Unparalleled Beauty

Chapter C102 pt1

Mei Wushuang spoke with Prince Wei while glancing down at the child nursing.

After feeding him for these past few days, she had gained some experience. The child was still small, with a small mouth, and nursed slowly. If her milk came too quickly, he would easily choke. At times like these, she had to slow the flow.

Seeing the nursing infant swallowing faster, with milk overflowing from the corner of his mouth, she quickly pinched the nipple with her fingers and used her other hand to pull a kerchief to wipe his little face and the corner of his mouth before placing him back on her breast.

She was only concerned with her own task and forgot that there was someone else present. Only after finishing did she realize that Prince Wei was sitting very close to her, also looking down at the child nursing.

"How greedily he eats."

Zuo'er changed every day since he was born.

When he was first born, he was red all over, like a little monkey. Gradually, the redness faded, revealing the good foundation he inherited from his parents, making him fair and tender. His eyebrows were still faint, but already had a shape. His little mouth was red, and one could see that he would surely have a high nose bridge in the future.

At this moment, he was closing his eyes, his cheeks rhythmically puffing as he sucked, truly eating greedily as Prince Wei had said.

It was clearly an ordinary sentence, but Wushuang always felt that Prince Wei was implying something. She quickly said, "He's hungry, so of course he'll eat greedily."

She felt somewhat uneasy under his gaze and wanted to pull the kerchief to cover herself, but Prince Wei reached out a finger and touched the infant's lanugo.

His touch was very light, as there was a spot on the infant's head that had not yet fully formed, and he could not apply too much pressure. He gently stroked it a few times, and seeing a blush spread across her cheeks, he felt a surge of desire in his heart, but ultimately restrained himself, and said in a low voice, "I shall go to the study."

After he left, Wushuang was still blushing with embarrassment for a long while. Besides cursing him inwardly as improper, she didn't know what else to say.

***

Because the weather was not hot, this confinement month was not too difficult to endure.

Halfway through her confinement, Wushuang couldn't help but want to bathe and wash her hair. Granny Gong went to ask the female medical officer, the imperial physician, and Song You. In truth, one could bathe during confinement, but ordinary families lacked the necessary conditions. It was easy for women to catch a cold and suffer from the cold, but this was not a concern in the Prince's mansion.

Even so, she had Linglong and the others make complete preparations. They burned plenty of charcoal in the room, and the water used for bathing was very hot, with many medicinal herbs specially prepared by the imperial physician added to help induce sweating and dispel the cold.

After taking a comfortable bath, she used a fumigation cage to dry her long hair. After all that, Wushuang finally felt alive again.

In fact, her spirits had been quite good all along. Apart from feeling a little weak in the first few days after giving birth, she had long since recovered with all sorts of tonics. This gave her the illusion that whether or not she took her confinement seriously wouldn't really have much of an impact.

However, the female medical officer told her that this was not the case. She had only recovered in appearance, but there were still some areas that had not recovered, such as her slightly fleshy waist and abdomen, and also...

At first, Wushuang thought that the female medical officer, like the imperial physicians, was only there because some patients were women, and the imperial physicians were often hesitant, making the female medical officer more convenient. Only after this did she realize why this female medical officer, surnamed Chu, had a family that had been attached to the Imperial Hospital for generations, specializing in treating and diagnosing illnesses for the women of the royal court.

Because she knew far too much!

For the latter half of her confinement period, it was mostly Female Doctor Chu who cared for Mei Wushuang, from massaging her waist and abdomen daily, then wrapping them with cloth, to giving her a medicinal cream to apply to the most private of places… Such things were too numerous to mention. Because of this, Mei Wushuang felt she had recovered to her pre-pregnancy state even before her confinement ended, perhaps even better than before.

Later, Mei Wushuang learned that Female Doctor Chu had some connection with Song You; they were even fellow disciples. But this will not be elaborated on for now.

In the blink of an eye, it was time for Mei Wushuang to leave her confinement. But at this time, there was still the question of whether or not to hold a full-month celebration for Zuo'er.

Prince Wei intended not to hold one, and Mei Wushuang also felt it was best not to. He was already in the limelight recently, so it was best not to add fuel to the fire. But there was one thing that could not be avoided, and that was taking the child into the palace to show Emperor Taihe.

This request did not originate from Emperor Taihe, but was implied to Prince Wei by Feng Xi.

Feng Xi had always been cunning and sly, never getting involved with anyone, nor offending anyone. For him to take the initiative to hint at something was extremely rare.

However, Feng Xi still did not understand the way Prince Wei and Emperor Taihe interacted. After receiving the hint, Prince Wei did not directly comply, but instead bypassed Feng Xi and directly asked Emperor Taihe if he wanted to see the child.

How could Emperor Taihe answer that? Eagerly saying he wanted to see him?

