Chapter 759
Chapter 759
“Aah!”
A harrowing scream from Princess Ningyan echoed through the royal palace. But strangely, the scream sounded a bit flat, almost fake.
She hadn't been seen for a very, very long time. What had she been doing? Nurturing her unborn child. Her pregnancy had been arduous from the start, fraught with perilous twists and turns. So, she had remained in the palace, focusing on her pregnancy with almost no contact with the outside world. And today, the time had finally come.
The truth was, it didn't hurt that much. No matter how painful childbirth was, could it possibly be worse than when she'd suffered from a kidney stone? After enduring that agony, Ningyan's tolerance for pain had increased significantly. Besides, with her physique, giving birth wasn't particularly difficult. The midwife who had delivered Xiao Bing's child once said that for Ningyan, giving birth would be easier than a hen laying an egg—all she had to do was grit her teeth and push, and the baby would pop right out. Ningyan remembered those words. But she felt it would be embarrassing to have such an easy birth, as if it weren't a precious occasion. So, even though she could clearly endure the pain, she was screaming her head off.
*'My child, hold on a little longer before you come out. Otherwise, your mother will really be known as the woman who laid you like an egg.'*
Throughout the delivery, she kept screaming in pain, trying to make sure everyone knew just how much she was suffering. But her physical condition was just too good. Wasn't her nickname the "Big-Hipped Princess"? Not long after the contractions started, the baby was already on its way out.
“It's coming, it's coming! Your Highness's body is truly different. Others suffer as if they're on death's door when giving birth, but for you, it's as easy as laying an egg.”
Princess Ningyan wanted to cry, but no tears came.
*'I didn't want it to be this easy. I wanted to hold on a little longer.'*
“Waaah!”
“Congratulations, Your Highness. It's a baby boy. A full six catties.”
As soon as Consort Bian heard this, she knew. The baby wasn't quite six catties; the midwife had deliberately added a few taels to make him sound healthier. Unlike her easy delivery, Ningyan's pregnancy had been extremely precarious. Despite all the methods Shen Lang and the royal physicians had tried, the baby in her womb couldn't be described as healthy. So, she was already satisfied that she had carried him to term and that he weighed over five catties at birth.
“Let me hold him.”
Consort Bian took the baby in her arms. Shen Lang's other children had been born fair and plump, their features already settled and incredibly lovely. This baby, however, was red, his eyes still shut, and he looked frailer than his older brother and sister. Consort Bian gazed at the baby with immense affection and said.
“It's not so bad if you're a little weak. Won't you be more blessed, just like your father?”
Ugh! Consort Bian, what did she mean by that?
“Sister, bring the baby to me.”
Ningyan said, and Mulan carefully carried the baby over to her. Princess Ningyan looked at her son lovingly and spoke softly.
“My baby, Mommy is sorry. I couldn't bring you into this world as healthy as your brother and sister. But don't you worry. Mommy will feed you herself and make sure you grow up strong and healthy.”
Although Ningyan was healthy, her past kidney stone had affected her body, particularly the environment in her womb, making pregnancy difficult.
“Your father isn't here right now, but that's okay. Let's grow up handsome and then show him your face, my little one.”
Princess Ningyan cooed sweet words to soothe the baby. Shen Lang was indeed not there. He knew Ningyan would be giving birth around this time, but he couldn't split himself in two, so there was nothing to be done. Mulan looked at Ningyan and said.
“Your Highness is fortunate. I was tormented half to death when I gave birth to that little rascal Shen Ye. Thanks to that, my husband still barely acknowledges him. In contrast, I'm sure my husband will dote on this little one.”
King Ning Yuanxian once again racked his brain to name his grandson. After searching through countless classics, he finally settled on a name: Shen Li. Ningyan almost burst into tears when she heard it.
*'Royal Father, that name isn't the least bit elegant! You gave Shen Mi such a beautiful name, and my husband carelessly named Shen Ye, but you... you've been even more careless with Shen Li? Why not just call him Shen Dali?*'
Ning Yuanxian only smiled and offered no explanation. Consort Bian said gently.
“Shen Li isn't a bad name. Our baby is a bit frail, so naming him Shen Li is actually a good omen. It will make him strong. Besides, grand and imposing characters are often avoided in names, because a name can overwhelm a child's fortune.”
Ning Yuanxian had indeed put a great deal of thought into the name. In the past, he had been an incredibly refined and proud man. But now, he was filled with a sense of reverence for the heavens, so he adopted the common folk's practice of giving a child a humble name. It was believed to help the child grow up strong. The name Shen Li, though chosen for different reasons than A'Luzhuang, was meant to have a similar effect.
Little Prince A'Luzhuang was now quite something. He had learned to ride before he was even three. He would ride his little pony by himself, fall off four or five times, and come away completely unscathed. His temper was so wild, however, that when his pony disobeyed, he would often get into a fight with it. Not long after, they would make up, and he would act as if his only regret was that he couldn't eat from the same trough as the horse. Furthermore, he frequently slept in the stables with his horse, and King A'Lunan of Qiang simply let him be. In any case, A'Luzhuang was not living like a prince at all.
