Now that Song Song lived in the palace, he paid very little attention to what’s happening outside. However, with his status, it wasn’t hard to find out.
No wonder Li Yang didn’t attend the little prince’s one month celebration. He fell ill. Ever since he moved out of the palace, he rarely went out. Everyone thought Li Xiao punished him to repent behind closed doors. But in reality, he’s been lying in bed sick.
What Song Song didn’t know was that in the previous life Li Yang actually sent Li Xiao a letter of remorse. He died of illness. Before he died, he lived in shame and guilt. He couldn’t accept that his own mother killed his brother’s mother. It was because of this letter that made Li Xiao unable to make his final decision in this life.
Inside, he still didn’t want to bother with Li Yang, but like when Song Song was continuing his cold war, Li Xiao didn’t really feel much blame left inside towards Li Yang.
In other words, Li Xiao could ignore Li Yang for the rest of his life at this point, but he can’t just watch Li Yang die.
When Song Song left the palace usually, he didn’t need to ask for permission. But he liked to follow the rules. Therefore, everytime he left, he let Li Xiao know, so the other could easily keep track of his whereabouts.
However, this time, he didn’t inform Li Xiao. He rode the carriage to Li Yang’s estate to take a visit in person.
At first, he thought that the news about Li Yang lying in bed sick was exaggerated. When he finally arrived at the destination, he discovered Li Yang indeed lost quite a bit of weight. Even though he was smiling, there was a sickness permeating his appearance. The seasons had changed from summer to fall. A gust of the autumn wind looked strong enough to knock him over.
Song Song sat at a proper distance from him in the chair and said softly: “What kind of illness? Does the imperial physician have a cure?”
Li Yang said smiling: “Nothing major. Thank you for your concern, brother-in-law.”
“His majesty is also concerned about you.”
Li Yang’s smile withdrew a few degrees. His lips trembled as he said: “Big brother….”
“These days he’s a bit busy so he asked me to come take a look at you. Also the matter of going to the Ping province, he still has some things he wants to say to you.”
“He… is willing to talk to me?”
“Why would close brothers suddenly have animosity overnight?” Song Song said soothingly: “You take good care of your body. Don’t worry too much.”
Now that he lived in the palace, that’s where he belonged. It wasn’t convenient for him to stay out for too long. After exchanging some words, Song Song left. At the exit, he coincidentally bumped into Li Qing. After greeting each other, Song Song asked him: “Do you know what he has?”
“The imperial physician said it’s a mental illness, excessive anxiety turned for the worse. Not easy to cure.”
“I already said it before, for him not to take it to heart.”
“His majesty isn’t the type to speak soft words. I went to ask him before to have a good talk with 3rd brother, but he didn’t agree…” Li Qing paused, then said: “Now I’m worried. 3rd brother’s health is getting worse by the day. I’m afraid… “
According to what Li Xiao said, Li Yang probably only had 2 more years at most.
Song Song said: “To be honest, his majesty never blamed him.”
“But his distance to 3rd brother is no different than punishment.” Li Qing finished, then smiled: “3rd brother is indeed guilty. He shouldn’t have been born in the royal family. He shouldn’t have been born from empress Qin’s womb.”
Song Song didn’t know what to do. According to reason, he understood clearly that Li Yang was innocent. But emotionally, he also felt that Li Xiao’s actions weren’t wrong. Li Xiao not wanting to be close to Li Yang was expected.
When he returned, Li Xiao asked about his whereabouts as expected.
Actually, Li Xiao knew exactly where he went. But he had to ask superfluously so Song Song could only answer truthfully: “I went to visit A-Yang.”
“How could you go visit a brother-in-law alone by yourself?”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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Song Song rolled his eyes at him. Li Xiao had so many spies everywhere. The moment he stepped out the door, Li Xiao already knew where he’s going and what he’s going to do. Otherwise, he wouldn’t even have made it outside the palace walls.
However, for appearance sake, he still said: “I will keep that in mind.”
The well-behaved gentle attitude again.
Ever since experiencing a period of rebellion, Li Xiao finally realized that Song Song’s soft temperament was really rare and precious, and extremely likable: “How is he?”
“I told him that in a few days when your majesty is not busy, you’ll go visit him in person.”
Li Xiao’s face fell expectantly: “Who allowed you to say this?”
