Chapter 366: Yun Chu Hosts a Banquet
Consort Yin had someone bring medicinal cuisine from the imperial kitchen and headed to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
She happened to meet Consort Yun at the entrance.
She had married the Emperor before Consort Yun, and her son was more outstanding than Consort Yun's son. She couldn't understand why the Emperor wouldn't allow her to hold the phoenix seal.
"Sister Consort Yin," Consort Yun said with a smile, "What a rare encounter. Let's go in together."
She had come to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to see which palace maids in certain positions could freely enter and exit the hall, intending to replace them.
As the two reached the main hall entrance, Gao Gonggong bowed and said, "His Majesty is currently taking medicine. Please wait a moment, Your Highnesses."Then I can just serve His Majesty while he takes his medicine.""
Without waiting for Gao Gonggong to respond, Consort Yin pushed him aside and entered, with Consort Yun following closely behind.
One was the biological mother of the newly appointed Crown Prince, the other was the consort holding the phoenix seal - neither could be offended, and Gao Gonggong didn't dare to truly stop them.
Before Consort Yin even entered the inner chamber, she heard a young woman's voice speaking: "...Your Majesty is in good health, there's actually no need to establish a Crown Prince so early... Ziyue once read a story about a country where a crown prince remained in that position for over forty years. The emperor lived too long, and the crown prince was never able to ascend to the throne, therefore..."
"What nonsense are you spouting!" Consort Yin lifted the curtain and stormed in. "So it's Princess Consort Zhuang speaking such nonsense! Your Majesty, after you've established the Crown Prince, Princess Consort Zhuang saying such things makes it hard not to suspect her intentions. Your Majesty must not be deceived by this woman!"
Su Ziyue's face turned pale with fright.
This story had been told to her by her husband just moments ago, who asked her to relay it to the Emperor. She didn't know why her husband wanted her to tell this story, but his words naturally had purpose.
What she hadn't expected was that someone other than the Emperor would overhear.
"Ziyue's words are not incorrect," the Emperor said slowly. "She's speaking from her perspective, showing concern for me."
Consort Yin's eyes widened in disbelief.
This Su family woman was clearly interfering in the matter of establishing the Crown Prince - even the Empress wouldn't dare speak such words before the Emperor.
Was it just because Princess Consort Zhuang was from the Su family, the maternal relatives of the Emperor's mother, that he showed such leniency?
"Ziyue comes from a merchant family and doesn't understand court politics and protocols. I have overstepped," Su Ziyue said, raising her eyes to look at the Emperor. "I beg Imperial Uncle to punish me."
When the Emperor met her gaze, he suddenly seemed distracted and couldn't help saying: "This Crown Prince... was indeed established rather hastily..."
Before he could finish his sentence, there was a "crash" as a medicine bowl shattered on the floor.
Consort Yun said coldly: "If you can't even hold a medicine bowl properly, what use are you? Guards, take her out, administer ten strokes, and demote her to the laundry bureau!"
The palace maid was terrified, her knees giving way as she knelt on the ground: "I beg Consort Yun to spare me! This servant was wrong, I'll never dare again! I beg Your Highness to revoke the order..."
Consort Yin, annoyed by the Emperor's protection of Su Ziyue, vented her anger on the palace maid: "What kind of spectacle is this racket? Guards, take her away immediately!"
The Emperor waved his hand: "I am tired. All of you may withdraw."
Consort Yun, Consort Yin, and Su Ziyue curtseyed and withdrew as Gao Gonggong slowly closed the doors of the main hall."The Emperor's hall is short of someone to serve tea and water. I will arrange for someone to fill this position later," Consort Yun said casually. "Now that the Emperor's Dragon Body is unwell, if the Hall of Mental Cultivation needs additional hands, Gao Gonggong can send word to me at any time."
Gao Gonggong bowed his head. "Yes."
After leaving the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Yin Fei couldn't help but remark, "Consort Yun, have you noticed that after Princess Consort Zhuang said those words, the Emperor seems... somewhat regretful about appointing the Crown Prince?"
