Chapter 332: Palace Banquet Adds Joy, Secret Words Communicate
As the carriage from Prince Rong's mansion stopped at the palace gates, the wind rustled the bronze bells on the eaves. Xiaoyanzi, holding Yongqi's hand, stepped out of the carriage. The hem of her moon-white Manchu dress, embroidered with lotus flowers, swept across the bluestone. The oriental pearl bracelet on her wrist, a gift from Emperor Qianlong a few days ago, shone delicately in the sunlight.
"Slow down." Yongqi smoothed her wind-blown hair. When his fingertips touched the cinnabar mole behind her ear, his Adam's apple moved slightly. "The Empress Dowager specially sent people to urge us three times today. She said the lotus flowers in the palace are in full bloom and she wants us to accompany her to enjoy the scenery."
Xiaoyanzi raised an eyebrow and raised her hand to straighten his crooked jade feather. "I think the old lady is missing her precious great-grandson." Then she called into the carriage, "Little Dengzi, take out Mianrui's tiger-head hat and keep it out of the wind."
The carriage curtain opened, and little Dengzi emerged, carrying the tightly wrapped Mianrui. Behind him followed little Zhuozi, whose arms were tugging at Mianxin's hat tassel. "Don't worry, Princess! The young ladies are all well behaved," said little Zhuozi, grinning broadly. "Little Chongzi and Little Wenzi are following behind, carrying gifts for the Empress Dowager and the other ladies."
As they entered the Cining Palace, they saw the Empress Dowager sitting on a rosewood couch in the corridor, Qing'er peeling lotus seeds beside her. Xiao Jian stood at the bottom of the steps, holding a scroll of newly acquired calligraphy and painting. Seeing Xiao Yanzi enter, a smile spread across his eyes.
"Grandmother!" As Xiaoyanzi bowed, Mianxin babbled in Xiaozhuozi's arms, stretching out her little hands for Grandmother to hold her. Grandmother immediately beamed, took the child and pinched her soft face: "Our Xin'er is so thoughtful, she knows Grandmother misses you."
Yongqi handed Mianrui to Nanny Gui and turned to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager. Xiaoyanzi sat down next to Qing'er and immediately caught a whiff of the sweet aroma in the air—the scent of the twin lotus flowers in the vase under the porch, their pink and white petals, drenched in morning dew, weighing heavily on the emerald green leaves.
"Where are the Queen and Concubine Ling?" Xiaoyanzi fiddled with the jade pendant around her waist. It was the warm Hetian jade given by Yongqi, and it felt cool to the touch.
"The Empress is in the side hall checking the tribute. Concubine Ling just sent someone to say that the Emperor summoned her to the Imperial Study on the way." Qing'er handed over the peeled lotus seeds. "I heard that there will be dancers from the Western Regions performing today, so the Emperor specially ordered grape wine to be prepared."
As he was speaking, the eunuch's shrill voice came from outside the palace: "The Emperor has arrived - Empress Lingfei has arrived -"
Qianlong was dressed in bright yellow formal attire, followed by Concubine Ling. Concubine Ling wore a lilac-colored palace dress, with several pearl hairpins in her hair. Her face was pale, and she subconsciously pressed her lower abdomen as she walked. Xiaoyanzi, with her sharp eyes, was about to stand up when she saw Concubine Ling suddenly cover her mouth and retch rapidly.
"What's wrong?" Qianlong quickly supported her, his brows knitted together, "Call the imperial physician!"
Xiaoyanzi's heart skipped a beat as memories of her past life suddenly flooded back. The Emperor had said that after his abdication, the Fifteenth Prince would succeed him, and that the Fifteenth Prince was none other than Concubine Ling's son. She stared at Concubine Ling's belly, her fingertips unconsciously clenching around her handkerchief.
Imperial Physician Li arrived quickly, kneeling on the ground to check Concubine Ling's pulse. He placed his fingers on her wrist for a moment, and suddenly his face was filled with joy. "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Concubine Ling! Your Majesty is pregnant, and her pulse is stable, and it has been for over a month!"
"Really?" Qianlong's eyes lit up, and he pulled Concubine Ling into his arms, his voice trembling, "I'm going to have another prince?"
Concubine Ling blushed and nodded, unable to hide the smile in the corner of her eyes. The Empress Dowager also smiled broadly and asked Nanny Gui to quickly fetch some supplements to help with the pregnancy. Xiaoyanzi, watching this scene, suddenly remembered something and quietly tugged at Qianlong's sleeve.
Qianlong understood and followed her to the lotus pond under the porch. The rustling of lotus leaves in the pond obscured their figures.
"Father Emperor," Xiaoyanzi stood on tiptoe and leaned close to his ear, her voice lowered to a whisper, "Do you...know what's going on in Concubine Ling's belly?"
Qianlong looked down at her. Sunlight filtered through the gaps between the lotus leaves, and her lively eyes gleamed with a cunning light. He couldn't help but pinch her cheek, his voice as soft as the wind brushing against petals: "Hush—this is a secret between us."
Xiaoyanzi's eyes curved into crescents as she smiled. Just as she was about to speak, Yongqi came over with a cloak in his hand. "The wind's strong, put it on." He glanced between the two of them, "What are you whispering about?"
"Nothing," Xiaoyanzi took the cloak and wrapped it around herself, winking at Qianlong, "It's with the Dongzhu that the Emperor gave me as a reward."
Qianlong laughed out loud and patted Yongqi on the shoulder: "Princess, you are coming up with more and more tricks. Come on, have a drink with me. Today must be a lively day!"
Yongqi glanced at Xiaoyanzi suspiciously, then saw her sticking out her tongue at him. He shook his head helplessly and reached out to take her hand. The two followed Qianlong to the banquet hall. Xiaoyanzi's fingertips felt warm in his grip, but she was secretly thinking: When Concubine Ling gave birth to a little prince, she would be the first to send him a small bow and arrow, just like the emperor had given Yongqi.
The twin lotus flowers under the corridor are still blooming quietly, and the dewdrops on the petals roll down and hit the water surface, spreading out circles of gentle ripples.
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