Wei Hong looked up and said, "It's good, but not the best. I want to give our child the best name."
Yao Youqing chuckled: "These formal names can actually be put aside for now. If Your Highness has the time, why not think of a nickname for the child first?"
Regardless of social status, most families would give their children a humble name that would make them easier to raise when they were young, while the formal name was used less often.
Some families don't even include their children in the family genealogy before the age of three or five, to avoid the child dying young. They wait until the child is older and more stable before adding them to the genealogy.
Wei Hong will ascend the throne in the future, so his first child will naturally have a proper and good name, but the name used more often in daily life will definitely be a nickname.
“I’ve already thought of it,” Wei Hong said. “If it’s a girl, her nickname will be Xiangxiang. If it’s a boy, it doesn’t matter what it is, just pick one. If you’re in a hurry to decide, I’ll name him whatever I see first when I go out.”
Yao Youqing chuckled: "Then if you see a blade of grass, wouldn't you call it Wei Grass, and if you see a flower, wouldn't you call it Wei Flower?"
Without a second thought, Wei Hong replied, "Sure, whatever makes you happy."
He acted as if his son wasn't his own.
Yao Youqing remained silent. After sitting with him for a while, she got tired and went to rest.
Wei Hong waited until she fell asleep before tiptoeing out of the house to go to the front yard to discuss matters with Cui Hao.
As I was leaving the hospital, I was thinking that my idea was pretty good. I'll just give my son a nickname based on whatever I see later.
Just as I was thinking this, I heard a series of footsteps ahead. My little darling, who had finished playing in the garden, came running back happily.
Wei Hong's face stiffened.
The nickname for our son can be anything, but Wei Gou... let's forget about it.
Chapter 127 Swaddling Clothes
In March of the fourth year of Chongming, Wei Hong brought Yao Youqing back to the Qin Prince's Mansion in Hucheng to await childbirth.
At the end of June, Yao Youqing gave birth to a baby boy, named Wei Qi'an.
Wei Hong considered countless names, going through almost all the characters with auspicious meanings, but ultimately settled on the character "An".
Because Yao Youqing was right next to him when she went into labor, he saw with his own eyes that her water broke and her skirt got wet.
Wei Hong was so frightened that he didn't know what to do. In his haste, he knocked over the teacups on the table. It was only after a servant reminded him that he remembered to carry Yao Youqing to the delivery room.
Song personally delivered Yao Youqing's baby, kicking Wei Hong out of the delivery room, leaving him pacing anxiously outside.
Just in case, Li Tai had been staying at the Prince's Mansion these days. When he heard the news and came with Yao Yuzhi, he saw that Li Tai was in a daze. She comforted him, saying, "Don't worry, your aunt has been specializing in women's childbirth for many years. I dare not say about other aspects, but in this area, even the old imperial physicians in the palace may not be as good as her."
"Moreover, Ning'er's pregnancy has been very stable, and we have been taking care of her personally. I believe there will be no problems with this pregnancy, and she will definitely be able to give birth to the child safely."
Wei Hong knew that what he said was true, but he was still very nervous, even more so than when he first went to the battlefield.
If he could, he would rather go through this himself than let Yao Youqing face these things, but he couldn't do it for her, so he could only silently watch over her from outside.
It was at this time that he named his child "An," hoping that both mother and child would be safe during Yao Youqing's childbirth, and that the child would live a peaceful and safe life in the future.
Parents always have many expectations for their children, but after thinking it over, in the end, their children's safety and well-being are the most important things.
He thought so even more when he saw Yao Yuzhi.
Yao Yuzhi had a smooth career, a harmonious marriage, and two children, but in the end, she almost became a lonely person. Now, she only has her daughter Yao Youqing by her side.
Wei Hong thought about how he would soon be promoted to a high position, and if his life ended up like that, what would be the point?
If his children are intelligent and clever, that would be best. If they are not so clever, but can distinguish between loyalty and treachery, and good and evil, then it would be enough for them to be a ruler who maintains the status quo with the help of court officials.
Wei Hong had a jumble of thoughts running through his mind. He barely ate or drank anything all day. Finally, as the first rays of dawn pierced through the darkness on the second day, he heard the cry of a baby.
