Chapter 699 - 477: Miscalculated

Chapter 699: Chapter 477: Miscalculated

’Considering Yun Zhao carried this child for ten difficult months, what does it matter if he’s a little ugly? He’s a prince, after all. He won’t need to rely on his looks to find a wife.’

He had often held Feng Ze, so now, holding his tiny little son, his movements were quite practiced.

So soft, a tiny little bundle nestled in his arms. Feng Yi’s heart melted.

This little baby was completely different from that little terror, Feng Ze. He seemed so well-behaved.

The midwife watched the Emperor’s actions in astonishment, then quickly lowered her head, not daring to look again.

The Emperor was holding the little prince.

This was truly a rare sight. It was customary to hold one’s grandchildren, not one’s own children.

Lady Ming was truly favored; even the child she bore was held in high regard by His Majesty.

Just then, Nanny Yu and the others came out. Feng Yi handed the baby to the wet nurse and went straight into the delivery room himself.

The people outside exchanged glances. It was Consort Shu who finally broke the silence with a light cough, saying, "Let me see the Second Prince. What a well-behaved child. Ming Fei had a smooth delivery, so this child is surely blessed with good fortune."

The Emperor was so preoccupied with Ming Fei that he hadn’t even mentioned giving out rewards. Consort Shu certainly didn’t dare to overstep the Emperor and grant them herself.

In the delivery room, Yun Zhao saw Feng Yi enter so quickly and couldn’t help but feel a little relieved that she had already been cleaned up. Otherwise, her disheveled appearance from just a moment ago might have left a bad impression on him.

Even though Yun Zhao’s delivery had been very smooth and she hadn’t suffered much, childbirth was still a major ordeal. Her forehead was beaded with sweat, and her face had the distinct flush that comes after labor. She looked quite weak at a glance.

Feng Yi sat by the bed and held her hand tightly. "Zhaozhao, you’ve worked so hard."

Song Yunzhao hadn’t thought much of it, as this was her second child. But Feng Yi hadn’t been by her side when she gave birth to Feng Ze, and seeing him now, she suddenly felt a pang of sorrow.

She opened her mouth to say something, but before she could speak, tears began to roll down her cheeks.

"You can’t cry after giving birth." Feng Yi remembered the taboos of the postpartum confinement period—he had specifically asked about them. He quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe Yun Zhao’s tears. He didn’t dare embrace her, so he just leaned close and spoke to her softly.

"I’ve seen the baby. He’s a little ugly, but he’s our son. I don’t mind."

Huh?

How could Song Yunzhao possibly feel like crying anymore? She immediately retorted, "All newborns look like that. Feng Ze was the same way back then."

Feng Yi was dumbfounded. He recalled the fair and chubby baby Feng Ze had been and found it hard to believe.

"Just wait a few days and look again. He’ll definitely be different," Song Yunzhao said. ’He dares to call my son ugly? I haven’t even called him old yet.’

Seeing that Yun Zhao was getting angry, Feng Yi quickly tried to soothe her. "I don’t mind, I don’t mind at all. You’re right, he’ll be different in a few days. I just don’t have the experience. I wasn’t there for you when Feng Ze was born, so this time it’s been a real eye-opener for me."

Song Yunzhao was speechless.

’He backed down so quickly. I didn’t even get a chance to make my case.’

She was exhausted, after all. Yun Zhao fell asleep not long after she started talking with Feng Yi. Seeing the faint, sallow undertone in her complexion, Feng Yi pondered that he must have the Imperial Hospital pay close attention and nurse her back to health.

A vibrant and energetic Yun Zhao was a much more reassuring sight.

Only then did Feng Yi remember to grant rewards to the Six Palaces for Yun Zhao giving birth to a prince. The staff of Yaohua Palace received particularly generous rewards. He also sent someone to deliver the happy news to the Song Family. The palace attendant tasked with announcing the news left the palace, and soon, word of Ming Fei giving birth to the Second Prince spread.

「In Shouci Palace」

The Empress Dowager was kneeling before a statue of Buddha, fingering her Buddha Beads and quietly chanting a Buddhist Scripture. When the news arrived that Song Yunzhao had given birth to the Second Prince, the string of beads in her hand snapped, and the pearls scattered across the floor with a crisp clatter.

