There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 485 Auspicious Dragon and Phoenix

Liang Yuying, Princess Changning, and Ye Bingli were also frequent visitors to the Prince's residence.

Liang Yuying didn't say much when she arrived. She often quietly checked the guards' shifts at the Prince's Mansion, or brought Gu Ziying some novel and effortless trinkets from outside to keep her entertained.

Princess Changning always brought different pregnancy-supporting supplements with her when she came.

Ye Bingli would often play a calming and soothing melody on the zither, the gentle music dispelling the summer heat and restlessness.

Several girls surrounded Gu Ziying, chatting and joking, filling the inner quarters of the Prince's mansion with laughter.

Gu Ziying stroked her belly, feeling the strong movements of the little life inside. Looking at her best friend beside her, she felt her heart overflow with happiness, and all the discomforts of pregnancy seemed insignificant.

Every day at sunset, when Li Shuchen estimated that Xiao Xiuyuan would be returning home soon, she would clap her hands and call out to her sisters.

"That's a wrap! The male lead is coming back, so let's get out of here and give the stage back to the young couple!"

The group would then leave in tacit agreement, leaving the most peaceful and warm twilight hours to the couple who were about to become parents.

Whenever Xiao Xiuyuan returned home, he would see his wife being well taken care of and smiling, and he felt deeply grateful to Li Shuchen and the others.

He would sit beside Gu Ziying, his ear pressed against her belly, listening to the baby's movements, whispering amusing anecdotes from court life or his hopes for their future child. In the candlelight, the couple smiled at each other, awaiting the safe arrival of their child.

Gu Ziying spent her pregnancy peacefully and happily, enveloped in such love and meticulous care.

Waiting for the melon to ripen and fall, to welcome new life.

It was the sixth day of the eighth month in the twelfth year of the Purple Star Dynasty, at dawn.

The usually tranquil morning in the inner courtyard of the Seventh Prince's mansion was broken by a series of hurried yet unhurried footsteps.

Gu Ziying felt regular contractions in her abdomen. She held Xiao Xiuyuan's hand, beads of sweat forming on her forehead, but she still managed a forced smile to comfort her tense husband.

"Don't panic, it's time."

The experienced midwives had been waiting for a long time, and quickly and methodically helped the woman into the prepared delivery room.

Hot water, cotton cloth, scissors, ginseng soup... everything was neatly arranged.

Xiao Xiuyuan was blocked outside the door and could only pace back and forth like a trapped beast.

Li Shuchen, Liang Yuying, Princess Changning, and Ye Bingli rushed into the courtyard outside the delivery room almost one after the other.

Li Shuchen tried to peek through the crack in the door, but Liang Yuying grabbed him by the back of his collar and pulled him back.

"Don't make things worse," Liang Yuying said succinctly, but her clenched fists betrayed her nervousness.

Princess Changning frowned, listening to the faint groans of pain coming from inside, and couldn't help but say...

"Do you have enough ginseng slices? I have some century-old ginseng..."

Ye Bingli didn't speak, but silently lit a small piece of calming incense. The refreshing fragrance slightly soothed the tension in the courtyard.

Time passed slowly, the sun rose higher, and just as Xiao Xiuyuan was about to rush in recklessly...

"Whoa—!!!"

A loud and clear baby's cry, like heavenly music, suddenly broke the tense silence!

Then, less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, another cry, slightly weak but equally full of life, rang out!

Everyone in the courtyard was stunned.

The delivery room door opened a crack, and a beaming old woman peeked out, her voice booming.

"Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations! The Princess Consort has safely given birth to twins, a boy and a girl! The son is the elder brother, and the daughter is the younger sister! Mother and children are both safe and sound!"

Twins?!

"My God!"

Li Shuchen was the first to jump up, his eyes wide open, then he slapped his thigh in wild joy.

"Oh my! I knew Ziying's round belly looked especially auspicious! It really is a double surprise! Wait—!"

She suddenly remembered something and screamed.

"Oh no! I only prepared one golden rattle drum! This won't do, how can a godmother be biased? I have to go and buy another one right away! It has to be one for each person, fair and just!"

Before the words were even finished, the person had already swept out of the yard like a whirlwind, leaving only the trailing echo of "Wait for me—"

When she returned, panting, carrying another identical, glittering rattle drum, the delivery room had been cleaned up, and the smell of blood had been replaced by the fragrance of medicine and calming incense.

Gu Ziying had been moved to a clean and warm inner room on a couch. Although her face was pale and tired, her eyes were bright. Seeing Li Shuchen's appearance, she couldn't help but smile weakly.

"Ziying, you're amazing! You managed to have two at once, a son and a daughter!"

Li Shuchen moved closer to the bedside, wanting to hug her but not daring to. He could only gently touch Gu Ziying's hand, then carefully place the rattle drum beside the pillow.

"Look, my godmother's gift is all ready!"

Several sisters gathered around, chattering away.

Princess Changning: "How are you feeling? My energy and blood are greatly depleted. I have some top-quality donkey-hide gelatin..."

Ye Bingli: "The sound of the zither can soothe the mind; I'll play you a tune later."

Liang Yuying: "Get some rest. We'll take care of everything outside."

Gu Ziying felt a surge of warmth in her heart and said softly, "I'm fine. I'm sorry to have worried you all. Has the Prince seen the child?"

As they were talking, Xiao Xiuyuan carefully carried in two tiny infants wrapped in swaddling clothes, as if he were holding priceless treasures. His face was beaming with the almost foolishly radiant smile of a new father.

"Quick! Let me see!"

Li Shuchen immediately leaned closer, and looking at those two wrinkled, rosy, yet incredibly adorable little faces, her heart melted.

"Have you chosen a name yet?"

Xiao Xiuyuan looked at Gu Ziying, who said softly, "Brother's name is Xiao Ping'an, and sister's name is Xiao Xingfu. I don't wish for them to be rich and powerful, but only for them to have a peaceful, smooth, happy, and joyful life."

"Peace, happiness... What a great name!" Li Shuchen nodded vigorously. "It sounds auspicious. Little Peace, Little Happiness, from now on, your godmother will treat you to the best of everything."

The group lingered around the baby for a while, exchanging pleasantries. Seeing the deep weariness on Gu Ziying's face, they reluctantly withdrew, leaving the space for the new mother who needed rest and the overjoyed new father.

During her postpartum confinement, Li Shuchen practically treated the Prince's Mansion as her second home.

She spoke with conviction.

"Giving birth is like passing through the gates of hell; it takes a heavy toll on your health. If you don't take care of yourself properly during postpartum recovery, you'll suffer from health problems for the rest of your life! Ziying, you have to listen to me!"

So, all sorts of soups, broths, and medicinal supplements were sent to the Prince's residence in various forms, and they wouldn't stop until Gu Ziying had finished eating them all.

Even Xiao Xiuyuan remarked, "Miss Li's postpartum care supervisor is more dedicated than any palace maid."

After her postpartum confinement period, Gu Ziying not only didn't look haggard, but instead radiated health and her figure had recovered remarkably well under careful care. She exuded a gentle and beautiful maternal glow, captivating Xiao Xiuyuan's gaze.

On a sunny autumn afternoon, Li Shuchen dragged Gu Ziying out of the house and laid out a thick brocade quilt in the courtyard, letting her lie on a rocking chair to bask in the sun.

"Staying cooped up indoors all day will make you sick even if you weren't! Get some sunshine and get some calcium!"

She then asked the wet nurse to bring out Ping An and Xing Fu.

The two little ones have shed their newborn red wrinkles, their skin is fair and tender, and they look at the world with their big, dark eyes full of curiosity.