Repeatedly broken branches

Chapter 113 Birth

She was very obedient and indeed did not come to see him off.

Yu Yanjing sat on his horse, his gaze falling on the empty city tower. Not seeing the person he wanted to see, he could only turn his horse around and stop thinking about anything else.

"Let's go," he whispered to Zhang Sukan, the cavalry commander beside him.

Zhang Sukan shouted to the thousands of troops behind him, "Your Majesty! March forth!"

"Wishing His Majesty a triumphant return!"

"Wishing His Majesty a triumphant return!"

Yu Yanjing lowered his eyes to look at Shen Ruoxuan standing beside him and smiled slightly, "You'll get your share of the benefits if you help me take care of the Empress."

"Hey, what do you take me for? I'm... the most reliable person."

"You must come back safely."

Yu Yanjing took off the obsidian bracelet from his wrist and handed it to Shen Ruoxuan, then chuckled and said, "If I die, you will take this and take over. Make sure to protect her and the child, and ensure they live out the rest of their lives in peace. Do you understand?"

This time he no longer referred to himself as "I, the Lonely One".

Instead, he asked Shen Ruoxuan for a favor as a close friend.

Zhang Sukan, who was standing nearby, reminded him, "Your Majesty, this is bad luck."

He glanced at Zhang Sukan sideways and said casually, "I don't care what's unlucky about it."

Xiao Mu hid in a room on the city wall, secretly watching him through the window.

He stood tall and imposing in his military armor, which gleamed in the sunlight. His jet-black hair was tied high on his head, with neatly trimmed strands framing his forehead. A crimson ribbon swayed in the wind through his hair. His peach-blossom eyes were filled with determination. He carried a jewel-encrusted longbow on his back and held the Silver Serpent Sword in his hand. He glanced at Zhang Sukan and said indifferently, "Let's go."

He spurred his horse to the very front of the group, and Xiao Mu could no longer see his face. She felt a pang of regret, regretting letting him leave like that.

Yu Yanjing, you must be safe, you must be safe.

Wei Lan covered her mouth tightly, not daring to cry out loud. This was such a solemn and respectful day; if she cried, it would truly bring bad luck.

He said he didn't cry after accepting the offer.

He didn't cry on his wedding day.

He and the Empress were deeply in love, and even after having a child, he didn't cry.

But as she watched him ride away to the battlefield, the love and longing hidden in her heart could no longer be calmed. She could only cover her mouth, curl up in a corner, and weep, her body trembling.

Consort Jing ran to the top of the city wall and shouted to the marching troops, "A-Jing! A-Jing!"

Yu Yanjing's heart was pierced, but he dared not look back. He knew, he had always known, that he had seen Consort Jing hiding behind the pillar long ago.

"A-Jing! Your mother was wrong. Your mother will wait for you to come back!"

Consort Jing could no longer control her emotions. Her face was covered in tears as she watched his figure on horseback. Tears continued to fall. She disregarded everything. This was her child, the child she had raised with her own hands!

Ah Jing, your mother was really wrong. Will you forgive your mother? Your mother doesn't hate you anymore, she really doesn't, she stopped hating you a long time ago...

Xiao Mu hid in her room, watching Consort Jing's frail figure shouting desperately against the wind on the city wall. She couldn't help but burst into tears, and finally...

When Yu Yanjing was a child, his favorite food was Peach Blossom Cake, which was a flower cake made of peach petals. The recipe for this cake was particularly complicated. He was willful and refused to eat the ones made by the Imperial Kitchen, insisting instead on eating the ones made by Consort Jing.

Consort Jing also spoiled him, making Peach Blossom Fairy wait outside the school every day to pick him up after school, asking him if his studies were difficult, if he was tired, and if he had listened to the Grand Tutor.

While eating Peach Blossom Cake, Yu Yanjing complained about the Grand Tutor's strictness. When he was too tired to walk, he spread out his arms and asked his mother for a hug.

Consort Jing smiled helplessly; after all, he was only six years old.

Memories flashed before her eyes, and Yu Yanjing's eyes reddened slightly.

