After the heavy snow in this harsh winter, tender buds began to appear on the branches. It was spring again, and the full moon banquet for the eldest princess was also held grandly in Penglai Palace.
The princes and nobles came to offer their congratulations, but the ministers were missing. Strictly speaking, this was more like a family dinner during the New Year.
Before the banquet officially began, the little princess wore a lotus pink dress and a warm woolen hat on her head. Her grape-like eyes looked around curiously, and she laughed from time to time, which was very pleasing.
The Queen Mother reluctantly handed the child over to Xie Yanci. As a father, he was still as awkward as ever, worried that holding the child incorrectly would cause discomfort to the princess. Ultimately, he returned to the throne and placed the child aside, holding her with both hands while she leaned against him and played.
"Sister, if the one above is a prince, I would like to congratulate you in advance." Concubine Wen quietly walked to the side of Wei Shuyi, "How many royal heirs have been able to sit on the throne so far?"
Wei Shuyi, who was originally concentrating on staring at his daughter, suddenly remembered what Xie Yanci had said in the inn outside the capital that night.
If the daughter is talented in both civil and military affairs, and has both inner and outer talents, and has the ability to help the world, it is possible that she will be made the Crown Princess to govern the country!
"Sister, I was too talkative and said the wrong thing. Please don't be upset!"
Concubine Wen noticed her expression suddenly changed and immediately begged for mercy.
She shook her head helplessly and explained, "No, the Emperor was a father for the first time, and he was afraid the princess would fall, so he let her sit on the throne. He didn't have the intentions that my sister mentioned. I only hope that she can grow up safely and find a man she loves to marry in the future. I have no other wishes."
"Hahaha... Sister, you're thinking long-term! The princess is only one month old, and you're already thinking about her getting married?"
Lady Wen's laughter, which was no longer concealed, attracted the attention of others.
The Empress Dowager took the opportunity to suggest, "Emperor, Zhaohua is already a month old. Leaving him at Sangyuxuan to be raised any longer is probably against protocol. If the censors outside knew about this and filed a complaint, that wouldn't be good either."
Xie Yanci turned sideways, thoughtfully: "What the Queen Mother said is, in your opinion, who should be the most suitable person to raise the child?"
Rong Zhaoyi was the first to step forward: "Your Majesty, Queen Mother, since entering the palace, I have been obedient and have never asked for anything. However, I am unwilling to fall behind others in the matter of the princess. I have no children and have received little favor. If you can trust me..."
"Are you blaming Your Majesty for not visiting Yongshou Palace often?" the Empress interrupted. "You're pure-hearted and unselfish, with no desires? Even if that's true, it's truly heartbreaking! Concubine Yi was pregnant for ten months, how many times did you visit her? Did you ever care about her health? And you waited until she was on the verge of death before asking for her. How ridiculous!"
"Empress, you?!"
The Queen Mother also chimed in: "Rong Zhaoyi, you are the daughter of a general. You liked to wield swords and guns before you even got married. Your temperament is not suitable for raising a princess. It's better to forget it!"
Xie Yanci's gaze fell on Concubine Jin, who smiled gently, trying to get a piece of the action: "Your Majesty, I once had a similar experience in the mansion. My younger brother was still young at that time, and it was I who helped take care of him, so that he could grow up. So..."
"Eldest sister, what you said is true." Noble Lady Wen suddenly spoke up, then hurriedly covered her lips, "No, it should be called Noble Concubine. I am used to calling you by your family title, so I am overstepping my bounds."
Xie Yanci didn't mind: "It's okay, what do you want to say?"
"Your Majesty, do you still remember that there was a statue of a deity placed in Noble Lady Yi's room?" Noble Lady Wen stole a glance. "That matter has been left unresolved. This concerns the safety of the little princess that day. Would you like to reconsider this?"
The implication is that the imperial concubine once had the intention of harming the princess and was not suitable to take over the raising of the princess. Instead, she should be the first to be excluded.
She had originally hoped to take advantage of the princess' influence and have the emperor visit her more often. Now that her plan had failed, Concubine Jin cast a hateful glance at her sister and said nothing.
Seeing this, the Queen went to the Queen Mother and offered her courtesy again: "Mother, I am the Queen of the Central Palace and have the right to raise the princess, right? I don't have any children and I like playing with them. If you leave her to me, then she will definitely..."
"Let Aijia raise him."
As soon as these words were spoken, the flattering smile on the queen's face froze.
Xie Yanci looked over in surprise. "Mother, you are old and Zhaohua is still young. I'm afraid she will cry late at night and disturb everyone. Are you really okay?"
"To play with my grandchildren is my true wish, so how could I find her noisy?" The Queen Mother held the princess's hand and teased her a few more times. "Besides, we have Zijin, Yinzhu, and the others in Shoukang Palace, all capable servants."
Who can compete with the Queen Mother?
The concubines all had their own concerns, but in the end no one dared to speak.
Xie Yanci also acquiesced to this arrangement: "Then... after the banquet, Noble Lady Yi will take Zhaohua to Shoukang Palace!"
"Yes, I thank the Queen Mother for her compassion on behalf of the princess."
When the dust settled, the jackals, tigers and leopards did not succeed.
Wei Shuyi returned to his seat and finally found someone familiar sitting beside him.
"Sister, you're so lucky! The princess is so lucky to be able to be at the empress dowager's side. She will receive endless favors in the future, and your career will also rise step by step!" Noble Lady Wen leaned over to chat with her, then looked around and sighed, "Our emperor is truly diligent and hardworking. He has been busy with state affairs since ascending the throne. Apart from the concubines brought by the Eastern Palace, there are only a few unknown ones left. Sister, I heard from my family that there will be a beauty pageant after the spring!"
That was also expected.
According to the rules of the previous emperor, the selection was held every three years, and Xie Yanci had already dodged it last time. Now, in order to reproduce, this was the only way.
Xie Yanqing was the last one to arrive. The closer the seats between the two of them were, the faster she would climb up according to his instructions.
As to when it will reach the emperor, it has not yet been determined.
"Why are you still late for the little princess's full-moon banquet?" the Queen Mother asked deliberately. "If you can't bring any precious and innovative gifts, I will be the first to forgive you!"
"Please forgive me, Mother! I have prepared not only a generous gift for the princess, but also one for Noble Lady Yi. That is why I am late."
Xie Yanqing stood up and bowed to apologize, then took the sandalwood box from the maid.
"This is one of the treasures of Miaojiang. I went to ask for it specially this time."
"What is this?"
"Mother and child bracelets." He took out the smaller one and had Eunuch Yang present it. "Mother and daughter are connected by blood. Once each wears one, they will be blessed by the Miao Territory Great Elder and become immune to all poisons! It is said that even if you accidentally get a wound on your body, it will heal quickly without leaving a scar. I went there specifically to ask for an audience with the elder and finally got this item, but was bitten by the mosquitoes there. I was unable to move and was late."
It was the first time that the Queen Mother had heard of such a magical thing, so she hurriedly took it out and put it on the little princess.
Whether it was a coincidence or the blessing of the gods, the princess looked at the silver bracelet for a while, then looked up and smiled at everyone.
Xie Yanqing cleared his throat with satisfaction again: "Go and give the other bracelet to Concubine Yi."
The servant came closer step by step, holding the tray.
At this moment, the masters' eyes were all fixed on the princess's rosy smiling face, and no one paid any attention to this extremely ordinary servant.
Wei Shuyi took the bracelet and accidentally met that person's eyes: "You?!"
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