Chapter 111 Mid-Autumn Family Feast
On the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Jiang Fenghua and Su Tingwan, both dressed exquisitely, appeared before Xie Shang and said, "Your Majesty, we greet you."
"Yes, let's go!" Xie Shang, dressed in a magnificent robe, exuded nobility and majesty. He took the initiative to help Jiang Fenghua into the carriage, and then habitually tried to get on by himself.
Su Tingwan, dressed in a snow-white light robe and skirt that trailed on the ground, seemed to restrict her movements. She said softly, "Your Highness, please help me up."
Xie Shang then realized that Su Tingwan was usually very easygoing and could get on and off the carriage with ease, so he hadn't considered her and assumed that she would follow on her own.
Xie Shang didn't think much of it; it was just a casual thing to do. He reached out his hand to Su Tingwan, and when her hand was in Xie Shang's palm, she gracefully stepped onto the horse stool with small, quick steps.
The next moment, she probably stepped on her own skirt and fell into Xie Shang's arms. Her lips accidentally kissed Xie Shang's chin, and he stiffened as he felt her full lips.
Su Tingwan leaned her weight on Xie Shang. Caught off guard by her approach, he instinctively held her waist to prevent her from falling. At that moment, her ample breasts pressed against his body, and he could see them clearly when he lowered his head slightly.
Wanwan never liked wearing this kind of strapless long dress, so why was she wearing it today? He didn't know that Su Tingwan had also prepared a performance.
Su Tingwan said gently, "I accidentally stepped on the hem of my skirt, so I twisted my ankle." Did Jiang Fenghua think that only she could pretend?
Xie Shang nodded and said, "If your foot is alright, get in the car!"
Su Tingwan was still leaning against his chest, her eyes full of tender affection, "Yes."
He waited until she stood up straight before getting into the carriage and sitting opposite Jiang Fenghua.
Xie Shang followed closely behind and took the seat of honor.
The carriage was spacious, and the three of them each had their own space without feeling crowded.
Su Tingwan curled her red lips and gave Jiang Fenghua a provocative look. Jiang Fenghua remained calm. She had already played this trick countless times. Su Tingwan copied her like a garbage collector, but unfortunately, she still didn't get Xie Shang to give her a second glance.
Jiang Fenghua suddenly sat down next to Xie Shang and took out a handkerchief to wipe the lip rouge off his chin.
Xie Shang hadn't expected her to act this way, so she just let her get closer. She said gently, "The concubine's lipstick is too bright."
He noticed a red stain on her handkerchief and realized that her face was stained with Su Tingwan's lipstick.
Xie Shang looked embarrassed and glared at Su Tingwan before sitting calmly like a proper gentleman.
Jiang Fenghua handed the handkerchief to Lianye outside the window and sat back down properly.
Today, Jiang Fenghua wore a crimson palace dress, looking noble and dignified, yet still beautiful, while Xie Shang wore a purple brocade robe with gold trim. Both of them were outstanding in appearance, like a pair of celestial beings.
The group remained silent throughout the journey, and the carriage only stopped in front of the palace outside the Imperial Garden.
This time, Su Tingwan wanted Xie Shang to help her, but Xie Shang pretended not to see her and turned around to help Jiang Fenghua out of the car. Even if you're jealous, there should be limits and you should know the occasion.
Su Tingwan gracefully dismounted from the carriage and walked to their side. Last time, Sang Yupianpian had made her look so disheveled. Today, she was determined to amaze everyone again, to let the noble ladies of the capital see her different charm, and to make Xie Shang look at her with new eyes and rekindle his love for her.
The Mid-Autumn Festival banquet was held in the Imperial Garden, a place adorned with flowers, exuding wealth and elegance, and decorated in a luxurious and elegant style.
In no time, members of the royal family and nobles flocked to the palace, and the once lifeless palace became lively and bustling again.
The young princesses and princes were having a blast in the Imperial Garden, chasing each other and having a great time.
At this moment, the Third Prince and his wife, along with their three children, also arrived at the Imperial Garden. They walked towards Xie Shang and Jiang Fenghua.
