Chapter 333: Zhi Wan Is Going Into Labor
Chapter 333: Chapter 333: Zhi Wan Is Going Into Labor
After the spring examinations the following year, Shen Longjin, Lu Jun, and Chen Junyu all passed as expected, taking the top three spots. Following the final palace examination, the Emperor bestowed upon them the title of Advanced Scholar. Chen Junyu was named the Champion Scholar, Lu Jun took Second Place, and Shen Longjin became the third place.
Princess Chang Le fulfilled her promise, marrying Shen Longjin in May of that year.
On the day of the grand wedding, Zhi Wan and Ouyang Zhenzhu hadn’t originally planned on going. The two of them had already celebrated with Princess Chang Le in advance.
After all, one of them was about to give birth while the other was five months pregnant, so it wasn’t easy for them to get around. Plus, they were mindful of the superstition that pregnant women shouldn’t attend wedding banquets.
But Princess Chang Le wasn’t concerned with such superstitions. On her wedding day, she had Yuanbao personally escort the two of them to the Princess Mansion to celebrate at the feast.
After arriving at the Princess Mansion, the pair didn’t join the crowded feast in the front courtyard. Instead, they followed Yuanbao directly to the Princess’s bridal chamber.
Princess Chang Le had already arranged for a private banquet to be set up in the bridal chamber.
The moment they arrived, she ushered them to their seats.
"Go on and eat. I had this spread saved specially for you."
"Princess, you’re too kind," Ouyang Zhenzhu said, looking touched. She then plopped into a seat and began to eat without holding back.
Princess Chang Le scoffed. "You think this is for you? It’s for the babies in your bellies." Despite her words, she thoughtfully took Zhi Wan’s arm and helped her sit down.
"Then on behalf of the babies in our bellies, thank you, Auntie Princess," Zhi Wan said with a smile.
"Hmph. A simple ’thank you’ is hardly sincere enough. Both of your children will have to call me their godmother," Princess Chang Le declared.
"As long as the Princess doesn’t mind," Zhi Wan said.
"Princess, you look absolutely beautiful today," Ouyang Zhenzhu praised between bites, reaching out to touch Princess Chang Le’s wedding gown.
Princess Chang Le slapped her greasy hand away, looking disgusted. "You say I’m beautiful, but your eyes are glued to my gown. So, which is it? Am I beautiful, or is my gown?"
Zhi Wan couldn’t help but chuckle. "The bride is always the most beautiful person on her wedding day," she said.
"See? Zhi Wan knows what to say." Princess Chang Le shot Ouyang Zhenzhu a look, then placed her hand on Zhi Wan’s belly. "Will the baby be here next month?"
"Not necessarily. It might come early," Zhi Wan said cautiously.
"Ooh, I think he just moved!" Princess Chang Le exclaimed, her face alight with wonder.
"What’s the big deal? The one in my belly has been moving all the time lately," Ouyang Zhenzhu said dismissively. Then, with a sly grin, she added, "This time next year, maybe you’ll be the one giving birth, Princess. You’d better make the Prince Consort work hard tonight, eh?"
Both Princess Chang Le and Zhi Wan blushed upon hearing that.
Seeing their reactions, Ouyang Zhenzhu teased, "I can excuse the Princess, since she hasn’t even spent her wedding night yet. But Wanwan, you and Mr. Lu have been married for almost a year. How are you still so shy?"
Zhi Wan was speechless.
The Princess laughed and retorted, "You think everyone’s as thick-skinned as you? I heard that on your wedding night with Duan Ling, the two of you were screaming and fighting so much that you kicked him right off the bed. When he went to court the next day, he had two black eyes. Everyone had a good laugh at his expense."
"W-who told you that?" Ouyang Zhenzhu stammered.
"The two of you made such a racket on your wedding night that everyone in the Huainan Prince Mansion heard. There’s always bound to be a loose tongue or two," Princess Chang Le said with a meaningful smile.
Ouyang Zhenzhu’s face finally turned red. "When I get back," she said, fuming, "I’m going to find that long-tongued gossip and give them a beating! No, I’ll just sell them off!"
"Getting this angry... does that mean it’s true?" Princess Chang Le asked, a sly smile on her face.
Ouyang Zhenzhu was speechless.
Zhi Wan laughed. "My cousin mentioned it as well. He said Zhenzhu is so formidable that she has Junior Minister Duan completely tamed. Nowadays, if Junior Minister Duan even sees a Brothel, he makes sure to take a different route."
