The royal family only announced the joyous news of the twins' full moon when they were a month old, and the entire nation celebrated.
Children born in the third month of the Jing Kingdom would receive benefits until the age of ten after confirmation and registration with the government.
Coincidentally, it was also the birthday of the Emperor's three siblings. Emperor Mingde insisted on holding a grand banquet, a stark contrast to the subdued nature of the previous two. This one had a distinct aura of prosperity.
The children were named Beiyue and Beishang. Everyone implicitly assumed the surname Feng. Emperor Mingde wished to inscribe their names on the imperial jade tablet, but Lingyao gently refused.
Although Emperor Mingde was displeased by her refusal, he could only let it go on such an occasion.
"What surname they have doesn't matter, nor does being on the imperial jade tablet. My wife, you don't need to overthink it. They are, after all, our children. I truly don't care about those formalities," Xiao Shan said. He was open-minded. Before meeting Lingyao, he had no intention of having children. Having witnessed life and death, he believed in living in the present. Who would remember him as an ancestor three generations down? Whose lineage would he carry on? In this life, his surname was Xiao; in his past life, it might have been Li.
Therefore, everything else was superficial.
Only the person before him was real.
Yet, at this moment, his lips curved upwards, his mood delightful. It was because his woman was considerate of him in every way, her protectiveness evident.
This had already earned him several glares from Emperor Mingde.
Today, many gifts were received, which would nicely fill the national treasury. Emperor Mingde was happy and drank a little too much.
As the banquet dispersed, his steps were unsteady. He wanted to go outside for some fresh air, but as he stepped down, he swayed.
"Your Majesty, be careful."
A radiant young woman steadied him, her eyes filled with concern.
Fulu withdrew his hand and watched silently.
Emperor Mingde looked at the young woman. He remembered her; she was the last to perform a dance tonight, outshining all others. She had introduced herself as the daughter of the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial.
That old fellow, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, looked so unsightly, yet he was good at producing offspring.
Emperor Mingde smiled faintly, a myriad of charms.
"The Emperor is so handsome."
Li Yuran shyly lowered her head, revealing her delicate, fair nape.
Emperor Mingde seemed lost in thought.
"Fulu, escort His Majesty back."
Lingyao stood behind them, her voice calm and gentle. "Remember to give him a sobering soup when you get back."
"Yes, Your Highness the Princess."
Li Yuran quickly stepped aside, and Fulu helped Emperor Mingde.
Emperor Mingde looked at Lingyao. Just as he was about to smile, he saw Xiao Shan, who was leaning closely beside her, and his smile vanished.
His imperial sister had been stolen away.
By a rough, dark, burly man.
How detestable.
Emperor Mingde brushed Fulu away. "I am not drunk!"
He then walked out of the grand hall on his own.
"Your Majesty, be careful, wait for this servant."
Lingyao and Xiao Shan also exited the hall, with the wet nurse carrying the tightly swaddled children behind them.
The Emperor's brother had left, and the Princess and her husband had also departed. Lingxi could no longer stay and rushed out of the hall.
Looking around, she spotted Song Beiting, who was turning his head to look in the direction her imperial sister had gone.
Today was her birthday! She had received so many gifts for the first time, but she wasn't very happy.
"Does Brother Wen Tang like the little prince and princess very much?"
Song Beiting suddenly turned his head. Seeing Princess Lingxi leaning close to him, he couldn't help but step back two paces.
"Yes, they are very cute."
They were all of superior beauty, fair and tender, like celestial children. Anyone would like them, wouldn't they!
"I like them too. But, in the future, when Brother Wen Tang has children, they should also be very cute."
Song Beiting tightened his jaw, not wanting to discuss it further.
"Princess, this subordinate will go for a patrol."
He said this and turned away, leaving Lingxi with his tall, straight back. Lingxi pouted, extremely disappointed.
Had she said something wrong again?
Ling'er sighed silently.
It was spring, and the nights were still a bit cool. The wind carried waves of floral fragrance, refreshing yet intoxicating.
Emperor Mingde did not return to the Taiyi Palace and unknowingly deviated from the palace path.
Fulu's reminder was interrupted, and it seemed His Majesty showed no signs of drunkenness.
"Don't follow."
Fulu was worried, but thinking of the hidden guards, he kept a distance. Seeing the direction His Majesty was heading, it seemed to be towards the Fanghua Palace?
Emperor Mingde couldn't help but slow his steps. He heard someone speaking ahead.
"Are you afraid you won't be able to satisfy the many concubines in your inner court?"
It was Qinghe's voice, as clear and cold as ever, like this April night. And it sounded like she was scolding someone.
Who was she scolding?
"This King didn't mean that!"
Feng Shihao roared, "Why is it so difficult to ask you for a pill!"
"There is none!"
"Qinghe! We are siblings, aren't we? I came here because I trust you! Or, why don't you feel again, perhaps you didn't feel it correctly just now?"
"King of Jiangbei, your body is truly not ill. You are strong and vigorous. If you want that kind of medicine, and you say it's not to satisfy your women, I advise you not to be so rash. Sleeping with seven women in one night can be fatal."
Sleeping with seven women in one night?
Elder Brother Emperor is truly outrageous!
Even more outrageous is that he came to Qinghe for medicine!
Isn't his wife a physician?
Why did he come here!
Qinghe is... Emperor Mingde was very angry.
Feng Shihao was also furious, his face turning red. Damn it, what was she imagining? He just wanted an aphrodisiac, and it was this difficult!
Was her medical skill all bluff? He clearly wasn't functioning well, so how could she say his body was fine!
Did he need to have that specific area examined separately?
Where would he put his face?
Besides, she was a woman.
Forget it! It's as if he never came to find her!
Feng Shihao left without a word, flicking his sleeves!
"Stud!" Qinghe cursed.
Emperor Mingde was amused and chuckled.
"Who's there?"
"It is I." Emperor Mingde walked out.
As he approached, Qinghe smelled alcohol and couldn't help but frown. She didn't like being too close to people who had been drinking.
"It's late, Your Majesty. Why aren't you returning to Taiyi Palace?"
It was dim here, but he could still make out her fair face. She carried a scent of herbs, which was quite pleasant, more so than incense.
Emperor Mingde's lonely heart seemed to find an anchor. Under the cover of night, he couldn't help but step closer.
"Your Majesty!" Qinghe stepped back.
Why was he here alone? Where was Fulu?
"Qinghe, be my woman. I will treat you well."
Qinghe's eyes widened as if she had seen a ghost. "Your Majesty! What are you saying? You're drunk!"
What was going on tonight? One by one, they were acting as if they had gone mad.
Could she still go back to sleep?
"I am not drunk! I like you. I have liked you for a long time, just not this intensely. I don't know why, but ever since I learned you went to the Turks in place of my imperial sister, I felt an intense heartache. I always dream of you at night, and upon waking, I want to see you. I have never loved someone before, and I don't know if this is love. Tell me, what is wrong with me?" httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
What was wrong with him? How could she know? Perhaps he was lacking love!
"Your Majesty, please go back quickly!"
Qinghe tried to leave, but Emperor Mingde grabbed her hand. She instinctively almost spilled the poison.
"Your Majesty, let go!"
"Do you know that the Great Prince of the Turks is not giving up? He wants me to keep you for two years. For these two years, he promised me tens of thousands of livestock tributes, but I didn't agree."
"I won't let anyone bully you anymore."