The New Year's Eve banquet was in turmoil because of the news that a maid was pregnant. No one had the heart to watch the banquet afterwards.

Empress Xiao Qi felt like she was slapped in the face, and she was in a bad mood for the rest of the night. She had been doing whatever she wanted in the harem for more than ten years, and had long forgotten the feeling of being controlled and coerced by others. What's more, today these dogs and slaves were deliberately playing tricks on her. If a concubine is pregnant, then she is pregnant. She should be the first to report it to the queen, and then the emperor should be informed that he is still working on the status, which should be arranged by Xiao Qi later. However, they deliberately exposed it in front of the harem and the emperor. What's the meaning of this? How could she, the queen, harm this lowly maid?

Empress Xiao Qi was so furious.

During the New Year's Eve banquet, a palace maid was diagnosed with pregnancy. Several foreign officials were extremely happy and knelt down and shouted "Double happiness, congratulations to the emperor". The court officials thought it was a good thing, but the concubines might not. The concubines in the harem were embarrassed. Concubine Li was even more anxious and angry. She barely held back because there were so many people. When Concubine Hui found out that the pregnant person was her little maid, she couldn't sit still.

In contrast to the concubines who had no appetite, Chu Jinyao was in a very good mood. Empress Xiao Qi had been teasing her for a long time. Chu Jinyao was very happy to see Empress Xiao Qi showing an angry but frustrated look. Of course, she would not let her excitement show.

The second half of the family dinner passed like this. When the New Year arrived, firecrackers rang out outside the Qianqing Palace. Gorgeous fireworks flew up to the sky one after another, exploding colorful lights in the night sky. The emperor was in a good mood and took everyone outside to watch the fireworks. In order to please the emperor, the eunuchs moved boxes of firecrackers to the front of the palace and set them off with a crackling sound. The female family members also came out of the palace, but they all stood behind the white marble railings and watched from a distance with reserve. It was the first time that Chu Jinyao saw such a variety of gorgeous fireworks. Every time one went off, she would exclaim "Wow" in her heart.

Chu Jinyao felt that she was a country bumpkin, but with so many female relatives standing outside the palace, she was probably the only one who had the heart to watch the fireworks. Empress Dowager Qi held her breath and stood outside for a while. Seeing that she had made up her mind, she took the initiative to say, "It's late at night and cold. I'm tired and will leave first."

All the concubines hurried over to pay their respects, and most of them left with Empress Dowager Qi. Chu Jinyao waited last because she had to wait for Qin Yi. The fireworks in the sky exploded for a while. Chu Jinyao held the heating stove in her hands and looked up at the sky intently. The crackling sound of firecrackers covered up other sounds. When Chu Jinyao reacted, she found that her shoulders were heavy. Qin Yi was frowning and patting the broken snow on her shoulders.

"You've been standing outside?"

"Yeah."

"Why don't you go back first?" Qin Yi asked.

"Waiting for you." Chu Jinyao reached out and touched Qin Yi's hand. Fortunately, it was warm.

Chu Jinyao's "waiting for you" was so natural and justified that Qin Yi couldn't respond for a while. He wanted to say something, but in the end it turned into a sigh: "It's already midnight, it's so cold outside, you can go back first, why are you standing here."

"It's so dark, of course I have to wait for Your Highness to go back together. Besides, I'm not waiting for nothing..." Before he finished speaking, a particularly large and bright firework suddenly exploded in the night sky, and Chu Jinyao's face was also illuminated by the fireworks. Her eyes were full of surprise, and she immediately pointed: "Your Highness, look!"

Qin Yi said "hmm" and stretched out his hand to tighten Chu Jinyao's cloak. The beautiful fireworks were gone in a flash, Chu Jinyao turned around and looked at Qin Yi dissatisfiedly: "You didn't even see it!"

"I saw it."

Chu Jinyao raised her head and glared at him, obviously thinking that this person was perfunctory to her again. Chu Jinyao was dressed up today, with a painted face wrapped in a furry cloak collar. She glared at people like this, her eyes were rolling, and she was charming and charming. She didn't look angry, but rather like she was acting coquettishly.

Qin Yi wanted to pinch her face again, but thinking that this was outside, he finally held back. The two of them walked side by side down the finely carved white marble railings and headed towards the Ciqing Palace.

