Well, it would have been better if I hadn't said anything, because now that I have, he can't put his mind at ease...
"Either take it with you, or send it to my aunt's house."
Yan Nangui thought about it and decided that she could trust one of her aunts to take care of the child.
"A princess like you, sending her to be raised by a subject's family, what are you thinking?" Wouldn't that offend even more people?
"Just take her with you. Be careful on the road; it's not that hot yet. The journey will be bumpy, but as long as it doesn't interfere with her eating and sleeping, it'll be fine. She can't walk yet." Yan Nangui was confident she could take good care of her. If so many people couldn't take care of one child, what would become of her?
Shu Chengfeng finally nodded: "Then take it with you. You settle in, and we'll set off on the tenth."
Neither of them considered the option of not going if Yan Nangui didn't go.
"Should you decide who you bring, or should I decide for you?" Yan Nangui asked.
"I'd like to hear your decision," Shu Chengfeng said casually as he sat down.
“Since we’re going to Qinshan Academy, Consort Ke will definitely go. With me and her, there will be two in the high positions. There’s no need to bring any more. However, Consort Yi is coming from Feicheng, so we can bring her along. Consort Mei should also go. As for the two newly promoted consorts, let’s choose Consort Hui. It’s not appropriate to bring all of His Majesty’s interested consorts at once. We won’t bring any of the minor consorts.” She smiled deliberately as she said this.
Shu Chengfeng didn't say anything, but just smiled and looked at her.
"Take Consort Sun and Consort Qi with you. I remember Consort Yang is from that area too? Take her along as well. Oh, right, Consort Yang and Consort Feng were among the first to enter the household. Although they weren't favored and were just maids back then with no children, they were still old-timers. And they're still called Consorts, how old are they?" Yan Nangui rolled her eyes: "I saw the other day that Consort Xiangxian has wrinkles! And those two even more, shouldn't they be promoted by now? I even got this Consort title myself."
Shu Chengfeng chuckled: "You've always been reluctant to win anyone over, so how did these two catch your eye?"
"I just want to form cliques and see how good they are," Yan Nangui said.
"Alright, you've already said it, so I'll give you face no matter what. Then let's promote them to... Alright, Yang will be promoted to Beauty, and Feng to Lady. They're both old servants in the household, and Lady Shun has become more sensible these past few years, so let's promote her too, to Consort." Shu Chengfeng said.
Yunji went to deliver the imperial edict at the gate.
The promotion of these three individuals was completely unexpected within the harem.
After all, they've been out of favor for ages, especially those two Baolin.
But thinking about it, it makes sense. He has served His Majesty for more than ten years. This time he has been promoted several steps in a row. It will not be easy for him to be promoted again in the future.
Anyway, whether it's a promotion or not, it doesn't bother anyone else, so nobody cares. It's just that for those in higher positions, they were given a few gifts.
They themselves knew perfectly well that this was Consort Chen's intention.
After all, His Majesty is currently still in Zhaochun Palace.
Madam Yang and Madam Feng were extremely grateful and saw off the messenger. Both of them were almost in tears.
In Zhaochun Palace, Shu Chengfeng suddenly stood up and hugged Yan Nangui's face: "Let me see, have you gotten wrinkles?"
Upon closer inspection, there wasn't one yet. He then kissed her on the forehead.
"I have several detailed plans, but you're doing well. You really eat and use the best things all year round, and you're very well-nourished." This woman knows how to take care of her health.
“You’re older than me, so what if you have one? I don’t mind. It’s always been His Majesty who has ever looked down on me. Sigh, women in the palace, they fall out of favor before they’re even old. What will they do when they’re old?”
"Shut up already." Shu Chengfeng looked at her amusedly: "If you stop acting up, you won't fall out of favor."
Falling out of favor... As things stand now, Shu Chengfeng can clearly sense that his interest in this woman is stronger than it was when she was in the manor or when she first entered the palace.
It's still a... different feeling.
When I was in the mansion, it was a novel experience.
It's strange how such a smart and capable woman could have had such a difficult life before.
Even after entering the palace, her unchanging straightforwardness and humor made him feel comfortable.
He had just become emperor, and everyone's attitude had changed, so he himself was not used to it.
When facing everyone in the harem, she had an indescribable feeling.
Something seems off.
Only she remained the same, utterly ordinary, utterly natural.
Later, he got used to being the emperor, and the women in the harem also gradually got used to their new identities.
But Yan Nangui didn't make him feel tired of her; in fact, he liked her even more.
She is truly an amazing person.
It appears clear, but is actually bottomless.
You know everything about her, and she doesn't hide anything from you. But sometimes, you don't know what she'll say next or what she'll do next.
She is definitely not a good-natured person.
When she gets ruthless, she never hesitates. Yet, her temper never gets you annoyed.
She takes whatever she wants for granted.
However, such a straightforward person is not without cunning and scheming; on the contrary, she is quite cunning and scheming.
Therefore, he only saw the subtle details of the geese migrating south, and it was... utterly captivating.
So what if I get wrinkles?
A few wrinkles probably won't diminish her charm.
Because even the most beautiful face becomes the same after a while.
Shu Chengfeng knew very well that what attracted him most about Yan Nangui was not her appearance.
Even though she is indeed beautiful.
Yan Nangui lay on his lap and said, "Sigh, I'll stay with His Majesty for as long as I can. There are three thousand beauties in the harem. It's good enough that His Majesty remembers me."
"Tsk, if you keep talking nonsense, I'll hit you." Shu Chengfeng pinched her cheek when she was still young.
"Alright then, I've been busy lately and haven't painted in a long time. Go get the incense."
Jiangxiang agreed and went to the study to take out a rolled-up painting.
"When was it drawn?" Shu Chengfeng stood up, looking very interested.
"I started before the New Year and just finished painting it." Yan Nangui also stood up.
Unfold it, and it still depicts the emperor.
He recognized it at a glance: "Was this during Bao'er's full moon celebration?"
He was holding a wine glass, smiling, and clearly very happy.
Yan Nangui's lips twitched when he heard the name Bao'er.
"Yes, it was on that day. I felt compelled to draw it when I saw it. There's another one."
As she spoke, Jiangxiang brought out another painting. This one was a small one, depicting the sleeping Seventh Princess. It didn't look very nice; it was all wrinkled.
The painting is simple; it's just a little person sleeping on their side. Their eyes are closed, and their eyelashes are very long.
It was drawn with charcoal.
[Just a quick thought. I was looking for a clue in the earlier chapters and saw so many comments basically saying that the female lead was a second-time bride, so the crown prince couldn't possibly want her, and being a concubine wouldn't work either—meaning she wasn't good enough. Sigh, I don't know why I feel so emotional. Historically, there were countless second-time brides who married emperors. It was only after the Ming and Qing dynasties that women's lives became so difficult. How could an author like me possibly pursue equality in ancient times? But at least, let's look at ancient times with a more tolerant attitude. Everyone talks about independence, but I even saw someone comment that the female lead wasn't a virgin and still married the crown prince—disgusting… I really wonder, is this society open or closed? I often question that.]
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