The Enchanting Imperial Concubine (Book 2)

Chapter 326 - Reestablishing Affection

Ning Chen looked at the small child in his lap, and the father and son locked eyes—both pairs of eyes were pure and bright, exactly alike.

In that instant, Ning Chen burst out laughing and lifted the Fourth Prince into his arms.

"Great! Ming Shunyi has taught well. The Fourth Prince doesn't care for worldly possessions, only cherishes blood ties and familial affection. He will surely grow up to be a kind-hearted, generous, and filial child!"

Just a moment ago, Ye Yun hadn't reacted yet, but with Ning Chen speaking up now, she quickly smiled and chimed in.

"Ancient wisdom says that a father is kind and a son is filial. The Emperor is a loving father who cares deeply for his offspring, and children, being innocent and pure, can feel the sincerity of others. This kind of affection is a family legacy, reflecting the Emperor's own emphasis on familial bonds."

Regardless of what everyone present was thinking, with the Emperor's decree, the Fourth Prince's actions during the naming ceremony could only be seen as a manifestation of his innate filial piety and emphasis on emotional ties.

As the banquet concluded, everyone returned to their quarters, each lost in their own thoughts.

At this moment, the Fourth Prince had fallen asleep, blissfully cradled in his mother's arms.

Looking at her son, Ye Yun felt speechless. Despite all the precautions she and Ning Chen took, they had not anticipated that their son would be so ambitious, grabbing onto his father's thigh during the naming ceremony.

"Your mother rose to power by clinging to golden thighs; what about you? Do you want to cling as well?"

She reached out and pinched the Fourth Prince's small face, saying softly, "You little rascal, because of your antics today, I wonder how many people will lie awake tonight."

People were still quite superstitious about the naming ceremony.

"Shunyi, let the wet nurse hold him; the Fourth Prince is getting heavy now," Nan Zhi suggested as she approached.

Ye Yun nodded, allowing the wet nurse to take the child away.

Fortunately, the first birthday banquet wasn't a dinner party, and the afternoon meal passed quickly.

As they were walking back, they encountered Princess Jiahe and Princess Jiarou.

After exchanging greetings, they made some small talk. The two sisters were on their way to pay respects to their biological mother, Tai De Fei, and married princesses seldom had the opportunity to return to the palace.

Princess Ning Lin, spoke softly, "Shunyi, do you have time this afternoon? I'd like to visit you for a while."

"Princess, please come; I will prepare some tea and snacks for you when you arrive," Ye Yun replied with a light smile.

Princess Jiahe remained silent, neither inviting herself nor forbidding her sister from going.

Since she didn't speak, Ye Yun chose not to extend an invitation.

After all, the two sisters came from different families.

Currently, Princess Jiahe's husband was a high-ranking minister in the court, while Princess Jiarou's husband, from the Feng family, was somewhat more laid-back and less politically involved.

Having given birth to a son and currently in a position of prominence, Ye Yun needed to avoid suspicion, lest others accuse her of colluding with court officials.

Upon returning to Zhaochun Pavilion, just as they settled down, someone came to deliver a message that the Emperor would be visiting in the evening.

"Understood. Thank you for your trouble," Ye Yun smiled.