In fact, Qin Yi had not fooled Chu Jinyao just now, he did see the fireworks in Chu Jinyao's eyes.

The fireworks that suddenly exploded were reflected in her eyes, as if they were deliberately slowed down, and they were dazzling. No matter how gorgeous the fireworks were, they were eclipsed in front of her eyes.

Chu Jinyao and Qin Yi both had walking shoes, but neither of them wanted to mention it today, so the two of them walked slowly, side by side, in the Forbidden City to bid farewell to the old and usher in the new. The night was shockingly dark, and the cold wind carried the unique sulfur smell of the New Year. The dark palace seemed like a lurking night beast. On normal days, Chu Jinyao would have been scared to death, but today, for some reason, she felt very safe.

The eunuchs and palace maids followed from a distance behind, keeping a distance so that they could see but not hear what their masters said. Chu Jinyao lowered her voice and asked Qin Yi quietly: "Your Highness, is it you today?"

Qin Yi smiled softly: "What?"

"What did you say! You clearly know."

"What if I don't know?"

Chu Jinyao stared at him angrily. Qin Yi pulled Chu Jinyao to his side and blocked the night wind behind him: "The wind is strong, come closer." After

a moment of silence, Chu Jinyao whispered again: "The imperial physician today, should you arrange it?"

According to the imperial physician, he was sorting out the medicine box in the side hall, and suddenly heard someone say that a palace maid had fainted. Then he bravely went to check the situation and unexpectedly found that the fainted palace maid was pregnant. He didn't dare to make a decision, so he reported it to the emperor.

This sounds like nothing wrong. When the emperor holds a family banquet, he always prepares one or two doctors in the side hall just in case. The doctor said that he went to treat the patient because he heard the sound, which is reasonable. After

all, except for this occasion, concubines below the rank of concubine are not allowed to summon doctors even if they are sick, let alone palace maids. It makes sense that the palace maid who served in the bedroom was found to be pregnant. However, it is strange because everything makes sense. All of this is too coincidental. In addition, Chu Jinyao just told Qin Yi about this a few days ago. Although there is no evidence, Chu Jinyao just intuitively feels that this is Qin Yi's arrangement.

Qin Yi's silence is equivalent to tacit consent. Chu Jinyao confirmed her guess. Thinking of the expression on Empress Xiao Qi's face at that time, she couldn't help but burst out laughing: "What you did today was too extreme. Didn't you see the expression on the Empress' face at that time? She immediately pulled a long face, as if she was angry but couldn't get angry."

In fact, it was no wonder that Empress Xiao Qi's face turned black on the spot. The outer palace first praised Empress Xiao Qi, and when Empress Xiao Qi was in high spirits, she was suddenly accused of something. Who could bear such a gap? Empress Xiao Qi had just said that she was a queen, and then a doctor knelt down and said that the concubine was pregnant. In this way, it seemed that Empress Xiao Qi was arrogant and jealous, and could not tolerate the concubines in the harem having children.

Although in fact, it might be so. Not only Chu Jinyao has such speculation, I am afraid that Concubine Shu and Concubine Li also have more or less suspicion. It's just that no one had evidence before, and due to the influence of Empress Xiao Qi, no one dared to put it on the table.

Qin Yi's grasp of people's hearts and opportunities is really ruthless. There has been no newborn baby in the harem for more than ten years. Not only the harem, but also the previous dynasty have vague suspicions. Did the empress do something? Because it is too strange and too obvious. Since Empress Xiao Qi entered the palace, no one can give birth to a child except herself. But this idea is just a thought, because it is not easy to bring up such things. What if it is the emperor's problem?

Now, a palace maid who had been favored silently was pregnant. While clearing the emperor's name, it also confirmed some dark speculations in people's hearts. Qin Yi exposed the palace maid's pregnancy in front of everyone at this time and in this way. He did not say a word, but everyone went in the direction he wanted. And Xiao Qi's reaction afterwards seemed to confirm emotions such as anger and frustration.

A master at playing with people's hearts.

Chu Jinyao was filled with emotion. She remembered that a long time ago, Qin Yi taught her to balance allies and cross the river and destroy the bridge. At that time, Chu Jinyao was worried whether Qin Yi would do this to her. Qin Yi just laughed disdainfully after hearing it. Chu Jinyao was still unconvinced at that time, but now she admitted that Qin Yi was indeed qualified to be arrogant.

