Huan Yue's seat was next to Princess Huayang's.

Princess Huayang's position as the most favored daughter of the Emperor had been effectively usurped. All her attention was now preoccupied with her foolish son.

Yan Boxuan is now enjoying great success, living a fulfilling life, and feeling triumphant!

Without the help of palace maids, Huan Yue could lead him from his aunt to his mother and back again.

Princess Huayang wanted to save her son.

Yan Boxuan immediately left, and without anyone's help, he rushed to his aunt's side and shouted to his maternal grandfather, "Ah ah!" Isn't the baby amazing?

Huan Yue pulled him along.

Yan Boxuan looked up, his dark eyes fixed on her, drooling as he exclaimed, "Ah, Hehe, Your Majesty~~~"

He stretched out his little hand to his maternal grandfather's.

Huan Yue asked, "Should the princess accompany you?"

She shook her head, "No!" Yan Boxuan gripped her fingers tightly, "Let's go!"

Huan Yue ignored the food being served and discussed with the child, "You walk by yourself? I'll watch from behind."

Yan Boxuan looked at her intently, blinked, and confirmed. She turned to look at her maternal grandfather, overjoyed! Chest out, steps forward—the baby is here!

Huan Yue followed behind; the little boy walked quite steadily.

He swayed, and Huan Yue steadied him. The little boy turned to look at her, overjoyed! Then he looked back at his grandfather, and the baby was walking on his own!

Huan Yue squatted to one side.

The throne still had a platform, though it wasn't high. The children quickly crawled on the ground and climbed up using both their hands and feet.

Huan Yue helped him stand up again and walked with proper posture.

Yan Boxuan ran into his maternal grandfather's arms, laughing with joy!

Today we are happy, it's a family feast, and the musicians are playing music on the side.

Huan Yue stepped down and needed to tidy up properly.

Xie Zhou watched his father playing with his little nephew. His father was a very affectionate person, but it was a pity that Pei had not left behind any of her children.

Xie Zhou knew that Yan Boxuan had grown up well, but it seemed that Pei Shi and he were not on good terms.

Xie Zhou was unsure whether Pei wanted a child herself.

Logically, after marriage, one should want children, especially the eldest son of the Crown Prince.

But Xie Zhou changed her mind when she thought about Pei Shi moving to the back palace.

Xie Zhou has no problem having a child with her now; he is neither greedy nor refuses.

Huan Yue returned to the palace and saw the Crown Prince staring at her. What did that dog of a man mean by that look in his eyes?

Look at the stewed beef specially laid out on the table, as well as the casserole-braised deer tendon, Kung Pao rabbit, and braised fish lips—all delicious.

Is that scoundrel trying to steal the food again? Huan Yue understood.

What should we do? Eat, of course!

Xie Zhou watched as she buried her head in her chopsticks and ate, as if the Pei family was short of food.

So he's overthinking it?

Xie Zhou picked up his chopsticks and regained his appetite.

Why think so much? Pei is just a good-for-nothing, eating and criticizing Dong, and Yan Boxuan likes her too.

Princess Huayang glanced at Huan Yue. Was she really that greedy?

However, the Pei family is looked down upon by others.

Pei Huanyue used to be quite famous, and the girls of the Pei family all dared to get close to her. Pei Huanying was also born of the principal wife, while the others were born of concubines, which was different from Princess Huayang, who was born of a concubine.

"Awooo!" Yan Boxuan started making a ruckus again.

Consort Cui was furious. This silly boy was envious of Huan Yue's delicious food!

Today, he is pleased: "Make something delicious for Bo Xuan."

Consort Cui gently advised, "Your Majesty, please don't spoil him. Let Madam Fu take him to eat."

Out of sight, out of mind! If this silly boy keeps hanging around Huan Yue's place, Consort Cui is afraid she won't be able to eat.

Consort Cui could indeed trick Huan Yue, but this scoundrel has no martial virtues. Consort Cui has raised him for half her life and doesn't want to clash with the impoverished Pei family.