After exchanging greetings, the Third Princess said to her children, "Hurry up and pay your respects to your Fifth Aunt and Fifth Uncle."
The children respectfully greeted each other in unison, "Nephews and nieces pay their respects to Fifth Uncle and Fifth Aunt."
Jiang Fenghua had made preparations long ago and brought her maids into the palace. She took three purses from Lianye and handed them to the children. With a smile, she handed a pink purse to the girl, saying, "You are Wei'er. You are very beautiful. Your fifth aunt has prepared a gift for you. I hope you like it."
Xie Wei opened her eyes wide, took the purse, and said shyly but clearly, "Thank you, Fifth Aunt. You are so beautiful, like a fairy."
Jiang Fenghua then handed two more purses to the two older boys, saying, "You are Qi'er, and you are Yu'er."
Upon hearing this, Xie Qi and Xie Yu said in unison, "How would Fifth Aunt know our names if she's never even met us?"
Jiang Fenghua smiled and said, "If your fifth aunt wants to prepare a gift for you, she naturally needs to know your preferences. I also know that Qi'er has entered the Imperial Academy and is doing very well in her studies. Your teacher, Jiang Shaofu, has praised you a lot."
Xie Qi's eyes were full of smiles. "I know that Jiang Shaofu is Fifth Aunt's father, which is why Fifth Aunt knows my name."
Jiang Fenghua nodded, then said to Xie Yu, "Yu'er is still in the early stages of learning. I'll give you a picture book another day, and I guarantee Yu'er will like it."
Xie Yu said excitedly, "Thank you, Fifth Aunt, I love comic books the most."
Several children surrounded Jiang Fenghua, all of them liking her very much. Xie Wei even took her hand and led her towards the Imperial Garden.
They rarely went to the palace, and when they did, they were very reserved. No one had ever called them by name like Jiang Fenghua had, or given them a gift. This feeling of being known and cared for made them much more cheerful.
The Third Princess followed behind them, saying, "Slow down, don't bother your Fifth Aunt."
Seeing this, Xie Shang smiled slightly, then unconsciously glanced at her stomach. No wonder she told him today that she wanted to bring a maid into the palace; so that's why.
Xie Xuan slowly approached him, "Princess Heng really likes children, Fifth Brother, you need to work harder."
Xie Shang glanced at his feet and slowed his pace. Upon hearing the next sentence, his face flushed slightly.
Su Tingwan followed respectfully to the side, unconsciously touching her belly. How she longed to have a child, so that Xie Shang would never leave her again.
Upon arriving at the Imperial Garden and taking their seats, they found that the Second Princess Consort, Luo Ziqiong, had already arrived. She sat quietly in her assigned spot, no longer acting arrogantly.
The Fourth Princess and the Fourth Prince also arrived, and they looked very affectionate as a couple.
Other princes, princesses, and royal relatives also arrived one after another.
The imperial concubines, dressed in their finest attire, also arrived at the banquet.
For a time, the entire Imperial Garden was bustling with activity, displaying a scene of prosperity and luxury.
The vast imperial garden was soon filled with people.
Just then, Consort Su and Old Madam Su appeared in everyone's sight. Everyone held their breath, as most of the concubines in the harem knew about Consort Su's affairs.
The Third Princess Consort sat to one side and whispered in Jiang Fenghua's ear, "I heard that Consort Su did not regain her title of Consort, but was demoted to the rank of Jieyu. She is now Jieyu Su. After leaving the Cold Palace, the Emperor has never summoned her. For someone like her to be allowed to leave the Cold Palace and be granted the rank of Jieyu is already a great favor."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Fenghua found it unbelievable; the Emperor truly had a broad mind.
The greatest credit for her being able to leave the Cold Palace was given to Old Madam Su. This shows how much the Emperor valued the Su family, or in other words, how much he feared them.
It seems that the evidence of the Su family's corruption that my elder brother found at the border will not be able to bring down the Su family, and may even alert them. Xie Shang vaguely knows some of it, but as he himself said, he cannot overstep his bounds, otherwise he will anger the emperor and suffer more losses than gains.
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