“I just think he’s a bit pitiful. You didn’t see. He’s so skinny now that he doesn’t even look the same. Father just passed away not long ago. If he knew about this, he’d blame you for not taking good care of your little brother. I’m thinking for the good of your majesty here.”
His expression was full of ‘for your own good’ and even spoke with such conviction and justice, Li Xiao squeezed his face and chuckled. Unwilling to rebuke him, Li Xiao said: “To make decisions for Zhen, how extremely daring of you.”
What extremely daring, Song Song was only following Li Xiao’s heart’s desire, that’s all. Although he wasn’t some bad person, he also didn’t like to meddle with other people’s business. If Li Xiao didn’t act like he didn’t want Li Yang to die, Sont Song wouldn’t have gotten involved with this muddy water.
Knowing is knowing. He didn’t expose Li Xiao: “Well, I already said it, so if you don’t go visit him, this empress’s face would probably be lost.”
“You need to save face?”
“Isn’t my reputation related to your majesty’s reputation?”
Li Xiao couldn’t win him with words here. Song Song continued to say: “I can tell that 5th brother and 3rd brother’s relationship is pretty good. If he goes to the Ping province, I’m afraid 5th brother will follow him.”
“That’s what happened in the dream.”
“Then even if it’s not for A-Yang, 5th brother is also a talented individual. If you lose him like this to the Ping province, wouldn’t that be unfortunate?”
Li Xiao sighed, holding him lightly. After a long while, he finally said: “The two of us will never return to what we had before.”
Song Song hugged him in return.
To be honest, he could understand Li Xiao’s feelings. Li Xiao not wanting to bother with Li Yang had nothing to do with blaming him for what happened. It’s only because he couldn’t step over the obstacle in his heart. But at the same time, he also didn’t want to watch Li Yang die.
“For the sake of my reputation, go take a look at him when you have the time, okay?”
Li Xiao said: “For the sake of Song-er’s reputation.”
Whether Li Xiao really went to visit Li Yang or not, Song Song didn’t know. However, he can vaguely imagine that even if Li Xiao did go, he definitely would still maintain the same cold and distant attitude and not say anything from the heart.
However, as long as Li Xiao revealed even a tiny bit of concern, then that would become the life-saving straw for Li Yang.
Song Song instructed the imperial physicians to take special care of Li Yang’s illness. As for himself, he returned to focusing his attention on taking care of the little prince.
In the morning, he went with Li Xiao to court. After court, he returned to hold the child. Leisure and carefree, he spent the days very comfortable.
The little baby was at a period where he grew almost daily. His eyes light up like the starry sky, completely different from adults. Every once in a while, he’d reach and stretch out his hands. According to the wet nurse, he’s stretching because his body is growing longer.
Song Song watched his growth with his own eyes, almost wanting to draw him everyday, so he won’t forget in the future.
“Every day this child would eat until he’s full, then fall asleep. After sleeping his fill, he’d wake up and eat again. He doesn’t even play with people.”
“I think his eyes look more and more like your majesty’s.”
“Yesterday I got some sheep’s milk to feed him. He seemed to like it a lot. For a child to not be picky about food, it’s a good thing.”
“Your majesty, your majesty. Don’t you think Xin-er is extremely well behaved? And very easy to raise?”
… ….
Song Song and Li Xiao’s conversation, pretty much all changed to talking about the child.
It was another day after court, Song Song walked casually towards the back. Li Xiao, however, changed his usual habit of looking over petitions in the front hall, and followed him to the inner room in the back.
The two changed out of their outer robes. Song Song personally helped him take off his royal crown and said: “You’re not busy today?”
Li Xiao didn’t reply and turned around to pick up the little baby. Song Song blinked and watched him carry the child over to the bed to play. He said: “You can leave caring for the child to me.”
Li Xiao still ignored him. Not only did he ignore him. That night, he wanted to hug the child to sleep. Song Song was a bit dumbfounded. He didn’t understand why Li Xiao suddenly paid so much attention to the little baby. He saw the other’s serious expression, and wondered if he’d gone crazy again and therefore was acting stubborn about something or another.
“Careful not to squish him.” When it was time to sleep, Song Song’s face was full of worry: “Why don’t you put him in between us, okay?”
Li Xiao shot him a look, then directly held the child to sleep on the inside.
Song Song: “……..”
What did I do wrong now?
