Palace maid Shuoning

(Up)

Dragon Boat Festival.

The concubines from various palaces entered Yihua Palace one after another, and the main hall was filled with jewels and laughter.

The Empress claimed to be unwell and did not come in person, but sent her head maid, hope Yue, to deliver a luminous pearl. When the brocade box was opened, the entire room shone brightly.

hope Yue bowed respectfully and said:

"Her Majesty the Empress specially ordered me to deliver this pearl to Consort Rong to bring her good fortune and longevity."

Consort Rong is now pregnant with the emperor's child. This pearl shines brightly at night, its luster and radiance are most nourishing.

The Empress said she hoped that Her Majesty's pregnancy would be as smooth and perfect as a bright pearl, and that Her Majesty would enjoy good health and a peaceful life.

After the words were spoken, the hall fell silent for a moment. A strange smile flashed in the eyes of the concubines.

Consort Rong sat upright in the main seat, her gaze lingering on the bead for a moment, the smile on her lips remaining unchanged:

"Your Majesty is too kind. I will certainly accept such a precious gift. Please thank Your Majesty on my behalf."

After saying that, he handed the brocade box to Fengchun without looking at it again.

Consort Su waved her palm-leaf fan and slowly began to speak:

"Now that Consort Rong is pregnant, her complexion is much better than before. When I was pregnant with the Fourth Prince, I vomited so much during the first three months that I couldn't even swallow tea. I was never as radiant as Your Highness."

Inside the hall, some people lowered their heads to sip tea, while others covered their mouths with handkerchiefs; no one spoke.

Consort Rong held her teacup, twirling her fingertips along the rim, and smiled calmly.

"Consort Su is joking. I am not as relaxed as you make me out to be. We are both women who have been pregnant before, so we should be understanding of each other."

She lowered her head and blew on the tea foam, her tone casual:

"Speaking of which, the Fourteenth Prince must be twelve by now, right? I overheard the Emperor mention the other day that he still can't recite the Four Books completely. Consort Su should really pay attention to that. After all, he is the Emperor's son, and it wouldn't look good if he fell behind in his studies."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Consort Su paused in her hand, which was waving a palm-leaf fan. The smile on her face didn't fade, but her eyes had turned cold. She gripped the fan handle and said slowly:

"He's a bit slow, unlike the baby in the empress's womb, who was already a lucky star before he was even born."

Consort Mei spoke at the opportune moment, gently sighing as she tucked her handkerchief into her sleeve:

"Consort Rong and Consort Su are both blessed people, unlike me, who, apart from raising other people's children, has not yet had the fortune to do so myself."

Consort Qi smiled and said, "What are you saying, Noble Lady Mei? Raising someone else's child is a virtuous act, and good fortune will come sooner or later. If the child is raised well, his birth mother should remember your kindness."

Consort Mei slightly raised her eyelids, her gaze quickly sweeping over Consort Qi, and then she smiled as well:

"Last time, I saw the Fifteenth Prince in the Imperial Garden. He has grown quite a bit taller, and his face is rounder. He looks much stronger than other children his age. It's clear that Consort Qi knows how to raise children; unlike those who are pampered and fed so delicately, they are weak and frail."

Consort Qi's smile froze for a moment, then she dabbed her lips with a handkerchief: "It's good for them to be a little chubby. An eight-year-old child is growing, and being strong will make them less prone to illness."

Jiang Shuoning felt his head buzzing as he listened to their barbed words, so he quietly slipped out of the main hall and went to the small kitchen to check on the dinner.

Not long after, the Emperor stepped in. Everyone in the hall bowed in unison, and the tense atmosphere that had been brewing was finally suppressed and the atmosphere eased somewhat.

As dusk settled, palace maids carrying gilded trays walked through the corridors, delivering the evening meal one dish at a time into the main hall.

Inside the hall, wine cups were clinked and laughter filled the air.

Jiang Shuoning was busy making arrangements in the courtyard when the princes and princesses arrived one after another.

A nanny led the fifteenth prince into the courtyard.

He was wearing a light green outfit, the fabric stretched taut, his little face round and chubby, his eyes squeezed into two thin slits by his flesh.

She was walking unsteadily with her short legs, saying, "Grandma, I'm so hungry."

The voice was soft and sweet, like a candy ball rolling into the yard.

He is Consort Qi's son, Zhou Yao.

The old woman bent down and whispered, "Your Highness, have you remembered all the manners I taught you on the way here?"

