Velvet Antler Chicken Soup
The next day was the Lantern Festival.
It was the first Lantern Festival since the ascension of the new ruler, and it was livelier than in previous years.
For the sake of currying favor with their higher-ups, the lower-ranked officials decorated the capital’s streets with colorful lanterns. The streets were decorated with lanterns that had designs that had never been seen before, attracting the attention of the young children.
Though this cost a large sum of money, put euphemistically, a new ruler should have a new look, thus it was worth spending a bit more money. When word of this reached the palace, sure enough, he smiled brightly.
“Since the officials have such intentions, We also want to go out tonight to see how beautifully the capital has been decorated.”
Ning ChengZhi was in high spirits, but it was not because he wanted to see some lanterns. What he wanted to see was the love and respect that the officials had for him.
Eunuch Chi understood what he meant and did not dare try to stop him, “Will Your Majesty be going out to see the lanterns? There will be many people on the streets for the Lantern Festival. Shall we have the street blocked off, so Your Majesty can see the lanterns in peace?”
Ning ChengZhi pouted, “We just want to go out and see Our people. If you sealed off the streets, what would there be for Us to see? There’s no need to block off the street. There is also no need to reveal that We are leaving the palace. We will be going out incognito.”
Eunuch Chi frowned, a look of bitterness showing through.
It was easy to say that he would go out incognito. If he came under threat, would it not be the servants’ heads that would roll?
Ning ChengZhi had never been a master who cared for his vassals or servants. This was a problem that became even more severe after he became emperor.
Eunuch Chi thought about the arrangements that would need to be made for their trip out of the palace when he suddenly heard Ning ChengZhi say: “What’s the fun in enjoying the lights on Our own? Let’s go to Marquis Gu’s Manor and have Yu Fu come with Us.”
Eunuch Chi’s face froze, and Ning ChengZhi turned to look back at him. He awkwardly smiled.
From the very beginning, he never thought that there would be a girl who did not want to be empress. As a result, every time that he brought gifts to Yu Fu at Marquis Gu’s Manor, he would smile and treat her as the empress.
It was only at the new year’s eve banquet that he verified Yu Fu truly did not have such a desire. After seeing Marquis Gu’s Manor and the other officials oppose Ning ChengZhi’s desire to appoint Yu Fu as empress, he could no longer smile when he saw Yu Fu.
He tentatively said: “Your Majesty, the matter with the cabinet has not yet been resolved. The matter of appointing an empress is even more sensitive. If you go and seek out Princess ZhenJiang at a time like this… Wouldn’t it be a little bad?”
Ning ChengZhi glared at him, “What could be bad about it? Wasn’t it you who told Us that We should try to develop Our relationship with Yu Fu and that it would not be good to force her to take the position?”
Eunuch Chi was rendered speechless.
Was now the time for developing a relationship?
Ning ChengZhi snorted, “Yin Shuo thinks he’s so smart, and he does do a good job of managing the court, but he has absolutely no plan for appointing Yu Fu as empress.”
Eunuch Chi opened his mouth, but when it came time to speak, he suddenly saw a palace servant come in and report: “Your Majesty, Her Highness Imperial Consort Li has asked to see you.”
When Ning ChengZhi heard Imperial Consort Li’s name, his head started hurting, “What has she come here for? Is the inner palace not large enough for her, so she has to come and seek Us out time and time again?”
Imperial Consort Li was previously the secondary consort of the second prince’s manor. Ning ChengZhi took her seniority into consideration and did not want to make things difficult for her. He just wanted to stay from her.
Eunuch Chi said: “Your Majesty, the inner palace is quite empty. Aside from Imperial Consort Li, there are just a few lower-ranked concubines. Her Highness Imperial Consort Li has nothing to do and often uses the other concubines to vent her frustration. Your Majesty’s frustration is understandable.”
Ning ChengZhi said: “Go ahead, whom does she want Us to deal with today? There are only so few people in the inner palace, yet she spends her days cussing out everyone. Once the empress moves into the central palace, will she still be like this?”
The servant below awkwardly raised their head, “Replying to Your Majesty, Her Highness Imperial Consort Li did not come today to complain. Instead, she came with a food basket. She said that she personally made some supplements for Your Majesty.”
“She knows how to make supplements?”
Ning ChengZhi recalled Imperial Consort Li’s arrogant appearance. He could not imagine her cooking. Back in the second prince’s manor, she would not even put her hands fully underwater, yet after entering the palace, she claimed to be the noblest lady in the palace. She was even less willing to lower herself.
