Chapter 146
Although the Emperor had issued an imperial edict to make Mu Tianchi the Crown Prince, the actual ceremony had not yet been held.
The ceremony was handled by the Ministry of Rites. In order to satisfy the Emperor and the Crown Prince, the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Astronomer gave several auspicious dates for the Emperor to choose.
The Emperor had tasted the sweetness of having the Crown Prince do manual labor and had begun to give more and more tasks to the Crown Prince. Naturally, the Crown Prince also asked for the Crown Prince’s opinion on the ceremony. To the Emperor’s surprise, the Crown Prince chose the farthest auspicious date, half a year later.
Although the King Jing Mansion had now been changed to the Crown Prince Mansion and everyone had changed their title, in reality, he was still one step away from officially becoming the Crown Prince. The ceremony was the last procedure and could not be avoided.
The Emperor did not expect the Crown Prince to be so unhurried. However, thinking that the Crown Princess was two months away from giving birth, he seemed to understand.
Because this was the day the Ministry of Rites proposed for selection, there was nothing wrong with it. The more time, the more preparations there would be.
Since the Crown Prince wanted this date, the Emperor did not need to make things difficult for him and readily agreed.
Li Yu was secretly relieved when he learned that the Crown Prince’s ceremony would be held after he gave birth.
His body was getting heavier and heavier. As the Crown Princess, he had to be present at the Crown Prince’s ceremony. He heard that the dynasty had to offer sacrifices at such an important time. It would be difficult to bear with a pregnant belly if she did not come down for a whole day.
For this day, Li Yu braced himself and asked Wang Xi to make many soft cushions for him in case he needed them. Now that he did not need them for the time being, Li Yu was very glad.
The Crown Prince was not someone who would take credit. As long as Li Yu was not worried, the Crown Prince was happy. Wang Xi knew the inside story and was very anxious. Since the Crown Prince did not say it, Eunuch Wang spoke for the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince had been in the Ministry of Rites for some time. Setting the date for the ceremony was not within the Ministry of Rites’ consideration. After all, it had been a long time. The Crown Prince was afraid that the Crown Prince would not be happy. It was the Crown Prince who personally discussed with the Minister of Rites and added this date. It was also the Crown Prince who strongly recommended this date to the Emperor.
When Wang Xi revealed this secret, Li Yu’s joy turned to gratitude.
The Crown Prince could only become the true Crown Prince after the official conferment. It was clear how important the conferment ceremony was to the Crown Prince. Li Yu was also very clear about this point, which was why he wanted to endure it no matter what.
However, the Crown Prince was willing to postpone such an important ceremony for him just to make it convenient for him. Although the Crown Prince could not directly share the pain of childbirth, he had done a lot for him.
Li Yu was also willing to be a bit braver for the Crown Prince. If he was in so much pain that he hovered between life and death, at most, he would wait until after the birth and then bite a few times to get it back.
As the remaining days approached, Li Yu no longer felt afraid.
His stomach grew bigger and bigger, which meant that his little cotton-padded jacket was also growing.
Halfway through the ninth month, Li Yu’s belly was so big that he could no longer see his own feet. He looked like a rubber ball. Li Yu had been busy preparing the meal of love before, but now, he didn’t dare to cook it himself. Even if he dared, the Crown Prince wouldn’t allow it, so the meal of love could only be dropped.
After his stomach sank, not only would his movements be restricted, he would also not be able to sleep well. Li Yu was better at night, but it was almost impossible for him to fall asleep at noon. After the Crown Prince learned of this, he would get up in the morning and go to court every day. At noon, he would rush back to accompany Li Yu to eat and take a nap. When Li Yu fell asleep, he would go out. Only when Li Yu was hugged did Li Yu feel more comfortable.
Little Conch was someone who couldn’t stay still. She always wanted to solve her master’s problems. Seeing this, she quietly said to Qin Shi, “It’s not good for His Highness to always run around. Why don’t we make a big soft pillow for Master?”
