Emperor Jingming left Yuquan Palace with a wave of his sleeves, leaving Concubine Xian very upset.

The emperor was really angry about the seventh prince's audacity and even took his anger out on her.

This evil creature was born to collect debts!

After returning to his bedroom, Emperor Jingming was in a depressed mood and asked Pan Hai, "How is the Prince of Yan doing in the clan residence?"

"Your Majesty, the prince has reacted calmly and is staying quietly in the empty room."

"What about the others?"

"Several princes visited King Yan one after another..."

Emperor Jingming glanced at Pan Hai and asked, "Is there no movement in Prince Yan's Mansion?"

Pan Hai immediately understood what Emperor Jingming meant: the emperor was worried about his unborn grandson, but was embarrassed to be noticed.

"The Princess of Yan sent her maid to bring food to the Prince of Yan. There were eighteen dishes in total, and the Prince of Yan ate them all."

Emperor Jingming curled his lips and said, "You really can eat."

Pan Hai smiled and said yes.

Emperor Jingming tapped the armrest of the chair with his fingers: "He didn't make a fuss, nor did he go to the palace to beg for mercy. The meal prepared for the seventh son was quite rich..."

It seems that the seventh brother's wife is very patient.

Come to think of it, before she got married, she had to break off an engagement and fight a lawsuit for her sister. She had been through a lot...

Emperor Jingming suddenly felt that this daughter-in-law was a good choice.

It's not like a small family encounters trivial things. Being the daughter-in-law of a royal family requires being able to stay calm and withstand the wind and rain. With Lao Qi's irritable and upright temperament, he should have a princess like this to help him.

Emperor Jingming breathed a sigh of relief for no reason and looked relaxed.

Pan Hai watched coldly and gained a new understanding of the status of Princess Yan in Emperor Jingming's heart.

Prince Yan is really lucky. It seems that he will be released after he returns from the winter solstice heaven sacrifice.

"Go to Kunning Palace and tell them. I will come over for dinner."

Pan Haidao said yes and immediately sent someone to deliver the message to Cining Palace.

The Queen was in a good mood.

If the Emperor came more frequently, it would give the Empress more face.

Of course, even if the emperor didn't come, she was still the empress, and if those girls dared to act unruly in front of her, she would punish them.

This is the confidence of being a queen.

The queen knew very well that although the emperor did not like her very much, he absolutely respected her as his wife.

"Tell the kitchen to prepare it well. The emperor loves to eat dragon beard noodles and braised fish lips. Remember to make it." The queen gave the order and had an idea in her mind.

In recent years, the emperor rarely had two consecutive meals in Kunning Palace, so today was indeed a bit unusual.

Thinking about what Emperor Jingming said at noon, the Queen came to her senses: Is the Emperor worried about the pregnant Princess Yan?

The queen, who understood what was going on, laughed dumbly.

The emperor was too proud to express his feelings, so she did it for him, which was also a good way to show her appreciation.

Upon hearing that the Empress had sent eunuchs to deliver supplements to Prince Yan's Mansion, Emperor Jingming took a sip of tea with satisfaction.

After all, the Empress is much better than the Concubine Xian, and she is not the Mother of the Country for nothing.

Well, he can look forward to the rare opportunity to get out for some fresh air throughout the year.

Soon it was the eve of the winter solstice.

Perhaps Yu Jin's punishment frightened the princes, so the past few days have been peaceful.

Emperor Jingming was in a good mood and went to see Concubine Yang.

Although the number of three thousand beauties in the harem is a bit exaggerated, there are indeed quite a few concubines. Among them, Concubine Yang is the most favored concubine of Emperor Jingming in the past two years.

However, ever since Concubine Yang's brother died last year, Concubine Yang complained a lot to Emperor Jingming. As time went on, Emperor Jingming felt annoyed when he saw his concubine crying, so he came less often.

Emperor Jingming was a sentimental man, and he still missed her a little after a long time.

On the stone steps outside Furong Palace stood a beautiful woman holding a lantern.