Why had she suddenly changed today?
He casually waved his hand, “Forget it. It’s rare for Imperial Consort Li to visit the kitchen. Let her in.”
The palace servant let out a sigh of relief and immediately retreated out of the hall for fear of Ning ChengZhi changing his mind. If that happened, Imperial Consort Li would vent her anger on the palace servants.
Not long later, they could hear the sound of bells ringing, as Imperial Consort Li entered the hall dressed in a gorgeous dress. Sure enough, a palace maid carrying a food basket was following along behind her.
“This consort greets Your Majesty.”
She elegantly curtsied, her pomegranate-red dress flowed to the ground around her. The dress billowed like the rippling surface of a mountain stream in the wind.
Ning ChengZhi frowned, “What are you getting dressed so extravagantly for when there’s nothing to do?”
Imperial Consort Li raised her head in shock, her charming smile disappearing, “Didn’t Your Majesty like it when girls dressed extravagantly? Today is the Lantern Festival, thus this consort dressed particularly extravagantly for the sake of not losing to the glow of the lanterns that we will be seeing tonight. What is it, does Your Majesty no longer like extravagant dresses?”
Ning ChengZhi stood up from the sofa and did a lap around Imperial Consort Li. Seeing her hair filled with accessories, he became even more displeased.
“Extravagance is good, but have you considered the time and situation? Have you already forgotten what Princess ZhenJiang said during the new year’s eve banquet? It has only been a few months since the passing of the late emperor. If you’re dressing like this, is the late emperor even on your mind?”
Imperial Consort Li suffered in silence, thinking to herself that if not for Ning ChengZhi not showing consideration for the late emperor, how could she dare to be negligent? Now, this was great. The main culprit had turned the question on her.
Hearing Ning ChengZhi repeatedly mention Yu Fu, her heart soured, “Your Majesty listens to so closely to Princess ZhenJiang’s words. Those that know would say that it’s because she is the adoptive daughter of Marquis Gu’s Manor, but those that don’t know would believe that she was Your Majesty’s true younger sister!”
Hearing that not only did she not admit her wrongdoing, but she actually dared to shine a light on his own actions, Ning ChengZhi eyes immediately lit up, and he stepped forward to strike her. Imperial Consort Li covered her head and shrank back, bowing to plead for forgiveness.
Ning ChengZhi retracted his hand, “What do you know? Yu Fu is not Our true younger sister, but she is even more important than Our true younger sister. She is the future empress, while you are just a consort. We will not tolerate you as empress. Do you understand?”
“Yes, yes, this consort understand!”
Imperial Consort Li verbally accepted this, but, after standing up, she muttered, “She isn’t even the empress, yet Your Majesty protects her like this, not even allowing anyone to talk about her. If she really does become empress, would there even be a place for this consort?”
Ning ChengZhi was all too eager to rip her mouth from her face, “If you dare to talk about her again, We will have you thrown in the cold palace. Do you believe that or not?”
Imperial Consort Li pursed her lips, as tears welled up in her eyes that were caked with makeup. She cried: “Your Majesty! This consort has been with you since you were just the second prince. How can you be so ruthless?”
Ning ChengZhi sat back down on the sofa, “Alright, alright, stop crying. Quickly come and sit down. We will take a look at the supplements that you made.”
Imperial Consort Li immediately smiled, “This consort knew that Your Majesty was just trying to frighten this consort!”
Saying this, she removed her silk slippers and climbed onto the sofa. Once the palace maid brought out the lunch box, she personally removed the lid.
The aroma of velvet antler chicken soup filled the air. He looked up, and Imperial Consort Li smiled ambiguously.
“Hmph, hmph.”
He covered his mouth and dryly coughed, “Why drink something like this in the middle of the day?” Upon looking up, he found that Eunuch Chi and the others already had their heads down and were pretending to not see anything.
Imperial Consort Li brought the lunch box over to him, “What is Your Majesty worried about? There are only a few pieces. It will be fine.”
Ning ChengZhi was skeptical but received a spoon from Imperial Consort. After prodding around with the lid, sure enough, there were only a few slices of velvet antler.
He was finally relieved, “You’ve been considerate.”
Imperial Consort Li smiled delightedly. Nobody knew that she had placed half of a velvet antler while cooking the soup and pulled the antler out after the soup had been cooked, leaving just a few slices in the soup.
She took the opportunity to say: “Your Majesty, this is Your Majesty’s first lantern festival since ascending the throne. All of the lanterns have already been hung up in the palace. How about this consort bring some wine and accompany Your Majesty to the imperial garden to take in the lanterns?”
