Chapter 256: Somewhat Related to the Chen Family
Mei Wanying’s pregnancy stretched Pei Yan’s nerves to their absolute limit.
He was so afraid she’d trip or bump into something that he carried her out of the clinic, refusing to let her feet touch the ground for even a single step.
Then he decided the carriage ride would be too bumpy and worried it would make her nauseous with morning sickness, so he even considered carrying her all the way back to the mansion.
Mei Wanying was thin-skinned. As much as Pei Yan wanted to carry her, she was too embarrassed to be paraded through the streets in his arms.
There was no way she would let him act so foolishly. She insisted on taking the carriage with Ling.
She even told him that if he didn’t want to get in, he could walk back on his own.
"I’ll count to three. If you’re not on this carriage by then, we’re leaving without you."
Ling, eager to join the fun, immediately started counting, "One!"
"Two!"
She rattled them off without a pause, counting so fast it was as if a dog were nipping at her heels.
Defeated, Pei Yan could only slink onto the carriage.
But he didn’t relax. Throughout the entire journey, he held onto Mei Wanying’s shoulders, bracing her against any unexpected jolts.
Influenced by Pei Yan, Ling was also very worried about Mei Wanying.
She nestled in Mei Wanying’s embrace, promising to protect Mommy and the little baby.
Aside from the nausea, Mei Wanying felt fine. Being so doted on by the father-daughter pair made her heart melt.
Hugging Ling, she returned to the General Mansion amidst all the nervous fussing.
Mei Wanying had just breathed a sigh of relief when Pei Yan swept her up into his arms and carried her to a soft couch.
Pei Yan said, "The doctor said you need to rest more. You’ve been on your feet too much today. It’s time to take a break."
Ling nodded in agreement.
She toddled over happily, bringing Little Mei Hua to Mei Wanying and placing it in her arms. "Let it keep Mommy company."
This was Ling’s most prized possession, something she couldn’t bear to part with even when she slept.
Allowing Mei Wanying to hold it was proof enough of just how important Mei Wanying was to the little girl.
Not wanting to spoil their fun, Mei Wanying said, "I’ll listen to you both today."
Pei Yan asked, "And tomorrow you won’t?"
Mei Wanying was left speechless.
She retorted, "Being pregnant doesn’t mean I have to be completely immobile. Who has more experience with this, you or me?"
During her first pregnancy, Pei Yan hadn’t been by Mei Wanying’s side. By the time he reached Jiangnan, their child was already a month old.
He truly had no experience caring for a pregnant woman or a newborn.
He said sheepishly, "I can learn."
Just then, the Imperial Physician arrived, and Pei Yan had him take Mei Wanying’s pulse again.
The diagnosis was the same.
Mei Wanying was two months pregnant. It was still early in the pregnancy, so she needed plenty of rest.
Having been away from the Capital City for the past two years with few worries, her health was excellent. She wouldn’t need any special medicine to ensure a stable pregnancy.
This put Pei Yan’s mind at ease considerably.
He instructed the Imperial Physician to compile a list of prenatal precautions into a booklet for him to personally review.
Everyone in the imperial court, from the highest officials to the lowest clerks, knew how much Pei Yan doted on Mei Wanying.
For her sake, the position of empress remained vacant and the Harem empty.
Ever since he ascended the throne, court officials had advised him to fill his Harem.
Pei Yan had withstood the pressure, even using heavy-handed tactics to intimidate them, ensuring no one dared to raise the subject again lightly.
Now that Mei Wanying was pregnant again, the Imperial Physician thought, ’Those court officials who want to use the need for an heir as a pretext to send their own daughters into the palace are going to find it harder than ever!’
The Imperial Physician reiterated the most important points on the spot.
Then he added, "I will write the booklet tonight and deliver it to Your Majesty tomorrow morning."
Pei Yan wanted to see it as soon as possible, but he was also worried that if rushed, the notes wouldn’t be comprehensive enough.
He grunted in acknowledgment. "Then write a more comprehensive version. I’ll give you one month."
The Imperial Physician thought to himself, ’Is the Emperor planning to study medicine?’
’To read it all so carefully!’
’Aren’t there enough people in the entire Imperial Hospital for His Majesty to command?’
He didn’t dare voice these thoughts.
It only confirmed it again: the Mei Family’s Girl was truly the apple of the Emperor’s eye.
She was even more favored than anyone could have imagined!
