bookcurios Chapter 1113 Anyone who dares to trespass and disturb the 4th prince will be killed without mercy (1
Chapter 1113 Anyone who dares to trespass and disturb the 4th prince will be killed without mercy (1
On September 19th, we set out for autumn hunting.
The coldness of late autumn grew heavier day by day, and the frost turned the dead grass at the base of the palace wall white.
There was an endless stream of carriages and horses on the imperial road leading to the palace gate.
The imperial guards, wearing distinctive armor, stood solemnly by the roadside, their sharp eyes scanning each imperial carriage loaded with boxes and cages.
All the palaces were busy packing their luggage.
All the royal heirs, except the eldest princess, were still young and had to stay in the palace.
Only the eldest princess went with Concubine Zhuang.
The inner hall of Zhongcui Palace.
Shen Zhinian sat in front of the mirror, and Handan was carefully inserting a red gold hairpin with kingfisher feathers and a pearl into her bun.
The person in the mirror has calm eyes and brows, and looks majestic against the backdrop of his gorgeous clothes.
She stood up and walked to the flower-draped door curtain connecting the warm room and the outer hall, staring at the scene inside without blinking.
The warm room is covered with thick Persian velvet blankets, which isolate the cold air from the ground in late autumn.
The fourth prince was being held in the arms of his wet nurse, who was half-kneeling.
The little guy was wearing a soft goose yellow cotton jacket, like a furry little duck that had just hatched.
He had just learned to walk and was filled with endless enthusiasm for this new skill.
The Fourth Prince looked with his big black eyes at Nanny Xiao who was a few steps away with her arms open to him. He kicked hard with his short legs, trying to break free from the wet nurse's arms, and staggered towards Nanny Xiao.
The wet nurse protected him from falling and skillfully controlled his reckless momentum, coaxing him softly, "Fourth Prince, slow down, slow down... Look carefully before you move..."
Nanny Lin was half-kneeling not far in front of the Fourth Prince, holding a brightly colored cloth rattle in her hand, shaking it gently, making a crisp and pleasant sound that attracted his attention.
"Fourth Prince, look here. Come, come to Nanny Lin..."
The Fourth Prince's attention was indeed attracted by the swaying colors and sounds, and he temporarily forgot his original goal.
He opened his little mouth, revealing a few pearly little teeth, and giggled. He stretched out his chubby little hands to reach for something, and twisted his body even harder in his wet nurse's arms.
Shen Zhinian watched this scene tenderly, a strong sense of reluctance welling up in his heart...
Ah Xu is only one year and one month old, just learning to walk and babble, and is the most clingy and attached to his mother...
If she hadn't had to, how could she be at ease leaving him in this seemingly peaceful, but actually terrifying palace?
Fuqiu walked lightly to Shen Zhinian's side and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, Concubine Xuan has entrusted the Sixth Prince to Concubine Xue."
"Empress Xue said, Your Majesty, please rest assured, she will personally inquire about the daily life of the young princes, have the imperial physician take their pulses every day, and all supplies will be provided according to the highest standards, without any omissions."
Shen Zhinian's gaze was still fixed on the Fourth Prince, and he hummed softly.
She did not entrust the Fourth Prince to anyone else.
Although Concubine Xue is safe, the only place in the deep palace that Shen Zhinian can truly rest assured is the Zhongcui Palace, which she manages so tightly!
Her footsteps were extremely light, as if she was walking on clouds, and she stepped into the warm room silently.
As soon as Shen Zhinian appeared, the Fourth Prince, who was trying hard to reach the bell, immediately noticed it.
His little head turned, and his big black eyes accurately captured his mother's figure, and instantly burst into light brighter than the stars!
"Mother...mother concubine..."
The Fourth Prince's voice was filled with joy and dependence. His little body burst out with amazing strength, breaking free from the wet nurse's arms. He staggered with his short arms outstretched, giggling, and stumbled towards Shen Zhinian!
Shen Zhinian almost instinctively squatted down, opened his arms, and held the little body with a milky scent tightly in his arms.
She held the Fourth Prince in her arms, lowered her head, and pressed her cheek against the top of his furry head.
At this moment, all of Shen Zhinian's planning and killing decisions turned into the most primitive maternal love.
"Ah Xu..."
Her voice was trembling and choking with uncontrollable sobs, so soft that only the Fourth Prince in her arms could hear: "Mother's Ah Xu..."
It wasn't until an unknown amount of time passed that Shen Zhinian slowly raised his head.
She forced the moisture in her eyes away, leaving only the determination of a lone wolf protecting its cub!
She stood up, holding the Fourth Prince in her arms. Her gaze slowly swept over everyone in the warm room. Every word she uttered carried a tremendous force, striking everyone's heart. "While I am away from the palace, I entrust everything concerning the Fourth Prince to you."
Her gaze first fell on Nanny Lin and the Fourth Prince's wet nurses. "You are all familiar with Ah Xu's diet, daily life, and habits. All food must be personally inspected by Nanny Lin and the Imperial Physician before it can be consumed by the Fourth Prince."
"Underwear must be washed and dried warm, without the slightest dampness."
"Ah Xu is young and weak. If there is any abnormality, call the imperial physician immediately, no matter day or night, and report to Concubine Xue!"
Nanny Lin and the wet nurses immediately said, "This old slave/servant guarantees with their lives that they will protect the Fourth Prince to the utmost!"
Nanny Lin was Shen Zhinian's wet nurse, so she naturally trusted her. She nodded and set her eyes on Nanny Xiao.
Among all the palace maids in Zhongcui Palace, Madam Xiao has always been like a stabilizing force.
Shen Zhinian's voice carried a deeper entrustment: "There is Concubine Xue in the palace, but my Axu and Zhongcui Palace will be handed over to you, Madam Xiao."
"During my absence, guard Ah Xu and Zhongcui Palace. Without my or His Majesty's direct orders, anyone who dares to trespass and disturb the Fourth Prince—"
Shen Zhinian's eyes flashed with coldness, and he said coldly: "Kill without mercy!"
"Even if the sky falls, I'll hold it up!"
Madam Xiao's voice was as steady as a mountain. She bowed and responded. Her old eyes shone with the wisdom of having experienced many vicissitudes of life and the firmness of a rock: "I obey your command!"
Shen Zhinian looked at the Fourth Prince in his arms.
He seemed to be tired from playing, his little head resting softly on Shen Zhinian's shoulder, his long eyelashes covering his face, and his breathing gradually became even and long.
He actually fell asleep peacefully in Shen Zhinian's arms.
She handed the fourth prince to the wet nurse and took him away to rest.
Xiao Mingzi walked in from outside, stood outside the curtain with his head bowed, and reported the final arrangements for the accompanying palace maids, carriages, and guards.
"…Your Majesty, except for the eldest princess, all the young princes and princesses will remain in the palace as instructed by Your Majesty."
"Wet nurses, nannies, and maids have all been arranged for the various palace mistresses. Empress Xuefei has personally reviewed them to ensure that everything is in place."
Shen Zhinian nodded slightly.
The concubines all understood that the short separation was for longer-term planning.
Only by seizing the opportunity before us and winning more favor from the emperor can we earn a brighter future for the young children in the deep palace!
Shen Zhinian's voice was clear and melodious, with the composure of someone in control of the situation: "Nanny Lin and Nanny Xiao are in charge of Zhongcui Palace, and Yuanbao is guarding the gate. I have nothing to worry about."
"Tell Concubine Xue to do everything according to the rules."
Xiao Mingzi accepted the order and bowed and retreated: "Yes!"