Chapter 562 - 529: The Birth

Chapter 562: Chapter 529: The Birth

A single "sister" immediately softened the faces of the crowd. The noblewoman previously smiled and greeted Yuanbao, then automatically made way for him.

Ever since Yuanbao became the top scorer, the Song Mansion has never been short of visitors. Song Qi only knew that her cousin had considerable influence within the circle, but she never imagined that "considerable" would mean this. When he made an appearance, almost all the elders in the noble circle knew him, each hoping to make him their son-in-law, their eagerness plain to see.

Song Qi couldn’t help but wonder if the girl her cousin fancied in the future would become the target of public admiration.

"What are you dawdling around for? Hurry up and follow?"

After walking a bit, Yuanbao found something amiss and turned around to see Song Qi standing still. He frowned.

Upon hearing him, Song Qi immediately reacted, apologetically tugging at the corners of her mouth before quickly stepping to catch up with Yuanbao.

A young top scorer, Crown Prince’s Companion, Young Master Xiao Yao.

The aura surrounding Yuanbao was so immense that each time he appeared in public, it caused a stir.

It was merely bringing his cousin to report for school, yet it quickly became the center of attention for everyone present.

The female students inside blushed bashfully when they saw him.

Song Qi clicked her tongue silently.

After completing the enrollment procedures and receiving her uniform from the Hongwen Academy, she had already gained a group of "girlfriends," all drawn by Yuanbao, sticking to her relentlessly. The timid ones mumbled, while the bold ones began to inquire about Young Master Xiao Yao’s preferences.

Song Qi was on the verge of tears.

Although she was titled as Yuanbao’s cousin, she didn’t actually know much about him. How could she answer their questions?

After barely getting through it, Song Qi broke away from the crowd and found Yuanbao in a pavilion by Huaxi Lake in the Hongwen Academy.

The youth was sitting on a stone bench, dressed in a dark blue robe with interwoven embroidery of the Eight Immortals, resting his right hand on his forehead and playing with a Jade Fan Pendant with his left. His almond-shaped eyes, naturally tilted slightly, revealed a charming brilliance, even when he remained silent.

Song Qi stopped in her tracks, suddenly feeling that the girls’ infatuation with her cousin was not without reason.

However, at the moment, the bright and charming youth was very quiet, as if harboring some unspeakable worry, casting a shadow over his delicate and fair face.

Song Qi took several deep breaths before daring to speak, "Brother, I’ve, I’ve finished everything."

The youth in the pavilion, upon hearing this, glanced at her nonchalantly, "Didn’t leave anything behind?"

"No, no."

"The Hongwen Academy is not far from your home, walk back yourself, I have other matters to attend to."

After giving his instructions, he stood up and walked out of the pavilion.

Song Qi wanted to say something more, but after glancing at the straight back of her cousin, she sighed and replied, "Take care, Brother."

Yuanbao left the Hongwen Academy and instructed the coachman to head directly to the Divine Soldier Bureau.

Zhao Xi hadn’t visited the Divine Soldier Bureau since the enthronement ceremony, and today was no exception.

Yuanbao changed into his work clothes and went to the carpentry room to help plane wood, soon becoming covered in dust.

At this moment, Eunuch Sanbao’s loud voice suddenly came from outside, "Crown Prince is here——"

Yuanbao was taken aback, and before he had time to wash off the dust on his face, he casually raised his sleeve to wipe it clean. Just as he opened his eyes, his gaze was drawn to the figure at the door.

The young Crown Prince was dressed in an apricot yellow embroidered golden python robe, with a Purple Gold Crown atop his head, exuding noble elegance and an imposing aura.

Compared to before the enthronement, his face was more somber and calm.

It was hard to imagine that he was only fifteen this year.

Suddenly, that day at the suburb when he rashly declared to cut ties with him popped into Yuanbao’s mind, making him feel guilty as he lowered his head and knelt with everyone to greet the Crown Prince.

"Rise." Zhao Xi raised his hand, his voice calm and indifferent.

Old Marquis Lu stood up and instructed others to get busy, then approached Zhao Xi and cupped his hands, "This old minister congratulates Your Highness."

Zhao Xi said plainly, "It has been hard on Old Marquis these days in my absence."

"To create mechanical beasts for the Imperial Family is the duty of every subordinate of the Divine Soldier Bureau, and this old minister cannot shirk from it." The Old Marquis said, then reported the situation in the government office during his absence to Zhao Xi.

Yuanbao stood not far away, intending to slip away quietly to wash up at the well in the backyard while the two were distracted.

But just as he sneaked to Zhao Xi’s side, he heard a voice from the front, "Stop!"

Yuanbao had no choice but to stop in his tracks, standing motionless.

Old Marquis Lu, adept at reading expressions, timely said, "This old minister will go about my activities, not to disturb Your Highness."

