Mo Xiaojin was in a heavy mood. After returning to the palace, he told the emperor about his father's situation. The emperor was also worried. It would be a lie to say that he was not moved by this loyal old servant.

As the New Year approached, Rou Niang was already more than four months pregnant. The Emperor decided to invite the Mo family to the palace for the New Year celebrations.

Special instructions were given to take good care of Old Man Mo. He was escorted in a luxurious sedan chair all the way to the palace. Old Man Mo received the highest honors of his life, dressed in fine silks and satins, and feasted at a royal banquet. It was an eye-opening experience; he was content for the rest of his life.

"Avoid Your Majesty!" Old Man Mo trembled as he tried to get up to pay his respects, but the Emperor quickly stepped forward to help him up and settled him down.

"Uncle Mo, there's no need for such formalities between us."

Today is the Lunar New Year, and only the Mo family and the Emperor's family are celebrating.

With singing and dancing filling the air, delicious food was naturally indispensable.

"Brother Crown Prince, what is your New Year's wish?" Yu Jin asked.

"May the world be at peace and prosperous," Mo Xiaojin said.

Yu Jin frowned: "What about Mo Xiaojin's New Year's wish?"

"I hope my lovely little sister Yujin grows up healthy and happy," Mo Xiaojin said with a smile.

"Brother Crown Prince, you just don't want to tell me." Yu Jin said helplessly.

Yu Yan and Yu Rong were amused by Yu Jin's words. The four of them sat together, chatting and laughing.

The emperor, upon seeing this, relaxed his brow. Youth is truly wonderful; in youth, one knows no sorrow, and life is simple and beautiful. All emotions are at their purest.

"Her Highness the Princess rarely ventures out of the palace these days." At this time, Wen Jingyi was in charge of the harem, displaying the air of a matriarch. Of course, she felt her own time to rule was just around the corner.

“Your Highness, returning home is like returning to your own home for you. Whether you walk a little more or a little less doesn’t matter,” Wang Yaofu chimed in.

Although Wang Yaofu was only a concubine, her special status made Wen Jingyi reluctant to quarrel with her easily.

"This harem will be your home from now on. Whether I return or not is not important." Rou Niang frowned. She knew that once you entered the palace, it was like entering a deep sea, and everyone's words had hidden meanings, but this was really tiring.

Mo Bei and the emperor were having a good time chatting, and Old Man Mo would occasionally chime in, making all three of them very happy.

"Your Highness, this is my New Year's gift to you. I know you have everything, but it's just a small token of my appreciation," Liu Lianxing said.

Rou Niang took it; it was a small gold bracelet, but a very unique design. "This is the first time I've seen this design; it's quite novel."

"I typed it myself. I'm glad the princess likes it," Liu Lianxing said with a smile. She knew that she and the princess were on the same side, and there was no way to separate them, so she simply decided not to try to distance herself.

"Sister Lianxing is so skillful," Li Biyue said. Since the day she helped Liu Lianxing clear her name, the two had become closer. As they were both important people, they spent more time together.

"I see that Consort Liu doesn't look well. Is she feeling unwell?" Rou Niang asked.

"Your Highness, she may not have slept well these past two days," Liu Ping'er said.

"She's lucky; she's the first one here to be favored by His Majesty, but she's become quite delicate!" Wu Anran said with a hint of jealousy.

Rou Niang understood. It was because that day, she had stayed for dinner, which was cooked by Liu Ping'er. Later, the emperor drank a few more cups, and then things naturally progressed...

"The weather seems to have gotten cooler these past few days, so be sure to wear more clothes and don't catch a cold," Rou Niang could only say casually.

Liu Ping'er nodded: "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

At this moment, Rou Niang saw that Old Man Mo was about to fall asleep again, so she quickly got up and said, "Your Majesty, my father should probably go back to rest early."

The emperor also saw it, and suppressing his grief, he said, "Alright, take him back. I will visit him when I have time."

Rou Niang thanked them and left with Old Man Mo to settle in before returning. Naturally, she would stay and keep vigil together today. Mo Bei and the Emperor continued drinking, determined not to leave until they were drunk!

"Brother Crown Prince, which of these people do you like the most?" Yu Jin asked.

"Whether I like it or not doesn't matter, as long as Father Emperor likes it," Mo Xiaojin said.

"No, which of them do you think is suitable to be the mistress of the harem?" Yu Jin asked.

"Why are you so concerned?" Mo Xiaojin asked.

"Oh, I was just gossiping a bit!" Yu Jin said.

"Yeah, tell us!" Yu Yan chimed in, curious.

Yu Rong also came over at this moment; well, she was curious too.

"Since you're all so curious, I'll reluctantly tell you!" Mo Xiaojin said with a sigh, taking a sip of her juice.

"Tell me quickly, don't keep me in suspense," Yu Yan said anxiously.

"Is it alright for us to say this? What if someone overhears us?" Yu Rong asked worriedly.

"It's alright. If we talk about it privately, they might overhear, but if we do it in front of them, they won't care and won't think we're talking about them," Mo Xiaojin and the other three whispered together.

"They're so affectionate!" Wang Yaofu glanced at the four of them, indignant.

After entering the palace, she tried every means to please the Crown Prince, but he acted as if he didn't even see her, completely ignoring her. She was proud and arrogant, and now she was furious, especially seeing the Crown Prince so close to those three people! Did this Crown Prince even know who his blood relatives were?!

"Only Consort Wang would dare to say such a thing." Consort Wu was always eager to stir up trouble.

"The Princess is looking at us!" Yu Jin reminded her.

"Ignore her," the Crown Prince said.

"Let's start with this Princess Consort," Yu Yan said.

“Princess Wang Yaofu, my aunt, is proud, willful, and domineering. My father will not like her,” the Crown Prince said.

"And what about you?" Yu Jin asked.

"I don't like her either. My father says she looks somewhat like my mother. With that kind of personality and looking like my mother, I find her very annoying!" the Crown Prince said.

"I heard that Consort Liu can cook, and you specifically chose her," Yu Rong said.

"Yes, I ate her noodles by chance, and they were quite delicious. Since I ate her noodles, I figured I should naturally help her out." The Crown Prince nodded.

"And how is she?" Yu Jin asked.

"He seems like a good person, unassuming and without ambition; he's probably the most honest one here," the Crown Prince said.

“She can’t be dishonest either, she’s the lowest-ranking,” Yu Yan said.

"What about the two imperial concubines?" Yu Jin asked.

"Their fathers fight in the court, and the two of them fight in the harem. It's exciting every day. However, Consort Wen is shrewd and resourceful. Although Consort Wu may suffer losses, she always makes up for them by being straightforward and making trouble."

"It sounds exciting! Where are the two beauties?" Yu Rong asked.

"I named them the 'Star and Moon Duo.' The two have a very good relationship and are often together, chatting about beauty, skincare, and fashion. They're like sisters. In terms of personality, Li Biyue has some medical skills and is more assertive, while Consort Liu is very gentle," the Crown Prince said.

"Having said all that, who do you think will go the furthest in the end?"