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On the fifteenth of August, Chu Zhaoyou was still in confinement, but by the fifteenth of September, he was already up and about.
Xiao Heng was born on the intensely fragrant fifteenth of September, filled with the scent of osmanthus flowers.
The first time Chu Zhaoyou celebrated the Regent’s birthday, he lacked experience and sought advice from Xie Chaoyun, only to discover that the Regent didn’t place much importance on his birthday.
Chu Zhaoyou immediately felt heartache. Xiao Heng was born out of wedlock, and during his childhood, he kept a low profile. Not to mention the first month celebration or birthday festivities—none were properly observed. After he turned nine, no one remembered his birthday, and even with the Regent wielding great power, there was no one to even give him a birthday gift. Chu Zhaoyou only learned about it incidentally when Xiao Xingxing was born.
Pondering over what gift to give the Regent, he couldn’t think of anything. On the Regent’s last birthday, he was leading troops in Youzhou and returned wounded from a distant journey. They shared a meal together on the city tower, and Chu Zhaoyou even wanted to gift him the seal of the Youzhou Tiger.
At that time, he didn’t realize that the Regent had purposely returned on his birthday.
Later, he understood and dared not easily overlook the Regent’s birthday again.
The Regent had everything, making it challenging to choose a suitable gift. Chu Zhaoyou considered simply wrapping Xiao Xingxing in a piece of red silk, tying a bow around him, and placing him in a box as a gift for the Regent.
Upon hearing this, Xie Chaoyun rolled his eyes inwardly and offered a tactful suggestion, “A small gift may not adequately express Your Majesty’s sincerity. I recommend upgrading to a larger size.”
“A larger size?” Chu Zhaoyou paused for a moment. “You mean use a big box to contain Xingxing? How big?”
As big as Your Majesty…
Xie Chaoyun: “I didn’t mean that… There are matters at the Ministry of Justice, so I’ll take my leave.”
After Xie Chaoyun left, it dawned on Chu Zhaoyou what he had meant, and his cheeks turned red.
There were no sensible people around the Regent! Birds of a feather flock together!
But I am a sensible person!
Chu Zhaoyou headed to the imperial kitchen. He decided to personally prepare a plate of osmanthus cake and longevity noodles for the Regent.
Mix glutinous rice flour, sugar, and sticky rice flour with water until well combined. Crush the formed dough balls, sift the mixture, add fresh osmanthus, place it into a wooden mold, and then steam it.
After steaming, Chu Zhaoyou picked up a piece of freshly steamed osmanthus cake and tasted it. The cake was a bit hard due to excessive pressure during the molding, and the osmanthus flavor was too intense, overshadowing the fragrant aroma of the glutinous rice.
Recognizing the shortcomings, Chu Zhaoyou, fearing he might not control the force properly, skipped the use of a mold this time, instead sifting the glutinous rice flour directly into a small steaming basket, eliminating the step of pressing it down.
After repeating the process four or five times, Chu Zhaoyou finally achieved a fluffy, snow-white, and golden osmanthus cake, easily the size of two palms.
“I’m really talented,” Chu Zhaoyou praised himself. He couldn’t handle delicate molds, but the steamer was round, and the steamed osmanthus cake turned out round, resembling a birthday cake shape!
The imperial chef immediately flattered him, “Your Majesty, your culinary skills are superb. We are truly humbled.”
Chu Zhaoyou: “…” I can praise myself, but please spare me the flattery.
He fetched a stool, sat down, and started peeling grapes and tangerines, preparing to arrange them in a circle on the osmanthus cake.
The grapes, in season, were a deep purple, plump, and juicy. Chu Zhaoyou carefully peeled and deseeded them, then popped a few into his mouth.
Hmm?
The grapes pressed against his cheek, causing it to puff out slightly. Chu Zhaoyou paused, then firmly pressed his lips together.
After arranging the fruits, he looked earnestly at the imperial chef. “Can I learn to carve carrot flowers?”
The chef looked hesitant.
Chu Zhaoyou: “Didn’t you say I have superb culinary skills?”
