bookcurios Chapter 1466 is already a rare occurrence even in the royal family.
Chapter 1466 is already a rare occurrence even in the royal family.
Shen Zhinian smiled and raised her hand, her gaze falling on the second princess: "It's been a while since I've seen her. Nannan seems to have grown taller and even more beautiful."
Consort Xian smiled coolly, walked to the Second Princess's side, and gently guided her: "Nannan, look, today is your fourth brother's birthday. Shouldn't you congratulate him?"
The second princess blinked her big eyes, glanced at the fourth prince who was staring at her, then at the virtuous consort, and seemed a little shy. She whispered a few words: "Fourth brother... happy birthday... happy birthday..."
When the fourth prince saw his beautiful second sister speaking to him, he immediately became excited: "Second sister!"
As he spoke, he handed a colorful cloth ball he was holding to the second princess.
Seeing this, Consort Xian's eyes revealed affection, and she said to Shen Zhinian, "Your Highness, Imperial Noble Consort, you see, it's good that the children are together."
“Nannan is usually very quiet in Yanxi Palace, but she was willing to talk today after seeing Axu.”
Consort Xuan, holding the Sixth Prince, also came over and chimed in, "That's right!"
"Jin'er is the same. It's a bit lonely for him to be alone in his own palace with only his wet nurse and me. He should play with his brothers and sisters more often. They seem much more lively then."
As she spoke, she teased the Fourth Prince, "Ah Xu, you're the birthday boy, would you like to hear Consort Xuan play a little tune?"
Although the fourth prince didn't understand the meaning of "birthday star," he was immediately drawn in by the music and pounced towards the pipa, shouting, "Listen! Listen to the music!"
Laughter immediately filled the warm room.
Looking at this heartwarming scene, Shen Zhinian said to Consort Xuan and Consort Xian, "Thank you both for coming to keep A-Xu company today and for bringing such thoughtful gifts."
Consort Xian said calmly, "Your Highness, the Imperial Noble Consort, is too kind."
"It's Ah-Xu's birthday, so we should come and congratulate him. Besides, it's good for the children to play together more often, and it can also make them more cheerful."
Consort Xuan was quick to speak her mind: "Exactly!"
"Why are you being so polite with us, Imperial Noble Consort? We would love to visit Yongshou Palace more often. It's lively and has delicious snacks!"
As she spoke, she winked mischievously at Shen Zhinian: "The hibiscus cakes in Sister's palace make Jin'er's mouth water just smelling them!"
Shen Zhinian was amused by Consort Xuan and instructed Fuqu: "Go and bring the newly made hibiscus cake and milk water chestnut powder candy for the two empresses, the second princess, and the sixth prince to try."
Fuqu curtsied and replied, "Yes!"
The palace maids quickly served delicate pastries and warm milk.
While carefully feeding the Sixth Prince, Consort Xuan told Shen Zhinian about the interesting things that had happened recently as the Sixth Prince began to try complementary foods.
Consort Xian carefully wiped the Second Princess's little hands clean, letting her hold the small pieces of pastry and eat slowly, occasionally correcting the Second Princess's posture in a low voice.
The children babbled and the mothers spoke softly, creating a vivid and tranquil scene.
Granny Lin and Granny Xiao watched with loving eyes from the side.
The wet nurses and nannies carefully protected the princes and princesses, afraid that they might bump or fall.
Handan and Fuqu directed the palace servants to register and record the congratulatory gifts sent by the various empresses, concubines, imperial relatives, and several close and important officials.
The gifts were numerous and exquisite, clearly showing that great thought had been put into them.
The lunch was prepared with exquisite tastes but not extravagance, consisting of light dishes suitable for children and women, yet still delicious and visually appealing.
The atmosphere at the table was very harmonious.
After lunch, Consort Xuan and Consort Xian, seeing that it was almost time, tactfully got up to take their leave.
Just as the palace servants had cleared the dining table and tidied up, Li Changde's voice rang out from outside: "His Majesty has arrived—!!!"
As Nangong Xuanyu stepped into the inner room, his expression softened instantly when he saw Shen Zhinian coming to greet him and the Fourth Prince rushing towards him with his small arms outstretched.
He bent down and scooped up the fourth prince who was rushing towards him.
The little one wasn't shy at all. He wrapped his soft little hands around the emperor's neck and called out in a childish voice, "Father!"
That cry melted Nangong Xuanyu's heart.
He lifted the heavy fourth prince in his arms and laughed, "Ah Xu has gained weight again. It seems you've been eating well."
Shen Zhinian stepped forward, smiling at the father and son: "I heard that the affairs of the previous dynasty are very busy. Why has Your Majesty come at this hour?"
"No matter how busy I am, I always make sure to come and celebrate Ah Xu's birthday."
Nangong Xuanyu carried the Fourth Prince and sat down on the soft couch by the window, naturally pulling Shen Zhinian to his side as well.
The family of three squeezed together on a soft couch, appearing very close.
The fourth prince squirmed restlessly in the emperor's arms, taking a keen interest in the tassels on the jade pendant at Nangong Xuanyu's waist, and reached out his chubby little hand to grab them.
Shen Zhinian quickly and gently grasped the Fourth Prince's small hand, saying helplessly, "Ah Xu, how many of your father's jade pendants have you grabbed?"
Nangong Xuanyu didn't care at all. Instead, he skillfully took off the jade pendant and handed it to the Fourth Prince to play with, saying in a indulgent tone, "It's alright, let A-Xu play with it. It's not anything important."
Shen Zhinian shook her head helplessly: "If this continues, the jade pendants in A-Xu's bedroom will be overflowing."
The emperor looked at Shen Zhinian with gentle eyes: "So what?"
"Niannian, I think today is just fine. It's peaceful and warm, much better than those fake, noisy banquets."
Shen Zhinian nestled beside the emperor, savoring the rare tranquility, and whispered, "That's what I think too."
"As long as Ah-Xu is safe and happy, that's better than anything else."
Most importantly, the Prince of Jin's faction has not been completely wiped out yet, so she must protect A-Xu and not give anyone an opportunity to take advantage of the situation.
Nangong Xuanyu looked down at the Fourth Prince, who was intently studying the jade pendant, then looked up at the beautiful, serene, and charming woman beside him, and his heart softened.
The disturbances and schemes of the outside world seemed to be kept outside Yongshou Palace.
As if remembering something, Nangong Xuanyu gently took Shen Zhinian's hand and asked with a smile, "Does A-Xu like the pair of jade unicorns that I had Li Changde send over this morning?"
"He likes it very much. He hugs it and won't let go as soon as he sees it. His wet nurse had to persuade him to put it away properly because she was afraid he would drop it."
Shen Zhinian smiled and said, "Your Majesty has gone to great lengths."
Nangong Xuanyu replied matter-of-factly, "He is Niannian's and my prince. If I don't bother, who will?"
After the fourth prince grew tired of playing with the jade pendant, he became interested in the dragon-patterned buttons on the emperor's robe and reached out his little hand to grab them.
Nangong Xuanyu was very patient, and he gently coaxed her.
Shen Zhinian felt a lump in her throat as she watched this scene.
Perhaps only in front of Ah Xu would this deep-thinking emperor reveal a fatherly love similar to that of an ordinary family.
Such tenderness between father and son is rare even in the royal family.
The emperor spent the entire afternoon in Yongshou Palace, accompanying Shen Zhinian and the fourth prince.
As dusk settled, the last rays of the setting sun shone through the window, bathing the family of three in a warm golden glow.