Chapter 78: Return to the Capital

Chapter 78: Return to the Capital

"The crown prince has chosen a sword; surely, he will grow to be strong and valiant!"

This blessing seemed somewhat incongruent with the crown prince's frail health, but the Emperor, pleased, declared loudly, "Rewards for all!"

The atmosphere at the banquet grew even more lively.

The crown prince seemed delighted too, grabbing at the Emperor's sleeve and babbling incoherently in baby talk.

The Emperor laughed heartily and scooped the crown prince into his arms, playfully engaging with him.

The Empress, seated at the banquet, watched the scene with a smile, her demeanor graceful. After the nurse took the tired crown prince away, she said to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, on this second day of the New Year, there’s another piece of good news to share with you!"

Consort Xu, sitting nearby, smiled with her eyes fixed on the Emperor.

Jiang Hui glanced at her, then lowered her gaze to the floating tea stems in her cup, and indeed heard the Empress announce in a dignified manner, "Yesterday, during the celebration at Fengyi Palace, Consort Xu felt unwell. The royal physician was called, and it turns out she is over a month pregnant!"

The Emperor, whose lineage was scant, was naturally overjoyed to hear of another consort's pregnancy, but remembering it was the crown prince's first birthday celebration, he simply smiled at Consort Xu and said, "Good, Consort Xu has contributed. Reward her."

As the banquet was about to conclude, Consort Xu, feigning frailty, stood up, dramatically holding her still-flat belly, and instructed Haitang beside her, "Go find His Majesty, and tell him I'm feeling unwell."

Before Haitang could respond, Consort He laughed loudly, "Consort Xu, unwell? If you're sick, call the physician, why bother the Emperor?"

Known for her straightforwardness and louder voice than the average consort, her comment was heard by everyone present.

Any other consort might have been mortified by such a remark, but Consort Xu seemed unfazed, instead exaggerating her discomfort and calling out to the Emperor, who had turned at the sound, "Your Majesty, I truly am unwell!"

On the seats reserved for noblewomen, Consort Xu's maternal aunt, who had been about to leave, now looked flushed and awkwardly smiled at the watching ladies, excusing, "It’s Consort Xu's first time at such a banquet, and the mixed aromas here might indeed be making her uncomfortable."

"That's quite common," the other officials' relatives laughed and echoed in agreement.

No matter what they thought, none dared voice it aloud.

Meanwhile, the Emperor had already ordered someone to fetch the royal physician and said to Consort Xu, "Since you're feeling unwell, better to return to Guangyang Palace and rest. Empress, accompany her to see how she is."

Consort Xu often made a fuss in Jianzhang Palace without any real ailment, so the Emperor, aware of her character, simply got up and, taking Jiang Hui with him, went into the main hall of Qionghua Palace, leaving Consort Xu disappointed outside.

With the Emperor's departure, the rest of the guests dispersed. The newly promoted Wan Meiren followed Sun Guiren back to Chonghua Palace, lamenting, "Sister Sun, even Consort Xu has news, why not me?"

She was clearly thinking about having a child.

"Even if you were pregnant, you couldn't keep the child with you," Sun Guiren thought impatiently, but on the surface, she smiled and said, "Sister Feng, you've been reinstated and promoted to Baolin after your dance in the Purple Bamboo Grove, and now promoted to Meiren in the recent honors. That's already quite good. Children's matters can't be rushed."

Wan Meiren nodded, not considering why Sun Guiren, who had orchestrated her promotions, remained a mere Guiren. She said gratefully, "Thank you, Sister Sun. Without your dance lessons, His Majesty wouldn't have given me a second glance."

Sun Guiren maintained a polite smile as she exchanged a few words with Wan Meiren, watching her return to Jiangxue Pavilion before heading to her own Xiuxia Pavilion with Huamei.

Inside, Dujuan helped her remove her crimson silk cotton cloak and served her ginger tea, then whispered, "Mistress, I heard that Luo Cairan has again sent embroidery to Fengyi Palace."

Sun Guiren hummed softly, putting down the ginger tea and sitting in front of the dressing table. She removed her veil and looked into the mirror at the pustules on her face, murmuring, "No amount of Snow Face Cream can cure this."

Huamei whispered softly, "Mistress..."

As a Guiren, she was just one rank below a fifth-rank Imperial Consort, a position that allowed for raising imperial children. But with her facial condition, it was difficult to ascend any higher.

Sun Guiren suppressed her resentment towards Zhao Shuren, put her veil back on, and said softly, "Luo Cairan is beautiful and talented, it's normal for the Empress to favor her. Let's just focus on helping Wan Meiren with her plans."

Only if Wan Meiren ascended to a higher position could she have a chance to have a child and avoid ending up in an ordinary nunnery.

Acting against Luo Cairan now might displease the Empress, a risk not worth taking.

Dujuan's eyes flickered as she quietly acknowledged.

Jianzhao Year Two, the sixth day of the first month.

Inside the main hall of Qionghua Palace, the floor was covered with thick carpets as usual. Jiang Hui watched with a smile as the crown prince toddled on it. The Emperor, dressed in his usual lotus-green attire, suddenly entered and said mysteriously, "Hui'er, come with me to Liangyi Hall to meet someone."

Saying this, the Emperor bent down to pick up the crown prince, smiling, "Let's bring the crown prince along."

Jiang Hui was momentarily startled, a guess forming in her mind. A hint of joy appeared in her eyes as she softly replied, "Alright."

The room was warm, but outside, snow was still falling. Qiukiu and Wansong hurried to help Jiang Hui dress, while Emperor Xiaosheng, holding the crown prince, sat on the couch, softly coaxing, "Come on, little one, say 'daddy'—"

The words "Father Emperor" were too difficult for the crown prince, who had just turned one. The Emperor hoped he would first learn to say 'daddy'.

"Ah, da-da..." the crown prince mumbled unclearly, grabbing the bright yellow tassel hanging from Xiaosheng's jade pendant, "Want, want—"

"Alright, alright, you want the jade pendant..." Xiaosheng laughed, removing the coiled dragon white jade pendant and, fearing the prince's small hands couldn’t hold it securely, thoughtfully hung it around his neck.

The crown prince already wore a gold and jade longevity lock around his neck, which clinked against the jade pendant, making a tinkling sound.

He looked down at it for a while, seemingly very pleased, and then hugged the Emperor's neck, happily snuggling in his embrace.

When Jiang Hui came out in her new clothes, she saw this harmonious scene.

"Your Majesty is indulging the crown prince again," she said as she approached to adjust the longevity lock and jade pendant on the crown prince's chest, ensuring they didn't tangle and discomfort him.

"The crown prince is still young, my imperial son, why shouldn't I indulge him?" the Emperor replied, still smiling.

Pomegranate brought over the crown prince's thick clothes, and Jiang Hui personally dressed him. The three of them then directly took the imperial sedan to Liangyi Hall.

However, the Emperor didn't lead her towards the usual hall for handling state affairs but instead turned into a side hall.

As soon as they entered the room, a deep and resonant voice greeted them, "This humble official pays respects to Your Majesty, Empress Dowager Zhao, and the crown prince."

"Father?!" Jiang Hui exclaimed excitedly, stepping forward to help Marquis Ningyuan up, but then she remembered the Emperor was behind her and stopped.

"Marquis Ningyuan, please, no need for such formalities," Emperor Xiaosheng gestured for the Marquis to rise and handed the crown prince to Jiang Hui, smiling, "I have some petitions to review. You and your daughter can catch up here."

He then left the side hall with Sheng An, giving Jiang Hui and her father some privacy.