Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play-Chapter 889 - 864: Family Bonds 2
Xie Jue brought the children to Changshou Palace to see Fengyu. Fengyu’s belly was protruding, and her body was weak. Throughout the pregnancy, except for one or two months, her appetite was poor, making her look even weaker than before. Xie Xun was extremely anxious, especially as her pregnancy progressed. He feared Fengyu might not endure childbirth, so he even sought out miracle doctors from among the common folk. Now in the later stages of her pregnancy, she spent her days nurturing the fetus and walking around the courtyard, forcing herself to eat more. Despite her efforts, the results were not great. Xie Jue also worried that she might not make it through childbirth. Originally, he planned to leave the Capital City after the New Year if there was any news from Jiangnan. Now, it seemed he would have to wait until Fengyu gave birth.
Fengyu was aware of her alarming appearance and comforted Xie Jue, just as she comforted Xie Xun daily. It had become a habit. Apart from her poor appetite, she had no other discomforts, which gave her some peace of mind.
The palace banquet was organized by the Rituals Bureau. After Fengyu reviewed the arrangements and found no issues, she ordered the preparations to proceed. This year, Fengyu did not attend the palace banquet; instead, she listened to the firecrackers from Changshou Palace. Occasionally, she could hear the sounds of music, indicating the banquet was very lively. The ladies who entered the palace were exempt from paying respects to the Empress; only Su Yuejiao came to accompany her in Changshou Palace, so she didn’t feel lonely. With her condition, attending would have been inappropriate.
Every month, Su Yuejiao would go to Xiangguo Temple to request a peace charm for Fengyu, who had collected many of them. It was her mother’s intention, so she never refused.
The family hoped for a safe delivery for her baby, and Fengyu herself wished for a smooth birth.
In Beining, the seas were calm, and in the Capital City, everything was peaceful and prosperous. Fengyu found the snow views more beautiful than in previous years.
The palace was adorned with lanterns unique to the Lantern Festival, of various shapes and sizes. Xie Xun had them made especially for Fengyu to prevent her from feeling lonely in Changshou Palace. This time of the year always reminded Fengyu of her sister.
Before leaving the Capital City, every year Feng Shu would prepare various lanterns to amuse her because the cold air on New Year’s Eve kept her confined to a small courtyard. All the festivities were irrelevant to her. Thus, every New Year’s Eve and Lantern Festival, she would especially miss Feng Shu.
If it weren’t for the Empress duties of handling year-end matters and palace banquets, she would prefer to reminisce quietly about her sister. Su Yuejiao, looking at the courtyard full of lanterns, also thought of Feng Shu.
"Fate is determined by heaven, Ayu. You should let go. Shu’er and the Eldest Young Master have reunited in the afterlife, with Ruyi safe and healthy. It’s quite enough for them."
Everyone has scars in their heart, and so does Fengyu. The inability to save Feng Shu haunted her dreams, causing her to cry even now. That’s why she dotes on Ruyi even more.
Su Yuejiao hoped Fengyu could let go of her pain.
"Mother, I’m fine. I’m very happy. Although I miss my sister, I won’t drown in sorrow. There are just those specific days each year when I want to think about her freely. She would want me to live worry-free. I know that."
"That’s good. Leave it all to time!"
Fengyu smiled and nodded, as mother and daughter sat in the palace, watching the snowy scene outside. The hearth made the interior of the hall as warm as spring.
"The Imperial Physician said this one looks like a girl," Fengyu couldn’t help but laugh. "If my sister were reborn as my daughter, I could spoil her for a lifetime—spoil her rotten, let her become the happiest little princess in Beining."
"Nonsense, has the Imperial Physician confirmed it’s a Princess?"
Fengyu replied, "He said it looks like a girl. Although I’d like a Prince, having a Princess is great too. Zhixu is afraid I won’t want to be pregnant again. During this pregnancy, he’s more anxious than I am, unable to sleep. Even the slightest discomfort has him on edge. I fear I might not be destined for a Prince."
"Nonsense, don’t say such things. Whether it’s a boy or a girl, you’ll only know upon birth. Although the Imperial Physician has experience, he can’t definitively know the gender from outside." Su Yuejiao hoped she would have a Prince. "When I was pregnant with you, I had such an appetite that I could eat a whole cow. It was the same with your sister; both daughters were like their mother. You’re so uncomfortable now; this might be a Prince."
At the palace banquet, Xie Xun also talked with Xie Jue about Fengyu’s pregnancy.
"Ayu’s health is frail. This pregnancy has been a nerve-wracking experience. I’ve lost weight from anxiety, and nothing tastes good to me. I plan to have just this one child, regardless of gender. The Imperial Physician says it’s most likely a Princess. Second Brother, Ruyi will be busier because of this."
"No wonder you’ve convinced Grandmaster Zhang to educate Ruyi. Wait until Ayu delivers safely before discussing it," said Xie Jue. "Moreover, how did you get Grandmaster Zhang to educate Ruyi?"
Since he taught Yuwen Jing, Xie Jue was somewhat repulsed.
"Yuwen Jing turned out poorly because of his own lack of character, not the old man’s teaching. The old man’s scholarly knowledge is impeccable. He’s served three dynasties; I’m assured by his capability."
"Grandmaster Zhang is getting old, and Ruyi is still young. I don’t want Ruyi to become a rigid fool. Get a younger tutor for him."
"I’ve already had Grandmaster Zhang agree to it; I can’t just dismiss him now."
"I’m not saying he shouldn’t teach. Once every three days is fine, just for scholarship."
"Alright, I hear you. Ruyi complained to you that Grandmaster Zhang punished him with etiquette and manners, and you felt sorry, didn’t you? Second Brother, you can’t spoil children like this. They’ll get used to complaining and soon become a chronic whiner."
"You’re talking about yourself. When you were at the Imperial College, you frequently complained to our grandfather about being punished by the tutors. You’d say the tutor struck your palms or made you copy scriptures, even complaining about too much homework. Yet, you didn’t turn out crooked. Ruyi hasn’t even learned your essence. I’m not worried."
Xie Xun: "..."
Even an emperor can be lectured by his brother at a palace banquet, and Xie Xun felt mentally exhausted.
"If you’re so worried, why not teach him yourself?"
As long as Second Brother stayed, anything could be discussed.
"I can’t teach him. I wouldn’t even know what kind of rascal I might raise. My temperament is too stubborn, unsuited for raising a Crown Prince."
Xie Jue was clear about his capabilities; he would only raise a tyrant. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖
"If a son isn’t taught, it’s the father’s fault..."
Xie Jue shot a sharp look, warning heavily, prompting Xie Xun to hush, "I was wrong. Ruyi is the most well-behaved, sensible, and polite."
The palace banquet continued until it dispersed at 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Xie Xun and Xie Jue took Ruyi and Mingzhu back to Changshou Palace to join Fengyu for New Year’s Eve. Su Yuejiao had departed. Fengyu had taken a nap, waiting for their return to celebrate New Year’s together. The family sat cross-legged on a warm kang, playing leaf cards. Playing cards was the usual activity for New Year’s. Xie Jue and Fengyu were always the winners. Xie Xun’s calculations could never match Xie Jue, nor could his defense outwit Fengyu, always losing. Even with Mingzhu this year, Xie Jue and Fengyu tacitly let him win a bit, but Xie Xun still ended up the big loser.
Ruyi, being cheeky, commented, "Little Uncle, you’re so clumsy."
Xie Jue and Fengyu couldn’t help but laugh.
Xie Xun: "..."
