Chapter 112: Chapter 112

When An Ning finished her postpartum confinement, it was already mid-September. She had spent a full two months resting before the imperial physician allowed her to leave bed. Even so, anyone could tell that compared to before—when she had looked perpetually full of vigor and in robust health—Ninth Princess Consort now was truly a shadow of her former self.

Especially at this moment, wrapped in a thick cloak, her face as pure as snow, her gentle smile carried an added fragile air.

The other princess consorts couldn't help but sigh quietly upon seeing her. Poor Ninth Princess Consort was just incredibly unlucky. At this point, even the Fifth Princess Consort no longer secretly envied her.

Compared to their own sisters-in-law, she felt her life was still somewhat bearable.

Especially during the New Year festivities, when all the princes and princess consorts, including those of the Zong family, gathered one after another, the seat meant for Ninth Princess Consort remained conspicuously empty.

After some discreet inquiries, everyone learned that Ninth Princess Consort was unwell and had gone to recuperate with her daughter at a hot spring villa in the outskirts before the New Year.

Recuperating to the point of not even attending the annual banquet? That had to be a serious illness!

During the feast, the princess consorts exchanged subtle glances. It seemed the health of Ninth Princess Consort was truly worrying.

With An Ning as a warning, the Ninth Prince’s residence had become, in the eyes of many noblewomen and even bondservant women with some family background, no different from a den of dragons and tigers.

It was very likely that she would never have children in her lifetime. If by chance she did, that would be a matter of life and death!

One might ask if any of them had the physical constitution of the previous Ninth Princess Consort. Even more so, did they have her family background, which commanded all the imperial physicians to personally attend to her, piling on expensive medicines and tonics just to keep her alive?

Not only would they not have such treatment, but for the sake of the child in their womb, their own fragile lives wouldn’t be worth a thing.

It was feared that the day they became pregnant would be only a few months before their own death.

Glory and wealth were meaningless without life to enjoy them!

Moreover, if it were the Crown Prince, it might be worth fighting for, but the Ninth Prince was just a mere prince. Forget it!

Seeing her lonely son before her, in Yikun Palace, Guo Luoluo couldn’t help but sigh, cursing the Eighth Prince a thousand times in her heart.

Especially today, to show the emperor that her own children were not so miserable, the Eighth Prince had brought both his son and daughter with him. Compared to her own lonely Ninth...

But fortunately, thinking of the beautiful granddaughter she had seen recently, Guo Luoluo’s heart lightened somewhat. She then seriously took her son’s hand:

“Ninth, your princess consort hasn’t had it easy, especially now with the eldest princess. Even if she’s not your son, she’s the only bit of your own blood under your knees.”

It was very likely to be the only bloodline she would have in her lifetime.

Though unspoken, both mother and son knew this well. When Little Moon was just born, Imperial Consort Yi had entertained other thoughts.

Though difficult, what if...

But who would have thought, shortly after those thoughts, palace maids started feeling unwell one after another.

The Qing palace was unlike others; palace maids were mostly bannermen and could not be arbitrarily beaten or scolded, let alone injured. Even if Imperial Consort Yi was angry, she couldn’t cause too much trouble.

Besides, it would be bad if such news spread.

Moreover, Imperial Consort Yi knew her son’s character well—he had been pampered since childhood and took the imperial male dignity very seriously. How could he willingly be close to those with ulterior motives?

Not even for his son.

Looking at the consorts appointed over the years, except for the first two years, most had been neglected in the back palace.

Cursing the Eighth Prince once again in her heart, Imperial Consort Yi earnestly held her youngest son’s hand:

“Your mother also has the cordyceps blood swallow the emperor gave a few days ago. Take it back with you. Though the eldest princess is well cared for, the imperial physician said the fetus still lacks some things. You, as the father, must pay more attention...”

“And your princess consort is unwell now. You must be more considerate, don’t be as reckless as before!”

In short, Imperial Consort Yi worried endlessly for her always-troubled youngest son.

When Yin Tang arrived with his entourage, An Ning was comfortably lying in the newly built hot spring pool.

The Ninth Prince’s residence did not lack money, and the expenses naturally ensured maximum comfort. Except for occasionally pretending to be weak, An Ning had been living a blissful life with her precious daughter at the villa.

Sipping a plum drink quietly handed over by her maid, An Ning secretly gave herself a thumbs-up for her decision. This was far better than trudging through the freezing cold and kneeling repeatedly.

Moreover, nestled in the warm hot spring water, she thought how wonderful it was not to have to pretend to be healthy!

During this period, due to “illness,” An Ning reluctantly gave up her earlier hobbies of horse riding and hunting, turning instead to flower gathering and spending most of her time on painting and calligraphy. At this moment, there was already a whole small box full of portraits of Little Moon in her study.

The small family returned to the capital in March of the following year, when the weather had thoroughly warmed.

The little one, about eight or nine months old, was at the clever and adorable stage. Especially Little Moon, whose delicate and adorable features made her a perfect little sweetheart.

Although sometimes the baby had a bit of a temper, neither her father nor Imperial Consort Yi thought much of it, even secretly praising:

“Our Manchu lady has to have such spirit.”

“Exactly, as the father’s daughter, whatever she wants, she’ll get as long as he has it!”

Still, on the day of the “Zhua Zhou” ceremony, seeing the little one fiercely gathering all the shiny little toys before her, An Ning couldn’t help but twitch the corner of her mouth.

But don’t be fooled by her size; the little one was extremely clever. Seeing her mother’s face turn sour, she staggered over, holding out a green jade brush.

The little girl wore a small Xiang red jacket and a wool knit hat, her big black eyes sparkling remarkably, and her delicate fairy-like features instantly drew everyone’s attention.

Especially now, with her small face tilted back, her smart and adorable look made people’s hearts warm a little more.

On the desk, besides a few toys added by uncles, the Crown Prince had even tossed his jade finger ring onto the pile.

For a moment, it caught everyone’s attention and caused some to secretly speculate that the Crown Prince was trying to curry favor with his brothers.

But thinking of the Ninth Prince’s usual detached character, the brothers quickly dismissed this guess.

Only An Ning fought the twitch in the corner of her mouth. Knowing him well, she suspected there was nothing else going on now.

No other reason but that he was occasionally struck by his obsession with appearances.