Chu Jinyao said sincerely: "Your Highness, fortunately I am your wife, not your enemy."

After Qin Yi heard this, he didn't know what he was thinking about, and suddenly reached out and hugged Chu Jinyao tightly: "Yes, fortunately."

Chu Jinyao almost married into the Huailing County Prince's Mansion and almost became his concubine.

"Your Highness, what should we do with that palace maid?"

Qin Yi lowered his head as if he felt something: "Are you worried about her?"

"Not really..." Chu Jinyao hesitated for a while, and finally admitted helplessly, "Well, it's true. I've seen her, she is pitiful, timid and cautious. It is not easy for a palace maid to make a living in the palace. After being favored by the emperor, she has no status and has to continue to work as a palace maid. You can imagine what kind of life she has led. She doesn't know whether it is a blessing or a curse that she is pregnant with a dragon fetus, but she protects the child carefully, and would rather die than abort the child. A mother's heart is probably always so kind. She was discovered because of me, and I..."

Qin Yi was used to using everything he could use, and this palace maid was nothing more than a chess piece to him to push the situation. He didn't expect that Chu Jinyao actually thought so much. If this maid suffered in the end, Chu Jinyao would probably feel guilty.

According to Qin Yi's original plan, the life and death of this maid had nothing to do with him. According to the jealousy and exclusion of dissidents of Empress Xiao Qi, this maid got pregnant under Empress Xiao Qi's nose and hid it for so long. Her life in the future would probably not be good. But if Chu Jinyao feels bad...

Qin Yi said calmly: "Don't worry, she is the only one who got pregnant again after ten years. Because it is not easy, her position will not be low. There will be many people to help her keep the baby. If she still can't keep it, it means she is not destined to be pregnant, and it has nothing to do with you. She will be exposed sooner or later. You have done your best to let her be exposed at the right time and get a good position."

As for how this maid can get a good position, just do it quietly.

Chu Jinyao was relieved when she heard that the maids would be conferred positions. Everyone's life is their own. Chu Jinyao has no obligation to help the maids keep the baby. Whether they can give birth to the baby safely depends on the maids themselves. Chu Jinyao thought a lot, she whispered: "Your Highness, am I very soft-hearted, a woman with a soft heart?"

"No." Qin Yi said, "If you are cruel and ruthless, and can watch others indifferent because of your own danger, then you are not you."

What impressed Qin Yi at the beginning was the warmth and optimism of Chu Jinyao, who was clearly surrounded by enemies, but still seriously considered others.

Chu Jinyao reached out and hugged Qin Yi, and suddenly said: "Your Highness, have I ever told you that meeting you is probably the luckiest thing in my life."

Qin Yi paused for a while, sighed, and asked: "Did you drink today?"

Chu Jinyao blinked in confusion: "Why do you ask that?"

Qin Yi looked down at Chu Jinyao's eyes, and they were indeed abnormally bright. Qin Yi nodded Chu Jinyao's head, not knowing whether to sigh or laugh: "Dazed."

Qin Yi and Chu Jinyao walked for a long time on the same road before they arrived at Ciqing Palace. Ciqing Palace also hung tall lanterns. As soon as they entered the door, they saw all the palace maids and eunuchs standing in the yard. Led by Zi Yan, they happily greeted the couple: "Wish His Royal Highness the Crown Prince a thousand years old, and the Crown Princess a long life of happiness and peace."

The most important thing in the New Year is a good start. Hearing auspicious words right after returning home obviously makes people happy. Qin Yi nodded in a good mood and said: "Appreciation."

Xiao Linzi followed behind Qin Yi and happily agreed to this. Zi Yan and the others were able to calculate the time so accurately, obviously it was the "contribution" of Xiao Linzi and other close servants. But it was New Year's Day, Qin Yi would not bother with these monkeys.

Chu Jinyao heard this and looked up at Qin Yi with a smile: "Your Highness, there is New Year's money, what about me?"

Qin Yi was very dignified in front of the servants, and he did everything in a calm and light manner. After hearing Chu Jinyao's words this time, Qin Yi couldn't help laughing. He glanced at Chu Jinyao and said with a smile: "You have it too."

