Chapter 326: The Empress's Trap (3)

"Very well, you are still in your confinement month, so rest well. I have come to see my little grandson." Waving her hand at Qingfeng, Lou Suxin did not reprimand her. Xu Shuping, who was behind Lou Suxin, walked to Qingfeng's side, bowed, and then gently picked up the little prince from the bed, walking back to Lou Suxin's side. Seeing her little grandson, who had grown plump and fair after a few days of care, Lou Suxin was overjoyed, focusing entirely on playing with him and completely forgetting the several consorts following behind her.

The group looked at each other, feeling somewhat awkward, and had no choice but to step forward and bow. "Paying respects to Consort Qing."

Qingfeng squinted to look closely and recognized among them Concubine Ru, who had given birth to a princess, and Zhen Zhen's cousin, Beauty Yu. As long as the Empress didn't come, Qingfeng didn't take the others to heart. She smiled. "Rise, everyone. Fuling, serve tea."

"Yes."

Lou Suxin was entirely focused on teasing her little grandson. These consorts had no dealings with Qingfeng on ordinary days and felt a degree of wariness toward her, so now, besides offering congratulations, they could only sit blankly to the side.

Qingfeng leaned half-propped against the bed. Just as she was about to set her mind at ease after a night of worry, a high-pitched announcement came from outside the courtyard: "The Emperor has arrived. The Empress has arrived."

Qingfeng sat bolt upright. Why had they... come together?

"May the Emperor live for ten thousand years. May the Empress live for a thousand years."

Yan Hongtian and Xin Yuening entered the room one after the other. Except for the Empress Dowager holding the little prince and Qingfeng, who was sitting blankly on the bed, the consorts and servants were all kneeling on the ground.

Just as Yan Hongtian crossed the screen, he met Qingfeng's gaze, which was filled with confusion and slight astonishment. The two stared at each other for a moment before Yan Hongtian looked away flatly and said, "Everyone rise."

The inner room was not large to begin with, and now that both the Emperor and Empress had arrived, it felt even more crowded. The consorts who had come with the Empress Dowager all tactfully rose and retreated outside to the flower hall.

Yan Hongtian sat on the lounge chair by the window, drinking the tea Fuling had just brewed, looking perfectly at ease. In this room, the only person Qingfeng feared right now was Xin Yuening. Leaning against the edge of the bed with her head slightly lowered, Qingfeng looked up to see Xin Yuening wearing a smile, her complexion rosy, and even a hint of triumph in her eyes. Upon entering the room, she walked straight to the Empress Dowager and smiled. "This consort pays respects to the Empress Dowager."

This group of people coming in, bowing and paying respects, had somewhat startled the little grandson who had been sleeping soundly in her arms. Seeing him move uncomfortably as if about to wake, Lou Suxin patted and coaxed him in distress, not even looking at Xin Yuening as she replied in a low voice, "Isn't the Empress unwell and recuperating in Yilan Palace? Why have you come over with the Emperor?"

The Empress Dowager's displeasure was obvious, but Xin Yuening didn't take it to heart at all. Instead, the corners of her mouth lifted, and she smiled. "This consort's health is not a major issue. Consort Qing returned to the palace today, so it is only right that I come to visit. Thinking that in a few days it will be the little prince's one-month celebration and the Consort has not yet recovered, these matters should naturally be handled by me. So, I went to the Emperor and invited him to come visit the Consort and the little prince together, and while we are at it, we can discuss the one-month banquet with the Empress Dowager."

Normally, when a royal heir is born, the palace makes full preparations, but no one expected Qingfeng to go into premature labor, leaving everyone in a panic. Now that Xin Yuening was being so attentive, Lou Suxin couldn't help but praise her. She smiled. "The Empress is indeed thoughtful. Counting the days, it is not far off. Has the Empress already thought of how to celebrate the prince's one-month milestone? Tell me about it."

Xin Yuening turned back to look at Qingfeng, the smile on her face becoming even more radiant, making Qingfeng's heart tremble. Logically, Mo'er had indirectly harmed Xin Yuening's uncle's family, and Su Ling had publicly rebuffed her, so even if Xin Yuening didn't glare at her, she shouldn't be this amiable. The more she acted like this, the more nervous Qingfeng became.