It turned out that she had personally gone to the kitchen to prepare this soup for this reason.
Ning ChengZhi drank the soup and did not bother raising his head, “We will be going out incognito tonight. We heard that the lanterns outside of the palace are even prettier this year, thus We will be going out to take a look.”
Imperial Consort Li happily said: “Very well! This consort will accompany Your Majesty out of the palace to admire the lanterns. Since coming to the palace and since becoming Imperial Consort Li, this consort has not been out of the palace!”
Ning ChengZhi’s hand froze. Putting down the spoon, he picked up a handkerchief, “There’s no need for you to come. We will be going to Marquis Gu’s Manor to admire the lanterns with Yu Fu. It won’t be convenient if you come along.”
It was Yu Fu again!
Imperial Consort Li’s expression immediately turned ugly, “Your Majesty! This is it. Now that you have your future empress, you no longer want this consort. This consort has accompanied you for so many years! When it comes to seniority, this consort came first!”
Ning ChengZhi picked his ears and gave Eunuch Chi a look, “You have already said this sort of thing so many times. We only conferred you the title of imperial consort on account of how long you have been at Our side. What are you using to compare with Yu Fu?”
Before Imperial Consort Li married him, she had also been the young miss of an official’s family. Having been called useless, she immediately refused to let go of the matter, but Eunuch Chi quickly stepped forward and said: “Your Highness Imperial Consort Li, please go back. His Majesty has already drank the soup that you prepared and accepted your kind intentions. Some officials will be coming to discuss some matters with His Majesty in a moment. It would be inconvenient for Your Highness to remain here.”
Saying this, he waved below, and two palace servants stepped forward to escort Imperial Consort Li out. Imperial Consort Li angrily slammed the lid on the soup, “You only smile at the newcomers and ignore the cries of the ones who were here before. This consort feels so bitter!”
After saying this, she ran out while wiping away tears, leaving Ning ChengZhi and Eunuch Chi to look at each other.
Ning ChengZhi picked up the soup spoon once more, “Since coming into the palace, her temper has become even more problematic. She needs to learn properly; otherwise, one Yu Fu enters the palace, does she want her to consider the feelings of a mere imperial consort?”
Eunuch Chi knew that in spite of how much he spoke of disliking Imperial Consort Li, he still considered their many years of being married. If not for that, he would not have drank the soup that she had made.
“Your Majesty is right, but this servant feels that Princess ZhenJiang is not someone who would frivolously consider the feelings of others. Don’t you feel that Her Highness Imperial Consort Li is completely incapable of creating any waves in the face of the princess?”
Ning ChengZhi thought back on Yu Fu’s obedient and gentle disposition. He then thought back on how she had protected Marquis Gu’s Manor during the previous year’s Mid-Autumn Festival’s palace banquet. He thought back on her resolute expression when she had refused to be appointed empress…
He had clearly been turned down, but he still felt that Yu Fu doing this was also very cute and very beautiful.
“You’re right. Yu Fu looks docile and submissive, but she has a natural nobility about her that is absolutely inviolable. There are times when We feel that when she and DanYang stand together, she is the one that seems more like the daughter of the empress.”
Eunuch Chi complained internally. What did it matter if she was the daughter of the empress or not? Yu Fu could only become the empress if she was not the daughter of the empress. Naturally, the status of the empress was far greater than that of the daughter of the empress.
He cheerfully flattered him, “Yes, the one that Your Majesty has chosen would naturally not be lacking. This servant has felt that Princess ZhenJiang has been noble beyond description from the first moment that this servant saw her. She will surely suit the position of mother of all under heaven.”
Ning ChengZhi delightedly looked at him before finishing the soup in the bowl, “What are you standing around for? Quickly go and prepare for our trip out of the palace!”
…
The most important festival in Eastern Ling was the Spring Festival, but the liveliest festival was the Lantern Festival.
There were too many customs and rites during the Spring Festival, and there were many unwritten rules for the common folk. Before the end of the year, it was important to take care of any unresolved problems, such as repaying debts or storing food. As a result, many people were too busy with work to be lively.
Only a few firecrackers could be heard over dinner on the night of new year’s eve.
The Lantern Festival was different.
For the people who had just escaped the atmosphere created by the Spring Festival, there was a feeling of liberation, and the weather was starting to get warmer. It was the best time to go out and see the lanterns at night.
However, even on such a cheerful day, the prime minister’s manor remained as unaffected as usual.
