Work overtime

Chapter 687

"Wash your hair first, and you will be a king. Wash your waist later, and you will be taller than a tree. Wash your eggs, and you will look really good. Wash your gutters, and you will have no worries or sorrows."

The midwife shouted joyfully. The eldest prince kicked his arms and legs in the dragon fish transformation basin and cried loudly.

Today is the third day since the eldest prince was born, and a "third-day bath" ceremony will be held.

The emperor slept until noon in the Jiangyue White House, had lunch, and then took important court officials and concubines to attend the eldest prince's third-day bathing ceremony.

This is a very important ceremony after the birth of a child. It is said to wash away dirt, avoid disasters and difficulties, and also collect blessings to protect the child's health and safety.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! The eldest prince cried loudly, and he will be extraordinary in the future." A court official said flatteringly.

"Hmm," the emperor hummed calmly.

According to folk customs, the louder the baby cries during the third bath, the more promising his life will be.

According to this, the eldest prince was really not that good. Although he cried louder than three days ago, it was far from being resonant. If I had to describe it, it was like a kitten crying.

The emperor's noncommittal attitude made the court officials a little undecided. They all changed their words to say that the woman was smart, healthy and safe. Anyway, it would never go wrong to say more auspicious words on such occasions.

After the third bath, everyone was wondering which concubine the emperor would let raise the eldest prince. Who would have thought that the emperor would simply let two wet nurses and Narcissus take care of the child and live in the side hall of the Qinzheng Palace.

This completely protects the eldest prince.

After Li Beichen finished his court, government affairs, or lunch, he would go to visit the eldest prince. Sometimes he would play with him, sometimes he would quietly watch him feeding, and sometimes he would watch him sleeping.

The wet nurses were all in their twenties, and at first they were stared at by the emperor, so they couldn't help but have wild fantasies. Later they realized that they were overthinking. The emperor was just interested in the baby's breastfeeding.

The nurses also couldn't understand what was so interesting about a sleeping baby. But the emperor could just smile for most of the day.

Li Beichen found that he liked children very much. When he was with children, he felt carefree, didn't think about anything, and felt completely relaxed and relieved.

And when I hold the small, soft person in my arms, I have an even more strange feeling. I am afraid that he will fall, I am afraid that he will get bumped, I am afraid that I am holding him in the wrong position.

The heart becomes very soft and full.

The eldest prince had a very pleasing appearance. He had a full forehead and big, dark eyes, like two black grapes. He actually didn't look much like Li Beichen, but more like his mother.

He was a big eater and sleeper, and his strength in feeding was increasing. He took a long time to eat at one meal, and his appetite was very large among babies. The wrinkles on his face gradually flattened, and he started to grow chubby like a little monk.

When he was awake, he always smiled at his father and followed his father with his eyes. When Li Beichen put his fingers into his hand, he would instinctively hold them tightly, looking at his father with his big black eyes. His little mouth opened and moved from time to time, as if he always wanted to say something.

Li Beichen likes this little person very much. When he is with him, he feels particularly peaceful and calm.

Perhaps this is blood relationship, the hope for the endless survival of mankind.

In order to prevent someone from taking the risk of tampering with him and indirectly murdering the little prince, Li Beichen would change his clothes and wash his hands every time before meeting the prince. He was very cautious.

He spent most of his free time accompanying the eldest prince, and only occasionally went to the harem.

In the morning, he went to Jiang Yuebai's palace to practice swordplay, had breakfast with Jiang Yuebai, and then walked back to Qinzheng Palace to review memorials.

He no longer went to Concubine Xie for lunch, but instead summoned one or two ministers to have lunch together every day, and the food was simple and light.

In the evening, I had dinner with Concubine Xi, Concubine Zhen, and Qi Wanyi. I sat with Concubine Yu and Murong for a while, asked about the situation, and then left. Almost every day, I would go to Jiang Yuebai's place to sit for a while, play a game of chess, and then leave.

Li Beichen sleeps alone most of the time at night.

Occasionally, when I stay overnight at Jiang Yuebai's place, I will still toss and turn before going to sleep, and then I will kiss, hug and lift him up high.

In short, he led a restrained and regular ascetic life.

One evening, Concubine Yi came to visit Jiang Yuebai. The two were playing chess, and the game was in full swing. More importantly, Jiang Yuebai won in the end. Jiang Yuebai and the emperor were very happy.

Concubine Yi studied the chessboard and was surprised to find that the emperor did not give in to Jiang Yuebai.

The emperor was taught by the national master Han Shaofu. Could it be that Jiang Yuebai's chess skills were so terrifying?
Concubine Yi was convinced, and the little jealousy she had was gone. Jiang Yuebai was really amazing.

Can others do it? At least she knows that she can't. She worships the emperor and is defeated by him. She dares not to defeat the emperor, and she can't defeat the emperor.

Unfortunately, other people couldn't see this. They only thought that Jiang Yuebai was unscrupulous and used some inferior means to make the emperor stay in Yonghe Palace so comfortable that he didn't want to leave.

Jiang Yuebai didn't care at all, she just lived her life.