The chef replied smoothly, “Knife work and culinary skills are not the same.”
Teasing the chef for a moment, Chu Zhaoyou got up to leave. Covered in glutinous rice flour, he looked like he had been dusted and needed to take a bath. “Keep an eye on things. I’ll be back to cook noodles later.”
Noodles are easily overcooked, so it’s wiser to bathe first. If someone were to ask why the emperor insisted on bathing, he’d likely indignantly claim he was dirty.
Returning to the Hall, he saw Lu Jinghuan holding Xiao Xingxing, both of them laughing like a pair of fools.
Lu Jinghuan said to Feng Xingzhou, “National Preceptor, look at how he’s smiling at me. I’ll stay here until Xiao Xingxing calls me godfather!”
Xiao Xingxing can’t even call his own father at the moment.
Feng Xingzhou felt a headache coming on. He had been advising Lu Jinghuan to wait a few more months before coming to see Xiao Xingxing in Dayan. The little crown prince couldn’t speak yet, so what was the fun in visiting? After much persuasion, Lu Jinghuan had delayed his visit by a month, only arriving when Xiao Xingxing turned one month old. If only he had insisted that Lu Jinghuan wait for another two years to come.
Visiting Great Chu twice a year—what was that all about?
Feng Xingzhou attempted to dampen the excitement, “Look at how he looks exactly like Xiao Heng. He’ll grow up to be just the same. There’s nothing extraordinary about it.”
He had seen nine-year-old Xiao Heng, and he wasn’t cute at all!
Seeing Xiao Xingxing looking just like Xiao Heng, and Lu Jinghuan being especially fond of him, stirred a subtle sense of jealousy in Feng Xingzhou.
No, it was a very straightforward jealousy!
He contemplated whether he could just bring Xiao Heng over and have him call Lu Jinghuan “godfather” to take the emperor back home right away.
Feng Xingzhou began to ponder the feasibility of this plan, only to realize it was entirely unworkable.
Feng Xingzhou gritted his teeth and threatened maliciously, “If you like children so much, why don’t you have one of your own?”
With the He Xin Gu already destroyed, Lu Jinghuan remained unfazed. He turned to Feng Xingzhou and casually remarked, “Can it be as wonderful as Xiao Xingxing?”
Feng Xingzhou’s vein bulged. To be as wonderful as Xiao Xingxing, wouldn’t that mean as wonderful as the Regent?
Realizing he had overreacted, Feng Xingzhou calmed down and advised sincerely, “Lu Jinghuan, I suggest you conserve your energy now.”
Lu Jinghuan immediately caught the implied meaning in Feng Xingzhou’s words. “No… that’s not what I meant!”
Feng Xingzhou: “Too late.”
Lu Jinghuan murmured softly, “This is someone else’s palace.”
Unmoved by Feng Xingzhou’s words, Lu Jinghuan held the other’s crown prince in his arms and planned to stay here for an extended period. Lu Jinghuan’s claim that it was someone else’s palace didn’t deter him. Was it only permissible for the officials to start a fire and not for the people to light a lamp?
Chu Zhaoyou approached and held his son, then turned to Lu Jinghuan, “Isn’t he adorable? Would you like him to sleep with you tonight? Have the wet nurse accompany you, and if he cries, you can bring him back.”
Lu Jinghuan instantly seized the lifeline, “Alright!”
Chu Zhaoyou met Xiao Xingxing’s eyes, attempting to cover up the obvious, “Tonight is your father’s birthday, and I’m very busy.”
Xiao Xingxing grabbed Chu Zhaoyou’s chin, getting some of the white glutinous rice flour on his fingers and smearing it on his own face.
Chu Zhaoyou looked at the streak of glutinous rice flour on Xiao Xingxing’s cheek. The little one was exceptionally fair. In just over a month, he had gradually caught up in weight with peers his age. Fair, chubby, and exquisite, he was a hundred times more beautiful than the osmanthus cake Chu Zhaoyou had steamed.
When it came to gifts, it seemed that Xiao Xingxing was the most impressive one.
