The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1690 - 1684: The Consequence of Overly Meticulous Care?
When news had spread throughout the Capital City, the Emperor, after court, especially came to Changchun Palace.
First, he went to see the Ninth Prince, who was now six or seven months old. As the saying goes, "three flips, six sits, seven rolls, eight crawls."
The Ninth Prince could now sit steadily with his back leaning against something, and could roll about.
In recent days, the Palace Attendant looking after the Ninth Prince also found that the Ninth Prince already had the desire to crawl, lying on the bed, his little feet kicking, and his little hands reaching forward earnestly.
At this age, the child is particularly adorable and fun.
With the hot weather, Changchun Palace naturally had to use ice, but because the Ninth Prince was still young, and the Empress was a woman, only a few ice basins were placed.
They were just placed in the corners, with a small Palace Attendant holding a fan, leisurely fanning to spread the cool air indoors.
In the middle of the side hall, the floor was covered with a layer of mat, and on the mat was an ivory mat, surrounded by several Palace Attendants attentively watching over.
Being indoors, the Ninth Prince only wore a thin single garment, with bare little feet, rolling and playing on the mat.
Scattered on the mat were various toys, including rattles, nine-linked rings, and various wooden carved small animal toys.
Fearing that the Ninth Prince would put them into his mouth upon picking them up, these small animal toys were only lightly painted with bright colors on the eyes or tails, the rest being in their natural wooden texture.
The edges were polished very smooth; the Ninth Prince would roll for a while, gnaw his little feet until his face was covered with saliva, lose interest, and then extend his little hands toward the toys, testing them first with his little front teeth showing.
When the Emperor came in, he saw his little son holding a wooden duck, gnawing for a long time, seemingly finding it tasteless compared to his feet, he again wanted to gnaw his feet.
The nursemaid and small Palace Attendant nearby were accustomed to this, initially trying to stop him, thinking it was improper.
However, before entering the palace, the Empress had helped take care of her younger siblings, plus Wang Yongzhu had also shared with her some child-rearing experiences, knowing it was a child’s nature. As long as his hands and feet were clean, occasionally allowing this was no harm.
Moreover, this appeared even more cute and playful.
So, as long as the Ninth Prince Ji Dan didn’t have the habit of having to gnaw his fingers or toes before sleeping, they let him be.
Though the Emperor came to Changchun Palace daily, most of the time the Ninth Prince was asleep or nursing, occasionally being held for a play, but had never seen him like this.
For a moment, the Emperor was stunned, his first thought was, is my son hungry?
Second thought: These feet look quite tasty?
But he soon regained his senses, scooped up his son, liberated his little feet, tapped his forehead, and turned to ask the nursemaid and Palace Attendants: "How are you taking care of the Ninth Prince? Such negligence? How can you just watch him gnaw his toes? Do you not want to live anymore?"
At the Emperor’s entrance, the nursemaid and small Palace Attendants had already knelt to the ground, now hearing the Emperor’s questioning, they were frightened, their souls flying away.
But the Empress heard the commotion and came out to greet the Emperor, defusing the situation: "Your Majesty has misunderstood! I instructed them not to interfere! Lady Dingguo once talked about child-rearing, saying that to raise a child strong and healthy, he must be exposed to the earth."
"I thought this made sense, rural children grow up rolling in the dirt, becoming robust and hardy. Yet, I see city children, the more delicately raised, the more liable to ailments. I have only Little Nine, as a mother, I seek not much else but his health."
"Therefore, following Lady Dingguo’s advice, not being too meticulous, Little Nine’s physique is truly good. He’s seven months now without a sneeze or cough, proving Lady Dingguo’s words have merit!"
Speaking as she guided the Emperor to the flower hall, signaling the nursemaid and Palace Attendants to leave.
It was the first time the Emperor heard such a theory, but thinking along the Empress’s words, indeed, rural children seem to fend for themselves well.
Yet, children in wealthy families, though carefully nurtured, many pass prematurely.
Lowering his head to his Little Nine in his arms, glowing with health, adorable in every way, with lively little limbs, especially now, seeing him smile revealing little teeth, eagerly kicking in the Emperor’s arms, the force made the Emperor twitch a smile.
This little guy kicks really hard!
Reflecting, although Little Nine’s birth was difficult and dangerous, once born, he seemed blessed with good fortune, growing without ailments, always energetic or fast asleep, evidently healthy.
Thinking of his other sons, not mentioning the deceased, even those nearing adulthood suffered illnesses often needing the Imperial Physician.
On their reporting, the Imperial Physician had assured of health at birth, why then sickness ensued subsequently?
True, this could have ties to their mothers seeking favor, was it also due to overly meticulous care?
These thoughts only fleetingly crossed the Emperor’s mind, his visit intended to discuss Wang Yongzhu’s letter follow-up with the Empress.
He was pondering how to broach the subject regarding Hongxiu Tianxiang.
But now the Empress brought it up herself, saving him the trouble to find an excuse.
Thus, smiling, he followed into the flower hall; since childbirth, the Empress preferred not to use incense indoors.
Especially now with the heat, ceasing entirely.
Just arranging assorted fruits for natural sweetness.
Not decors of exotic blooms, but pots of cool mint, and a jasmine plant showing white blooms.
The window shutters covered with Heavenly Water Azure screen, delicate and fine, imparting extra coolness to the inside.
With corner ice basins, stepping in dispelled the summer heat at once.
Hong Fei and Lv Cui themselves brought tea and snacks.
The Emperor drinks hot tea year-round, the Empress chooses chilled sour plum soup.
As the Ninth Prince smelled the aroma, he couldn’t help but leap to the Empress’s embrace.
The Empress dared not let him drink it, fearing it would sour his little teeth, picking a snack for him to chew on.
Having sipped some tea, the Emperor broke into a sweat in the coolness inside, suddenly sneezing.
The Empress, alarmed, stood up quickly: "I am to blame! Your Majesty came from the hot outdoors, this place with ice is too sudden a change. I’ll set things right. How about Your Majesty freshens up, change attire? Dine here with me tonight?"