Her legs recovered quickly, and she had no problem standing and walking. But it was already four months, and her belly was already showing. Although Jiang Yuebai paid great attention to her diet, her belly was still much larger than normal when she was pregnant with quintuplets. When she stood, the weight on her legs was too great, and her center of gravity was unstable.

Following the doctor's advice, she still sits in a wheelchair, and apart from rehabilitation training twice a day, she basically does not walk.

Two high-ranking concubines passed away in July. When they passed away, the emperor was sad. But even for a concubine of Xi's status, the emperor was only sad for one night. The next day, everything was still the same.

The concubines finally understood what it meant that the emperor was ruthless and that people would forget about him after he left.

There is still a child who is reliable.

Every night they hoped that the emperor would summon them to sleep with him, but their hopes were dashed time and time again.

As time went by, the moon became thinner day by day, and it was the end of the month.

The next day was the first day of August.

It was time again for the harem to gather in Jingren Palace to pay their respects to Concubine Yi.

This time, everyone in the harem gathered together without any prior arrangement, including those who were in confinement after giving birth.

It's certainly convenient not to have to hold morning meetings, but I'm almost becoming autistic after staying in my own palace all day.

The arrogant and domineering Concubine Lie suddenly passed away, and everyone missed her. Concubine Lie passed away. No one dared to speak out. Everyone was talking about the hot weather and the stuffiness of clothes.

Concubine Xia did not speak, but just looked at Murong, with a loving and nervous look, just like Murong's mother. Murong, who used to say sour words, now just silently twisted the sandalwood beads in her hand, like an old monk in meditation.

Concubine Xie, who had always been straightforward and cute, was no longer as sweet and quick-talking as before. She was playing with the beads in her hands, and no one knew what she was thinking.

When Concubine Fang jokingly congratulated Concubine Xie on being favored by the Emperor soon, Concubine Xie smiled and said, "Yes. Soon I will be able to be the Emperor's woman like my sister. Sister has experience, so teach me more and impart some skills to me."

His attitude was very open and he didn't seem shy at all.

Is this something that can be said openly?
You are still a young girl who has never experienced anything in life. Shouldn't you be shy and timid?
For a moment, Concubine Fang was at a loss for words and said awkwardly, "Don't worry, sister. The bedroom nanny will tell you when the time comes."

Concubine Xie pouted and asked innocently, "Sister, are you unwilling to teach me? Have the maids in the bedroom ever served the emperor? Do you know what the emperor likes?"

Dare to provoke her? Haha. How dare you touch the tiger's butt.

Concubine Fang was a hot-tempered person to begin with, but she blushed when she was stared at by so many people. She whispered, "If you want to listen, I'll talk to you alone later." "I want to listen, too!" Concubine An at the side said loudly and happily, with a lively and excited look on her face.

An Fei is very talented in learning languages. After two months, she can understand a lot of Chinese and have basic conversations.

She looks a lot like Audrey Hepburn, with high brow bones, a long and straight nose, a deep and three-dimensional face, and a pair of big and bright almond-shaped eyes with distinct black and white.

At this point the smile looked even more like it.

As soon as Concubine An spoke, everyone smiled and waited to watch the show.

Concubine Xie had an expression of watching a show, "Sister Fang, it seems everyone wants to know."

Jiang Yuebai looked at Concubine Fang curiously.

Logically speaking, Concubine Fang had already achieved her goal of ascending to power with the help of Concubine Zhen, so she should not have taken the initiative to provoke Concubine Xie and make enemies for Concubine Zhen.

When Zhenfei sent Chanjuan out of the palace, everyone was sending a signal that she had no intention of competing for that position and no one should get close to her.

Lady Fang has always been smart, why did she do this?
Jiang Yuebai was just thinking about it when he heard Concubine Zhen speak for Concubine Fang, "Sister Xie is young and has never experienced this, so she is curious. Sister An has already served in the emperor's bed."

Concubine An blinked her eyes, as if she didn't understand. "I'm just curious about how others do it. The emperor is different from everyone, right?"

The scene was instantly awkward. Although everyone was curious, no one dared to speak out.

Concubine Yi was about to take charge of the situation and change the subject, but she heard Concubine Zhen speak decisively:
"What's wrong with Concubine An? How dare you ask about the Emperor's affairs? If you have a fever due to the hot weather, you can go to the Imperial Hospital to get some medicine to regulate your body. I have a lot of chrysanthemum tea here, Qingying, take some for Concubine An."

Concubine Zhen was dressed in ivory white today, with chrysanthemums embroidered with silver thread on her horse-faced skirt, and the stamens were light yellow. She used white jade hairpins and jade earrings, which matched her usual proud and noble appearance.

She used to wear delicate makeup, but now she is bare-faced, and looks like she has not even put on any makeup, but she is still enviably beautiful. This is what it means to be naturally beautiful.

Concubine An curled her lips and asked, "How did Concubine Zhen know that I was angry?"

Concubine Zhen smiled sweetly, "Isn't there a lot of pustules on your forehead? Don't scratch it, it will leave scars. Just go to the Imperial Hospital and get some medicine."