Zhou Yao pursed his lips, looked up at her, and asked expectantly, "Are there any pig's trotters to eat?"

The old woman was taken aback by his question, and sighed helplessly yet indulgently:

"Yes, we have everything. Your Highness, please go in first and remember to pay your respects to the ladies."

Zhou Yao nodded in satisfaction, took his short legs and stepped over the threshold, still clutching the nanny's clothes tightly.

Jiang Shuo Ning stood in the courtyard, looking at Zhou Yao's childlike and adorable appearance, and the corners of his lips unconsciously curved slightly.

Before long, the Eighth Princess walked in slowly.

She wore a lotus-colored silk skirt, her hair was half-tied up, and her head was styled in an exquisite cascading bun. Her temples were adorned with delicate floral and pearl hairpins, while the rest of her black hair flowed softly over her shoulders, giving her a graceful and delicate appearance.

She was Zhou Yan, the daughter of Consort Chong, who lived a secluded life and rarely appeared in public.

The accompanying palace goddess, with a cold expression, quietly reminded him of the proper etiquette for the audience.

Jiang Shuoning saw the slender figure from afar and quickly went to meet her.

"This servant, Jiang Shuoning, greets the princess."

A hint of unease flashed across Zhou Yan's eyes, as if she hadn't expected someone to bow to her so solemnly.

(under)

The melodious zither music had just ended in the hall, but its clear and lingering charm still slowly lingered among the carved beams.

Zhou Yan knelt in the center of the hall, her eyes lowered, her back slightly hunched, and her voice soft and timid:

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty, Consort Rong, and all the other consorts."

The Emperor picked up the jade cup, his gaze not falling on her at all, but casually raising his hand to signal her to get up and sit down.

The noblewoman below glanced at her sideways, a hint of disgust in her eyes. She gave her a cursory look before turning her gaze away indifferently, unwilling to look any longer.

"Thank you, Father Emperor."

Zhou Yan gripped the hem of her dress with her fingertips and stood up awkwardly.

All eyes in the hall seemed to be on her. She was at a loss, her cheeks flushed, and she didn't know where to sit.

"Yan'er, go sit next to your fifteenth brother," Consort Rong said slowly and calmly.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shuoning stepped forward lightly and bowed slightly, saying, "Princess, please come and sit here with me."

A faint trace of gratitude flashed in Zhou Yan's eyes. She nodded gently to her and said timidly, "Thank you for your trouble, sister."

After taking their seats, Zhou Yao stared intently at the meat dishes on Zhou Yan's table, his tone blunt and willful:

"I want to eat the meat on your plate."

Zhou Yan felt a little scared and hurriedly glanced at him. Without the slightest hesitation, she carefully pushed the entire plate of meat in front of her to him.

"Time to eat meat!" Zhou Yao's eyes crinkled with joy as he happily began to eat.

Bao Zhong stood beside the Emperor, his gaze sweeping lightly over Zhou Yan, his brows furrowed slightly, as if he were pondering to himself.

Before long, the Crown Prince, the Fourteenth Prince, the Sixth Prince, the Fifth Prince, and other princes and princesses entered the hall in turn to pay their respects.

The Emperor was overjoyed to see all his children gathered together and drank several cups of fine wine.

The palace music and dance performances resumed, and the concubines chatted and laughed in hushed tones.

Jiang Shuo stood quietly to one side of the palace gate, gazing at the person in the main seat through the hall filled with singing and dancing, pondering to himself.

At this moment, does Your Majesty remember that there is still a son guarding the desolate library all by himself?

His gaze swept over the princes in the hall; each of them wore bright and beautiful robes, chatting and laughing with each other, their every move exuding a leisurely and carefree air.

Her fingertips unconsciously curled up tightly, and a wave of bitterness washed over her.

Zhou Zhengyin should have enjoyed the same warmth and family happiness as them.

As the music and dance came to a close, Consort Mei smiled and spoke in a gentle and melodious tone:

"Your Majesty, today is both the Dragon Boat Festival and the joyous occasion of Consort Rong's pregnancy. I have heard that the Ministry of Rites has found a beautiful dancer whose figure and dance are both exceptional. I wonder if Your Majesty would be interested in watching her?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shuoning looked up at Consort Mei and saw that although she had a smile on her face, there was a hint of ill intent hidden in her eyes. A sense of unease immediately spread through his heart.

The Emperor nodded slightly: "Summon him."