Chapter 109: Longevity Gift

  The longevity gift sent by the third prince was a huge mountain stone bonsai, which was said to have been carried into the palace by four strong eunuchs named Kong Wu.

  Roughly in his expectation, this gift should be the largest and most dignified among brothers.

  Unfortunately, the second prince preempted him, stunning everyone with his extraordinary bearing and charisma. Even if the third prince's gift was quadrupled in value, it would be impossible to leave a deeper impression now.

  The emperor said a couple of words about being overly extravagant and wasteful.

  If you want to talk about being arrogant, the second prince's dance should be considered more arrogant. However, the emperor seems to never say anything wrong about his second son, and his tolerance for him is extremely high.

  In fact, this indulgence is likely not due to overindulgence, but rather... indifference.

  The second prince had been acting like a rebellious teenager for quite some time, being mischievous and throwing tantrums to pick fights. In Chao Sheng's opinion, the second prince was clearly lacking in affection and seeking attention from his father.

  Unfortunately, his father was first an emperor, second a husband shared by many women, and only then a father shared by many children. What the Second Prince wanted, the Emperor would not give him.

  Perhaps the second prince has finally come around and is no longer holding his breath in anger.

  Maybe he has already become a family man, his mindset has changed, he has his own wife and will have children in the future. He no longer yearns for the warmth given by his father.

  The fourth prince gave a painting, which was light and easy to carry, and Xiao Su alone carried it. In terms of momentum, he couldn't compare with his two older brothers. However, the emperor praised him twice.

  Others also performed in their own ways. However, except for the Fourth Prince who had already started a family, the Fifth and Sixth Princes were still not considered adults yet. Therefore, the Fifth Prince offered his own birthday poem, while the Sixth Prince simply performed a set of sword moves...

  The emperor didn't receive his son's gift for nothing and on the spot bestowed three royal titles to the already married Eldest, Second and Third princes.

  The fourth prince will be renamed Cheng Wang from now on.

  Sincere, a pretty good word.

  The third prince got a Chang character, and the second prince got a Shou character.

  Perhaps this can be seen as the emperor's different expectations of them.

  For the second son who is physically disabled and now actually the eldest son, I hope he can live a long and peaceful life. For the crown prince, it was given a Chang character. The fourth prince got an Cheng character.

  The whole house was suddenly filled with joy.

  This is not just about the master's dignity.

  It's said that originally it was the Prince's Mansion, which sounds impressive and noble, but it's all empty. The prince's annual allowance is barely enough to support himself, let alone his wife's expenses. It's not a proper situation, but now that he has been granted a title, the allowance is no longer a problem, and all other treatments will be taken care of from now on.

  Besides, after being enfeoffed, it's like a temporary worker finally having a formal position, and can have his own team under him. The long history, assistant officials, staff members, guests... Among them, the long history and assistant officials do not need the imperial son to pay their salaries out of their own pockets, but the food and clothing of the guests must be paid by the host family, you can afford it, there are three thousand guests. Can't afford it... Cough, but in most of the princes' palaces, there will always be some guests.

  The Fourth Prince Returns to the Mansion - Ah, now he's already the Duke of Cheng.

  The people in the mansion went down to pay their respects to the master and mistress, this ritual was a must.

  At the time of serving tea, he couldn't help but say: "Your Highness, have some tea."

  Xiao Shun hastily corrected her: "It's Wang Ye now."

  Tide Sheng smiled: "I know... isn't this just because you're not used to it yet?"

  Young Master Cheng smiled slightly: "It's nothing among ourselves, but we still need to be careful in front of outsiders."

  That's for sure, Chao Sheng will definitely take it to heart.

  In a place like this, even a title can be fatal.

  Outside the door, Xiao Su said: "Your Highness, Li Shen requests an audience."

  "Please come in, Mr. Li."

  Chao Sheng walked out of the house and happened to meet someone.

  If nothing unexpected happens, this person will probably become the chief historian of the future Cheng Wang Fu.

  Li Shen was not very old, in his early twenties, beardless, with a steady gait and eyes that did not dart about, apparently not one of those who only knew how to read dead books.

  Of course - being a historian is a job that's good to do well and bad to do poorly. When interacting with others, one must be able to handle all sides of the situation, take charge when necessary, yield when appropriate, and explain things clearly...

  Bookworms can't do this kind of work.

  It's impossible for someone who hasn't been tempered in official circles for eight or ten years to handle this matter well.

  But truly capable and talented individuals would not need to come to the palace to serve as a historian, they would have even better prospects.

  Chang Shi was just an eighth-rank official——

  Xiao Shun whispered: "I hope this guy isn't another coffin face."

  The governor has already had a coffin face.

  Director Qi always had a stern expression on his face, making people want to avoid him whenever they saw him.

  "It's not necessarily so." Chao Sheng shook his head: "When others first come back, this position is not yet determined, and they can't just smile and call each other brothers."

  Xiao Shun nodded: "That's also true..."

  This eunuch Li Shen was recommended by others to the Fourth Prince. As for whether he is suitable for the job, it's still unknown.

  The fourth prince was granted a title, and no one was more delighted than the Wen family. The whole courtyard was filled with joy, it can be seen that the red envelopes from the Wen family must have been generous.

  The sweltering summer finally passed, and around the beginning of winter, Empress Chang gave birth to her first child.

  She is a daughter.

  Although not a son, many people's expectations were disappointed, but this is the emperor's first grandson, and there was still a big celebration. Xiaoshun also went to congratulate together, and came back saying: "Looking from afar, wrapped in red all over, I heard that he looks very good."

