As a skilled martial artist, Yun Suiwu had excellent hearing and could clearly hear everything that was said inside.
Lianxiang turned slightly red with embarrassment. After bowing, she quickly carried the little prince out with Taorui and Liulu.
Her lowered face was flushed pink, and her small white ears looked bright red beneath her dark hair.
She was clearly very shy.
Once the little prince was taken away, the Mid-Autumn banquet became much less interesting.
The prince’s household in Guangling only had the prince, the little prince, and Song Guifei. On a family reunion holiday like this, the atmosphere felt rather lonely.
The prince could have allowed Song Guifei to join the banquet, but he was very strict about rules. Even though he was only celebrating the moon with a baby who could not yet speak, he still did not invite her to attend.
Seeing the awkward silence, Nanny Chen began talking about the affairs of Qingzhu Courtyard. She told the prince which wet nurses were good, which were careful, and how they usually cared for the little prince.
She reported every detail.
When she spoke about Wet Nurse Shen, she said honestly,
“Your Highness, although Song Guifei’s cousin joined the latest among the four wet nurses and has less experience raising children than the others, she cares for the little prince the most and understands him the best.”
“As soon as he makes a sound, she can tell whether he is thirsty, hungry, or sleepy.”
“Because of this, the little prince is especially attached to her. Whenever he cannot see her, he immediately starts looking around for her.”
Standing behind the prince, Aunt Pei glanced at Nanny Chen.
Nanny Chen had served the empress for many years and rarely praised anyone. Since she spoke so highly of Wet Nurse Shen, it meant she was truly satisfied with her work.
Yun Suiwu slowly rubbed the white jade ring on his thumb and listened quietly.
After a while, he said to Aunt Pei,
“Then give her a larger reward.”
Since the prince had come to Guangling, the former royal residence had become the Prince’s Manor. All rules and customs followed those of the capital.
Whenever there was a festival or happy event, rewards were given to the servants.
When the little prince turned one month old, everyone in the manor received generous gifts. The Mid-Autumn Festival was no exception.
…
In the east wing, Lianxiang had just finished feeding the little prince when Aunt Pei arrived with the festival rewards.
Because the manor now had the little prince, and the prince was pleased, the rewards this year were larger than usual.
Taorui and Liulu were overjoyed. They even wondered whether the rewards would become even greater once the prince married and had children of his own.
Aunt Pei said,
“Nanny Chen praised how well you care for the little prince. Since he depends on you so much, His Highness decided to give you a larger reward.”
“Thank you, Your Highness, for the reward,” Lianxiang said happily, smiling as she accepted it with both hands.
She had expected only a few extra silver pieces compared to Taorui and Liulu.
Instead, Aunt Pei placed two small gold beans into her palm. Under the candlelight, they shone brightly.
Lianxiang knew the prince was generous, but she had never imagined that a few words of praise from Nanny Chen would result in such a valuable reward.
She was completely shocked.
“The little prince depends on you, and your duties are harder than those of the other wet nurses. You deserve this,” Aunt Pei said.
Looking at Lianxiang’s surprised and innocent expression, she thought the young wet nurse was truly simple-hearted. She was so happy over just two gold beans.
Lianxiang immediately knelt down.
“I am not working hard. Caring for the little prince is my duty, and I truly enjoy taking care of him.”
The gold felt heavy in her hands.
She estimated that even one gold coin might be worth fifty taels of silver.
Her heart was bursting with joy. She could not stop smiling.
She became even more determined to stay in the prince’s manor and continue caring for the little prince.
Just these two gold beans were probably worth several years of her wages as a wet nurse.
If she received rewards like this a few more times, she could become quite wealthy.
With that money, she could easily support her own child.
And if she truly became the little prince’s chief wet nurse, as her cousin had said, she might someday return to the capital with him.
If her son worked hard and succeeded, perhaps he could even become an official.
Then she would become the honored mother of an official.
As a widow, she felt there was probably no better future for her than serving as the little prince’s wet nurse.
…
“Carry the little prince and follow me,” Aunt Pei instructed.
This wet nurse, Shen, was truly easy to read. Every thought appeared plainly on her face.
Still, that straightforward nature was rather likable.
Aunt Pei ordered Taorui and Liulu to pack the little prince’s belongings and return to Qingzhu Courtyard.
Lianxiang thought the prince had finished dinner and wanted to spend some time with the little prince.
After seeing him, the prince would probably visit her cousin’s residence afterward. After all, he rarely returned to the manor.
She carefully put away the gold beans and happily followed while carrying the little prince.
At the same time, she secretly hoped her cousin would soon give birth to a son for the prince.
Then, even if she could not become the little prince’s chief wet nurse, she could continue serving her cousin’s child.
However, after reaching the main hall, the prince walked straight outside and headed in the opposite direction from Linglong Pavilion.
…
Song Guifei had dressed up carefully that day.
She wore a newly made light jade-colored dress embroidered with flowers.
Under the moonlight, her beautiful face looked even more elegant.
She stood waiting for the prince near the moon gate.
But from a distance, she saw the prince leading the little prince out of the flower hall and heading directly toward the Moon-Watching Tower.
She tightened her grip on her handkerchief.
She was full of disappointment and frustration, but there was nothing she could do.
In the end, she could only touch the white jade hairpin in her hair and watch helplessly as the prince and the little prince walked away.
Lianxiang knew her cousin had been waiting there.
She glanced back and saw the sadness on her cousin’s face.
All she could do was quietly follow behind the prince while carrying the little prince.
…
The full moon on the fifteenth day was especially bright.
Its light illuminated the stone path beneath their feet.
A cool breeze blew through the night, carrying the rich fragrance of osmanthus flowers.
More than a dozen fireflies floated among the flowers like tiny sparks.
A few of them flew close to the little prince and landed on the prince’s pale robe.
They blinked on and off like tiny lanterns.
The little prince was delighted.
Drool dripped from his mouth as he waved his arms and legs.
His large dark eyes stared curiously at the fireflies behind the prince.
He kicked his legs, clenched his fists, and constantly made excited baby noises.
Following the little prince’s “orders,” Lianxiang had no choice but to walk faster and bring him closer.
She had never walked this path before.
Without noticing, she missed a step.
Her body immediately tilted backward.
In that split second, she could not think of anything except protecting the little prince in her arms.
“Wet Nurse Shen!” Aunt Pei cried out and dropped her lantern as she rushed forward.
At that moment, a strong arm quickly wrapped around Lianxiang’s slender waist and steadied her before she could fall.