Chapter 315: The Empress's Birthday
In mid-June, the Empress's birthday arrived.
Yun Chu and Chu Yi brought their two children into the palace to offer their congratulations.
The Palace of Earthly Tranquility was already bustling with many guests. Chu Yi went to join the male guests, while Yun Chu stayed with the children and the female relatives.
"Yu Ge'er," Chu Lan, the Crown Prince's second daughter, approached. "We found a fun spot over there. Come play with us."
Chu Hongyu was instantly tempted.
Although he had visited the Palace of Earthly Tranquility many times, he never dared to wander around freely and hadn't explored many areas. With Chu Lan leading the way, it promised to be much more enjoyable.
Just as he was about to follow her,
his wrist was abruptly grabbed.
He was pulled directly behind Yun Zhenjiang.
Yun Zhenjiang addressed Chu Lan, "Princess, Yu Ge'er and I have some matters to discuss. We must excuse ourselves for now."
Disappointment flickered in Chu Lan's eyes before she snorted and walked away.
"How foolish," Yun Zhenjiang curled his lip. "Last time at the imperial mausoleum, you tackled her and sat on her. Do you really believe she'd take you somewhere fun?"
Chu Hongyu finally caught on: "Chu Lan wants revenge?"
"Consider this a rare moment of cleverness," Yun Zhenjiang shook his head. "You're royalty—how can you be so naive?"
Chu Hongyu fumed, "In the face of brute strength, all schemes are paper tigers! Watch this, Jiang Ge!"
He snatched a tree branch as a makeshift weapon and swung it toward Yun Zhenjiang's face.
Being slightly older, Yun Zhenjiang reacted swiftly, leaning back just enough to evade the branch.
In one fluid motion, he stepped forward, pressed a hand on Chu Hongyu's shoulder, wrested the branch away, and held it horizontally against Chu Hongyu's neck.
"You lose."
Yun Zhenjiang tossed the branch back at him.
Chu Hongyu grew even angrier.
Outmatched in both wit and combat—he felt utterly inadequate.
Yun Zhenjiang remarked, "I'm two or three years older than you, so it's natural I'd win. Don't take it to heart."
Chu Hongyu crossed his arms. "From now on, we'll compete once every month. I refuse to believe you'll win every time."
With that, he stomped over to Yun Chu and whispered, "Mother, please find me another martial arts tutor when we return home. I want to practice in the evenings too."
Yun Chu ruffled his hair. "You're already training every morning. Why add evenings?"
"I need to beat Jiang Ge," the little one clenched his fists, sparks of determination in his eyes.
Knowing her son's competitive spirit, Yun Chu reluctantly agreed, "Very well, but don't complain about the hardship later."
Before long, the Emperor arrived, and the Empress's birthday banquet officially commenced.
Many young ladies from prominent families in the capital came forward to perform for the Empress—playing instruments, singing, and showcasing various talents.
After the noble maidens finished their performances, it was the children's turn.
First came several princes and princesses.
Then the Crown Prince's three daughters.
Next were Gong Xi Prince's two sons and one daughter.
When it was Chu Yi's children's turn, Chu Changsheng suddenly grew timid, leaving only Chu Hongyu to step onto the stage and recite a poem.
The Empress maintained a gentle smile throughout, though a barely perceptible emotion flickered in the depths of her eyes.
The second prince's two sons and daughter seemed dull-witted from excessive studying, always appearing somewhat vacant.
The third prince's son and daughter—the girl timid and fearful, the boy Yu Ge'er overly boisterous and seemingly lacking in refinement.
Only the Crown Prince's three daughters excelled in every art—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Raised under the Crown Princess's personal guidance, the future Crown Prince's heir would undoubtedly be exceptional.The lineage of the Crown Prince shall continue forever.
While the Empress was enjoying the performance, Yun Chu whispered to the little girl in her arms, "Didn't our Changsheng prepare a birthday gift for Grandmother Empress? Why not present it now?"
Chu Changsheng clung to Yun Chu's neck and murmured softly, "There are too many people. I'm scared."
Chu Hongyu immediately offered, "I'll deliver it for my sister."
Chu Yi held the little one's hand and said, "We must believe Changsheng can do it herself."
"Changsheng, the birthday gift you worked so hard on for several days will be more meaningful if you present it yourself," Yun Chu encouraged with gentle eyes. "Don't be afraid. Your father and I are both sitting right here."
Chu Changsheng stood up and took the scroll from the maid behind her.
Taking a deep breath, she bravely walked to the center and said in her soft, sweet voice, "Changsheng wishes Grandmother Empress health and happiness. This is the birthday gift Changsheng prepared."
When she was below earlier, she had been terribly frightened, but now that she had stepped forward and spoken the first word, it seemed... not so scary anymore.
She held up the scroll.
A smile appeared on the Empress's face. "This is the first time I've seen Changsheng offering birthday wishes. It seems Changsheng has truly grown up and become sensible."
Hearing this, Yin Fei frowned slightly.
The Empress's words seemed to imply that Changsheng hadn't been sensible before.
She immediately spoke up: "Changsheng was previously ill. Now that she's just recovered, she stayed up several nights preparing this gift for Your Majesty. Please open it and have a look."
The Empress unrolled the painting—it was a family garden outing scene.
The imperial family was enjoying themselves in the imperial garden, including the Emperor with his consorts, princes with their wives, and imperial grandchildren.
Suddenly, the Empress paused. "Changsheng, why are there five children beside the Crown Prince?"
Chu Changsheng explained clearly, "This is a snow play scene. By this winter, Uncle Crown Prince will have five children."
The five children consisted of three girls and two boys.
And the Crown Prince happened to lack sons.
The Empress was overjoyed. "Changsheng has painted wonderfully. Someone, bring me that thousand-strand jade ruyi scepter."
The matron immediately fetched a jade ruyi scepter and handed it to Chu Changsheng.
The little girl politely expressed her thanks before returning to Yun Chu's side.
The Empress looked at Fang Xinyan, who was seated below the Crown Princess, and said with a smile, "You must take good care of your pregnancy and add another child to the Eastern Palace."
Fang Xinyan's face was somewhat pale. "Yes, Mother Empress."
Her hands tightly protected her abdomen as she felt physically weak.
Ever since Madam of the Duke slapped her at the flower appreciation banquet, causing such a fright that she showed signs of miscarriage, she had been taking miscarriage prevention medicine daily with little effect.
A few days ago, the imperial physician told her the fetus might not be saved.
She spent considerable silver to keep the physician from revealing this news.
She looked toward Madam of the Duke's direction. Because the Duke's household enjoyed the Emperor's deep trust, Madam of the Duke was seated very close to the Emperor.
Madam of the Duke sat there with dignified elegance, eating without smiling.
Who could tell that Madam of the Duke was actually having an affair with the Emperor?
Remembering that day's events, Fang Xinyan shuddered uncontrollably. Her abdomen suddenly ached, and she accidentally knocked over a cup on the table.
The Crown Princess said coldly, "You're supposed to be resting for your pregnancy. I told you not to come. I don't know why you insisted on joining this gathering.""I wish to offer birthday felicitations to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager." Fang Xinyan dug her nails deep into her palms. "I know my own constitution best. Should I become unable to endure, I shall return to the Eastern Palace first."
The Crown Princess could not be bothered to say more.
Fang Xinyan felt the pain in her abdomen growing increasingly severe.
Lifting her gaze, she noticed the family directly across from her - Prince Pingxi and his Princess Consort, along with their son and daughter. They truly appeared to be a blissful family.
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