She probably really is barefoot, yet nowadays people are attracted to her, even silly boys like her.

Consort Cui was exhausted.

"Aww!" Baby doesn't want to go, Auntie, help!

Making a ruckus.

Even with Yan Boxuan in her arms, Fu's mother couldn't help it.

Passing by the Crown Prince, Yan Boxuan grabbed his uncle's python robe, crying out, "Crown Prince, help me! I won't dislike you anymore, Uncle!"

Xie Zhou blinked, took his little nephew's hand, and coaxed him, "Uncle will play with you later."

Baby blinks: Really?

Xie Zhou assured him, "Your elder sister or brother-in-law can take you to the East Palace."

Where is the East Palace? Yan Boxuan looked at Huan Yue and called out, "Your Majesty! Take the baby to the East Palace!"

Princess Huayang came over and hugged her son, scolding him: "Don't make a fuss, or no one will like you."

Yan Boxuan stared longingly at Huan Yue.

Huan Yue picked up a duck breast with his chopsticks, blinked, and thought to himself that this kid was a natural-born drama queen.

The little boy watched her intently as his mother walked away, into the spring sunshine. He just watched his aunt enjoy the duck breast alone. Could she even finish it? In the last glance, it seemed like the whole plate of duck breast was gone.

His saliva just kept drooling down.

Xie Zhou sat opposite her and could see that Pei Shi didn't seem to have much affection for the child.

Princess Huayang wasn't there, and Princess Yongjia looked at Huan Yue with malice. Was she a pig?

Empress Dong was in a good mood and ordered someone to serve Huan Yue more meat.

A large plate of eight-treasure duck was placed in front of me.

Huan Yue felt incredibly happy!

After all, wild ducks won't be edible one day. But this dish prepared by the imperial chef is excellent in color, aroma, and taste.

Huan Yue could eat a whole duck by himself without any problem.

She had already eaten quite a bit and felt about half full; this duck wouldn't make her feel stuffed.

Inside the hall, everyone was astonished by the Crown Princess's appetite!

Even if there was a shortage of food at the Pei residence, it was impossible for someone to eat this much all at once. Could their stomach hold it all?

Most people wouldn't dare to utter a word; the Crown Princess's methods are too unconventional.

Some people are quiet and don't like to talk. They only care about how much they eat; they don't care about other people's business.

Empress Dong was quite pleased: "What else would you like to eat? Have someone make it."

Huan Yue ate with elegance, put down his chopsticks, and answered seriously: "Steamed chicken feet."

It's not that you can't eat dragon liver and phoenix marrow.

But Consort Cui was shocked! Did Huan Yue mean to chop off and eat Empress Dong's claws?

Empress Dong's actions were despicable. Did she think people were fools?

Normally, this wouldn't be wrong, and the Crown Princess could have said a few polite words. But she just wasn't polite.

I ate some today, but I have no appetite for Dong's food.

Empress Dong is in a good mood right now, and she's urging the Emperor to drink cuttlefish soup.

I'm eating another spring roll today.

Empress Dong then served dishes to the Crown Prince, appearing as a loving mother.

Xie Zhou and Dong Shi have been perfunctory for decades and are very adept at it.

Although Lady Pei said that Lady Dong was not worthy to be empress, as long as she was not deposed, even if Lady Pei had hit her head, Xie Zhou could not be disrespectful; he could not allow anyone to find fault with her.

Huan Yue ate while watching the play.

The palace dramas weren't exciting enough.

The Dong family held absolute power, while Consort Cui managed to hold her own, and the others had been worn down over time.

As long as she is not favored by the emperor or given any confidence by him, she will not dare to do anything in public.

Today, everyone is watching the battle between the Empress and the Crown Prince.

Huan Yue could be described as a novice defeating a master.

She couldn't be bothered to play along with Madam Dong. That would give Madam Dong an absolute advantage, and it would be too much of a hassle for her.

Huan Yue thought that perhaps Dong Shi found the Crown Prince much more lovable?

At least the Crown Prince gave her face.

Dong then put on a show for him.