Chapter 74 – Extra 2

“Don’t talk, just rest and have a good sleep.”

Even after drinking a bowl of warm medicine, Lu Minghua’s face remained pale in the summer heat. Yan Yuanhua felt heartache and gently placed her on the bed.

“I can’t sleep.” The sound of rain outside made it difficult for Lu Minghua to fall asleep.

“How about I play a tune for you?” Yan Yuanhua gently smoothed Lu Minghua’s slightly messy hair and spoke softly.

Seeing the concern and tenderness in his eyes, Lu Minghua nodded lightly.

Yan Yuanhua smiled slightly, found his flute, and sat by the window, playing softly.

The sound of the flute was gentle and soothing, like a lullaby.

He sat by the window, slightly relaxed but still elegant. The flickering light reflected off the golden dragon scales embroidered on his shoulder, his golden crown still in place, as he played the flute with lowered eyes. He had been back at the mansion for a while but hadn’t changed out of his court attire.

Lu Minghua lay on the bed, watching him, unable to help but smile when their eyes met. The soft sound of the flute lulled her to sleep under his gentle gaze.

As her breathing gradually steadied, Yan Yuanhua played a bit longer before stopping. He went over to cover her with a thin blanket, finally feeling relieved when he saw some color return to her face.

A maid peeked in and then quietly reported that the Empress Dowager’s maid was waiting outside. She had arrived earlier but didn’t dare disturb the two masters, so she waited.

Yan Yuanhua nodded and went out. The maid quickly bowed and presented a wooden box, explaining its origin.

When he learned that it was a longevity lock used by the late Emperor, Yan Yuanhua’s expression changed slightly. He opened it and took a look. He casually instructed the maid to convey his greetings to the Empress Dowager and then walked back inside.

Distracted, the maid didn’t dare disturb him further and quickly returned to the palace.

Inside, Yan Yuanhua gently placed the longevity lock by Lu Minghua’s pillow. He stared at her belly for a while, carefully reaching out but not daring to touch it, then pulled back, his eyes filled with anticipation.

This was his and Minghua’s child. Whether it was a boy or a girl, he would cherish them. The hardships and wounds Minghua endured will be healed through their child.

After quietly watching for a while, a maid came in to prepare for his washing and changing, but he waved her away.

“Take good care of the Princess. I’ll change in the study.” Yan Yuanhua didn’t want to go too far, so he went to the study on the other side.

After changing out of his golden crown and jade belt into casual clothes, he quickly returned to the bedroom. Seeing Lu Minghua sleeping soundly, he felt relieved and casually picked up a book to keep watch by her side.

When the imperial doctor returned to the palace, the masters there learned about Lu Minghua’s condition. The Empress Dowager ordered the doctor to stay at Prince Rui’s mansion until the Princess safely gave birth.

Following this, various rare herbs and nourishing products were sent to Prince Rui’s mansion.

The Wen’an Earl Mansion received the news, and Madam Yuan personally visited to advise Lu Minghua on pregnancy and childbirth.

Lu Minghua took the advice seriously, not daring to be careless.

The rain lasted for three days and finally stopped. During this time, there were two more thunderstorms, but with Yan Yuanhua’s company, Lu Minghua managed to get through it peacefully.

Like last year, whenever there was a thunderstorm, the sound of the flute would accompany it. The difference this time was that she could see his gentle, comforting eyes. In a daze, she even felt that the sound of the rain wasn’t as bothersome.

June passed unnoticed, filled with medicinal meals and supplements, and before she knew it, it was July.

In the morning, Lu Minghua wore newly tailored clothes and looked at the garment in her hands, frowning slightly.

“What’s wrong?” Yan Yuanhua, still damp from his morning exercise, sat down beside her and asked gently as if afraid of startling her.

Every morning, he practiced martial arts and then washed up elsewhere to avoid any unpleasant smells for Lu Minghua.

