Indeed, Mu Changxi should not have addressed Madam Liu as "mother-in-law," as Madam Liu was not the legitimate wife of Lord Song.
However, at this moment, no one would pay attention to such details.
Even if Mu Changxi had done it intentionally, who could say anything?
Even the elder Madam Song, seeing how infatuated Mu Changxi was with Song Chaoyu, sighed, "You child! You must have had a tiring night. Go wash up quickly, don't let A Yu worry."
Nowadays, besides Song Chaoyu and the child, there was probably nothing else that mattered to Mu Changxi.
It was also the elder madam's words that finally prompted Mu Changxi to go and wash up a little.
Knowing that the elder madam and Madam Liu were both watching Song Chaoyu, he could finally relax.
—
Song Chaoyu didn't know how she woke up, just as she didn't know how she fell asleep.
All she knew was that when she woke up, the pain and fatigue she felt had finally improved.
Although they hadn't disappeared, her mind felt less heavy.
"A Yu is awake!"
A familiar voice sounded from her side.
Song Chaoyu finally opened her eyes and saw the elder Madam Song guarding her.
She was stunned, then saw tears rolling down the elder madam's face, carving furrows in her skin, as if she were overjoyed: "Yu girl, do you feel unwell?"
Song Chaoyu shook her head, and as if suddenly realizing something, she looked around: "Where is the child? Where is the Prince?"
"Don't worry!"
Her grandmother gently patted Song Chaoyu's hand to comfort her, "The child has been taken by the wet nurse to be fed. We'll bring him to you soon. You are truly amazing, giving Prince Chang's mansion a healthy little heir!"
Seeing that Song Chaoyu's eyes were still worried, she continued, "Also, don't worry about your Prince. He stayed by your side all night. I told him to go to sleep first. His eyes are so dark, I'm afraid you'll feel heartache when you see him!"
In fact, Song Yanjiao and Song Yanrou had also given birth before, and the Song family had already experienced "four generations living together."
However, only Song Chaoyu's child held the most affection and concern in the elder Madam Song's heart. "Since you are well, I can send someone to call the Prince."
Only then did Song Chaoyu breathe a slight sigh of relief, then looked at Tiao Hong: "I want to drink water."
Tiao Hong responded with an "Aye" and brought the warm water that had been prepared for Song Chaoyu.
Her grandmother blessed her to drink slowly, and Liu Yi was also smiling happily beside them.
In a short while, Mu Changxi arrived with the little one.
Seeing that Song Chaoyu was awake, Mu Changxi finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He was actually not fully awake, but knowing that Song Chaoyu was awake, he had no more desire to sleep.
At this moment, his eyes were filled with joy: "A Yu, you're finally awake. Does your body feel uncomfortable anywhere?"
Song Chaoyu shook her head, and her gaze almost clung to the little one held by the wet nurse: "Hurry and bring him here for me to see!"
The little one was full and had fallen asleep soundly.
The wet nurse placed him in Song Chaoyu's arms. His lips even curved slightly, as if he knew he was happy in his mother's embrace.
Afraid of waking the little one, even the elder madam spoke in a particularly soft voice: "The Emperor personally bestowed the name Mu Qijue upon this little one, hoping he would be a fine jade! After you finish your confinement, you must personally go to the palace to express your gratitude. Do not forget the Emperor's grace today, understand?"
Song Chaoyu nodded, and Mu Changxi also said softly, "Father Emperor has also permitted Mother Consort to visit our Prince Chang's mansion tomorrow. I imagine Mother Consort will be delighted to see this little one. A Yu, can you give the little one a nickname?"
Song Chaoyu was naturally happy, but thinking of tomorrow...
She still shook her head: "Let's wait until Mother Consort comes to decide. I only feel very tired now, and I don't have the strength to think of a name."
Everyone knew that she intended to let the noble consort choose the name.
Even at such a time, Song Chaoyu was considerate of everyone, how could others not feel for her?
After looking at the little one for a while, Song Chaoyu let the wet nurse take him away.
The Song family had also stayed for a long time. Seeing that Song Chaoyu was fine, they all bid farewell.
Although the mansion became quiet for a moment, Song Chaoyu did not feel lonely or desolate. Instead, she felt her heart filled to the brim!
—
With such good news at Prince Chang's mansion, it naturally brought joy to everyone in the capital.
The Emperor bestowed many good things, even directly enfeebling the young child as a郡王 (county prince), which made Song Chaoyu feel it was too conspicuous.
With the Emperor's attitude, how could others not "follow suit"?
For a time, the gifts sent to Prince Chang's mansion every day were countless.
Not to mention those who wanted to visit.
However, Mu Changxi personally appeared and politely declined everyone who wanted to see Song Chaoyu.
He simply stated that Song Chaoyu had exerted herself during childbirth and needed to rest well, so naturally, no one would say anything more.
On the second day after the birth, the noble consort indeed came to Prince Chang's mansion.
She held the little one, completely doting on him.
After thinking for a long time, she gave the little one a nickname: "Little Monkey."
The noble consort said that the name did not sound good, but it was commonly said that "a humble name leads to easy upbringing," which was not without reason.
This Little Monkey, upon birth, was personally enfeebled by the Emperor as a prince, which was incredibly noble.
If he were given an even more noble name, perhaps his small frame would not be able to "bear" it.
Song Chaoyu quite agreed with this name.
Although she knew boys were mischievous, this Little Monkey was indeed quite restless from birth!
Except for feeding and drinking times, he was always waving his hands, babbling incoherently.
Even the old wet nurses from the palace said that this child would definitely be mischievous in the future. In Song Chaoyu's mind, she could already see the future image of this little one jumping around like a little monkey.
Therefore, Song Chaoyu really liked the name given by the noble consort: "Good, then he shall be called Little Monkey!"
Perhaps it was because the good news from Prince Chang's mansion had pleased the Emperor, but during this period, the entire capital seemed exceptionally joyous.
While Song Chaoyu was in confinement, besides the Song family, Hu Xiaoye visited the most diligently.
She was naturally childlike, and now with Little Monkey, Song Chaoyu felt that the two of them might be able to play together in the future.
She only hoped that Hu Xiaoye would not make her own Little Monkey even more mischievous.
This period was a rare moment of tranquility.
Until Song Chaoyu finished her confinement—
Little Monkey also reached his full month.
According to the imperial court's wishes, the full moon celebration of this little county prince was a grand affair.
Therefore, without asking for Prince Chang's mansion's opinion, they simply set Little Monkey's full moon banquet in the palace.
Song Chaoyu was not very pleased, but thinking that it was also a time to see the "jian ren" (a derogatory term, likely referring to someone she disliked), she ultimately said nothing.
As the time for Little Monkey's full moon banquet approached, the palace seemed to have not seen such a grand occasion for a long time.
Everyone brought gifts to the palace, waiting to congratulate Prince Chang's mansion on their great joy.
Song Chaoyu had also dressed the little one properly early on. Seeing that he was in good spirits today, she thought it would be fine even if they went to the palace.
Also, because today was a rare occasion, the Emperor seemed to be exceptionally lenient.
He actually allowed Mu Hansu to leave and permitted him to enter the palace today to celebrate Little Monkey's full moon.
Speaking of which, Song Chaoyu and Mu Changxi had not seen Mu Hansu for a long time.