Chapter 123: Ah Bao Fortune

Ah Bao was as slippery as an eel.

Zhilan couldn’t hold her back.

Ah Bao climbed over the railing and was already standing in front of Di Rongjing.

The six-year-old Di Rongjing was much taller than Ah Bao. He looked down at the suddenly appeared little bundle.

Zhilan pulled Ah Bao back, “Princess, you…”

She didn’t know how to explain, saw the Ninth Prince, and hurriedly greeted him.

Zhilan, flustered, tried to take Ah Bao away.

Ah Bao refused to leave.

Why wasn’t the Ninth Brother speaking?

The nanny was also flustered, quickly protecting the Ninth Prince, “Greetings, Tenth Princess. Little Prince, let’s go back.”

Ah Bao looked puzzled. She thought the Ninth Brother seemed a bit unusual.

“Jing’er.” A surprised call came, followed by a figure in white hurrying over.

It was Concubine Chun.

Concubine Chun looked at Di Rongjing, finding he wasn’t injured, and then breathed a sigh of relief. “Why are you out in this cold weather? Nanny, hurry and take Jing’er back to the palace.”

Concubine De arrived as well.

Concubine Rou and Concubine Hui also came over upon hearing the commotion.

“Ah, isn’t this the Ninth Prince, who rarely leaves the palace? Still not speaking, even at six? Concubine Chun, don’t worry. I’m sure the Ninth Prince will improve as he gets older,” Concubine Hui said with a hint of mockery.

The Ninth Prince had never spoken since birth. Though he was intelligent, he was mute.

In the royal family, a child with such a condition was considered unlucky.

The Emperor had often summoned renowned doctors for the Ninth Prince, but there was no cure.

It might be that the Ninth Prince’s fate was unfortunate.

He had the title of a prince but lacked the luck of one.

Concubine Chun, whose rank was higher, felt anger rise in her heart at Concubine Hui’s words but could not take it out on her.

After all, Concubine Hui was the mother of the Third Prince.

In the palace, a Concubine with a child, even if of lower rank, couldn’t be easily disregarded by others.

[The Ninth Prince looks so good, it’s a pity he can’t speak.]

Concubine De glanced down at Ah Bao.

Ah Bao liked the Ninth Prince.

The Ninth Prince quickly hid behind Concubine Chun.

He was trembling all over, shaking like a leaf.

Did he—hear his sister’s thoughts?

But his sister hadn’t spoken.

[Hmm… He’s missing a soul, his spiritual intelligence is incomplete, that’s why he can’t speak.]

Concubine De’s heart skipped a beat.

[Among the Three Souls and Seven Spirits, the Ninth Prince is missing one.]

Ah Bao could actually see that Rongjing was different from ordinary people.

Di Rongjing was stunned.

At such a young age, how could he not understand what his sister’s thoughts meant?

Concubine Chun didn’t want to say more to the three of them and pulled Di Rongjing away.

Di Rongjing wouldn’t leave and kept looking at Ah Bao, wanting to go forward, holding Ah Bao’s small hand, with a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

Concubine Chun was bewildered and said in surprise, “Ah, Jing’er, don’t touch the Tenth Princess.”

The Tenth Princess was the Emperor and Queen Mother’s favorite. If Jing’er caused any harm to the Tenth Princess, Jing’er would definitely be in danger.

Concubine Chun was relying on Jing’er for her life. If Jing’er were gone, she wouldn’t be able to survive either.

Concubine Chun tried to pull Rongjing away, but Concubine De said, “Sister, let Ah Bao play with the Ninth Prince for a while. They seem to get along well. The Ninth Prince also seems willing to be close to Ah Bao.”

Concubine Chun was stunned.

Seeing Rongjing holding Ah Bao’s small hand, her eyes immediately filled with tears.

Rongjing had been self-isolated since childhood because he couldn’t speak. Usually, servants and eunuchs didn’t approach him, and only she and the nanny cared for him.

Over time, Rongjing became increasingly withdrawn and timid.

For six years!

For six whole years!

Concubine Chun had never seen Rongjing take the initiative to approach anyone, except for Ah Bao.

