"Come on, I'll take you to sit."
The imperial concubine patted his hands, feeling very pleased, and walked forward holding his hand.
It was not until Sheng Mingyu sat down that the Eighth Prince sighed leisurely behind him.
"Mother, you are so mean. Ever since you met His Royal Highness, you have put your son aside. You personally took His Royal Highness to sit down, but what about your son? Don't you want him anymore?"
His expression was still gentle, and the words he spoke made the imperial concubine laugh.
He quickly ran to the Eighth Prince and took his hand.
"You've lived by my side all year round, so what are you lacking? You're actually vying for favor with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. You're really going backwards."
Her tone was coquettish, and Sheng Mingyu looked at her with envy. If she had not been switched since childhood, would she be able to get along with the imperial concubine in the same way?
"So what? Mother once said that I will always be a child in your eyes. Does that mean Mother doesn't keep her word?"
The Eighth Prince raised his eyebrows and was completely relaxed in front of the Imperial Concubine, which was very different from how he usually acted in front of others.
"Come on, come on, sit down. The food has been served for quite some time. If you two don't come over soon, I'm afraid the food will have to be taken back to the kitchen to be heated up again."
"Yes, please sit down quickly. I don't know what you two did on the way. What took you so long? I'm starving."
The emperor nodded in agreement. He never put on airs in front of the mother and son.
Because the three people spoke in a relaxed tone, Sheng Mingyu felt much less psychologically stressed.
As it was time to eat, he quickly took out the hairpin hidden in his arms, his face slightly red.
"Your Highness, this is a gift I found outside the palace. Although it's not a rare treasure, I personally picked it out from the stall. I hope you can accept it."
The more he spoke, the softer his voice became. The imperial concubine moved closer and was able to hear clearly what the child was mumbling.
"I don't know what you like either. If you like rare and precious items, I will ask the housekeeper to open the private vault tomorrow and you can choose whatever you like."
The emperor looked at Sheng Mingyu with a look of relief, and a few tears flashed in the corners of his eyes.
"I have always known that the prince is sensible, but I didn't expect that he would care so much about the imperial concubine. Don't worry, the imperial concubine will like whatever you give her."
"Yes, why are you and I being so polite? I like whatever you give me. Besides, what's wrong with these hairpins? I like them very much. Come on, Biyu, put them on for me."
As if she was afraid that Sheng Mingyu would go back on his word, she snatched the hairpin from Sheng Mingyu's hand and held it in her arms like a treasure.
Sheng Mingyu finally felt relieved and was no longer as nervous as before.
"As long as the concubine likes it."
"I like it, I like it." As the imperial concubine spoke, tears began to fall from her eyes, leaving Sheng Mingyu at a loss.
Even the emperor was startled. The three men at the table immediately became busy and circled around the imperial concubine.
"The child just gave you a gift, how could you be so moved? You even started crying. When did you become so fragile? Let me see you quickly, and don't tear your eyes out."
"Yes, mother, didn't the imperial physician come to take your pulse a few days ago and ask you to take care of yourself? Why are you so emotional?"
The emperor and the eighth prince frowned, their faces full of disapproval.
A hint of worry also appeared on Sheng Mingyu's face, and he spoke tentatively.
"Is your Majesty the Imperial Concubine not feeling well recently? How about I find a miracle doctor outside the palace to see you?"
"Nothing, just getting older, my health is getting worse day by day. Don't worry too much, it's all just a small matter."
The imperial concubine waved her hand, and the emperor and the eighth prince didn't say much.
Sheng Mingyu just kept it in mind and didn't mention it again.
"Alright, I just said it's time to eat, but you guys have been hanging around me the whole time and haven't even had a chance to eat. Come on, try it, how's the food in my small kitchen?"
The atmosphere gradually quieted down, and the imperial concubine hurriedly started to make arrangements.
She didn't want Sheng Mingyu to be embarrassed on his first day in the palace.
"The food in the small kitchen in Mother's palace is naturally delicious. Father has given you many chefs. Even the imperial kitchen can't compare to it."
"Yes, I usually have to eat, and I have to come to your palace to eat. How can your palace be worse than this?"
Although the two said this, they still picked up their chopsticks to pick up the food out of courtesy.
Sheng Mingyu also followed the two's actions, feeding the food into his mouth one bite after another.
When it tasted it, it raised its eyebrows in surprise.
The imperial concubine's small kitchen was indeed quite good. He had lived in the palace before, and this was many times better than the imperial kitchen.
"Mingyu, why don't you bring your future Crown Prince Consort into the palace with you today? Last time, the Crown Prince Consort attended the palace banquet and even came to greet me. She was very lovely."
After having a good meal and a good drink, the few of them chatted about daily life, and the imperial concubine mentioned Gu Yunni as if unintentionally.
Sheng Mingyu wanted to answer honestly, but when he saw the imperial concubine's eyes, he instantly understood what she meant and felt very grateful.
"I wanted to bring her into the palace, but she's not the Crown Prince's Consort yet. I was afraid of offending the Imperial Concubine, so I left her alone in the mansion."
"What do you mean she's not the Crown Prince's Consort? You haven't received the imperial decree granting the marriage yet? But seeing that everyone in and outside the palace calls her the Crown Prince's Consort, her identity should have been confirmed." The imperial concubine expressed her doubts at the right time.
The eighth prince just smiled and said nothing, leaving the emperor alone, rolling his eyes and feeling a little guilty.
"I did ask His Majesty for an imperial decree, but Your Majesty said Yun Ni's status was not worthy of me, so the matter was left unresolved. Today, I have the audacity to not ask for an imperial decree, but to ask the Imperial Concubine to make the decision."
After Sheng Mingyu finished speaking, he knelt on the ground.
The imperial concubine turned around and glared at the emperor, then quickly stood up and helped Sheng Mingyu up.
"Although I like that girl, there is no way I can go against the imperial edict. I am only a noble concubine, so I still need to ask the emperor for his opinion on this matter."
The three of them turned their eyes to the emperor, who immediately became very uncomfortable with a fake smile on his face.
"If you want to make the decision, then make the decision. Why are you suddenly asking for my opinion? Have I ever rejected your will when you issued it before? You should know that you are special in my eyes."
The emperor didn't know how to answer and threw the question back to the concubine.
If he followed his thoughts, he would naturally feel that Gu Yunni was not worthy of Sheng Mingyu.
But judging from the Imperial Concubine's attitude, it seems that this matter is about to be settled.
"Since the Emperor has asked for my opinion, I naturally want His Royal Highness to finalize the marriage as soon as possible. He is already old enough, and it's time for him to marry a proper princess."
After hearing this, the imperial concubine felt much better and continued speaking.
She looked down upon the previous prince's consorts, and only Gu Yunni could hold him back.
The emperor made a bitter face and nodded helplessly.
"Alright, on such a great day, I don't want to disturb your interest. Since you think that girl is good, then let's make it a decision. Come, pass on my decree to make Gu Yunni the Crown Prince's Consort, and the marriage will be held in three months!"
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