After Yin Wen’s real face was revealed, Yin Hui felt genuinely at ease for a few days. Taking advantage of the refreshing morning weather, she took Xiao Heng for a leisurely stroll in the garden. Then the mother and son would return to the house to engage in calligraphy and literature, occasionally sitting with the sisters-in-law.
Although the life of a noblewoman in the palace might sometimes appear monotonous, for Yin Hui, who had experienced rebirth, it was exceptionally comfortable and precious. There was no need for elaborate plans; pure enjoyment sufficed.
In late June, Concubine Meng delivered a child for the elder son, Wei Yang, who was King Yan’s sixth grandson, Liu Lang.
The joyful news was conveyed to Chengxin Hall, and Yin Hui entrusted Xiao Heng to the wet nurse’s care. She then proceeded to Yizhitang with the gift she had prepared well in advance.
The second brother’s residence was closer to the first brother’s residence. Ji Xianxian had already arrived and was sitting in the hall with an exuberant smile on her face. She might not have smiled so joyfully even when giving birth to Er Lang.
“Why did you arrive so late? I was waiting for you to visit Liu Lang together,” Ji Xianxian remarked to Yin Hui with a cheerful grin.
Yin Hui responded with a smile, “I kept you waiting for quite some time.”
Though she was aware that Xu Qingwan might not be overly pleased, according to etiquette, Yin Hui still offered her congratulations.
Xu Qingwan’s smile was not as exaggerated as Ji Xianxian’s, but it was gracious and composed. Her heart remained serene. She had two sons, Da Lang and San Lang, who were well-mannered and well-raised. Da Lang was an intelligent and respectful young boy, while San Lang was cheerful, lively, and robust. He had earned the praise of her father-in-law. In light of this, the birth of Liu Lang didn’t faze her. Even if her husband brought back a few concubines and had a few children out of wedlock, she wouldn’t mind.
It was a significant event in the mansion, and Princess Xu and others were expected to arrive later. Xu Qingwan instructed the maids around her to guide Yin Hui and the others to see the child first while she waited to welcome the elders.
Since Concubine Meng was still recovering in the delivery room, Yin Hui and Ji Xianxian naturally wouldn’t visit her. They sat in the main room, and Liu Lang was brought to them by the wet nurse for a glimpse.
“Look at how plump he is! He’s almost as chubby as Wu Lang when he was born,” Ji Xianxian commented as she peered at the swaddled baby, her tone a mixture of surprise and amusement. Though her words might sound a bit sharp, Yin Hui had grown accustomed to Ji Xianxian’s playful banter and simply brushed it off.
When the wet nurse approached her, Yin Hui glanced down and noticed that Liu Lang was indeed quite chubby, although his hair was sparse, and he didn’t appear as lovely as her son did when he was born.
All newborns have a distinctive scent, and Ji Xianxian, unwilling to bear it, requested the wet nurse to take the baby back inside. Afterward, She and Yin Hui stepped out.
“By the way, there are now six young boys in the palace—three on my sister-in-law’s side, two on mine, and we each have a girl. Shouldn’t you and Wei Luo work hard and add another?” Ji Xianxian playfully waved the round fan in her hand.
Yin Hui smiled somewhat awkwardly.
What did the matter have to do with working hard? Wei Luo had put in enough effort, and she was also eager to have one or two more children. Firstly, she adored kids, and secondly, it would provide Xiao Heng with companionship. This way, the younger siblings could not only play together but also protect each other. Currently, Xiao Heng was alone, and even Ji Xianxian’s daughter, Sister Zhuang, dared to bully him, not to mention Si Lang.
The good news of the additional son also reached King Yan.
Upon learning that the sixth grandson weighed eight catties at birth, a few heavier than Wu Lang, King Yan was delighted and instructed Eunuch Hai to arrange a reward.
Every time a grandchild was born, he would provide rewards to his daughters-in-law. The daughter-in-law in the main room received more, while the concubine received less.
“The people in the palace are thriving indeed. In two years, the fourth and fifth masters will be of marriageable age, and more young men will be born. If the king personally imparts martial arts skills to his grandchildren, the king will be quite occupied,” Eunuch Hai remarked, offering a different form of flattery to him.
King Yan couldn’t help but smile and stroked his beard, saying, “My fourth son is sixteen this year, and my fifth son is only thirteen. If the three elder brothers work diligently, perhaps they can provide me with ten grandsons before the fourth one marries.”
He believed that with the population flourishing, ten grandsons would suffice. King Yan promptly penned a letter to his father, requesting the expansion of the palace, making it larger than even King Qin’s palace. As the elder brother, it seemed unreasonable for him to reside in a place that was less opulent than his younger brother’s.
However, amid his anticipation of more grandchildren, King Yan found himself frowning when he thought about his sons.
That evening, King Yan visited Mrs. Wen’s Jinghao Hall.
Summer was scorching, and Mrs. Wen hadn’t anticipated King Yan’s visit. His presence meant that she had to prepare for an extra bath.
When the masters went for their bath, the maids meticulously wiped the mat on the bed. By the time King Yan returned with Mrs.Wen, the mat had dried, offering a comfortably cool surface for him to sleep on.
King Yan was tall and robust, and it required considerable effort on Mrs. Wen’s part to attend to him. Yet, as she lay down, drowsiness overcame her.
King Yan struck up a conversation, “Is there a servant girl in the third hall?”
Upon hearing that, Mrs. Wen opened her eyes, pondered for a moment, and replied, “Yes, last year, Madam acquired two beautiful girls from outside and brought them here for me to meet.”
King Yan asked, “Then why hasn’t there been any news of pregnancy? The eldest son has many children, the second has two sons and a daughter, but the third seems to be lacking. His health and constitution should theoretically lead to more frequent good news.”
Mrs. Wen blinked and said, “Perhaps the third son isn’t as interested. Just look at his demeanor; the monks in the monastery aren’t as solemn as he is. Besides, he often spends several nights at the guardhouse, working diligently.”
There was some truth in her response, and King Yan nodded in agreement but continued, “Take the opportunity to speak to him, encourage him to pay more attention to his heirs, and have more children while he is still young. By the way, how is the third daughter-in-law?” The second child was the least promising and was often influenced by his wife. The last time King Yan saw the third son heading out with his wife, he had a sudden suspicion that the third son might also be influenced by his spouse.
The younger daughters-in-law were clever. They would present maids to the outside world and then privately vie for their men’s affections.
The more Mrs. Wen listened, the more uneasy she became. Had the couple somehow offended him?