Yin JiYao changed into a set of brightly-colored clothes, and the dressing for her wound had been changed to match the color of her clothes. It was able to both cover her wound and look pretty.
Leaving her courtyard, she headed for the Eastern Courtyard. All of the guards of the Eastern Courtyard were gone.
Since the last discussion between Ning ChengZhi and Yin Shuo, Yin Shuo’s treatment of Princess DanYang had improved significantly. He no longer sent people to keep an eye on her, and he allowed her to move around the manor.
Princess DanYang did not care about this treatment because she wanted to take care of Yin Shuo’s injury but was still turned away.
“DanYang.”
Yin JiYao entered the Eastern Courtyard and saw that the atmosphere in the courtyard was far better than it was before. With a faint smile, she entered the room to look for Princess DanYang.
She found that she was still wearing a set of mourning clothes, as she sat at window looking outside. She wore a distant expression and only regained her senses after Dian’er coughed a couple of times.
“Oh, it’s you, JiYao.”
The two moved to the inner room to chat, and Yin JiYao said: “The guards have already been removed from the Eastern Courtyard. Eldest brother is no longer as as guarded against you. Why do you still look so disheartened and unhappy? Today is the Lantern Festival. Why don’t we go out tonight to look at the lanterns?”
“Look at the lanterns?”
Princess DanYang shook her head, her thin face showing absolutely no joy, “I don’t want to go. He is no longer guarded against me, but that’s just to give face to His Majesty. He hurt his leg to such a degree, yet he won’t even allow me to get close to him to try and take care of him.”
Yin JiYao was stunned. Carefully observing Princess DanYang’s expressions, she slowly became more and more puzzled, “DanYang, do you really like my eldest brother? I seem to recall that you were very displeased with him on the day of your wedding. After the wedding, he did all of those terrible things to you. How could you…”
Princess DanYang averted her gaze as if trying to refute what Yin JiYao had just said.
Yin JiYao refused to relent, thus she had no choice but to respond: “I also do not know why. Before the wedding, the one that I liked was brother ShuBai. As for what happened after the wedding, my feelings for him have not changed. I also do not know when my feelings for Yin Shuo…”
“Do you not hate him for how ruthlessly he has treated you?”
Princess DanYang laughed, “I do. Of course, I do. I hate him to the core. I hate that he took revenge against me. I hate that he how ruthless he was with me… That’s because I hoped that he would care about me.”
Yin JIYao finally understood that a girl would not hate someone so lightly. If she really hated someone to the core, it would often be because she also loved that person.
If there was no love, where would the hatred come from?
She had previously felt that she and Gu JiuGe shared an unfortunate fate, as the two had approached each other with oppose goals. Who knew that she would end up being attracted to Gu JiuGe, as things would get out of control from that moment on.
Thinking about it now, Princess DanYang’s bad relationship with Yin Shuo was the one that truly should not exist.
The two had their own desires; however, they were brought together by the late emperor. As a result, neither side was satisfied with the other; however, they had no choice but to get married…
The worst thing about this was that Princess DanYang had done something that should not have been done. As the balance of power shifted between the two, the one who developed feelings first would surely suffer.
She suddenly felt a little fortunate. Even if Gu JiuGe did not love her, at the very least, he would not treat her the way that Yin Shuo treated Princess DanYang. Even if she had been disfigured, he would not mock her. On the contrary, he looked out for her even more.
She was fortunate.
Princess DanYang could not help but wipe the corners of her eyes. Seeing the way that Yin JiYao was dressed, she realized why, “Will you be going out with Gu JiuGe?”
Yin JiYao’s face turned slightly red, as she faintly nodded.
Princess DanYang grabbed her hand, “You will be going out with him, yet you want to bring me along. If I had agreed, would it not have ruined your good time?”
Yin JiYao quickly explained: “Don’t misunderstand me. I truly did want to go out with you. In truth, it won’t just be with him. Yu Fu, the eldest young sir, and the others will also be going. Everyone will be going out to look at the lanterns. I was thinking that since you were familiar with everyone, it was naturally fine to invite you.”
“The eldest young sir?”
Princess DanYang was suddenly a little flustered. Recalling how she had been when she had first met Gu ShuBai, it suddenly felt like a lifetime ago.
She faintly shook her head, “No, you guys go and have fun. I won’t be going out. Tonight is the Lantern Festival. Even if your eldest brother won’t see me, as the female master of the prime minister’s manor, I should stay here.”
Yin JiYao choked up.
The female master of the prime minister’s manor…
It had to be difficult for Princess DanYang for her to still be willing to accept that title.
