Chapter 369

Under the careful care of Zhang Imperial Physician, Chengjing's condition is improving day by day.

The improvement is manifested in the fact that his legs are more sensitive to pain,

Previously, when he moved his lower limbs, the pain was unbearable, but crying for a while would get him through it,

But now, unable to move for a moment, he would be in such pain that his face would contort, his whole body would tremble, until he passed out, shocking to see.

Yet, his pitiful state did not receive any sympathy from Consort Hui,

And because of his past mischievousness, he was already the least likable prince, coupled with the incident that hurt Ruoxin,

Now, whether it's the concubines or the princes and princesses, they are unwilling to interact with him.

The only exception is Chenghuan, who is willing to accompany him from time to time under the guidance of Xiao Jingheng.

Children's minds are always simple,

Chengjing originally thought Chenghuan's appearance was terrifying and didn't want to get close to him,

But Chenghuan didn't hold a grudge, caring for him attentively, almost coming to accompany him for one or two hours every day,

Gradually, Chengjing also opened up to Chenghuan.

One day, Chenghuan brought a scroll and read the newly learned "Analects of Confucius" from the Minister's study to Chengjing,

Chengjing didn't understand these words at all, and his mind was not on them at all. Instead, he asked Chenghuan,

"Brother, is Consort Chen good to you?"

Chenghuan was taken aback, smiled and nodded, "Of course."

Chengjing pouted, looking very dejected, "But why is Mother always so harsh on me... She forces me to walk every day, my legs hurt so much, and when she sees me cry, she doesn't comfort me like she used to."

Seeing him with red eyes, Chenghuan also felt sorry.

He wanted to wipe away the tears for Chengjing, but when he saw the cracked skin on his fingertips, he felt inferior and withdrew his hand,

"Consort Hui is also doing it for your own good, hoping you will recover soon. When you are well, everyone can be at ease." Chengjing felt even more wronged after hearing this, "But I'm sick, shouldn't Father Emperor care more about me? But Father Emperor hasn't come to see me for a long time..."

He suddenly grabbed Chenghuan's arm, motioning for him to come closer, and whispered,

"Brother, let me tell you, in order to avoid Mother forcing me to practice walking, I always hide in the wardrobe or under the bed. Originally, this method worked, but my room is so small that Mother always finds me..."

Chenghuan thought for a moment and strategized for him, "These past few days when I came, I noticed a large iron ball with a dragon pattern placed in the courtyard. Today, out of curiosity, I looked closely and found a hidden door behind the iron ball, it seems you can crawl in there. If you are really afraid of practicing walking, why not hide there for a while, maybe Consort Hui won't find you so easily."

Chengjing pursed his lips and shook his head, "The big iron ball is in the courtyard, I haven't crawled over there yet, I will be discovered before I even get there."

Chenghuan laughed at him, "Silly little brother, if you do it during the day, of course, you will be found out. But in the dead of night, who will know what you are doing?"

He looked around very cautiously, then lowered his voice and said,

"When I came over just now, I heard Consort Hui mentioning that tomorrow is Father Emperor's birthday, so you have to practice longer tomorrow and go to the birthday banquet to let Father Emperor see your progress."

"I don't want to!" Chengjing was extremely afraid, as if in a panic, he grabbed the quilt covering his head, his voice trembling, saying:

"Brother Emperor, help me, I'm scared..."

"Don't be afraid, with Brother Emperor here."

Chenghuan tentatively lifted the quilt covering Chengjing's head, gently stroked his forehead, and whispered softly:

"Brother Emperor will teach you a way that may help you avoid it, come closer."

Upon hearing this, Chengjing hurriedly leaned closer to Chenghuan, listening to him mutter in a low voice.

*

The next morning, the six palaces were already bustling early in the morning.

Unlike previous birthdays of Xiao Jingheng, this year, as it was his thirtieth birthday, the banquet lasted the whole day.

From the hour of the Snake, the princes and nobles had already entered the palace one after another, and the concubines and female attendants were also lined up at the Tonghua Terrace.

However, Consort Hui was late.

Just because at dawn, the people of Zhaochun Palace searched everywhere but could not find Chengjing's figure.

This had been the norm in Zhaochun Palace for the past few days, the little guy was afraid of the daily rehabilitation training and would always hide in a secluded corner.

But Consort Hui didn't have time to waste with him today, she only instructed the palace people, "Be careful to find him, once Chengjing is found, let him take his medicine and start today's exercises quickly."

During the birthday banquet, amidst the clinking of glasses, the concubines presented their birthday congratulations to Xiao Jingheng according to their ranks.

The first to offer congratulations was Ning Wanshuang, who was skilled in playing the Yaoqin and was a national master. Although she had been neglecting her practice in recent years, she still won applause as soon as she played.

Following her was Zhao Hua, who made a name for herself.

She had retired to the back room early on, changed into a light chiffon dress with water sleeves,

"I, your subject, have no great skills, but for the Emperor's birthday, I have specially learned a dance, the Dance of the Luo Goddess, to show my clumsiness in front of everyone."

The musicians from the Southern Mansion had already set up their instruments, and as Zhao Hua was about to start dancing, Xiao Jingheng suddenly stopped everyone and said,

"Concubine Yi is pregnant, how can she work like this? I appreciate your intentions, but for the safety of you and your child, let's not dance today."

Seeing his concern for Zhao Hua, she blushed and agreed,

Others said that Xiao Jingheng favored Zhao Hua greatly, and after Zhao Hua returned to her seat next to Xiao Jingheng, she held his slender waist, reciting affectionately,

"Your dancing posture is graceful and elegant, how can it be cheapened in front of all the men? It should only be reserved for private moments when I can admire the Dance of the Luo Goddess alone."

Zhao Hua was teased by him, blushing and embarrassed, saying, "Xiao Lang always likes to tease me..."

Her dance stopped, and it was Consort Hui's turn to present her splendid congratulations.

Everyone watched as seven or eight palace maids lifted a large iron pot, one zhang wide, onto the stage,

The pot was filled with overflowing oil, and a fire was burning at the bottom.

Then a dragon-patterned iron ball was slowly lowered from the beam, directly facing the center of the iron pot.

Xiao Jingheng was curious about what was happening, and Consort Hui smiled and said:

"At the age of the emperor's coming of age, the imperial harem was filled with good news. Both Concubine Yi and Consort Hui are pregnant, so Concubine Yi wanted to present a auspicious sign of a qilin to the emperor, which is also a good omen."

Xiao Jingheng was still unaware of what the 'qilin auspicious sign' meant, but he was intrigued.

Consort Hui invited Xiao Jingheng to the hall and handed him a dragon-patterned chain that would release a suspended iron ball when pulled together.

"This dragon-patterned chain has two parts, one held by the emperor and one by me. When we pull together, the dragon-patterned iron ball will open, revealing the mystery inside. Please join me, emperor, in welcoming the auspicious sign."

Everyone was curious to see this rare sight and eagerly gathered around.

When everyone was in place,

Xiao Jingheng and Consort Hui exchanged a glance and simultaneously pulled the dragon-patterned chain.

In the moment the mechanism opened, the suspended dragon-patterned ball split along the center,

The qilin-shaped dough that fell out had lost its form,

And along with it, a fainted child seemed to have also fallen into the oil pot..."