That Imperial Concubine is both wicked and cunning! Your Majesty, wake up!

Before she knew it, Song Shuangning was a month old and had finally made it through her postpartum period.

She took three separate rose baths before she felt completely refreshed and her brow relaxed.

The little rascal has reached his one-month milestone, and the Emperor solemnly announced the previously decided name to the harem.

珩。

His courtesy name was Jingyao.

Just by looking at his name, one can tell that the Fourth Prince holds a significant place in the Emperor's heart.

It possesses both the warmth and luster of jade and the grandeur of the sun and moon.

Both the imperial court and the harem felt that the emperor placed extraordinary hopes on this fourth prince.

Consort Yuan Xian rose in status because of her son.

Song Shuangning also gave Xiao Hongheng a nickname—

Jade Dumplings.

Because this chubby little boy was born plump, Song Shuangning loved to pinch his chubby little face.

"Heng" was originally the name of an ancient jade.

When put together, they form a jade lump.

There's really nothing special about nicknames.

So Xiao Yan let her go.

Yu Tuotuo's full moon celebration was not a grand affair.

Xiao Yan, mindful that Song Shuangning's body had not yet fully recovered from childbirth, feared that the noise would disturb her rest, so he only invited a few of her close friends and the Zhenbei Marquis's family to a family banquet at Yaohua Palace.

Full moon banquet.

Madam Zheng held Xiao Hongheng in her arms, her joy growing with each glance, her smile spreading across her face.

"The little prince's eyes are so bright and clear, just like Shuang Ning's. But his nose and eyebrows are handsome, just like the emperor's."

Upon hearing that Song Shuangning had nearly suffered a difficult childbirth that day, Old Madam Zheng wiped away tears from the corners of her eyes and said with a face full of tenderness, "That day, when I heard that you had gone into labor, your grandmother burned incense and prayed to Buddha in the mansion, asking all the ancestors and gods in the heavens, hoping that you could have a smooth delivery. Fortunately, you and the little prince are both safe and sound. It is truly the ancestors' blessing."

Song Shuangning gently comforted her, "I'm sorry to have worried Grandmother."

Madam Zheng's heart softened, and she waved for someone to bring over two gilded lacquer boxes.

She prepared a set of longevity locks made of pure gold for Xiao Hongheng, as well as a peace jade pendant carved from Hetian jade.

May the Fourth Prince grow up safely.

Aunt Su sat in the corner.

She was dressed in simple clothes and watched the lively scene inside the hall from afar.

Song Shuangning smiled, picked up Yu Tuotuo, and walked over.

"Your Majesty..." When Aunt Su saw her coming, she slowly got up and was about to curtsy, but Tingyu quickly stopped her.

Tingyu, supporting Aunt Su's arm, asked, "Aunt Su, what are you doing? Are you trying to distance yourself from Her Highness?"

Aunt Su choked up.

Song Shuangning placed Yu Tuotuo into Aunt Su's arms and smiled with her eyes crinkling, "Quickly, hold your grandson."

Aunt Su held the child, tears streaming down her face.

Song Shuangning wiped away her tears and said, word by word, "Aunt, please remember, no matter what, you are still my mother."

Xiao Hongheng kicked around with his strong little legs, so Aunt Su could only hold him tighter, nodding and saying, "Ningning... is also Aunt Su's daughter."

**

Three days before Lunar New Year's Eve.

That day was Xiao Yan's twenty-sixth birthday.

On this day, the emperor and his ministers drank together in the Golden Palace, and the clinking of cups was filled with celebratory sounds.

Outside the imperial city, the people decorated their homes with lanterns and colorful decorations, and the streets and alleys were filled with the joyous atmosphere of a peaceful and prosperous era.

Furthermore, envoys from several countries arrived from afar, bringing rare and precious treasures, creating a scene of peace and prosperity throughout the world.

Among the envoys, the delegation from the Moon Clan Kingdom of the Grasslands stood out.

I heard that a stunningly beautiful princess, destined for a political marriage, has come to offer her birthday wishes.

The concubines whispered among themselves, all watching the Emperor's attitude and secretly speculating whether this princess from afar, if she won the Emperor's favor, could shake the weight of Consort Yuan in the Emperor's heart.

