Chapter 918: Rumors in Jingcheng

Mu Rong Jin glanced at her, said nothing, turned and walked toward the bedchamber. Si Yu hurriedly followed.

Xiao Che lay in the rocking cradle, sleeping soundly.

Mu Rong Jin bent down, gently lifted him, pressed him to her chest, and softly patted him.

The little fellow twitched his nose in his sleep, nudged toward his mother's embrace, then settled down quietly.

Si Yu stood quietly beside, not daring to speak.

After a while, Mu Rong Jin placed her son back into the rocking cradle, tucked his blanket, and straightened up.

"Everyone, leave."

"Yes." Several palace attendants in the hall bowed and withdrew.

Mu Rong Jin slowly sat down on the edge of the couch, raised a hand to rub her temple, her voice hoarse: "Si Yu, what else can I do now?"

Si Yu felt a pang in her heart, opened her mouth, but hadn't figured out how to persuade.

Mu Rong Jin continued speaking on her own.

"That person could slip the note into Fengyi Palace; could they not slip it into Zichen Hall?"

She lifted her eyes, her gaze vacant toward the window: "He only needs to write the matter of the brocade handkerchief on paper and slip it into Zichen Hall…"

She gave a wretched smile: "Wouldn't I be even more unable to defend myself? Che'er, my Che'er, what should I do?"

"Mother, Your Majesty…" Si Yu's voice trembled.

She clenched her teeth, forced herself to say: "Fortunately that person didn't make Your Majesty do anything out of line; it was just to hold a palace banquet."

"Then go ahead with it; since Your Majesty gave birth to the little prince, you've never held a palace banquet."

"Taking advantage of this banquet, Your Majesty can chat casually with the women of Jingcheng, consider it a leisure, not a bad thing."

Mu Rong Jin remained silent for a long while, then slowly nodded.

"Tomorrow have Li Zhong bring my flower invitation and send it to the women of each mansion."

"Invite them," she thought, "to come to Fengyi Palace in five days; I will hold a flower‑viewing banquet."

"Make sure all are delivered, none left out."

"Yes." Si Yu replied, quietly slipped out of the bedchamber.

That evening, Ning Prince's Mansion.

After Tuan Tuan fell asleep, Cheng Ru'an dismissed Liu Māmā and the maid, sat alone before the dressing table, lost in thought.

Xiao Yuanhang pushed the door open, saw she had not changed clothes, walked over and gently placed his hand on her shoulder: "Why aren't you resting yet?"

Cheng Ru'an glanced at him from the mirror and mentioned that the Empress was planning a Hundred Flowers banquet.

Xiao Yuanhang's brows slightly furrowed.

"The eunuch in charge of the Empress's Hall has visited twice," Cheng Ru'an whispered, "The first time he presented a white jade ruyi of mutton fat, letting me bring Tuan Tuan into the palace."

"I said I was unwell and declined."

"The second time he presented many rare medicinal herbs, still asking me to bring Tuan Tuan into the palace; I again declined, citing my illness."

"This time," she sighed lightly, "I fear I can't avoid it."

"His Majesty did not tell her about the brocade handkerchief matter," Xiao Yuanhang mused, "Why is she so eager to see you and Tuan Tuan?"

Cheng Ru'an shook her head: "I don't understand either."

She sighed lightly, gazing at their reflections in the bronze mirror, her tone tinged with melancholy: "Years ago the Empress was neglected by His Majesty, enduring so long in the inner palace."

"Now, after finally achieving marital harmony, they have also given birth to a legitimate son."

"I thought she would finally taste sweetness after bitterness, but never expected her to be drawn into this turmoil."

Xiao Yuanhang extended his hand, brushed the top of his wife's hair: "Then take Tuan Tuan with you."

"The banquet will have many guests, all women attending; I don't think any mistakes will occur."

"Fine." Cheng Ru'an nodded, rose to untie the sash of his outer robe, "Then I'll take Tuan Tuan there."

"By the way," Xiao Yuanhang suddenly recalled, "On returning home I heard Xiao Er say that Tuan Tuan has been going to Song Residence every day these past few days."

"What's the matter? She used to avoid going there."

Cheng Ru'an laughed at the words: "This matter, we really must thank Miss Song."

"The granddaughter of Lord Song?" Xiao Yuanhang was slightly startled.

"Yes." Cheng Ru'an's smile remained, "Now Tuan Tuan's lessons are all taught by her."

Xiao Yuanhang's brows lifted slightly, his face full of surprise: "That's indeed odd."

"Could Miss Song be a better teacher than Lord Song?"

"It's hard to say whether it's good or not," Cheng Ru'an pursed her lips, her eyes and brows gentle, "but your daughter likes it."

"Yesterday she ran over, saying she wanted to recite a poem to me, which truly startled me."

Xiao Yuanhang's eyebrows rose even higher: "Tuan Tuan can recite now?"

"She shakes her head and sways," Cheng Ru'an mimicked her daughter's manner, "but she recites wonderfully! She knows several poems now."

Xiao Yuanhang's lips curled slightly: "Whose poems is she reciting?"

"They're all written by Miss Song herself. That girl is clever, her poems are simple and catchy, clear and detailed, and Tuan Tuan understands them at once."

She paused, her smile deepening a few more points: "Your daughter is so clever; each time Miss Song teaches twice, she memorizes it."

"These past few days you've been busy, Tuan Tuan told me several times that when Daddy is free, she'll recite to you."

Xiao Yuanhang laughed loudly, his laughter especially hearty.

"I told you so." He pulled his wife into his arms, his face full of pride, "Our Tuan Tuan is so clever, why does she…"

"Turns out, it's because she hasn't met the right person."

Cheng Ru'an leaned against him, laughing softly: "Tuan Tuan's temperament, it makes her willing to sit down and learn, Miss Song must have spent a lot of effort."

"Exactly." Xiao Yuanhang lightly patted her shoulder, "We must thank her properly."

"I feel the same way." Cheng Ru'an nodded, "Another day I will personally visit, bringing generous gifts to thank you in person."

Xiao Yuanhang hummed: "That is only proper."

He lowered his head to glance at his wife, his voice softening a few degrees: "It's late, rest now."

Cheng Ru'an nodded.

Inside the room, the candlelight swayed gently, the curtain fell slowly, and the moonlight outside was bright.

Two days later, Cheng Ru'an furrowed his brow slightly: "These past two days, have you heard the rumors circulating in Jingcheng, Prince?"

Xiao Yuanhang asked: "What rumors?"

Cheng Ru'an replied: "Today I went to Linglong Pavilion to pick up Tuan Tuan's newly made bracelet, but I didn't expect to actually see several mother-daughter pairs there selecting jewelry."

"Lady Lu of the Censorate, Lady Yuan of the Ministry of Personnel, and Lady Chen of the Ministry of Rites all brought their daughters there; after picking out jewelry, they went on to select clothing."

"I listened closely, and they said that the Hundred Flowers Banquet at the Fengyi Palace is the Empress selecting a consort for the Crown Prince."