People started to toast the Eight Prince Xuan Tianmo and chose to ignore all the other princes.
Xuan Tiange watched all these scenes, feeling an indescribable discomfort, she told Feng Yuheng: “The ridiculousness of Uncle Emperor, I only just heard about it before, my Father King also did not elaborate much, so I only gained a partial understanding. Unexpectedly, meeting up today, Uncle Emperor actually became like this. Ah-Heng, you said he was sick, then can this illness be cured?” After saying this, without waiting for Feng Yuheng to reply, she added on: “It’s useless even if there is a cure, by going so far, he cannot revert to the way he was before.”
Not just Xuan Tiange, all the women at this table had the same thoughts. The First Prince’s official wife and concubines and the Second Prince’s official wife were sitting at this table. Watching all of this unfold, they only thought the Emperor was like a completely different person, he was no longer that cute and cheerful Emperor.
At this moment, Feng Yuheng was observing the Emperor with a cold gaze, taking in every detail of his every action, his every word and every interaction he had with Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu. The only feeling she got was that everything the Emperor did was normal and natural, as if he had been like this in the past, not acting like he was being controlled at all. If one did not know how he acted in the past, anyone would not think that he had suddenly become someone else.
“If that Xuan Tianmo would really be so bold and ask Uncle Emperor to decide my betrothal, even if I have to rack my brains, I will cause his death.” Suddenly, Xuan Tiange said such harsh words. Feng Yuheng jolted, looking towards the other side and just happened to see Xuan Tianmo look in this direction. The direction of that gaze seemed to have directed at Xuan Tiange, causing her to say such harsh words. But Feng Yuheng’s sharp senses discovered that the gaze was not directed at Xuan Tiange, but……Xiangrong.
She suddenly remembered, the invitation which was sent to Yu Palace clearly wrote Xiangrong’s name, making it obvious that the palace intended for Xiangrong to enter the palace, but what was the purpose of doing so? Feng Yuheng’s slender eyebrows were knitted as she frowned, feeling rather uneasy.
But at this moment, a young boy suddenly appeared in front of her, hugging her elbow with some force, calling out weakly: “Older Sister!”
She turned her head, it was Zirui. She instantly cheered up and quickly held the child in front of her, examining him.
Xiangrong also stood up, pulling Zirui and turning him around while examining him, asking as she did so: “Zirui, did anyone bully you when you were in the imperial palace? Did anyone anger you? Are you eating well? Sleeping well?”
Zirui’s heart was filled with warmth and gratitude, regardless of how angered he had been in the palace, as long as he was able to see his older sister and third older sister now, he felt that everything was worth it. He did not suffer without reason, because his older sisters cared for him like this, he was not fighting alone.
The child shook his head, telling Xiangrong: “Third sister, do not worry, Zirui was not bullied.”
This sentence caused Yue Rong, the palace maid following behind him to shake her head and sigh deeply. The longer she interacted with Zirui, the more she understood that this child’s maturity and sensibility did not match his age, how was it possible that he was not bulled? He even fell into an ice lake, how is that not considered being bullied? But he did not choose to say such things for the sake of reassuring his older sister.
Feng Yuheng looked behind and glanced at Yue Rong, saying with a smile: “When you return, help me thank Her Highness Imperial Concubine De, my many thanks to you for taking care of Zirui. Don’t worry, taking care of my younger brother, I will not treat you badly.”
Once Yue Rong heard this, she shook her hands, saying: “No need, no need, this is the job of being a servant, This Servant does not require Princess Yu’s repayment.”
The Second Prince’s wife at the side also smiled, she was the daughter-in-law of Imperial Concubine Shi De and frequently went to Imperial Concubine De’s palace, this made her more familiar with Yue Rong, and she said: “Being able to get such words from Princess Yu, you should be happy about it! I’m afraid that even if you serve Imperial Concubine Mother for your whole life, it would not be as satisfying as receiving gratitude from Princess Yu.”
Feng Yuheng did not say anything else, she was this kind of person, to the people she was grateful to, she would pay them back twofold. On the contrary, to the people who were her enemies, she must have them pay a painful price. Just like those concubines and noble ladies who caused Zirui to enter the water, harming her younger brother, she took their life away.
It was the same for the Eighth Prince as well, Feng Yuheng thought. One day, the source of the Gu poison in the Emperor would come to light, at that time, she must let that day become the sacrificial day for the Eighth Prince and Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu, no one would be able to stop her!
With Zirui’s arrival, this table became a little livelier, the people finally forgot the incident where the Emperor got angry with the Empress and watched the song and dance performances without worry. But unexpectedly, with the end of one song, the Emperor stopped the next dancers from taking the stage and cleared his throat, indicating that he had something to say.
Everyone remembered that the Emperor had said early on that he had something to announce during the imperial banquet and pricked up their ears, paying attention. Even those who loved to drink put down their wine cups, waiting for the Emperor to announce the big news.
To most of the people present, what they wanted to hear was the news of the Emperor electing a crown prince, as long as the Eighth Prince legally became the crown prince of Da Shun, then their team could completely be considered as just. With that, they would be able to relax a little after this and not worry about how they could push the Eighth Prince to that position. With the position of crown prince, everything would be legal, and they just had to wait for the Emperor to make his journey west.
However, the Emperor was going to disappoint them this time. Because what he wanted to announce had nothing to do with crown prince, he was just going to promote the woman next to him from the position of Imperial Concubine Shu to Imperial Concubine Gui. Though this matter also had some benefits to the Eighth Prince, it was not as satisfying as directly electing him as crown prince, so they could not help but feel a little disappointed.
