94. Hui Siyuan Was Born-The Top Scholar's Princess(Victory)

Eight months later, at Gentle Heart Pavilion in Prince Jun’s residence.

Gentle Heart Pavilion was where Sirou had once lived in Prince Jun’s mansion. Seeing that Lady Hui was now in no condition at all to look after Sirou through childbirth, the Dowager Princess decided to have Sirou deliver her baby at Prince Jun’s residence instead, where there would be people to care for her.

Early that morning, Sirou had already begun to feel uneasy in her belly. Before long, the pain grew worse and worse. Everyone in Prince Jun’s residence was waiting for new life to arrive.

Hui Qinghui, fresh from closing a major deal, hurried over at once. At the entrance to Gentle Heart Pavilion, he caught Zhao Chengxian and asked, “Is Sirou all right?”

In those days, men were not allowed into the birthing chamber; it was considered inauspicious.

Over these past months, the Hui Escort Agency’s business had soared. Hui Qinghui had taken some measures: he let Qishang continue as chief escort, in charge of running escorts, guarding shipments, and finding lost consignments, while he himself handled client relations, training new recruits, and the assorted daily trifles. By dividing the work in this way, they achieved excellent results. With the business thriving, he also had time to care for his mother and his wife, who was about to give birth.

He often thought, Yue'er, if only you could see all this. How I wish I could hear your opinion, sister!

It was a pity Lady Hui’s illness could not be cured. She was better some days and worse on others. At times she could still recognize Hui Qinghui, Sirou, and Ju'er; at other times, she recognized no one at all. If only her illness could improve.

Zhao Chengxian was worried about his younger sister as well, but he was still comparatively calm. He patted Hui Qinghui on the shoulder and said, “It’s all right. Mother is inside. Nothing will happen.”

Though several months had passed, Zhao Chengxian still could not forget every smile and glance of Yue'er. More than once, he felt that she was right beside him, sometimes in dreams, sometimes after he had been drinking. Whether it was illusion or reality, he could not tell. Yet he felt that Yue'er had never gone far from him at all, but remained within reach of his hand.

By now, the three secondary consorts in Prince Jun’s residence had become little more than ornaments. It was difficult even to meet Zhao Chengxian once.

Back then, the Dowager Princess had used threats, inducements, and every other method she could think of, trying to make Zhao Chengxian give her a grandson. But none of it worked. He simply refused to yield, and she had no way to force him. In the end, she could only wait a few more years and see.

Everyone waited anxiously at the entrance to Gentle Heart Pavilion. A whole day passed, and only that night did they finally hear the cry of a baby.

The doors of Gentle Heart Pavilion slowly opened. Hui Qinghui rushed in at once and saw that both Sirou and the child were safe and sound. At last, the weight on his heart lifted. He gathered his son into his arms and came to Sirou’s bedside. Leaning close to her ear, he whispered, “Thank you, my wife. You’ve suffered.”

He pressed a tender kiss to Sirou’s forehead. From this day on, he would cherish her even more.

Jade Consort stepped forward at once to offer congratulations. “Congratulations, congratulations. Lord Consort Hui, you have been blessed with a son. What joyous news!”

Over these past months, Jade Consort had grown much thinner and haggard. Every night she was plagued by nightmares, while also worrying whether anyone would discover the things she had done.

Xiang Consort, who had never been good with words, also came over with a smile. “Congratulations, County Princess Sirou. Congratulations, Lord Consort Hui.”

She cared nothing for the affairs of Prince Jun’s residence. Becoming one of Zhao Chengxian’s secondary consorts had never been her wish in the first place; her family had forced her into it. So if Zhao Chengxian truly disliked her, that suited her just fine. There was someone else she could not forget as well.

Qin Consort also joined the commotion and said, “Yes, congratulations. May the young master have a brilliant future ahead of him!”

This girl was rather jealous by nature and somewhat given to unrealistic ambitions, but whatever she did or said, she was always direct.

Faced with one round of congratulations after another, Hui Qinghui merely replied with courtesy, “Thank you.”

Then the Dowager Princess led the others away, so Sirou could rest properly. Hui Qinghui remained at Sirou’s side to keep her company.

That night, at the Quiet Study in Prince Jun’s residence.

Zhao Chengxian glanced at the infant once, then came out again.

Before this, Hui Qinghui and Sirou had already agreed: if it was a girl, she would be named Hui Siyue; if it was a boy, Hui Siyuan. Since it was a boy, he walked into the Quiet Study and gently stroked Yue'er’s portrait, saying, “Little Crescent, our nephew Hui Siyuan has been born. You must be very happy, aren’t you? How wonderful it would be if you could hold him.”

Softly, he recited the poem written on the painting:

I keep your moonlit tenderness in my heart,
So many knots, all tied for you.
In dreams, in thought, my soul still lingers, thinking of you.
The wind blows, the raindrops scatter—who knows if the past may turn to dust?
I remember you forever; how could I ever part?
I wonder whether we can ever return to the beginning.

Could it be that there was truly no way back?

Zhao Chengxian lifted his head and gazed at the night sky beyond the window. Long, endless longing spread through the darkness above.

Ying Ying: Did Yue'er truly go to heaven? Who will become the Princess of the Top Scholar? Please continue with the next volume!