In Love With My Fierce Farming Wife!
Chapter 1081 - 1076: Ugly Face

Chapter 1081: Chapter 1076: Ugly Face

"Your name is Yongxin? Have you ever attended school?"

Qin Yi asked casually, for no one holds high expectations for a child of merely four and a half years old.

But the little fellow was extremely clever, and after respectfully greeting the Emperor and Empress, he recited a poem in his crisp child’s voice, instantly winning applause from everyone present. Prince Qi couldn’t help but beam with pride, repeatedly bowing in thanks.

Su Pan’er also watched the child’s performance with a smile, his little mouth puckered up in seriousness, stirring something inexplicably within her heart.

Four and a half years old, neither too big nor too small. Children of the Imperial Family are usually precocious, and this child, even if taken into the palace to be raised, probably still remembers his biological parents. Especially since he’s so bright, he might remember even earlier. It’s usually the younger children who are brought into the palace from birth that don’t have such concerns.

Princess Consort Qi, seeing Su Pan’er glance at her child, came forward with her three-month-old illegitimate son for Su Pan’er to see.

Upon closer inspection, Su Pan’er noticed that the child in Princess Consort Qi’s arms was indeed very small, with a square face and clean white complexion, currently sleeping soundly, unaffected by the surrounding laughter and chatter.

"This child really sleeps well, clearly born into wealth and comfort."

Su Pan’er praised sincerely.

She couldn’t help but recall Little Yanyan at three months old, when a high fever led to meningitis, nearly wearing her out completely. But thankfully, all ended well.

Feeling sentimental at the moment, she rewarded both children with longevity lockets to express her feelings.

Qin Yi had other rewards to offer, which delighted Prince Qi and Princess Consort Qi to no end, thanking profusely as they took their child away.

But once a precedent was set, the feudal lords too began bringing their children forward.

These lords had already turned color when Prince Qi took the initiative, their chances slipping by; now nothing else mattered but to follow suit in haste, pushing their children forward for the Emperor and Empress to see.

These people! All muddled by the rumors that had spread before! So desperate to push their children into their presence, it was hard to know whose sadness it was to say.

Mrs. Su-Hua sat in a corner, anxious about the turn of events but utterly unable to help, fidgeting uncomfortably.

Su Ke was even close to snapping the chopsticks in his hand, wishing he could tear apart those despicable faces and have them punished with twenty strokes of the pole before being thrown out of the palace. But he couldn’t! All he could do was bury his head, pretending to be very interested in the food on his plate, mindlessly stuffing his mouth as if chewing wax, ignoring Xue Qian’s surreptitious kicks beside him.

Xue Qian was frantic!

Seeing that Su Ke was ignoring him, he secretly leaned closer, incessantly making faces at him as if his eyes had a twitch.

Qin Yi and Su Pan’er scrutinized each child one by one, generously lauding them, and with a grand gesture, bestowed rewards on all.

After all these children of the feudal lords had been viewed one by one, Su Pan’er kept a mental note of the children she had seen; she met seven in total. As for those from more isolated messages or who hadn’t brought children, there were probably even more of the appropriate age.

Regrettably, among these children, there was not a single one who was her and Qin Yi’s own flesh and blood!

Su Pan’er’s heart ached quietly as she looked at Little Yanyan and Little Sugar Bean by her side.

Little Sugar Bean was still young, completely unaware of the significance of the scene before her, contentedly being fed vegetable puree by her wet nurse, her face all smiles.

It was Little Yanyan, standing to the side with a pallid face, who did not crack a smile from beginning to end, nor did she speak. Only those large, expressive eyes of hers brimmed with loss, making anyone who glanced at them feel as if they might be sucked in.

Su Pan’er felt a pang in her heart and quickly averted her face, not daring to look any longer.

Yet, those present seemed oblivious to the First Princess’s sorrow, their booming laughter striking a stark contrast to the sadness etched upon her face.

Su Pan’er clutched at her chest, feeling so suffocated that she could barely breathe.

But she was still laughing!

Laughing continuously, as if by doing so she could mask her calm exterior.

Her discomfort was soon noticed by Su Ke. He instinctively stood up but then slumped back down, clenching his fists tightly, cursing himself for being unable to help.

Just then, Ye Han suddenly stood up, diverting the conversation.

"Your Majesty, it is fortuitous for Our Great Zhou that the sons and grandsons of the various princes are plentiful. However, this humble official believes that Your Majesty is still young, and given a little more time, the ladies of the Imperial Harem’s Palace will surely bring forth joyous news. When that time comes, it will be a double celebration. Fellow lords, wouldn’t you agree that what this official says is true?"

His words were meant for His Majesty’s ears, as well as those of the feudal lords.

His Majesty is still young, and even if he has really been injured, with the Empress’s miracle healer’s skillful hands, having another child should not be difficult.

Is there really a need for these people to scramble like they’ve seen a fragrant steamed bun?

Witnessing their behavior, he felt secondhand embarrassment!

The faces of the feudal lords all took on a peculiar look, followed by expressions of embarrassment.

By now, who in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty did not know that the Emperor had been injured in the past, affecting his ability to have children, and would never expect to have his own offspring in this lifetime? They were also aware that their current behavior was quite unseemly, but faced with the prospects of wealth and honor, they couldn’t help themselves. If they didn’t fight for it, they might miss a colossal opportunity that landed right in front of them, and when that time came, they would have nowhere even to cry.

Prince Qi’s smile was strained, and his lips twitched slightly before he coughed loudly and stepped forward: "King Ye, it’s easy for you to say when you’re not the one affected! Even though you are also a prince with a fief, you are a prince of different surname. These internal affairs of the Imperial Family, this prince advises you to refrain from interfering!"

His words carried a warning and resonated with the other feudal lords beside him.

Ye Han remained with an expression as cold as ice.

The words that left his mouth were sharp enough to freeze a person to death: "Prince Qi, you are not making any sense with what you say. I may be a prince of a different surname, but I have only one son under my knee and it’s empty otherwise. Still, I understand that some matters are best left alone, without overstepping one’s bounds. I just wonder if you understand the meaning of that, Prince Qi."

"This prince understands perfectly. King Ye, you’d best mind your own business!"

Prince Qi’s complexion darkened instantly, his gaze boring into Ye Han as if wishing he could drill holes through him.

Ye Han had followed the late emperor for many years and later served under Qin Zitong, and now under Qin Yi, remaining childless all these years.

In the past, for the sake of appearances, the Ye Family hastily adopted two sons for him. After his "resurrection," he kept one of the adopted sons to teach and nurture, now already more than ten years old. The ups and downs, the bitterness and the spice of it all, Ye Han had the most right to speak about.

But he had never been talkative, neither fond of arguing with others, and coupled with a naturally icy demeanor, no one dared say much in his presence.