Chapter 173 Questioning Identity

In the blink of an eye, New Year's Eve is here.

Starting from the Little New Year, the palace servants were busy cleaning the inner court without a speck of dust. The treetops, eaves and paths were hung with festive and auspicious lanterns and red silk.

Firecrackers were forbidden in the palace, but there were many couplets and window decorations with the word "Fu". The imperial kitchen also cooked a lot of Laba porridge, and every palace servant could get a big bowl of it.

On the 29th day of the lunar year, the royal family held a banquet in the Hall of Supreme Harmony to celebrate the New Year, inviting royal relatives, foreign envoys, and important officials of the fifth rank and above in the court to attend the banquet on a grand scale.

In previous years, most of the attendees just came to eat, drink, present gifts and celebrate with the emperor, but this year, everyone came to see the true face of the rumored young prince.

There was no queen in the palace, and Yun Wan, as a noble concubine, was no different from a vice queen. Her status was so superior that she crushed Concubine Li, who had no title and no palace power.

Hall of Supreme Harmony.

At the beginning of the New Year's Eve palace banquet, she appeared hand in hand with Emperor Jingxuan, wearing the gorgeous palace dress of a royal concubine.

Behind the two of them was Asui, dressed in indigo-blue prince's uniform, holding Jiang Fusheng's hand and following behind his parents.

No one complained about such a grand occasion.

The prince's attire was too complicated and a little heavy for Asui. He tried to hold his head high and look straight ahead, ignoring the burning gazes from the people around him.

He was so focused that he forgot about his feet and almost fell down. Fortunately, Jiang Fusheng caught him in time.

"Your Highness, be careful!"

Noticing the movement behind him, Yun Wan stopped and looked back, and Emperor Jingxuan also looked at him with concern.

Asui's cheeks felt slightly hot, and he raised his hand to adjust the hair crown on his head.

Seeing this, Emperor Jingxuan sneered slightly, then in front of everyone, he bent down, picked up Asui with his left hand, and clasped his fingers with Yunwan with his right hand, showing everyone his preference for the mother and son.

Everyone gasped, and those who had doubts immediately gave up the idea.

Among the court officials, Lu Yuanduo looked at their backs from afar, which looked like a family of three, with a bitter look on his face.

When others saw this, they shook their heads and sighed.

As for the concubines, Li and Lu had slightly gloomy expressions on their faces. No matter how they tried to hide it, there was no trace of joy for the New Year in their eyes.

After taking his seat, Emperor Jingxuan looked at everyone with a stern look in his eyes and said in a thoughtful voice, "My lords, please stand. Today is New Year's Eve, and we will not discuss state affairs."

Everyone pricked up their ears when they heard this. If they weren't going to talk about state affairs, then they were going to talk about family matters?

After saying this, Emperor Jingxuan waved to Asui, "Sui'er, come to your father."

Ah Sui obediently stepped forward and called out, "Father."

Emperor Jingxuan patted his head, his expression gentle, "I'm sure you've all been curious for a long time, so I won't hide it anymore."

"Sui'er is my own flesh and blood, born to Concubine Zhao. He is a gift from heaven to me. From now on, Sui'er is the fourth prince of Da Qi, and his name is changed to Cheng Sui."

In front of everyone, he announced loudly, with a look of high spirits that was rarely seen among the ministers.

Yun Wan was mentally prepared for this. At this moment, she was smiling silently at the father and son. Her smile was just beginning to bloom, like ice and snow melting.

Emperor Jingxuan: "The Imperial Astronomical Observatory!"

The official who was named stood up quickly and said, "I am here."

Emperor Jingxuan solemnly ordered, "I order you to select an auspicious date as soon as possible. You must not delay Sui'er's sacrifice to the ancestors and her entry into the Jade Plate."

The Imperial Astronomical Observatory stated: "I observed the celestial phenomena last night and calculated that the tenth day of the Lunar New Year is an auspicious day rarely seen in recent years—"

Emperor Jingxuan said succinctly: "Then it will be the tenth day! This matter is fully under your responsibility and the Ministry of Rites. No mistakes can be made."

