On the first of May, it was Ning Wanshuang's birthday. Unfortunately, it coincided with the Empress Dowager's period of seclusion, so her birthday celebrations in the palace were limited.
At this moment, she was sitting on her warm seat in her own palace, with Liu Yue fanning her.
A smile graced her face as she admired the calligraphy on the small table in front of her and praised it without reservation.
"This is really impressive. Take a look, won't you?"
Liu Yue also smiled and replied, "In just a short time, Nanny has looked at it seven or eight times. Although I don't understand these things, I think it looks very nice too."
"What are you looking at with such delight?"
Xiao Jingheng's voice came from outside the door.
Ning Wanshuang raised her eyebrows and met his tender gaze. She hurriedly got up to greet him.
Xiao Jingheng gestured for her to remain seated and sat down beside her with a smile.
"Today is your birthday, even though we can't celebrate it elaborately due to the Empress Dowager's seclusion, I still remembered."
As he spoke, he leaned forward and planted a gentle kiss on Ning Wanshuang's forehead, saying warmly, "Happy birthday."
Ning Wanshuang giggled and said, "As long as Your Majesty remembers me, I am happy every day."
Xiao Jingheng held her hand and his gaze fell on the character displayed on the small table.
It was a character for "longevity" written in golden ink, with a square and neat style.
"The character is good. It's just that the brush strokes are a bit weak, especially the final stroke, it's clearly too light."
Ning Wanshuang raised her face, feeling somewhat smug. "Being able to catch Your Majesty's attention is already good enough. Your Majesty, this is the birthday gift Chenghuan gave me."
Liu Yue chimed in, "The Empress likes it very much. She has been looking at it since early morning."
Xiao Jingheng was also pleasantly surprised. "Oh? This child has also improved."
Ning Wanshuang took a silver fork and picked up a peeled grape from the red silk food box, offering it to Xiao Jingheng's lips.
"Chenghuan will turn four years old next month and it's time for him to start studying in the Office of the Imperial Secretariat."
Xiao Jingheng took the grape and chewed slowly. "Then let the Grand Secretary arrange it and teach him properly."
Just as he finished speaking, they suddenly heard the sound of a young boy reciting outside the room.
"A sage is one who possesses both talent and virtue, a fool is one who possesses neither talent nor virtue, a gentleman is one who excels in virtue over talent, and a petty person is one who excels in talent over virtue..."
Xiao Jingheng looked out the window and saw Chenghuan holding a scroll, reciting and shaking his head in the courtyard. He looked quite decent.
"He already recognizes so many characters?"
Ning Wanshuang chuckled self-deprecatingly. "I can't recognize many big characters myself and often make funny mistakes. Since Chenghuan is being raised by me, I don't want him to have the same shortcoming. So I've asked a few maidservants who can read to teach him during their free time."
Speaking of which, this child is really bright. The other day, I heard him reciting the Book of Songs. He even said he wanted to give it to me and Your Majesty. It seemed to be... 'In life and in death, we are always together, holding hands and growing old together.' I think the meaning is very good."
"Hahaha~" Xiao Jingheng laughed out loud, lightly patting Ning Wanshuang's hand and smiling at her. "It's 'qi kuo.'"
Ning Wanshuang blushed and smiled awkwardly. "Look at me, I've made another joke."
Actually, she knew the difference between 'qi kuo' and 'qie kuo' very well.
The only thing that went wrong was the misinterpretation of the poems, which led to a misunderstanding. There's no need to promise eternal love to the person listening to the verses.
Xiao Jingheng had someone bring Chenghuan inside.
Upon closer inspection, despite some improvement in Chenghuan's snake-skin condition, it still looked somewhat alarming.
Due to dry skin, his forehead was devoid of hair, and his eyebrows were sparse and pitiful.
Ning Wanshuang was already accustomed to seeing this appearance every day, but Xiao Jingheng shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
"Son, pay your respects to your father and mother."
Chenghuan knew his manners and bowed respectfully, making the gesture with precision. The little one was quite disciplined.
Xiao Jingheng gently touched his forehead, but as soon as he made contact, flakes of skin fell off.