It hurts, my stomach hurts in waves, hardening and tightening, as if all the bones in my body are breaking at the same time.

Xiao Mu was in so much pain that she couldn't help but clench the handkerchief in her hand. Was this the pain of childbirth? She was in so much pain that she had no strength left in her body. She dared not breathe or make a sound, for fear that she would run out of strength and be unable to give birth.

This is what her nanny told her: never shout during childbirth, because if you run out of energy, childbirth will be very difficult.

However, this pain occurs almost every three minutes, lasting for more than ten seconds each time, and each time it is more painful and lasts longer.

"Your Majesty! Push harder next time your stomach hurts!" the nanny whispered beside her legs.

"What?" She felt an overwhelming urge to push, an uncontrollable urge, as if something was blocking her lower body, making her desperately want to expel it.

"No, listen to me, I'll let you push harder!"

But she was already exhausted, and her stomach continued to harden and tighten, each time more intense and painful than the last.

She knew that the baby in her belly was also trying hard to come out.

Her father had just left, and she couldn't wait to come out and see the world.

She had no strength left, and warm liquid kept flowing from her body. It was blood, and she had lost a lot of blood, soaking the bedding.

"Quickly, bring some gauze!" the nanny shouted.

"It won't stop!"

A palace maid standing nearby couldn't help but shout, "Please invite Young Master Ruan in!"

"Go!" the old woman shouted.

Should we invite Ruan Cifeng in? No, I don't want him to see me like this.

Yu Yanjing, where are you now? I'm so scared, so scared that I'll never see you again. I heard that childbirth can kill people, will I die?

Ruan Cifeng came in, carrying a medicine box. Xiao Shao followed her in, kneeling in front of the bed and holding her hand tightly, telling her not to be afraid.

Ruan Cifeng simply stood by the pillar and did not walk to her legs. He handed the nanny a bottle of hemostatic medicine and gave Rou Rou a prescription to cook quickly.

The old woman applied a hemostatic medicine to herself, and the bleeding stopped in no time.

Rou Rou brought over the medicine, and Ruan Cifeng asked her to feed him five spoonfuls. Ouch, this medicine was so bitter, it made his scalp tingle. But compared to childbirth, bitter medicine was nothing.

After a long time, I finally regained my strength.

The nanny began shouting in her ear, "Your Majesty, push harder!"

Hard.

She took a deep breath and held it, her face contorted in pain, all her strength concentrated in her lower body. All she heard was the nanny shouting, "I see the baby's head! Push!"

"Strength!"

With a baby's cry, she had no strength left, only remembering the nanny excitedly exclaiming, "It's a little princess! So fair and chubby!"

A princess? That's wonderful. She likes princesses.

She smiled slightly, but before she could even look at the child, she fainted.

Ruan Cifeng said she was tired.

I don't know how long I slept. When I woke up, everyone in Zining Palace had left, leaving only Xiaoshao and Rourou. The smell of blood was gone, replaced by a faint fragrance of flowers.

Her gaze fell on Xiaoshao and Rourou. They weren't holding the child. Where was the child?

"What about the child?"

"She's with the wet nurse, Your Majesty. You've given birth to a princess, and someone has already been sent to inform the Emperor," Xiao Shao said with a smile.

She sighed softly, it was a pity that Yu Yanjing didn't see the child right away, it was truly a shame.

Rou Rou went to bring the little princess over, but Xiao Mu didn't dare to touch her. She was too small, only as long as her forearm. Her little hands were chubby and smelled sweet and milky.

She was all pink and white, such an adorable little pink dumpling.

Her heart melted. This was actually her daughter, her daughter with Yu Yanjing.

I really wanted to hug her, but I was afraid I would hurt her because I wasn't careful. So I could only let Rou Rou hold her while she watched. Just that was enough for me.

If Yu Yanjing were here, he would definitely like Ran'er very much.

Perhaps due to the great depletion of her energy after childbirth, Xiao Mu also became very sleepy, spending seven or eight hours a day sleeping. Fortunately, Ruan Cifeng came to check on her and found that she was alright.