The woman was a little thin, with a moon-white skirt and a crow-like bun, as if she could fly away with the wind at any time.

"Greetings, His Majesty." Concubine Yang bent her knees slightly, and the palace lights emitting orange light swayed gently.

Emperor Jingming held Concubine Yang's hand.

My fingertips are cool.

"Why are you waiting outside?" Emperor Jingming asked as he led Concubine Yang inside.

Concubine Yang lowered her eyes and said softly, "Light up for His Majesty."

"It's the same if you let the palace maids guard it."

Concubine Yang smiled slightly and said, "It's different."

Emperor Jingming looked at Concubine Yang carefully, and saw a gentle smile on her thin face, which touched and relieved him.

Finally she stopped making trouble. It seemed she was no longer angry with him.

Last year, Concubine Yang's brother was murdered at a post station outside the capital. The case was solved by the newly appointed Shuntian Prefecture Governor Zhen Shicheng. Since then, Concubine Yang has had a quarrel with him.

After some tenderness, Emperor Jingming put on his clothes and was about to leave. Concubine Yang put her arms around his waist and begged, "Your Majesty, can you take me with you tomorrow?"

"My beloved, do you want to go out?"

Concubine Yang bit her lip and nodded: "Well, since I entered the palace, I have no chance to leave, not even when my brother passed away..."

Emperor Jingming's heart softened and he nodded.

During the winter solstice ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven, the Empress, Consort Xian and others would have accompanied the emperor, so adding Consort Yang would not have been a big deal.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Concubine Yang carried the palace lantern and escorted Emperor Jingming out the door.

It was freezing cold, and Emperor Jingming looked back in the darkness.

The beauty held the lamp, blurring the expression on her face.

"Your Majesty, please be careful where you step." Pan Hai reminded in a low voice.

Emperor Jingming turned around and strode forward.

Pan Hai and several eunuchs followed closely behind and soon disappeared into the night.

Only then did Concubine Yang turn around and go into the bedroom.

Before dawn the next day, people inside and outside the palace were busy preparing for the ceremony of leaving the palace to offer sacrifices to the heavens. Only the Prince of Yan's mansion was still shrouded in tranquility.

Jiang Si actually woke up early and stared at the silver hook on the top of the tent in a daze.

The winter solstice is here.

After this day, countless people's lives will undergo earth-shaking changes.

"Master, you're awake." Ah Qiao came over wearing clothes at some point and gently lifted the bed curtains.

Jiang Si smiled: "It's still early, you can lie down for a while."

Ah Qiao smiled and said, "You are awake now, so there is no reason for me to sleep in. Do you want to lie down for a while, or get up and wash up?"

"Let's wash up later." Nestled in the warm and soft quilt, Jiang seemed lazy and didn't want to move.

"Did you bring the message you gave to the Second Young Master yesterday?"

"I brought it." Aqiao nodded, feeling a little strange.

My master has asked me this question several times since yesterday. It seems that pregnant women are always uneasy.

Jiang Si smiled with relief.

The warmth of the quilt made her drowsy, and she soon fell asleep again.

Seeing this, Ah Qiao lowered the bed curtains again and walked out lightly.

The doctor said that pregnant women are sleepy, and it is true.

The wind was biting cold outside, and a long dragon-like team was slowly walking out of the city, facing the darkness that had not yet been dispelled by the morning light.

Teams of guards in brocade uniforms walked in front, holding flags, canopies and other ceremonial weapons, making the entire silent team appear extremely solemn.

When we arrived at the place for offering sacrifices to heaven on Cuiluo Mountain in the suburbs of Beijing, the sky was just getting bright.

When the auspicious time came, Emperor Jingming led the royal family, civil and military officials to offer sacrifices to heaven, praying for good weather and happiness for the people in the coming year.

Afterwards, according to custom, a banquet was held in the palace to entertain all officials.

Just as the temple was filled with the chirping of bamboos and the air was filled with the scent of spring, snow began to fall outside.