Zhao Xi replied indifferently, and after Old Marquis Lu walked away, he slowly turned around.

Though Yuanbao didn’t meet Zhao Xi’s gaze, he could clearly feel the palpable scrutiny, making him feel very uneasy.

He kept his head down, "If Your Highness has anything to say, please go ahead. I’m in a hurry to wash my face."

"The injuries of that Mr. Wang have mostly healed," Zhao Xi said. "I’ve arranged for him to stay at Junyue Inn with someone watching over him. If you wish to see him, you can do so at any time."

"I don’t want to, for now," Song Yuanbao replied in a slightly low voice, "I’ll wait a few more days."

"Are you waiting for Minister Song to return?"

"Yes."

"As you wish." Zhao Xi averted his gaze, not insisting.

Just as Zhao Xi was about to leave, Song Yuanbao suddenly spoke up, "Your Highness."

"What is it?"

Song Yuanbao sighed softly, "I’m sorry."

Zhao Xi glanced at him, "Why are you apologizing?"

Song Yuanbao lifted his head, "That day in the suburbs, I spoke recklessly without thinking. I was wrong. You can punish me however you see fit."

Zhao Xi’s expression remained mostly unchanged, "Starting tomorrow, I will be going to Wenhua Hall daily to help Father with state affairs. I may not be able to visit the Divine Soldier Bureau often, so take good care of things for me here."

"Alright."

Seeing that Song Yuanbao had nothing more to say, Zhao Xi stated, "If there’s nothing else, I’ll be off then."

Song Yuanbao opened his mouth but didn’t know what more to say to Zhao Xi, so he just watched him leave. It wasn’t until Zhao Xi’s noble and dignified figure disappeared at the gates of the Divine Soldier Bureau that Song Yuanbao snapped back to reality and continued to help in the carpentry workshop.

——

When Song Wei returned from his duties, it was just as Wen Wan was about to give birth.

This childbirth was not going smoothly; she entered the labor room in the middle of the night and had not given birth by dawn.

Everyone was on edge. Even Song Yuanbao did not go to the Imperial College, waiting anxiously in the outer courtyard and periodically sending Duan Yan to inquire about the situation.

When Duan Yan returned, joy was evident on his face, "Young master, the master has returned."

Song Yuanbao’s heart skipped a beat, "My father... he’s back?"

"Yes," Duan Yan said, but then his expression became worried, "However, the master seems to be injured, and it looks quite serious."

Upon hearing this, Song Yuanbao’s expression changed, and he quickly rushed outside.

Seeing Song Wei with his arm bandaged and splinted to his chest, he frowned, "How did you get hurt like this?"

"It’s nothing," Song Wei smiled.

Every time he went out on official business without Wanwan, something always happened. It had become a norm, nothing to be alarmed about.

However, at the moment, Song Wei’s attention was not on his arm; he looked at Song Yuanbao, "I heard Wanwan went into labor earlier. Has the child been born?"

Song Yuanbao pursed his lips and shook his head, "She went into the labor room last night, but there’s still no news."

Song Wei’s mature and handsome face suddenly darkened, and his brows knitted tightly as he urgently sent someone to the inner courtyard to find out more.

Seeing Song Wei’s expression, Song Yuanbao couldn’t help but try to comfort him, "Don’t worry too much, my... my mother will have the fortune of the heavens and will deliver the child safely."

"I hope so," Song Wei’s voice was hoarse.

When Wen Wan gave birth to Jinbao, she almost had a difficult labor. At that time, Song Wei was taking exams in the Capital, caught in fever and rain, almost losing half his life.

Though both eventually overcame their respective challenges, it left a shadow in Song Wei’s heart. This time, while conducting his official business, he hastened his return to be with her, but upon arrival, he heard she was having a difficult labor.

With his left arm injured, Song Wei took out the peace charm Wen Wan had prayed for him, spreading it open in his right hand, falling into a deep silence.

At this moment, Linglong, the maid attending to Wen Wan, came to serve tea.

Song Wei asked her, "How is the lady?"

Linglong shook her head, "She hasn’t given birth yet."

Song Wei’s gaze turned fierce for a moment before asking, "Can she hold on?"

Linglong, fearing the master’s worry, replied, "Yun Cai is feeding her sugar water, so her strength hasn’t been depleted yet."

Saying this, her eyes fell on Song Wei’s arm, "Master is injured? I’ll go get a doctor."

"No need," Song Wei tried to suppress his restless emotions, "Go summon the midwife again, make sure to find one with plenty of experience."

Linglong, alarmed by Song Wei’s stern demeanor, was just about to run out when someone from the back courtyard came out with joyous news, saying the lady had given birth.

Linglong was overjoyed, "What did she have?"

The older woman who brought the news said, "It’s a girl."