pdf-ebookys Chapter 1678 Ah-Xu is a child who grew up in love
Chapter 1678 Ah-Xu is a child who grew up in love
"Why don't you take the Sixth Prince tomorrow morning, prepare the congratulatory gifts, and then go to Yongshou Palace in a grand manner to offer your congratulations?"
Consort Xuan finally suppressed her excitement and nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, you're right!"
"Imperial Noble Consort needs to rest now, so let's go early tomorrow morning. Pearl, make sure the congratulatory gift is both grand and thoughtful. I want to personally go and congratulate my sister!"
Pearl smiled and said, "Yes!"
That night was destined to be a sleepless one in the imperial harem.
Some people carefully prepare gifts, while others ponder them deeply.
Some people are genuinely happy, while others are forcing a smile.
In any case, when the sun rises tomorrow, long lines of people bringing gifts and offering congratulations are destined to form on all the palace roads leading to Yongshou Palace.
……
Yongshou Palace.
A child's innocent voice came from outside.
The wet nurse carried a child dressed in an apricot-yellow soft satin robe and tiptoed in; it was the Fourth Prince.
When he saw the bright yellow figure by the bedside, his eyes lit up instantly, as if stars had fallen into them.
"Father!"
The fourth prince's voice was full of undisguised joy. He twisted in his wet nurse's arms and struggled to get down.
The wet nurse quickly put him down, carefully protecting him: "Fourth Prince, please take it easy..."
The moment the Fourth Prince's feet touched the ground, he ran towards Nangong Xuanyu with a "thump thump thump" sound, his eyes filled with affection.
Nangong Xuanyu was talking to Shen Zhinian when he heard the sound and turned around to see the Fourth Prince rushing towards him with his little hands outstretched.
This is my own bloodline.
The emperor's expression softened instantly, his eyes filled with pure compassion.
He bent down, stretched out his long arm, and easily caught the fourth prince's soft little body in his arms, holding him firmly.
"Ah Xu, it's so late, why aren't you asleep yet?"
Nangong Xuanyu's voice unconsciously softened, a stark contrast to his usual dignified and cold demeanor in the court.
He lifted the fourth prince in his arms and laughed, "He's gotten a bit heavier and taller too."
The fourth prince, held in his father's arms, smiled so hard his eyes curved into crescents: "Your subject missed you, Father!"
"Father, it's been so long... so long since you've come to see your son and mother..."
Children's words are the most sincere.
The words "It's been a long time" stung Nangong Xuanyu's heart slightly. His guilt deepened.
Yes, he was so absorbed in his own emotions that he neglected Niannian and ignored Axi.
"It's Father's fault."
Nangong Xuanyu gently rubbed his chin against the Fourth Prince's soft hair, his voice full of apology: "Father has been busy these days. I will definitely come to see A-Xu more often in the future, okay?"
"it is good!"
The fourth prince nodded vigorously, then said proudly, "Father, A-Xu can recite poems now! Mother taught him! Spring..."
The little guy swayed his head and recited a simple ancient poem in a childish voice. Although he mispronounced a few words, he recited it very fluently, clearly having practiced for a long time.
After reciting it, he opened his bright eyes and looked at Nangong Xuanyu, waiting for praise.
Nangong Xuanyu felt a surge of warmth in his heart and praised without reservation, "Axu is so smart! You memorized it so well!"
Then, he looked at Shen Zhinian, who was leaning against the bed and smiling at them, and said gently, "It's also because Nian Nian taught you well."
Shen Zhinian said softly, "It's because A-Xu is willing to learn and remembers quickly."
The fourth prince was overjoyed by the praise and began to chatter incessantly.
They'll talk about which flower in the Imperial Garden has bloomed.
One minute they'll talk about how the koi they fed yesterday snatched the food.
A moment later, he took out his recent drawing, which, to adults, was just a jumble of messy lines—a "masterpiece"—and showed it to his father. He earnestly explained where the mountains were and where the sun was.
Nangong Xuanyu listened patiently, occasionally agreeing, asking questions, or expressing surprised admiration. This amused the Fourth Prince, who giggled and squirmed in his arms.
The conversation between father and son was innocent and carefree, without any ulterior motives, and the atmosphere was as warm as the joy of ordinary family life.
The fourth prince was pampered from birth, and Nangong Xuanyu placed high hopes on him. In their daily interactions, the emperor's authority was less pronounced, and the father's love and indulgence were more common.
The atmosphere inside the room was very warm and cozy. Nangong Xuanyu's heart was filled with the joy of being connected by blood.
The genuine father-son bond he showed with A-Xu was undeniable. Perhaps he shouldn't have listened to Xing-Chen's instigation and sent people to investigate Niannian and A-Xu.
Shen Zhinian watched this scene quietly, a gentle smile on her lips, but a complex look flashed across her eyes.
This heartwarming scene was exactly what she had been looking forward to.
Regardless of her feelings for Nangong Xuanyu, Axu is still so young and needs her father's love.
Shen Zhinian never experienced family affection growing up, so she hoped that A-Xu would be a child who grew up in love.
Seeing the genuine affection in Nangong Xuanyu's eyes, she knew that she had taken this step more steadily.
As the Fourth Prince continued speaking, his little head began to nod, his voice gradually lowered, and his long eyelashes drooped down like small fans, clearly indicating that he was sleepy.
Seeing this, Nangong Xuanyu gently patted his back and coaxed him softly.
The wet nurse stepped forward at the opportune moment and carefully took the fourth prince, who was already half asleep, from the emperor's arms. She whispered her farewell: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, this servant will take the fourth prince to rest."
Nangong Xuanyu nodded and watched the wet nurse carry the fourth prince away.
His heart was filled with tenderness, mixed with a touch of emotion.
Ah Xu has grown up so fast, it seems I've missed a lot of the subtle moments of his growth.
Tang Luochuan had already bowed and retreated silently without anyone noticing.
The eunuchs and maids quietly tidied up the medicine bowls and other items, and after checking the candles, doors, and windows, they also withdrew one by one.
Only the emperor and his concubine remained in the inner chamber.
The glow of the glass palace lanterns enveloped the bed, gently overlapping the shadows of the two people.
Nangong Xuanyu turned around, sat down on the bedside, and naturally took Shen Zhinian's hand.
Looking at her relaxed face, the emperor felt a thousand words welling up in his heart, which finally turned into a long sigh. He pressed her hand to his cheek and said, "Niannian... you have truly surprised and delighted me today, and I am also afraid and ashamed..."
Shen Zhinian snuggled closer and gently rested her head on Nangong Xuanyu's firm shoulder: "Your Majesty is joking."
"You are the emperor, why would you be afraid?"
Nangong Xuanyu embraced her, pulling his arms closer to make her more comfortable.
Knowing that Shen Zhinian was unwell, he naturally had no other thoughts. Simply holding her quietly like this brought him a sense of peace and contentment: "You have no idea how worried I was when I heard Fuqu report that you had fainted in the Hall of Mental Cultivation..."
"I'm afraid... I'm afraid something might happen to you..."
"Niannian, it's my fault. I've neglected you these past few days, leaving you to bear the hardships of pregnancy alone. And... and I've made you feel uneasy."