Velvet Antler Chicken Soup
The next day was the Lantern Festival.
It was the first Lantern Festival since the ascension of the new ruler, and it was livelier than in previous years.
For the sake of currying favor with their higher-ups, the lower-ranked officials decorated the capital’s streets with colorful lanterns. The streets were decorated with lanterns that had designs that had never been seen before, attracting the attention of the young children.
Though this cost a large sum of money, put euphemistically, a new ruler should have a new look, thus it was worth spending a bit more money. When word of this reached the palace, sure enough, he smiled brightly.
“Since the officials have such intentions, We also want to go out tonight to see how beautifully the capital has been decorated.”
Ning ChengZhi was in high spirits, but it was not because he wanted to see some lanterns. What he wanted to see was the love and respect that the officials had for him.
Eunuch Chi understood what he meant and did not dare try to stop him, “Will Your Majesty be going out to see the lanterns? There will be many people on the streets for the Lantern Festival. Shall we have the street blocked off, so Your Majesty can see the lanterns in peace?”
Ning ChengZhi pouted, “We just want to go out and see Our people. If you sealed off the streets, what would there be for Us to see? There’s no need to block off the street. There is also no need to reveal that We are leaving the palace. We will be going out incognito.”
Eunuch Chi frowned, a look of bitterness showing through.
It was easy to say that he would go out incognito. If he came under threat, would it not be the servants’ heads that would roll?
Ning ChengZhi had never been a master who cared for his vassals or servants. This was a problem that became even more severe after he became emperor.
Eunuch Chi thought about the arrangements that would need to be made for their trip out of the palace when he suddenly heard Ning ChengZhi say: “What’s the fun in enjoying the lights on Our own? Let’s go to Marquis Gu’s Manor and have Yu Fu come with Us.”
Eunuch Chi’s face froze, and Ning ChengZhi turned to look back at him. He awkwardly smiled.
From the very beginning, he never thought that there would be a girl who did not want to be empress. As a result, every time that he brought gifts to Yu Fu at Marquis Gu’s Manor, he would smile and treat her as the empress.
It was only at the new year’s eve banquet that he verified Yu Fu truly did not have such a desire. After seeing Marquis Gu’s Manor and the other officials oppose Ning ChengZhi’s desire to appoint Yu Fu as empress, he could no longer smile when he saw Yu Fu.
He tentatively said: “Your Majesty, the matter with the cabinet has not yet been resolved. The matter of appointing an empress is even more sensitive. If you go and seek out Princess ZhenJiang at a time like this… Wouldn’t it be a little bad?”
Ning ChengZhi glared at him, “What could be bad about it? Wasn’t it you who told Us that We should try to develop Our relationship with Yu Fu and that it would not be good to force her to take the position?”
Eunuch Chi was rendered speechless.
Was now the time for developing a relationship?
Ning ChengZhi snorted, “Yin Shuo thinks he’s so smart, and he does do a good job of managing the court, but he has absolutely no plan for appointing Yu Fu as empress.”
Eunuch Chi opened his mouth, but when it came time to speak, he suddenly saw a palace servant come in and report: “Your Majesty, Her Highness Imperial Consort Li has asked to see you.”
When Ning ChengZhi heard Imperial Consort Li’s name, his head started hurting, “What has she come here for? Is the inner palace not large enough for her, so she has to come and seek Us out time and time again?”
Imperial Consort Li was previously the secondary consort of the second prince’s manor. Ning ChengZhi took her seniority into consideration and did not want to make things difficult for her. He just wanted to stay from her.
Eunuch Chi said: “Your Majesty, the inner palace is quite empty. Aside from Imperial Consort Li, there are just a few lower-ranked concubines. Her Highness Imperial Consort Li has nothing to do and often uses the other concubines to vent her frustration. Your Majesty’s frustration is understandable.”
Ning ChengZhi said: “Go ahead, whom does she want Us to deal with today? There are only so few people in the inner palace, yet she spends her days cussing out everyone. Once the empress moves into the central palace, will she still be like this?”
The servant below awkwardly raised their head, “Replying to Your Majesty, Her Highness Imperial Consort Li did not come today to complain. Instead, she came with a food basket. She said that she personally made some supplements for Your Majesty.”
“She knows how to make supplements?”
Ning ChengZhi recalled Imperial Consort Li’s arrogant appearance. He could not imagine her cooking. Back in the second prince’s manor, she would not even put her hands fully underwater, yet after entering the palace, she claimed to be the noblest lady in the palace. She was even less willing to lower herself.