In contrast, Shen Li was even calmer than his older sister, Shen Mi. Except for a few cries right after birth, he didn't cry anymore and was as quiet as a little girl. Shen Li greatly resembled Ningyan and was a beautiful baby. Of course, there was a slight difference compared to the astonishing beauty of Shen Mi or Shen Ye. Ningyan was disappointed by this. She was clearly prettier than that vixen Xiao Bing, yet her baby wasn't as beautiful as Shen Mi.
*'Losing to Jin Mulan is one thing, but did I lose to that shameless wench too? That hussy Xiao Bing, you're just a maid, yet the daughter you bore looks more like a princess than a real one. It must be thanks to my husband's bloodline. Otherwise, any child of yours would surely look like a servant.'*
Consort Bian, on the other hand, was very pleased with the child. She kissed Shen Li's forehead and said.
“There's nothing wrong with it. Shen Mi and Shen Ye are so beautiful; does your family have to hog all the beauty in the world? It's a very good thing to have a slightly more ordinary baby. At least our Shen Li is prettier than his maternal grandmother, isn't he?”
Consort Bian's words were a self-deprecating joke about her own lack of beauty.
***
Recently, Ning Qi had been muttering to himself every day.
*'Zhu Hongzhu, you said this was the darkness before the dawn, but when exactly is the dawn coming?'*
The Zhong Clan had completely stabilized its position in the capital, and the Marquisate of Zhenxi had been renamed the Marquisate of Anning. The Zhong Clan kept its gates closed, maintaining an extremely low profile and giving the appearance of avoiding all outside contact. The only time Zhong Yao left the marquisate was to enter the palace and play Go with the king. He never interacted with Ning Qi or exchanged a single word with him, nor did he attend court sessions.
The Spring Festival had come again. On New Year's Eve, the entire family gathered at the royal palace. With the exception of the second prince who had become a monk and Ning Yi who was still a captive, all the other brothers and sisters were present. Crown Prince Ning Zheng rushed in, had a quick meal, and then left just as hastily. He was a man utterly devoted to state affairs, so even on New Year's Eve, he didn't bother with the pretense of brotherly affection. Though he had not yet ascended the throne, he slept only about four hours a day, dedicating all his remaining time to managing the government. King Ning Yuanxian, on the other hand, was completely at leisure, spending his days like an immortal—playing Go, reading books, or teasing his grandson.
“Ning Zhen, Ning Jing...”
Ning Yuanxian called out, and they answered.
“Royal Father!”
“This is a New Year's gift for you.”
Ning Yuanxian gave each of his children a red envelope. Inside each was a single gold coin, but it was exquisitely and beautifully crafted. The coins were engraved not only with the recipient's zodiac sign but also their name. Several of the princes were taken aback.
*'New Year's money? Royal Father has never given us anything like this before.'*
“I may not be a good example for you. Your uncle, Ning Yuanwu, and I caused such a commotion that it wouldn't have ended until one of us was dead. Of course, it was his fault, but it was also mine. You brothers have all troubled Ning Zheng to some degree in the past, but don't worry. There's one thing Ning Zheng does better than I: he won't hold onto old grudges. So, you brothers must get along well from now on.”
“We will humbly follow your command.”
“Ning Qi...”
At Ning Yuanxian's call, Ning Qi instantly came forward and knelt before him. Ning Yuanxian looked at his talented, resourceful, and ruthless son with a complicated expression and spoke slowly.
“I told Zhong Yao that the world is ever-changing and unpredictable, that even if the heavens change tomorrow, there is no guarantee they won't change back the day after. I know you have your own thoughts. But I want you to remember this: even if the heavens change, do not take things to the extreme. Always leave a path for the future. Leave some hope, some vitality, for our State of Yue, for our Ning Clan.”
“Your subject understands.”
“You lost the struggle for succession this time. Did Ning Zheng blame you? Did I?”
Ning Qi bowed his head and said.
“No, he did not.”
“Did Shen Lang try to kill you?”
Ning Qi bowed his head again and replied.
“No, he did not.”
“You are exceptionally talented and formidable. More so than I. But your flaw is a lack of humanity. In the past, you sent men to assassinate Ning Zheng, and when that failed, you manipulated Ning Han into making a move against me. If this were anyone else, or any other country, even ten lives wouldn't have been enough to save you. But Ning Zheng didn't touch you, and neither did I. Do you know why?”
Ning Qi lowered his head.
“Remember. No matter the situation, do not take things to the extreme. Leave a thread of vitality for our Ning Clan and the State of Yue.”
Ning Qi trembled. Ning Yuanxian walked over, patted his shoulder lightly, and said.
“I am no longer afraid of death. But 'surviving disgracefully,' as you are, is not such a bad thing either.”
*'Surviving disgracefully?'*
Hearing that phrase, Ning Qi's body trembled slightly.
“I did not use that phrase with any intention of belittling you. See to your own affairs!”