Chapter 110

No sooner had the words been spoken than the carriage arrived at the palace gate. After being searched, the two were led by the steward to the banquet venue.

This was not the grand hall where Si Yanmo had previously seen for entertaining ministers; instead, it was a garden.

To be more precise, it's a garden.

Compared to Wu Zhao's, it was arguably even better. However, Nandu was warmer, and the plants were all local varieties, so it didn't seem as wasteful of resources.

The garden is connected by a stream, with about seven or eight pavilions scattered along the stream, each capable of seating about ten people.

The Southern Emperor and Empress were in the highest pavilion, while the princes and concubines were seated in different pavilions, with the most favored being placed in the front.

Like Consort Shu, Zhou Junsong's birth mother, who had just given birth to a prince and was enjoying great popularity, the Southern Emperor bestowed many fine things upon her, and she was also sitting in the pavilion right next to the Southern Emperor and Empress.

As for Zhou Yanqing and Si Yanmo, they were already in an awkward position, and since Consort Qin was not favored, they sat together in the outermost pavilion.

They didn't care; their purpose in coming here wasn't to "recognize" Zhou Yanqing as a relative.

However, the atmosphere was still somewhat awkward when they met Consort Qin.

Si Yanmo didn't know when or how Consort Qin left. Later, she heard some things from Wu Guan and learned that Zhou Yanqing was angry, and that it was because of her.

When we meet now, we don't know what to say to each other.

Consort Qin seemed to want to curry favor, so she poured a cup of tea for each of them and asked with a smile, "How have you and the Princess been lately?"

Zhou Yanqing also realized that she had been a bit too harsh with her words. She took the teacup and said somewhat awkwardly, "It's...it's alright..."

He raised his hand to drink the cup of flattering tea, but Si Yanmo suddenly stopped him, shook her head, and then suddenly remembered what she had told him that day.

That day, after examining the Southern Emperor's destiny, Si Yanmo not only deduced that he was the culprit who harmed the Tan Yin family, but also foresaw something unexpected.

They had always believed that Zhou Junsong poisoned Zhou Yanqing because he wanted to eliminate Zhou Yanqing, a powerful rival with the bloodline of the Southern Emperor, in order to seize the throne.

After all, his destiny did indeed include the task of eliminating Zhou Yanqing.

But when Si Yanmo saw the Southern Emperor's destiny, she realized that the real poisoner was not Zhou Junsong, but the Southern Emperor.

He ordered someone to poison Consort Qin and Zhou Yanqing when they were together, ensuring that Zhou Yanqing would not be on guard.

As for Consort Qin... he didn't care at all.

When Zhou Yanqing received the news, she said it was expected, but she still felt as if something was pressing down on her heart, making it hard to breathe.

He remained silent for a long time, then hugged Si Yanmo. Soon after, Si Yanmo felt her back become damp with sweat.

"My father wants to kill me?"

That was the first time Zhou Yanqing considered that man as her father.

He couldn't believe it. People say even tigers don't eat their cubs, so he could understand the Southern Emperor's wariness of him. But this was still his child, his own flesh and blood. Was it really necessary to be so cruel?

Si Yanmo didn't know how to comfort him; her parents would never do such a thing.

All she could say was, "He doesn't deserve to be your father."

Yes, he doesn't deserve it.

He never considered himself a son, and he had no need to consider himself a father.

But now, looking at Consort Qin in front of him, he really wanted to ask his mother, was it really worth it for her to love that man so much?

That man, driven by his own selfish desires, would kill his own son, and wouldn't even spare her.

He never paid attention to Zhou Yanqing, nor did he pay attention to her.

But she remained deeply in love.

Is it really worth it?

He put down the teacup as Si Yanmo instructed.

Asking won't help; she'll always believe that man, over and over again.

Consort Qin noticed that she looked injured from her actions and was about to ask her a question when a woman suddenly appeared, breaking the strange atmosphere.

The newcomer wore a light purple long dress and had her hair tied in two buns, exuding a playful and cute charm.

Sure enough, her voice was sweet when she spoke, "Why didn't Your Highness the Prince of Qin come to catch up with me when you arrived?"

Zhou Yanqing then looked at the woman; it was none other than the Ninth Princess, Zhou Changning. She was one of the very few people in the palace who did not scoff at Zhou Yanqing's status.

On the contrary, when Consort Qin first arrived here, she took good care of her. When Zhou Yanqing went to see her mother, she was always there. Over time, the two became quite good friends.

Or perhaps, they should be called siblings.

Seeing her, Zhou Yanqing relaxed a bit and smiled as she struck up a conversation, "Chang Ning, it's been a long time, you've grown quite a bit taller."

"Why don't you say I've become much prettier?" she joked, her gaze falling on Si Yanmo with a hint of amazement. She stepped forward and tugged at Si Yanmo's sleeve. "This must be my sister-in-law, right? You're so beautiful. It's a pity that I went to visit my eldest brother with my mother when you got married and couldn't come back."

As she spoke, she took off her jade pendant from her waist, "Why don't I give this to you, sister-in-law? I found it a few days ago, please don't mind."

Although Si Yanmo disliked jade, she couldn't very well refuse, so she accepted with a smile to save face for the princess. However, as soon as she accepted, she noticed a hint of malice on the princess's face, which disappeared when she looked up again.

She thought it was just her imagination and didn't pay much attention to it.

