AWB Chapter 488: Double Happiness
Chapter 488: Double Happiness
Chapter 488 Adding joy to joy
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, Li Shi and Li Ying ushered in their full moon banquet. On this day, the entire Guangping Palace was decorated with lights and colorful decorations, and the guests were overflowing with joy. It was a lively and bustling day!
Over the past month, Dugu Jingyao had strictly followed the doctor's advice and carefully taken care of her body. Her efforts paid off, and she had almost recovered. So, at the first light of dawn, she rose early and began to dress herself carefully. As for Li Chu, he was always an early riser, and today was even more so.
However, since Dugu Jingyao was still carefully dressing at the dressing table, it would probably take some time to finish. Li Chu, unable to contain his joy and eagerness, could not wait for his beloved wife to go with him, so he went ahead and headed towards the two little ones' room.
When Li Chu entered the room, he was greeted by the adorable Li Shi and Li Ying. They were no longer the wrinkled, immature babies they had been when they were first born. After their wet nurses' meticulous care, they had grown plump and adorable.
Li Ying, in particular, looked more and more like Li Chu, with her large, watery eyes like the bright stars in the night sky and her small, delicate mouth as tempting as a cherry. Li Shi, on the other hand, inherited more of Dugu Jingyao's features; his eyebrows, eyes, and nose were exactly the same as hers.
At this moment, the two little ones were lying in their cradles, their wet nurses and maids busying around, dressing them in bright red clothes. This bright red color made the children look even more festive, like two little suns shining with happiness.
I remember that before the two little guys were born, Li Chu was jealous of them! Unexpectedly, just one month after they were born, Li Chu seemed to have completely forgotten about it.
The corners of his mouth curled up unconsciously the moment he entered the room, and he slowly approached the cradle. Li Shi and Li Ying also seemed to sense Li Chu's arrival. The previously quiet little ones suddenly started dancing, as if saying, "Father is here! I'm so happy!" "Father, look at me! Am I not adorable?"
This look made everyone present burst into laughter, and Li Chu also laughed out loud. He first picked up Li Ying and teased her for a while.
Li Shi in the cradle couldn't stand it anymore and started crying "wa, wa".
Li Chu smiled, looked at Li Shi in the cradle and said, "Good boy Shi, your father will treat you equally." After that, he handed Li Ying to the wet nurse and picked up Li Shi. Only then did Li Shi stop crying.
Li Chu shook his head helplessly and said, "You are the older brother. You must not be jealous of your sister all the time. You must be more considerate of her." Of course, he would not get a response. After all, children at this age just eat and sleep. How could they understand these things?
After a while, Dugu Jingyao also arrived late. She saw Li Chu holding Li Shi and was about to hold Li Ying, but Li Shi seemed to know Dugu Jingyao's arrival and was kicking Li Chu with his feet to express his protest.
Dugu Jingyao had no choice but to hug Li Shi, while Li Chu hugged Li Ying.
Soon, someone came up and said, "Your Highness, Princess, guests have arrived one after another."
It was still early, so the two of them went to greet the guests first, and then they would carry the baby out later when most people had arrived, so as to save the children from getting too warm.
The two of them tidied up their clothes and went to the front yard to welcome the guests.
Just then, as he was walking on the road, he met people from the Yunnan Palace who came to visit Dugu Jingyao, Li Shi and Li Ying.
Seeing Dugu Xin walking briskly, Dugu Jingyao quickly called out to them, "Daddy, brother, sister-in-law, Yue'er!"
Dugu Xin looked over when he heard the sound and saw Li Chu and Dugu Jingyao walking towards them. After the two teams met up, Dugu Xin first looked them up and down. Seeing that Dugu Jingyao had lost some weight, but not too much, and that her face was rosy and filled with a happy smile, he felt relieved.
He said, "It seems Yao'er is doing very well during the confinement period."
Dugu Jingyao nodded and said, "Of course. With Lin Zhi's medical advice and the tonic medicine, I'm sure I'll be fine."
Dugu Xin nodded and said, "That's good! By the way, where are my grandson and granddaughter?"
Li Chu replied, "They are in Wangyue Pavilion. It's a bit hot outside, and I'm afraid the children will get a heat stroke, so I'll wait until most of the guests are here before bringing them out."
Dugu Xin agreed deeply and said, "Then let's go in and see Shi'er and Ying'er first."
Dugu Jingyao said: "Yes, but brother, sister-in-law, Yue'er, you have to help us welcome the guests later!"
Dugu Moyan nodded slightly and said, "Don't worry, we'll go see my nephew and niece and they'll come out soon." Then the two groups went in two different directions.
At the beginning, there were some familiar ones, such as Mrs. Guo, Guo Fengmin, Mrs. Shen, and Mrs. Li.