Li Xiao laid on his side and looked at the little guy swaddled in blankets. His eyes were very round, very bright. His small mouth and gums were pink and tender. His cheeks were soft like tofu. Li Xiao raised his hand. The child immediately reached out his little claws to grab.
His fingers were thin and small, hidden inside long sleeves. Song Song was afraid they’d get cold. Li Xiao’s one finger was grabbed by him. Li Xiao felt his eyes looked very similar to Song Song’s.
Behind him, suddenly came movements. Song Song leaned over quietly to look and said softly: “Your majesty?”
“Zhen doesn’t want to see you.”
“…. what did I do?”
“Zhen is fine with just the little prince. In the future, the empress can move out of Yangxin palace.”
Song Song blanked: “But Xin-er is born from me….”
“Your usefulness ends here.”
“… …”
The next second, his back was kicked forcefully by Song Song: “Try saying that again!”
Li Xiao said calmly: “Your usefulness ends here.”
Song Song moved over him to make a grab for his son, but Li Xiao pressed down and refused to let go. The two deadlocked for a moment, Song Song pursed his lips: “The child is mine.”
“He’s mine.”
“I gave birth to him.”
Li Xiao looked at his refined face and said: “I raised you.”
“You….” Song Song looked at the baby’s innocent and bewildered expression, and instantly deflated: “What are you going crazy about now?”
“What do you think?” Li Xiao said: “Did you forget your duty as the empress these days?”
“How?” Song Song thought back. A little empress like him, spending all day taking part in court and harem. He’s practically half an emperor. How was this called forgetting his duty? What exactly was his duty then?
“You’re Zhen’s empress first and foremost. Then you’re the little prince’s mother after. But look at yourself. What have you been doing? Ever since you had him, Zhen’s been waiting all this time. But even after he’s born, you still didn’t fulfill your duty at all. You ask yourself honestly, although we sleep in the same bed every night, how is it different from sleeping alone?”
“…. …” Song Song never thought he meant this. After being dumbfounded for a moment, he said: “I…. I don’t really know if I can right now…”
“Zhen asked Ji Ying. He said we only need to wait 40 days after, but you simply aren’t taking me seriously.”
“I…. “
“Zhen doesn’t want to hear your explanation.”
“… …” Song Song quietly laid down behind Li Xiao’s back, gaze staring at the back of his head. From this view, he could see some stubbornness, some unhappiness, and even some resentment. He suddenly couldn’t resist smiling and said with a slightly reddened face: “But I’m worried…”
Li Xiao didn’t move. Song Song mumbled: “I don’t want another child.”
One child was already enough. If he didn’t see that scene with his own eyes in the previous life, he wouldn’t have been so persistent about having a child at all.
Thinking about this, Song Song’s pupils slightly contracted. However, this thought of his happened to agree with Li Xiao who said: “Zhen has some ideas.”
He pulled out a thin little booklet that was placed against his chest inside his clothes: “Take a look.”
Song Song received it suspiciously. When his gaze landed on the content, his face flushed red.
“Since you had a book with secret techniques to make a baby, Zhen felt that there must be some techniques in this world that avoid making babies. Therefore I did some extensive research and discovered that the techniques to make a baby mostly involve you laying with support behind your back, and having Zhen do all the work, to make it easier for the rain and dew to flow in. Therefore, if we reverse it and have Song-er sit on top….”
He turned his head to look at Song Song: “Doesn’t this sound reasonable?”
The writer has something to say:
Scared Scared: ……. Reasonable my ass.
Very reasonable, I’m agree
Thank you for your translation 🤍🤍🤍
Thank You for the chapter (๑ơ ₃ ơ)♥
Lmaooooo
what a profound research, your highness
This 2nd method is guaranteed to make another baby. For those who don’t know, it just takes 1 to fertilize an egg.
Half the diaper companies would go bankrupt if his ideas actually worked 😄
A better method is if the one who can get pregnant tops the one who can’t 😏.
Auntie is wise 👍👌
+1 ohoho
AHAAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHAAHAHAH
Sooo is Li Yang alright?
Waaah Songs on top 🤭
Why don’t you two just ask the GD???
Sometimes it’s like Song Song has two children to take care of 🤡
the sure fire way is if they switched roles. ◡̈
😂 umm I think you got this wrong, I’ve heard people calling that a baby making position but alas. Little prince might end up with a sister or brother afterwards
Lmao 😂 😂 😂
I thought he was giving him a book on contraceptive
But he just wanted to be ride