Chapter 277 King Xuan is so considerate
When Li Nanke met Shen Xu's expectant gaze, her dimples deepened suddenly.
"This humble woman wishes Your Highness the Crown Prince many younger brothers, so that in the future, brothers may be kind and respectful to each other, and harmony may prevail!"
Shen Xu...
What auspicious saying is this?
Aren't auspicious words meant to be said to him, to bless him?
Why is it that Uncle Nine's auspicious words are "peace and health, and everything goes smoothly," and his two younger sisters say "happy every day," but when it comes to him, it becomes "having more younger brothers"?
For a moment, Shen Xu didn't know what kind of expression to make.
Empress Xue was furious!
That brat Li Nanke must have done it on purpose.
The fact that Consort Shu and Consort Wang were pregnant one after another was already a thorn in her side. Li Nanke actually wished the eldest prince would have more brothers. Wasn't he deliberately trying to annoy her?
Empress Xue concealed the gloom in her eyes and was about to speak when the emperor suddenly burst into a series of loud laughs.
"Hahaha, well said! What a wonderful display of brotherly love and harmony! It speaks exactly to my heart."
"Ding Wang, bestow this Snow Cloud Soup in front of me upon the Princess of Fu'an County."
Ding Wang quickly picked up the Snow Cloud Soup and ran to Li Nanke.
"Oh my, Princess Fu'an is in for a treat today! This Snow Cloud Soup is made by steaming fresh crab meat and mixing it with crushed hibiscus petals."
It's really not easy to find fresh crab meat this season.
Li Nanke gazed at the glass cup held by Ding Wang. The snow-white crab meat paired with red hibiscus flowers, arranged in the glass cup, looked as if the clouds had parted and the rosy light had emerged, making it hard to open one's eyes.
She quickly expressed her gratitude.
"Your Majesty, I am very grateful for your generous gift."
Since the emperor had already bestowed the gift, Empress Xue, no matter how much resentment she harbored, dared not say anything more. She could only swallow her anger and, pinching her nose, rewarded Li Nanke with a dish of crystal sashimi.
Shen Cong beckoned Ding Wang to come closer.
"Since my elder brother and sister-in-law have already bestowed their gifts, I cannot be stingy. I would like to trouble Eunuch Ding to deliver the gifts from the mountain and sea to Princess Fu'an."
In the blink of an eye, the small table in front of Li Nanke and Song Yi was filled to the brim, almost overflowing.
Seeing this, Song Hui and Zhao Wanqing, who were standing nearby, were so jealous and angry that they almost poked the food in their plates to pieces.
While helping Li Nanke pick up some food, Song Yi whispered something to her.
"Snowy Cloud Soup is made with crab meat, and Crystal Sliced Fish is made with fish meat. Both are cold in nature and can trigger allergies. The dish that King Xuan bestowed upon him, Separated by Mountains and Seas, was made with venison, bamboo shoots, and mushrooms, and is therefore warming."
The two complement each other perfectly; King Xuan's gift of this dish was incredibly thoughtful.
Li Nanke blinked and glanced up at Shen Cong's table.
Shen Cong was eating with his head down, taking bites here and there.
Isn't that thoughtful?
Isn't it because he can't eat hot foods?
After the palace banquet, Li Nanke and Song Yi became the envy of the noblewomen.
By the time the palace banquet ended, it was almost midnight.
The officials and noblewomen left the palace in turn.
Today is New Year's Eve, and we must stay up all night. As is customary, the emperor will spend the night in the empress's palace.
However, as soon as Consort Wang was diagnosed with pregnancy, the emperor went to Consort Wang's palace to sit for a while.
Empress Xue asked Duke Xue to stay and talk.
Upon returning to Ninghui Palace, he was so angry that he picked up something and wanted to smash it.
They were stopped by Duke Xue.
"Don't smash things during the New Year; it's bad luck. If it gets to His Majesty's ears, it will inevitably cause trouble."
You must now always think of the Crown Prince's best interests.
Empress Xue was so angry that her chest trembled. Hearing Duke Xue's words, she had no choice but to put the teacup back on the table in a huff.