Princess Chang Le gave Ouyang Zhenzhu a thumbs-up. "You’re incredible!"
Ouyang Zhenzhu cleared her throat. "Well, isn’t it my duty to keep him in line? Besides, my brother is still single. Seeing that both Mr. Lu and Duan Ling are married has made him incredibly jealous, and he’s always trying to drag them to the brothels. If I don’t keep a tight leash on him, Duan Ling would definitely go with my brother. He’s not as principled as Mr. Lu. Wanwan doesn’t even have to say a word; Mr. Lu is always home right on time after work."
Zhi Wan was very pleased with her cousin in this regard.
Her cousin had always been a man of principle, and that hadn’t changed after their marriage. He absolutely refused to attend any unnecessary social functions.
And even when he had to, he would never choose a venue in the pleasure quarters.
"And yet, there are rumors that Mr. Lu is henpecked," Princess Chang Le said, giving Zhi Wan a meaningful look. "Wanwan, have you been using some secret tricks to keep Mr. Lu in line?"
Zhi Wan was speechless.
At this, Ouyang Zhenzhu immediately grabbed Zhi Wan’s arm. "Wanwan, what’s your secret? Quick, teach me! I may have Duan Ling under control, but now I have a reputation for being a shrew and a tigress! Meanwhile, even though Mr. Lu is said to be henpecked, your reputation is completely untarnished. In fact, you’re praised for being a virtuous wife and a good mother who manages her household well."
Zhi Wan was speechless.
"Come on, tell us," Ouyang Zhenzhu pressed.
Princess Chang Le also watched Zhi Wan with curiosity.
Zhi Wan frowned. "’Henpecked’ isn’t exactly a good reputation for him to have. And even though they’re talking about my cousin, aren’t they really just saying I’m too fierce? Not that I care. My cousin and I are the ones living our life together. Why should I care what anyone else thinks?"
"Well said," Princess Chang Le agreed. "It’s just like me. I’ve never had a good reputation, but so what? It’s water off a duck’s back."
"Exactly. It’s not like it affects your place in the Prince Consort’s heart. He likes you just the way you are," Zhi Wan added with a laugh.
Hearing this, Princess Chang Le feigned annoyance and began to tickle her. "Are you making fun of me on purpose?"
"I wouldn’t dare," Zhi Wan said, laughing as she dodged the Princess’s hands.
Mindful of Zhi Wan’s pregnancy, the Princess didn’t dare to play too rough. She tickled her once and then stopped.
But unexpectedly, Zhi Wan’s smile froze. She clutched her stomach and went still.
"What’s wrong?" Ouyang Zhenzhu asked with concern.
Princess Chang Le was startled too. "Don’t tell me my tickling... did it trigger the labor?"
"No..." Zhi Wan shook her head, her voice strained with pain. "The baby... is coming on its own."
"What?" The other two cried out in shock. "But it’s not your due date yet, is it?"
"It must be early," Zhi Wan said, her face pale with pain. "You... you have to get my cousin..."
Her words snapped them back to reality. "Guards!" the Princess yelled. "Quickly, go fetch Mr. Lu! His wife is going into labor!"
Just then, Shen Longjin was returning to the bridal chamber after toasting the guests. Lu Zhan and Duan Ling had come along with him, planning to escort their wives home.
They had just reached the door when they heard the Princess’s shout.
Lu Zhan’s heart clenched, and he burst into the bridal chamber.
There, he saw Zhi Wan sitting in a chair, her face contorted in pain.
Seeing her cousin arrive, Zhi Wan clutched her stomach. "Cousin, it hurts so much... I think I’m going into labor..."
Lu Zhan’s handsome face paled, but he forced himself to remain calm. He leaned down to kiss her forehead, murmuring, "Don’t be afraid. I’ll take you home right now." With that, he swept her into his arms and strode quickly out of the bridal chamber.
Duan Ling helped Ouyang Zhenzhu to her feet, and they hurried after them.
Princess Chang Le started to follow, but Shen Longjin caught her hand. "Don’t worry, Princess. Madam Lu will be fine."
Only then did Princess Chang Le stop and turn to look at her Prince Consort.
Dressed in his crimson wedding robes, Shen Longjin looked exceptionally handsome, his features as refined as carved jade.
"Prince Consort..." Princess Chang Le unconsciously took a step closer.
Shen Longjin looked down at her, his eyes glittering. "Princess, it is time for us to retire." With that, he swept her up into his arms.