Chapter 247: Chapter 247 Belated Gift
Mrs. Wang’s words surprised everyone present.
Mr. Lin’s expression naturally revealed joy, but the others’ faces were not so pleasant.
For example, the Second Madam and Lin Guangzhi.
As for Prime Minister Lin and Princess Rongkang, there was no significant reaction.
Then Princess Rongkang asked the nanny beside her to speak.
"Go and call the house doctor to check on Aunt Guo."
"Yes."
Aunt Guo had confirmed her pregnancy long ago, and chose to reveal it now only to give herself and her child more protection.
Otherwise, in the back courtyard, there are many ways to let her lose the child without anyone knowing.
Especially since for this pregnancy, she had sought out a master to predict that it was definitely a male fetus.
Thus, she needed to be extra cautious.
On the festive occasion, the house doctor rushed over.
Thinking it was something serious, he was called over by Mr. Lin as soon as he entered the door.
"Quick! Check Aunt Guo properly, why did she suddenly faint?"
Faint?
Even the house doctor found it strange; this aunt has always been healthy, how could she suddenly faint?
So he immediately checked her pulse.
Everyone held their breath waiting for the doctor’s answer, and soon the doctor smiled.
"Congratulations Prime Minister, congratulations Commandery Princess, congratulations Mr. Lin, Aunt Guo is over four months pregnant."
"What, really?"
Both Mr. Lin and Aunt Guo looked incredulous.
The former truly did not expect it, while the latter was feigning surprise.
Upon hearing that she was more than four months pregnant, Mrs. Wang ground her teeth in anger.
For so many years, there had been no news of her pregnancy again, assuming she perhaps couldn’t anymore.
Who knew such a surprise would happen now, it’s infuriating.
Mr. Lin was definitely unaware.
Otherwise, with his affection for Aunt Guo, he wouldn’t have kept it a secret for so long.
But whether Aunt Guo truly didn’t know is uncertain.
She never held a good impression of Aunt Guo, so it was natural to assume the worst.
Prime Minister Lin glanced at Princess Rongkang upon hearing the news.
Seeing her also shocked, he coughed twice and said.
"Since she’s pregnant, don’t stand around, sit down and eat together, nourish yourselves well. Safe childbirth is the most important."
"Thank you, father."
"Thank you, Prime Minister, for your care."
Mr. Lin then helped Aunt Guo to sit beside him, with an extremely careful demeanor that displeased Second Madam Wang.
But what could displeasure change?
With both parents-in-law present, showing excessive jealousy would be providing them with gossip.
So she silently held her peace.
On the other hand, Lin Guangzhi contemptuously glared at Aunt Guo.
Including a poor attitude toward his half-sister nearby.
Lin Jingshu was caught between everyone, unsure whether to be happy or not.
However, Aunt Guo sensed her daughter’s unease and reached under the table to hold her hand as a comforting gesture.
In others’ eyes, perhaps sons are more important than daughters.
But she was different; to her, her daughter and unborn son were both precious.
Worth protecting with her life.
Feeling her mother’s affection, Lin Jingshu’s anxious mood gradually calmed.
She then gave a faint smile.
Thus the family resumed eating, although some enjoyed it dearly, others tasted bitterness.
Compared to the facade of happiness in the Prime Minister’s Mansion, harmony prevailed in Wen’s former residence.
When Dong Yuzhong reported in, Lin Wanyi laughed aloud.
"Your Majesty, are you sure doing this won’t be discovered by others?"
The Emperor glanced at her and then added.
"What is there to fear? Dong Yuzhong has arranged a scene, the noble concubine, humiliated, has already returned to Yihua Palace, embarrassed and covering her face with a handkerchief, and rushed back using her sedan chair."
Lin Wanyi looked at Dong Yuzhong in surprise, to which he smiled and replied.
"Miss Chunqi’s figure is similar to the concubine’s, so she just took her place."
"So, was the hot pot we just ate cooked by Chunqi?"
"Yes, this girl’s cooking skill is exceptional; having seen it once, she could make it much better than the Imperial Kitchen, you’re truly lucky."
Lin Wanyi came to an epiphany; no wonder there was a familiar taste from that hot pot just now.
She just hadn’t expected Chunqi would be the one to prepare it.
She jokingly remarked.
"Isn’t it that Your Majesty intends to summon Chunqi to serve in the imperial court?"
"What nonsense are you spouting? If I wanted to eat, I would come to your palace, why would I need her?"
The Emperor defended cleanly.
He liked Chunqi’s culinary skills, not Chunqi herself.
If even such a trifling matter "offended" Lin Wanyi, wouldn’t it be not worth the gain?
So he promptly explained.
Seeing him say so, Lin Wanyi chuckled.
Chuckling sincerely with a hint of teasing.
The Emperor coughed a couple of times before speaking.
"Previously, at the traveling palace, I asked what gift you wanted for the celebration, and you only mentioned listening to me play a tune. What kind of gift is that? So today I specially prepared something else; I suppose you’ll like it."
Lin Wanyi had no idea, but this trip allowed her to not only spend New Year’s Eve alone with the Emperor but also to receive a belated gift.
So she curiously asked.
"What did Your Majesty prepare?"
"You’ll know shortly."
He then signaled to Dong Yuzhong, who turned and left Wen’s former residence.
Leaving a mysterious Emperor and the confused Lin Wanyi.
Soon, there was commotion outside.
Like a sudden thunderclap, Lin Wanyi’s face filled with confusion.
The Emperor opened the window and let her look outside.
"Fireworks!"
"Mm."
Every year on New Year’s Eve, Shengjing City launches fireworks as a sign of a peaceful and prosperous nation.
This year was no different.
In previous years, Lin Wanyi watched from outside the palace.
This year, she was watching with the Emperor in Qian’an Hall.
One must admit, the location was superb.
Even while standing indoors, they could see everything clearly.
Only that these fireworks were annual events, why did the Emperor say it was her birthday gift?
She turned to look at the Emperor, only to find him embracing Lin Wanyi from behind.
The Emperor’s body was quite warm, something she knew from long ago.
Encased by his warmth, Lin Wanyi did not feel the cold wind outside.
Suddenly, with a "whoosh," a stream of golden fireworks surged upward like a dragon, followed by a blue stream behind it, blooming like a lotus.
As the two kinds of fireworks simultaneously blossomed in the sky, Lin Wanyi was so amazed she couldn’t speak.
At that moment, the Emperor quietly said beside her ear.
"I remember you love lotuses and enjoy wearing bluish-green clothes, so earlier I ordered these prepared, although the political scene is still unstable, I cannot always protect you in the harem, thus many affections cannot be shown openly."