Qingfeng's expression was grave, while Xin Yuening felt secretly pleased. Hmph, you'll have plenty to suffer in the future! Turning back to the Empress Dowager, Xin Yuening raised that radiant smile again and replied, "For the little prince's one-month banquet, the scene must be grand and festive. A grand banquet for the officials in the palace is essential, and the people of the capital can also take this opportunity to open the markets for three days, celebrating throughout the nation. I just heard the Emperor say that General Su will lead troops to suppress pirates in a month. I was thinking, why not hold the farewell banquet and the little prince's one-month banquet together? The scene will surely be lively."

It really did involve Su Ling after all. Qingfeng was convinced that Xin Yuening must have a conspiracy. Before the Empress Dowager could speak, she immediately replied, "That wouldn't be appropriate, would it? General Su leading troops to suppress pirates is a major matter concerning the national prestige of Qiongyue. How can it be held together with a child's one-month banquet? I fear it might cause dissatisfaction among the soldiers."

Seeming to have guessed that Qingfeng would say this, Xin Yuening chuckled, walked to the bed, grabbed Qingfeng's hand, patted it forcefully three times, and laughed loudly. "Sister, you are mistaken. The Emperor's joy in having a son is a matter for the whole world to celebrate. The pirates are disturbing our borders, and the little prince's birth at this time is a sign of good fortune for Qiongyue. General Su's suppression of the pirates will surely result in a great victory. Holding the farewell banquet and the one-month banquet together will not only celebrate the prince's one-month milestone but also boost the morale of the army—it is truly a method that serves two purposes. Besides, I imagine you haven't seen your sisters for a long time. Take this opportunity to have the Prime Minister and General Su bring them into the palace. At that time, you three sisters can have a good chat, and they can also see the little prince. What is there for you to hesitate about?"

Xin Yuening's words were reasonable, and Qingfeng really shouldn't have any reason to hesitate, but she always felt that things were not that simple. She couldn't put her finger on what was wrong.

Qingfeng remained silent, while Lou Suxin was extremely satisfied. "I actually think the Empress's idea is quite good."

"The Empress Dowager thinks it's good too? That is truly wonderful." Releasing Qingfeng's hand, Xin Yuening turned around happily and looked at Yan Hongtian, who had been drinking tea all evening, asking, "What does the Emperor think?"

Yan Hongtian didn't even raise his eyes, replying nonchalantly, "Let it be handled according to the Empress's wishes."

"Thank you, Emperor." Xin Yuening's face showed joy, but Qingfeng's heart sank. Could it be that they had already discussed this? No wonder they came together—truly a loving couple! Feeling an inexplicable heaviness in her heart, Qingfeng glared fiercely at Yan Hongtian. She hadn't expected Yan Hongtian, who had been looking down at the teacup in his hand, to suddenly look up. Their gazes collided just like that. Qingfeng was stunned, feeling a moment of panic, but then felt she had done nothing wrong and glared back. Yan Hongtian's sword-like brows arched slightly, and the half-smiling expression in his dark eyes made Qingfeng feel inexplicably irritable.

Seeing the two of them exchanging glances, Xin Yuening's originally buoyant mood plummeted to the bottom. With a cold cough, Xin Yuening stepped forward a few steps, blocking their line of sight, and asked with a somewhat forced smile, "After the little prince's one-month milestone, he will have to move to his own palace. We should start packing now, otherwise it will be a chaotic mess when the time comes. I wonder which palace the Emperor has bestowed upon the little prince?"

At the mention of the child, Qingfeng's nerves tightened once more. After thinking for a moment, she replied cautiously, "The Emperor is busy with state affairs and has not yet bestowed one."

"Is that so..." Xin Yuening glanced at the little baby, who was still sleeping soundly, feigned deep thought, and said, "How about Chuxiu Palace? It is close to Qingfeng Hall, which will be convenient for the prince to come pay his respects in the future. Does sister like it?"