"That little girl Li Nanke is really strange. Several times her words have come true. Could she really be a little lucky star, just as His Majesty said?"
Duke Xue scoffed, unimpressed.
"What little lucky star? She just happened to run into someone. Even if she hadn't said that today, a few days later, as long as the Imperial Concubine examines her pulse, they could still find out she's pregnant."
Empress Xue thought about it and realized that this made sense, so she couldn't help but look sullen.
"This girl is really lucky. She always manages to stumble upon something, and His Majesty actually believes her."
Duke Xue frowned.
"She's just a little girl, she's not your focus right now. Your focus should be on the eldest prince."
He is His Majesty's legitimate son and eldest son, so it is best to secure the position of Crown Prince as soon as possible.
Otherwise, once Consort Shu gives birth to a prince, and then Consort Gui gives birth to another prince, the comparison will make it easy for her heart to waver.
Empress Xue's expression changed slightly, but she still couldn't help but mutter to herself.
"Chang Sheng is both the eldest son and the legitimate heir. Does His Majesty intend to bypass him and appoint a mere infant as the crown prince?"
Duke Xue glared at her.
"You're confused. Have you forgotten how the Rebellion of the Five Princes happened six years ago?"
Empress Xue's face paled, but her expression gradually calmed down.
“Brother is right. Right now, nothing is more important than establishing a crown prince, but this matter still needs your support in the court.”
"I have my own arrangements for the affairs of the previous dynasty. Today I just want to tell you one thing: you must be careful with your words and actions these days, and do not do anything foolish."
"Everything will be discussed after the Crown Prince is appointed, understand?"
Duke Xue gave him some detailed instructions before leaving.
Soon after, the emperor also arrived at Ninghui Palace.
Empress Xue hurriedly stepped forward to help him change his clothes, deliberately softening her tone as she inquired about Consort Wang's condition with concern.
"...Just now, Changsheng was saying that he hoped both Consort Gui and Consort Shu could give birth to a younger brother to keep him company."
The emperor paused, then put the teacup he was about to bring to his lips, and gave Empress Xue a deep look.
"I am very pleased that you and Changsheng think this way."
Empress Xue's eyes flickered slightly, but she remained silent.
The emperor gently patted her arm and said earnestly, "Empress, Changsheng is my eldest son and my legitimate son."
Just like I was back then, I absolutely do not wish to experience the hardships and worries I once endured in the future, even if I were to live forever. Do you understand?
Empress Xue suddenly looked up, her pupils contracting sharply as she stared at the Emperor with excitement.
Did the emperor mean what she understood?
The emperor nodded slightly, but then changed the subject.
"But this doesn't mean that Changsheng won't need his brothers' help in the future. I hope that my harem can have more children, and they will all be Changsheng's support in the future. Do you understand?"
Empress Xue understood the meaning behind the emperor's words, her lips trembled, and she quickly knelt down.
"Your Majesty understands. Your Majesty will take good care of Consort Shu and Consort Gui."
The emperor smiled with satisfaction.
Meanwhile, at the palace gate.
Li Nanke's carriage was piled high with the Emperor's gifts, almost overflowing the carriage.
Wang Tongyun ran over with a grin and pulled Li Nanke, saying, "My family has arranged many carriages today."
My mother told my sisters and me to squeeze in with her, and she'd allow you all to share a carriage.
At the same time, she winked and lowered her voice, saying, "My mother said she'd like to invite you and Madam Song to our house for a feast another day to properly thank you, my little lucky star. You have to say a few auspicious words to me then."
Li Nanke was both amused and exasperated.
"If you want to hear auspicious words, I can say them to you right now."
Wang Tongyun made a face.
"No way, I want you to tell me seriously. I'm leaving now."
With that, he left the carriage behind and sped away.
Li Mu said, "Since the rewards have already been loaded into our carriage, let's ride in the Wang family's carriage."
Li Nanke quickly stopped Li Mu.
"no!"
The show is about to begin, so we certainly can't change the carriage so easily!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
