The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 840: Chapter 820: Struggle for the Throne 2_2

This should have been his line.

But he didn’t mind these things. Having traveled through so many lifetimes, he had experienced everything and had no reason to hold on to regrets.

”Alright.”

Xiao Yuan agreed with a smile.

Anning noticed that his complexion still looked a bit off and said, ”You should replenish yourself. Use this time to recuperate and properly nurture your body during confinement.”

Upon hearing about confinement, Xiao Yuan blushed. It was indeed embarrassing.

But there were some things he still had to express: ”Please massage my stomach, or acupuncture will do. My stomach was stretched too big earlier and it won’t shrink in a short time. It would be unsightly to attend social gatherings after confinement with such a belly.”

Anning lifted the quilt to take a look, and it was true. Although he had given birth, his belly was still quite swollen, especially around the lower abdomen.

”I’ll give you a massage first, and then tomorrow I’ll use silver needles for the acupuncture.”

While saying this with a smile, Anning started to massage the acupuncture points on Xiao Yuan’s stomach.

Honestly, postpartum recovery is not an easy or pleasant task. As soon as Anning pressed on, Xiao Yuan felt immense pain, and by the time Anning finished, Xiao Yuan was sweating all over.

Anning didn’t call for anyone to come in. She used a warm wet handkerchief to wipe Xiao Yuan’s body: ”You rest now, I’ll go and find some food for you.”

After leaving the main room, Anning suddenly remembered that she hadn’t sent word to the palace about the birth of her legitimate daughter, so she hurriedly called over the maidservant attending to him: ”Find someone to send a message to the palace saying that Mr. Xiao has given birth to a daughter, and also send a message to the Xiao Family as well.”

Once the maidservant had gone, Anning briskly walked out.

A few maidservants quickly followed.

After walking a while, Anning asked, ”Has the produce from the hot spring manor been harvested?”

A maidservant replied, ”Master, some spinach and bok choy are ready to eat.”

Anning nodded: ”Tell someone to bring some over for Mr. Xiao to change the taste, and have someone prepare a horse, I need to go into the palace.”

When Anning left the manor, the horse she usually rode had already been brought outside.

Anning mounted the horse and headed straight for the palace.

When she arrived outside the palace, Anning handed over her waist card and requested entry.

Fengji Palace

Emperor Feng Jing had just consulted with a few ministers about the Jiangnan Salt Administration when she heard some commotion outside.

She asked, ”Yu Ling, go out and see what’s going on.”

Hu Yuling went out to inquire, and when she returned, her face carried a smile: ”Your Majesty, just now news came from the Fifth Princess Manor that Mr. Xiao has just given birth to a daughter weighing six jin and seven taels, and the Fifth Royal Princess has entered with a waist card seeking an audience with Your Majesty.”

Upon hearing that a grandchild had been born, a smile appeared on Emperor Feng Jing’s face: ”Good, good, go and have rewards prepared for Mr. Xiao, and bestow the name Chunxi upon the Third Miss of the Fifth Princess Manor. Since the fifth has arrived, let her come in.”

Yuling went out to arrange for the presentation of rewards and also to invite Anning into the palace.

The ministers quickly congratulated Emperor Feng Jing, brightening her mood even further.

Having discussed matters extensively, Emperor Feng Jing didn’t delay the ministers further, allowing them to take their leave.

After a while, Anning entered Fengji Palace.

As soon as she entered, she bowed respectfully to Emperor Feng Jing: ”Greetings to Your Majesty. I returned home first due to Mr. Xiao’s delivery after completing my duties. I ask for Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

Being her own daughter, Emperor Feng Jing wouldn’t fuss over such matters. She raised her hand slightly: ”Rise, I wouldn’t trouble you over such trivial matters.”

As Anning stood up, she glanced at Emperor Feng Jing and her eyes turned red. She quickly lowered her head, quietly wiping her tears.

Emperor Feng Jing, witnessing this, sternly asked, ”What’s the matter? Did anyone make you suffer?”

Anning promptly shook her head: ”No, no one wronged me, it’s just...”

”Just what? Is there something at your manor? Is Mr. Xiao well?”

Seeing Anning in tears, Emperor Feng Jing asked again hurriedly.

Anning wiped away her tears: ”Everything at the manor is fine. It’s just that I’ve been away on duty for several months and missed You, Your Majesty. When I returned today and saw my Third Miss, my heart just softened uncontrollably. I wondered if Your Majesty felt the same when I was born. I was too young and ignorant before, but now, having grown year by year, and having children of my own, I finally understand Your Majesty’s love for me. You gave birth to me, taught me how to be an adult, it truly is... Now I understand the immeasurable grace of parental birth, greater than the heavens, impossible to repay. I—I’m not eloquent and can’t say anything pleasant, it’s just that when I see Your Majesty, my heart aches with sentiment, it’s hard to contain, and I lost my composure before You. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

As Anning spoke, her eyes reddened further.

She sniffed, trying her best to regain control.

Looking at her, Emperor Feng Jing also felt a twinge of both sadness and tenderness, an indescribable feeling.

”I am your mother, how could I begrudge you for such things? Just sit down, wipe your tears, and then we’ll talk.”

Anning sat down, wiping her tears while saying, ”Your Majesty still cares for me deeply. Your Majesty, I am hungry and thirsty, could I...”

As the years passed, her daughters grew up, and as they matured, they became less adorable. Every one of them was respectful and reserved before Emperor Feng Jing, never acting spoiled or undisciplined. Even the young ones beneath her were taught by their attendants to be respectful and meticulous in their etiquette from a young age.

It could be said that Emperor Feng Jing rarely experienced the intimate mother-daughter affection typical in ordinary households during her years in the palace.

This time, Anning’s heartfelt words were much appreciated by Emperor Feng Jing.

Seeing such a grown daughter acting spoiled upon entering the palace, Emperor Feng Jing couldn’t help but smile: ”Alright, I should set up for a meal as well, you can join me.”

”Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Anning stood up and bowed, then Emperor Feng Jing instructed Yuling to serve the meal.