That afternoon, Ao Zheng changed his attire and stepped out, intending to meet Pei Yao before heading to Changmen for a visit, when a servant hurriedly ran through the main gate.
"Prime Minister Ao, thereâs trouble, a major event has occurred!"
Ao Zhengâs expression darkened.
"Why the panic? Speak properly!"
He had been Prime Minister for several years now, and his authority had grown considerably.
The moment he spoke, the servant immediately lowered his head to apologize, and then urgently said:
"After todayâs rain, a flock of colorful sparrows flew into the Qilin Pavilion within the palace, circled atop the pavilion for a moment, and then all landed in the stone canal in front of the pavilionâs courtyard to drink water. Palace attendants went to drive them away but discovered a Qilin Stone in the canal..."
Ao Zheng questioned in disbelief, "A Qilin Stone?"
"Yes. A Qilin Stone, found right in the canal. Carved upon it is the Ancient Qilin Diagram with an inscription written on it."
"What does it say?"
"âQilin Prince, bearer of the nationâs hope.â"
Such an uncanny omen?
Ao Zheng was dumbfounded.
Eagerly, the guardâs eyes lit up, brimming with excitement.
"The Director of the Astronomical Bureau has declared it a divine auspicious sign, foretelling that the Little Prince is destined to be a wise and brilliant ruler who will illuminate the future of Da Yong."
Ao Zheng said, "Letâs go and take a look."
-
The Qilin Stone bore the carving of the Qilinâs child.
Auspicious blessings descend to extend the nationâs prosperity.
This was heavenâs favor upon Da Yong!
Once the auspicious sign appeared, nearly all doubts about the Little Prince vanished.
Reverence for divine spirits and awe of nature led the majority to believe the Little Princeâs birth was preordained by heaven, making Lady Feng Shi Erâs secrecy during pregnancy seem perfectly reasonable...
Someone extraordinary cannot be understood through ordinary logic.
Feng Yun learned of the Qilin Princeâs matter three days later.
She didnât believe in such coincidences and cornered Pei Jue, who was just about to leave Huaxi to attend the morning court, directly asking:
"Thereâs no one else here; Your Majesty, speak honestly, what is happening here?"
Pei Jue remained composed, "Itâs exactly as youâve heard, Lady Yun. Heavenâs blessings and auspicious signs have graced Da Yong."
After speaking, he countered, "Does Lady Yun doubt me?"
Feng Yun narrowed her eyes slightly, "Of course. Iâve never believed in auspicious signs. My mother says every so-called sign is manmade."
Pei Jue chuckled softly, sat back down beside her on the bed, leaned closer to look at her, and spoke gently: "Perhaps itâs just coincidence. I can command thousands of troops, but directing sparrows to gather at the canal is beyond me."
Feng Yun pondered and found his words logical.
"Could it be that this child truly bears a divine mission?"
Pei Jueâs lips curled faintly, "Naturally. And consider who his father is."
His face radiated pride, as though having this son instantly made him ruler over all the world, and matters of governance were completely cast aside.
When Puyang Jiu inquired about his health recently, he unabashedly replied with "Six pounds, eight ounces."
Feng Yun thought this was amusing. "Get your act together; youâre the Emperor."
Pei Jue nodded, assenting lightly, "I must indeed focus on the matter of naming our son... Yes, this is of great importance."
His brow furrowed slightly, revealing genuine concern.
Feng Yun recalled how heâd spent three days searching through ancient texts, yet still hadnât chosen a name for the child, and smiled faintly.
"Thereâs no need to rush the naming. If Your Majesty skips court again, there will truly be trouble."
Pei Jue nodded seriously, agreeing.
Then suddenly, he raised his eyes to gaze at her and asked:
"Who named Queque back then?"
Feng Yun froze.
She did not respond immediately; her face displayed a complex mixture of emotions.
Nostalgia, sorrow, and an understated warmth.
"I. I named him."
Pei Jue exhaled a breath of relief.
"Thatâs good."
Feng Yun lifted her gaze, "Why?"
Pei Jue lowered his head and stared at her intently, softly kissing the corner of her eye.
"You should name this child as well. His mother has more knowledge than his father."
Feng Yun raised her brows slightly at these words, "Wonât your court officials want my head for this?"
Pei Jue gave a light snort, "He is our child. As long as weâre happy, thatâs all that matters."
Feng Yun smiled faintly, "Why give me such an important task out of the blue?"
Pei Jue sighed, "I just want to spare myself the effort."
Feng Yun chuckled softly.
Choosing a name for a child was indeed a troublesome task.
She stretched out her arms to encircle Pei Jueâs waist and hugged him tightly.
"Go attend court."
"Alright." Pei Jue stood up, adjusted his robe, "Wait for my return."
He strode out confidently.
Feng Yun watched his tall, austere silhouette beneath the dragon robe, gradually receding into the distance, and slowly smiled, instructing the wet nurse to bring the Little Prince over.
The swaddled infantâs face was rosy, resembling a little pink bundle. His brows were already refined and dark, his tiny mouth puffed up while he slept, his eyelashes long and thick, slightly curled, his even breathing exuding vitality and pure innocence...
"The Little Prince is truly handsome. When he grows up, I wonder how many young women will be smitten by him..."
