Chapter 482 – Extra: The Young Prince

Chapter 482 - Extra: The Young Prince

This time, Yun Li didn't rush to leave.

The Empress felt much more at ease with Yun Li around; she seemed to have regressed into a child instantly.

It made Little Nine feel particularly helpless just watching.

Moreover, when Yun Li was in the palace, Pearl behaved particularly well and often came to visit her.

With a hesitant tone, she would say that she missed hearing the Empress Dowager play the zither.

Yun Li didn't hold any ill feelings towards Pearl; she was just a spoiled child after all.

But as for playing the zither, Yun Li didn't always grant her wish. She herself didn't play it very often these days.

The queen's pregnancy would not yield a birth until the following spring.

She was, after all, of advanced years, and despite her robust health, the pregnancy took its toll on her.

She often complained of backaches and soreness.

Fortunately, Yun Li was in the palace, attending to numerous affairs on her behalf.

The queen sat before Yun Li like a child, watching her handle the palace's business with amusement.

Yun Li was exasperated. "If it weren't for you, I'd never touch these matters in my life. Now, my skills are rusty."

The queen chuckled. "Thank you, Mother."

Empress Dowager was not one to meddle in affairs, but when she did, the entire harem felt her authority.

Consorts of Prince Jiuyi sought to visit daily to pay their respects, but Yun Li declined them all.

Prince Jiuyi also strictly forbade his consorts from disturbing the queen.

Yet, when the imperial princes and princesses came, Yun Li enjoyed their visits.

It was just that... she liked them, but not overly so.

She wasn't particularly fond of children.

Still, when she returned, Grand Imperial Noble Consort was overjoyed.

She pulled Yun Li aside to chat daily.

Mostly, they complained about their daughter and granddaughters.

Aside from the First Princess, the other princesses would also visit the palace every few days to pay their respects.

The consorts were required to come as well.

Ordinarily, the Empress Dowager would only mention her devotion to Buddha, residing on a mountain outside the palace all year round without returning.

Whether or not she genuinely practiced Buddhism, that was the story she conveyed to the public.

Having bid farewell to the Qi family, Yun Li had a busy day as well.

Xiao Jiu squeezed in a visit, asking, "Mother, didn't you say you were going to Yunxiao Peak this year? Did you go? How was it?"

"Go to hell! I was planning to, but with your wife pregnant, how could I be at ease?" Yun Li gave Xiao Jiu a withering look. "I, who don't particularly care for children, have to stay here and supervise my daughter-in-law giving birth."

Despite her words, she did hope that Ruan's family would have an heir, for everyone's benefit.

"I'm sorry, Mother," Xiao Jiu chuckled, still displaying a childish demeanor despite his age when facing Yun Li.

Yun Li herself wasn't aware if it was due to her unique background or her excellent maintenance, but she currently appeared to be around the same age as the Empress.

In fact, she even seemed slightly younger.

She aged too slowly.

Hence, she found no need to meet people every day.

Looking at He Jinning's group of daughters-in-law, all older than her, truthfully, it was quite a test of patience.

Thus, they only met once and that was it.

She wanted to venture out, but her dislike of staying in the capital stemmed from this reason too.

In these times, people were prone to speculation when they encountered something so unconventional.

If she moved further away, out of sight, then it would be considered settled.

However, Little Nine took it well; he even thought that his mother should be like this, and it suited her.

Every year, he had the Imperial Medical Institute prepare face cream for Yun Li.

Despite their infrequent reunions over the years, their maternal bond remained unaltered.

In fact, they grew even closer than before.

During the New Year, Yun Li arranged everything.

The various sectors of the palace were long unfamiliar with such arrangements. Some veteran managers could adapt, while the newcomers were utterly perplexed.

The Empress Dowager's way of handling affairs was entirely distinct from the Empress's.

Yun Li had specially reassured everyone, asking them not to panic, for she wouldn't be involved in managing things every year.

She didn't want them to change everything all at once, for the Ruan family might find it hard to adapt.

Ruan had been taking supplements consistently, but this pregnancy was still smaller compared to her previous four.

The imperial physicians found no issues, and the midwives were also certain that the child was healthy, albeit a bit underweight.

Observing Ruan's excessive eating, Yun Li intervened, "Some children are just naturally small. If you overfeed him, how will you manage during childbirth? Ensuring adequate nutrition is enough."

A child born at thirty-five would inevitably not be the same as one at twenty-five; wasn't pushing for excessive nourishment sheer nonsense?

Though Yun Li was no expert in this area, she had, after all, spent decades hearing about scientific knowledge.

She could still offer some advice based on experience.

Fortunately, the Empress was obedient.

To be honest, it was fortunate that Yun Li had mentioned it; if Ninth had spoken up, it might not have gone as smoothly.

When March arrived, everyone held their breath in anticipation of the Empress giving birth.

On the seventh day of the month, the Empress went into labor. The previous birth of Fifth Princess had been rather difficult.

Ninth was on high alert this time around as well.

Surprisingly, the delivery was swift and uneventful, likely due to the child's smaller size. She gave birth in the afternoon, having gone into labor in the morning.

The midwife, overcome with excitement, emerged to announce the joyful news: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, and congratulations, Empress Dowager! Her Imperial Highness the Empress has given birth to an Eighth Prince. Mother and child are both safe."

Ninth smiled, "Excellent, generous rewards for all."

Yun Li also chuckled softly, "Your wish came true, didn't it? This child is one blessed with fortune. Just a bit late, and patient. Let's call him Chi Chi for now."

Ninth nodded with a smile, muttering, "I never had a nickname."

"You didn't, but 'Ninth' isn't one?" Yun Li shot his son a playful glance before entering the birthing chamber.

The Empress was also weary, and upon seeing Yun Li enter, she smiled. "My child..."

"How do you feel? Now that you've given birth, you mustn't take any more risks. I'll have the imperial physicians prepare new medicine for you." After five births, another would truly be risking her life.

The Empress nodded in agreement.

Yun Li turned to look at the wrinkled infant, wondering if there was any way to tell if the child was healthy or not.

Perhaps he wouldn't be unattractive.

Although the Eighth Prince was small, his development seemed to be on track.

He had a strong cry.

He should grow up to be a well-nourished child.

Yun Li recalled the previous emperor's Eighth Prince, who should have grown up healthy, but alas, never had the chance.

Lady Huaxi mercilessly smothered him with her own hands.

This Eighth Prince was different.

He was Xiaojiu's legitimate son. As long as he wasn't overly foolish, he would become the crown prince.

Yun Li held his little hand and smiled.

Yun Li left the capital at the end of April, saying she wouldn't return for the new year.

The queen once again sent Yun Li off with tears shimmering in her eyes.

With the birth of an imperial prince from the queen's lineage, the courtiers no longer made hasty recommendations. They now focused solely on urging the emperor to establish a crown prince.

Xiao Jiu also wishes for it, but she still wants to wait and see, until the child is a bit older.

Now, the pressure from the court isn't as intense as before, at least there's an official heir.

It stems from a habit formed during the late emperor's reign... Persuasion is futile, for the emperor does not heed.

Petitions sent up often vanished without a trace.

The young prince was full of vitality.

He grew quickly too; even at just over a year old, it was clear he was no fool.

When he cried, it was with tremendous force, wailing loudly.

Princess Five loved her vinegar, and was often reduced to tears by her mischievous younger brother.

Prince Nine would then swoop in to comfort her.

Princess One, Two, and Three would burst into laughter.

Jade would smile too. Jade loved both her brother and sister dearly, but felt a bit bashful about laughing too loudly.

Ever since the young prince's arrival, Jade had become particularly cautious.