In the blink of an eye, it was time for the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. The Emperor set up a family banquet next to the lotus pond. There were only a few tables at the banquet. Apart from people in the palace, only the most distinguished relatives could attend.
Prince An is the emperor's youngest brother. Although he is not the empress dowager's biological son, his mother died early, so he was raised by the empress dowager.
"I am not a gifted person, but I love to travel. A few days ago, I found a piece of jade in the south. It is uncarved and has the Chinese character for longevity on it. I would like to present it to you, the Queen Mother. I wish you happiness as vast as the East Sea, a life as long as the Southern Mountains, good fortune, wealth, and health!"
Prince An took the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp. The Queen Mother smiled so hard that her mouth couldn't close. "Well, well, you are also a filial child."
Princess An also came forward to pay her respects. The Queen Mother asked her to sit beside her and took her hand to look at her carefully.
"I'm sorry, Prince An is just that kind of person. He hasn't shown any signs of restraint even after his wedding. You have to take good care of him from now on. If he bullies you, tell me. I'll support you!"
Wu Xiuqing lowered her head shyly, her cheeks flushed. "His Royal Highness Prince An is very good, and he treats me very well."
Prince An was only seventeen or eighteen years old, with a childish look on his face. He complained dissatisfiedly, "Mother, can you please give me some face? There are so many people watching us!"
Everyone burst into laughter, and Wu Xiuqing's face turned even redder. The Empress Dowager rewarded her with a few dishes and let her go back and sit down.
Wu Xiuqing had no choice but to eat the food as a reward from the Empress Dowager, but she could not eat any meat now. As soon as she put it in her mouth, her face turned pale and she covered her chest and retched.
Prince An was so anxious that he was patting her back and feeding her water. "Qingqing, are you okay? If you don't want to eat, don't eat. The Queen Mother won't blame you."
Wu Xiuqing finally suppressed the churning in her stomach. Tears welled up in her eyes, as if all her strength had been drained away.
The Queen Mother was shocked and immediately sent for the imperial physician.
Prince An knew he could no longer hide it, so he could only smile and say, "Don't worry, mother. Qingqing is already pregnant, but she's still a little while pregnant, so I haven't had time to tell you the good news yet."
The Queen Mother stood up excitedly, her eyes and eyebrows full of joy, "This is a great joy! I really didn't make a mistake in choosing Xiuqing. She is a very lucky person."
"You little rascal, you're always so naughty, but I never thought you'd be able to have a grandson so soon. From now on, you better behave yourself, stay with Xiuqing, and don't wander around outside!"
Prince An readily agreed, his tone cheerful, but there was a trace of lingering sadness between his brows.
"Your son obeys your order! Besides, your son is not wandering around outside. Your son is a good boy."
Wu Qingxiu wiped her tears and stood up to thank the Queen Mother.
She knew she couldn't hide it, but she still had a glimmer of hope in her heart. Now she could only pray that she was carrying a little princess so that the child could stay.
Everyone congratulated him, but their minds were already active.
The news of Ji Yunhuan's pregnancy has not been widely publicized, and many people don't know about it.
Everyone thought that the emperor had no children. If he were to adopt a son, Prince An, who was the closest blood relative, would naturally be the most likely candidate.
The Queen Mother was so happy, maybe she had this in mind.
For a moment, everyone looked at Prince An with much more eager eyes. Prince An was fidgeting. Wu Xiuqing held Prince An's hand tightly, feeling even more uneasy than him.
Prince An leaned close to Wu Xiuqing's ear and whispered, "Qingqing, don't be afraid. I will definitely protect you and the child."
He had no ambitions since childhood. He didn't want the supreme position, and he didn't want his children to be involved in it. That position was not easy to sit in, and one could lose his life if he was not careful.
He just wants to stay safe and live a peaceful life.
The two of them were whispering in each other's ears, making others envious, and the empress dowager was also smiling with her eyes curved.
"You are indeed newlyweds. Seeing how loving you are, I feel relieved."
"Your Majesty has arrived~" Liu Dewang's loud voice came out.
Everyone stood up to greet her, and the emperor, along with the empress and concubines, saluted the empress dowager.
The Queen Mother looked at Ji Yunhuan, whose belly was growing bigger and bigger, and the smile on her face became even bigger. "No need to be polite, today is a family dinner, there is no need to be so formal."
"Huan'er, come here and let me take a good look at you."
Ji Yunhuan stood beside the empress dowager, calmly facing the inquiring gazes of the crowd below. She had a gentle temperament and a big belly, which made people know at a glance that she was pregnant.
"Noble Concubine Chun has been pregnant for a long time. I was afraid of disturbing the fetus, so I kept it a secret. Now that the fetus is stable, it's a good time for you all to see it."
"Princess An is also pregnant. Today is a double celebration. I am so happy!"
Everyone's faces were full of excitement. All those present were members of the royal family, and some of them were very ambitious and wanted to adopt their children to the emperor so that they could rise to the top in the future.
Now that I see Concubine Chun is pregnant, I feel so sad.
"This prince only knows Noble Concubine Liu. I don't know which family Noble Concubine Chun is from. She's so lucky to be pregnant right after entering the palace. Doesn't she outshine all the other concubines in the harem?"
The speaker was an elderly prince, who was older than the late emperor. He had several great-grandchildren and was the one who least wanted to see the emperor have children.
Ji Yunhuan looked well-behaved, and even smiled as she spoke, "Thank you, Prince Duan, for your concern. However, now that Concubine Liu is no longer around, please be careful with your words, Prince Duan."
Prince Duan stood up and said angrily, "What a clever talker! How can you interrupt an elder? So what if she's pregnant? If she were a princess, I don't know why you're so arrogant!"
"Let alone you, even the late emperor had to address me as uncle. How dare you, a junior, be so presumptuous?"
The emperor's expression turned cold. "Prince Duan is probably drunk and talking nonsense. Come, take him away and let him sober up!"
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