Rebirth of His Royal Highness Prince Chenghu

Two days later, the empress's second son underwent a crucial moment in his life: his third-day bath. The Grand Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager, and the Emperor gathered, along with concubines and members of the imperial family. As the ceremony began, the atmosphere was both solemn and enthusiastic.

Princess Yu looked at the newborn baby with a smile in her eyes and said with emotion: "Grandfather, this Third Prince is just like the eldest prince when he was a child, both are chubby and look so cute."

The Grand Empress Dowager responded with great joy: "The Queen has raised these two children so well, she truly deserves praise."

Kangxi continued, "Grandson thanks the Empress on behalf of the Empress."

The midwife then placed a basin filled with a traditional Chinese medicinal bath solution containing mugwort leaves, locust branches, and other herbs on the kang (kang) and gently lifted the child. Relatives, following the order of seniority, added a ladleful of water to the basin. Some also added coins, longans, and red dates, symbols of good luck and abundance. Although it was May, the water had grown cold from sitting so long. When the water was poured over the child, it cried loudly from the chill. Thus, the third-day bathing ceremony was successfully completed.

The midwife blessed with joy, "The little prince will surely be smart and have a life of happiness, wealth, longevity, and peace."

Kangxi happily said, "Reward." After the third-day bathing ceremony, Kangxi helped the Empress Dowager out of Kunning Palace. The guests who came to participate in the third-day bathing ceremony also left one after another until everyone had left.

Qingyao looked at her sleeping son tenderly and said softly, "Your brother's name is Tuantuan, so you can be called Yuanyuan."

Kangxi walked into the inner hall with a smile: "Qingqing, are you sure you don't want to change your son's nickname?"

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you." Qingyao wanted to get off the bed and salute.

Kangxi said in a friendly manner: "There is no need to be polite when there is no one around. We are a family." He pushed her to sit down and then sat on the edge of the bed.

Qingyao: "Husband, you see Yuanyuan seems to be fatter than Tuantuan when he was a child."

Kangxi pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement: "She has indeed gained a lot of weight. It seems that I must give Yuanyuan a name that means something auspicious and beautiful."

Qingyao responded gratefully, "On behalf of Yuanyuan, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to His Majesty."

Kangxi smiled and teased, "You are now a mother of three children, but your ability to act like a spoiled child has not diminished at all. It really makes me miss the time when we had our wedding."

Qingyao responded shyly: "Isn't this good? Acting like a spoiled child is also a sign of happiness."

Kangxi said casually: "Okay, by the way, my dear, the Tong family intends to send their legitimate daughter to the palace."

Qingyao showed a bit of surprise and asked, "Is she your cousin, Your Majesty?"

Kangxi nodded slightly and said thoughtfully, "That's right. I didn't intend to let her enter the palace, but my uncle and others insisted on letting my cousin enter the palace."

Qingyao asked with concern: "Your Majesty, you can decide these matters yourself, why do you have to tell me?"

Kangxi smiled and replied, "My dear, you are the Empress, my wife, so naturally I must inform you. But not now. I intend to have her enter the palace the year after next. After all, she has only just reached the age of marriage this year."

Qingyao looked at him seriously: "Your Majesty, have you thought about what I told you before?"

Kangxi touched his nose awkwardly and said, "My dear, what did you say to me before? I've been busy with government affairs lately and I don't remember it."

Qingyao reminded her, "I told you about the grand conferring of titles on the harem years ago. Concubine Nara and Concubine Majia have both given birth to children. She can't just be a concubine, she must be a concubine at the very least. If she wants to move up, she can wait until the children are older and then be conferred the title of consort."

Kangxi readily agreed: "My dear, it's up to you to decide."

Qingyao said to him seriously, "Xuanye! If you don't take what I say to you seriously, I will complain to the Empress Dowager. Ask her to issue an imperial decree."

Kangxi comforted her: "My dear, don't be angry. As for the title, it's all up to you. I'll have someone draft the decree tomorrow. We can discuss the title ceremony next year."

Qingyao nodded with satisfaction: "I just want you to promote the sisters in the harem. You don't need to worry about it."

Kangxi narrowed his eyes, glanced at her, nodded slightly, and said in a solemn tone, "You are absolutely right."

Qingyao smiled sweetly and said, "Your Majesty, I want to discuss something with you."

Kangxi gently raised his hand, signaling Qingyao to speak. Qingyao bit her lip, a hint of cuteness in her voice: "Husband, please take Tuantuan away and raise him."

Kangxi was stunned, staring at her with a sharp gaze: "Qingqing, what did you say?"

Qingyao pouted and whispered, "I'm saying, I'll give Tuantuan to you, my husband, to raise."

Kangxi uttered an "oh," his gaze still fixed on her. "Why did you suddenly ask me to take care of you instead of Tuantuan?"

Qingyao answered confidently, "It's only temporary."

Kangxi finally couldn't help laughing and gently stroked her cheek with his fingertips: "You, you really make me helpless."