The Imperial Observatory swallowed all the prepared reasons, thinking that it was fortunate that the date was prepared in advance, which was obviously exactly what His Majesty wanted.

He bowed: "I obey your command!"

Emperor Jingxuan glanced at everyone and asked, "What do you think, my dear ministers?"

The ministers, who had no chance to respond or express their opinions, looked at each other and shook their heads.

You have said that this is a family matter, the emperor's family matter, what else can they say?

Emperor Jingxuan was satisfied.

However, there are always people who are unwilling to give up.

Receiving his father-in-law's gaze, Chen Jieyi stood up and spoke under everyone's gaze: "Your Majesty, this is about the heir to the throne. I have something to say."

"explain."

Chen Jieyi: "I have a doubt about the identity of the young prince."

"As everyone knows, the young prince has always claimed to be the young master of the Lu family. His father has been dead for many years, but now he has suddenly become your Majesty's flesh and blood. I have deep doubts about the authenticity of this."

As soon as these words were spoken, whispers were heard from the banquet.

Yun Wan remained calm. She glanced towards the seats for the concubines and met Concubine Li's mocking gaze.

Emperor Jingxuan showed impatience, and the imperial majesty came over him. "Are you doubting that Sui'er is my own flesh and blood?"

Under immense pressure, Chen Jieyi gritted his teeth and declared, "This is a matter of royal bloodline, so I have to doubt it. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me!"

When someone spoke out, others took the opportunity to muddy the waters and speak for him: "Your Majesty, Lord Chen is right. The matter of the royal heir is of great importance and must not be confused!"

"I would like to ask Her Majesty, Concubine Zhao, what evidence do you have to prove the Fourth Prince's identity?"

It was obvious that this matter was not only directed at Asui, but also at Yun Wan.

If Yun Wan was just a favorite concubine, her influence on the previous dynasty would be nothing special. But now everyone has discovered that not only is she favored by the emperor, but she also has a smart and clever prince by her side. The situation is completely different.

Once he gained power, countless people's interests would be affected, especially those of the Crown Prince and the Third Prince.

Yun Wan recognized that one of the people who agreed was from the Li family.

"evidence?"

Emperor Jingxuan immediately held Asui on his knees, facing the crowd, and sternly rebuked him: "Are you blind, my dear minister? Sui'er's eyes and eyebrows are exactly the same as mine, which is the proof!"

Chen Jieyi: "Your Majesty, the world is so vast that there are all kinds of strange things. There are also people who are similar to each other..."

Emperor Jingxuan narrowed his eyes and was about to speak when his hand hanging in the wide sleeves was held.

Yun Wan smiled at him, then turned her gaze to Chen Jieyi and asked in a clear and calm voice, "Does this lord have any children?"

Chen Jieyi didn't know what she meant by this, so he answered carefully: "My wife and I have a son."

"Does he look like you?"

"The eyebrows and eyes are somewhat similar."

Yun Wan chuckled softly, a hint of sarcasm in her gentle eyes. "He only bears a passing resemblance. How can you be so sure he's your son? After all, there are many things in the world, and there are people who look alike."

Laughter was heard throughout the banquet, with Princess Yongshou and Concubine Hui laughing the most unrestrainedly.

Pei Qian didn't understand what his mother was laughing at, but that didn't stop him from laughing along with her: "Hahahaha——"

His voice was loud and full of energy, and it reached Chen Jieyi's ears through the air of the stone pillar. He was so angry that his face turned red: "Your Highness, your Highness and I are in harmony as husband and wife. We only have this one child, there is absolutely no other possibility."

As soon as he finished speaking, his colleague retorted, "Come on, Master Chen, I heard that Madam Chen went back to her parents' home a few days ago because she was so angry about you taking a concubine. How can you say that your husband and wife are harmonious?"

Chen Jieyi gritted his teeth and said, "This is nothing but groundless talk. It's completely nonsense!"

When others heard this, they smiled but said nothing.

After this interruption, the atmosphere seemed to relax.

But the matter was not over yet, Emperor Jingxuan said in a cold voice:

"Bring the man up here."