On Chinese New Year's Eve, Song Jinyu led people to distribute porridge at the city gate. After the snow disaster, many disaster - stricken people flocked into Liuzhou City. Song Qinzhou was busy checking the granaries.
Zhongli Mingye had just returned from inspecting the disaster situation in the suburbs. He happened to meet Song Jinyu distributing porridge at the city gate. "Miss Song, could you please give me a bowl of porridge?"
Looking up, their eyes met, and there was a faint smile in their eyes. Song Jinyu filled a full bowl and said with a smile, "Eat slowly..."
"The snow has fallen a lot, but the fields in the suburbs have got enough water. There will surely be a good harvest next year," Zhongli Mingye said.
Song Jinyu nodded. "The main problem of the snow disaster was that many houses were collapsed. Fortunately, the temples outside the city took in many disaster - stricken people. My father led people to rebuild their homes for them."
After finishing the porridge, Zhongli Mingye took Song Jinyu back home with him. "Those people can handle it. Why do you have to supervise it in person?"
"I can have a deep impression only by seeing it with my own eyes. I will then know how hard life is and cherish what I have more," she replied.
"You're still so young, but you're talking more and more like an old man!" Zhongli Mingye joked. The young girl was innocent and kind - hearted, seeing the sufferings of the people and caring about the world. She was his woman and would be his princess consort.
Song Jinyu smiled and said, "There will be a family banquet in the Song Mansion today. I wonder if Your Highness has the time?"
"Of course I do!"
When the two of them rushed back to the Song Mansion, the sun was just setting.
The family banquet had not started yet. As they strolled in the garden, Zhongli Mingye took out the frangipani he had hidden in his sleeve for a long time and gave it to Song Jinyu. Seeing the surprise in her eyes, his heart was filled with fondness. "Well, it's a bit withered." Although the tender frangipani had been carefully protected during the bumpy ride on horseback, it was still a bit damaged. "It doesn't matter. It's so beautiful!" Song Jinyu hugged the flower and gently stroked the petals as thin as cicada wings with her fair hand. The flower only bloomed in the cold winter.
It was not easy for Zhongli Mingye to find this flower in the suburbs amidst his busy schedule. Song Jinyu slowly got closer to him and gently hugged his slender waist. "Mingye..."
Zhongli Mingye stroked her hair. He liked to find such flowers to make her happy.
Song Chuyu also came back. Passing by the garden, he saw the two of them being affectionate. Although he was unhappy in his heart, as his younger sister was about to marry into another family.
"Ahem..."
He stepped forward to find Zhongli Mingye. The two of them just separated. Song Jinyu ran away shyly. Zhongli Mingye looked at the "elder brother - in - law" who had ruined his good deed with regret in his eyes and had to follow him to Song Qinzhou's study.
On Chinese New Year's Eve, the banquet in the palace had just started. Led by the queen, the concubines in the harem reduced their show - off, but they still had many secret thoughts.
Sure enough, Concubine Qin, who had been in favor recently, still attended in gorgeous clothes. She not only outshone the others but also amazed the emperor. The queen's eyes became more and more sinister. When she saw the nine - tailed phoenix hairpin on Concubine Qin's hair, she was instantly enraged! In the harem, the queen was the most respected. The nine - tailed phoenix hairpin was exclusive to the queen. According to their status, concubines could only wear six - tailed phoenix hairpins.
Concubine Qin had been in the palace for more than a year. She couldn't have been unaware of this.
The queen's face was so gloomy that it seemed to drip water. Noble Consort Shu noticed something strange following the queen's gaze, but she remained calm and just pinched the Buddhist beads in her hand.
"Concubine Qin, your phoenix hairpin is really lovely," the queen said coldly. The innocent and lively Concubine Qin smiled and said, "Does Your Majesty also think it's beautiful? This was just bestowed by the emperor."
Then the queen's confidant, Beauty Meng, Qi Ximeng, stood up and said, "Your Highness Concubine Qin has been in the palace for more than a year. The nine - tailed phoenix hairpin is exclusive to the queen. What you've done today..."