Reluctantly, Chu Zhaoyou handed his son to Lu Jinghuan and went to take a bath. He returned to the kitchen to make noodles.
The noodles were ready, so Chu Zhaoyou started slicing vegetables and meat, skillfully adding oil, salt, sauce, and vinegar under the chef’s guidance.
The night was breezy and the moon was full.
Dressed in a new bright yellow robe, Chu Zhaoyou sat at the table, chin in hand, pondering whether to perform “Magu’s Birthday Celebration” for the Regent.
But the Regent wasn’t celebrating his birthday because of Xiao Man. Chu Zhaoyou was afraid that performing might evoke unpleasant memories for the Regent.
Unable to resolve his dilemma, the Regent arrived.
Xiao Heng entered the room and noticed the quiet atmosphere. Seeing the two bowls of noodles on the table, he suddenly remembered what day it was.
Chu Zhaoyou said, “Sit down and eat before the noodles get too soft.”
He picked up a pair of chopsticks and handed them to the Regent, looking at him with bright eyes, “Is it delicious?”
If you say it’s not delicious, there won’t be a next time.
Xiao Heng’s heart skipped a beat, “Did Your Majesty make this yourself?”
Chu Zhaoyou proudly replied, “For the first time.” He praised himself.
Xiao Heng put down the chopsticks and took Chu Zhaoyou’s hand to examine it closely, carefully checking both hands before feeling reassured.
Chu Zhaoyou protested, “Don’t you think I’m skilled and dexterous?”
Why did the Regent’s first reaction involve checking if he had cut his hand with the knife?
Xiao Heng felt relieved and sincerely said, “Your Majesty is indeed skilled and dexterous.”
Chu Zhaoyou withdrew his hand indignantly, saying sternly, “Hurry up and eat.”
He was actually quite full himself, having made too many failed osmanthus cakes. Every time he took a bite, he felt too stuffed.
After the Regent finished the noodles and had a piece of osmanthus cake, Chu Zhaoyou fidgeted with the buttons on his collar, nervously saying, “I couldn’t figure out what to give you—”
Xiao Heng’s gaze intensified, fixating on Chu Zhaoyou’s fingers.
Chu Zhaoyou met the Regent’s eyes, and his fingers stiffened. He was just feeling a bit warm, debating whether to take off his clothes and don the costume under the table to perform a segment of “Loyalty to the Nation” for the Regent.
Why did the Regent’s eyes seem to suggest that he was about to do something improper right then and there?
What was the Regent thinking?
Startled by the Regent’s gaze, Chu Zhaoyou hesitated and swallowed the words he was about to say, changing his statement, “The Regent lacks nothing, especially now with Xiao Xingxing.”
Chu Zhaoyou’s gaze was sincere, and he affectionately uttered an empty phrase, “I offer moonlight to Chang’e for you, wishing you peace and joy.”
As if he could fetch stars and moons for the Regent.
The Regent was blessed with the stars and the moon, a cause for celebration and envy.
Xiao Heng’s eyes teared up slightly. Chu Zhaoyou, sitting under the moonlight of the fifteenth of September, celebrating his birthday, needed no preparation. A single sentence was enough to fill the void of twenty-eight years of regret.
That’s what he thought, but the Regent couldn’t shake the feeling that his unrestrained look just now had scared away something important.
He tried to lighten the mood and steer the conversation toward a more positive and uplifting direction, mustering some courage for Chu Zhaoyou.
“Your Majesty, the sweet potatoes you introduced have ripened recently. They will soon be used for the next round of planting to expand the cultivation. In two to three years, we will surely see a bountiful harvest. Along the coast, other crops are being planted intermittently. In less than five years, we will surely be able to expand this to the fields of the common people.”
Chu Zhaoyou, deeply concerned, asked, “Have you eaten it?”
The Regent replied, “Not yet.”
“Hmph,” Chu Zhaoyou was petty. If the Regent didn’t allow him to eat the first batch of sweet potatoes, then the Regent had to endure it with him.
Xiao Heng added, “A few were given to the divine physician, and he has continuously praised them, even sending something for Your Majesty.”
Chu Zhaoyou’s eyes lit up, “What?”
