"Ahem, let me see what the concubines are doing."
Qi Jingxuan stepped forward, and everyone knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, we pay our respects! Long live the Emperor!"
"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
"This servant greets Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
"Get up, everyone. Continue, don't be shy just because I'm here." A child stumbled over and tugged at the hem of Qi Jingxuan's clothes.
"Why are your clothes this color?" The child's innocent voice melted Qi Jingxuan's heart. She was a woman too, and naturally, she couldn't resist the adorable child.
Qi Jingxuan was wearing bright yellow, and of course, he was the only one in the palace who wore this color. Yes! It had been a long time since he had sat with Ruan Yumu in Yujing Palace, otherwise, how could the child not recognize him? He just felt that the color of his clothes was special, which attracted the child.
"I am your father, Yunli." With that, he picked up the eldest son.
"Now that His Majesty has arrived, let's serve the meal! My ladies must be starving!"
"Yes! Consort Zhaoyi!" Ziling deliberately called out loudly, as if afraid Qi Jingxuan wouldn't hear her.
The Emperor took the child and sat in the main seat. The wet nurse next to him wanted to take the child, but Qi Jingxuan refused. She hadn't even eaten while holding the child yet, and today was his birthday, so she naturally wanted to show him some affection.
"His Majesty presents the eldest son with a jade ruyi, a gift from the former Crown Prince!" Xiao Shunzi finally retrieved the gift he had given.
The people sitting there immediately started discussing this.
"Isn't this the token of love between the former crown prince and crown princess?"
"I think so too."
"What does it mean that the Emperor is sending one now?"
"Haven't you figured it out yet? It must be because the Emperor is thinking of our past relationship. After all, who among us has served Consort Zhao for as long as she has?"
Qi Jingxuan glanced at them, and all the concubines shut their mouths.
Ruan Yu Mu respectfully came forward and accepted the gift. Qi Jing Xuan put down the child in his arms and wanted to reach out to help her, but Ruan Yu Mu shook off Qi Jing Xuan. The Emperor was embarrassed in front of everyone and stood there awkwardly.
"How about this, Ruan Yumu shall resume her status as Consort Mu. In the entire palace, only you have given birth to a son for me, so that the other concubines can all learn from you!"
"Your Majesty, I thank you!"
The Yujing Palace was quiet, and the awkwardness at this moment was unimaginable.
"Let's eat, let's eat!"
Qi Jingxuan knew that he had neglected her, but after all these years, hadn't the two of them had enough of fighting?
If she still can't understand me, then what's the point of seeking revenge when I have all this?
Qi Jingxuan smacked his lips but didn't eat much. He wanted to say a few words to Ruan Yumu after everyone left, but she kicked him out with the excuse that she was tired.
Yelü Yanyun felt that her opportunity had come, so she asked Yun Que to go back and prepare a meal and their special wine from the Northern Frontier.
"Your Majesty, Consort Gui invites you to her palace for a meal. She said she noticed you didn't eat much at the banquet. Your Majesty, you work so hard day and night, how can you not eat? Consort Gui said she's cooking dishes from the Northern Frontier, which are quite unique!" Eunuch Yu kept praising Yelü Yanyun, while Xiao Shunzi kept giving him meaningful glances. In Xiao Shunzi's opinion, the place the Emperor most wanted to go was Yonghua Palace.
Qi Jingxuan's expression was cold. He flicked his sleeves, somewhat displeased. "Her? What's so special about the Northern Frontier? I know that all too well! Fine, let's go see her!"
More than two months have passed since she feigned illness. Since he's determined to win her over, Qi Jingxuan still wants to go and see her. After all, no man would refuse a beautiful woman who's trying to please him. Besides, winter is just around the corner, and he's hoping the north will send more tribute so that the people of Qi can have a better winter.
Qi Jingxuan wasn't unaware of her intentions; she simply wanted him to stay at her place for as long as possible.
It makes sense. With so many concubines in the palace, if they don't have a few more children, there might be no one to inherit the throne in the future. However, this child must not be Yelü Yanyun's.
For the sake of the State of Qi, he would naturally not neglect Yelü Yanyun, but precisely because of the State of Qi, he would not allow Yelü Yanyun to be favored too much.
However, Qi Jingxuan always felt very uncomfortable with her methods!
Upon arriving at Lihua Terrace, Yelü Yanyun was already waiting at the entrance. She greeted Qi Jingxuan with a beaming smile, then stepped forward, taking his arm and saying, "Your Majesty, I wonder if the dishes tonight didn't suit your taste? I noticed you didn't eat much, and it worried me terribly. Your Majesty, I specially asked the kitchen to prepare some different Northern Frontier dishes. You're so busy every day; you must nourish yourself properly!"
Qi Jingxuan nodded in agreement, but looking at the table full of dishes, he still felt a warm feeling in his heart.
"You've prepared so many dishes! It must have been hard work for you. Someone, give you a reward!"
"Your Majesty, I thank you. It is my honor to share your burdens!"
Qi Jingxuan held his chopsticks but didn't touch the food. "But the two of us can't eat this much! Is this cheese from the Northern Frontier? I've had it once; it's fragrant, soft, and delicious. Empress Shurong should like it. Yan Yun, you won't be stingy, will you?"
Yelü Yanyun was confused. "What? What are you being stingy about? Your Majesty likes to eat it, and I still have some here. If not, I can have my brother send some over from the Northern Frontier by fast horse. Your Majesty, what do you think?"
"Since you're not stingy, then... Xiao Shunzi, take this plate to Qingzhou!"
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