Nanny Yao hurried forward to help the Empress Dowager up. At the same time, An Shutong instructed a young palace attendant to pick up the Buddha Beads while she herself supported the Empress Dowager’s other arm. "Aunt, you should rest for a bit," she said softly. "You were praying to Buddha for Ming Fei, and now she has safely given birth to the Second Prince. This is a joyous occasion."

Nanny Yao breathed a small sigh of relief. Hearing An Xiaoyi smooth things over for the Empress Dowager, she quickly chimed in, "Yes, Empress Dowager, you must reward Lady Ming."

The Empress Dowager sat on the soft couch, glanced at the two of them, and then said, "Send that set of kingfisher feather phoenix hairpins from my storeroom to Ming Fei."

The Empress Dowager knew full well that with Ming Fei having given birth to a second son, her own son, the Emperor, would surely promote her.

She was powerless to stop it.

Hearing the Empress Dowager’s words, An Shutong quickly added with a smile, "You are so generous, Aunt. Lady Ming will certainly be delighted when she finds out."

Nanny Yao took some people to open the storeroom, retrieved the set of jewelry, and inspected it. Seeing nothing amiss, she placed it in a brocade box and led the group toward Yaohua Palace.

Yun Zhao was sleeping so soundly she was dead to the world, completely oblivious to the commotion outside. When she finally woke, everything was quiet. The room was dark, save for a single palace lantern in the corner casting a dim, yellow glow.

She had actually slept until nightfall. She shifted slightly and realized she was back in the main hall, which startled her for a moment.

Just as she was pondering this, the bed curtains were lifted, and Feng Yi’s face appeared before her.

"Zhaozhao, how are you feeling? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?" Feng Yi smoothly hooked the curtain on the Jade Hook and sat beside her, carefully observing her complexion.

Yun Zhao paused, subconsciously touching her face. "I think I’m fine?"

’At any rate, the Empress Dowager wasn’t here to cause trouble this time. The delivery was smooth and didn’t take too long. It was so smooth it felt like a dream.’

’The two children were born only a few years apart, yet this time, she felt it hadn’t been very painful.’

The two of them stared at each other, at a loss for words. Feng Yi was the first to laugh. He reached out, pulled her into his arms, and held her tight. Having her solid, real presence in his embrace finally made it all feel real. "Who else doesn’t complain like you do?"

Song Yunzhao laughed too. "Didn’t I just forget?"

’I really didn’t think to act frail. A miscalculation.’

Feng Yi laughed heartily. "You must be hungry, right?" he said, then ordered for food to be served.

Yun Zhao really was hungry, but she was still thinking about the baby. "Where’s the baby?" she asked. "Bring him over so I can see him. They only let me have one glance after he was born; I haven’t had a proper look yet."

Feng Yi had the Second Prince brought over again. He took the baby himself and held him in front of Yun Zhao. "Take a look. Who do you think he resembles?"

"How could anyone tell at this stage... Huh? He opened his eyes?" Song Yunzhao said, pleasantly surprised.

"This child is very obedient. He sleeps as soon as he’s full, and he doesn’t fuss when he wakes up. He’s completely different from his older brother." Feng Yi’s face was wreathed in smiles. He had missed his eldest son’s birth, and now, looking at his second, he felt a particular urge to make up for that lost time.

’Feng Ze must have been like this right after he was born, too,’ he thought. ’Such a joyful sight.’

Song Yunzhao breathed a sigh of relief at his words. "Finally, an easy one. If we had another one like Feng Ze, I’d have a headache all over again."

Feng Yi’s smile grew even wider. He asked Yun Zhao, "Have you thought of a name?"

Song Yunzhao immediately replied, "Naming him is the Emperor’s duty. I won’t fight you for it. What name did you choose?"

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to; he was a prince, after all. A name given by the Emperor would surely bring the child greater honor.

It sounded calculating to say so, but she feared that if the children were treated differently as they grew up, someone might try to sow discord between them.

’It’s better to let his father handle it.’