Amidst much anticipation, the Crown Princess arrived late, dressed in a bright yellow palace gown.
Bright yellow was a color reserved for the emperor, empress, empress dowager, and other top-ranking figures in the Qing Dynasty, as well as the crown prince and his wife. It was a symbol of high status.
The sun was shining brightly today, casting dappled light and shadow on the Crown Princess's clothes, making her radiant and dazzling. Her appearance immediately made her the most beautiful woman in the world.
The once noisy flower hall gradually quieted down, and the noble ladies' gazes all lingered on the Crown Princess.
That dress seemed to possess a special magic, inspiring longing and even a desire to wear it by any means necessary.
Lady Dong'e rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, "What's with the showing off!"
While saying this, their bodies still had to be honest, and everyone bowed their heads and greeted the Crown Princess: "Greetings to the Crown Princess."
Guarjia was very satisfied with the effect of her entrance. After everyone bowed, she raised her hand and said, "Rise, everyone. It's just a flower appreciation banquet. There's no need for such formalities."
“This was discovered by my brother by chance. There is a merchant who is very good at tending flowers and plants. Please take a look.” The Crown Princess pointed to the peonies arranged in the flower room. “In addition to Yao Huang, Wei Zi, and Zhao Fen, there are even rare and precious varieties such as Bai Xue Ta and Qing Long Wo Mo Chi.”
The Crown Princess stood with a smile: "Such a beautiful scene cannot be kept hidden in the deep palace. I have specially invited you all to come and enjoy it together, so as not to waste these blooming flowers."
As soon as Lady Guarjia finished speaking, the wives of officials from the Crown Prince's faction began to flatter her, and the back-and-forth was quite lively.
The concubines of the Eastern Palace were greeted and seen off, which was to be expected, but being ordered around by the Crown Princess like palace maids, with their feet never touching the ground, was seen in a different light by the other ladies.
Among them is Li Jia, the Crown Prince's favorite concubine and the birth mother of the two princes. She is a formidable rival of the Crown Princess, yet she is behaving obediently today, not even feigning illness. This is indeed strange.
Princess Zhangjia, wife of Prince Zhi, turned her head to admire the flowers, refusing to socialize with the noble ladies. Behind her followed four beautiful women, each more charming and lovely than the last, with skin as white as snow. However, their expressions were all identical, without a trace of a smile.
Guarjia saw Zhangjia's eyes light up and said loudly, "Sister-in-law is so lucky. She has four daughters and one son, and her family is so lively and happy. It's something to be envied. Unlike me, I don't have such good fortune."
Zhang Jia took a deep breath and spoke softly: "What the Crown Princess says is true. Not only am I blessed, but Hongxi and Hongjin are also favored by the Emperor, something that others can only dream of."
Guarjia was stung and displeased, but then she remembered her good news and straightened her back: "If we're talking about being favored, with Prince Honghui around, what chance do the other imperial grandsons have?"
Yi Hua was puzzled. Even if the Crown Princess was pregnant with the imperial heir, she didn't know whether it was a boy or a girl. What good would it do her to be so arrogant and provoke her sisters-in-law one by one?
Yi Hua countered, "Hong Hui was also acting according to the imperial decree. Does the Crown Princess mean that she harbors resentment towards the Emperor?"
Seeing the Crown Princess's pale face and inability to speak, Yi Hua felt bored. What was the use of arguing all day? It would only alert the enemy and make people wary.
"It was just a joke, but Fourth Sister-in-law meant it." Guarjia said somewhat awkwardly, trying to cover it up.
"Please forgive me, Your Highness. This matter involves Honghui, and I am always too nervous." Yihua also took a step back, and then thought for a moment, "To be honest, I am ignorant and have never seen so many varieties of peonies before, especially that one called 'Azure Dragon Lying in the Ink Pond.' Just from the name, I can tell it is no ordinary thing."
The Crown Princess suppressed her anger: "What's the point? Sister-in-law, just take it with you."
"Thank you for the reward, Your Highness the Crown Princess." Yi Hua bowed deeply. Seeing Yi Hua bowing her head before her, the Crown Princess felt much better.
Seeing this, Lady Dong'e pressed her advantage: "Your Highness, the Crown Princess, my sister-in-law likes this pot of Yao Huang flowers."
"Well, a few freeloaders have come today." The Crown Princess smiled, easing the atmosphere. "Today, I'll be the rich lady."
Dong E and Yi Hua winked at each other, expressing their excitement at receiving a pot of fine flowers from the Crown Princess.
Suddenly, the Crown Princess, who was speaking, frowned and gagged. The maids beside her immediately brought over a dish of pickled plums, and another maid moved the flowerpot away.
“Your Highness, could it be that you are pregnant?” a sharp-eyed noblewoman blurted out.
Lady Guarjia was very satisfied with the result. She gently touched her still-flat stomach and said, "I'm three months pregnant. The Crown Prince said he would announce it to the public once the pregnancy was stable, but today he has let all the ladies see it ahead of time."
"The affection between the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess is truly enviable; they are a perfect match." Another round of flattery followed, and the Crown Princess listened with a radiant smile, her gaze occasionally sweeping over Li Jia, who was still standing. She felt extremely pleased.
That's how it should be. I'm sitting while you're standing, and in the future, your children will have to kneel at the feet of my children.
******
Fortunately, there was this pot of green dragon lying in the ink pool, so Yi Hua felt that today's trip was not in vain.
Yu Xiao whispered to Yi Hua, "Madam, when you went to change your clothes just now, I was waiting outside and saw the two young masters, Hongxi and Hongjin. They were standing outside the flower hall, staring at Princess Li Jia. I noticed that their expressions were not good."
“If the Crown Princess’s baby is a boy, they’ll be in for a tough time.” Yi Hua shook her head. This was a matter for the Eastern Palace, and Emperor Kangxi was personally overseeing it. They were just spectators.
When Lady Li was favored and arrogant, she never imagined that the Crown Princess would one day turn the tables.
For men of this era, having a legitimate heir was an obsession.
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