Wrapped In Golden Branch - Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Handsome and tall but nothing more

The Princess Mansion was located on the east side of the Imperial City, very close to the Imperial Palace, and it only takes two-quarters of an hour for the carriage. When Li Kangning exited the carriage, a little cannon rushed over and hugged her legs.

“Aunt! Rongrong is a big sister! Mother gave Rongrong a little brother!” The little Princess, Xirong, raised her head and said seriously in a b*by voice.

“Have Rongrong seen the little brother?” Li Kangning squatted down and poked the little girl’s chubby face.

Little Xirong nodded like pounding garlic, “I have seen it! The little brother is so small and keeps crying!” Then, she leaned close to her aunt’s ear as if telling a little secret: “Aunt, I think the little brother is ugly and wrinkled.”

Li Kangning couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Then, a young man with golden hair and a crown strode forward and picked up the chattering little girl. His eyes were full of pampering and helplessness, “Rongrong, let your aunt go in first. Don’t stop your aunt.”

Although the man was only wearing a dark blue casual dress, the faintly visible five-clawed dragon pattern on the lapel showed his extraordinary status. However, his handsome face was pale, and there was also a hint of darkness under his eyes, as if he had not rested well.

“Brother, how is my sister-in-law?” Li Kangning immediately restrained her smile. She still rem*mbered the scene of the Crown Princess giving birth to the little Princess for more than ten hours three years ago.

Wait, three years ago? Her head suddenly felt pain.

The Crown Prince had been guarding from last night until now, and the ma$sive stone in his heart had just fallen to the ground. He comforted his sister, “Your sister-in-law is much better. You can go in and take a look.”

Although it was not winter yet, the earth dragon was already burning in the delivery room, and it was hot, as if you were in a steamer. Crown Princess Xiao Mingxue was lying on the delivery bed, looking pale and weak but in good spirits. Empress Kang was sitting on an embroidered stool nearby, telling the w*t nurse something. The Second Prince’s Consort, Gu Baoying, stared enviously at the newborn baby in the wet nurse’s arms. She had been married into the palace for two years, but the Second Prince had deliberately avoided having a child because he took into account his wife’s young age.

“Are you feeling better, sister-in-law?” Li Kangning sat by the bed, full of concern. She and the Crown Princess were sisters-in-law and good sisters who grew up together and had a deep friendship.

The Crown Princess smiled and nodded at her, “It’s better. I went into labor at Maoshi (5-7 am) this morning and gave birth at Sishi (9-11 am).”

The little Princess came up again, hugged her aunt’s arm, and shook it. She tilted her head and blinked at her aunt, “Aunt, come and look at my brother!”

Li Kangning couldn’t help but chuckle. She naturally knew what this clever little girl meant. She immediately stood up and moved to the side of the wet nurse, her eyes falling on the baby in the swaddling clothes. What Little Xirong said just now was true. The newborn nephew was tiny, with red and wrinkled skin. She remembered that Little Xirong was white and tender when she was born, and she was cute. Why did his newborn nephew look like this?

Empress Kang saw the confusion in her daughter’s eyes and explained with a smile, “The little grandson was only a little over five pounds when he was born, not as much as Rongrong. Rongrong was seven pounds when she was born. He just needs to be raised a little longer.”

Li Kangning suddenly realized this time—no wonder her sister-in-law gave birth to her niece for more than ten hours. Little Xirong listened to her grandmother’s words, and her little ears stood up. She asked shyly, “Grandmother, was Rongrong a chubby girl when she was born?”

Empress Kang held her granddaughter in her arms, “Yes, little chubby girl. Royal Grandmother likes you the most.” She tapped her granddaughter’s nose, “It would be better if the little chubby girl stopped being picky about food. Nanny said you don’t like eating vegetables and fruits and only know how to pick meat.”

The little Princess’s face was red, and she obediently admitted her mistake: “Rongrong knows wrong. I won’t do it again.”

Her cute little appearance amused everyone present. After a while, everyone left the East Palace so the Crown Princess could rest.

After returning to Luhua Palace, Li Kangning shook her mother’s hand. “Why don’t I just stay in the palace until the little grandson is 100 days old? Otherwise, it will be troublesome to go back and forth for the third bath and full moon celebration during this period?”

Empress Kang was surprised, “What’s wrong? Did the Prince Consort annoy you?”

“No…” Li Kangning’s cheeks flushed. She hesitantly told her mother what happened last night.

Empress Kang was initially stunned before asking with concern, “Does it hurt? Have you applied medicine?”

Li Kangning bit her lower lip lightly, “It doesn’t hurt much. It should be because of the medicine…”

When she got up this morning, there was a faint, cold smell of medicine under her body.

“In this case, you should go back to the palace and live for a while to take good care of yourself.” Empress Kang made the final decision.

Li Kangning’s original residence in the palace was Cuiwei Hall on the west side of Luhua Palace. Palace servants took care of it daily, and she could move in anytime. The new Prince Consort, Pei Yizi, who was far away in the suburban guard post, felt a chill on his back for no reason. He didn’t know he would be alone in his empty room for long.

In the blink of an eye, it was the full moon banquet of the little grandson. The ministers of the royal family, civil and military officials, and their families had already taken their seats in Chonghua Hall according to their ranks. Because it was still early, the Emperor, Empress, and the Princes and their wives had not yet arrived, and the hall was bustling with people talking and laughing.

Outside Chonghua Hall. Seeing the Princess again after a month, Pei Yizhi’s slender fingers hanging in his sleeves trembled slightly. “Your humble servant pays respect to the Princess.” His voice was low and hoarse.

When Li Kangning saw the handsome and tall man before her, she immediately imagined some charming and ambiguous scenes.

“No need to be polite.” Her heart beat faster.

Fortunately, she put on makeup carefully for today’s banquet. Otherwise, the heat on her face would have been completely exposed. The man still looked at her straight.

At this moment, another tall man came forward and bowed to the Princess. “I pay my respects to the Princess. I wish the Princess long-lasting happiness and longevity.”

Hearing the man’s voice as clear as pearls and jade, Li Kangning was stunned.

Pei Yizhi glanced at him. His heart suddenly sank, and vigilance instantly filled his dark eyes. The other man had gentle eyebrows and eyes, and his face was as handsome as jade.

He was handsome and tall but nothing more.

—————————————————————————