Chapter 116 \nWhen Zhuang Laoyan roused, the sky had already grown dark. She reached out. Touched her forehead. And she discovered that she was wearing a headband, whole body practically drenched in sweat. \n
“Your Highness, you’ve awoken?” said Yunxi, rushing over to her side with a bowl of soup. With care, she fed Zhuang Laoyan, before saying, “His Majesty stayed here to watch over you for a very long time. He only left an hour ago.”
A smile graced Zhuang Laoyan’s lips. However, she did not roll over. In a low voice, she said, “Bring the prince here so this palace can have a look.”
At those words, Yunxi set down the bowl. She turned around and had the wet nurse bring over the prince from a partitioned-off area. Zhuang Laoyan looked at the baby that was swathed in cloth. A sweet-tempered smile appeared on her lips.
“Your Highness, Fourth Prince’s brows and eyes resemble your own. His nose and mouth resembles His Majesty’s,” said Yunxi. Then she whispered, “His Majesty held Fourth Prince for quite a while.”
This child was the fourth-born son. As such, everyone in the palace addressed him as Fourth Prince.
Zhuang Laoyan extended a hand and poked the baby’s nose. She saw his mouth twitch and could not help but laugh. Just as Fourth Prince slowly opened his eyes, he looked “toward” her. \n
Although she knew that newborns couldn’t make out images, Zhuang Laoyan felt as though the child was looking for her. And so, joy in her heart, she played with the baby, to the point that she even forgot she was sweltering.
After playing with the baby for a period, Zhuang Laoyan had people carry him out. She wiped the sweat on her forehead. “Even my hair is damp. Why is it so hot?”
“Your Highness, this slave has heard that women who just gave birth will have postnatal fever. After a few days, it’ll be gone,” said Yunxi, covering up Zhuang Laoyan’s arms again with the silk blanket. “You mustn’t be blown by the wind, otherwise your arms will be in pain in the future.”
At once, Zhuang Laoyan realized this was the so-called post-pregnancy convalescence period. Somewhat helpless, she said, “There’s no need to be so careful. I won’t catch a cold in such hot weather.”
“Your Highness, it’s windy during this summer.” Yunxi only opened a single window in the room. When she noticed that Zhuang Laoyan no longer tried stretching her arms outside the blanket, her worries disappeared. “This slave has heard that women in the confinement period must be careful. Otherwise, illnesses will spring up once they are older.”
Actually, Zhuang Laoyan knew a colleague from her previous life who, not longer after giving birth, held her child often. Later on, her waist and back constantly hurt. On rainy days, there would be a chill in the bones of her arms. Although Zhuang Laoyan wasn’t certain if this had anything to do with the post-pregnancy convalescence period, it was a fact that the condition of her colleague’s body was not as good as it had been before giving birth.
After lying in bed for two to four hours, Zhuang Laoyan once again succumbed to the land of dreams. In a daze, she seemed to dream of a child lying on her stomach, all smiles as he called her “mama.” Immense joy rushed into her heart. When she opened her eyes again, it was already dawn. And when she turned her head, she caught sight of the emperor sitting at the side of the bed. \n“Your Majesty?!” She thought that her sweaty appearance definitely wasn’t pleasing to the eye.
“Don’t move.” Feng Jin gently held her in place. He turned and brought Fourth Prince, whom the wet nurse had been holding to her bosom, into his own arms. He smiled at Zhuang Laoyan. “The child just nursed a while ago. He hasn’t slept yet.”
Zhuang Laoyan turned her head for a look. Feng Jin was holding the baby a bit low, so she could see him.
The little baby opened his eyes wide. He smacked his lips, fingertips moving about, causing Zhuang Laoyan’s mood to rise.
“The child is still too young for a name. How about we give him a childhood name for now?” Feng Jin extended an index finger, placing it right at the corner of Fourth Prince’s mouth. The baby opened his mouth and placed his father’s finger inside. Upon seeing this, Feng Jin smiled. “His personality resembles yours.”
Wasn’t this just pointing to her as gluttonous? Zhuang Laoyan snorted lightly. “It’s a blessing if the son resembles his mother. How about we just call him Baozi? His cheeks are white and round. It’s really suitable.”
But Feng Jin furrowed his brows. “Isn’t ‘baozi’ something commoners eat? It’s a bit tacky.” \n\nZhuang Laoyan could not personally take part in the Day of Cleanse. However, Feng Jin didn’t make the event a big deal. Simply the fact that those who could attend had to have both daughters and sons.
A month was neither short nor long. When Zhuang Laoyan finished her one-month post-pregnancy convalescence period, she felt relaxed all over. She changed into new clothes. When she carried her child to the banquet celebrating the end of that period, the gazes of everyone present fell upon the child in her arms.
The empress personally indicated for Zhuang Laoyan to sit to her lower right. Afterward, she stood and made her way before Zhuang Laoyan, a smile on her face as she took in the sight of Fourth Prince, whose face had slowly grown plumper. “Fourth Prince has a prominent and plump forehead. He will certainly be a man who can support both heaven and earth.”
Zhuang Laoyan smiled. “Thanking Your Majesty the empress for the auspicious remarks.”
The empress glanced at her. “Will you let this palace hold him?”
Without the slightest hesitation, Zhuang Laoyan placed the baby in the empress’ arms. “This child eats a lot.”
The empress was startled. At once, she carefully hugged Fourth Prince close to her chest. Then she cautiously made sure that her bracelet did not touch him. After holding him for a while, she gave the child back to Zhuang Laoyan with care. Although she had done this, her gaze was still upon Fourth Prince.