The Emperor's Funing Hall and the Empress's Kunning Hall are located in the center of the Imperial City, while the Chonghua Hall is located on the east side of the outer city.
The capital city is so vast; walking around is truly exhausting. Li Shiyue thought to herself, not everyone can afford such wealth and luxury.
Even before entering the palace, Li Shiyue could feel the emperor's majesty. She followed Xu Yunci, bowing respectfully. Then, the emperor's voice came from above: "Has Li Shiyue already met the Crown Princess since entering the palace today?"
“My grandmother misses my eldest sister, and as the New Year approaches, my eldest sister also misses her family.”
The official seemed unconcerned about these matters, raising his finger to point at Li Shiyue, who was kneeling on the ground: "You, come here."
Xu Yunci's gaze was profound: "Your Majesty, my cousin only entered the manor yesterday and is not yet familiar with the rules. I'm afraid she might offend Your Majesty."
The Emperor laughed heartily: "It's alright, take a few steps forward, let me see the Xu family's cousin."
Li Shiyue swallowed hard, glancing instinctively at Xu Yunci, and for some reason saw worry in his eyes. She rose and took two steps forward, bowing again and saying, "Your subject Li Shiyue greets Your Majesty, wishing Your Majesty long life and peace."
“Raise your head.”
Li Shiyue focused her mind, slightly raising her head enough for Emperor Ronghe, seated on the dragon throne, to see her face clearly. In an instant, Li Shiyue saw the surprise and moisture in Emperor Ronghe's eyes.
"Get up, how old are you this year?"
"This humble woman is sixteen years old this year," Li Shiyue replied obediently, unsure of Emperor Ronghe's meaning.
Emperor Ronghe sighed, as if reminiscing, "Sixteen years old, in the prime of your youth. I also have a daughter, and seeing your destiny, how about making you my adopted daughter and bestowing upon you the title of princess?"
Li Shiyue was startled and too frightened to reply.
"Father is talking to Brother Lizhe about something, why won't anyone come in?"
The palace doors opened, and a lady in palace attire entered, accompanied by the Crown Princess. She smiled, and her wide sleeves fluttered like butterflies as she moved lightly to Emperor Ronghe's side.
His eyes, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back, turned to Xu Yunci on the other side.
"It's not easy for Brother Lizhe to enter the palace once, so Father Emperor, please don't make things difficult for him."
The Crown Princess walked to Xu Yunci's side and shook her head almost imperceptibly. She sat down gracefully and said, "This is my cousin's first time entering the palace. I was really worried that she would break the rules, so I came uninvited."
"If A-Yue has done anything wrong, please do not hold it against a young woman."
Emperor Ronghe shook his head: "It's alright. I still like this little girl very much and want to adopt her as my goddaughter to keep Chunhui company."
"You're Li Ze's cousin, right? You're quite pretty."
Princess Chunhui, dressed in elaborate palace attire, calmly walked down the steps beside Emperor He, circled around in front of Li Shiyue, and said something in an ambiguous tone.
She turned and walked up to Xu Yunci, revealing a girlish shyness: "Brother Lize, why didn't you come to find me today when you entered the palace? If I hadn't run into my sister-in-law, I wouldn't have known you had entered the palace."
Xu Yunci kept his eyes straight ahead, avoiding Princess Chunhui's hands: "Your Highness, may you live a thousand years. There is a difference between men and women, so please address me by my name."
Princess Chunhui's face fell instantly. Before she could lash out, Emperor Ronghe said in a low voice, "Chunhui, do not be rude."
Princess Chunhui gave a soft snort, reluctant to look at Xu Yunci, who didn't spare him even a glance.
"Does Father mean to recognize Miss Xu as his goddaughter? Doesn't that mean he wants to bestow upon her the title of princess?"
Walking back to Emperor Ronghe's side, she felt an inexplicable hostility towards Li Shiyue. She disliked her from the first moment, especially since Xu Yunci was alone with a maid for the first time since entering the palace.
