The news of the seventeenth prince's eldest son's full moon celebration reached the palace, which at least somewhat eased the gloom on the fourth prince's face.
Fourth Master instructed Lanqin: "They have risked their lives for me more than seventeen times. Go and reward them well on my behalf."
Lanqin stood beside him and agreed.
Two days later, the Seventeenth Prince's mansion was bustling with guests. Most of the visitors were the Seventeenth Prince's brothers, court officials who were on good terms with him, merchants who wanted to curry favor, and the wives of several princes.
The guests left their invitations and gifts, and were then led into the mansion by servants.
As soon as everyone was seated, the steward whispered something in the Seventeenth Prince's ear. The Seventeenth Prince's face lit up with joy, and he asked incredulously, "Really?"
“It’s absolutely true, Your Highness,” the steward said with a delighted expression.
As the guests were wondering what good news the Seventeenth Prince had received, he stepped forward and said, "Gentlemen, Consort Xi is about to arrive at the residence. Quickly come with me to greet her. Steward, go and inform Consort Shu."
When Lanqin arrived at the Seventeenth Prince's residence with the regalia of an empress, the Seventeenth Prince was already at the gate with his male guests, and Consort Shu and her female relatives were all there to greet her.
The crowd knelt before the imperial carriage and shouted in unison, "Your humble servants (this concubine) pay their respects to Your Highness, may Your Highness live a thousand years!"
"No need for formalities, please rise quickly." Then she said to the Seventeenth Prince, "I have come to offer my congratulations on the orders of His Majesty."
Seventeen hurriedly bowed towards the direction of the palace: "Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness."
"It's alright."
Lanqin was helped down from the carriage by her maid, and then she was escorted into the mansion by a crowd.
After entering the mansion, the large group of people split into two groups. The Seventeenth Prince led the male guests to continue drinking in the front, while Lanqin was led into the inner courtyard by Consort Shu and settled in her main room.
At this moment, the Seventeenth Prince's Consort, Lady Meng, was holding her son when she came to pay her respects to Lanqin: "I brought my son to see Consort Xi in such a hurry because I was afraid of delaying the time for paying my respects to Consort Xi. Please forgive me, Consort Xi."
Lanqin smiled gently and said, "It's nothing. Is this the birthday person today? How adorable."
Madam Meng's expression softened, becoming more affectionate. After exchanging a few words, Madam Meng left with Lanqin's gifts. After all, she still needed to recuperate, and her child couldn't be separated from its mother.
"Your Majesty, let's take our seats." Consort Shu invited Lanqin to join the banquet at the opportune moment.
Lanqin nodded, and at that moment, the seventeenth concubine, Niu Gulu Yuyin, came over.
Niu Gulu Yuyin smiled and bowed to her, saying, "It's good to see Your Majesty again. Your Majesty looks dignified and graceful today, and you are becoming more and more beautiful."
Lanqin knew that her cousin was being intimate with her in front of Consort Shu, but she didn't care. After all, they were relatives, and as long as they didn't abuse their power, she let them be.
“Since Yu Yin is here, let’s go together,” she said.
Lanqin took her seat first, and the seventeenth concubine, Niohuru Yuyin, sat in the place where Meng Shi used to sit next to Lanqin, while Consort Shu sat on the other side.
Next came the wives of the Fourth Prince's brothers, such as the wives of the Third Prince, the Fifth Prince, the Seventh Prince, and the Fifteenth Prince, who all came to pay their respects.
After the ceremony, Lanqin smiled and told everyone to make themselves at home, but secretly breathed a sigh of relief. There were so many gifts for a full moon celebration, and all this pretense and politeness had left her mentally exhausted. She would definitely need to relax and rejuvenate herself when she got back!
The wives entered the banquet together, and Lanqin forced herself to stay alert for the rest of the time.
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