During pregnancy, she was sensitive, and even a slightly louder sound would startle her, making her heart race. If she smelled something unpleasant, she felt even worse and didn’t want to eat.

Now, the entire mansion revolved around her, ensuring she was comfortable.

“My clothes don’t fit anymore. Have I gained a lot of weight?” Lu Minghua said, a bit worried.

Yan Yuanhua couldn’t help but smile. Lu Minghua was always gentle and composed, never seen worrying about something as trivial as clothes before.

But the imperial doctor had said that pregnant women were emotionally volatile and more sensitive, requiring careful attention.

“Remember, the imperial doctor said yesterday that the baby is very healthy.” Without explaining further, Yan Yuanhua gently embraced her, placing his hand on her belly, and said softly, “You’re taking good care of him.”

Sure enough, hearing this, Lu Minghua’s frown softened, and she stopped worrying about gaining weight. For the sake of the baby, it was all worth it.

“Look what I prepared for you.” Seeing her comforted, Yan Yuanhua took out a wooden box.

Lu Minghua found it familiar and, upon closer inspection, smiled immediately. “A lucky spider?”

“Let’s see what kind of web it will spin tomorrow. Where should we put it?”

“I’ll do it,” Lu Minghua stood up, thought for a moment, and placed it on the windowsill, looking forward to it. “I wonder what kind of web it will spin tomorrow.”

“With your skillful hands, Minghua, it will surely be beautiful.”

“You always know how to flatter me,” Lu Minghua glanced back at him playfully.

Today was the Qixi Festival, but Lu Minghua couldn’t stand the noise, so she didn’t go out to see the lanterns. She felt a bit regretful but didn’t act on it. Who knew that Yan Yuanhua would take her outside the courtyard after worshipping the moon in the evening?

Seeing the lanterns everywhere and the maids and servants walking around with smiles, Lu Minghua was stunned.

“Next year, we’ll go out to see the lanterns again with him,” Yan Yuanhua said, just like last year, but this time, he handed her a moon rabbit lantern instead of a fish and lotus lantern.

Lu Minghua couldn’t help but smile and asked, “What about the fireflies?”

She remembered clearly that there were fireflies at this time last year.

“Of course, there are,” Yan Yuanhua said, holding her hand. They left the garden lights behind, walked through the garden woods, and reached a small stream where they saw a large number of fireflies.

Lu Minghua smiled but didn’t rush to look at the fireflies. Instead, she looked at Yan Yuanhua and said, “Have Zhao Shiyi and the others been busy with this?”

If it were on the mountain, it would be understandable, but in the mansion, especially after she became pregnant, the steward had taken care of all the birds and insects. How could there still be fireflies?

Yan Yuanhua nodded and pretended to be surprised, “How did Minghua guess?”

“Stop pretending,” Lu Minghua said, moving closer to him. Yan Yuanhua instinctively raised his hand to protect her, and she leaned into his arms, wrapping her hands around his neck.

“Tell me, were the fireflies last year really there on their own?” Lu Minghua asked curiously, her eyes wide.

She had been puzzled when she heard the maids discussing what the guards were busy with a few days ago. Now, seeing this, she couldn’t help but guess.

Yan Yuanhua held her waist and back, gently leaning down to avoid tiring her, and laughed, “Of course not. I used some herbs to attract them, and Zhao Shiyi and the others guided them here.”

“You’re sneaky,” Lu Minghua said, unable to stop smiling. She playfully scratched Yan Yuanhua’s face.

“Is Minghua happy?” Yan Yuanhua raised an eyebrow and asked.

“Of course, I’m happy,” Lu Minghua said. She was happy with the rare scenery back then, and now she was even happier because there was someone who went to great lengths for her, just for her.

The moonlight was perfect, and Lu Minghua stood on tiptoe to kiss Yan Yuanhua’s lips.

Yan Yuanhua picked her up and held her in his arms. When she tried to leave, he kissed her again, unwilling to let go.

July passed, and the most prosperous time of the year was over. Autumn withered, and winter was bleak. It seemed like a blink of an eye, and a year had passed.

