With a wave of his hand, the Prince's Mansion's fortune exploded throughout the entire cap

Two spacious and comfortable carriages were already prepared in front of the main gate of Prince Jing's Mansion. The dark blue carriage curtains were embroidered with dark-patterned unicorns, and the wheels were wrapped with thick cotton wadding, making them move steadily and smoothly.

Little Jingjing wore a pomegranate red brocade dress with gold thread, the collar embroidered with delicate osmanthus flowers, and a golden osmanthus flower picked by her older brother Xiao Yu pinned to her temple. She clutched the jade rabbit warm jade given to her by her maternal grandfather in her hand, her lips curving sweetly as she tilted her little face up and tugged at Lu Wenshu's sleeve, shaking it.

"Mother, Mother, will we be able to see our little imperial uncle today?"

Last time, my little prince said he would come out of the palace to visit me, but it's been a month and I still haven't seen him.

[Hmph! Jingjing is angry.]

Lu Wenshu, dressed in a light purple brocade jacket with lotus embroidery on the hem, gently patted her daughter's hand and instructed, "My dear Jingjing, let's go pay our respects to the Empress first, then go to the banquet. If your little uncle comes, you'll definitely see him. But there are many rules in the palace, so you must stay close to me and your aunt, and don't sneak off to find him, understand?"

The Fifth Prince didn't forget; he was clearly ill.

It was said to be a minor cold, but it's been lingering on and off for a month and I still haven't fully recovered.

Xiao Mingzhu, who was standing to the side, was wearing a light pink ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) and looked much better. She straightened Xiao Jingjing's collar and said with a smile, "Our Jingjing is the most sensible. She just needs to behave well and bow in the palace."

Little Jingjing nodded vigorously, patting her chest to promise, "I know! I won't run around, I won't throw a tantrum, and I'll call the Empress 'Long Live the Empress' whenever I see her!"

Jingjing has been to Fengyi Palace twice already, and she remembers it both times!

It won't go wrong!

She then took Xiao Yu's hand, "Little brother, you said last time that there were delicious mooncakes and grapes in the palace, will you eat with me today?"

Xiao Yu, dressed in a royal blue brocade robe, handed over a piece of osmanthus cake: "Here you go, it's very sweet. After we enter the palace, I'll accompany you to eat mooncakes and watch the lanterns."

[Hehe~ This young man carries sugar cakes with him now?]

[That makes sense, the young man has clearly been eating more lately, and he's no longer as skinny as he used to be.]

But that's normal, isn't it?

The eldest brother, Zhou Rui, dressed in a plain-colored long robe, gently instructed, "Jingjing, there are many people and many eyes in the palace. If you get separated, just stand where you are and wait for us, or ask the palace maids for help."

Second brother Gu Feng, dressed in a dark blue outfit, stood tall and straight. He patted her head and said, "With your second brother here, I won't let you be bullied."

Little Jingjing happily munched on the osmanthus cake, offering her thanks in a mumbled voice.

At this moment, Xiao Shulang pushed Xiao Chengyan, who was sitting in a wheelchair, out. Xiao Chengyan was dressed in dark court robes and had a calm demeanor: "It's getting late, we should go to the palace. Wen Shu and Mingzhu, the children are in your care. Shulang and I will go to the Hall of Diligent Governance to see the Emperor. We will meet at the palace banquet."

After saying their goodbyes, everyone set off in two carriages. Laughter and cheerful conversation filled the carriages. Little Jingjing, peeking through the curtain at the red lanterns and pedestrians on the street, asked curiously, "Mother, are all these red lanterns hung for the Mid-Autumn Festival?"

Lu Wenshu nodded with a smile: "Yes, the red lanterns in the palace are even more beautiful than those on the street."

Xiao Yu leaned closer and added, "There are also rabbit lanterns and tiger lanterns. I'll go see them with you tonight."

The koi lantern that the little prince gave me last time was really pretty~ It's sitting in the storeroom.

【Huh? Didn't my second brother say he'd give me a lantern too? Why haven't I seen it yet?】

Everyone's gaze inadvertently turned to Gu Feng.

Gu Feng looked up at the sky and the ground, his eyes darting around.

Making lanterns was much more difficult than he had imagined. He wasn't capable of such delicate work.

However, the gift he prepared for his younger sister is almost ready!