He quickly withdrew his hand, composed his expression, and smiled, saying, "Good child, you've given a wonderful gift to your mother. The calligraphy is excellent."
Chenghuan understandingly replied, "Mother treats her son well, so her son will also treat her well. When it's Father's birthday, I will prepare a gift for Father too."
Xiao Jingheng's gaze warmed. "Good, Father will be waiting. Your mother told me you like reading. When you turn three next month, Father will send you to the Office of the Imperial Secretariat, okay?"
Chenghuan nodded repeatedly. "Yes! Thank you, Father!"
"Little master~ Little master?"
While father and son were talking, a palace maid entered, bowing respectfully to Xiao Jingheng and Ning Wanshuang. She said politely, "This servant pays respects to Your Majesty and Royal Concubine. This servant did not mean to disturb Your Majesty and Royal Concubine, but it's time."
Then, she took Chenghuan's hand and whispered, "Little master, it's time for your medicinal bath."
In that moment, Xiao Jingheng recognized her as Cai Jie.
Chenghuan agreed with Cai Jie's words, and Ning Wanshuang smiled as she gently caressed Chenghuan's cheek, saying, "After you finish your bath, come and eat with Father and me."
"Okay, I understand!" Chenghuan obediently replied, tightly holding Cai Jie's hand as they left, full of energy.
Xiao Jingheng watched their departing figures and casually remarked, "Your people in the palace have trained her well. When I saw her last month, she didn't understand anything. Today, she's already so well-behaved."
At these words, Ning Wanshuang suddenly froze, as if she had just remembered something. She raised her eyebrows and smiled faintly.
"Your Majesty, if you didn't mention it, I would have forgotten about it. Speaking of Cai Jie, she's really lucky. Now she remembers everything from the past."
"Oh?" Xiao Jingheng's interest was piqued, and his fingers unconsciously tapped on the small table. "Wasn't it said that even the imperial physicians were helpless with her condition?"
Ning Wanshuang said, "That's why I said she's been fortunate. Guo Imperial Physician examined her and said that Cai Jie's condition was incurable. But when Zhang Imperial Physician came to check my pulse for peace, he heard about Cai Jie's condition and claimed to have a method to try. At first, I didn't believe it, but I let him proceed anyway. Who knew he would just prick her head a few times, and she would truly remember everything."
"Oh?" Xiao Jingheng's expression shifted slightly. "So there's such a thing?"
Ning Wanshuang smiled, "Isn't that right? He truly is a talented person. With him taking care of the Emperor's affairs in the future, I can be more at ease."
It was unclear whether Xiao Jingheng had heard her words or not. He simply gazed at her with a slightly deepening look, remaining silent as if pondering something.
Ning Wanshuang was not in a hurry and allowed him to remain silent for a while before asking, "What is the Emperor thinking?"
"Oh? Nothing much," Xiao Jingheng returned to his senses in an instant and smiled, "I was thinking that you enjoy eating braised fish fins. The fresh fish fins from the East Sea are quite exquisite. I'll have the imperial kitchen prepare it for you tonight."
Ning Wanshuang knew that he took the bait, but she saw through it without exposing it, and replied with a smile, "Then I am truly fortunate."
*
That night, after Xiao Jingheng had dinner with Ning Wanshuang, he returned to the Chaoyang Palace early.
He ordered Jiang Deshun to summon Imperial Physician Zhang to check his pulse and ensure his well-being.
After Zhang Imperial Physician confirmed that everything was fine, Xiao Jingheng spoke, "I heard that you cured Cai Jie's condition in the Imperial Concubine's palace. Cai Jie takes good care of the Imperial Concubine and is someone she is accustomed to having around. You did well in this matter."
As he finished speaking, a small seal had already presented a box of silver ingots to Zhang Imperial Physician.
Zhang Imperial Physician held the box in his hands, feeling its weight, and couldn't contain his joy. He hurriedly expressed his gratitude, "It is the duty of a humble subject, and I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's generous reward."
Xiao Jingheng toyed with his finger ring and chuckled, "You've done your job well, and the reward is well-deserved. However, I am also curious. Since you can use acupuncture to help people regain their memories, can you also use it... to make someone completely forget their past?"
