Married To The Cruel Crown Prince

The Early Summer Time: 

Sheng Li was pacing outside the chamber, hearing the cries of Ying Lili. He decided to go inside when Eunuch Xing-Fu stopped him. "Your Majesty, let the delivery happen first. The Empress will safely deliver the babies," he assured him. 

"I think I shall stay by Lili's side. It must be too painful for her," Sheng Li opined when a servant came outside with the vessel in her hand. Sheng Li tried to walk in, and this time Jian Guozhi stopped him. 

"Brother Sheng, be patient. Everything will be fine. Let them do the work," he advised Sheng Li, who clenched his fists. 

"Lili, I am present here. Everything will be fine," Sheng Li said loud enough so that his words fell into Ying Lili's ears. 

Ying Lili, who was on the inclined bed, was assisted by the attendants. She was asked to push while the two attendants had held her waist, thus assisting in labor. Her entire body was covered in sweat and she continued to push. She heard Sheng Li, who was strengthening her from outside the chamber. 

A few seconds later, everyone heard the cries of the baby. Sheng Li was wonderstruck and tears of happiness appeared on the edges of his eyes. 

Ying Lili was a little relaxed to hear the cries of her first baby. However, she still had to push the second baby out. 

"Your Majesty, the first baby is a girl," Court Lady Ki informed Ying Lili, from whose eyes tears started to stream down her cheeks. Court Lady Xu placed the baby on Ying Lili's chest, who took deep breaths. She stroked her other hand gently over the baby's head and planted a soft kiss on the top of her head. 

After seven minutes, the second twin was also delivered safely. 

"It's a boy, Your Majesty," Court Lady Ki informed her. Ying Lili continued to cry because of her immense happiness. The most anticipating moment ended when Ying Lili held both of her babies in her arms, close to her chest. 

The cries of both the babies reverberated in the chamber and everyone present in the chamber congratulated Ying Lili for the successful births. 

Sheng Li, and then others, who were waiting outside had heard the cries of the babies. 

Court Lady Xu walked outside to inform Sheng Li about it. "Your Majesty, Her Majesty successfully delivered both the babies. Both the mother and the babies are safe and in sound health. The elder baby is a girl while the son is born after seven minutes of delay," she humbly said. 

Sheng Li could not hold his tears back. "I became a father," he murmured and hugged Jian Guozhi tightly. He pulled away and quickly removed the rings, and gold necklaces that he had around his fingers. He gave them to every servant present outside the chamber. 

"We became royal uncles," Lei Wanxi said while looking at the rest of his brothers. He congratulated Sheng Li, who was overwhelmed with the good news.

"Eunuch Xing-Fu, distribute the free grains among the people. Spread the news to every corner of the Kingdom," Sheng Li said enthusiastically. 

"Can I go in?" Sheng Li asked Court Lady Xu. 

"The Royal Physician is examining the Empress. As soon as he comes out, His Majesty can go inside," she stated. The servants came outside holding the vessels. 

After a few minutes, the Royal Physician stepped out of the chamber and gave the information about Ying Lili's and the babies' health to Sheng Li. At the request of Sheng Li, the Princes had left already and he walked in. 

"Her Majesty has fallen asleep, Your Majesty," Court Lady Ki informed her. Sheng Li pushed the curtain away and found his wife sleeping. He looked at his babies, who were lying beside

their mother. He carried them up in his different arms and continued to smile. 

"They are so adorable," Sheng Li whispered and kissed their cheeks. One of them started to cry and it panicked Sheng Li. 

"What happened? I was gentle. Don't cry," he said. Court Lady Ki smiled at him and asked him to give the baby to her. Sheng Li let her take the baby, who made the baby sleep. 

"Your Majesty, babies usually wake up with the slightest disturbance," Court Lady Xu explained to him, who nodded. He had a lot of things to learn related to the babies. He had to be extremely careful of his acts. 

Putting the baby on the left of Ying Lili, he looked at the other baby. He settled on the mattress beside Ying Lili and caressed her head. Court Lady Xu asked everyone to vacate the chamber. 

After thirty minutes, Ying Lili's sleep broke, and her first glance fell on both the babies. She tried to move when Sheng Li told her to stay still. 

She turned her head to look and found him behind her. "Are you good?" The first question that Sheng Li asked her while keeping his voice low. 

Ying Lili nodded. Sheng Li brushed the hair off her face and planted a soft kiss on the top of her head. Then, he knocked his forehead to hers. "Thank you, Lili. My family is complete," Sheng Li said and caressed her hands. 

~~~~~ 

After taking a month's rest, focusing on her diet and other cultural rituals, Ying Lili was ready to meet everyone around her. She stood outside the chamber, which Sheng Li specially made for their babies. 

She heard Sheng Li whisper, who was conversing with Eunuch Xing-Fu about the book in which it was mentioned how a father must take care of his kids and wife. 

"There's no such book, Your Majesty. I found it in the entire Kingdom," Eunuch Xing-Fu replied to him. 

"Can't you speak in a low voice? What if they woke up?" Sheng Li scolded him. 

"Your Majesty, the Emperor has become extremely calm and gentle after the birth of the royal prince and the princess," Court Lady Xu informed her. Ying Lili hummed and stepped into the chamber. 

"Lili, why didn't you send me the message that you are ready?" Sheng Li asked her and walked to her. He held her hands and said, "I would have fetched you. Now, after 'doing the month'* I can watch my wife and babies as much as I can," he said with a smile and brought her to the center of the swings. 

"Look, how they both are sleeping. My Princess' nose is like mine. Did you notice it?" He asked her and bent down a little. He urged to touch her cheek, but stopped, recalling that it might disturb the baby's sleep. He stood straight and snuggled Ying Lili in his arms. 

Eunuch Xing-Fu and Court Lady Xu lowered their heads. 

"I will announce their names tomorrow. So, what do you think of their names?" Sheng Li asked her and leaned back to peer into her eyes. 

"The names that we decided," Ying Lili answered. 

"Han Yīnghuā and Han Lóng Jingguo," Sheng Li said. 

Ying Lili nodded her head. "Our Princess's name is based on the cherry blossom while our Prince's name is–" 

"—after our late friend, Hu Jingguo. Since our son was born in the month of the dragon, I used the initial as 'Lóng'." Sheng Li pronounced and looked at their son, who was on the right swing sleeping peacefully. 

*****

'Doing the month'- In Chinese traditional culture, it was said that the mother and child should be confined in a room for a month. They were given proper rest, a healthy diet, especially for a mother, to recover fully after the

delivery of a baby. 

~~~~

Hello Dear Readers, 

I don't know if this chapter is written good or not. I have given the gaps of seven months. Some years of gap, I'll show in the upcoming chapters with the children of the other Princes. With that I'll put this story to an end.

This story is very close to my heart because it shaped in my mind while watching chinese dramas. I hope you loved this creation and will support my next work which is 'Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince.' 

This chapter and all the upcoming chapters are dedicated to all the readers. 

HAPPY READING