However, Emperor Taihe could also understand why Prince Wei was acting this way. In short, Prince Wei had suffered too many losses in the palace, and this was his only offspring, so he couldn't help but be cautious. Never mind that Feng Xi was only hinting today; even if Feng Xi explicitly stated it, he would still have to ask Emperor Taihe, lest it be another trap set by someone else.

Thinking this way, Emperor Taihe was once again filled with guilt, and couldn't help but be somewhat humble: "If your Princess Consort is not too busy, then bring the child into the palace for this Emperor to see. This Emperor has something to reward your Princess Consort with."

The last sentence was added on the spot, for fear that he would not agree.

"She will leave her confinement the day after tomorrow. I will have her bring the child into the palace."

"At that time, I will have Feng Xi go to receive her."

***

"Your Highness, are you going with us?" Mei Wushuang, who had changed her clothes, asked with some surprise.

Previously, she had heard Prince Wei say that he would have her take the child into the palace tomorrow, and she had thought that she would be going by herself. She hadn't expected that he would not go to the Privy Council today, just to accompany her into the palace.

"I will accompany you. It would not be appropriate to go see Father Emperor without seeing the Empress Dowager."

The two rode in a carriage into the palace. When the carriage could go no further, they had to get out. Who knew that Feng Xi would be waiting there, saying that His Majesty was afraid that the Little Imperial Grandson would catch a cold, and had specially ordered him to bring a warm sedan chair to receive them.

And so, Mei Wushuang boarded the warm sedan chair.

Prince Wei, however, did not get on. This kind of warm sedan chair, meant for high-ranking imperial concubines, was a single seat. It could, however, accommodate a maid, so Linglong followed.

Feng Xi waved his horsetail whisk, and the warm sedan chair was lifted by several strong eunuchs.

"All of you, carry him steadily for this one. Don't let this one lose face."

His words seemed light as a breeze, but the several burly eunuchs understood clearly. This was a warning: this task was taken on by him, Feng Xi. If anything went wrong, regardless of what happened to him, he would not spare those who caused the mishap.

For the palace servants, they feared His Majesty, the Madams, and the Empress Dowager, but that fear was distant, not deeply felt. If one were to speak of true fear, it was of those who, like them, managed them.

Why could Feng Xi become the 'ancestor' of thousands of eunuchs? Was it truly only because Emperor Taihe favored him?

Of course not. Before Feng Xi was even at Emperor Taihe's side, he was already one of the best among thousands of eunuchs and chamberlains. Because he had not served Emperor Taihe since childhood, he could only be noticed by Emperor Taihe by becoming one of the top few.

"He followed this Emperor halfway. Actually, it's not wrong for you to be wary of him, but he is a capable person, and a clever one at that. If you use such a person, you only need to give him trust, and he will naturally handle matters properly for you. In fact, it's the same as employing people in the court. If they have the ruler and the country in their hearts, even if they occasionally throw a small tantrum or display a petty temper, you must indulge them. Which talented person doesn't have a temper?"

"But if they have no ruler or country in their hearts, even if you employ them, you must weigh things carefully... Water that is too clear has no fish, and a person who is too discerning has no followers. Just like the imperial court, there are those who are pure, those who are corrupt, and those who are neither. How to use them, and how to employ them, all require method. To put it bluntly, for a ruler, it's nothing more than the two words 'employing people'…"

These days, every time Emperor Taihe saw Prince Wei, he would seize every opportunity to lecture him on the art of employing people. At first, Prince Wei didn't think much of it, but as the number of times increased, his pensive thoughts shifted from the words to Emperor Taihe's health.

It was just that Emperor Taihe had always been healthy and had never been heard to have any ailments.

It was also impossible to hear of it. The Imperial Hospital's medical records regarding the emperor were all sealed and stored. Each time, it was the Chief of the Imperial Hospital who took His Majesty's pulse for a routine check-up. To try and get even half a word out of that old man's mouth would probably be wishful thinking.

"Alright, this Emperor will go see the child. You go about your business, and come to pick them up later."

Emperor Taihe went to the side hall, where Feng Xi was accompanying Mei Wushuang.

Seeing His Majesty arrive, Wushuang quickly stood up to offer her greetings.

Emperor Taihe said, "No need for formalities; you're still holding the child."

After a pause, he added, "Bring the child here for this Emperor to see."

Seeing Wushuang hesitate about whether to carry him over herself, he pointed at Feng Xi. Feng Xi quickly handed the horsetail whisk to a nearby little eunuch, reached out to take the swaddled infant, and said, "Your Majesty is truly making things difficult for this old servant. This old servant has never held such a small baby before, but this little imperial grandson's body is quite sturdy; he's really heavy..."