“Wow… really good.” Ah Bao looked at Di Rongjing’s eyes, which were green like jade, clear and with a touch of nobility.

Di Rongjing shook off his fear and looked at her with anticipation.

He wanted to play with Ah Bao.

But would Ah Bao play with him?

Everyone in the palace seemed to dislike him. Whenever they saw him, they would deliberately avoid him.

Ah Bao grinned, showing her small white teeth, and said, “Hehe, porridge, bring a bowl!”

The Ninth Prince’s face turned red with excitement as he nodded vigorously.

Ah Bao was almost one year old. The Ninth Prince seemed worried she might slip and specially held her small hand as they went to the plum garden.

Concubine Chun’s eyes widened, and she tugged at Concubine De’s sleeve, swallowing hard in disbelief, “Concubine De, I’m not seeing things, am I?”

In the snow, the Ninth Prince and Ah Bao were playing happily.

Snowflakes fell on the Ninth Prince, and Ah Bao even kindly helped him brush off the snow.

Concubine De felt gratified. Ah Bao was like a little lucky star, a small sun illuminating the dark and warming those around her.

“This is a good start for the Ninth Prince,” Concubine De said.

Concubine Chun responded excitedly, wiping away tears with a handkerchief, “Yes, yes, I didn’t expect Jing’er to be so fond of Ah Bao. This is wonderful.”

She cried tears of joy.

Her son had been lonely for six years, which she had witnessed.

But there were many rumors about him in the palace, and the reality was in front of her. She couldn’t defend or explain; she had once thought maybe it was because of past sins that her child was suffering now.

But if there were really karmic retribution, she wished she could take Rongjing’s place.

Concubine De looked at the two small figures and smiled faintly, “Concubine Chun, don’t worry. Maybe in the future, the Ninth Prince’s condition will improve.”

Concubine Chun nodded repeatedly, “In these years, I’ve thought about it. Whoever cures my Jing’er, I’ll bow and burn incense every day, and serve them well.”

Concubine Hui and Concubine Rou exchanged glances.

“Ah, Concubine Chun, even if the Ninth Prince is not doing well, at least he’s with you, unlike the Fifth Prince…”

Who had been demoted to a fief.

She had a son, but it was as if she had none.

Thinking about it day and night.

Concubine Hui looked at the two children in the plum garden, with a hint of coldness in her eyes.

On their way back to the palace, Concubine Rou hummed a cheerful tune, seeming quite happy.

This maConcubine De Hui very anxious.

Lately, she felt restless and had a sense that something big was about to happen.

“Concubine Rou, are you content?”

“What?”

“The Tenth Princess. Since her birth, the Emperor hasn’t come to our palace. Don’t you want to have another child? If the Emperor doesn’t come, how will you have one? You’re still in the mood to sing. I really don’t understand what you’re thinking.”

Concubine Hui complained but didn’t dare to be too blunt.

Her rank was low, but she couldn’t hold back these thoughts.

Concubine Rou, being somewhat naive, didn’t mind much, “The Emperor might not come for a year or two, but he’ll come eventually.”

Concubine Hui secretly cursed Concubine Rou’s foolishness, really wondering where her confidence came from.

“What if the Emperor doesn’t come?”

Concubine Rou was taken aback, clearly not having considered this issue.

Concubine Hui continued with a bit of scorn, “The older you get, Concubine Rou, the harder it will be to conceive. Do you really think it’s easy?”

“I haven’t thought about that.”

Concubine Hui chuckled softly, “Concubine Rou, I’ve heard of a secret method for having a child in the market. Do you want to give it a try?”

Concubine Rou gave her a sidelong glance, “Why don’t you try it yourself?”

“I just heard about it too. Besides, I don’t plan on having more children right now. You know, the Third Prince is already enough of a handful for me to manage. I want to wait until he gets married, then I’ll have more time for myself.”

Concubine Rou believed her.

Concubine Hui’s words seemed sincere.

“So, what’s the method?”

…

Happy New Year 2024, everyone!

This marks the first New Year’s celebration with my sisters, hahaha.

I hope in the new year, my sisters have wealth and love, and are safe and happy.

Also, I hope we can spend more time together and have more joy.