Zhou Changning took the opportunity to sit between Zhou Yanqing and Consort Qin. "If Your Majesty and His Highness don't mind, please take Changning in. My mother and Consort De are arguing again over there."

She pouted, feigning helplessness, "I really can't stand it anymore! Please don't send me back to listen to firecrackers!"

His adorable appearance amused Consort Qin and Zhou Yanqing, and the atmosphere in the pavilion improved considerably.

Zhou Yanqing turned around to ask Si Yanmo for her permission, but Si Yanmo just nodded and secretly counted on her fingers under the table. Sure enough, she saw something interesting—this Ninth Princess liked Zhou Yanqing and almost became his queen in her previous life.

This made Si Yanmo extremely jealous.

She whispered to Zhou Yanqing, "Princess Ninth is very cute, does Your Highness like her?"

Zhou Yanqing immediately sensed the sourness in his tone, and felt a little pleased. Amo rarely got jealous, so he wanted to tease her, "Yes, very cute."

Si Yanmo immediately rolled her eyes and moved to the other side, not wanting to pay attention to him.

Seeing that she was really angry, Zhou Yanqing quickly pulled her over, tapped her nose, and laughed, "Why are you jealous of everything? Others may not know, but don't you? Chang Ning and I are half-siblings, would you do something that goes against ethics?"

"Who knows?" Si Yanmo turned her head away haughtily. "Besides, you're allowed to get jealous when you see me with another man, but I'm not allowed to be jealous even once?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" He was so happy that even his jealousy towards Zhou Junsong had dissipated somewhat.

He knew that Si Yanmo's words meant that she loved him and cared about him.

"I'd love for my wife to be jealous every day!"

The couple's oblivious displays of affection made Zhou Changning uncomfortable. She pretended to be gossipy and asked, "Your Highness and the Princess have been together for so long, when are you going to give me a little nephew to play with?"

Upon hearing this, Si Yanmo and Zhou Yanqing both blushed, inevitably recalling the enchanting night they had spent together.

Zhou Yanqing smiled and said, "No rush, Amo is not feeling well."

Speaking of this, Consort Qin originally wanted to chime in, but then she remembered that it was she who had drugged the two of them, which had caused Zhou Yanqing's current displeasure, so she gave up trying to persuade him.

Zhou Changning seemed to have become interested, "Then sister-in-law should take good care of her health. His Highness must want to have an heir, right?"

Hearing this, Zhou Yanqing unusually revealed his displeasure to her, "I don't want to, Amo's health is the most important."

His decisive refusal left Zhou Changning somewhat embarrassed.

Consort Qin had no choice but to mediate, saying, "Chang Ning is just showing concern."

Si Yanmo smiled without saying a word, and after a long while she finally spoke, "Your Highness may not know, but I suffer from a blood disorder that is very difficult to cure."

Zhou Changning immediately seized on this point and feigned concern, "I'm sorry, I didn't know that Princess Qin herself was also feeling very unwell?"

Zhou Yanqing was about to answer for her when Si Yanmo spoke first, "Yes, if I really can't give my husband a daughter later, it will be my fault."

Hearing her words filled with regret, Zhou Yanqing genuinely thought she was saddened by it and whispered to comfort her, "It's alright, Amo, offspring aren't important."

Si Yanmo simply patted his hand and smiled mysteriously.

Zhou Changning immediately spoke up again, as if it were just a casual remark: "That's nothing. For someone of Your Highness's high status, having an heir is quite easy."

The implication was that Zhou Yanqing could take a concubine at any time.

Si Yanmo sighed, looking troubled. "What the princess is saying, I understand it all. It's just that I can't bear to share my husband with anyone else."

Zhou Changning smiled and said indifferently, "I'm easygoing. After all, it's normal for men to have multiple wives and concubines. If I can't leave an heir for my husband, then it's my fault."

After saying that, she seemed to realize something and spat a few times, "I didn't mean that, sister-in-law, please don't mind, I was talking about myself."

She feigned innocence, and seeing that no one spoke, she picked up her teacup again, saying, "In that case, I will offer you a cup of tea instead of wine, and I hope you won't take offense."

Si Yanmo also put on a magnanimous act, letting her drink the tea, but she didn't drink any herself, her voice cold: "Of course I know. In terms of awareness, I can't compare to the princess."

She took Zhou Yanqing's arm, saying, "I'm afraid I'll never be able to share my husband with anyone else."

As soon as she finished speaking, Zhou Changning looked behind her and hurriedly bowed, "Empress Nan."

Si Yanmo and Zhou Yanqing quickly turned around and bowed to the south.

Just like when she married Zhou Yanqing, this person smiled warmly at everyone, but the sharpness between her brows could not be hidden.

She smiled and asked the group to stand up. She casually inquired about their health and then said to the two men, "His Majesty wishes to see you both. Please."

It seems that Zhou Junsong has said everything he needed to say.

The two got up and followed Nan to the pavilion at the top, where Zhou Junsong was indeed there.

"His Majesty."

"His Majesty."

The two bowed to the Southern Emperor in unison.

The Southern Emperor waved his hand, "It's a family banquet, no need for formalities, please sit down."

The two sat down together, and the Southern Emperor asked Qi Siyanmo, "A few days ago, the fortune teller Mo Bu said at the Di Gu Temple that you could also perform a ritual? I remember when I saw you last Lantern Festival, you were still like a child. When did you learn these skills?"