dognovel Chapter 1339 He already knew what was going on with the 3rd Prince
Chapter 1339 He already knew what was going on with the 3rd Prince
Concubine Dun's gaze immediately turned to the warm room.
The third prince is already over two years old, but it was only recently that he was able to take a few shaky steps on his own without the help of his wet nurse.
"Quick! Change Ajing into some brighter clothes!"
She said hurriedly, "I will take him to the Imperial Garden to pay his respects to His Majesty."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Tianzi showed a hint of hesitation on his face, and cautiously advised, "Your Majesty, His Majesty is taking a walk with the Imperial Concubine. If we rush over like this... I'm afraid it will disturb His Majesty's interest."
"What if His Majesty blames me..."
Concubine Dun raised her eyebrows and interrupted Xiao Tianzi: "What do you know!"
"Ajing is your Majesty's eldest son. Your Majesty can only be happy to see him."
"Is all the favors in the palace going to be monopolized by Yongshou Palace?"
"If I don't fight for A Jing, who will? Am I going to watch helplessly as the Fourth Prince snatches away all of Your Majesty's fatherly love?"
The more Concubine Dun spoke, the more she felt it was natural. The slight fear in her heart that might anger the emperor was overwhelmed by her eagerness to plan for the third prince.
Seeing that she had made up her mind, Xiao Tianzi didn't dare to persuade her anymore, and hurriedly lowered his head and replied, "Yes, I will prepare it right away."
Not long after, Concubine Dun personally changed the Third Prince into a royal blue brocade robe, took his little hand, sat him on the sedan chair that had been prepared long ago, and headed towards the Imperial Garden.
The sedan chair swayed slightly, and Concubine Dun's heart was also fluctuating. She was looking forward to "accidentally meeting" His Majesty and letting the Third Prince show his face in front of the emperor; but she was also vaguely worried whether His Majesty would like to be disturbed at this moment.
But once the arrow is shot, there is no turning back. For Ajing, she must give it a try!
The sedan chair stopped at the entrance of the imperial garden.
Concubine Dun took a deep breath, calmed her slightly rapid breathing, took the Third Prince's hand, and slowly walked into the garden where lights flickered and the fragrance of flowers floated in the air.
Not long after walking around a bunch of newly blossoming flowers, the scene ahead suddenly caught her eye—
Under the warm yellow palace lanterns, Nangong Xuanyu was not wearing a majestic dragon robe, but only a dark casual suit. He had an upright posture, but revealed a rare leisurely look.
He did not let the palace maids hold the Fourth Prince, but personally carried the apricot-yellow little figure on his broad shoulders.
The Fourth Prince wasn't afraid at all. He excitedly grabbed the emperor's clothes with his two little hands, grinning from ear to ear, his legs happily kicking in the air: "Father, Father... push... push high..."
Shen Zhinian followed half a step behind with a smile on her face, her gorgeous skirt swaying gently with her steps.
Occasionally, she would reach out to support the Fourth Prince's swaying body, and look up to say something to Nangong Xuanyu.
Although the emperor did not laugh out loud, the lines of his profile were soft and there was an obvious smile at the corners of his lips.
The look in his eyes when he lowered his head in response was one that Concubine Dun had never seen before, one that was relaxed and gentle.
The emperor and his concubine walked slowly, laughing softly, while their wet nurse and palace maids followed respectfully from a distance.
This picture is so harmonious and warm that it is dazzling. It is truly a family joy and happiness!
Concubine Dun's steps suddenly stopped, and her heart felt like it was pierced by a needle...
Her nose felt sore and her eyes turned red instantly.
Concubine Dun recalled that every time His Majesty came to the Yiku Palace to see the Third Prince, he always carried the inherent majesty of an emperor.
She would dress up carefully, let the third prince wear the most appropriate clothes, and greet the emperor with trepidation.
His Majesty would also inquire about the Third Prince's diet and daily life, touch his head, and give him some rewards, but his care was always separated by an insurmountable layer of etiquette between the monarch and his subjects.
Has anyone ever carried a child on their shoulders like this, as affectionately as an ordinary rich man would play with his young child?
Her Ah Jing still walks unsteadily and speaks unclearly. He is usually timid when he sees his father. How could he have ever laughed as unrestrainedly as the Fourth Prince?
Unspeakable jealousy surged in Concubine Dun's heart!
Not only was she jealous that the Imperial Noble Consort could monopolize this special favor, but she also felt unfair for the poor Third Prince!
They're both princes, so why is there such a huge difference between them?!
However... Concubine Dun took a deep breath and forced back the tears that were about to burst out. A smile of surprise and fear quickly appeared on her face. She took the hand of the somewhat timid Third Prince and quickened her pace to meet him.
"Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty!"
"Greetings to Her Majesty the Imperial Concubine, may Her Majesty be blessed with good health and happiness!"
Concubine Dun's voice was filled with surprise and respect. She bowed and gently pulled the Third Prince's hand, "Ah Jing, come quickly and pay your respects to your father, the Emperor and the Empress."
The Third Prince could only speak simple, vague syllables until now. Upon hearing this, he whispered, "Father, Father... Mother..."
The emperor had already put down the Fourth Prince and his gaze fell on the Third Prince. A complex expression flashed in his eyes: "No need to be so polite."
Concubine Dun then stood up, smiling warmly but also with a bit of caution, as if this was really just a chance encounter: "I thought the air would be good on a spring night, so I took Ajing out for a walk to loosen up his muscles."
"I never expected to meet His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine here. It's really Ajing's blessing!"
Everyone's eyes involuntarily fell on the Third Prince, who rarely appeared in public.
The same is true for Shen Zhinian.
She hadn't seen the child for a long time, and she looked at him with a natural look.
When he saw this, he was stunned.
Not only Shen Zhinian, but the palace maids around him had also heard the rumor that the third prince looked different from ordinary people.
At this moment, they all held their breath and watched cautiously.
The third prince was over two years old and was being led by Concubine Dun, but he still walked unsteadily and with unsteady steps.
Compared with other children of the same age, his head is smaller and rounder, and his facial features are even more eye-catching.
The eyes are significantly wide apart, the palpebral fissures are narrow, the tails of the eyes are slightly tilted upwards, and there are obvious epicanthus.
His nose is low and flat, and his ears are smaller than those of ordinary people.
His hard palate seemed narrow, causing his lips to often remain half-open unconsciously, his tongue sticking out of his mouth from time to time, with clearly visible saliva hanging from the corners of his lips... Concubine Dun had to wipe it with a handkerchief from time to time.
The neck also appears shorter and thicker.
This appearance was very different from that of an ordinary child, and many palace servants who saw the Third Prince for the first time were startled. They hurriedly lowered their heads and dared not look at him any longer, let alone show any abnormality.
Shen Zhinian's vague guess in his mind finally came true.
This child is definitely not ordinary.
Her eyes subconsciously looked at Nangong Xuanyu.
The emperor's expression was calm, but there was no intimacy or teasing in his eyes as he looked at the Third Prince. There was even a hint of... understanding.
Shen Zhinian was almost certain that he had already known what was going on with the Third Prince.
Given Nangong Xuanyu's meticulousness, the Imperial Hospital must have reported the Third Prince's abnormality, but he never said it out loud.
Shen Zhinian collected his thoughts, his face still gentle and decent. He leaned forward slightly and slowed his voice as he said to the Third Prince, "It's been a while since we last met. Ah Jing seems to have grown taller."