It was two days later when Prince Jin finished his work and left the palace to return home.
After returning home, although he was eager to see his little princess, he still went to Liuxuanyuan first to comfort his frightened mother.
When the concubine saw him, she asked anxiously, "Where are you hurt?"
"I was just shot in the shoulder by an arrow, it's nothing serious." Prince Jin knew that if he said he was not injured, the Concubine Dowager would definitely become suspicious. He did not want to explain his secret return to the capital.
"Let me see." The concubine pulled at her son's clothes.
"Mother, I just changed the medicine. It's wrapped in gauze so you can't see it." There was indeed an arrow wound on Prince Jin's shoulder, but it was almost healed. He took two steps back and avoided the concubine's hand.
After hearing what he said, the concubine no longer insisted on looking at his injuries, "Should we go to the palace to mourn tomorrow?"
According to the rules, on the second day after the emperor's death, all the officials should go to the palace to mourn, but the previous emperor passed away so quickly that even with precedents to follow, it still took two days.
"Well, it's time to go to the palace to mourn." said Prince Jin.
"Your wife is about to give birth. You and I are going to enter the palace. There will be no one to take care of things in this mansion." The concubine dowager disliked that the emperor died at the wrong time.
"I'll discuss with the princess and see if I should ask my cousin to help take care of things for a few days." Before Prince Jin decided to kill the emperor, he had thought of every possible aspect.
"I'm just worried that I can't control Yao'er." The concubine said hesitantly.
Prince Jin smiled, "My cousin was taught by my mother, so there won't be any problem if she takes care of the affairs of the palace for a few days."
The concubine smiled with satisfaction and said, "Okay, let her take care of it for a few days."
"The princess and I will come back to have dinner with mother later." said Prince Jin.
"Okay." Toffee smiled.
"My son, I'm leaving." Prince Jin bowed, left Liuxuan Courtyard, and returned to Rujing Courtyard.
In Rujing Courtyard, Jiang Changning, dressed in plain clothes, was lying on a chair under the corridor, listening to Fangju reciting poetry.
The maids all bowed and paid their respects to Prince Jin, and the noise woke up the dazed Jiang Changning.
Jiang Changning opened his eyes and saw Prince Jin walking towards him. He stood up and said with a smile, "Your Highness is finally done with your work and has returned to see his wife and children."
"Are you angry?" Prince Jin took her hand.
"No, I know the prince is busy with important matters. I was just joking." Jiang Changning said with a smile.
"Did he bother you?" Prince Jin lowered his eyes to look at her belly.
Jiang Changning smiled, "He's very well behaved."
Prince Jin helped her into the room, sat her down on the kang, and said, "Ning'er, my mother and I have to go to the palace to mourn, so we can't stay at home with you. You are pregnant, and I am really worried. I would like to ask my cousin to help take care of the affairs in the mansion so that you don't have to worry too much."
"The prince and I really have a spiritual connection." Jiang Changning also thought of asking Yan Yinyao to help with the housekeeping.
"Of course, we are husband and wife." Prince Jin put his arm around her shoulders and leaned over to kiss her lips.
Jiang Changning put his arms around his neck and responded enthusiastically.
It has been several months since they last saw each other. No matter what, she missed him very much, especially since the conspiracy of the late emperor was involved in this matter. It was very precious that he could come back safely.
Prince Jin put his arms around her waist and wanted to hug her tightly, but her big belly pressed against him, causing him to pause.
Prince Jin let go of Jiang Changning and stared at her big belly. "Bad boy, you really ruin your father's good deeds."
"Don't say that, the child will be angry." Jiang Changning said angrily.
"You dare to be angry with me? When it comes out, I will spank you." Prince Jin said while touching her belly.
The baby in my belly seemed to understand and kicked hard.
"Ouch." Jiang Changning gasped in pain.
"My dear, be good and don't bully your mother." Prince Jin gently stroked her belly and coaxed her softly.
At this time, Xiulan came in, "Prince, Princess, the hot water is ready."
Jiang Changning pushed Prince Jin and said, "Your Highness, go take a bath and relax."
Jiang Changning smiled and replied, "Okay."
When Prince Jin came out of the bath, he wiped his hair dry with a towel and said, "Ning'er, help me tie my hair up."
"I'm not very good at it, but I'll give it a try. If I don't do it well, Your Highness must not be dissatisfied." Jiang Changning smiled while leaning on the pillow.
"I don't mind no matter how you comb your hair." Prince Jin sat down on the small stool next to Jiang Changning.
Such a tall person, sitting on a small stool with his long legs curled up, looked a bit funny.
Jiang Changning smiled, picked up the silver comb, and combed the hair for the King of Jin. "Some people say that people with soft hair don't have hard hearts."
Fortunately, he has long hair, if it was short, it would definitely be prickly.
Jiang Changning combed all his hair on top of his head, tied it up, and put a jade crown on his head, "What a handsome man."
"You can tell that I am a handsome man just by looking at the back of my head? Princess, you have really good eyesight." Prince Jin said with a smile.
"Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. My prince's hair is more handsome than that of other princes." Jiang Changning said with a smile.
"I like to hear the princess speak the truth." Prince Jin said seriously.
The couple joked for a few words and then went out to the Liuxuan Courtyard.
Yan Yinyao, her daughter and Princess Kang Ren had arrived earlier and were chatting and laughing with the Concubine Dowager.
"Now that my cousin has returned safely, my aunt and cousin's wife will feel relieved." Yan Yinyao said with a smile.
Prince Jin said politely, "Thank you, cousin, for accompanying my mother and the princess these days."
"Cousin, please stop saying that. It is a blessing for me to be able to keep my aunt and cousin-in-law company." Yan Yinyao was happier living in the palace than in Zeng's house.
She was widowed and should have returned to the Yan family, but the Yan family was her stepmother and was unwilling to accept her. If it weren't for the concubine dowager protecting her, she wouldn't know how she and her daughter would have survived.
What was even more rare was that Jiang Changning treated her very well and allowed her to live here without feeling uncomfortable at all.
Because of this, when the concubine asked her tentatively whether she wanted to remarry not long ago, she firmly refused.
"Cousin, I'd like to trouble you with something." Prince Jin said bluntly.
Yan Yinyao said seriously, "Cousin, please speak."
"The emperor has passed away, and my mother and I are going to the palace to mourn. Your cousin is about to give birth, so I would like to trouble you to help take care of the affairs in the palace."
Yan Yinyao hesitated, and Jiang Changning handed the teacup in his hand to her, and she took it subconsciously.
Jiang Changning smiled, "She agreed."
King Jin was stunned and burst out laughing.
"Cousin, that's impossible." Yan Yinyao said coquettishly.
"How dare you not be happy to help me share my worries?" Jiang Changning asked with a pout.
Yan Yinyao smiled, "I am happy. How dare I not be happy?"
It was settled that she would help with the housekeeping.
The next morning, Prince Jin accompanied the Concubine Dowager to the palace to mourn, leaving early and returning late, which was very tiring.
On the afternoon of October 19, Jiang Changning woke up from a nap and felt a sinking sensation in her abdomen. “Is the baby about to be born?”
Jiang Changning took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, "Madam Feng, I'm already having contractions. I'm about to give birth."
Nanny Feng supported her and said, "Princess, don't worry. The first child won't come so quickly. I'll help you to the delivery room."
The delivery room was arranged a month ago. It is cleaned every day and fumigated with mugwort for half a day. The room is very clean and tidy.
(End of this chapter)