mtl008 Chapter 652: Gift of Hibiscus
Chapter 652: Gift of Hibiscus
The weather was slightly cooler, and the prince's son Zhou Bingyou fell ill again. After You'er got better, Lan Qingwu summoned the princess to inquire about the child's condition.
"This child is weak and sickly. The Crown Prince has kept him in a side hall of Qianzheng Palace for many days. Does the Crown Princess have any rules for the future?"
Lan Qingwu's tone was slightly cold. She looked at the Crown Princess kneeling under the bed, and rarely did she not ask her to stand up immediately.
The Crown Princess didn't dare act presumptuously. She felt Lan Qingwu's unusually cold gaze from above, and wondered how she had offended her mother-in-law. These days, Lan Qingwu had been recuperating in Qianzheng Hall without exception, and the Crown Princess, apart from paying her daily respects, would go to the side halls to care for her son.
Her mother-in-law always smiles at her. She is cold and distant to the six concubines in the palace, and only shows tenderness to Emperor Shenwu. However, she, the empress, is impartial and selfless to the six concubines. Her position, food, clothing, housing and transportation in all seasons are impeccable. Her father, the emperor, trusts her mother very much, and is the most solid supporter of her mother, the empress.
When the Crown Princess thought of this, she felt a little sad. Thinking of her own situation, if His Royal Highness the Crown Prince treated her like the Emperor Shenwu, even if it was only half as good, she would not be so anxious and anxious, and would not always force You'er to do his studies.
Today, Lan Qingwu's face turned cold towards her, and the Crown Princess couldn't help but feel uneasy, because she really felt uneasy in front of this mother-in-law who was loved by the emperor and valued by the crown prince.
The Crown Princess said cautiously, "Your Majesty, your daughter-in-law will take You'er back and take good care of him. He's still young, and staying here will definitely disturb your majesty's rest. Where is he? Your daughter-in-law will take him away now!"
Lan Qingwu frowned slightly. Just as she was about to speak, a string of carefree children's laughter came into the dormitory from outside the door.
"Grandma, grandma, are you sleeping? You'er is coming in."
A tiny person rushed in with short legs, and Lan Qingwu's lips curled up into a smile unconsciously.
You'er trotted in, headed straight for the bed, and threw himself into Lan Qingwu's arms. His eyes sparkled as he smiled and said, "I knew Grandma would wake up at this hour. Why did you stop me? Grandma, do you want to go play with You'er? I picked some beautiful flowers for you, but I don't think those flowers are as beautiful as Grandma's!"
You'er stretched out her little hand: "Grandma, look at it, isn't it beautiful?"
Lan Qingwu extended her bare hands to take the gorgeous flower, praising it with a smile, "Very beautiful! Grandma really likes the flowers You'er picked. Thank you, You'er! Are you feeling well? Did you feel unwell today?"
You'er said seriously, "You'er is well now! Grandma, I hope you get well soon too! You'er is still waiting for you to play with me! Every time I'm with grandma, I'm very happy!"
You'er's tiny body was about to sink into the brocade quilt on the bed. He looked up at Lan Qingwu, his eyes sparkling with stars. He held Lan Qingwu's delicate hand with his little hand, and gently kissed the back of Lan Qingwu's snow-white, slightly cool hand. "Grandma, you are so beautiful!"
Lan Qingwu gently stroked his grandson's head, held him in his arms, and said to the Crown Princess, who had already knelt stiffly on the ground, "Stand up!"
The Crown Princess didn't bother to thank him. She hurriedly stood up with a slightly stiff expression. Her face was burning as her young son saw her groveling. After she stood up, she met Lan Qingwu's slightly cold gaze and finally said awkwardly, "Thank you, mother!"
You'er's little body froze when he heard his mother's voice. Lan Qingwu gently patted You'er's back, trying to make the child relax. "You'er, you were so busy running over here that you didn't see your mother. Now that you know, you must not be rude."