Concubine Qin, Zhong Lingqin, seemed to be frightened. "Ah... I didn't know this!" She stood there stupidly.
The queen was about to lose her temper while stroking her nails.
Not long after, the emperor came in and saw the solemn atmosphere in the hall. He was a bit dissatisfied. It turned out that it was because of Concubine Qin's overstepping of her status.
When the crown prince, the crown princess, and others all came to the hall, the emperor wanted to tolerate Concubine Qin, but he couldn't do it openly.
Seeing the emperor's intention, Noble Consort Shu said, "Today is Chinese New Year's Eve. It's inevitable for my younger sister to make a mistake when she's panicked. The queen's dignity cannot be offended, but please forgive Concubine Qin."
Noble Consort Shu's words shocked the other concubines present. Didn't she always ignore the affairs in the harem?
The emperor took an extra look at her and felt quite pleased. "It's just a hairpin. Concubine Qin didn't do it on purpose. We'll discuss this matter later!" Seeing with her own eyes that the emperor easily forgave Concubine Qin because of Noble Consort Shu's words, the queen's face changed suddenly and then quickly returned to calm. "Today is Chinese New Year's Eve. I don't care about such a small thing."
The queen gave Concubine Qin a cold look. The charming woman lowered her head with a pale face.
The crown prince also looked at Concubine Qin. "She's beautiful and lively. I wonder how she is in bed?" Since the death of Beauty Yu last time, he hadn't thought about the beauties in the harem.
Now seeing Concubine Qin looking like a weeping pear blossom, it really tickled his heart.
His greedy gaze fell into the eyes of an unremarkable eunuch in the darkness not far away.
When the banquet was half over, the queen saw that the emperor was in a very good mood. She smiled and mentioned several princes. When it came to Prince Cheng, she said only a few words, and everyone stopped echoing. The crown prince also thought that the queen was really out of line tonight.
Sure enough, the emperor's face showed displeasure.
"Ye'er is providing disaster relief in Liuzhou. He's sharing my worries," the emperor replied calmly when she mentioned Zhongli Mingye.
Noble Consort Shu tightened her hand holding the Buddhist beads. Her face remained unchanged.
"The side consort Rong I bestowed a few months ago hasn't even shown up. Lady Rongguo asked me for her a few days ago! I wonder if Noble Consort Shu knows about this?"
Everyone in the royal family knew about Rong Qing'er. The queen mentioned it at this time, as if she was afraid that no one would know the news that the side consort of Prince Yu was missing.
The emperor gave her a cold look. "Rong Qing'er caused a huge trouble in Liuzhou City. It's enough for me to wipe out the entire Rong family. Does the queen want me to start killing today?" These words were very serious. The crown prince glared at the queen fiercely. Immediately, a large number of people knelt down.
"I... I didn't mean that..."
The queen was very panicked when she saw that the fire didn't burn Noble Consort Shu but angered the emperor.
The emperor was very disgusted with the queen's actions. "Queen... Today is Chinese New Year's Eve. If you're not capable of shouldering the responsibility of the queen, you might as well abdicate."
The implication of these words made the queen and the crown prince very nervous. They were afraid that the emperor would really depose the queen the next moment. First, he let Concubine Qin off easily for her overstepping; then he was angry with the queen because of Rong Qing'er. Everyone present could see that the emperor was very dissatisfied with the queen today.
"Ye'er is also my child. I... I'm just worried about the affairs in his mansion," the queen said.
Noble Consort Shu smiled lightly. "Your Majesty, the crown prince hasn't had a legitimate son yet. The younger brothers below are not in a hurry." The implication was that she should mind her own business.
Noble Consort Jia also said at the right time, "Many new concubines have entered the palace. I hope they will give birth to more children for the emperor in the new year."
"I congratulate Your Majesty. Concubine Qing is three months pregnant," she stepped forward to salute. The emperor was very happy to hear the news.
His face relaxed, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The crown prince looked at the queen angrily.
Heyi gently pulled Noble Consort Jia's hand and whispered, "Thank you, Mother Consort!"
Noble Consort Jia lovingly patted her hand and ignored the hostile look from the queen.