If she were to be made a princess, wouldn't that take away some of my favor?
However, her thoughts were superfluous. Li Shiyue had already knelt down: "This humble woman has neither contributed to the country nor has any outstanding qualities. I cannot accept the reward without merit, and I am truly unworthy of Your Majesty's great favor."
"If we rashly bestow this title, I fear the officials and censors of the previous dynasty will have much to say. I urge Your Majesty to rescind your decree."
Xu Yunci stood there, clearly showing that they didn't care much about the princess's status.
Emperor Ronghe had no choice but to give up: "She is sixteen this year, so you may choose a courtesy name."
Xu Yun replied on Li Shiyue's behalf: "No, my cousin is young, and the elders in the family only gave her a nickname."
"What did you achieve?"
Li Shiyue replied respectfully, "Jiaojiao, the 'Jiaojiao' of 'the bright moon'."
Emperor Ronghe pondered: "Jiaojiao...the bright moon, the cheerful laughter, may I bestow upon you the name Yanyan?"
Few can receive such a great favor as a calligraphy bestowed by the Emperor. Whether it was a misperception or not, Li Shiyue seemed to feel that Xu Yunci's eyes were filled with worry, and even the Crown Princess showed the same concern.
"Li Yanyan thanks Your Majesty for bestowing upon her the courtesy name."
Unable to refuse any longer, Li Shiyue knelt down to express her gratitude.
Even after leaving the Funing Palace, his head was still spinning. The Crown Princess escorted him all the way to the palace gate, her eyes filled with worry: "Second Prince, Princess Chunhui..."
Xu Yunci said calmly, "Elder sister, I have no interest in the princess. You have already married into the capital. If I were to marry the princess, the Xu family would become too powerful."
The Crown Princess sighed softly. She knew all along, but Princess Chunhui was simple-minded, and the Emperor only had this one princess who had come of age, so he gave her whatever she wanted.
However, she was defeated by her own younger brother, and given Princess Chunhui's temperament, it was unlikely to end well. She simply said, "It's good that you know what's going on."
The Crown Princess spoke softly, took Li Shiyue's hand and instructed, "If you have time, come and talk to me again."
"yes."
Once inside the carriage, we finally left the imperial city. The carriage was filled with the delicate fragrance of orchids; just a whiff of it was enough to make one feel refreshed and relaxed.
Li Shiyue had been somewhat absent-minded since leaving Funing Palace. After hesitating for a long time, she finally called out "Cousin." When she looked up, she met Xu Yunci's deep gaze, which unconsciously drew her in.
A soft sigh escaped Xu Yunci's lips as he rubbed his temples. "Is it because the Emperor is being too close to you?"
Li Shiyue pursed her lips, then nodded: "Yes."
Even if she is the legitimate daughter of the Earl's family, since she was taken in by her maternal grandparents' family in the capital, it is clear that the Earl's family is not her support, especially since it is an Earl's family that is gradually declining.
The Rongguo Duke's Mansion is prestigious, but there are quite a few noble ladies in the capital. How many of them can catch the eye of the officials, be recognized as their adopted daughters, and be granted the title of princess?
The fact that someone could receive a calligraphy bestowed by the Emperor himself is something that you could search the entire capital and find very few precedents.
It's no wonder Li Shiyue felt uneasy; such sudden kindness was not something she could accept with peace of mind. Li Shiyue clasped her hands together, feeling bewildered: "I just don't understand. If it's because of my cousin, the Emperor could easily bestow some gifts upon her."
"I don't know much either."
Seeing the curiosity and eagerness in Li Shiyue's eyes, Xu Yunci sighed softly: "I only know that the Emperor and my aunt knew each other in the past. Perhaps we should go back and ask my grandmother for more details."
"As for titles like princess, the Rongguo Duke's Mansion doesn't care about such material possessions. In the future, your father and I will be your support."
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