bookrandom Chapter 564 Li Shi and Li Ying Celebrate Their Birthdays
Chapter 564 Li Shi and Li Ying Celebrate Their Birthdays
Time flies, and more than a month has passed in the blink of an eye, bringing Li Shi and Li Ying their first birthday.
Because there was no movement from the Li family and Consort Lan, Li Chu was still in a "coma". It was a pity that the two children's first birthday celebration could not be held in a big way. Only two tables of food were set up in the mansion and some relatives and friends were invited to make it lively. Of course, the father, Li Chu, could not be absent from this celebration. However, he was able to disguise himself and witness the whole thing as someone else.
Even Dugu Xin and Dugu Jingyue traveled a long way to Chang'an. The Emperor's birthday was just half a month away, and they would return after the celebration.
The arrival of Dugu Jingyue naturally added much color to this simple birthday banquet. All the necessary rituals were performed, such as the first birthday celebration, hand washing, passing through the "smart gate," and a birthday cake.
During the first birthday celebration, everyone gathered around a table covered with a red cloth, on which were placed various objects with different meanings. Li Shi was brought to the table by his wet nurse. He opened his round eyes and curiously looked at everything around him. Then, he slowly reached out his little hand, feeling among the many objects, and finally grasped a calligraphy brush. Everyone's expressions showed surprise and delight. This calligraphy brush symbolized a future in literature, suggesting that Li Shi might achieve something in that field.
When it was Li Ying's turn, she was carried to the table, her little body wriggling playfully. She first looked around at everyone, then quickly reached out and grabbed a small sword from the side. Everyone was amused by her decisive action; the small sword symbolized a martial arts background, suggesting Li Ying would grow up to be a valiant and heroic woman. After the first birthday celebration, everyone offered their blessings, and the banquet continued amidst laughter and joy.
Of course, Dugu Jingyao is now four months pregnant, and her pregnancy is starting to show, which is the second focus of everyone's attention.
Li Wanqing was a meticulous person, and with the added scrutiny of having people secretly investigate, she noticed something amiss early on. Cui Caiping, who occasionally took the child for walks with Dugu Jingyao, had also noticed it about two weeks ago. Only Zheng Wan, who was focused on her pregnancy, hadn't noticed it earlier, but she now knew as well.
Although there wasn't a large banquet, Dugu Jingyao still felt a bit sore and tired after the birthday celebration. Dugu Xin and the others noticed the weariness on Dugu Jingyao's face, so they didn't disturb her any further and returned to their residence first.
She was quite tired, so she returned to Wangyue Pavilion. Unexpectedly, Li Chu also returned to Wangyue Pavilion with her.
Upon entering the inner room, Dugu Jingyao had Shijian remove her hairpins and jewelry. After helping Dugu Jingyao onto the bed, Shijian dismissed her, leaving Dugu Jingyao and Li Chu alone.
Li Chu removed the human skin mask, then sat down on the edge of the couch, placed Dugu Jingyao's legs on his own, and began to massage them. Dugu Jingyao then felt much more relieved.
Dugu Jingyao joked, "I didn't expect Donglang to have this skill."
Li Chu continued, "Ayao is having a hard time during her pregnancy, and I can't do much to help, so I can only learn some massage techniques to help Ayao relieve her fatigue."
Dugu Jingyao couldn't resist kissing Li Chu on the cheek, almost arousing him. However, he quickly calmed himself down, though he still harbored the intention of teasing Dugu Jingyao.
He then kissed Dugu Jingyao's lips. Dugu Jingyao was startled and quickly pushed Li Chu away, saying, "What are you doing? I'm pregnant!"
Li Chu said with a wicked smile, "But as far as I know, A Yao's pregnancy is stable now, so it's alright to have sex once or twice occasionally..."
Dugu Jingyao refused, pushing Li Chu away as she said, "That won't do either!"
Then she realized that Li Chu was teasing her, so she deliberately softened her voice and said, "However... if Donglang really wants to, it's not impossible..."
Li Chu realized he had been seen through, so he said, "Alright, alright, enough fooling around, I admit defeat."