Yan Hongtian had promised her that she could keep the child by her side until he was one year old. Now, regarding the issue of the prince moving out after his one-month milestone, he remained silent. Was he going back on his word? Qingfeng felt a bit panicked. She took several deep breaths before she could manage to reply calmly, "Since the Empress says it is a good place, naturally I like it. However, I dare not trouble the Empress further with the matters of tidying up the palace. In a few months, when the weather is better, I will send people to arrange it. After all, we must wait until the child is one year old before he can move over."

Xin Yuening's face sank abruptly. She asked urgently, "Why?"

Yan Hongtian had barely spoken all evening, and his expression was inscrutable. Now he didn't even raise his head, acting very much as if he would let her fend for herself. Qingfeng gritted her teeth secretly. Fine, if you won't manage it, don't blame me! When she slowly raised her head, her face already carried a hint of sorrow. She sighed and said, "On the second day after the child was born, a physiognomist came to the villa and cast a fortune for the child. He said that because the little prince was born before his full term, his yin is deficient and his body is cold, so he must stay by his mother's side until he is one year old to ensure a lifetime of peace."

Regarding the little prince's safety, Lou Suxin asked urgently, "Is there such a thing?"

Xin Yuening frowned. "The little prince's destiny is noble by nature. If one truly needs to cast a fortune for the little prince, one should invite a high monk like the Abbot of Yuquan Temple. How can one believe the words of a wandering charlatan?"

Qingfeng feigned a weak smile and sighed again. "I am dull-witted and naturally do not know the depth of that physiognomist. However, after the Emperor had a long talk with him, he returned and said that the physiognomist's fortune-telling was extremely accurate and that he was a master."

Handing the child to Shen Yao, who was standing quietly to the side, Lou Suxin asked worriedly, "Emperor, is what Consort Qing said true?"

Yan Hongtian finally set down the tea he had been drinking all evening. A profound and inscrutable light flashed in his dark eyes, and he smiled flatly. "He is indeed a master."

Hearing Yan Hongtian say this, Qingfeng breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time, she groaned inwardly. Looking at that smile, she feared he would settle the score later.

Lou Suxin naturally believed Yan Hongtian and did not hesitate, saying directly, "In that case, it is better to believe it than not. Since the Emperor and the physiognomist have both said so, let the prince live in Qingfeng Hall until he is one year old."

"But..." Xin Yuening was unconvinced and wanted to argue, but Shui Xin, who had been standing by the screen, suddenly looked up and shook her head gently at her. It was in this moment of hesitation that Qingfeng hurriedly expressed her gratitude. "Thank you, Empress Dowager, for your grace."

Anything said now would be futile. Xin Yuening clenched her fists tightly. How could she not be angry? Normally, a prince should leave his mother's side after one month—this was the rule of the palace. Today, however, Qingfeng had broken the precedent. Years ago, when she requested the Emperor and Empress Dowager to let Prince Jing stay by her side for one more month, they hadn't agreed. Why did the Emperor always follow Qingfeng's wishes?!

The Empress's complexion was clearly poor, and the Empress Dowager was no longer in the mood. She waved her hand and said, "Very well, it is getting late. Everyone return; don't disturb Consort Qing and my little grandson's rest." Having said that, she left the room, abandoning everyone there.

"This consort takes her leave." With the Empress Dowager gone, the consorts in the flower hall also hurriedly took their leave.

Shui Xin walked to Xin Yuening's side, supported her, and said softly, "My lady, your health has just improved, so return to the palace and rest early." With her arm tightly gripped by Shui Xin, Xin Yuening suppressed the hatred in her heart. "Sister, rest well. You and the little prince are the protagonists of the one-month banquet, after all." Anyway, Qingfeng wouldn't be triumphant for much longer; she would endure her for today!

"Thank you, Empress." The one-month banquet was unavoidable; the only thing she could do now was to be cautious.

"This consort takes her leave." Bowing to Yan Hongtian, Xin Yuening snorted coldly, ignored Qingfeng, and went out with Shui Xin.

With everyone gone in an instant, Qingfeng let out a long sigh, only then feeling that the room was terrifyingly quiet.

"My beloved consort is not only capable of falsely conveying the imperial will, but is also becoming increasingly skilled at making up stories."

The term "beloved consort" gave Qingfeng goosebumps. Sure enough, the settling of scores had come too quickly...

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 327 =====