In September, the Capital was no longer as scorching hot as during the height of sumr. Early in the morning, before the mist had dispersed, the Emperor’s procession grandly erged onto the Imperial Street.
Inside the dragon carriage, Nangong Yi glanced at Cai Wei’s swollen belly, his face still dark with displeasure. Seeing Cai Wei’s cheerful and smiling deanor, he said coldly, "You truly don’t let people stop worrying. You’re about to give birth! Can’t you just stay peacefully in the Palace? Instead, you insist on coming out and making fret. I must be insane—completely irrational—to have agreed to bring you here! Why is it that as soon as you beg , I end up agreeing to anything you ask?"
Cai Wei rely laughed softly and curled her finger toward Nangong Yi, saying, "Today is my maternal grandfather’s birthday. For us to co personally shows how much we value him. Besides, I also get the chance to see my father and those two younger brothers. I haven’t seen them for days, and I miss them dearly. If I wait until after giving birth and completing my postpartum confinent, it’ll be over a month before I can see them, and just the thought of it drives crazy. So I figured it’d be better to take this opportunity to visit. Rest assured, the Imperial Physician and the accompanying ladies examined just yesterday—the children haven’t moved downward yet; they’re still obediently staying put. I still have at least ten more days before giving birth. Traveling from the Palace to here takes only the ti it takes for one incense stick to burn, along smooth official roads. What could possibly happen? I’ve been cooped up inside the Palace lately, truly miserable. It’s rare for the weather today to be so pleasant, and it happens to coincide with my grandfather’s birthday. Let’s just treat this as a chance for to get so fresh air and relax a little."
Cai Wei was already over eight months pregnant and could go into labor at any mont. Though she seed in good condition, the ti for her delivery was imminent. Preparations within the Palace were already made: the stable won assisting in childbirth, female doctors, attendants for postpartum care, breastfeeding won, and the nanny for the little prince—all were in place, awaiting the mont her stomach would act.
Today was Duke Li Guo’s birthday. Nangong Yi had initially planned to co alone. Yet, due to the intense heat of the prior months, Cai Wei hadn’t set foot outside the Palace for several months, frequently complaining about feeling stifled. Now that the weather was neither hot nor cold, and it coincided with the Duke’s birthday, Cai Wei insisted on accompanying him. Nangong Yi couldn’t fathom what madness had overco him at the ti, as if his brain had been entranced by her, inexplicably agreeing to her request. Halfway through their journey, he started regretting his decision, initially planning to turn back imdiately. But when Cai Wei displayed an imploring expression, Nangong Yi couldn’t bring himself to refuse. Though his heart was filled with reluctance, he still brought her along.
The Duke Li Guo Mansion was in an excellent location, very close to the Palace. Exiting the Palace, it took only the ti for one incense stick to burn to arrive at its grand entrance.
Nangong Yi and Cai Wei had co relatively early, yet the Court Ministers had arrived even earlier. Though it was just daybreak, the front gates of the Duke Li Guo Mansion were already bustling with carriages and throngs of guests.
Eunuchs had long since delivered the news of the Emperor and Empress’s arrival to the Duke’s Mansion. Duke Li Guo, along with the Court Ministers, had been awaiting them at the entrance. Before Nangong Yi’s dragon carriage had even steadied, the Duke led the Mansion’s younger generation and the gathered officials, all of whom knelt in unison to welco the royal pair.
Seated inside the dragon carriage, Cai Wei inadvertently glimpsed Mo Zili amongst the crowd outside the window. She couldn’t help but feel intensely curious. Wasn’t he in Qing Luo Kingdom? How did he end up back here?
Having been enclosed inside the Palace for so long, Cai Wei had grown remarkably bored, and this monotony had made her more nosy than usual. She genuinely wanted to know Mo Zili’s thoughts—had he finally given up on Xiang Yun? Would he acquiesce to marrying Zhao Yue? These matters had nothing to do with her personally, but her curiosity burned intensely; she wanted to know!
Nangong Yi ordered everyone to rise. Helping Cai Wei down from the dragon carriage, he watched as the accompanying ladies approached to assist her, carrying her to the backyard on a sedan chair.
In the backyard, the Old Mada stood alongside the female mbers of the Duke Li Guo Mansion and the noblewon invited for the celebration. They greeted Cai Wei with great ceremony. Being in front of so many people, Cai Wei had no choice but to gracefully accept their bows, despite her inclination to refuse.
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