He jumped up from his chair, and Yao Yuzhi did the same. However, because of her leg problems, she almost fell, but Li Tai caught her in time and helped her to her feet.
Three men stood in the courtyard, their eyes fixed on the direction of the delivery room, eagerly awaiting the news. Finally, a servant came out to announce that the princess had given birth to a baby prince, and both mother and child were safe.
Yao Yuzhi burst into tears, clutching her chest and letting out a long sigh.
He barely ate anything all day, his mind preoccupied with his daughter in the delivery room.
He was Yao Youqing's father, and he was naturally happy regardless of whether his daughter gave birth to a boy or a girl.
However, Yao Youqing is the current Princess Consort of Qin and the future mother of the nation. He still hopes that her first child will be a boy, because giving birth to the eldest son would mean that her daughter can gain a foothold in the harem.
Wei Hong thought so too, so when he heard that it was a boy, although he was a little disappointed, he was also very happy. When the midwife took the baby to the outer room, he took a look and then went inside to visit Yao Youqing.
Yao Yuzhi followed closely behind, while the midwife stood there holding the baby, somewhat bewildered.
Normally, after a baby is delivered, there are always people vying to hold it. But this time, the husband and father-in-law are both eager to see the mother, and no one is paying attention to the baby.
This is the prince's eldest son, who might just be the future crown prince!
Li Tai chuckled and reached out, saying, "If they won't hug me, I will."
She carefully took the child from him, her movements tense and awkward.
He and Mrs. Song had only one daughter in their lifetime, who died young due to complications during childbirth. He hadn't held a child like this in decades.
Li Tai felt a sudden pang of sadness, his eyes reddening as he looked at the wrinkled little baby in the swaddling clothes, and tears welled up in his eyes.
If his grandson had been born safely back then, he would probably have been just as tiny as this.
He felt a mix of joy and heartache. Under the midwife's guidance, he adjusted his position, placed the child in his arms, and gently patted him.
Two hands reached out to take the child, but he dodged to the side, continuing to pat and stroke the child with a smile, as if the child were his own grandson.
Yao Yuzhi went to the delivery room to check on Yao Youqing. Seeing that she was alright and Wei Hong was by her side, she turned around and came out again. When she came out, she saw her grandson being held in Li Tai's arms. She wanted to take him and hold him, but unexpectedly, the other party wouldn't give him the grandson!
He coughed lightly and gave Li Tai an awkward yet polite smile.
Li Tai realized who it was, smiled awkwardly, and gently placed the child in his arms, saying, "Be gentle, support him with your arm, like this."
He corrected Yao Yuzhi's posture as he spoke.
Yao Yuzhi looked at the baby in the swaddling clothes and smiled, "I know, I held Ning'er when she was little."
As soon as she finished speaking, the midwife corrected her: "Master Yao, please lower this hand a little, don't lift the child's legs too high."
Yao Yuzhi: "..."
The two elderly people couldn't stop smiling as they looked at the child. A moment later, another pair of hands reached out to take the child away.
Yao Yuzhi instinctively tried to dodge, only to find that it was Wei Hong who had come.
"Ning'er wants to see the child, give it to me."
Wei Hong said in a deep voice.
Although Yao Yuzhi was reluctant, she still handed the child over.
Wei Hong had never held a child before and didn't know how to hold one. Relying on his tall stature, broad shoulders, and long arms, he simply carried the child on his arm with one hand and went into the house, startling Yao Yuzhi and the others behind him. They told him to be careful and to use both hands to hold the child.
Wei Hong ignored him and went straight in, placing the child next to Yao Youqing.
Looking at her child, Yao Youqing's heart softened. She affectionately hugged the child and asked, "Has Your Highness decided on a name for the child?"
“I’ve made up my mind,” Wei Hong said. “I’ll name him Wei Qi’an, and wish him a peaceful and safe life.”
"As for his nickname, he was born in the early morning, and there is an old saying that the day's plan starts in the morning, so let's call him Chen'er (Morning Child)."
"Chen'er..."
Yao Youqing murmured along, then smiled and gently nuzzled the swaddled baby in her arms: "Chen'er."
Wei Hong looked at the mother and child close together, his eyes softening. He kissed Yao Youqing's cheek, sat with her and the child for a while, and after the wet nurse took the child away, he personally fed her something and coaxed her to sleep before leaving.
