"Let's offer a prayer for good luck." Zhang Xin led Song Shuhao and Ling Xiao to the incense table, and Xia Mingzhe, Zhang Yu, and Prince Ning naturally followed. She looked at everyone, and although she smiled, she said very seriously, "It would be good if everyone could always be together in harmony."
Ling Xiao looked up at the sky, then at Zhang Xin, and couldn't help but smile. "Alright, sincerity is key." He pulled Song Shuhao over, and the three of them bowed together first, urging Zhang Yu and the others to join in the prayer. In the past, they had been somewhat disdainful of such things; after all, girls might ask for "a face like Chang'e, a face as bright as the moon," while they themselves had nothing to ask for. But now they had no choice but to give in.
After the moon-worship ceremony, everyone sat in the small garden, enjoying the moon, eating mooncakes, drinking tea, and chatting, feeling quite content. Zhang Xin held her teacup, recalling this day last year when it was just her and Xia Mingzhe, and the year before that, the six of them had spent the Mid-Autumn Festival together at Jingyun Nunnery.
While Zhang Xin was still reminiscing about the past, Ling Xiao used the excuse of going to change clothes together to leave alone with Song Shuhao. After letting the maid stay away, Ling Xiao said to Song Shuhao, "Lately, I've been feeling a bit uneasy, and I don't know why... After thinking about it carefully, it's probably not just me worrying about my own affairs."
Song Shuhao frowned slightly and asked, "Does that mean I should be more careful in the palace?" Ling Xiao said he felt uneasy, and that it wasn't just about his own affairs, and that he brought it up with her alone, so it was undoubtedly because he was worried about her. Her answer was not strange.
Ling Xiao nodded and said, "I just want to ask you, as long as you don't care, no one else can hurt you."
"you say."
"If someone uses what happened in Fengcheng and Nanwan City to insult you, would you mind? In any case, you know we will definitely believe you." Ling Xiao paused for a moment, but still said, "I'm afraid they will be implicated because of me. There are too many people who don't like me, and I guess they will make things difficult for me sooner or later."
Song Shuhao knew what she was referring to. She had forgotten those things since Ling Xiao hadn't brought them up. What she could remember now were things that made her happy, so why would she hold a grudge? Besides, she had already figured it out; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to stay peacefully by Zhang Yu's side. But judging from Ling Xiao's tone, there seemed to be some other development?
She thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "There are probably many people who don't like me, but which one are you talking about?" Ling Xiao didn't make a sound, but mouthed a name to Song Shuhao. Song Shuhao was surprised for a moment, then asked, "You've already taken action?"
Ling Xiao nodded, and Song Shuhao remained silent for a moment. Not long after, Song Shuhao spoke again, saying, "If that's the case, then it's possible that you've been implicated by me. However, I didn't care about those things back then, and what others say can't hurt me at all. Besides, I'm not necessarily going to be speechless."
She had recently discovered that someone was following her, and after catching one of them, she knew it was Nie Shaoguang who was behind it, which made her more vigilant. Combined with some other unusual movements, Ling Xiao thought more deeply and couldn't help but be wary, also concerned about Song Shuhao's situation.
No one mentioned or asked about Song Shuhao's abduction, but the incident undoubtedly remained in many people's minds, ready to be brought up and used against them at any time. Nie Shaoguang might not know it now, but who knows what will happen in the future, especially since she has an older brother named Nie Zhiyuan.
If he didn't have some ulterior motive, why would Nie Shaoguang have people keeping a close watch on her? They watched her but didn't do anything, as if waiting for some leverage. But who knows if Nie Shaoguang was being used by someone else?
The facts behind this were far too complicated. She was more concerned about Song Shuhao's condition and, for the first time, proactively asked about something that was hardly a pleasant memory for Song Shuhao. Receiving this reply brought her considerable relief.
"It's still unclear what will happen. We need to wait and see. We can only wait and see."
Song Shuhao nodded in agreement.
...
The two talked for a while and returned a little late, but no one said anything. Since they didn't stay too late at the princess's residence, Song Shuhao usually went to bed early. Zhang Yu was afraid that she would get sleepy, so he stayed a little longer before taking her away first.
Would Zhang Yu not know about Ling Xiao's situation? Song Shuhao didn't think so, but she was certain Zhang Yu wouldn't tell her. If he could handle it himself, he certainly wouldn't reveal a single word to her. She therefore assumed she should know, otherwise, if something unexpected happened, she wouldn't know how to react.
On the way back to the palace, Song Shuhao didn't mention it much. It wasn't until they returned to Xuanzhi Hall and lay down in each other's arms that Song Shuhao said to Zhang Yu, "If there's anything related to me, Your Majesty, please don't hide it from me."
"It's better to know than not to know. It's not that I don't believe His Majesty will protect me and the child, but if I'm completely clueless, I'll feel foolish. Having a clear understanding will make it easier to deal with the situation. Perhaps I can be of help?"
Zhang Yu looked down at her, looking very serious, and patted her head with a smile, "It's nothing, I can handle it. You just need to focus on giving birth to our son, it's already been hard enough."
"How do you know it's a son? Did the imperial physician say so? But I want a daughter..." Song Shuhao seized on the key point, "I want a daughter, and the first child must be a daughter. If you insist on having a son, you can find someone else to have one."
Find someone else to have a child? Zhang Yu's face darkened. Did this person have any conscience?
Author's Note: Hmm, the next chapter will be about giving birth.