Xiao Linzi followed behind, and he felt like he was following a fake prince. Isn't the prince too easy to talk to in front of the crown princess?

Linglong brought people to the house to kowtow to Chu Jinyao and wish her a happy new year. With Qin Yi's gift in front of her, Chu Jinyao, the Crown Princess, couldn't be too stingy, so she generously gave rewards to the palace people. The people in Ciqing Palace received two rounds of rewards, and they all walked briskly and smiled from ear to ear. After receiving the reward, Linglong didn't dare to use witty words to delay Chu Jinyao, and hurriedly helped Chu Jinyao to remove her makeup and rest. The morning court was suspended on the first day of the first lunar month, but a grand New Year's Day celebration was held, and Chu Jinyao, as the Crown Princess, had to attend it.

Chu Jinyao understood the situation, and went to bed quickly after washing up. After closing the curtain, Chu Jinyao quietly pulled Qin Yi's hand: "Your Highness."

"What's wrong?"

"When you wake up tomorrow, you must call me!"

Qin Yi was angry and laughed: "After you said that, can I ignore you and sneak away by myself?"

"How could I think of the glorious and righteous Crown Prince like this!" Chu Jinyao shamelessly hugged Qin Yi's arm, "Your Highness, what's the deal?"

The pajamas were thin to begin with, and when Chu Jinyao hugged him like this, Qin Yi could not avoid feeling some soft touch. Qin Yi's eyes changed, and his voice was threatening: "Sleep well."

"No!"

"You really don't want to sleep."

"No... Hey, Your Highness!"

...

Just at four o'clock in the morning, Chu Jinyao was dug up to dress and change clothes. Last night she was asking for trouble by staying up very late, but today she was called up before dawn to change into the imperial robes, which really made her eyes dizzy.

Chu Jinyao changed into the heavy imperial robes of the Crown Princess with a dizzy head, and with the heavy phoenix crown on her head, Chu Jinyao was sleep deprived to begin with, and now her head was aching even more. But she knew that today was a big day, and she must not lose her composure, so she pinched her palms with her nails, forcing herself to stay awake.

When she arrived at the place where the court was held today, she felt relieved when she saw that everyone looked listless. The women did not need to attend the morning court, and no lady of the imperial family could bear to get up so early. As soon as Chu Jinyao arrived, all the women, young and old, stood up and saluted her. Today, all the ladies who have received imperial decrees must come to the palace to pay their respects, even the old ladies with gray hair. Seeing these ladies wearing full robes and trembling as they bowed to her, Chu Jinyao was filled with emotion. The title of Crown Princess really carries too much responsibility.

After a while, Empress Xiao Qi also came out. As expected, Empress Xiao Qi's complexion was not good either. After all, a pregnant concubine suddenly appeared in the harem, and she knew nothing about it. How could she sleep well? In addition to feeling that her face as an empress was damaged, Empress Xiao Qi also had a deep sense of loss of control.

Pregnancy is obviously not a matter of a day or a night. Why didn't she know about this matter, but someone caught her clues?

The New Year's Day court congratulations are really a tiring thing. The women below are not happy, and the empress and Chu Jinyao above are also implicated. However, even so, many women regard this as the highest honor, and they must enter the palace to pay homage to the empress and the crown princess even if they suffer. Men

attend the front court, and women attend the back court congratulations according to their husband's rank. After going through the cumbersome process, Chu Jinyao followed the empress out of the scene. Only then could the youngsters of each family help their elders and quickly go to the side to rest. After

leaving, Queen Xiao Qi could rest in the back hall of Kunning Palace, but Chu Jinyao could not relax. She had to serve her stepmother-in-law, Queen Xiao Qi, so of course she could not sit down. Queen Xiao Qi looked at Chu Jinyao in front of her, whose dress looked 80% like hers, and her eyes slowly narrowed.

If someone said that there was no mastermind at the New Year's Eve banquet, Queen Xiao Qi would never believe it. But therein lies the problem. Who was the person who discovered this and secretly pushed all of this?

Queen Xiao Qi thought about it all night, and the doubts in her heart became more and more obvious. Can a woman who can turn from a sparrow into a phoenix and marry into the East Palace with great fanfare really be a quiet and harmless person?