The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1635 - 1630: Ninth Prince

Early the next day, Wang Yongzhu arrived at the palace gate and handed in a token.

Not long after, Little Luzi came running over with several Little Chamberlains, his feet barely touching the ground, to personally escort her.

Upon seeing Wang Yongzhu, he hurriedly bowed: "Little Luzi greets the Heir’s Wife! Her Majesty the Empress is thrilled to hear that the Heir’s Wife wishes to visit. She instructed me to immediately come out to escort you inside. Please, Madam!" 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

With that, he respectfully invited Wang Yongzhu through the palace gates, and as soon as she entered, there was a soft litter carried by four people waiting.

Wang Yongzhu got on the litter and headed towards Changchun Palace.

The Imperial Guards at the gate rotate shifts; today’s duty officer had never seen Wang Yongzhu before, nor had he seen Little Luzi, the Chamberlain by the Empress’s side — those who usually have their eyes on top of their heads were surprisingly courteous today.

Unable to hold back, one muttered, "Is this the Heir’s Wife of Duke of Weiguo? I heard she is highly regarded by Her Majesty the Empress, and I previously thought it was just a rumor! Today, seeing her, I realize it’s true!"

"The honor of entering the palace on a soft litter usually only befits the Princess Consorts, yet this Heir’s Wife also has such prestige!"

A companion nearby enviously glanced at Wang Yongzhu’s entourage’s backs and patted the shoulder of the one speaking: "You only realize this today? Keep your eyes open in the future; this Heir’s Wife is not someone we can afford to offend! Lucky for you she’s broad-hearted, otherwise with that tone and demeanor of yours earlier, you’d have suffered greatly!"

The Imperial Guard who spoke before listened and couldn’t help but pat his chest in relief.

Wang Yongzhu didn’t take these issues to heart, just laughed them off.

Upon reaching Changchun Palace and entering, she was about to greet when the Empress personally helped her up.

Pulled her to sit together and had tea and snacks brought up.

Wang Yongzhu hadn’t seen the Empress for almost two months; upon seeing her today, the Empress, after giving birth, still remained rather plump but in just two months had regained the slender and light figure of a young girl.

Yet her brows and eyes had acquired a unique maternal grace, making her even more distinguished and approachable, dignified and serene.

It showed the Empress had enjoyed a very pleasant couple of months, her expression free of any gloom.

Furthermore, having become Empress, she held rightful status far above what she did as first among the imperial household.

With rightful authority now in hand, and having the Ninth Prince, no one in the palace could rival her.

The Empress also examined Wang Yongzhu for a while, her demeanor calm, smiling before speaking, her brows arched, making her amiable and likable.

She seemed to have been recovering well at the mansion, her skin white and so delicate, her originally slightly pointed chin now rounder, adding to a certain charming innocence.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the Empress laughed and instructed, "See if the Ninth Prince is awake? If so, bring him over for the Heir’s Wife to see!"

Not long after, a wet nurse brought in the Ninth Prince.

Due to the warming weather, the Ninth Prince wore only a thin bright red cotton jacket, highlighting his snow-white little face.

Nourished well by the wet nurse, the Ninth Prince looked exceedingly well; his exposed tiny wrists were plump and his small hands seemed like two white, chubby buns — delightfully adorable.

The wet nurse carried the Ninth Prince and paid respects to the Empress; the Empress took the Ninth Prince in her arms.

Upon seeing the Empress, the Ninth Prince gave a toothless smile, babbling, and clambering onto the Empress’s chest, his little legs flailing vigorously.

The Empress could hardly hold him.

Wang Yongzhu swiftly helped, one hand supporting the Empress and the other steadying the Ninth Prince.

The Ninth Prince, familiar with the Empress’s large palace maids, hesitated at the sight of Wang Yongzhu.

Then, his mouth curled into a smile, with eyes like black grapes, emitting cheerful giggles, stretching out his hands and legs toward Wang Yongzhu’s embrace.

With the sudden situation, the Empress felt she couldn’t hold him, watching helplessly as the Ninth Prince fell into Wang Yongzhu’s arms, carrying her forward in the process.

Luckily, Wang Yongzhu had a steady posture, first catching the hefty baby, unexpectedly washed with the baby’s drool.

Then the Empress followed suit, almost embracing her in return.

Anyone with weaker strength wouldn’t withstand the maternal and infant enthusiasm, and would be knocked out cold.

Wang Yongzhu took a deep breath, freeing a hand to hold the Ninth Prince, lifting him slightly, while another arm supported the Empress’s waist to stabilize her, then let go, "Your Majesty, are you alright?"

The Empress steadied herself but just as she was about to speak, she heard an external voice, "What are you doing here?"

Was it the Emperor?

Wang Yongzhu turned her head to see the Emperor at the hall entrance, leading a group of chamberlains silently observing them.

That wasn’t the focus; what mattered was the Emperor had a rather indescribable expression while those chamberlains behind him looked equally peculiar.

Peculiar?

Wang Yongzhu’s heart skipped a beat.

But she quickly regained composure, cradling the Ninth Prince, bowed gracefully, "This wife greets His Majesty! May His Majesty be well!"

The Empress also greeted with a smiling curtsey, approaching him, "Your Majesty, why have you come so early today?"

The Emperor, with a half-smile, glanced at the Empress and Wang Yongzhu, "Had I not come early today, I wouldn’t have witnessed that sight just now."

Wang Yongzhu understood why the chamberlains looked peculiar.

Were they witnessing the Empress embrace her? While she held the Ninth Prince in her left and supported the Empress with her right hand?

She considered explaining but couldn’t find the right words.

Could she say: Your Majesty, rest assured, I and the Empress are blameless? Or say, Your Majesty, it’s the Empress embracing me; I hold no offense?

Ah, fie!

The Empress grasped the Emperor’s apprehensive tone, deciphering his subtle jealousy.

She couldn’t help but cast a playful, reproachful look at the Emperor, "Your Majesty kids again! Just now, Qing Niao was overjoyed to see the Heir’s Wife, hence lunged over. This consort couldn’t hold Qing Que, and stumbled as well. Thankfully, the Heir’s Wife steadied me; otherwise, Your Majesty would have seen us three rolling together!"

The Emperor laughed, stepped forward, and teased the Ninth Prince in Wang Yongzhu’s arms, "Qing Que, come, let father hold you!"

Right, the Ninth Prince, Ji Dan’s nickname is Qing Que.

Wang Yongzhu initially heard this, privately joked the name Ji Dan and nickname Qing Que, amusingly conflating birds and beasts.

This Qing Que, the Ninth Prince, grew tranquil in Wang Yongzhu’s arms.

His lotus-root-like arms wrapped around Wang Yongzhu’s neck, his little head gently resting on her chest, chit-chatting softly as if conversing.

Normally, the Ninth Prince loved seeing the Emperor, who could raise him high — every day the Emperor visited Changchun Palace, the Ninth Prince would eagerly crawl into his father’s arms, demanding to be lifted.

But today, now.

The Emperor took initiative wanting to hold him, but he clung to Wang Yongzhu, seemingly forgetting about his father.