You'er turned around, glancing at the Crown Princess from the corner of his eye. He said in a low and reserved voice, "Greetings, Mother! I was only thinking about paying my respects to my grandmother on the bed, and neglected you. Please forgive me, Mother."
The Crown Princess watched her lively and cheerful son suddenly transform into the familiar cautious, soft-spoken, slightly fearful, and fawning self she was used to. She felt a complex mix of emotions. Why, why did even the son she had painstakingly given birth to side with her instead of the Queen Mother? Was it because she wanted her son to succeed that she was being a little strict with him?
Lan Qingwu handed the flower in her hand to You'er: "Please find a beautiful vase to put this flower in. It will live for a long time! Go! Go find Mammy!"
You'er accepted the task and became happy again: "Grandma, Mother, You'er is leaving!"
After sending the child away, Lan Qingwu turned to the Crown Princess: "You'er is a good child. Although he is a little weak, he is rare in his intelligence, lively and insightful! He is born into the royal family and is noble. Even if he was born with congenital deficiencies, it means that God has allowed this child to have a noble and safe life. Crown Princess, what do you think?"
The Crown Princess felt as if needles were pricking her whole body even as she stood there: "...Yes! What the Queen Mother said is true!"
Lan Qingwu sighed softly and said, "When I see You'er, it's like seeing Xiaoqi when he was little. Xiaoqi was born with congenital defects. You'er is a child I saved with some means. He and I are very close. When he was first born, even his belly was transparent, and his internal organs were not fully developed. I wonder if the Crown Princess still remembers? Children like them are not like full-term babies. They are weak and sickly, and their spirits are short. They should not be overly stressed or overworked. Do you understand?"
The Crown Princess's eyes also turned red. She thought of the difficulties when her son was born, the torment that lasted day after day. Seeing such a small person overcome difficulties time and time again, she finally felt sorry and distressed: "Mother, your daughter-in-law knows everything, but... I just feel..."
Lan Qingwu continued, "You just feel that You'er can't be left idle forever. He's the Crown Prince's eldest son, and he has to be a role model for all the other imperial grandchildren, and he can't lose to anyone else in anything, right? But Crown Princess, do you know how much effort and energy this son of mine—the Crown Prince—has put in to surpass all the other princes? From the age of three, he's been getting up at five in the morning to study martial arts, literature, astronomy, geography, people's livelihood, and government affairs... He's proficient in everything, and he's devoted his attention to every detail, studying until midnight. For so many years, he's been diligent and hardworking, day and night, and the foundation that supports the Crown Prince's hard work is his healthy body."
"Crown Princess, you and I both know exactly how You'er got sick this time. This isn't the first time. The way you teach You'er isn't suitable for him, and every time he gets sick, his body will only get weaker! If you keep doing this over and over again, I'm afraid You'er won't grow up until he's done for by you! The Crown Prince and I have the same idea. As long as You'er grows up healthy and lives a life of wealth and peace, that's all that matters. What do you think, Crown Princess?"
The Crown Princess's face turned pale and weak, but she couldn't say anything else. With the Emperor Shenwu still around, how could she say that she trained You'er for that position? As for the Seventh Prince, wasn't it because he had an older brother who could take his place?
"Your Majesty, what you are teaching me is that I didn't consider so many things. I understand what you mean. Because You'er's affairs have troubled you, your Majesty, I know what to do! From now on, I will take good care of You'er!"
Lan Qingwu stared at the Crown Princess for a long while. She had seen too many noble ladies like this saying insincerely and seemingly righteous words to her.
"Someone! Call Furong in."
Her face was as radiant as a pearly lotus as she walked in slowly, bowing to Lan Qingwu and the Crown Princess.
Lan Qingwu said to the Crown Princess, "This is someone from my palace, and I'm giving her to You'er today. When you take You'er back to Dongde Palace, bring Furong with you. I've assigned her to take care of You'er! Furong is thoughtful and kind, so let her stay with You'er!"
The Crown Princess could only bow her head and kowtow, "Thank you, mother, for your grace."