“If you can think of it, how can His Highness not think of it?”
Qin Shi smiled. His Highness had to pamper his master more. How could he feel tired?
Little Conch was a girl. She only understood after Qin Shi’s reminder. Qin Shi used the tone that Wang Xi had used to teach her and said to Little Conch meaningfully, “You will understand more in the future.”
Little Conch nodded with a red face.
Time flew by. On this day, Li Yu’s waist was sore when he got up in the morning. However, it wasn’t October yet, so Li Yu didn’t mind. After breakfast, he usually took a walk in the courtyard. Wang Xi would personally clean the courtyard every day. There wasn’t even a speck of dust on the ground.
Li Yu walked with the help of Little Conch and a few other eunuchs. For some reason, his legs were especially tired today. He couldn’t walk after a few steps.
Li Yu didn’t dare to force himself to walk down. He found a chair and sat for a while. When he got up, he lost his balance. Fortunately, Little Conch was there and supported him.
Li Yu felt his heart beating fast. Although he didn’t fall, his whole body didn’t feel right.
Little Conch knew medicine. After taking Li Yu’s pulse, she hurriedly invited him to sit down and ordered someone to call for a physician. The Crown Princess’s due date was approaching. The Crown Prince had also invited a physician and had been living in the fu recently. When the physician came, the imperial physician who came every day also arrived. They took Li Yu’s pulse together and all said that the Crown Princess was in labor. Wang Xi had already invited the midwife over. After receiving the imperial physician’s approval, he quickly went to find the Crown Prince.
Li Yu, who thought he was just in shock, was speechless.
Sob sob sob, he didn’t expect the little cotton-padded jacket to come out in such a hurry. Was he going to give birth so suddenly?
The Crown Prince had already chosen three midwives with clean backgrounds for Li Yu. The delivery room was also prepared and waiting at any time. When the midwives received the news, they rushed over and looked at Li Yu’s stomach. Although they didn’t have experience in delivering a man, the Crown Princess’s pulse was similar to that of a woman. The midwives had an idea and methodically instructed the servants to boil water and prepare food.
Although she was in labor, there was still some time before she would really give birth. The midwives wanted Li Yu to eat as much as possible and walk more so that it would be easier for her to give birth.
Li Yu had heard Princess Jinjue talk about this experience many times. When the midwives came, he started to feel a bit of pain in his stomach.
It wasn’t a particularly intense pain, but a kind of dull pain. When the pain reached a certain level, his waist would start to ache. However, it was still within his tolerance range. After a while, this soreness would subside.
The midwives said that everyone’s labor was different. Some people would only feel pain, while others would feel pain in their waists. Only when the pain became more frequent would they start to give birth.
Li Yu was very familiar with these steps. Xiao Luo came over and handed Li Yu a small bowl of freshly cooked shrimp dumplings. Li Yu was in a good state and could even scoop the dumplings to eat. Seeing Xiao Luo’s worried expression, Li Yu was still in the mood to joke.
At a time like this, Li Yu, who used to be anxious, calmed down. In any case, she was going to give birth no matter what, so she just had to keep her head down and give birth!
The Crown Prince must be on his way. Li Yu wanted to see the Crown Prince, but his nose was a bit sore.
He was looking forward to the Crown Prince’s return, but he didn’t expect it to be so soon. When the Crown Prince suddenly appeared, Li Yu hadn’t even finished a bowl of shrimp dumplings. He had half a dumpling in his mouth, and there was a slight bump on his cheek as he chewed.
When the Crown Prince burst in, Li Yu was so shocked that the other half of the dumpling in his spoon fell out.
“Xiaoyu!”
The Crown Prince didn’t care about anyone else. He hurriedly rushed over and held Li Yu in his arms. Xiao Luo and Wang Xi consciously stood to the side and acted as background.
“Tianchi! I’m going to give birth! “Li Yu hugged him back tightly.
In fact, Li Yu was still a bit scared. As soon as the Crown Prince came, he gained courage.