In February of the following year, after a difficult half-day labor, Lu Minghua gave birth to a son.

The Empress Dowager was overjoyed and, after several days of deliberation with the Emperor, named him Yan Hongzhang.

Lu Minghua gave her hard-earned child a nickname, Changning.

Changning’s third-day ceremony was grand. The Empress Dowager sent her personal attendants, and the Emperor himself came. Prince Rui’s mansion was lively all day, and peace was restored only in the evening.

The delivery room had been cleaned, and the smell of blood was gone. To avoid harming the baby, Lu Minghua didn’t light incense but placed some fruit plates, filling the room with a sweet fragrance.

A finely carved cradle stood empty nearby. Lu Minghua looked at her sleeping child with tenderness. The little one was still a bit red and wrinkled, but the features were becoming clear. The eyes were still closed, but the nose was straight, and the shape of the lips resembled Yan Yuanhua’s. Lu Minghua carefully examined him, then heard a soft sound and looked up to see Yan Yuanhua coming in.

“Why aren’t you resting?” Seeing her eyes open, Yan Yuanhua frowned.

He still remembered the day Lu Minghua gave birth, her pale face, and how she slept for two days afterward. The imperial doctor had said that childbirth often depleted a woman’s vitality, requiring at least three years to recover. Even now, he felt a lingering fear.

“I’ve slept too long. If I sleep any more, my head will hurt.” Seeing his concern, Lu Minghua quickly said, calling him over to look at Changning.

Yan Yuanhua carefully observed her, noting her slightly improved complexion. He felt a bit relieved, put down his worries, and sat down to look at the swaddled Changning, his actions and expressions full of caution.

Lu Minghua couldn’t help but laugh at his cautious demeanor, afraid of startling the baby.

“The Empress Dowager named Changning ‘Hongzhang,'” Yan Yuanhua said, gently touching Changning’s delicate face.

Hearing this, Lu Minghua looked at him and saw that he was slightly displeased. She couldn’t help but smile. He had spent several days thinking of a name for the child, flipping through countless books, only for the Empress Dowager to name him first. No wonder he was unhappy.

“Which ‘Zhang’?” she asked. She knew the royal family ranking included ‘Hong,’ but there were many characters pronounced ‘Zhang,’ and she didn’t know which one it was.

Yan Yuanhua provided the answer, and Lu Minghua smiled.

“‘Zhang,’ a ceremonial vessel of heaven, is a good name. The Empress Dowager put a lot of thought into it,” she praised.

Seeing her praise, the displeasure in Yan Yuanhua’s eyes slightly faded.

Although she said she had slept enough, after talking with Yan Yuanhua for a while, Lu Minghua still felt drowsy.

“If you’re tired, just sleep. I’ll watch over him,” Yan Yuanhua said softly, remembering how worried she was about the baby when she woke up yesterday.

Lu Minghua naturally trusted him. She smiled at him, closed her eyes slightly, and prepared to sleep.

“Minghua,” Yan Yuanhua suddenly called softly.

Lu Minghua instinctively opened her eyes and looked at him, seeing him say, “Having Changning is enough. Let’s not have any more children, okay?”

Seeing him staring at her intently, with hesitation in his eyes, as if worried she would disagree, Lu Minghua remembered how he looked when she woke up yesterday.

He sat by the bed, looking at her with a haggard face full of cautious joy. His clothes were still the same ones he wore when she gave birth to Changning, slightly disheveled and untidied. She realized he had stayed by her side for two days without going anywhere.

Feeling a pang in her heart, Lu Minghua held back her tears, nodded gently, and smiled at him.

Yan Yuanhua felt relieved and smiled, holding her hand and promising, “Having Changning is enough. We’ll be strict parents and raise him together, okay?”

He never wanted to see Lu Minghua so weak and quiet, lying in bed as if she wasn’t even breathing.

“Okay,” Lu Minghua said, holding his hand in return.