’He just didn’t understand why Miss Mei hadn’t entered the palace.’
But that wasn’t for him to be curious about. The Imperial Physician bowed respectfully. "As Your Majesty commands."
Pei Yan then ordered two female doctors to be transferred from the Imperial Hospital to attend to Mei Wanying personally.
Mei Wanying thought he was overreacting. It wasn’t as if the General Mansion lacked doctors, but Pei Yan couldn’t be reassured.
A pregnant woman is very delicate. With female doctors by her side, no matter the time or place, they would be there to solve any problem the moment she felt unwell.
Only then could he be at ease.
His gaze was threatening. "Either let the female doctors follow you, or... you’re not allowed to go anywhere. You’ll have to stay by my side from morning till night."
Mei Wanying: "..."
’Their relationship was great right now, but there was no need to be stuck together all day long...’
When it came to certain things, Pei Yan was as stubborn as a mule.
Mei Wanying couldn’t persuade him, so she simply let him have his way.
After the Imperial Physician left, Pei Yan ordered someone to prepare food for Mei Wanying and Ling.
He was so busy he was running off his feet—busier than when he was handling state affairs in the Imperial Study Room!
By the time the sun began to set, Pei Yan’s flurry of activity finally subsided.
But the moment he rested, something else occurred to him.
He was afraid that if he were to die young, Mei Wanying and their children would be bullied.
Pei Yan resolved to accelerate his plans and put starting Ling’s formal education on the agenda.
After getting Mei Wanying settled, he solemnly informed Ling of his decision.
Ling was still just a child and didn’t quite understand what her father meant.
She blinked her big, round eyes, her face a mask of confusion.
Pei Yan explained to her, "Daddy is going to have someone come to the mansion to teach you how to read, write, and become wise."
He had expected to have to coax her for a while before Ling would agree to start her studies.
After all, she was still so young, at an age where she loved to play and cause a ruckus; she might not be able to settle down enough to study.
To his surprise, the little girl was thrilled.
"I want to learn how to write! Then I can write letters to Grandma, Daddy, and Mommy!"
She couldn’t read or write, so she always needed her mommy’s help.
’Mommy has a little baby in her tummy now and needs to rest. I can’t trouble her anymore.’
’It’s best if I learn myself. Then I can write to whomever I want, whenever I want!’
She had just one request. "Daddy and Mommy have to be home with me."
Pei Yan replied, "Daddy and Mommy have their own work to do. You study hard, and we will be the ones to shelter you from the storm."
Ling asked, "Are you going to earn silver?"
"You could put it that way."
Back in their old home, her mommy had often gone out, so Ling was used to it.
She just needed to confirm one thing. "Will you come home at night?"
"Yes!"
Relieved, Ling nodded. "Then I won’t cry."
As long as her daddy and mommy would come home, she wouldn’t cry or throw a tantrum if they had to go out for a little while.
The little girl looked so obedient that Pei Yan’s heart both melted and ached for her.
If she had been born into a merely wealthy family, Ling wouldn’t have to start studying so early, nor would she have so many burdens.
But she was born into the Royal Family, and her life was destined to be one without idle comforts.
Since his daughter wasn’t opposed, Pei Yan made the decision on the spot. "Clear out the adjacent courtyard and set up a spacious, bright study! Pick the very best brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones from the storeroom! Tomorrow, I will have a tutor come to the mansion to teach Ling to read!"
According to Mei Wanying’s original plan, she had intended to wait until they returned to Jiangnan before hiring a tutor to begin Ling’s education.
But plans rarely survive contact with reality.
She had to focus on her pregnancy, and after giving birth, she would have to observe the postpartum confinement period. They would have to remain in the Capital City for at least a year.
Mei Wanying understood Pei Yan’s reasoning and knew that Ling’s education was too important to be delayed.
Having a tutor come to the General Mansion to teach Ling, where she could keep a constant eye on her daughter’s progress, was the best possible arrangement.
Mei Wanying asked Pei Yan, "This tutor you’ve arranged, what’s their background?"
Pei Yan, holding Ling, sat on the edge of Mei Wanying’s couch. "He has some connection to the Chen Family."
"Hm?"
Mei Wanying frowned. "Don’t tell me it’s Chen Shujing."
That man hurt Ah Yao. Even if he were a genius of unparalleled talent, she would have nothing to do with Chen Shujing.
To do so would be to betray Ah Yao!