“Don’t be afraid … I’ll be with you,” the Crown Prince said gently and wiped the sweat off his forehead.
Li Yu nodded. Only then did he realize that the Crown Prince, who had always been as calm as a mountain, was pale and his hands were trembling slightly. He looked even more nervous than him, who was about to “go to the battlefield”.
Li Yu was amused and touched. He was still in the mood to tease him, “Your Highness, did you ask for leave?”
“… I forgot.”
When the Crown Prince received the news that Li Yu was going to give birth, he didn’t have time to tell the minister and directly returned to his residence.
Li Yu burst out laughing.
The Crown Prince picked up the bowl and fed Li Yu some dumplings and a peach blossom cake.
Li Yu’s stomach had just stopped for a while, but it started to hurt again. This time, it hurt more than last time, and it was so sore that he felt uncomfortable.
Li Yu couldn’t speak. He bit his lips tightly, trying to get through this wave.
The Crown Prince pulled up his sleeve and put it in front of him. Li Yu shook his head with red eyes. It was better not to bite.
After this wave of pain passed, the midwife asked Li Yu to get up and walk again. Li Yu was in so much pain that his legs went soft, but there was no other way. He had to walk. Xiao Luo came over to help Li Yu. The Crown Prince said, “Let me do it.”
He hugged Li Yu and let Li Yu lean on his body. They walked very slowly.
Li Yu’s clothes were already soaked with sweat. Even at this moment, he felt that he could still endure it.
After walking for a long time, Li Yu sat down to rest when he felt pain. When he felt better, he continued to walk, and the cycle repeated. During this time, the midwife came over to touch Li Yu’s stomach several times. Finally, she said, “You can enter the delivery room.”
“… I have to go,” Li Yu whispered.
He struggled to move his lips, wanting to ask for a final victory kiss.
The Crown Prince kissed the corner of his lips, held his hand, and said, “Let’s go.”
Li Yu: “…”
Li Yu was a little confused about the Crown Prince’s decisiveness. The Crown Prince didn’t seem to be reluctant, but he soon found the reason.
The Crown Prince didn’t hand him over to the midwife. Instead, he accompanied him into the delivery room.
He laid down on the bed according to the midwife’s instructions. He thought that the Crown Prince should say goodbye, but the Crown Prince didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving. He stayed by the bed.
The midwives were busy and ignored the Crown Prince. Obviously, they had already been warned.
“You …”
Why didn’t he leave? Li Yu couldn’t believe it.
In ancient times, the delivery room was a filthy place. Not to mention people of noble status, even ordinary men wouldn’t enter. However, the Crown Prince had been there for a long time.
“Xiao Yu, don’t be afraid. I’ll accompany you,” the Crown Prince said again.
Li Yu finally understood what the Crown Prince meant. He closed his eyes and nodded, letting the tears flow from the corners of his eyes.
He took a deep breath. Even if there was a mountain of knives and a sea of fire in front of him, he wouldn’t be afraid.
No matter how long the pain was, there would always be a pair of hands hugging him tightly, giving him the courage and strength to endure.
Li Yu tried his best to follow the midwife’s instructions. Before he lost consciousness, he seemed to hear the system’s voice, the child’s cry, and a familiar call …
After some time, he opened his eyes and found himself surrounded by a halo. In front of him was the system interface.
Thinking back, he seemed to have fainted from exhaustion. Did he enter the system because of that?
He was still giving birth. Was the little cotton-padded jacket okay? And the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince was also waiting for him!
“… Host, please don’t worry. You have successfully completed the ‘intimate cotton-padded jacket’ side quest. Your daughter has joined the team,” the system informed Li Yu.
The interface immediately showed that the status of the ‘intimate cotton-padded jacket’ side quest was completed.
Ha, so I’m finally done giving birth?
As expected of me!
Li Yu forgot about the pain after the scar healed and felt proud.
Although the little cotton-padded jacket was a baby and not a fish, she could be checked through the ‘fish cub status’ when she joined the team.
