CHAPTER 526: CHAPTER 515: AMASSING FORTUNE AT BIRTH

The infant’s cries were loud and piercing, one shriek surpassing the next. Shen Hua had exhausted all of her strength, completely fatigued. Too drained to even take one look, she fell asleep.

Cui Yun held the girl’s hand firmly, not letting go even for a moment. After entering the room, he remained silent, his thin lips tightly closed.

No one knew that when Shen Hua saw him come in, her eyes brimming with tears, she pouted at him. Trembling, she called out a single word.

"Pain."

He had already been in utter chaos, but upon hearing her, he sweated even more with anxiety.

The midwives exchanged glances before cleaning the child and then they approached with smiles.

"Congratulations to the Prince, it is a little princess."

Cui Yun gently wiped the blood from Shen Hua’s fingertips—a result of her accidentally scratching him when her pain was at its peak.

His gaze never left the weakened Shen Hua, and only upon hearing the news did he show a different reaction.

He looked over.

Rong was premature, a tiny bundle at birth, her entire body red and purple. Everyone said she wouldn’t survive.

This was the first time Cui Yun had seen a full-term newborn so delicate and fair. The baby’s hair was black and thick, her facial features surprisingly well-defined.

But her temper wasn’t quite up to par. She cried spasmodically, as if she knew she had been forgotten by her father.

She cried without tears, just wailing dryly.

He felt an unusual emotion, as if his heartstrings were being stirred by the touch of a feather.

Cui Yun kissed Shen Hua, his voice husky, he said, "Rewards."

The midwife and medical woman were overjoyed, handing the child over to Yicui, and hurried out to pay their respects to the nobles.

Those waiting outside the room breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the words "mother and daughter are both safe."

Ji Huo had arrived early, eagerly waiting, turning to speak to Xie Xun, who was nearby.

"Although I am still a bachelor, Shen Hua is one of our Four People Gang. Her daughter is my daughter too!"

Xie Xun didn’t respond, instead directing his eyes to Ying Yi: "Remember, report back to Cui Yun word for word later."

Ji Huo: ...

The birthing room had been specially arranged beforehand, filled with a strong scent of blood, an unpleasant smell. Yet, the older generation insisted that it shouldn’t be aired out.

Cui Yun knew Shen Hua loved cleanliness; he personally wiped her down again. Without anyone else’s help, he brought a clean cloak, wrapped her up tightly to ensure she would not catch a cold, then gently carried her, moving slowly to avoid any jostling.

The crowd gathered around but did not block the way.

Inside the room, it was clean and refreshing. Calming incense burned in the censer.

Yicui held the little princess, who was also wrapped up and fed milk.

But she was too noisy, crying incessantly.

Cui Yun settled Shen Hua.

He took the daughter over. He held her expertly, placing her next to Shen Hua. Perhaps sensing a familiar scent, the child sniffled, smacked her lips a few times, and finally quieted down.

Cui Yun watched silently for quite some time.

There was also a smile in his eyes.

It was after Shen Hua woke up, a soft and tiny hand grasped her fingertip. Something came to her mind, her eyes bright as she looked over and asked about the sex.

Cui Yun replied with a word and blew on the steaming hot porridge to feed her.

Shen Hua was also hungry, opening her mouth to bite the spoon.

"What is her name?"

Cui Yun fed her a few more spoonfuls before he spoke softly, "Qinghe."

Shen Hua repeated it several times.

Qinghe, Qinghe, Shao Qinghe.

————

Ji Teng had just dismissed a few old officials. He came in a hurry from the Imperial Palace, so much so that he hadn’t even changed out of his Dragon Robe.

He had not seen what Cui Yun looked like at birth, but he remembered clearly that his mother had been despondent. She did not know of Cui Yun’s existence before taking her own life.

At that time, he was utterly disheartened. Only upon being informed of Cui Yun’s existence did he realize that he still had close kin in this world.

That night, his mother came to him in a dream.

"Teng, your uncle is profound and sagacious, good at planning and decisive, and your aunt is literate and reasoned, elegant as jade in autumn frost. The Cui family as whole is of noble character, the Cui Family’s Matriarch Xuan Shuyu had been seen by Mother, and she is indeed graceful and proper. It’s a good place; your cousin will surely be an outstanding young man in the future.

——"It’s just that, Teng, you can’t acknowledge him. For his sake and for the Cui family, you absolutely can’t acknowledge him. Pretend that child was gone along with the Prince Huai’an Mansion all those years ago.

He has always strictly adhered to his mother’s instructions.

Even when he saw Cui Yun, he only ever watched from a distance, never approaching or conversing.

At that time, Cui Bai brought Cui Yun over, and the young man respectfully imitated Cui Bai’s gesture to greet him. He just nodded his head, coldly treating him as a stranger.

When he was leaving, he heard Cui Yun say,

——"Among all the princes, the Third Prince is the strangest in temperament."

Cui Bai, feeling helpless at the time, warned in a low voice, "Do not be disrespectful."

——"Alright, alright, I’ll listen to brother."

With his back to them at the time, he slowed his pace even more, unable to help but curve his lips into a smile.

Later, after his mother passed away, his circumstances became difficult. When he was sent away as a hostage, he couldn’t resist seeking him out.

Hoping he could see him off on his final journey.

At that time, Cui Yun’s eyes were filled with confusion. Of course, they did not know each other, so his request was indeed impolite.

But that day, he came.

Sitting in the carriage like a caged bird, he carefully lifted a corner of the curtain, sneakily and greedily watching the young man outside.

At that time, Cui Yun had not experienced the slightest hardship or pain.

The youth of Wuling, white steeds and silver saddles breezing through the spring; the Cui family’s Second Young Master was dressed in fine clothes on a spirited horse, glorious and unbounded.

He was cherished by everyone.

That was enough.

At the time, Ji Teng’s heart was brimming with emotion.

In the future, with mountains high and rivers wide, all he wished was for him to take good care of himself.

This is a regret.

And also a blessing.

At that time, he had nothing left and even harbored thoughts of death.

But the Old Marquis told him, he must live, and live honorably and openly.

He brought the golden lock that dared not see the light of day, telling him that he should return.

That golden lock, he had one too. They were a pair.

Now, seeing the sweetly sleeping baby niece in the cradle, his heart completely softened.

Ji Teng walked over.

Wei Yingying: "This little girl is quite the sprite. When she’s awake, she cries whoever holds her. Just recently, I stuffed a gold bracelet into her hand, heh! Coincidentally, she stopped crying then."

"Just born, and she already knows how to amass wealth."

Wei Yingying: "At that time, Xie Xun just laughed and said, ’Yangyang has given birth to a mini Yangyang’."

"Look at all the things on her, gifts from people just so they could hold her."

Of course, she didn’t forget to rib people.

"Except for Ji Huo."

Ji Teng raised an eyebrow: "He didn’t give anything?"

"How could he not? Everything of value he had, he gave. And yet, that girl didn’t give him an inch of face."

In the end, Ji Huo left cursing and swearing, of course, that was after he left the Sui Courtyard.

Because, Cui Yun said very coolly,

——"Please, Princely Heir, refrain from using foul language in front of her."

Ji Teng couldn’t help but laugh.

And just at that moment,

she woke up, her round eyes blinking as if they could talk. She kicked her legs a few times and started to wave her hands. The blanket began to slide down.

As Ji Teng was about to cover her up, his gaze suddenly fixed.

The golden lock made by his uncle, Cui Yun had never worn it for a day. After winding turns and twists, it now hung around his daughter’s neck.

In front of the cradle, the regal presence suddenly welled up with tears.