wear it lord god

Chapter 2674 Being an Empress Isn't Easy 20
Prince Wen also blushed, and stammered out the words of the Crown Prince, dryly squeezing out: "It is entirely up to Father and Mother to decide."

“You are still quite young, so there’s no rush.” Xining turned to Princess Jiahe.

Before she could even speak, Princess Jiahe's face flushed red, and she said shyly and reproachfully, "Mother~"

This time, Jiahe wasn't sent to study at the Grand Tutor's Mansion. Instead, under the pretext of learning to ride horses, she went to the Royal Horse Ranch every day. The ranch was supposedly open to the sons of military officers to take care of them and to teach them riding and archery, and it was open to them for half a day each day.

You should have had quite a bit of contact with them during the three months from autumn to winter.

Xi Ning chuckled and said, "I heard that the third son of the General of Zhennan and the second son of the Marquis of Hanyang are always around you, serving you tea and water. They are very attentive. They come from prominent families, but they don't need to inherit the title. They can live in the princess's mansion and have their own separate residence after marrying a princess. After the New Year, when you have your coming-of-age ceremony, choose one of them."

Jiahe's expression changed slightly. She stood up and nestled close to her mother, saying, "Mother, I don't want them."

"Have you taken a fancy to the heir of the Marquis of Changning's family? This boy is the best-looking. His ancestor was one of the founding generals who fought alongside Emperor Gaozu. In his generation, he doesn't look rough at all; on the contrary, he's fair-skinned and has outstanding literary talent. What a pity..."

Xi Ning shook her head slightly and then analyzed for Jia He, "His character is fine, it's just that his mother is notoriously fierce. You don't want to end up fighting with your mother-in-law right away, putting your husband in the middle, do you?"

"The other two lads are decent people and good-looking. As for their martial arts and literary skills, they're presentable enough. We're not planning to have them take the imperial examinations."

"With many brothers in the family, all living outside the capital, it would be an extremely desirable thing for a legitimate son to stay in the capital as a prince consort."

"Of course, you still want the Changning Marquis's mansion, and I will grant your wish. If the Changning Marquis's wife dares not treat you like a princess, I will immediately give her three feet of white silk and a cup of poison. It's just that that boy is said to be filial, and there's no way to make up for this relationship."

She took Jiahe's soft, boneless hand and patted it gently: "Think carefully about what your mother says. Marriage is a lifelong commitment. Whether you choose someone you like or someone who likes you is up to you."

Jiahe stopped talking and, when she went to play the dice again, she and Liu Wen became absent-minded.

Liu Cheng arrived, and everyone bowed and took their seats again.

It is said that this winter has been relatively good, with no snow disasters or earthquakes. With the New Year approaching, the court officials are trying their best not to cause any trouble, so they have some free time and have come to take a look.

After exchanging a few casual words, Liu Cheng brought up the Chuxiu Palace: "I just came from the Chuxiu Palace. There are twenty-one pregnant women there now. It will be quite lively next year, all thanks to the Empress's virtue."

"Your Majesty is still in your prime, full of vigor and vitality. It's not my doing." These few words made Liu Cheng burst into laughter.

Xi Ning forced a smile: "In the past, His Majesty was too overworked, devoted to the country and the people, which delayed the birth of his heir. Now that the world is at peace, it is time to make Weiyang Palace lively again."

At this moment, Liu Cheng found the Empress pleasing to the eye no matter how he looked at her. Even though time had taken its toll and she was no longer as beautiful as the seventeen or eighteen-year-old newcomers, she didn't have to accompany him. Instead, she instructed him to treat her with equal favor.

She was far superior to Consort Xiao and Consort Cui.

Consort Xiao was exhausted from the imperial concubine selection, and when she saw him, she looked tired. When the topic of the selection came up, she seemed somewhat unhappy.

Empress Dowager appointed Cui Zhaorong to assist Consort Lü in managing Chuxiu Palace. Cui Zhaorong was in charge of the palace's finances and accounts, while Consort Lü, who was pregnant, happened to be residing in Chuxiu Palace and could oversee and coordinate the work on-site.

Consort Lü had always tried to please the Empress Dowager, being even more filial than her own mother, and the Empress Dowager had given her a chance. If she handled this matter well and gave birth to a prince, she would surely be promoted again.

