tallest building

Chapter 369 Ruyi Zi

After Wen Mingqian finished getting ready, he dressed simply and elegantly and went to the Empress's palace to express his gratitude.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your generous gift. I wonder if Your Majesty is feeling well today?" Wen Mingqian was as humble and respectful as ever.

Her attitude pleased the Empress considerably, and she smiled and said to her, "Get up! Now we're truly sisters. I was just telling them that they've been wanting to hold a selection of concubines for years, but the Emperor always refused, saying he was getting old and wasting the girls' prime years. There was nothing they could do but give up. Now, it's perfect; no one's youth is wasted, and His Majesty has another pleasing person by his side. Isn't this just perfect?"

After exchanging a few more words, the Empress said, "Now that you're here, let's go together to see Princess Duanmin! I think she must have finished her breakfast and isn't busy by now."

Wen Mingqian then helped the Empress up, and outside the palace, the Empress sat in the phoenix carriage, and clearly walked down the steps as usual.

When they were halfway there, the Empress instructed her servants: "Hurry up and go ahead. When you get to Mingcui Palace, tell them that when I arrive, they must not announce my arrival. Don't disturb Princess Duanmin and the little princess."

When the Empress arrived, everyone came out to greet her, but all did so quietly.

"How are you feeling today, little sister? Is there anything else that's bothering you?" the Empress asked Princess Duanmin with a smile as she entered.

"I'm so glad the Empress thought of me. I feel much better now, but I was so tired yesterday that I just need to sleep." Princess Duanmin was only wearing her undergarments because she was in confinement after childbirth. Although her hair was tied up, she didn't wear any jewelry or makeup, but she still looked exceptionally gentle and beautiful.

Her complexion is much better today; she has regained her color.

"You've had a smooth delivery. Although it was a bit premature, the baby is healthy and you're fine," the Empress said. "It's been so long since a baby was born in this palace. Seeing a newborn is truly a joyful sight."

At this time, the little princess finished her milk, and the eldest princess asked the wet nurse to come and give the child to the empress.

The Empress took the swaddling clothes, and a smile involuntarily appeared on her face.

She couldn't remember the last time she held a baby, and now, holding the little princess made her feel young again.

"Has a name been chosen yet?" the Empress asked.

"Qisi told me before leaving the capital that if it's a girl, she'll be named Huizhu, and if it's a boy, he'll be named Bailong," Princess Duanmin said. "These are names of people from different regions."

"Huizhu is a very beautiful name," the Queen nodded. "King Fenye has a good eye for naming things!"

After talking for a while, the Empress said, "A woman's postpartum period is the most important. If you need anything, just tell them to prepare it. This palace doesn't have everything, but it certainly doesn't lack anything. Please don't be shy. Princess, please rest well and don't trouble yourself. I will come to see you again tomorrow."

The Empress returned to her palace and changed her outer clothes. At this moment, a eunuch came in to report: "Your Majesty, Duke Feng has sent word that his young master has recovered quite a bit and is very homesick, so he wants to go back to his residence. He asked you to come and inform Your Majesty."

"Is that so! Mingqian, you've always been close to the Feng family, so why don't you go and take a look for me? If what they say is true, the Feng family's heir is already out of danger. Well then, you should leave the palace. It's inevitable to be restricted in the palace anyway. But remember to bring plenty of tonics, and have the imperial physicians come to examine you every day. Don't neglect them."

Wen Mingqian came to the Imperial Hospital on the Empress's orders and saw that Feng Tianzhu's complexion was indeed much better than yesterday.
Then she thought that with the father and son in the palace, Madam Feng and Madam Wu at home must be extremely anxious.

Although he initially lied to them, saying he had gone to the village, he eventually told them the truth after his life was no longer in danger, since lies can't be kept secret for more than two days.

"Is Young Master Feng feeling much better?" Wen Mingqian asked Feng Tianzhu with a smile. "Can you get out of bed now?" "I walked a few steps today," Feng said with a smile. "Because I've been lying down for the past few days, I'm inevitably a little dizzy. The imperial physician said that with careful recuperation, I should be fully recovered in two or three months."

"It was Her Majesty the Empress who sent me. She was worried that you might feel restricted in the palace, so she asked Duoduo to bring some tonics home. She also said that the imperial physicians would come to your residence every day to check your pulse. You can rest assured, Your Highness!"

"Then we thank Your Majesty for your generous gift," said Duke Feng. "Please trouble you to convey our message to Her Majesty."

At this moment, Gong Chang'an also ran over, panting, and grabbed Feng Tianzhu's hand, asking him about his well-being.

"I've really come back from the brink of death this time," Feng Tianzhu said. He was still a child, but his courage grew after the danger passed. "When I went out and met those guys, I had a lot to brag about."

"Those who survive a great calamity are destined for good fortune. Brother, you're definitely one of the best among us." Gong Chang'an gave him a thumbs up.

Feng Tianzhu became even more smug.

Wen Mingqian helped them pack their things, and the mother and son escorted the Feng family father and son directly to the palace gate.

"Mother, have you heard how those jugglers were dealt with?" Gong Chang'an asked Wen Mingqian on the way back.

“I heard about it in the Empress’s palace. In the end, it was ruled an accident. Apart from the troupe leader being exiled, the rest of the troupe were dismissed,” Wen Mingqian said.

"That old scoundrel Dong is even more smug now, thinking we can't do anything to him," Gong Chang'an sneered.

“Sleight of hand is still very useful,” Wen Mingqian said. “It will only work if the Dong family brings about their own destruction.”

That evening, the Emperor visited Mingjing Palace again, had dinner at Wenmingqian Palace as before, and stayed there overnight.

The people in the palace always had the keenest sense of smell. Seeing that the emperor had stayed in Wen Mingqian's palace for two consecutive days, they all started to discuss that it seemed that Consort Wen would soon become Consort Wen.

"That Consort Wen is truly remarkable. Not only has she won the Empress's favor, but now even the Emperor is taking a liking to her. Mingjing Palace is a prime piece of meat these days, and so many people want to squeeze into it!"

The servants in the palace were all talking about it.

“The Mingjing Palace was already short-staffed, and it was just a decoration before. Now that the Emperor is there, things are different, and everything has to be done according to the rules. If we could find a way to work in this palace, that would be a great thing.”

"That Zhao Changming is really lucky. I wonder why Consort Wen took a liking to him? Making him the head steward of Mingjing Palace, he's really getting on his nerves now."

"In my opinion, why don't we go find Steward Zhao and talk to him? Maybe that will work."

Zhao Changming has already taken office and become the chief steward of Mingjing Palace.

However, he was never the type to show off; he was always cautious and careful, and never acted on his own initiative.