Chapter 988: Cherished

I don’t know if it’s because I didn’t recover well the last time.

This time, after giving birth, I feel much weaker.

Luckily, my life feels complete now, and I won’t have more children.

I don’t want to wear myself out early.

If I have the life to bear children but not to enjoy it, wouldn’t that be a huge loss?

After the third-day post-birth ceremony.

I rested for over ten days.

By New Year’s Eve, Xia Ruqing finally felt a bit better.

Though she hadn’t finished her postpartum recovery and couldn’t get out of bed,

at least her spirits were lifted, and she could eat.

According to the Imperial Physician, as long as she could eat, there was no major issue.

Childbirth naturally drains a woman’s vitality, and weakness is normal.

With proper nourishment and care, she’ll recover.

Only after hearing this was Xia Ruqing reassured.

"As long as it hasn’t harmed my health, it’s fine!"

Zi Yue laughed.

"You are in good health, and the little princess is fine too! Pink and incredibly adorable!"

Xia Ruqing felt quite proud.

"Of course, who do you think gave birth to her?"

Thinking about having a daughter now, Xia Ruqing felt invigorated and full of hope.

"Madam, give the little princess a nickname!"

Zi Su laughed and said.

"Oh, I almost forgot if you hadn’t mentioned it. I’m really silly!"

Xia Ruqing felt a bit vexed, thinking her mind had become cloudier after childbirth.

Zi Yue and Zi Su laughed, saying it wasn’t true.

Xia Ruqing didn’t say much more.

After drinking some soup, she began pondering a name for her daughter.

She thought for a long time but wasn’t satisfied with several attempts.

Finally, she decided.

"Let’s call her Yue Er. It may be a bit common, but I just want her life to be simple and happy!"

This is a mother’s most genuine wish.

"It’s a good name!"

"Yue Er, Princess Yue Er!" Zi Su happily repeated.

Just then, the Wetnurse Nanny came in with the little princess, who had just been fed but hadn’t fallen asleep yet.

"Noble Consort!"

Seeing her daughter awake, Xia Ruqing quickly beckoned.

"Bring her over!"

"Yes!"

After paying her respects, the Wetnurse Nanny placed the little princess beside Xia Ruqing.

A baby doesn’t wake up often, typically opening their eyes after being fed by the nanny and playing for a while.

The half-month-old little princess’s wrinkled face had already smoothed out.

Pudgy and pink.

Her big, fluttering eyes already showed signs of liveliness.

Xia Ruqing felt her heart melt as she watched.

She hugged and kissed her repeatedly.

The little princess couldn’t smile yet and had no expressions.

She just blinked her big eyes.

Even this wasn’t enough to satiate those watching her.

Zi Yue smiled and said, "The princess’s eyes resemble Madam’s, and her nose and mouth resemble the Emperor’s! She is truly beautiful!"

It wasn’t flattery.

The little princess was genuinely beautiful.

The Emperor’s looks were beyond question.

And her own Madam was one of the most beautiful among the harem’s three thousand beauties.

The little princess inherited the best features from both.

One could only imagine her future beauty.

Oh... this little princess, born with a golden spoon, is truly blessed.

Zi Su also crowded alongside, unable to view enough.

"Madam! How can there be such a beautiful little girl in the world!"

"I used to think the Third Princess was gorgeous enough!"

"But our Fourth Princess..."

The Third Princess was born to Shih Wanying, and she was also a remarkable beauty.

The Third Princess’s exquisite and lovely demeanor was well known in the palace.

And now, this little princess was even more...

How could one even begin to describe this?!

"Enough, enough!"

Xia Ruqing, amused and exasperated, stopped them.

"My daughter is not a vase, what does her appearance matter?"

She didn’t want people to pinpoint her daughter’s looks whenever they mentioned her.

Her daughter was a princess, an imperial scion.

Her looks were merely a small embellishment.

Why should this be her label?

Upon hearing this, Zi Yue and Zi Su quickly apologized.

Xia Ruqing waved her hand dismissively.

"Alright, alright!"

"Since you have time, fetch me another bowl of soup!"

During postpartum recovery, one needs to drink plenty of soup, and she was just feeling thirsty.

"Alright!"

Zi Yue got up promptly and went to get it.

Zi Su said no more.

After being fed, the little princess soon fell asleep again.

The Wetnurse Nanny took her away for proper care.

Meanwhile, Xia Ruqing had some soup and lay down to rest.

...

This New Year was the most comfortable one Xia Ruqing had ever spent.

No need to go out, meet people, kneel at temples, sacrifice to the heavens, or attend banquets—nothing was required.

All she needed to do was stay in the palace and sleep well.

On New Year’s Eve.

Outside, fireworks and firecrackers made a joyful noise.

But everything remained the same in Duanning Palace.

Awards were still distributed, and dumplings were available.

The only difference was no need for staying up all night.

How could someone in confinement be expected to stay up late?

When the master doesn’t stay up, the servants also retire early.

So on New Year’s Eve, Duanning Palace, as usual, locked up early and turned off the lights.

On the second and third days of the New Year, the palace was still lively.

All around the palace, visitors came and went.

Yet Duanning Palace remained peaceful.

Ni Manxue and Xia Caiying were in a similar condition; no one could come in.

As for Xia Ruyi...

She was busy currying favor with Hai Feng and wouldn’t come by here.

Thus, the second and third were equally quiet.

The palace’s bustle lasted until the Lantern Festival before gradually tapering off.

Duanning Palace continued its habitual tranquility.

Xia Ruqing began feeling a bit restless.

"It really feels like we didn’t celebrate at all this year!"

As if I had a fake celebration.

"Madam, you’re still in confinement!"

"Wait until you’ve completed your recovery, then you’ll have fun!"

Xia Ruqing sighed helplessly.

"But by the time I’m out of confinement, the festivities will be over!"

"I do feel a bit regretful!"

Zi Yue was just about to speak.

When suddenly, a deep voice came from outside.

"Regretful about what?!"

"Emperor?"

"Greetings to the Emperor!"

Zhao Junyao waved his hand as he entered.

"Leave us!"

"Yes!"

After Zi Yue and Zi Su went out, Zhao Junyao sat by the bed.

"How are you feeling?"

"Is your health improving?"

Actually, Zhao Junyao hadn’t visited in several days.

Once the New Year approached, he got busy.

Though he didn’t need to review reports, there were plenty of social engagements.

Even now, he looked weary as he came over.

Xia Ruqing smiled and said,

"Thank you for your concern, Emperor!"

"I’ve felt much better!"

Zhao Junyao asked again.

"What were you regretting just now? Is it because I haven’t visited enough?"

"No!"

"I’ve stayed inside all through the New Year, not even getting out of bed!"

"It feels like I had a fake celebration, hence the regret!"

Zhao Junyao laughed.

"No need to regret! How about I take you south this year?"

"Huh?"

Xia Ruqing looked conflicted.

"What, you don’t want to?"

"Of course not. Yue Er is so small, how could she endure the journey? No, no way!"

Zhao Junyao: "..."

Having a daughter truly makes a difference.

Three mischievous sons could go, but one little girl couldn’t!

Tsk tsk!

"Emperor, could you bear to leave Yue Er alone in the palace?"

Zhao Junyao immediately put on a stern face.

"Absolutely not!"

"I was planning to take you both along!"

Xia Ruqing was tempted for a second but still refused.

"No way!"