tallest building

Wen Mingqian returned to Mingjing Palace at dusk. She took a bath and changed into clean clothes.

The clothes she had worn before were stained with blood by Princess Duanmin and could no longer be worn.

"Chang'an, did you come from the Imperial Hospital? How is the young master now?" Wen Mingqian asked as soon as he saw his son return.

"He drank a bowl of lotus seed soup and has some strength now," Gong Chang'an said. "I watched him finish his medicine and lie down before I came back."

"That's good. I'll go check on it before I go to bed!" Wen Mingqian said.

"I heard Princess Duanmin has given birth, but it's too late now. I can only go there tomorrow, right?" Gong Chang'an asked.

"Yes, she gave birth to a little princess, all fair and chubby," Wen Mingqian said. "It is indeed too late at this time, and Your Highness should also get some rest. You shouldn't go over there now; we can go together tomorrow."

"Alas, the Feng father and son are still unaware of the truth, they just think it was an accident!" Gong Chang'an sat down and sighed.

“This isn’t so bad, it saves us from adding trouble,” Wen Mingqian said. “I reckon the people in the palace who interrogate those acrobatic troupes won’t find anything out.”

"Old fox Dong is a cunning fox who's been around for a thousand years. In my opinion, let's not bother trying to catch him by the tail. Let's just take his life!" Gong Chang'an sneered.

Wen Mingqian glanced at him without saying anything, thinking to himself that like father, like son.

"It's time for your dinner, Your Excellency," Xiaoyue said as she entered.

“Zhang Ma is probably too busy. Go to the Imperial Kitchen and see who’s free and ask them to make something simple,” Wen Mingqian said.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Qi Yu, the emperor's attendant, came to deliver the imperial decree.

"Consort Wen, His Majesty will be having dinner at your palace." Qi Yu said with a smile. "I just went to the Imperial Kitchen to tell them to bring His Majesty's dinner to your palace. His Majesty also specifically instructed that the Fourth Young Master of the Palace should dine with him as well."

“This…” Wen Mingqian deliberately feigned unease, “Why does His Majesty want to come to my palace? I wasn’t prepared to receive him at all…”

"Don't panic, Your Majesty. His Majesty has always been very easygoing," Qi Yu said. "There have been too many things happening in the palace these days, and His Majesty wants to find a quiet place. Aren't you skilled in incense burning and massage? Why don't you help His Majesty relax?"

As soon as Qi Yu left, the people of Mingjing Palace were thrown into chaos, as they had truly not expected to have to receive the emperor.

When Wen Mingqian was first granted the title of Noble Lady, the Emperor and Empress visited him once, but they only stayed for a short while before leaving.

Unlike this time, I will be serving dinner and may even be allowed to stay overnight.

Today, His Majesty is wearing a navy blue casual robe, with a light and loose sash.

Wen Mingqian and the others stepped forward to pay their respects, and the Emperor said, "Rise, all of you! Consort Wen, is there any tea here?"

"I've prepared His Majesty's favorite Lu'an tea," Wen Mingqian said as he served the tea.

"Summon the meal," the Emperor said.

The Emperor's dinner was also mainly light, but two dishes were clearly prepared for Gong Chang'an.

Wen Mingqian personally set out the bowls and chopsticks, and then winked at the others, signaling them to leave: "I'm here to serve you, you can all go now."

After everyone had left, the Emperor placed a shrimp ball on Gong Chang'an's plate: "Dinner is late tonight, are you hungry?"

This was the first time he had served food to Gong Chang'an. Although they were together sometimes, it was always in a large group, and the Emperor could not show any overly intimate behavior towards Gong Chang'an.

"I am a little hungry," said Gong Chang'an. "I have been so worried about my sworn brother these past two days that I have not been able to eat anything." "I heard from the imperial physician that the child from the Feng family is no longer in serious condition," the Emperor said. "This is truly a joyous occasion."

Gong Chang'an also placed a slice of yam on the Emperor's plate: "Zhang Ma said that yam is the best for a person's spleen and stomach. If a person's spleen and stomach are healthy, they will not get sick."

"Good child." The Emperor raised his hand and patted Gong Chang'an's head. This was his son! He never dreamed that his son was already so grown up, and so healthy and intelligent.

Looking at this heartwarming scene under the lamplight, Wen Mingqian was filled with emotion. How she wished Shen Fu were here too, how happy the three of them would be sitting together as a family.

"Consort Wen, please sit down and eat with us. There's no need to stand," the Emperor said gently to Wen Mingqian.

“That won’t do. This is His Majesty’s first time dining at Mingjing Palace. I should stand and serve him,” Wen Mingqian said.

The Emperor thought about it and didn't insist, after all, it was still necessary to keep things under wraps.

After Gong Chang'an and his son finished eating, Wen Mingqian called someone in to clean up, and she went to eat in the outer room.

Afterwards, Gong Chang'an and the Emperor played chess under the lamp. Wen Mingqian came in and asked, "Your Majesty, I would like to go to the Imperial Hospital and Mingcui Palace for a visit."

"Go! Have someone light lanterns and watch your step," the Emperor said.

Wen Mingqian went to the Imperial Hospital first and saw that Feng Tianzhu was already able to sit up.

“Mother Wen, go back and tell Chang’an to come see me again tomorrow! Don’t come so late at night. I feel much better now, and I’m already feeling hungry. The imperial physician said that means I’m almost completely recovered.” Feng Tianzhu was still a little out of breath, but it was only because of his weakness that his life was truly out of danger.

“Chang’an is playing chess with His Majesty and can’t come right now, otherwise he would definitely come to see you.” Wen Mingqian reached out and patted Feng Tianzhu’s head. “Take good care of yourself and tell me what you want to eat.”

"Thank you for your trouble, Consort Wen. It's getting dark, you should go back to the palace to rest." Lord Feng's face also showed a hint of joy.

Wen Mingqian inquired about Feng Tianzhu's condition from the imperial physician before leaving.

Upon arriving at Mingcui Palace, the wet nurse was breastfeeding the little princess.

"The little princess needs to be fed every hour, she really has a big appetite." Consort Yun looked at the little princess with affection and said, "After she's full, she sleeps obediently, she's so sensible."

"Has Your Highness woken up?" Wen Mingqian did not go into the inner room.

"She's asleep now. She's exhausted after giving birth for most of the day. But thankfully it went smoothly, which is better than anything else."

Princess Duanmin woke up once earlier, ate something, and is now asleep again.

"His Majesty is in your palace, you should go back quickly," the eldest princess said to Wen Mingqian. "Don't worry about things here, there are plenty of people to help."

“Alright, then I’ll head back now. Your Highness, please rest well tomorrow. I’ll take care of Princess Duanmin,” Wen Mingqian said in a low voice.

“You don’t need to rush over tomorrow. You should go and pay your respects to the Empress first,” the Princess said. “Duanmin won’t be picky about your gift.”

Wen Mingqian smiled and agreed, then left and returned to his palace.

"Eunuch Qi, will His Majesty be staying here tonight?" Qi Yu stood at the door of the outer room, and Wen Mingqian asked him quietly.

"Yes, Your Highness, please make your preparations well," Qi Yu said with a smile. "His Majesty said that we will be staying in this palace tonight." (End of Chapter)