CHAPTER 480: CHAPTER 480: THE ONLY ENDING

She truly dreams day and night of ascending the throne to become an empress herself!

Thinking about it, a hint of mockery appeared at the corner of her mouth.

Yet she never considers what kind of fate befell Great Yu. No matter how meticulous and cautious she is, it’s all in vain.

For from the moment her intentions became impure, she was destined for only one outcome.

And that is to die to atone for her sins.

However, he could never tell Lin Wanyi these things.

So as to not let her live in fear.

Thus, the Emperor concealed it all.

Three days later, the Empress Dowager and her entourage set out to the traveling palace to escape the summer heat.

Accompanying her was Princess Hui Xian.

Meanwhile, Lin Wanyi stayed in the palace with the children.

It must be said that Lin Wanyi originally could leave her confinement period by the end of May.

But considering there was a potentially erratic Princess Hui Xian at the traveling palace.

So after discussing with the Emperor, Lin Wanyi decided to stay in the palace until after the Hundred Day Celebration of the Sixth Prince.

Publicly, it was naturally announced that Lin Wanyi’s vitality had been damaged by the pregnancy.

That she needed to recuperate properly, and moving was inadvisable.

However, the rumors that had settled started to surface again.

Basically, it was suggested that since the Imperial Concubine’s health was impaired, the Emperor should conduct a grand selection of concubines to enrich the harem.

To ensure the Royal Family’s prosperity for millennia.

Unfortunately, for those ministers who suggested such actions, troubles constantly arose at home after they spoke.

Nobody knew why, but issues that were deeply hidden at home could become the talk of Shengjing City overnight.

Causing quite a few ministers to feel too embarrassed to leave their homes.

Afraid of being pointed at.

Behind all this, naturally, lay the handiwork of the Emperor.

Didn’t they enjoy meddling in his family affairs?

So let them taste what it felt like to have their domestic matters interfered with!

Lin Wanyi was unaware of happenings outside.

Under the Emperor’s deliberate arrangements, she continued living a simple life of childcare.

Since the birth of the Sixth Prince, the other children had been disciplined quite a bit by the Second Prince.

Especially the Second Princess and the Fifth Prince, who usually loved to make noise.

Now, they no longer enjoyed playing around but liked to go to the Sixth Prince to "compete for favor."

They didn’t see an additional child as one who divided their parents’ love.

Instead, they were filled with curiosity towards this newly-arrived younger brother.

Even though they just saw him in the morning, they missed him now.

So, after waking from their nap, they rushed to the Sixth Prince’s sleeping quarters.

After the Second Prince moved out, his former room was vacated.

The Sixth Prince smoothly moved in.

Initially, the children ran freely, but as they approached the Sixth Prince’s sleeping quarters, their footsteps grew quieter.

The Second Princess quietly peeked in and saw Nanny Zhuang changing the Sixth Prince’s clothes.

The summer heat was intense, and they feared he might break out in a heat rash from lying down.

Thus, Nanny Zhuang would wipe him down daily or give him a simple bath.

They chose lunchtime, also out of concern he might catch a chill on his back or belly.

Hearing a sound behind them, the maidservants turned and saw the Second Princess’s little head.

Smiling, they spoke.

"Second Princess, you’ve come again?"

The Second Princess grinned and walked in upon hearing this.

"Nanny, I want to see my brother."

Now almost three years old, she naturally spoke more fluently.

Sometimes she even translated for the other children.

After all, with all their gestures and single words, adults might not understand.

But she, on the other hand, seemed to have a particular knack for it.

As she came in, she brought the others with her.

The Sixth Prince seemed to sense his siblings’ arrival.

He started waving his chubby little fists.

Though he couldn’t make any sounds yet, his occasional grins made it clear.

He was happy.

Once Nanny Zhuang finished dressing him, she held his neck to lift him from the bed.

He was only two months old and not yet able to be held upright.

So he obediently lay in Nanny Zhuang’s arms.

But his chubby legs kicked and kicked, making him quite amusing.

"Brother, brother..."

All of a sudden, all four surrounded him.

Now, to them, building blocks were no fun, and sculpting dough was tedious.

Even the butterfly-catching tools Qiu Ming prepared in the garden lost their appeal.

They only enjoyed playing with their plump baby brother, the Sixth Prince.

Nanny Zhuang saw them and was also filled with smiles.

Some were bright, some were adorable.

Who wouldn’t be happy seeing these children?

So she said:

"Go and bring some fruit and snacks for the Prince and Princesses."

"Yes."

Since they visited every day to "report,"

Nanny Zhuang specially prepared things for them to eat and drink.

This additional incentive made the children love visiting their brother even more.

The Second Princess took the cloth from the palace maid’s hand and cleaned her hands.

Only then did she reach out to hold the Sixth Prince’s chubby hand.

He gripped her hand tightly in return, and the Second Princess delighted in the joy of her brother liking her.

The Fifth Prince, imitating her, did the same.

But perhaps because of the saying "opposites attract,"

the Sixth Prince would always grab the Second Princess’s hand but not the Fifth Prince’s.

Every time this happened, the Fifth Prince would put on a "I’m so disappointed, come and comfort me" expression.

At first, Nanny Zhuang would explain and console him.

Later, realizing the Fifth Prince had a mischievous nature, she knew he was just "fooling" people.

So she and the Second Princess pretended not to see him.

Seeing no one paying attention, the Fifth Prince would pout and still gleefully crowd closer.

This always made Nanny Zhuang laugh heartily.

Nanny Zhuang had lived in the countryside for many years, so she knew many traditional children’s games.

Each time they came, she’d have a surprise for them.

Sometimes it was a grasshopper made of straw.

Sometimes colorful string games.

All very amusing.

Lin Wanyi walked down the corridor and, upon entering the premises, heard the commotion.

The laugh was obviously that of the Fifth Prince.

His voice was unmatched in its vigor.

At such a young age, his laughter and cries could travel through walls.

Lin Wanyi thought, as he grows, it might be good to find him a martial arts teacher or something.

Perhaps his "inner strength" would deepen.

Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but chuckle.

Her pace quickened.

The children were having fun but then heard a familiar voice behind them.

Turning around, they saw their most beloved mother.

Immediately, they all flocked to her.

The Sixth Prince, poor thing, watched his siblings who liked to be around him suddenly run away.

His lips quivered, as if ready to cry out loud.

Nanny Zhuang quickly carried him over too.