Chapter 143

Chapter 143: Everyone Wants to Hold the Baby

Huo Yuan could not stop looking at the child and reached out to take him, holding him to play. Little Xing Hui was not afraid at all; he even reached for the Emperor’s beard.

Empress Wang’s heart jumped; she was about to speak, but then she saw the Emperor laugh even louder and say: “This child dares to pull my dragon beard!”

Since the Emperor was not angry, Empress Wang relaxed.

Huo Zheng reached out and said: “Imperial Father, let your son hold him.”

The Emperor refused and said: “What is the rush? I hardly ever get to hold him.”

Only then did Huo Zheng step back to Chun Zhi’s side. Chun Zhi had not expected Little Xing Hui to get along so well with the Emperor. Watching the two of them play, she worried a little: [Please don’t really yank his beard.]

Soon the Emperor had played enough and returned the child to Huo Zheng.

Palace attendants brought hot tea. Chun Zhi took a cup and offered daughter-in-law tea to Imperial Father and Imperial Mother. The Emperor drank with a calm face, and Empress Wang also took a sip.

They spoke a few words to the young couple, telling them to be a good husband and wife, to support each other for life. Everyone knows young love burns bright, but with time, passion fades; in the end, even living like family is not easy. Yet at the start of a marriage, elders always say: stay together and protect each other for a lifetime.

Chun Zhi and Huo Zheng looked at one another and nodded.

They were handsome and beautiful, a sight that pleased the eye.

The Emperor and Empress Wang gave them many rewards. More than half were added on the spot for the child.

The Emperor said with a smile: “My seventh son does not talk much, but this son of his is lively and very likable.”

Hearing this, Empress Wang could not have been happier. She even looked at Chun Zhi more kindly.

The Emperor still had much state work to handle. After a short while, he said to Huo Zheng: “Seventh son, take your new bride to the Imperial Garden for a walk. Stay for lunch in the palace.”

Many imperial relatives wanted to meet the Princess Consort of Chang’an. The ones who had planned to tease the couple last night but failed had come to the palace early this morning. The Emperor disliked noise, so he simply set a Palace Banquet at noon and told those relatives to eat together then.

Huo Zheng bowed and answered: “Yes, Imperial Father.”

After giving his order, Huo Yuan rose and left. Empress Wang led Huo Zheng and Chun Zhi to see him off, then left the bedchamber with them.

Empress Wang said evenly: “There is still time before lunch; come sit in my palace.”

Huo Zheng glanced at Chun Zhi; seeing no sign of refusal, he said: “Then we will accept your kindness, Imperial Mother.”

Chun Zhi knew Empress Wang was Huo Zheng’s foster mother. They had been mother and son for many years. Even if Empress Wang did not like her, she would not harm her own son. In front of the Emperor, Empress Wang would still try to win benefits for Huo Zheng. For that alone, Chun Zhi could not avoid her forever. Since she could not avoid her, she must learn to get along. Also, Empress Wang kept stealing glances at Little Xing Hui the whole way; clearly, she liked the child. [It’s fine if she does not like me, as long as she likes the baby.]

They spoke little on the road and arrived at Phoenix Perch Palace.

After Empress Wang sat, she told Chun Zhi and Huo Zheng to sit too. Palace attendants brewed tea and brought out pastries.

Little Xing Hui wanted to grab the pretty flower-shaped cakes. Huo Zheng would not let him, but babies do not give up easily, so the child insisted, and Huo Zheng’s brows drew together.

Seeing this, Chun Zhi reached out to take the baby back.

Just then Empress Wang said: “If Zi An wants a pastry, give him one. He is still small and has no teeth. He will not swallow it; he will only hold it and play.”

Chun Zhi drew back her hand.

Huo Zheng was quick and thoughtful. Seeing that his Imperial Mother liked the child, he picked up a pastry and handed it to Little Xing Hui, saying to him with a gentle tone: “See how your Imperial Grandmother dotes on you.”

The baby was a cheerful one. Getting the pastry, he waved his hands at Empress Wang and giggled.

Empress Wang’s heart melted at his smile. She stood and said to Huo Zheng: “Anyone can see you have not held children much. That is not how you hold a baby. Come, let me teach you.”

She took Little Xing Hui from his arms. The child was happy with the pastry and did not fear her at all; he laughed even more.

“Little Zi An, so good,” Empress Wang said as she cuddled and played with him. Her old dislike for Chun Zhi faded by more than half. This Princess Consort of Chang’an might not match her wishes, but the child Chun Zhi had given birth to matched them very well. Those brows, those eyes, that laughing face—everything about him seemed to rest right on Empress Wang’s heart.

When Empress Wang had been young, she, too, had carried a child in her womb and had looked forward to the birth with joy. Yet that child was lost in the struggles of the Inner Palace and became a pool of blood. Her body was hurt then and could no longer carry a child.

Huo Zheng had been brought to Empress Wang to be raised when he was very young. She was still young herself, grieving for her lost child and asked to raise another woman’s child. It was hard not to feel unfair. At first, she only did what a legal mother must do. After a few years, feelings slowly grew, but by then Huo Zheng had already been shaped by the Grand Preceptor into a proper, rule-following gentleman. Empress Wang and this son never had the easy closeness of a true mother and child. Now, holding Little Xing Hui, she felt as if she held her own flesh and blood at last.

Empress Wang also said to Huo Zheng: “Babies must be coaxed, not frightened. The more you keep a stern face and scold, the more they will fight you.”

Huo Zheng had not expected his Imperial Mother to love Little Xing Hui so much. He lifted his eyes toward Chun Zhi and saw her looking down with a smile on her lips.

While teasing Little Xing Hui, Empress Wang asked Chun Zhi: “How is the wet nurse in your manor? If you are not happy with her, I can have people find you another.”

Chun Zhi answered gently: “In reply to Imperial Mother, I feed the child myself most of the time. The wet nurse only helps. The one in the manor suits us well for now, so there is no need to change.”

Empress Wang was surprised to hear that Chun Zhi nursed the child herself. She looked up at her and asked: “You feed him yourself?”

Chun Zhi said: “Yes. My health is good, so I can do it.”

Hearing this, Empress Wang found another point to approve of in the Princess Consort of Chang’an. In the capital, many noble ladies were raised delicately and prized frailty as beauty. Chun Zhi, however, was healthy and strong. Being able to nurse her own child was the best of all.

Empress Wang did not show too much on her face and only said to Chun Zhi: “I still have some top-grade bird’s nest and fish maw. Take them back to nourish your body.”

Chun Zhi rose and bowed, saying: “Thank you, Imperial Mother.”

Empress Wang said no more and kept playing with Little Xing Hui. Grandmother and grandson had a very happy time.