As His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was temporarily unable to accept the reality and became furious and irritable, the entire East Palace fell into a gloomy mood.
Zhou Huairang and Shen Buci, who served the Crown Prince personally, were the first to be affected. They could easily add fuel to the fire if they were not careful. They knew that the Crown Prince was in a very bad mood, but they did not know the reason, so they were trembling with fear all day long, as if they were walking on thin ice.
Zhou Huairang couldn't sleep well and couldn't eat. People who didn't know him thought he was pregnant. He found Bai Yu with tears in his eyes and asked quietly, "Is your highness going crazy these days?"
Bai Yu: “…”
Bai Yu believed that Shen Zhou and the other two were loyal to His Highness and would definitely keep His Highness' secret. After obtaining His Highness's consent, she informed the two brothers of His Highness' pregnancy.
Without a doubt, the brothers' expressions all collapsed.
Bai Yu sighed and held the two men's jaws together with one hand: "You two should take it easy first. We will discuss countermeasures in an hour."
As a result, it took Zhou Huairang two hours to recover. The three of them gathered together, and Zhou Huairang and Shen Buci said that they would follow the instructions of the eldest sister of the East Palace.
Bai Yu said, "Your Highness is easily irritated right now. He is completely different from usual and can't think properly. The most urgent task is His Highness's coronation ceremony. We'd better let His Highness forget about the pregnancy for a while and let him calm down first."
Zhou Huairang said with a sad face: "How could Your Highness forget such a big thing?"
"It's impossible, but we can do something within our ability." Bai Yu carefully instructed, "For example, words like 'fetal gas', 'child', 'eat more', 'fat', etc., never mention them in front of His Highness."
This is not only to make His Highness think less about pregnancy, but also for the safety of the three people in the Eastern Palace.
Shen Buci and Zhou Huairang nodded in unison: "Understood!"
In the Qinzheng Palace, Zhao Mian was listening to the report of Anyuan Hou. During the eradication of Tianque Sect, Anyuan Hou had been with Zhao Lin and knew Zhao Lin's performance very well. He praised Zhao Lin's bravery to the sky, saying that he could fight one against a hundred and that he could predict the enemy and win. He also praised the Second Prince for having learned the true teachings of General He.
Zhao Mian was half-believing and half-doubting. When did his silly brother become so powerful? "Are you serious?"
"Really, really!" An Yuanhou said seriously, "Your Highness is only seventeen years old but has such ability. It's really a young man to be feared."
In recent years, as the military officers of Anyuanhou gradually aged, the military officers of Nanjing were in a state of lack of successors. Although there was no shortage of people with strong martial arts, there were few who could be generals. If Zhao Lin could succeed the position of general in the future, it would be great.
Zhao Mian remembered that after Zhao Lin came back, he had not made a special trip to visit his brother, except for asking Zhao Lin late at night whether he had been hanging out with men outside. After An Yuanhou left, he summoned Zhou Huairang and asked, "Where is the Second Prince now?"
Zhou Huairang said: "At this time, the Second Prince should be practicing in the training ground."
Zhao Mian said, "Let's go to the parade ground." Without waiting for Zhou Huairang to answer, Zhao Mian said, "I know I'm pregnant, you don't need to remind me."
Zhou Huairang wanted to cry but had no tears. He whispered, "Your Highness, I didn't say anything."
Zhao Mian didn't hear Zhou Huairang's muttering, and continued, "I know you're going to say that the swords and knives in the military training ground are blind, and I'm not suitable to go there now - it's totally wrong. If the thing in my stomach can't even take this little risk, it doesn't deserve the surname Zhao. Follow Wei Zhenfeng and take the surname Wei."
Zhou Huairang: “…”
Zhou Huairang had originally thought of becoming a mute for a while, but now it seems that it would be useless even if he really became mute.
The parade ground in the Nanjing Palace was rebuilt from the previous emperor's harem. The place where the beauties used to play has now become a place for the imperial guards to practice and compete in martial arts.
When Zhao Mian arrived at the training ground, Zhao Lin was practicing boxing against a wooden man. He practiced for a while and was sweating all over. His shirt was so wet that water could be wrung out of it.
Zhao Mian stopped the guard who was passing the message and watched from the side for a while. Shen Buci stood behind him and held an umbrella for him. Zhao Mian said to Zhou Huairang, "Ask the Shangshi Bureau to send some sweet soup to relieve the heat."
Zhao Lin heard a familiar voice and looked over. Seeing that it was his brother, he smiled and said, "Royal brother!"
"Are you tired?" Zhao Mian said with a rare smile, "Take a break before practicing again."
How could Zhao Lin miss the opportunity to show off in front of his brother? "I've only practiced for an hour, how can I be tired? Brother, look at my arms," Zhao Lin bent his elbows and flexed his biceps, "Am I stronger than Wei Zhenfeng?"
Zhao Mian raised his eyebrows: "Yes."
Although Wei Zhenfeng is tall, he is by no means a strong man, and his muscles are not as exaggerated as those of most generals. He is more handsome and slender.
Zhao Lin was so overwhelmed by his brother's praise that he took off his shirt in a daze.
The young boy has a muscular body and his wheat-like skin exudes a healthy and energetic aura. His six-pack abs shine charmingly under the scorching sun.
Zhao Mian's eyes suddenly darkened, and his tone was cold: "What do you want to do?"
"Show me my muscles, brother." Zhao Lin said with a smile, "Do you want to touch them, brother?"
Shen Buci closed his eyes. He couldn't bear to witness the scene that was about to happen.
Zhao Mian said slowly, "So, you are showing off your flat belly to me?"
At this time, the Second Prince had not yet realized that he was pulling dragon scales off his brother's body: "Yes, yes, my belly is flat, brother, can you touch it?"