Why had she suddenly changed today?
He casually waved his hand, “Forget it. It’s rare for Imperial Consort Li to visit the kitchen. Let her in.”
The palace servant let out a sigh of relief and immediately retreated out of the hall for fear of Ning ChengZhi changing his mind. If that happened, Imperial Consort Li would vent her anger on the palace servants.
Not long later, they could hear the sound of bells ringing, as Imperial Consort Li entered the hall dressed in a gorgeous dress. Sure enough, a palace maid carrying a food basket was following along behind her.
“This consort greets Your Majesty.”
She elegantly curtsied, her pomegranate-red dress flowed to the ground around her. The dress billowed like the rippling surface of a mountain stream in the wind.
Ning ChengZhi frowned, “What are you getting dressed so extravagantly for when there’s nothing to do?”
Imperial Consort Li raised her head in shock, her charming smile disappearing, “Didn’t Your Majesty like it when girls dressed extravagantly? Today is the Lantern Festival, thus this consort dressed particularly extravagantly for the sake of not losing to the glow of the lanterns that we will be seeing tonight. What is it, does Your Majesty no longer like extravagant dresses?”
Ning ChengZhi stood up from the sofa and did a lap around Imperial Consort Li. Seeing her hair filled with accessories, he became even more displeased.
“Extravagance is good, but have you considered the time and situation? Have you already forgotten what Princess ZhenJiang said during the new year’s eve banquet? It has only been a few months since the passing of the late emperor. If you’re dressing like this, is the late emperor even on your mind?”
Imperial Consort Li suffered in silence, thinking to herself that if not for Ning ChengZhi not showing consideration for the late emperor, how could she dare to be negligent? Now, this was great. The main culprit had turned the question on her.
Hearing Ning ChengZhi repeatedly mention Yu Fu, her heart soured, “Your Majesty listens to so closely to Princess ZhenJiang’s words. Those that know would say that it’s because she is the adoptive daughter of Marquis Gu’s Manor, but those that don’t know would believe that she was Your Majesty’s true younger sister!”
Hearing that not only did she not admit her wrongdoing, but she actually dared to shine a light on his own actions, Ning ChengZhi eyes immediately lit up, and he stepped forward to strike her. Imperial Consort Li covered her head and shrank back, bowing to plead for forgiveness.
Ning ChengZhi retracted his hand, “What do you know? Yu Fu is not Our true younger sister, but she is even more important than Our true younger sister. She is the future empress, while you are just a consort. We will not tolerate you as empress. Do you understand?”
“Yes, yes, this consort understand!”
Imperial Consort Li verbally accepted this, but, after standing up, she muttered, “She isn’t even the empress, yet Your Majesty protects her like this, not even allowing anyone to talk about her. If she really does become empress, would there even be a place for this consort?”
Ning ChengZhi was all too eager to rip her mouth from her face, “If you dare to talk about her again, We will have you thrown in the cold palace. Do you believe that or not?”
Imperial Consort Li pursed her lips, as tears welled up in her eyes that were caked with makeup. She cried: “Your Majesty! This consort has been with you since you were just the second prince. How can you be so ruthless?”
Ning ChengZhi sat back down on the sofa, “Alright, alright, stop crying. Quickly come and sit down. We will take a look at the supplements that you made.”
Imperial Consort Li immediately smiled, “This consort knew that Your Majesty was just trying to frighten this consort!”
Saying this, she removed her silk slippers and climbed onto the sofa. Once the palace maid brought out the lunch box, she personally removed the lid.
The aroma of velvet antler chicken soup filled the air. He looked up, and Imperial Consort Li smiled ambiguously.
“Hmph, hmph.”
He covered his mouth and dryly coughed, “Why drink something like this in the middle of the day?” Upon looking up, he found that Eunuch Chi and the others already had their heads down and were pretending to not see anything.
Imperial Consort Li brought the lunch box over to him, “What is Your Majesty worried about? There are only a few pieces. It will be fine.”
Ning ChengZhi was skeptical but received a spoon from Imperial Consort. After prodding around with the lid, sure enough, there were only a few slices of velvet antler.
He was finally relieved, “You’ve been considerate.”
Imperial Consort Li smiled delightedly. Nobody knew that she had placed half of a velvet antler while cooking the soup and pulled the antler out after the soup had been cooked, leaving just a few slices in the soup.
She took the opportunity to say: “Your Majesty, this is Your Majesty’s first lantern festival since ascending the throne. All of the lanterns have already been hung up in the palace. How about this consort bring some wine and accompany Your Majesty to the imperial garden to take in the lanterns?”