At this time, Zuo'er was awake, his two black eyes round and bright, his cheeks chubby and fair. In fact, when he was first born, he wasn't so chubby. It was precisely because he was small that his birth was quick. After he was born, he grew as if he had seen the wind, changing every day.

Today was the end of his confinement month, and yesterday, Wushuang had a sudden whim and had someone bring a scale to weigh him. When he was first born, he was only a little over five jin (approximately 2.5 kg), but now he was fifteen jin (approximately 7.5 kg), meaning he had gained ten jin in one month.

And at this time, the baby was also well-behaved. As long as he wasn't hungry or didn't need to relieve himself, he wouldn't cry or fuss, which made Emperor Taihe so happy that his mustache curled up, and the smile on his face couldn't be concealed.

He wanted to touch him, but the child's face was too tender.

Emperor Taihe had finally steeled himself to tease the little chubby cheeks, but as soon as his hand reached out, the infant grasped his finger tightly.

Emperor Taihe teased with a smile, "What a strong grip! You don't want to let go of your Imperial Grandfather? Do you know that your Imperial Grandfather has many good things and are asking him for something?"

The infant, of course, did not understand what this meant, but the chamberlains nearby all chimed in with flattering words, praising the little Imperial Grandson for his intelligence and bravery, filling the hall with a harmonious atmosphere.

In the end, Emperor Taihe did not forcefully take his finger back, but casually pulled off a jade pendant from his person and stuffed it over, only then retrieving his hand.

"Truly a clever little one! Refusing to let Grandfather leave without giving him something, but Grandfather still has many court affairs to attend to."

Emperor Taihe turned and added, "This child is being raised well! Reward Princess Consort Wei! I heard Prince Wei say that he doesn't plan to hold a full moon celebration. Since he doesn't want to, then let it be, but don't let the child be wronged. I will send the rewards for him and you to your mansion tomorrow."

"Thank you, Father Emperor!"

After Emperor Taihe left, Mei Wushuang lowered her head to look at the child.

"So tiny, yet already knows how to ask for things. Let Mother see, what good thing did you get?"

Just as she was speaking, Prince Wei arrived.

"What's wrong?" Prince Wei asked.

Wushuang recounted what had just happened, and Prince Wei looked at the jade pendant in his son's hand.

Whatever Emperor Taihe carried on his person was naturally not a bad thing. Leaving aside the quality of the jade, Prince Wei knew that his Father Emperor had worn this jade pendant for a long time, and he hadn't expected him to give it to Zuo'er today.

Wushuang originally wanted to take the jade pendant away, but when she tugged at it, the little one simply refused to let go.

In truth, how could an adult not be able to snatch something from a child? It was only that they were unwilling to use force, fearing they would hurt the child, just like Emperor Taihe just now, who was also unwilling to use force for fear of hurting the child, and thus exchanged it for something else.

"If he likes holding it, then let him hold it," Prince Wei said.

The two then went together to Cining Palace.

Upon hearing that Prince Wei and Princess Consort Wei had arrived, Consort Dowager Hu said, "Look at the Prince Wei and his wife carrying the child here. What am I, with this unlucky body, doing here? I might frighten the child."

The Empress Dowager laughed, "Enough, what unlucky talk? If you are unlucky, then aren't my old bones and legs unlucky too? We happened to meet, what would it look like if I let you leave? Besides, the two children would not feel good knowing that, lest people say they have lost their sense of propriety. After all, you are their elder."

Just as she was speaking, Wushuang and Prince Wei entered.

First came the greetings. Prince Wei recognized Consort Dowager Hu, knowing she was close to the Empress Dowager, so he thought nothing of it, but Wushuang was momentarily stunned.

The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "You probably haven't met Consort Dowager Hu yet. She is usually very particular and doesn't like to stand out, fearing she might annoy others. Today, it just so happened that I didn't let her leave, so you can meet her as well."

"Greetings, Consort Dowager."

"Good child, no need for formalities. We old people don't stand on such ceremony." Consort Dowager Hu's face was full of smiles as she sat beside the Empress Dowager, making a gesture as if to help Wushuang up, indicating that she shouldn't perform the full bow. However, Wushuang still completed the proper greeting, and Prince Wei also bowed to Consort Dowager Hu.

"Let me see the child." The Empress Dowager beckoned.

Wushuang personally carried the swaddled infant forward.

"He's grown so well, he looks like Prince Wei when he was little," the Empress Dowager said.

"Indeed, and a little like His Majesty when he was young," Consort Dowager Hu added.

In truth, these were just polite pleasantries. What Prince Wei and Emperor Taihe looked like as children was probably not remembered by anyone who wasn't close to them. But within the palace, if people were willing to exchange pleasantries to add to the atmosphere, it meant they were being friendly, and as the person concerned, she naturally had no objections.