"I won't touch it. What's so great about having a flat belly? Everyone has one." Zhao Mian sneered, "When I was seventeen, mine was flatter than yours. What's there to brag about?"
The Second Prince finally noticed the Crown Prince's strange mood, and was confused and puzzled: "I'm not, I didn't..."
Zhao Lin stood there in a daze, looking at Zhou Huairang for help.
Zhou Huairang spread his hands and gave Zhao Lin a bitter smile.
After two days, the Crown Prince's mood did not improve at all. Bai Yu deeply realized that it was useless to rely on her brothers, and she had to find a solution.
In the afternoon, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was reviewing memorials. Bai Yu asked Zhou Huairang to go and have a rest, and she stayed by His Royal Highness's side to serve him with writing materials.
While His Highness was taking a short nap, she suddenly said, "Your Highness's baby is so well-behaved and considerate. I have taken care of many pregnant women, but I have never seen such a well-behaved baby."
Zhao Mian narrowed his eyes: "What do you mean?"
"Your Highness is three months pregnant. Although her appetite is slightly poor, she has never had nausea or vomiting, or headaches or insomnia." Bai Yu had an aunt-like smile on her face. "Isn't this a sign that the little baby loves his father?"
However, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince didn't buy it at all: "Don't give me that. It's just a small creature, how could it feel sorry for me?"
Bai Yu said, "Your Highness, think about it. Many people vomit a lot when they are pregnant, including Your Majesty. He also had severe morning sickness in the first few months of pregnancy with the little princess, but Your Highness did not feel as uncomfortable as Your Majesty. I heard that the less trouble a baby has in the belly, the better behaved they will be when they are born."
What Bai Yu said sounded very convincing and it actually made sense.
The Crown Prince raised his eyelids: "Really?"
Bai Yu smiled and said, "Really? Baby probably knows that the other father can't be with his father, so he behaves well and doesn't want his father who is pregnant with him to suffer from morning sickness."
Zhao Mian's expression lightened up a bit, and he said slowly, "You are quite good at talking."
Even though Zhao Mian didn't know much about medicine, he knew that the presence or absence of morning sickness had little to do with the child's personality. It was because of his good constitution that he didn't feel sick and want to vomit like others. But Bai Yu's words did change his feelings, as if the thing in his stomach really had thoughts and personality at this moment.
After finding out he was pregnant, he imagined what it would look like for the first time.
Will he be like him, or will he be like Wei Zhenfeng
As for appearance, you can't go wrong if you resemble anyone. As for personality... just don't be as rude as Wei Zhenfeng.
Zhao Mian was surprised to find that he seemed to have agreed to give birth to the child.
—Do you really want to have a baby? Don’t you want to consider it again
The thoughtful look on the Crown Prince's face made Bai Yu feel relieved. She tried her best to persuade the Crown Prince to calm down a little.
At this time, Shen Buci came to report: "Your Highness, the envoy from Beiyuan, Lord Yi Qianyi, wants to see you."
When the new emperor of Nanjing ascended the throne, all the countries would send envoys with gifts to congratulate him. Zhao Mian knew Yi Qian of Beiyuan School, who was considered a direct descendant of Wei Zhenfeng. They had met several times in Dongling Kyoto.
When Yi Qian saw Zhao Mian, he first said a lot of polite words according to etiquette, and then said: "The young prince is busy with important matters and cannot come to the capital to congratulate Your Highness on your ascension to the throne. Before leaving, the prince specifically instructed the ministers that if he did not show up by July, they must sincerely apologize to Your Highness on his behalf - I'm sorry."
Zhao Mian had not expected Wei Zhenfeng to come, but after hearing what Yi Qian said, he still felt a little disappointed. He said calmly, "I know. Lord Yi, you have worked hard on the journey. Let's go to the inn and rest first."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Yi Qian said respectfully, "But there is one more thing. The young prince has also ordered the minister to hand over something to Your Highness as a gift for your accession to the throne."
"What is it?" Zhao Mian showed a little interest. "Bring it up."
Yi Qian handed a square gift box half the length of a person to Bai Yu, who then presented it to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
Zhao Mian opened the box: "Is this... a sword?"
Yi Qian smiled and said, "That's right. This sword is called 'Jinghong Sword', and it is one of the famous swords handed down from Fujian Villa. It can be paired with our prince's 'Youlong Spear'."
Zhao Mian had heard of this Jinghong Sword before when he was in Beiyuan Shengjing. He didn't expect that Wei Zhenfeng actually got it for him.
Zhao Mian said calmly, "I appreciate your kindness, Your Majesty."
After Yi Qian left, Zhao Mian looked at the famous sword in front of him with an indifferent look. Bai Yu asked tentatively: "Your Highness, don't you want to draw your sword and take a look?"
Zhao Mian thought about the fact that Wei Zhenfeng couldn't come to the ceremony, and lost interest: "What's the point of Wei Zhenfeng giving me this? Is he trying to remind me that I ended up in this situation because I couldn't beat him?"
Bai Yu's face froze, and he forced a smile and said, "The young prince definitely didn't mean that."
Zhao Mian knew that Wei Zhenfeng didn't mean that, but if he didn't blame Wei Zhenfeng, who else could he blame? "Giving me a sword, how could he think of that? My belly will be as big as a ball in the future, how can I wield a sword?"
Bai Yu said helplessly: "Your belly won't stay big forever, it will go back to being flat."
Zhao Mian turned his face away: "Take it away, don't let me see anything related to Wei Zhenfeng."
Bai Yu: “…”
Forget it, forget it. She can’t coax His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, so let the young prince do it himself.
(End of this chapter)