Li Yu hurriedly went to see the little cotton-padded jacket. He saw Xiao Luo and Qin Shi scrubbing a little baby with thick, pink, and round hair.
Li Yu’s heart softened. This was his and the Crown Prince’s daughter.
He raised this child very well. Although the little cotton-padded jacket was just born, her skin wasn’t wrinkled at all. On the contrary, it was a bit rosy.
As if she knew that he was looking at her, the little baby’s originally closed eyes suddenly opened. Her black eyes looked into the air, as if she was looking at Li Yu from a distance.
Li Yu covered his mouth and laughed.
This child looked like him and also looked like Mu Tianchi. It was obvious that this was their child.
He stared in a daze for a long time until he couldn’t look anymore.
The system reminded Li Yu to collect the side quest reward. Only then did Li Yu reluctantly turn to look at other things.
The side quest reward this time was very special. It increased his healing ability and reduced the pain caused by childbirth.
Li Yu thought to himself, ‘What’s the point of giving these now? I’ve already suffered the hardest part. The scammer system is really giving advice after the fact.’
The system, who knew the host’s thoughts clearly, said, ‘The host is dissatisfied with the reward. Do you want to cancel it?’
Li Yu, ‘… No, ah, ah, it’s better than nothing! Even if it’s giving advice after the fact, it’s better to have less pain! ‘
Li Yu exited the system. It wasn’t easy for him to wake up this time. His eyelids were so heavy that he almost couldn’t open them. Just now, he felt relaxed in the system, but when he exited the system, he felt weak. He was very glad that he collected the reward first.
His body was still aching, but it was much better than the pain during childbirth. His throat was so dry that it was about to smoke.
Li Yu moved his eyes and looked around. The room he was in was dark. Only a candle on the table was lit. He could vaguely recognize that it was a bedroom.
It seemed that he had been cleaned up and moved to the bedroom.
Li Yu cleared his throat and wanted to call someone. Someone nearby called out first, “Xiaoyu …”
Li Yu was too familiar with this hoarse voice. He was surprised and happy.
The room was dark. He didn’t notice Mu Tianchi at first and thought that he wasn’t there. In fact, the other party had been watching over him, waiting for him to wake up.
“Xiaoyu.” Mu Tianchi didn’t allow him to get up. He first fed him a cup of warm tea. Then, he called the imperial physician over to check Li Yu’s pulse.
The imperial physician had already checked Li Yu once when he was unconscious. The crown prince ordered him to check again to confirm that the crown princess was fine.
Li Yu looked outside the door anxiously, “Where’s my little cotton-padded jacket?”
Although he had seen his daughter in the system, he hadn’t really held her.
Mu Tianchi smiled and said, “I’m still tidying up. Wait a moment.”
Not long after, Wang Xi walked in with a pink swaddle. The crown prince took it and carried the child to Li Yu’s side.
Li Yu touched his daughter’s hand and looked at the little cotton-padded jacket’s rosy cheeks. It really was the same as what he saw in the system. The father of the fish kissed his daughter’s face in satisfaction.
Li Yu was very tired. Waking up for a while consumed a lot of energy. Soon, he fell asleep again.
Mu Tianchi covered him and his daughter with a blanket and kissed their foreheads.
Footsteps came from outside the room. The children were coming over.
“Father, Father!” The children called out.
The children were studying in the imperial study during the day. When they learned that Li Yu was about to give birth, the emperor specially brought them to the Palace of Heavenly Purity for a few more shichen. He only let them return to the fu now to avoid the crown prince’s husband being flustered.
“Shh …” Mu Tianchi stopped the children and said softly, “Father is tired. Don’t disturb him.”
The children nodded and promised not to disturb him. The crown prince let them go. Da Bao, Er Bao, San Bao, and Si Bao tiptoed to the father of the fish.
He looked at his sister first. She was really small, even smaller than Uncle Ye’s sister. Then, he looked at the father of the fish. The father of the fish was still sleeping soundly.
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