Dugu Jingyao then stopped and laughed, "I didn't expect Donglang to admit defeat so easily?"
Li Chu muttered to himself, "I've never won against A Yao..."
Dugu Jingyao didn't ask Li Chu what he was muttering about, but instead said to him, "Let's get down to business, Donglang. For the past month or so, the Li family and Consort Lan have been completely silent. I wonder what they're up to?"
Li Chu also became serious: "Feng Shengyi and the others have found out that Consort Lan has indeed not made any further moves. However, people in the palace have discovered that she has met with Li Xi twice more in private, and each time it lasted for more than half an hour. But Li Xi is constantly trying to win people's hearts in the army and the court. His intentions are probably about to be revealed."
Dugu Jingyao also said, "I didn't expect his wolfish ambitions to be exposed so quickly. Today, he even used the pretense of visiting you to test you in various ways while you were lying in bed."
Li Chu said, "Yes, it's a good thing I was able to hold back, otherwise I'm afraid I would have been exposed. I wonder if they're planning something new."
Inside the palace, in the Purple Orchid Hall.
The imperial physician was taking Consort Lan's pulse. After taking her pulse, the physician bowed and said, "Your Highness is in good health."
Consort Lan asked again, "Did Imperial Physician Liu examine me carefully? Is there really nothing wrong with my body?"
Physician Liu was somewhat apprehensive, because he really couldn't find anything abnormal... He said, "This... Her Majesty's body is normal."
Consort Lan asked, "Why do I always feel a little tired, and my period is also a few days late..."
The meaning was self-evident. Physician Liu could only examine her one more time, but there was indeed no sign of pregnancy. He reported this truthfully.
Consort Lan said with some disappointment, "I understand, thank you, Physician Liu. Yu'er, see Physician Liu out."
After Yu'er returned, Consort Lan dismissed the others and then ordered Yu'er to close the door. She then launched into a tantrum, only this time smashing unbreakable objects to vent her anger.
Then she said, "I have clearly used the fertility-enhancing medicine every time, and my body is healthy. Why is it that after so long, there is still no news?"
Yu'er comforted her from the side, "Your Majesty, please calm down. Perhaps it's because of that Prince Zhao... that he's not good enough?"
Consort Lan glanced at Yu'er and said, "Listen to what you're saying. If he's impotent, where did his wives and concubines' children come from? Could they all go out and cheat on him?"
Yu'er was also puzzled by this: if both of them were fine, why hadn't Consort Lan gotten pregnant with Li Xi's child yet?
Regardless of the reason, Yu'er first asked Consort Lan to drink some water to calm down.
Consort Lan thought to herself, "This won't do," and said, "I remember that the Emperor's birthday is in half a month."
Yu'er replied, "Yes."
Consort Lan then said, "Go and get some silver notes, and see if you can get the list of people attending the banquet."
Yu'er agreed, but was somewhat puzzled: "But Your Highness, why not just ask Prince Zhao for help? Wouldn't it be better if we kept some money for ourselves?"
Consort Lan said, "I need this list for other purposes. If I ask him for help, I'll inevitably have to ask him all sorts of questions."
Having no other choice, Yu'er took out a hundred-tael silver note and then went to think of a solution.
Two days later, Yu'er received the list.
Consort Lan was very satisfied after opening it; it not only included names, but also positions and ages. She said, "Well done. Go and take a piece of jewelry you like."
Yu'er was also happy and thanked him, but she didn't rush to do anything.
Seeing Consort Lan carefully examining the list, she couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Your Highness, what use do you have for this list?"
Consort Lan was reading intently and didn't reply immediately. She stopped when she saw a name, smiled slightly, and said to Yu'er, "Yu'er, come closer."
Yu'er obediently stepped forward, but Consort Lan's words stunned her. She hadn't expected that her mistress was truly fearless!
Consort Lan raised an eyebrow and said, "Don't worry, he's been with Prince Zhao so many times without being discovered. Just do as I say. After all, if he's no good, I can't put all my eggs in one basket. Alright, I'm tired, you may leave now."
Upon hearing this, Yu'er could only leave. Consort Lan leaned against the chaise longue and closed her eyes to rest.