Consort Yun smiled. "Sister, don't overthink it. The Emperor is merely unwell and overthinking matters. The new Crown Prince has already been announced to the world; there will be no changes to this matter."
In truth, she had also noticed that the Emperor seemed overly trusting of that Su family woman.
For such an important matter as appointing the Crown Prince, he actually allowed that Su family woman to voice her opinion—it was indulgence to the extreme.
It felt somewhat peculiar.
After the new Crown Prince was appointed, the Eastern Palace was completely renovated, ready to welcome its new master.
However, Chu Yi was still serving at the Court of Judicial Review, which was located outside the palace. Traveling in and out of the palace was quite inconvenient, so he delayed moving into the Eastern Palace.
This was merely the surface excuse.
The truth was, the person behind the scenes had not yet revealed themselves. If he moved into the palace, it would mean entering an unfamiliar environment.
He was worried about Yun Chu and the three children.
It wouldn't be too late to move into the Eastern Palace after dealing with the person behind the scenes.
In her third year as Princess Consort of the Pacifying West, Yun Chu finally hosted a banquet, primarily because Chu Yi had become the Crown Prince, making the banquet unavoidable.
With the new Crown Prince taking office, it was natural to build connections, and nearly all court officials received invitations.
The Prince of Pacifying the West Manor was bustling with activity, the crowd of well-wishers nearly wearing out the doorstep.
"Greetings, Crown Prince, Crown Princess!"
"Your Highness looks well, congratulations!"
"The Crown Princess never hosts banquets; we had no idea what the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor looked like."
"Your Highness must host more flower-viewing banquets in the future!"
Yun Chu smiled. "Flower viewing in spring, tea in summer, hunting in autumn, and snow gazing in winter. I hope you all won't find it tiresome."
As everyone entered, they noticed the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor was not as lavish as imagined, with scenery that exuded elegance and warmth.
Chu Yi received court officials in the front courtyard.
Yun Chu entertained the female guests in the rear courtyard.
Chu Hongyu and Chu Changsheng were also entertaining the younger guests.
Some boys chatted with Chu Hongyu and Meng Shen about their studies.
Some girls gathered with Chu Changsheng, discussing daily activities like embroidery and painting.
Although Chu Changsheng had matured, her nature remained averse to socializing. After settling a group of noble young ladies of similar age, she quietly pulled Xie Xian to a side courtyard.
She let out a sigh. "Talking to them is exhausting. Let's just read here together."
As soon as she finished speaking, a voice came from nearby. "I'll read with you too."
Chu Changsheng looked over and saw Xie Shiyun.
Since the manor was hosting a banquet today, she had invited both her close friends, Xie Xian and Xie Shiyun. Xie Xian was someone she often spent time with, but she hadn't seen Xie Shiyun in quite a while.
Xie Shiyun spoke with some self-doubt. "I don't understand what those young masters are talking about."
He had no choice but to seek out the princess consort; staying alone would be even more awkward.
"Not just you, I don't understand what they're talking about either," Chu Changsheng said with a laugh. "You came at the right time. I want to use the fruit from this tree for a painting. Can you help me pick some?"In the rear courtyard of the princely mansion, camphor trees like these were everywhere. The fruits on the trees ranged from green to deep purple, displaying a variety of colors. Arranged by hue on rice paper, they could indeed form a painting.
Xie Shiyun smiled. "Great, this is what I'm best at."
He immediately climbed up the tree trunk and vigorously shook the branches, causing fruits of various colors to rain down.
"Shiyun, you're truly amazing!"
Chu Changsheng couldn't help but praise him.
Xie Shiyun's smile grew even brighter.
Ever since he entered the princely mansion, people had been constantly questioning his identity. Upon learning his surname was Xie, everyone's eyes had been filled with disdain and contempt.
Only the Little Commandery Princess, fully aware of his background, had never looked down on him. She treated him as a normal friend and, to avoid hurting his self-esteem, often gave him brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, and books as return gifts. He was deeply grateful but didn't know how to repay her.
He wished he could shake down every single fruit from this tree, as long as it pleased the Little Commandery Princess.
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