It turned out that she had personally gone to the kitchen to prepare this soup for this reason.
Ning ChengZhi drank the soup and did not bother raising his head, “We will be going out incognito tonight. We heard that the lanterns outside of the palace are even prettier this year, thus We will be going out to take a look.”
Imperial Consort Li happily said: “Very well! This consort will accompany Your Majesty out of the palace to admire the lanterns. Since coming to the palace and since becoming Imperial Consort Li, this consort has not been out of the palace!”
Ning ChengZhi’s hand froze. Putting down the spoon, he picked up a handkerchief, “There’s no need for you to come. We will be going to Marquis Gu’s Manor to admire the lanterns with Yu Fu. It won’t be convenient if you come along.”
It was Yu Fu again!
Imperial Consort Li’s expression immediately turned ugly, “Your Majesty! This is it. Now that you have your future empress, you no longer want this consort. This consort has accompanied you for so many years! When it comes to seniority, this consort came first!”
Ning ChengZhi picked his ears and gave Eunuch Chi a look, “You have already said this sort of thing so many times. We only conferred you the title of imperial consort on account of how long you have been at Our side. What are you using to compare with Yu Fu?”
Before Imperial Consort Li married him, she had also been the young miss of an official’s family. Having been called useless, she immediately refused to let go of the matter, but Eunuch Chi quickly stepped forward and said: “Your Highness Imperial Consort Li, please go back. His Majesty has already drank the soup that you prepared and accepted your kind intentions. Some officials will be coming to discuss some matters with His Majesty in a moment. It would be inconvenient for Your Highness to remain here.”
Saying this, he waved below, and two palace servants stepped forward to escort Imperial Consort Li out. Imperial Consort Li angrily slammed the lid on the soup, “You only smile at the newcomers and ignore the cries of the ones who were here before. This consort feels so bitter!”
After saying this, she ran out while wiping away tears, leaving Ning ChengZhi and Eunuch Chi to look at each other.
Ning ChengZhi picked up the soup spoon once more, “Since coming into the palace, her temper has become even more problematic. She needs to learn properly; otherwise, one Yu Fu enters the palace, does she want her to consider the feelings of a mere imperial consort?”
Eunuch Chi knew that in spite of how much he spoke of disliking Imperial Consort Li, he still considered their many years of being married. If not for that, he would not have drank the soup that she had made.
“Your Majesty is right, but this servant feels that Princess ZhenJiang is not someone who would frivolously consider the feelings of others. Don’t you feel that Her Highness Imperial Consort Li is completely incapable of creating any waves in the face of the princess?”
Ning ChengZhi thought back on Yu Fu’s obedient and gentle disposition. He then thought back on how she had protected Marquis Gu’s Manor during the previous year’s Mid-Autumn Festival’s palace banquet. He thought back on her resolute expression when she had refused to be appointed empress…
He had clearly been turned down, but he still felt that Yu Fu doing this was also very cute and very beautiful.
“You’re right. Yu Fu looks docile and submissive, but she has a natural nobility about her that is absolutely inviolable. There are times when We feel that when she and DanYang stand together, she is the one that seems more like the daughter of the empress.”
Eunuch Chi complained internally. What did it matter if she was the daughter of the empress or not? Yu Fu could only become the empress if she was not the daughter of the empress. Naturally, the status of the empress was far greater than that of the daughter of the empress.
He cheerfully flattered him, “Yes, the one that Your Majesty has chosen would naturally not be lacking. This servant has felt that Princess ZhenJiang has been noble beyond description from the first moment that this servant saw her. She will surely suit the position of mother of all under heaven.”
Ning ChengZhi delightedly looked at him before finishing the soup in the bowl, “What are you standing around for? Quickly go and prepare for our trip out of the palace!”
…
The most important festival in Eastern Ling was the Spring Festival, but the liveliest festival was the Lantern Festival.
There were too many customs and rites during the Spring Festival, and there were many unwritten rules for the common folk. Before the end of the year, it was important to take care of any unresolved problems, such as repaying debts or storing food. As a result, many people were too busy with work to be lively.
Only a few firecrackers could be heard over dinner on the night of new year’s eve.
The Lantern Festival was different.
For the people who had just escaped the atmosphere created by the Spring Festival, there was a feeling of liberation, and the weather was starting to get warmer. It was the best time to go out and see the lanterns at night.
However, even on such a cheerful day, the prime minister’s manor remained as unaffected as usual.