When they saw Dugu Jingyao, they all felt that she seemed to have become more gentle. Dugu Jingyao felt a little embarrassed by what she said. She said, "Maybe it's because I gave birth to a child. I have more of a mother's feeling and seem gentler."
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Dugu Jingyao smiled and arranged for them to sit down, then went to entertain other guests. After a while, Dugu Xin and his friends came out from the backyard and helped Li Chu and Dugu Jingyao greet the guests.
Seeing that the room was packed with guests, Dugu Jingyao asked Shi Jian and Si Jian to go and bring Li Shi and Li Ying out. The two naturally followed the order and went. When they were about to pick up the children, Li Dan and Li Ruo arrived.
When everyone saw Li Neng and Li Ruo arriving, they all stood up and saluted, except Dugu Xin, Li Chu and Dugu Jingyao. After all, according to their status and age, they should all accept the greetings of Li Neng and Li Ruo.
Li Dan and Li Ruo approached and saluted Dugu Xin and the other two before Li Chu called the others to their feet. After this series of salutations, Shi Jian and Si Jian came out, followed by their wet nurse, holding Li Shi and Li Ying in their arms.
Li Shi and Li Ying were handed over to Li Chu and Dugu Jingyao under everyone's expectant gaze.
With the arrival of the protagonists, the full-moon banquet naturally began. Li Shi and Li Ying were placed in cradles covered with soft brocade quilts. The children were delicate and delicate, their bright eyes opening as they looked around curiously.
At this time, Dugu Xin took the lead and stepped forward, holding a golden locket that symbolized good luck, and gently hung it around the baby's neck, reciting beautiful blessings and praying that the child would live a long, prosperous and healthy life.
Afterward, the "baby-washing" ceremony took place. A maid brought a silver basin filled with warm water, in which brightly colored flower petals floated. Li Chu and Dugu Jingyao gently wiped the baby's face and hands with specially made towels dipped in the water, symbolizing the cleansing of worldly worries and the beginning of a pure life.
After these ceremonies were over, the full moon banquet began, but at this moment, someone else came outside the door.
The person who came was none other than Li Fuguo, who was beside Emperor Suzong. When Li Chu and Dugu Jingyao saw Li Fuguo coming, they knew why.
So they handed the child to the wet nurse and went forward to meet Li Fuguo.
Li Chu smiled and asked, "Why did Eunuch Li come here in person? What instructions does the emperor have?"
Li Fuguo also said with a smile on his face: "Well, look at what you said, I came here to add to the joy of our palace!" As he said that, Li Fuguo took out a bright yellow imperial edict, and everyone knelt down when they saw it.
Li Fuguo cleared his throat and said, "The Emperor, in compliance with the Will of Heaven, proclaims: I, having received the Mandate of Heaven, reign over the world. Now that the country is newly established and the four seas are gradually at peace, I shall reward those who have made contributions and commend their talents.
The Emperor's eldest son, Li Chu, possesses both talent and virtue. Since my accession to the throne, he has assisted me extensively both within and outside the court, achieving remarkable feats. He cares deeply for the common good and strives to bring peace to the people. He is a leader of the Imperial Family and a pillar of state. I hereby confer the title of King of Chu upon Li Chu, bestowing upon him a golden seal and purple ribbon. I pray that he will continue to be diligent and assist me in achieving prosperity.
Dugu Jingyao, born into a prominent family, was gentle and virtuous, yet possessed a dashing and heroic presence. Ever since her marriage to Li Chu, she had a deep and loving relationship with him. She provided valuable advice and suggestions on many of Li Chu's affairs. She was then enthroned as the Princess of Chu, assisting him in all matters of the royal court and sharing the same honors as the King of Chu.
Li Shi is Li Chu's eldest son, exceptionally intelligent. As the Crown Prince of Chu, he will one day inherit the throne and continue the glory. I hope he will study diligently, cultivate his character, and live up to my expectations.
Li Ying, a noblewoman of the imperial family, intelligent and beautiful, has been granted the title of Princess Yong'an and granted a mansion and farmland as a token of the imperial favor. It is hoped that the princess will be cautious in her words and actions, observe proper etiquette, and bring honor to the imperial family.
My mind is made up. I hope you will obey my command and do not betray my grace. I decree this!"
After the imperial edict was read, everyone knelt down to express their gratitude. After Li Chu received the edict, he stood up and invited Li Fuguo to stay and drink a glass of wedding wine.
Li Fuguo waved his hand and said, "I am here to convey the emperor's wishes, so I won't drink. The emperor cannot do without me."
Dugu Jingyao said, "Then Your Highness and I will see Eunuch Li off."
Li Fuguo suddenly thought of something and said, "Look at my memory. Come here." As he said that, he waved to the people behind him, and another eunuch took out two brocade boxes.