The wet nurse joked, and Xiaoman nodded repeatedly.
"Iâve never seen a newborn so handsome before. When my Ah Hao was born, his face was all wrinkled like an old manâs. Even now, though heâs thick-browed and big-eyed, compared to the Little Prince, heâs ... still a bit rough around the edges."
Feng Yun laughed aloud.
"How can you say that about your own son? Be careful; if Ah Hao hears, heâll burst into tears..."
Xiaoman chuckled, full of maternal tenderness as she spoke of her son.
"He wouldnât cry; that boy has always been tough. No matter how many times his father spanked him, he didnât shed a single tearâheâs stubborn, a carbon copy of his father..."
The wet nurse praised with a smile, "Naturally, a child takes after their parent..."
Feng Yun felt her heart stir and examined the infantâs features carefully.
They were right; this child was indeed born beautiful.
In just three days, he seemed to grow like a sprouting seed, changing every dayâhandsome and calm. The wet nurse said he was exceptionally easy to care for, never fussing or crying at night, eating his fill and sleeping soundlyâa considerate child, indeed...
Queque was like this, too.
Itâs true that children take after their parents, isnât it?
The childâs brows and features resembled Quequeâs.
And both bore traces of Pei Jueâs appearance...
Feng Yun subconsciously thought about the dream she had before the child was born.
Staring at the baby, she fell into deep thought.
At this moment, she was still unaware that this babyâs birth would not only affect her and Pei Jueâs lives and destinies but also profoundly alter the future trajectory of the Yong Dynasty and the fortunes of the entire realm for decades to come.
Auspicious signs were fake, but when everyone in the world believed in this supposed divine blessing, he would ultimately become a radiantly divine ruler of his era...
And in the future, he would never know what lengths his father went to on the day of his birth, to borrow such an auspicious sign from heaven...
-
As the new year approached, snow-laden winds brought a piercing chill.
Within the previously desolate imperial palace, a festive atmosphere began to stir.
The harem of Emperor Yong had been vacant, lacking any consorts, but now palace attendants were ordered to clean it up and new maids were enlistedâsurely someone was about to move in.
It seemed likely to be the lady from Huaxi.
A mother endowed with the noble position conferred by the birth of a prince and enjoying the Emperorâs devoted favor; who wouldnât praise Feng Shi Er Niangâs luck?
Among court officials, there were whispers predicting the proclamation of empresshood was imminent. The Ministry of Rites had even begun discussing preparations for both the Little Princeâs full-month celebration and the empress inauguration ceremony. Yet, the Emperor remained uncharacteristically quiet.
After court was dismissed one day, Ao Zheng couldnât hold back and went to Qianyuan Hall.
"Your Majesty, wisdom and benevolence! Lady Feng has done a great service for Da Yong by bearing the Crown Princeâwhy hasnât Your Majesty issued the decree to officially establish her as Empress to set the record straight?"
He was the first to advocate for Feng Yunâs ascension to Empress.
Pei Jueâs expression softened slightly, gesturing for him to sit and speak.
"This matter requires careful consideration."
The Emperor wasnât in a hurry, but Ao Zheng was growing impatient.
"Forgive my boldness, Your Majesty, but what hesitation remains? Delaying further may only invite censure from both court and commonfolk."
Pei Jue frowned, his expression complex, a vexed look crossing his face.
"Minister Ao, your concerns are valid, but presently... she has yet to agree. I cannot act unilaterally and risk hurting her feelings."
Ao Zheng let out an "Ah," frozen in place, feeling utterly bewildered.
Everyone assumed Feng Shi Er Niang had schemed for the Empress crown, carefully orchestrating every move to corner the Emperor into submission...
Who would believe there existed a woman so indifferent to status, so unworldly, that she dismissed the crown as trivial?
And the Emperor? He was, undeniably, an anomaly!
Becoming Empress wasnât like being led to an executionâwhat damage could it possibly do?
Ao Zhengâs decades of political experience were rendered entirely useless in the face of this pair.
Feng Yunâs thoughts werenât nearly so complicated.
She wasnât disdainful of the Empress title.
But having been an Empress once, she knew well how arduous such a role could be.
Carrying golden decrees and royal seals, she would no longer be herself but a marionette burdened with Da Yongâs future, responsible for bearing children while helping the Emperor select other beautiful concubines, managing the harem, witnessing women competing for favor, all the while maintaining an appearance of grace and serenity despite inner turmoil...
That wasnât the life she wanted.
As long as she wasnât the Empress of Da Yong, the court officials couldnât pin her down, nor demand her compliance with ancestral traditions, nor require her to endure humiliation and compromise...
Ultimately, the Empress role wasnât a glory to her; it was shackles and chains...
Yet, Pei Jue indeed needed an Empress.
When Pei Yao, acting on Ao Zhengâs behalf, half-seriously sat by her bedside and inquired, Feng Yun, holding the child, sighed deeply.
"Letâs wait until the sonâs full-month celebration."
The full-month?
Pei Yao relayed her answer to Ao Zheng.
Ao Zheng promptly approached Pei Jue with the matter.
"Iâve already inquired, and after the Little Princeâs full-month celebration, we should select an auspicious day."
Pei Jueâs gaze flickered, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk.
This Prime Minister does his job thoroughly.