Yin JiYao changed into a set of brightly-colored clothes, and the dressing for her wound had been changed to match the color of her clothes. It was able to both cover her wound and look pretty.
Leaving her courtyard, she headed for the Eastern Courtyard. All of the guards of the Eastern Courtyard were gone.
Since the last discussion between Ning ChengZhi and Yin Shuo, Yin Shuo’s treatment of Princess DanYang had improved significantly. He no longer sent people to keep an eye on her, and he allowed her to move around the manor.
Princess DanYang did not care about this treatment because she wanted to take care of Yin Shuo’s injury but was still turned away.
“DanYang.”
Yin JiYao entered the Eastern Courtyard and saw that the atmosphere in the courtyard was far better than it was before. With a faint smile, she entered the room to look for Princess DanYang.
She found that she was still wearing a set of mourning clothes, as she sat at window looking outside. She wore a distant expression and only regained her senses after Dian’er coughed a couple of times.
“Oh, it’s you, JiYao.”
The two moved to the inner room to chat, and Yin JiYao said: “The guards have already been removed from the Eastern Courtyard. Eldest brother is no longer as as guarded against you. Why do you still look so disheartened and unhappy? Today is the Lantern Festival. Why don’t we go out tonight to look at the lanterns?”
“Look at the lanterns?”
Princess DanYang shook her head, her thin face showing absolutely no joy, “I don’t want to go. He is no longer guarded against me, but that’s just to give face to His Majesty. He hurt his leg to such a degree, yet he won’t even allow me to get close to him to try and take care of him.”
Yin JiYao was stunned. Carefully observing Princess DanYang’s expressions, she slowly became more and more puzzled, “DanYang, do you really like my eldest brother? I seem to recall that you were very displeased with him on the day of your wedding. After the wedding, he did all of those terrible things to you. How could you…”
Princess DanYang averted her gaze as if trying to refute what Yin JiYao had just said.
Yin JiYao refused to relent, thus she had no choice but to respond: “I also do not know why. Before the wedding, the one that I liked was brother ShuBai. As for what happened after the wedding, my feelings for him have not changed. I also do not know when my feelings for Yin Shuo…”
“Do you not hate him for how ruthlessly he has treated you?”
Princess DanYang laughed, “I do. Of course, I do. I hate him to the core. I hate that he took revenge against me. I hate that he how ruthless he was with me… That’s because I hoped that he would care about me.”
Yin JIYao finally understood that a girl would not hate someone so lightly. If she really hated someone to the core, it would often be because she also loved that person.
If there was no love, where would the hatred come from?
She had previously felt that she and Gu JiuGe shared an unfortunate fate, as the two had approached each other with oppose goals. Who knew that she would end up being attracted to Gu JiuGe, as things would get out of control from that moment on.
Thinking about it now, Princess DanYang’s bad relationship with Yin Shuo was the one that truly should not exist.
The two had their own desires; however, they were brought together by the late emperor. As a result, neither side was satisfied with the other; however, they had no choice but to get married…
The worst thing about this was that Princess DanYang had done something that should not have been done. As the balance of power shifted between the two, the one who developed feelings first would surely suffer.
She suddenly felt a little fortunate. Even if Gu JiuGe did not love her, at the very least, he would not treat her the way that Yin Shuo treated Princess DanYang. Even if she had been disfigured, he would not mock her. On the contrary, he looked out for her even more.
She was fortunate.
Princess DanYang could not help but wipe the corners of her eyes. Seeing the way that Yin JiYao was dressed, she realized why, “Will you be going out with Gu JiuGe?”
Yin JiYao’s face turned slightly red, as she faintly nodded.
Princess DanYang grabbed her hand, “You will be going out with him, yet you want to bring me along. If I had agreed, would it not have ruined your good time?”
Yin JiYao quickly explained: “Don’t misunderstand me. I truly did want to go out with you. In truth, it won’t just be with him. Yu Fu, the eldest young sir, and the others will also be going. Everyone will be going out to look at the lanterns. I was thinking that since you were familiar with everyone, it was naturally fine to invite you.”
“The eldest young sir?”
Princess DanYang was suddenly a little flustered. Recalling how she had been when she had first met Gu ShuBai, it suddenly felt like a lifetime ago.
She faintly shook her head, “No, you guys go and have fun. I won’t be going out. Tonight is the Lantern Festival. Even if your eldest brother won’t see me, as the female master of the prime minister’s manor, I should stay here.”
Yin JiYao choked up.
The female master of the prime minister’s manor…
It had to be difficult for Princess DanYang for her to still be willing to accept that title.