Yao Youqing had given birth safely, and some long-delayed matters should be put on the agenda. He made some arrangements in the front yard, and not long after, the news that he was preparing to establish the capital in Huaicheng spread, and the whole world was shocked.
Chapter 128 Outright Robbery
Huaicheng is located in Qizhou, a very prosperous place. It is not far from the capital, about a half-month journey, but if you ride a fast horse, you can get there in seven or eight days.
During the days that Wei Hong stayed secluded in the Prince's Palace, the Jingyuan Army had actually occupied most of the territory of Daliang. Except for the area near the capital, which was still controlled by the guards under Wei Chi's command, the rest of the area had declared its allegiance to the Prince of Qin.
It wasn't because the Jingyuan Army was brave and invincible, but because Wei Chi had lost the hearts of the people. Many towns, upon hearing that the Qin King's army had arrived, opened their city gates to welcome the Jingyuan Army into the city. The local garrisons also did not want to be enemies with the Jingyuan Army and surrendered one after another.
At this speed, the Jingyuan Army could have arrived in Qizhou months ago, or even stormed the capital. However, instead of heading straight for the capital, they detoured to the border areas previously invaded by the Southern Yan to help rebuild local defenses, reclaim land devastated by war, and restore order to various places. As a result, they only arrived in Qizhou last month, and then slowly entered Huaicheng.
Everyone thought that this was a deliberate act by the King of Qin to win over the hearts of the people. First, there was the King's wife's revelation that Emperor Wei Chi was colluding with foreign enemies. Then there were the King of Qin's efforts to defend against the enemy and his various actions to restore the people's livelihood. It would be easy to capture the capital.
But it was only then that they learned that the King of Qin had no intention of going to the capital at all. Although he had the idea of restoring people's livelihood by going around the border, it was also to buy time. After the Queen Consort gave birth to a child safely, he announced the relocation of the capital and abandoned the capital city!
You must know that the capital is the symbol of the royal family and has been the capital of the Great Liang Dynasty since its founding. Who would have thought that Wei Hong would just give it up like that?
If he really couldn't take it, that would be fine, but taking the capital city would be as easy as taking candy from a baby for him, yet he still didn't want it!
"He's not just abandoning the capital, he's abandoning us aristocratic families!"
The heads of several noble families in the capital gathered together, all with grim faces and ashen expressions.
“His Majesty has become increasingly tyrannical over the past year, and he is no longer as friendly to us noble families as before. A few months ago, the Dongping Marquis’s family angered him over some trivial matter, and he flew into a rage and wiped out the entire family.”
"Why do we stay in the capital every day, living in constant fear with a knife to our throats? Isn't it to defend the capital and be able to contribute when the Prince of Qin arrives?"
"What's wrong with him? Not only does he not appreciate our kindness, but he's also wary of us, as if he's afraid we'll take away his power once he goes to the capital!"
The heir of the Duke of Anguo stood beside his father and said angrily.
All those present were elders, so in principle he had no place to speak. He was only able to stand here because everyone was currently at his home.
“The Crown Prince is right,” someone echoed. “The Prince of Qin has been unruly since childhood. As a child, he relied on Emperor Gaozong’s favor to be arrogant and domineering. As he grew up, he relied on his military power to act recklessly.”
“He was just a prince before, so it was fine for him to be a little willful. But now that he wants to ascend to the throne, he has to think about the bigger picture.”
"There are many more powerful families in the Great Liang than just ours. Aren't there any in Huizhou? Aren't there any in Linzhou?"
"Even if these places can be ignored, what about Shuozhou, which has been loyal to him all these years? What about the meritorious officials who contributed money and effort to help him build his current foundation?"
"If they knew how the King of Qin treated the former meritorious officials of Liang, what would they think? Would they still be willing to serve him as they are now?"
"Yes! Not just Shuozhou, but also Qizhou! If the King of Qin chooses to establish his capital there, and the local powerful families are unwilling to submit, he may find it difficult to act!"
Another person said.
Everyone chimed in with their own opinions, and finally someone muttered quietly, "I think it would be better for His Majesty to continue sitting on the throne than for the King of Qin to declare himself emperor."
This was what everyone present was thinking, but no one said it outright.