If the divine physician had given something, it must be valuable, capable of curing all ailments.
Xiao Heng took out a small porcelain box resembling a rouge case from his sleeve and handed it to Chu Zhaoyou, saying, “Please have a look, Your Majesty.”
Chu Zhaoyou opened it to reveal a bowl of white ointment, fragrant and moist.
“…” Chu Zhaoyou calmly set it down. “I think I hear Xiao Xingxing crying.”
The Regent retrieved a package from under the table. “Prepared by Your Majesty?”
“No!”
Xiao Heng grabbed Chu Zhaoyou and ushered him towards the inner room. “Your Majesty, what play do you want to perform for me?”
Chu Zhaoyou declared loudly, “Loyalty to the Nation! The Injustice to Dou E!”
The Regent didn’t hide his amusement. “I want to hear a traditional opera.”
Chu Zhaoyou struggled, “I don’t know how!”
Truly, our socialist new era does not teach such things.
Xiao Heng threw Chu Zhaoyou onto the bed. “Call me ‘Imperial Tutor,’ and I’ll teach you.”
Chu Zhaoyou objected, “You old scoundrel, showing no respect for your emperor, you beast!”
The Regent burst into laughter. He knew from the day Chu Zhaoyou gave birth what Chu Zhaoyou had been calling him on ordinary days.
“Regent Prince, Uncle, Imperial Tutor… Anything else?” Xiao Heng coaxed.
Chu Zhaoyou slipped away from the side, “You want me to perform, right? Let me put on some makeup!”
He intended to scare the Regent by painting his face like a menacing judge.
Xiao Heng stopped him, “Zhaozhao.”
Chu Zhaoyou protested, “If I can’t put on makeup, then I won’t sing.”
Xiao Heng suddenly softened his voice, pained, “I don’t like it when you put on thick layers of powder. Like the day you arrived, I couldn’t recognize you, and you ran away.”
Chu Zhaoyou, touched by the Regent’s words, blinked with bright eyes. “Then I won’t put it on. I won’t run away, I promise.”
The Regent, his voice hoarse, unbuttoned Chu Zhaoyou’s shirt. He tried to maintain composure, considering that apart from the memory of when he was Xiao He, this was the first time he and Chu Zhaoyou had been in bed.
Chu Zhaoyou behaved for a while, and when his clothes were gone, he vaguely realized that the Regent was trying to elicit sympathy!
He had fallen for it again. The powder was his protective color.
The Regent’s prohibition on makeup was purely out of dubious intentions! He just wanted Chu Zhaoyou to sing while he took advantage of the situation!
“If moonlight isn’t enough, Your Majesty, then give me another little moon,” the Regent said.
Fully aware that there was no longer any He Xin Gu in his body, he deliberately said such words.
Chu Zhaoyou blushed.
The Regent Prince was truly despicable. Clearly, he was “Xiao Hei”, yet he insisted on saying that I was biased towards “Xiao Hei,” refusing to grant him this or that, demanding everything be redone.
“Friction produces fire, Your Majesty, can you teach it to me again?”
Xiao Heng endured, hoping to see Chu Zhaoyou take the initiative to awkwardly teach him.
“You’re so clueless, I won’t teach you.” The most regrettable conversation was brought up by the Regent, leaving Chu Zhaoyou lying there pretending to be dead.
Xiao Heng recreated the scene, “I have a headache.”
Chu Zhaoyou’s heart reflexively tightened, infuriated enough to bite the Regent.
“You’re just taking advantage of my soft heart!”
…
The moonlight spilled over, the blue dragon crossed the wall, and the peach blossoms on both sides were deep and numerous.
“Zhaozhao, I love you.”
In the brief pause by the Regent, Chu Zhaoyou seized the moment, “I love you too.”
…
As the moon reached its zenith, the 28th year arrived, and every year thereafter, there was always Zhaozhao.
—The End—
The author has a message: The extra chapters may need a day of rest before writing. If you have any requests for extra chapters, feel free to suggest them. There’s nothing in our “giving birth to a son” story that we can’t do.