"It's almost time for the Emperor to visit the Tenth Prince. Please ask Mother to have the wet nurse bring him here."
"Okay, mother will go right away."
Mrs. Shen knew that this matter could not be delayed, so she left in a hurry.
Shen Meizhuang held the little child in her arms, her heart in turmoil.
She gently poked the child's soft cheek and found it softer than silk.
The emperor walked to the door of the bedroom and heard gentle humming coming from inside.
He paused. Neither Tong E'niang nor Huang E'niang had ever sung such a song to comfort a child to him.
The emperor walked in slowly after the bedroom became quiet.
"Concubine Hui, you are still recovering, how can you hold Xiao Shi?"
He skillfully took the child from Shen Meizhuang's hands and saw that the child was indeed asleep.
Shen Meizhuang, radiating maternal love, smiled gently, "Your Majesty, I heard from the nanny that newborn babies have no memories, so we need to make them familiar with their mother's scent. That way, no matter where they go in the future, they'll remember the way home."
The emperor was stunned and asked, "Are you not planning to keep Xiao Shi by your side?"
Shen Meizhuang nodded slightly.
"I love reading. It's said that reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. I once thought that if I had a child in the future, I would definitely let him see a wider world..."
In the past, Shen Meizhuang left the emperor with the impression of being rigid and boring. Unexpectedly, after listening to her talk today, he realized that he seemed to have never understood her.
He gently adjusted the position of the child in his arms, hoping to help him sleep more peacefully.
He listened intently to Shen Meizhuang's story, as she told him what she hoped for Xiao Shi's future.
Shen Meizhuang saw the emperor's actions and thought to herself: He'd better keep listening until he finds out that his "son" is dead in his arms.