Before long, the carriage arrived at the Meridian Gate. The guards respectfully welcomed everyone alighting. At this time, there were no other officials' families at the Meridian Gate. Lu Wenshu repeatedly told the children to stay close to her and not to run around.

The group walked along the palace path, the air filled with the fragrance of osmanthus and the blossoms of chrysanthemums. The bluestone slabs were spotless, and the palace maids hurried past with respectful expressions.

About an incense stick later, we arrived at the entrance of Fengyi Palace.

The gates of Fengyi Palace were wide open, and two palace maids dressed in blue palace attire stood at the entrance. Upon seeing Lu Wenshu and her entourage, they immediately bowed and greeted: "This servant greets Princess Jing, Princess Changning, and all the young masters and princesses. Her Majesty the Empress is already waiting inside the hall. Please follow this servant in."

Lu Wenshu nodded: "Thank you for your trouble, Miss."

Following the palace maids into Fengyi Palace, several pots of blooming chrysanthemums were placed in the courtyard. In the center was a small pond with a few emerald green lotus leaves floating on it, and occasionally a few red fish swam by, looking very lively. Inside the palace, the brazier was burning brightly, making it warm and cozy, which contrasted sharply with the slight chill outside.

The Empress sat in the main seat, dressed in a bright yellow palace gown and wearing a gold phoenix crown with filigree and pearls. Her eyes were gentle and her demeanor dignified. She exuded the majesty of an empress, yet she was also approachable.

"Your Majesty, I, Lady Lu, along with my younger sister Xiao Mingzhu, my sons Zhou Rui, Gu Feng, and Xiao Yu, and my daughter Jianing, greet Your Majesty the Empress. May you live a thousand years!"

Lu Wenshu, holding Xiao Jingjing, curtsied, and everyone echoed her gesture.

Little Jingjing imitated the adults, curtsying and sweetly saying, "Jianing greets Your Majesty the Empress! Long live Your Majesty!"

The Empress smiled and raised her hand: "Rise, all of you. Sit down first."

"Princess Jing, I tasted the lotus pods that were sent a couple of days ago, and they still taste the same."

Lu Wenshu took the tea that Caitang had placed on the table and said in a gentle tone, "I'm glad Your Majesty likes it. Every year, Mother Consort says that Your Majesty likes the lotus pods and lotus roots from Moon Lake and insists that we send them to Your Majesty. This year, the lotus pods we sent were picked by Jianing and Shulang."

Hearing this, the Empress glanced sideways at Xiao Jingjing: "Oh? Jingjing, did you pick the lotus pods that were sent this year?"

Little Jingjing remembered picking lotus pods and replied with a sweet smile, "Yes~ Jingjing also likes to eat lotus pods~"

The Empress nodded gently: "Jingjing is a good child. Wenshu, where is your mother? Is she unwilling to come out again today?"

Lu Wenshu and Xiao Mingzhu's eyes darkened slightly, but they still smiled: "Mother Consort is still the same as always, preferring to stay with Father."

Little Jingjing was a little confused.

[Accompanying grandfather?]

Where is Grandpa? Jingjing has never met Grandpa before!

The Empress only mentioned this one sentence before changing the subject: "Mingzhu, judging from your complexion, are you feeling better?"

Xiao Mingzhu stood up from her chair and curtsied deeply: "Your Majesty, I am much better now. I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's great kindness in what happened that day."

"Caitang, why aren't you helping Princess Changning up?"

After Xiao Mingzhu was helped to sit down by Caitang, the Empress's gaze softened considerably: "Why are you being so polite with me? You are a child I watched grow up. I will help you for both reason and duty. Mingzhu, remember, your mother cannot bear to see you suffer."

That day, when she summoned Fang Yuhua to the palace, and she knelt down and cried to express her gratitude, she felt that the punishment for the Zhao family was too lenient.

Xiao Mingzhu nodded: "I have remembered everything. I will stand up for myself in the days to come."

Just as the Empress finished questioning the three brothers, hurried footsteps and a slightly impatient eunuch's voice came from the doorway.

"Your Highness, it's chilly, please put on your cloak."

No sooner had the words been spoken than a young man dressed in a yellow prince's robe appeared at the door.

"Your subject greets the Empress Dowager, the Princess Consort of Jing, and the Princess of Changning."

Before she could finish speaking, she gently covered her mouth with a handkerchief again: "Cough, cough..."

[Hmm? This aura... it's not illness! It's poisoning!]