Chapter 81: Crown Prince’s Concubine – 9

Qingfeng knew he had been reckless, but he still felt aggrieved. He couldn’t quite put a finger on why he felt that way, but he apologized with a lonely expression, thinking he should head back to the study to accept his punishment.

“Wait a moment. Go back and write after dinner. Didn’t you prepare lotus roots for Grandmother and me? Aren’t you going to taste them?”

Upon hearing this, Qingfeng cheered up instantly, his previous grievances vanishing. He said with a grin, “I picked the biggest ones. They’re bound to be delicious.”

Ren Xin rubbed the little fellow’s head and thought for a moment before saying, “When the weather gets a bit warmer, I’ll have Grandmother find someone who knows how to swim to teach you. It’s always better to have skills of your own. Never leave your life and safety in someone else’s hands.”

Qingfeng nodded vigorously, then ran to his grandmother’s side and acted spoiled. “I was wrong, I won’t be naughty anymore. Auntie already lectured me. I’ll definitely be obedient from now on.”

Grandmother’s eyes reddened slightly as she stroked Qingfeng’s head, saying hurriedly, “You must listen to your Auntie. You have to be a good boy.”

Ren Xin shook her head from the side and countered, “A boy doesn’t need to be too ‘good.’ As long as he isn’t in danger, he can do whatever he wants. Our Xie Family is more than capable of cleaning up any mess a little kid makes.”

Grandmother froze for a moment. It seemed she had always been stuck in a misunderstanding, believing that the child should be well-behaved and never step out of line.

But would a child raised like that truly grow up to be successful? Being born into a family like theirs, a child should grow up acting with abandon and without inhibitions!

Grandmother turned to Ren Xin and said very solemnly, “Thank you, Xinxin. It is Liangchen’s blessing to have married you, and it is the blessing of our Xie Family as well.”

Ren Xin waved her hand dismissively, feeling bashful while secretly gloating to herself: Your blessings are only just beginning.

In the blink of an eye, winter approached. Ren Xin’s pregnancy had reached its late stages, and she was nearing her due date. Grandmother had arranged for midwives early on.

She had even prepared the delivery room, but when the physician announced that Ren Xin was carrying more than one child¹, Grandmother’s panic was visible to the naked eye. Two! Could something go wrong?

Following that, she found four female medical practitioners and even petitioned the Empress Dowager to provide capable and experienced matrons from the palace. Imperial physicians visited daily to check her pulse. None of this, however, eased Grandmother’s anxiety.

Even Qingfeng was infected by Grandmother’s tension, becoming mysterious and watchful. He stared at Ren Xin unblinkingly every day, as if she might vanish the moment he looked away.

There had been no news from Xie Liangchen for two months. Word was that war had broken out again at the border, and no one knew how he was faring.

Ren Xin only occasionally remembered that she had a “cheap” husband. The rest of the time, she ate and drank as she pleased. She received so many rewards and gifts that her hands grew tired of taking them. Grandmother was just one step away from throwing open the treasury and letting Ren Xin pick whatever she wanted. It was a grand display of wealth, and Ren Xin felt like she was being “kept” by Grandmother. This was true bliss.

Finally, the day came for her to give birth, but the chicken leg in her hand was just too delicious. It could wait!

No one noticed anything unusual about Ren Xin. They were all still whispering among themselves. “Still no movement. It looks like she won’t give birth today. Everyone stay alert tonight in case she goes into labor in the middle of the night…”

Ren Xin finished gnawing on the chicken leg and waved a greasy little hand. “No need for the middle of the night. We’re going to give birth right now. I’ll be done by midnight. Don’t startle Grandmother, though; she’s old and shouldn’t stay up late.”

Everyone froze. Then, someone shouted at the top of their lungs, “She’s going into labor! Everyone, hurry! Hot water! Get the hot water ready!”

Ren Xin walked toward the prepared delivery room with confident, brisk steps, but she smacked her lips as she walked. “I still want some beef noodles. Bring me a bowl; I’ll give birth after I eat.”

Given the situation, who would dare disobey? The noodles were delivered with the utmost speed. Ren Xin slurped them all down, wiped her mouth, and called out grandly, “Bring it on!”

Everyone: “…”

Translator’s Notes