  Chao Sheng felt a sense of emotion - the third prince was less than twenty years old and had already become a father, while the emperor and empress had also been promoted to grandfather and grandmother.

  Auntie Li said: "Has he been named yet?"

  Xiao Shun shook his head: "It seems like it hasn't started yet."

  Auntie Li nodded and said: "Maybe we'll name him when he's a year old."

  Are you afraid it's hard to raise kids?

  At this time, the infant mortality rate was very high. Generally, children in ordinary families would not be given their formal name and entered into the family tree until after they were one year old; before that, they would just be called by a random milk name. Some even waited until the child was about to start school before entering their formal name into the family tree.

  The fourth prince drank two cups of wine at his elder cousin's full moon banquet and had a faint flush on his face.

  Chao Sheng asked: "Your Highness wants to take a rest?"

  The breath exhaled by the fourth prince carried a faint scent of alcohol, and it was inevitable that Chao Sheng thought of the last time the fourth prince got drunk.

  The fourth prince got drunk and talked a lot.

  This characteristic, Chao Sheng doesn't know whether others know about it or not.

  Fortunately, the fourth prince did not seem drunk.

  The fourth prince thought for a moment: "Alright."

  After drinking, people are generally a bit dull and not as clear-headed as usual.

  In ordinary times, things that are not worth thinking about can be ignored.

  However, Chao Sheng thought that the fourth prince's serious expression while thinking about such a simple question was... both serious and somewhat silly.

  The tide is born, the bed is laid out, and the fourth prince's boots are removed while squatting.

  The sock mouth was not a tide birth system in the morning, and the knot system was a bit tight. She was fighting with the tie strap, listening to the fourth prince saying slowly: "I've been watching that kid, just so big."

  He waved his hand and said: "Really small... when will such a small child grow up?"

  The tide was somewhat ridiculous, but fortunately, the socks had already come loose. She helped the fourth prince lie down: "Your Highness has never seen such a small child? Children grow up quickly, but in the blink of an eye, they will be running wild all over the floor. At that time, Your Highness will also feel that they have grown up quickly."

  "Uh... Eighth Brother was already over four years old when he arrived at Yiqiu Palace."

  The fourth prince lay on his side, and Chao Sheng covered him with a thin quilt, then quietly backed out.

  There is someone talking outside.

  Chao Sheng glanced outward.

  Behind the door, Xiao Shun was talking to Qin He, the senior maid of Madame Wen.

  Chao Sheng came out of the house and Qin He saw her at a glance.

  "It was the princess who sent me to deliver the hangover soup to the prince." Qin He didn't show any impatience: "The prince drank today, and the princess is worried. Please trouble Shun to go in and report to the prince."

  Xiao Shun also saw Chao Sheng and asked: "Has Wang Ye rested?"

  "Has already gone to sleep." Chao Sheng said: "Qin He sister first hand over the soup to me."

  Qin He's hands holding the tray did not loosen.

  The nose of the tide is very spiritual, and as soon as it walks to the front, it smells a scent of jasmine powder.

  Qin He was wearing a Peugeot, her skin was also fair. Today the weather is warm, she is dressed in a single layer, and the light yellow shirt and skirt make her look very delicate and charming. A snow-green ribbon is tied around her waist, her hair is styled in a low bun, and a small chrysanthemum is tucked behind her ear.

  Before Chao Sheng was in the palace, the dress and makeup of the palace girls were all with rules. After leaving the palace, these dresses and makeup became more casual. However, Qin He's outfit...

  Qin He looked at Chao Sheng and then at Xiao Shun, feeling somewhat discontented.

  She also knew that this door could not be entered today.

  Qin He still chose to back down.

  "Well... I'll go back first and come again later."

  She still didn't put down the hangover soup and took it away as usual.

  Watching her walk away, Xiao Shun still poked his head out and took a long breath.

  Qin He's attire... hmm, I remember that when she went out with Madame Wen to the Chang Wang Fu this morning, she wasn't wearing this outfit, and her hair wasn't styled like that either.

  Is... Miss Wen who brought her over?

  It's just sending a soup, of course, no need to dress up... However, if Wen Shi or Qin He himself has other ideas, it's not surprising.

  Xiao Shun and Chao Sheng exchanged a glance, neither of them mentioning it again.

  When the fourth prince woke up and was served by Xiao Shun, he casually mentioned a sentence. The fourth prince only said: "I know."

  Mr. Wen sent someone again to invite him, saying that dinner was prepared with dishes that Wang Ye loved to eat.

  This time it wasn't Qin He, the fourth prince just said: "Tell the princess, this is over."

  Fourth Prince left, Xiao Shun smacked his lips and said: "The princess is getting anxious..."

  "Huh?"

  "Wanting a child, huh." Xiao Shun said: "Today, Shou Wang's complexion wasn't that great. Speaking of which, his wedding day was longer than ours, the king's. But in the entire mansion, including the queen, no one's belly has shown any signs of movement yet."

  Ah, yes.

  The second prince has always had a grudge against the third prince, constantly finding fault with him everywhere. Now that the third prince's family has welcomed a new baby, regardless of whether it's a boy or girl... isn't that still better than having nothing at all?

  Wen is anxious too?

  Children are too important for women.

  With children, Mrs. Wen finally stood firm and had a solid foundation for speaking.

  ——————————————————

  Coughing, I've caught a cold.

  I didn't close the window for my afternoon nap and the quilt was too thin. When I woke up, I felt something was wrong. Now my nose can't breathe and my eyes can't open.

  Hug everyone, updates will have to wait until tomorrow