Everything was taken care of by the wet nurse and Rou Rou, allowing her to steal a moment of leisure. However, she was still preoccupied with the war on the border, so she always looked gloomy.

But when she saw Xiao Ran'er, all her unhappiness disappeared. She was so cute, and every move she made was so slow. After drinking her milk, she would make a satisfied humming sound. It was just a pity that she couldn't feed Xiao Ran'er herself.

The wet nurse's milk was excellent, making Xiao Ran'er plump and healthy. Although she was not yet a month old, she looked chubby and her little hands were like cat's paws, making people feel affection for her.

Xiao Shao looked longingly at the newborn princess, feeling even more envious. Xiao Mu knew she liked children, which could be seen from her behavior towards Si Wan.

She pondered that Xiao Shao and Ruan Cifeng had been married for some time now, so why was there still no news? Perhaps they didn't want it yet. It wasn't appropriate for her to pry into their private affairs.

Ouyang Meixi and Madam Xue came to visit her, bringing a pile of tonics and a delicate little gold lock with a dragon and phoenix design. Ouyang Meixi looked depressed, perhaps still missing Zhou Tingxi.

Shen Ruoxuan also came to see him once. He hugged the little princess and said with a smile, "The Emperor will be so happy when he comes back. The little princess is so cute, I love her so much."

Xiao Mu teased, "Then why haven't you found a wife yet? I heard your aunt is considering marrying Shen Shanshan to you?"

It sounds absurd—marrying one's own cousin—but such things are not uncommon in this world. Some even marry their own sisters, and this is just a cousin.

Shen Ruoxuan's expression immediately froze, and she quickly said, "Shanshan and I grew up together. I could never have such thoughts about her. My aunt was just saying it casually. Your Majesty, please just take it as a joke."

Xiao Mu smiled and said, "I also think that if people who are too familiar with each other were to actually get together one day, it would definitely feel awkward."

Shen Ruoxuan came to deliver gifts: some expensive tonics and some exquisite baby palace clothes. After delivering them, she left.

These past few days, many people have come to offer their congratulations and gifts, keeping everyone in Zining Palace extremely busy. Xiao Mu was exhausted, but she refused to go to sleep. She wanted to wait a little longer and see if she could receive a letter from Yu Yanjing before dark.

He's been at the border for three days now. I wonder if he's rescued Zhou Tingxi yet, and if he's injured? Winter is almost here, and the border is cold. Unlike Chaoyang, where it doesn't snow in winter, it should snow there, right?

He is afraid of the cold.

Will I get frostbite?

On the fifteenth day after Yu Yanjing left, she received the first letter he sent her, which could be considered a true letter.

He said that it had started snowing at the border, and he had also rescued Zhou Tingxi and the others who had been ambushed at Silong Mountain. He had also fought with Yin Wuchen several times, all of which ended in a draw. He had also successively recovered several cities. If nothing unexpected happened, he could return before the New Year.

He said he really wanted to see Xiao Ran'er and had already come up with a title and name for her. The title was 'Xi' and the name would be derived from the character 'Qing' and end with 'Ci'. Naturally, the name he chose was beautiful: Qing Ci, Yu Qing Ci.

On the day of Xiao Ran'er's one-month celebration, a rare light snow began to fall from the sky. It was rain mixed with tiny snowflakes, and it was very cold. Xiao Mu couldn't help but sigh that her body had become quite weak after giving birth, and she had never been so afraid of the cold before.

It was only early winter, and a light snow had fallen, but the entire Zining Palace was already filled with burning stoves, and the hot water bottle was carried everywhere, otherwise she would have frozen to death.

With Yu Yanjing absent, she has begun to learn how to manage the affairs of the harem. Although she sometimes still needs guidance from female officials, she is gradually becoming quite adept at it.

The snow stopped after Xiao Ran'er's one-month celebration. There was only a thin layer of ice on the road, and no snow accumulation. However, the drizzle continued. Xiao Mu had to walk very carefully while carrying her. It didn't matter if she fell, but if Xiao Ran'er got hurt, she would be heartbroken.

……

Five days ago, Chen Lanhe gave birth to a prince, the sixth son of Yin Fu'an. His name is Yin Yi Chuan, which is a little difficult to pronounce.