After thinking for a moment, Liu Cheng stated the main purpose of his visit: "This year, according to the rules, the people in Chuxiu Palace are not allowed to leave the palace for the New Year. So I was thinking of simply moving the usual prayer and sacrificial rites in the palace to Chuxiu Palace. That's why I came to discuss it with you."

During the Lunar New Year, the Empress was required to preside over a blessing ceremony at Weiyang Palace, praying for the prosperity of the royal family and the peace of the clan.

The emperor would go to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to pray for national peace and prosperity, and for all under heaven to submit.

Setting up the altar in Chuxiu Palace... Xi Ning's mind immediately went on high alert. This was a common tactic in palace intrigue; getting too close would lead to trouble.

Currently, Chuxiu Palace is under closed management, and it is full of pregnant concubines. Other concubines who are not pregnant must apply for permission to visit, stating the reason for the visit. They can only enter after obtaining approval from the person being visited, Consort Lü, and herself three times.

Furthermore, time was strictly regulated. Upon entry, registration was required, and all items brought in had to be inspected by the imperial physicians and matrons to ensure they contained no drugs or spices that could harm the fetus, nor any witchcraft or frightening objects. Food and drink were strictly prohibited; not even a large white steamed bun was allowed. This was to prevent the inclusion of abortifacients in food or drink.

They even had guards patrolling the perimeter with dogs every day, ensuring everything was foolproof. So far, nothing has gone wrong.

If the fetus is unstable and unlikely to be born healthy, asking her to go to the Chuxiu Palace to pray for blessings at this time is just asking her to take the blame.

She smiled calmly and said, "Pregnant women need to rest more and should not overexert themselves. I suggest that we follow the usual practice and place the altar in Qianqiu Palace."

Liu Cheng pondered for a long time: "It's not good to just stay in quiet confinement all the time, and praying for blessings at Chuxiu Palace is more appropriate. Let's set it at Chuxiu Palace!"

"Your Majesty, I obey." The first rule for survival in the palace is not to argue with the emperor, but that doesn't mean you should just wait to be blamed.

Xi Ning proposed a condition: "Although many concubines are already far along in their pregnancy, their offspring are precious and cannot be taken lightly. Pregnant concubines should not participate in the sacrificial rites, in order to prevent any accidents that might offend the gods and ancestors."

After hearing this, Liu Cheng agreed, thinking that if kowtowing and bowing disturbed the fetus, a good thing would turn into a bad thing: "You can arrange everything."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey." Now she could make a fuss about it; the Emperor himself had said that she should arrange everything.

Liu Cheng played with his youngest son and daughter for a while, then ate with his two sons, one daughter, and the Empress. The Empress then sent him to another palace, citing the same old reason of spreading her favors evenly.

After seeing off the emperor and the host's children, Xining breathed a sigh of relief.

Pshaw, what's the point of having men? Power and money are the most important things.

Before the year was over, Consort Chen of Chuxiu Palace made her move.

The Empress happened to have caught a cold and dared not spread her illness to others, so she stayed in bed and could not go to watch over them. However, she ordered that anyone with symptoms should be reported to her. She also ordered the kitchen and other departments to prepare enough charcoal, late-night snacks, and tea to provide for the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, Consort Xiao, and Cui Zhaorong who were waiting there.

After seven or eight hours of labor, the midwife came to announce the good news.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress Dowager! Consort Chen has given birth to a prince, and both mother and child are in good health!"

When the baby was brought out wrapped in swaddling clothes, Liu Cheng and the Empress Dowager smiled so much that their eyes almost disappeared.

Before they could even reward Consort Chen, Consort Lü, who was in charge of the Chuxiu Palace and had accompanied her the whole time, was exhausted and also started having an attack.

Liu Cheng, the Empress Dowager, and their entourage could only wait.

As dawn approached, Consort Lü gave birth to a prince. When the child was brought out, the first rays of morning sunlight shone through, warming everyone's bodies.

It's a good omen!

Liu Cheng and the Empress Dowager laughed so hard their eyes almost disappeared.

Before they could even reward Consort Lü with anything, someone came to deliver a message that Consort Bo was also about to give birth.

Watching the numerous midwives, female doctors, imperial physicians, and palace maids rushing past as if they were attending a performance.

Liu Cheng...

Empress Dowager...

At noon, Consort Bo gave birth to a prince. The baby was wrapped in swaddling clothes and handed to Liu Cheng, who was exhausted and could barely keep his eyes open.

Liu Cheng was too tired to laugh, and neither was the Empress Dowager; they were both too exhausted to smile.