But immediately after, the Emperor promised: “If Imperial Concubine Gui has another child, regardless of male or female, Imperial Concubine Gui will be promoted from Imperial Concubine Gui to Imperial Consort Gui. At the same time, Eighth Prince Mo will be elected as East Palace Crown Prince. We, will not go back on our words.”
For a while, there was an uproar.
Wanting the newly appointed Imperial Concubine Yuan Gui to be with child? It was easy to say this but it was rather difficult in reality! There was not much issue with Imperial Concubine Yuan Gui, being less than 40 years old was not considered very old. In addition, the women in the harem would always take care of themselves well, with the Emperor showing favour every day, the probability of getting pregnant was rather high. But with the Emperor’s body, at this age, was there a possibility of getting a child when old?
People started to doubt the Emperor’s reproductive ability and at the same time, some people started to overthink. With the Emperor stating such harsh conditions, could he be intentionally making things difficult? It did not seem to be the case! If it was intentional, then why did not promote Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu to Imperial Concubine Gui? This did not make sense!
For a while, the thoughts of many people could not find an answer.
And to the newly appointed Imperial Concubine Yuan Gui, she was able to understand the Emperor’s current feelings very well. Because the current Emperor understood his physical condition very well. He even said this morning, We happened to catch a cold last night but unexpectedly, We recovered in one night, this means Our body is hale and no different from 20 years ago. He even promised Imperial Concubine Gui, in less than 3 months, We will let you carry a dragon child again, at that time, you will be appointed as Imperial Consort Gui and our Mo-er will ride on this happy occasion to be elected as crown prince, bringing about many fortunes.
However, the Emperor might be confident in himself, but Imperial Concubine Yuan Gui know his physical condition, wanting the Emperor to create a dragon spawn again at his age was a dream. But she was not anxious about this. The old Emperor was currently being controlled by her side, if she wanted the old Emperor to make any decision, wasn’t it done based on what she said. In addition, even if there must be a child, it did not have to be the Emperor’s, as long as she had a bundle of joy in her stomach, her son’s position at the throne would be within reach.
Thinking about this, happiness appeared on Imperial Concubine Yuan Gui’s face, and she stood up together with Xuan Tianmo to express their thanks to the Emperor, satisfaction on their face.
Feng Yuheng already knew that the Emperor was going to make this move and was not surprised by Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu being promoted to Imperial Concubine Yuan Gui, but the fact that the Emperor wanted Imperial Concubine Yuan Gui to have another child was new. She rolled her eyes and an idea formed immediately. Suddenly standing up, she walked to the front of the hall, bowed very politely, then said: “Congratulations to Father Emperor obtaining support from Imperial Concubine Gui, Ah-Heng is truly happy for Father Emperor. At the same time, congratulations to Your Highness Imperial Concubine Gui, I am looking forward to Your Highness giving birth to another dragon child, expanding the lineage for the royal family.”
With Feng Yuheng suddenly coming out and saying this, everyone present was stunned. Whether it was the people from the Eighth Prince’s faction or the Ninth Prince’s faction, all of them felt it was strange. But the people from the Ninth Prince’s faction trusted her greatly, they thought, regardless of what Princess Yu did, there must be a reason and a purpose, she would not congratulate the enemy for no reason at all.
But to the Eighth Prince’s faction, they could not help but think this, could it be the Princess Yu changed sides? It was impossible, was she not married to Prince Yu? Could it be she was switching sides together with Prince Yu?
In some people’s hearts, dreams were always too good to be true, the Ninth Prince and his wife changing sides together and supporting the Eighth Prince instead? They could actually think of such a thing?
The Emperor looked at Feng Yuheng below and showed a slight flash of absentmindedness, but he immediately adjusted his mental state and immediately recognised Feng Yuheng, even calling out: “Old Ninth’s wife!”
Feng Yuheng replied respectfully: “It is daughter-in-law. Daughter-in-law remembers with gratitude the great amount of care Father Emperor showed to Ah-Heng in the past, seeing that Father Emperor can obtain such meticulous care from Her Highness Imperial Concubine Gui, I am very grateful, and hearing that Father Emperor wants another child, I made a bold venture to volunteer my services. Father Emperor is currently in your prime, so there is naturally nothing to say about your body, but Her Highness Imperial Concubine Gui is gradually getting older and it is truly not easy to be pregnant with another dragon child. Therefore, Ah-Heng is willing to adjust Her Highness Imperial Concubine Gui’s constitution to help Her Highness conceive a dragon child as soon as possible. Father Emperor, are you agreeable?”
With these words, the people listening and holding it in were about to get internal injuries. The Emperor was in his prime? With the Emperor’s body, wanting to have another child was easy? Feng Yuheng, you don’t even blink when you’re lying? With the Emperor’s current appearance, that was being in his prime? Have you ever seen a person in their prime with white hair and a white bread? Have you ever seen in a person in their prime who was past their sixties?
But who dared to rebut these words? Were they going to step forward and say ‘Princess Yu, you are wrong, the Emperor is not in his prime, he’s already old! The Emperor’s body isn’t well and would fall sick easily!’ Were they not asking for death for saying that? Moreover, look, the Emperor was smiling ear to ear because of what Feng Yuheng said, he could not even close his mouth due to smiling so much, who was not happy to hear someone say that he was young! If the Emperor loved to hear it, can they still rebuke it? It was just that what Princess Yu mentioned……why did it sound stranger the more they heard? She wanted to adjust Imperial Concubine Yuan Gui’s constitution? Wasn’t this a yellow weasel visiting chickens?