She had no feelings for Xiao Yichuan; all she knew was that she had a difficult labor and was in pain for three days and three nights before giving birth to him.

For three days and three nights, she almost wanted to bite her tongue and commit suicide. If she didn't give birth soon, she didn't want to live anymore and would just die with the child.

What was disheartening was that Yin Fu'an spent three days and three nights drinking and making merry with Consort Kang Yan, and never once set foot in her palace. Yuan Yuan was terrified and went to invite him several times, but was scolded and sent back each time.

Chen Lanhe held the child in her arms and gave a few bitter laughs. He bestowed upon himself the title of Consort Chen and gave her many precious medicinal herbs to nourish her body.

What's the use of all this? He's never even come to see the children.

Her nose tingled slightly; she felt sorry for the child, who was destined from birth to be deprived of his father's love. If she had known he would be treated this way from birth, she would have preferred not to have him at all.

The more obedient Xiao Yichuan was, the sadder she became. Why wouldn't his father even glance at such a well-behaved child? Even if he disliked his mother, shouldn't he at least come to see him?

What kind of place is the palace? Even a prince who is not valued by his father will live a life of constant danger. Even the palace servants can bully and look down on him.

She doesn't want to!

I don't want my children to live that kind of life.

So, before she was even out of confinement, Chen Lanhe had Yuanyuan dress her up nicely, using rouge to cover her pale and bloodless face. Her figure had also gradually become fuller after giving birth, so she chose a light purple, high-waisted ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), which exuded charm and made her look like a married woman.

She knew this was bad for everyone, but for her child's sake, she was willing to try, even if it meant being kicked out by Yin Fu'an.

She carried Xiao Yichuan along the palace path, while Yuan Yuan beside her looked at her with concern and said, "Your Majesty, you haven't fully recovered yet, so you can't serve the Emperor."

Chen Lanhe laughed and said, "I didn't intend to serve the emperor in bed. I just wanted to take the sixth prince to meet his father. What's wrong with that?"

He clearly said that he wouldn't see her before she gave birth, but now that she has given birth, he has no reason not to see her, right?

When they arrived at Zhaohua Palace, they heard Consort Kang Yan's silvery laughter. The beautiful eighteen-year-old girl's laughter was radiant and captivating; no wonder Yin Fu'an had favored her for so long.

When Kang Jin saw her arrive with the child, he rushed in and announced her arrival several times. It was only after Kang Yanfei persuaded him that he agreed to see her.

Consort Kangyan walked out of Zhaohua Palace, looked at Chen Lanhe standing to the side, and then looked closely at the infant Yi Chuan. She sighed from the bottom of her heart, "The Sixth Prince's eyebrows and eyes are exactly the same as the Emperor's. The Emperor will definitely like him when he sees him."

Chen Lanhe looked at her gratefully, her thanks evident in her eyes.

She carried the child and slowly walked into Zhaohua Palace. The man was leaning against the soft couch, his collar loose, and there was a bright red mark left by a beauty at the corner of his mouth.

"Your Majesty, I, along with the Sixth Prince Yin Yichuan, pay our respects."

He didn't speak or look at the child, but just stared at her, his eyes filled with an unreadable emotion, as if he were feeling regret or pity.

What was he regretting, and what was he pitying?

Yin Fu'an said calmly, "Get up. How is your recovery going? Why did you come out in such a hurry?"

Chen Lanhe slowly stood up, holding the child, and stood in front of him.

"You haven't met the Sixth Prince yet, so I brought him here for you to see."

He said expressionlessly, "If I want to see him, I will. Your actions will only make me less inclined to see him."

Yin Fu'an's words were like a bolt from the blue. How could a father say such a thing? She knew he had six princes and five princesses, but Yi Chuan was also his child.

How could he be so cold-blooded and ruthless?

"This child looks a lot like me."

Looking at Chen Lanhe's beautiful face, he struggled for a long time, unsure how to face his own feelings. He didn't want to be entangled by romantic love, because he was about to lead his troops into battle.

This child should not be a burden to him.