Li Fuguo opened it and said, "Your Majesty and the Queen also asked me to bring you two pairs of gold bracelets for the Crown Prince and the Princess."
Dugu Jingyao asked Shi Jian to accept the brocade box and said, "Please help us take our thanks, eunuch." After that, Shi Jian took the brocade box and stuffed a purse into Li Fuguo's hand.
Li Fuguo wanted to refuse, but Li Chu said, "Eunuch, please share in the good fortune."
Upon hearing this, Li Fuguo no longer refused and accepted it with peace of mind. Li Chu and Dugu Jingyao sent him to the door, watched Li Fuguo and others leave, and then returned to the lively banquet room.
Everyone toasted Li Chu and Dugu Jingyao, and most of them were congratulating them on their double happiness and so on.
Seeing that the two children were so sleepy that their eyelids were fighting each other, Dugu Jingyao asked the wet nurse to take the children back first.
The full moon banquet lasted until the evening, and Li Chu was undoubtedly forced to drink a lot of wine. Although he tried to drink as little as possible, and Dugu Moyan and Dugu Jingyao also helped him drink some, there were too many people! Even Dugu Jingyao and Dugu Moyan were a little drunk.
Dugu Xin and Dugu Moyan were both helped onto the carriage. As for Li Chu, Dugu Jingyao had originally wanted to send him directly back to Chenxiang Pavilion, but the drunk Li Chu insisted on going to Wangyue Pavilion with Dugu Jingyao, and even acted like a spoiled child when she refused to let him go!
Dugu Jingyao really couldn't handle it, and she was also a little dizzy from drinking, so she had no choice but to let Li Chu go with her.
When they arrived at the inner room, everything was fine at first. Li Chu cooperated and drank the sobering soup, and Dugu Jingyao also drank a bowl herself.
Dugu Jingyao carefully removed her delicate makeup and slowly walked to the bed, about to lie down and rest for a while. However, at this moment, Li Chu, who had been lying quietly beside her, suddenly became agitated, mumbling about feeling hot and unbearable, and his hands involuntarily tugged at his clothes.
Seeing this, Dugu Jingyao hurriedly stood up and wanted to help, after all, she had already taken off Li Chu's outer clothes. But who knew that this help would make the situation more complicated, because if she continued to take off his clothes, Li Chu would be naked.
Dugu Jingyao hurriedly reached out to try to stop Li Chu from moving further, but unexpectedly, as they moved back and forth, their bodies inadvertently came into more contact and entanglement. In the end, Li Chu rolled over and pressed Dugu Jingyao heavily under him.
Dugu Jingyao was startled, instinctively trying to push Li Chu away. However, as Li Chu's hot, rapid breath, faintly scented with alcohol, brushed against her face like a spring breeze, she felt a wave of dizziness, her body gradually weakening, as if all her strength had instantly vanished. Her initial firm resistance had unconsciously transformed into subtle tenderness, gradually plunging her into an indescribable trance.
Perhaps it was the alcohol, or perhaps it was the long-suppressed emotions deep within that finally found an outlet, but their lips clung together like magnets. At first, it was just a gentle touch, but then it grew more intense like a raging fire, and they embraced each other passionately.
Although Li Chu had already drunk a lot of wine and his consciousness was a little hazy, at the critical moment, his subconscious seemed to still maintain a trace of clarity. Perhaps it was out of deep pity and love for Dugu Jingyao, and he was afraid that his impulsiveness would bring her any harm.
So, just as the two were about to cross the last line of defense, Li Chu suddenly let go of Dugu Jingyao in his arms, panting and saying, "Ayao, no, you just came out of confinement, your body has not fully recovered yet..."
But Dugu Jingyao thought, you've already brought the fire here, how can you put it out just like that? Li Chu was just about to lie down and calm down when Dugu Jingyao put her arms around his neck and whispered in his ear, "Lin Zhi said that I'm in good health. If it happens once or twice, it's okay."
After hearing what Dugu Jingyao said, and considering that Dugu Jingyao was only wearing a thin layer of gauze and had such a seductive posture, Li Chu could no longer control himself and kissed her.
But then he thought, that’s not right, the two of them...will they disturb the children.
Dugu Jingyao was defeated by him and wanted to give up. Who knew that Li Chu overturned himself and said: "No, they are still young and don't understand. Besides, children sleep soundly. It's okay."
After saying that, before Dugu Jingyao could refute, he started a new round of offensive. Soon Dugu Jingyao fell and tried her best to cooperate with Li Chu.
Li Chu was okay, after all, he had been plotted against by Li Wanqing in the middle, and later he went to Zheng Wan's place once, but Dugu Jingyao might not have done it for a long time, it was like a long drought finally ending in rain, and she felt very refreshed.
In the end, the two of them fell into a deep sleep, not knowing whether they were tired or drunk.