Chương 768: The Aftermath of Birth

Seeing him like this, Xu Jingxian couldn't help but laugh and gently tugged at his sleeve:

"Husband, don't hold him like that, you'll get tired. Put him down and let him rest. You should sit down too, you've been standing for ages."

"Not tired! Not tired at all!" Liu Chen shook his head vigorously, holding the child tightly and refusing to let go.

"My son, how could I get tired holding him? Let me hold him a little longer, just a little longer."

He looked like a child who had just received a precious treasure.

Just then, footsteps came from outside, and Liu Ce and Cai Yan walked in.

Liu Chen quickly and carefully put the child back in the swaddling clothes, stood up straight, and still had a silly grin on his face, like he was showing off a treasure:

"Father, Mother, look, your eldest grandson! He's so strong, and he's crying so loudly!"

Cai Yan didn't check on the child first. She quickly walked to the bedside, sat down, and held the Crown Princess's hand, her tone full of tenderness, as if she were loving her own daughter:

"Jingxian, my good child, you've suffered. How are you feeling? Is anything bothering you?"

"Tell Mother what you'd like to eat. The Imperial Kitchen has prepared ginseng soup, which will be delivered shortly. You must take good care of yourself during your postpartum period; you can't afford to develop any health problems."

Xu Jingxian shook her head slightly, her voice soft, weak yet reassuring:

"Mother, I'm fine. I'm sorry to have worried you and Father."

"Silly child, what are you talking about worrying about?" Cai Yan tucked the blanket around her and said gently.

"Don't think about anything right now, just lie down and rest. You can't afford to develop any health problems during your postpartum period. Let Chen'er do anything you need."

If he dares to slack off, you should tell the Empress Dowager, and she will punish him.

"Your subject wouldn't dare!" Liu Chen quickly replied, making everyone in the room laugh.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Cai Yan turned to look at the swaddled baby beside her.

The doctor quickly picked up the child and handed him to Empress Cai Yan.

Cai Yan caught the child with practiced ease, supporting his head with one hand and cradling his body with the other, gently swaying him as she looked down at the little one, her eyes softening.

"Oh my, she looks exactly like Chen'er when she was little. Look at that little nose, that little mouth, they're practically cut from the same mold."

When Chen'er was first born, he was also just like this, all red and wrinkled, yet his cries were louder than anyone else's, echoing throughout the entire Prince Yan's residence.

As she spoke, she looked up at Liu Ce and smiled, "Husband, come and see your eldest grandson."

Liu Ce walked over with his hands behind his back, pretending to be calm, but his eyes were already glued to the child, unable to look away.

Cai Yan smiled and handed the child to him, saying, "Husband, please hold him."

Liu Ce hesitated for a moment before carefully taking it, his movements a little stiff.

He usually commands armies and commands the country with great confidence and skill. But now, holding a baby, he is tense all over, afraid to bend his arms, and his posture is a bit awkward.

She was afraid that if she used too much force, she would hurt the child.

He looked down and saw the little guy smacking his lips and frowning, as if he were dreaming or looking for food.

A soft, warm little ball with a milky aroma.

"Hmm... not bad." Liu Ce cleared his throat, giving a serious evaluation, forcing himself to remain calm.

"His cry was loud and strong, he looked like a lucky person. As for his looks... he had the same style I had back then."

He will surely be a wise and enlightened ruler in the future.

The room was filled with laughter again, and a warm and joyful atmosphere permeated the entire bedroom.

Liu Chen secretly pursed his lips: Dad really knows how to brag. How can you tell anything about a child this young?

Of course, he only dared to say these words in his heart, not out loud.

The Emperor and Empress sat for a while longer, giving a series of instructions, and then, not wanting to disturb the Crown Princess's rest, they got up and returned to the palace.

Before leaving, Liu Ce patted the Crown Prince on the shoulder, his smile showing a hint of relief, and his tone softened considerably:

"Take good care of your wife and child. Now that you're a father, you should be more mature and responsible."

"I'll think about the name later and bestow it at the full moon celebration. The rewards will be sent over shortly; everyone in the Eastern Palace will receive a reward."

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Liu Chen nodded vigorously, his face full of undisguised pride.

After the emperor and empress left, Liu Chen moved a stool and sat by the bed, looking at his wife and son from time to time, unable to get enough of looking at them.

After resting for a while, Xu Jingxian felt a bit better and said with a smile, "Husband, you've been looking at things for so long, aren't you tired?"

"Not tired." Liu Chen shook his head, reaching out to gently touch his son's soft, cotton-candy-like cheek.

"I've always heard people say that things change once you become a father, and today I truly understand."

From now on, I will not only be a good prince, but also a good husband and a good father. I will protect you and your child, and protect this world.

May you live a peaceful and happy life.

Xu Jingxian looked at him with tenderness in her eyes, softly hummed in agreement, and her eyes were a little moist.

Sunlight streamed through the window, falling on the baby's swaddling clothes and casting a warm golden hue.

The little one was sleeping soundly, his little chest rising and falling peacefully and sweetly.

The news of the birth of the eldest grandson of the emperor spread like wildfire from the Eastern Palace.

In the inner palace, the concubines prepared gifts, waiting for the Crown Princess to visit them after her confinement period.

Upon hearing the news, the ministers of the previous dynasty began writing congratulatory memorials that very day, and even the Ministry of Revenue began preparing for the expenses of the full moon banquet in advance.

When the news reached outside the palace, the entire capital city of Luoyang was filled with joy.

At the roadside general store, longevity locks and small silver bracelets were selling like hotcakes, and the shopkeeper couldn't stop smiling.

Even the sugar figurine vendors made extra sugar figurines shaped like "Little Prince," and they were all snapped up as soon as they were put out.

The common people chatted amongst themselves, saying, "The Crown Prince is wise, the Crown Princess is kind, and now with the addition of the eldest grandson, the Han Dynasty is truly becoming more and more prosperous!"

The lights in the East Palace shone from day to night.

Liu Chen stood by the bedside, looking at his sleeping wife and children, his heart softening completely.

He gently took the Crown Princess's hand and lowered his head to place a tender kiss on her forehead.

The moonlight shines brightly outside the window, and the room is warm and cozy.

The vast land of the Han Dynasty is passed down through generations in this way, generation after generation, endlessly.

Their story is still very, very long.

......