But then I thought about it again and realized that it was almost impossible. Anyone with eyes could see that Consort Yuan's position in the Emperor's heart was already deeply rooted. How easy would it be for someone else to take her place?

The Empress still claimed to be ill and declined to attend the grand birthday banquet.

Two days ago, the Emperor showed her the imperial edict bestowing titles and honors upon the harem. She did not want to see Consort Yuan Xian steal the spotlight, nor did she want to witness that glaring scene.

Thus, in the Golden Palace, the Empress's seat beside the Emperor remained empty.

But it's not really empty.

After the imperial edict to bestow titles upon the harem was issued, the emperor had Consort Yuan, no, Imperial Noble Consort, accompany him.

In this grand ceremony of bestowing titles upon the imperial harem, Consort Yuanxian was honored as Imperial Noble Consort for her gentle and virtuous character, her exemplary conduct as a mother, and her meritorious service in raising the fourth prince. She was bestowed with a golden seal and a golden book, enjoying unparalleled favor.

After the imperial edict was read, the hall remained silent for a full three breaths.

The Imperial Noble Consort held a rank equivalent to that of the Empress, second only to the Empress.

While the Empress was still alive, the Emperor established the position of Imperial Noble Consort.

Song Shuangning was also surprised for a long time.

She truly hadn't considered the position of Imperial Noble Consort.

She originally thought he was a concubine.

The Emperor was indeed preparing a major move.

What a surprise! It was truly a surprise.

Consort Shao was promoted to one of the Four Consorts, becoming Consort Shaohui; Consort Xu was promoted to Zhaoyi; Consort Qiu was promoted to Guipin...

This grand bestowal of titles upon the imperial harem is an act of immense imperial grace.

Yu Tuotuo also spent a short time at his father's birthday banquet.

Just as the wet nurse was about to carry Yu Tuotuo downstairs...

Prince Rong smiled and said, "Your Majesty and Imperial Noble Consort, we old ministers have not yet had the opportunity to see the young prince. Would you do us the honor of letting us see him?"

Prince Rong was Xiao Yan's uncle.

Xiao Yan waved his hand.

Prince Rong looked at the jade doll embroidered with lotus blossoms in the quilt. The doll had chubby cheeks and round eyes that were curiously looking at him. Its little mouth would smack its lips from time to time.

"The Fourth Prince is indeed a pleasing appearance, with well-proportioned features, and he looks like a blessed man. With such a precious child by her side, the Imperial Noble Consort's days will surely become more and more comfortable and smooth."

These words sounded like a sigh, but they also carried a hint of "a mother's status rising with her son's," and several relatives present nodded in agreement.

Xiao Yan chuckled a few times, then said casually, "Uncle, your words are rather biased."

"The Imperial Noble Consort is gentle and virtuous. Since entering the palace, she has been meticulous in everything she does and has treated me with genuine sincerity. With her around, I feel that this harem is warm. This child is benefiting from the Imperial Noble Consort's influence; he is a child whose status is due to his mother's."

Others say that a mother's status is elevated because of her son.

But for the Imperial Noble Consort, it was her son's status that made him famous.

The difference between "a mother's status rising with her son's" and "a son's status rising with his mother's" is merely a change of order, but the implications are vastly different.

Song Shuangning's cheeks flushed slightly.

Prince Rong was stunned for a moment, and his smile froze.

It was only when the princess beside him tugged at him that he came to his senses and nodded repeatedly, "It was my mistake, it was my mistake."

The banquet was halfway through.

The envoy from the Moon Clan Kingdom bowed to the throne and said, "On the occasion of Your Majesty's birthday, I have come from afar with the princess on the orders of my country. Today, the princess wishes to present a dance as a gift to celebrate Your Majesty's birthday. This dance is not only a small birthday present, but also the unique Wind Ridge Dance of the Moon Clan Kingdom."

As soon as she finished speaking, the Moon Clan princess strode into the palace.

The so-called Fengling Dance was originally the most charming dance of the Moon Clan. She wore only a pink strapless top and a flowing gold gauze skirt, her bare feet stepping on gold bricks, and the silver ornaments on her wrists and neck jingled with her dance steps.