Chapter 106 Update
With the Mid-Autumn Festival over, the weather grew cooler and colder, and time seemed to fly by. The next New Year would mark Song Shuhao's twenty-fourth birthday. She was already over seven months pregnant, with her due date in February or March, very close at hand. This New Year, she was forced to stay in the Xuanzhi Palace to rest and recuperate, unable to go anywhere.
Because of her pregnancy, Song Shuhao often had to get up at night, which always disturbed Zhang Yu's sleep. He would only be at peace if he personally "served" her. Since Zhang Yu had to get up early for court, one time during lunch, Song Shuhao noticed dark circles under his eyes and said that they should sleep separately for a while.
Upon hearing her words, Zhang Yu's expression immediately darkened. For a good half-day, Zhang Yu ignored her, clearly angry. Song Shuhao had to coax Zhang Yu to calm him down, and naturally, she never mentioned it again.
Having witnessed Zhang Xin's experience giving birth to Xia Yucheng, and hearing from Ling Xiao that her delivery was exceptionally smooth, Song Shuhao was mentally prepared. She thought that since she had taken good care of herself, her delivery shouldn't be a problem. Little did she know that when she herself went into labor, she would discover what true, excruciating pain meant.
A piercing, excruciating pain emanated from every inch of her body, engulfing all her thoughts and dominating her mind. From beginning to end, she had only one feeling: pain, an overwhelming, inescapable pain.
My ears were ringing, and I couldn't hear what the people around me were saying. I could only rely on my instincts to keep pushing, trying to give birth to the child safely. My eyes were blurry, whether from sweat or tears, and I couldn't see anything or anyone.
It felt like a bumpy, aimless journey, or like drifting aimlessly on the vast ocean. Only when she was firmly held by a warm, familiar hand did Song Shuhao regain some composure. She could feel his tension and unease, and the cold sweat on his palms.
She didn't know when, but something detached from her body, and Song Shuhao immediately relaxed, panting heavily as if a burden had been lifted. She could barely open her eyes, but heard Zhang Yu's gentle coaxing in her ear, so she tried to open them a crack, wanting to tell him that she was fine.
But she only had time to smile at Zhang Yu before Song Shuhao fainted.
When she struggled to wake up, Zhang Yu was no longer by her bedside. Ling Xiao walked over and said to her with a smile, "It's a daughter, the baby is very healthy." He then told Song Shuhao not to think too much about it and to follow his instructions, which would inevitably lead to some trouble.
Ever since Zhang Yu expressed his desire for a son, Song Shuhao had often told Ling Xiao that she wanted a daughter, even asking him to help her choose one so she could have a better idea of what would happen. But until the baby was born, who could guarantee the sex of the child? Thankfully, Zhang Yu didn't get his way.
Worried that Song Shuhao might catch a cold, Zhang Yu had ordered more charcoal braziers to be added to the room earlier, but now it was even hotter. Zhang Yu returned shortly after; Song Shuhao had been cleaned up, and he fed her half a cup of water before the wet nurse brought over the cleaned baby.
At first, when Song Shuhao heard her cry, she thought it was even louder than Xia Yucheng's cry when she was born, and she felt that the baby was not only healthy, but also very energetic. The baby was wrapped in swaddling clothes, with her eyes half-closed, and was very quiet at the moment.
Song Shuhao looked closely and asked Zhang Yu with a smile, "His Majesty said that the little princess looked like a little mouse when she was born, so what about our daughter...?"
"Of course, he's incredibly handsome," Zhang Yu replied without hesitation. Song Shuhao was still exhausted. He held the child in his arms, looking down at him, adoring him no matter how he looked at him. So what if he looked like a little monkey now? He would definitely be extremely beautiful when he grew up.
Song Shuhao smiled, and the two watched for a while before the wet nurse took the baby away. Zhang Yu wanted to rest with Song Shuhao, but then realized his undergarments were soaked with sweat. He had been so focused on Song Shuhao and the baby that he hadn't paid attention to himself, so he quickly went to take a bath. When he returned, Song Shuhao was already asleep.
Looking at her sleeping peacefully, and thinking about the hardships she had endured these past few days, Zhang Yu had completely forgotten his desire for a son. Standing by her bedside, witnessing her give birth to their daughter, he was truly terrified… and he didn't want her to experience that kind of hardship again.
Zhang Yu thought to himself, childbirth is so hard, there's nothing better than Song Shuhao being safe and sound.
·
Song Shuhao and Zhang Yu had been brainstorming names for their daughter for some time, and finally settled on Zhang Wan. Wan means beautiful, and their daughter's birth brought them joy. Song Shuhao was very satisfied with the name, and she cared for Zhang Wan far more than Zhang Yu did every day.
Zhang Wan was still very young and needed to sleep most of the time each day. She only cried when she was hungry or uncomfortable. Taking care of a baby was still a demanding task, but fortunately, wet nurses took turns caring for her, making things a little easier for Song Shuhao. However, she followed Ling Xiao's advice and tried her best to breastfeed.
Feeling ignored, Zhang Yu could only find a sense of belonging by going to Song Shuhao at night, but it was nothing more than that. However, the feeling of being ignored was really unbearable. He thought back to when they didn't have children, Song Shuhao cared about him all the time, and her heart was completely devoted to him. How wonderful that was.
"If I had known, I should have waited two more years to have children," Zhang Yu couldn't help but complain.