Concubine Xie supported her chin with her elbow, looking as if she didn't understand what you were saying.

Concubine An was about to ask what this had to do with wanting to hear Concubine Fang talk about sex, but Concubine Yi interrupted her:

"Sister An, Concubine Zhen is right. You have just arrived in the Central Plains and are not used to it yet. You need to see the abscess on your head as soon as possible. When it comes to learning to speak Chinese, take your time. How to speak is a big deal. Jiang Changzai, you should slowly tell Concubine An the trick. Don't say such things again and pry into the emperor's private affairs, otherwise you will be punished according to the palace rules."

Concubine An asked unconvincedly, "Then why can you tell Concubine Xie about the emperor's private affairs?"

Concubine Xie smiled and said, "This is none of your business."

Concubine Yi ignored Concubine Xie's words and smiled gently, "Noble Lady Fang, would you discuss the emperor's private affairs with Concubine Xie?"

Concubine Fang immediately knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, no."

Concubine An felt that she was being treated differently, "Thank you, Concubine Yi, for your partiality."

Concubine Zhen interrupted her, "Concubine An, why don't you admit your mistake? How dare you contradict Concubine Yi?"

What is the background of Concubine Xie's family? What is your background? Don't you have an idea of ​​it?
To put it bluntly, the Xie family is the emperor's relative, and your family is the emperor's enemy.

It would have been fine if she hadn't said anything, but after hearing this, Concubine An's eyes instantly turned red. She bit her lip and said, "Concubine Zhen, you are deliberately favoring the people in your palace. What did I do wrong? Tell me about it."

Jiang Yuebai thought to himself, Concubine Fang came from Ryukyu, could she be a spy, specially here to muddy the waters?

Thinking of the friendly and united national policy that the emperor talked about that day, Jiang Yuebai smiled:
"I believe Sister Anfei didn't mean it. She just heard Sister Fang and Sister Xie were talking interestingly and wanted to listen. Am I right, Sister An?"

Seeing that Concubine Ning Hui was giving her a way out, Concubine An cooperated wisely, "Your Highness Concubine Ning, yes."

Jiang Yuebai's face was calm and her voice was gentle: "Sister An, please listen to my advice. The first principle of speaking is that it is better to say less than to say the wrong thing. The second principle is not to say anything if you don't know how to say it. Silence is golden. So as not to cause trouble. Sister Zhenfei, am I right?"

Asking Zhenfei was actually a warning to her, telling her to go back and take care of Concubine Fang as soon as possible, otherwise she would be a disaster and would be implicated sooner or later.

Concubine Zhen understood the hidden meaning and said with a smile, "Sister Ning Fei is right."

Concubine Xie also echoed tenderly, "Sister Ning Fei is right."

Concubine Yi looked at Jiang Yuebai gratefully, breathed a sigh of relief, and said in a gentle voice:
"An Fei, you have only been in the palace for a short time. It is not easy to learn how to speak appropriately. Don't be in a hurry. Learn slowly. Jiang Changzai, please explain it to An Fei in detail after you go back."

Concubine An also came to her senses at this time, and bowed to Concubine Yi and Jiang Yuebai, "Your Highness Concubine Yi is kind and tolerant. I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have said such nonsense without knowing the rules."

Concubine An admitted her mistake in public, and everyone was happy.

Concubine Yi asked everyone to leave, leaving Jiang Yuebai alone to talk.

Concubine Yi smiled and said, "It's all thanks to my sister for helping me out just now."

Jiang Yuebai also smiled, "It's just a small matter. The weather is hot, and everyone is getting irritated and upset. Look, I have two big boils on my skin."

She pointed to the two red pimples on her forehead.

"I have medicine here, do you want to use it?" Concubine Yi immediately ordered Mo Yu to get the ointment.

"No need. They're just two pimples, no problem." Jiang Yuebai waved his hand.

Concubine Yi looked at Jiang Yuebai's belly.

"Why is your belly so big?" she asked worriedly. "It wasn't this big on the 15th of last month."

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, everyone saw her belly because of her kneeling. Many people were talking about it secretly.

Just now, many people were staring at her belly.

As usual, she had covered her belly with satin, so you could only see its approximate size but not its actual size.

Many people speculated that she was pregnant with twins, while others maliciously thought that she was pregnant with a monster.

She sent people to spread the news that she was "Jiang Ba Jin" and it worked. Many people thought that she might be pregnant with a giant baby weighing "8 Jin" like her mother. Many people secretly gloated over her misfortune and hoped that she would die in childbirth.

Let them say whatever they want.

Jiang Yuebai made up a reasonable excuse and took the opportunity to change the subject, "Maybe I haven't vomited recently, my appetite has increased, and the children are growing fast. Is your sister still vomiting?"

As expected, the topic returned to herself, and Concubine Yi began to talk incessantly about morning sickness and pregnancy dreams, and recalled the past stories of Concubine Xi. In short, she was very emotional.

Jiang Yuebai asked, "Sister Concubine Yi, have you seen the eldest prince since your third birthday?"