Chapter 336: New Year's Eve Banquet in the Palace
Sunlight streamed through the window lattice.
Yun Chu finally woke up, unsure what time she had slept until.
She sat up, draped her clothes over herself, and after washing up, went to the outer chamber for breakfast, only to find Meng Shen sitting there reading a book.
Luwei bowed her head and said, "Young Master Meng has been here for over an hour, saying he wished to pay his respects to the Princess Consort."
Seeing Yun Chu emerge, Meng Shen set down his book and immediately stood up: "Greetings, Aunt."
Yun Chu took her seat: "Shen'er, you must have some reason for coming at this hour?"
"I heard about what my mother did yesterday," Meng Shen said with a face full of remorse. "My mother sometimes acts without restraint or propriety, causing trouble for Uncle and Aunt, and disturbing Aunt's peaceful rest during pregnancy. It's entirely my mother's fault. I apologize to you on her behalf. Starting today, my mother and I will move into the Everlasting Autumn Palace in the imperial court. After my mother leaves the capital, I will return to live at Uncle's residence. I beg for your permission."
After the major trouble his mother had stirred up, he felt he should no longer stay at his uncle's estate.
But he also worried that if he didn't reside there, his grandmother might think his aunt had mistreated him, or outsiders might perceive discord between the two families.
Thus, he could only wait until his mother departed the capital before moving back.
He would find ways to make amends for his mother's mistakes.
"Matters between adults have nothing to do with a child like you," Yun Chu said with a smile. "Please stay with peace of mind."
Her harsh words with Chu Yi were merely to keep Qinghua Princess in check—how could they possibly drive out an eight-year-old child?
If the boy were unruly and troublesome, sending him away might be justified.
But Shen'er was well-behaved, sensible, and deeply thoughtful. Being expelled by his own uncle and aunt would likely leave him with lifelong emotional scars.
After much deliberation, Meng Shen ultimately decided to remain at the Prince's estate.
Meanwhile, Qinghua moved into the Everlasting Autumn Palace, bringing along her personal attendants and Ding Dong, whom she had just retrieved from the military camp.
Yin Fei said with lingering fear: "That child Yi'er is different from others. We must never attempt such things again in the future."
After Qinghua had complained to Yin Fei, hearing this response, she couldn't contain her anger: "It's all because of Yun Chu's whispering in his ear! I truly don't understand how a great family like the Yuns could raise such a narrow-minded woman!"
"What does this have to do with Chu'er?" Yin Fei frowned. "Even before Chu'er entered the household, Yi'er was unwilling to marry, keeping his rear court completely clean. I thought that after having Chu'er, Yi'er might become willing to accept a Side Princess Consort or concubines. I never expected he would remain exactly the same."
Ding Dong, standing behind Qinghua, wore a bitter smile.
She had previously thought the Prince didn't like women, which is why she had agreed to her mother arranging a marriage for her.
Later, when she heard the Prince had taken a wife, she assumed that having tasted intimacy, he would surely want to sample other flavors, and thus she eagerly entered the Prince's estate.
But things didn't go as planned.
She had nearly become the wife of one of those coarse old soldiers in the army.
Those men were thick-waisted and broad-shouldered, crude and vulgar, with frightening appearances. Waking up to such a face every day would have terrified her to death.
Moreover, after marrying, she would have to bear children, respect her mother-in-law, and spend every day washing clothes, cooking, and doing hard labor. The mere thought of such a life made her feel overwhelmed.
In the past, when her mother was the Chief Stewardess of the Prince's estate, her daily life had been more comfortable than that of young ladies from ordinary families. Why should she marry an ordinary man and suffer?She didn't know how to navigate the future, so she could only follow the princess to Pingliang Prefecture for now...
In the blink of an eye, New Year's Eve arrived.
This night every year hosted the grandest palace banquet, where all officials of the fifth rank and above, along with their families, were required to attend to celebrate the passing year and welcome the new one.
Yun Chu was already four months pregnant. Wearing loose clothing that concealed her abdomen, a casual glance wouldn't reveal her condition.
However, she walked with extreme caution, and experienced women could tell she was pregnant.
Chu Yi carefully supported Yun Chu as they entered the grand hall. The assembled guests immediately turned their attention to the family.
Soon, hushed whispers began to circulate.
"Have you heard? Yin Fei sent women to Prince Pingxi, but he sent them all to the military camp."
"Is Prince Pingxi even a real man? He actually sent away women who fell into his hands. I suspect it was the Princess Consort of the Pacifying West's idea."
"Ever since the Princess Consort of the Pacifying West entered the manor, the wet nurses were dismissed. Now, driving away a few concubines—what's surprising about that?"
"Is Prince Pingxi really that doting on his Princess Consort?"
"Just look at the Yun family's status—Grand General and Grand Commandant. You won't find another like them in the entire Great Jin."
"Then, does Prince Pingxi have a chance to ascend to that position..."
"Prince Pingxi holds no official position in the court and hasn't attended court for over half a year. It seems he has no intention of seizing power."
"..."
The crowd only dared to whisper, but when the four members of the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor entered, these discussions abruptly ceased.
"Mother, be careful." Chu Hongyu placed a cushion behind Yun Chu. "Sit down slowly. If you want to eat anything, just tell me, and I'll get it for you."
Chu Changsheng had already brought over some fruits for Yun Chu to eat.
Chu Yi sat beside his wife and two children, his gaze resting gently and peacefully on the three of them.
This scene was observed by the former Guogong Furen, now Consort Jin.
After the downfall of the Duke's estate, she lost her title and found it difficult to enter the palace. The Emperor then conferred upon her the title of Second Rank Consort, with the honorific Jin.
This was why she could appear at today's New Year's Eve banquet.
She watched as Yun Chu and Chu Yi shared a loving bond, their children gathered around them, and another child growing in Yun Chu's womb—a scene so enviable.
This was the simple happiness she had always yearned for, yet it remained forever beyond her reach.
Soon, the crowd's whispers turned to Li Jingshu.
"I don't understand why the Emperor conferred upon her the title of Second Rank Consort. What has she done to deserve such an honor?"
"When the Princess Consort of the Pacifying West established the Orphanage, she only received the title of Fifth Rank Consort."
"Perhaps the Emperor is remembering the contributions of the old Duke."
"But she didn't even save the Emperor's life. Why would he still hold her in such regard?"
"Don't bother thinking about it if you can't understand..."
Hearing these remarks, the Empress's face turned ashen.
Having spent so many years in the inner palace, she had long mastered the art of concealing her emotions, but now she found it impossible to control her feelings.
She had thought that with the Duke's estate gone, the connection between that old wretch Li Jingshu and the Emperor would be severed. Never had she imagined the Emperor would confer upon Li Jingshu the title of Second Rank Consort.
She was probably the most aggrieved and humiliated Empress in history.
The Empress took a deep breath and forced a strained smile onto her face. "Consort Jin, your nieces from the Li family must be of marriageable age, right? Coincidentally, the Emperor mentioned the selection of consorts next spring. Why not choose a few women from the Li family to enter the palace?"
Li Jingshu's face darkened.If her niece became an imperial consort, it would be even more impossible for her and the Emperor to be together openly.
The Empress was trying to cut off all her paths.
She forced a smile and said, "If His Majesty takes a liking to them, that would be their good fortune. I defer entirely to Your Majesty's decision."
OpenNovel