Aside from the Gu family, the Xue family, and the Kang Prince's Mansion, the Peng family, the Huo family, and the Duke of Zhenguo were really not used to eating such a casual meal with the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and the Empress.
Grandma Huo was alright; she was with Grandma Gu and was able to chat with the Empress Dowager for a few minutes. However, Grandpa Huo, Prime Minister Huo and his wife, and Huo Yanyu's parents were all a bit reserved. The Empress Dowager, on the other hand, was kind and told them not to be nervous and to treat it as a palace banquet.
The Emperor didn't mind the Empress Dowager saying that. At this moment, the Huo family father and sons finally understood that the rumors were true. Moreover, it wasn't like what some people said in private, that the two branches of the family were at odds. They acted like a loving family.
When the emperor saw Uncle Gu winking at him, he made an excuse to go aside with Uncle Gu. Upon hearing that it was to avenge Sister Xiao Jia, he thought, "Fine, count him in."
The emperor was younger than Zhou Yujia, but he had met her when he was a young man and admired her greatly. He even thought that if Zhou Yujia hadn't married the man surnamed Lu, he would probably have taken her to the palace. Therefore, revenge was something he really liked.
The emperor loved Empress Xue, but he wasn't the only one he loved. During his nearly twenty years on the throne, he genuinely loved other concubines besides Empress Xue. However, he clearly understood who would be with him until the end. He respected and admired Empress Xue. Later, hampered by the Lin family and as he grew older, he no longer developed feelings for the concubines of the harem as he had in his youth.
Apart from the seventh prince born to Consort Lin, the emperor had only allowed the existence of the other princes and princesses because he had liked their mothers. Moreover, he treated these concubines well. Unless you were on Consort Lin's side, he would be very generous to you, although he would not enter your room again in recent years.
The two brothers returned to their seats, and with the addition of Prince Kang and Duke Cheng'en, the drinking party was complete.
Grandpa Huo didn't want to see the monarch of a country in such a state, so he tried his best to talk to Grandpa Peng and Grandpa Gu, saying he didn't want to see it, he didn't want to see it!
As for Prime Minister Huo and Third Master Huo, they chatted with General Peng and Fourth Uncle Gu Shouxin, and the conversation went quite well.
The Empress also got along very well. Having experienced pregnancy and childbirth in Kunzhou, the Empress was already quite familiar with the three sisters-in-law of the Gu family, and she could even chat with Zhang Shi. The ladies of the Huo and Peng families, along with Princess Kang and Lady Xue, made for a much more lively gathering than the men who were drinking.
Princess Kang and Lady Xue invited Empress Xue to play mahjong after dinner, but Empress Xue was worried about the young crown prince.
Princess Consort Kang told Empress Xue that the young prince could go to the nursery and play with the Gu family's children. She said it was a lot of fun there and the children would definitely like it.
Worried no one will be watching? Don't worry, there are so many older brothers and sisters, what's there to be afraid of? Let Xinxin, Sisi, and Xue'er go over there and keep an eye on things. Little girls shouldn't get too addicted to mahjong; they'll have plenty of opportunities when they grow up!
The Gu family sisters-in-law all agreed.
So, after the meal, Empress Xue was taken by several ladies to the nursery for a stroll. Well, Empress Xue left the Crown Prince there without any worries and then joined everyone in playing mahjong.
Seeing this, Gu Ren rubbed his hands together and chuckled, "Little prince, the opportunity has come. I can find out tonight whether you are a fellow transmigrator or not."
After the adults left, Gu Ren slowly walked over to the little prince who was playing with building blocks with Xiao Qi and the others.
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