Shangguan Ji chuckled: "I'm too familiar with the emperor to pretend."
Qi Yan also laughed.
Seriously, my face turned red from laughing.
When the food was served in the evening, Shangguan Ji personally served the dishes to Qi Yan.
Qi Yan also picked up some food for her.
After this warm dinner, it’s time to go to bed.
After washing up and getting on the bed, Qi Yan looked at her with a smile: "It's time to dress up now."
Shangguan Ji blushed: "Why is the emperor still as bad as he was when he was a child?"
Qi Yan pulled her over and said, "Do you know what I've been thinking about? Why are you still the same as when I first met you, even though you're this old?"
"What?"
"The first time I saw you, I thought you looked beautiful with your head held high. Proud like a little swan. You are still like this now, and I want to taste what it's like here." Qi Yan said, biting her neck gently.
"Ah..." Shangguan Ji dodged in fear, but was held down by Qi Yan: "It really tastes great."
The servants outside had already retreated far away.
The candlelight flickered all night long.
The next morning, Shangguan Ji was so angry that he slapped Qi Yan several times.
"Hahaha, I didn't mean it." Qi Yan looked at the red marks on her neck, which were indeed difficult to cover up.
"Or don't go to pay your respects. It will be fine after some time." Qi Yan said.
"Today is the first day of the lunar year! Your Majesty, please leave quickly! I will try to cover it up."
Qi Yan smiled and kissed her cheek again, then went to Taiji Palace happily.
Shangguan Ji pushed him and went to the inner room to tidy up.
When she paid her respects at Fengzao Palace, she couldn't cover it up. It was just a red mark, but the man also bit her, and the teeth mark is still there.
However, Shangguan Ji kept his composure. The Queen didn't say anything, and the Concubine Xian also came today, but she didn't say anything either.
Concubine Yunde wanted to say something, but seeing that the Queen remained calm, she didn't dare to.
The others were of lower status, so naturally they wouldn't say anything.
When everyone was gathered, they went to pay their respects to the Queen Mother.
The Queen Mother also acted as if she saw nothing.
When the greetings were over, Shangguan Ji was the only one left.
"Please sit with me, Concubine Shu." said the Queen Mother.
The Queen and others naturally left first.
When it was quiet, the Queen Mother asked, "How did the Emperor treat you?"
"Aunt, of course it's a good thing. The emperor and I have known each other since childhood. After all these years, I didn't expect that there would be such a day again." Shangguan Ji said.
"That's good. You and I are from the same family, and I have never really cared about you. You were... it was also my fault for choosing a bad husband for you. Now that you have entered the palace, and the emperor treats you well, you should be fine." said the Queen Mother.
"Yes, don't worry, aunt. I know what I should do."
"That's good to know. The Queen is kind and gentle, and the Concubine Xian and Concubine De are all good-tempered. So far, nothing serious has happened. It's much better than when we were here. I don't want you to come in, or I'll feel uneasy."
"Yes, don't worry, aunt. I know."
"Well, if the emperor dotes on you, I won't say much to advise you. I just say, don't do evil. Although I am not the emperor's biological mother, the emperor has always respected me. His mother also respected me when she was reborn. Although I don't care about the affairs of the harem, you are my niece. If things go wrong from you, I can't just ignore it. But don't worry, if someone harms you, I'll be watching." The queen mother smiled.
"Yes, thank you, aunt."
When he returned to Linhua Palace, he received the reward from Qi Yan.
The queen arrived soon after.
Shangguan Ji also rewarded Linhua Palace.
Qi Yan stayed in Linhua Palace for three consecutive days, and naturally some people in the harem were unhappy. However, the queen comforted Concubine Yunde who was unhappy.
It is natural that this is the case since Concubine Shu has just entered the palace.
"When you first entered the East Palace, wasn't it like this? It won't be like this in the future. The emperor is the most fair. Don't worry. Concubine Shu has a good temper. You are all the fourth concubines of the first rank, so you should get along well with each other."
Concubine Yunde had no choice but to go back angrily.
In September, Concubine Xian gave birth.
My feet had been hurting for three days when I arrived. I really had no strength left.
Qi Yan got up early in the morning to accompany her.
The Queen Mother also came and waited.
The Queen is here with Consort Shu and Consort De as well.
Finally, the time for birth came, and Concubine Xian could no longer wait.
Qi Yan wiped her sweat and said, "Just take good care of yourself. I'll be waiting outside. I'll know what's going on."
The virtuous concubine nodded, tears streaming down her face: "The emperor must be here."
Qi Yan lowered his head and held her hand: "When have I ever lied to you?"
The virtuous concubine nodded, feeling a little embarrassed.
She has always been a rule-abiding and strong-willed person, and has never cried.
Qi Yan just rubbed her hair. Naturally, he felt soft-hearted for the woman who gave birth to his child and who had been with him since his youth.
This life is midnight.
Concubine Yunde did persuade the emperor to go back and rest, but the empress said nothing.
If the Emperor doesn't even worry about a woman like Concubine Xian, who has been with him since she was a teenager, isn't that scary
As expected, Qi Yan did not move, just waited.
By midnight, after drinking two cups of ginseng soup, Concubine Xian finally gave birth.
Now that the child is older, she has suffered a lot. Fortunately, both mother and child are safe.
The midwife was covered in cold sweat when she came out to announce the good news. It was really difficult.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty, and Your Majesty the Queen. Your Majesty the Concubine has given birth to the second prince. Both mother and child are safe."
"Okay, reward the virtuous concubine! Convey my oral order immediately and grant the virtuous concubine the title: Hui. Hui is of pure nature and kind heart, respectful and polite, and I like her very much." Qi Yan said with a smile.
"Hui, which means Peilan, is really suitable for Concubine Xian. She is a person with a pure and beautiful heart. Concubine Xian must be very happy that the emperor has bestowed the title on her. Congratulations to the emperor for having another prince." The queen said with a smile.
"Hahaha, my happy event is also your happy event. The virtuous concubine has given birth to a son, and I've been waiting for your good news." Qi Yan held the queen's hand and patted it.
"Of course I will take good care of myself, but Your Majesty should go and see Concubine Xian. She has suffered a lot." said the Queen.
"That's right." Qi Yan smiled and walked into the inner room.
"Look, my two sisters, it's getting late. Why don't you go back first? I'll stay here for a while and then I'll leave." said the queen.
After Concubine Shu and Concubine De said yes, they all took their leave.
On the way back, Caiyun asked quietly, "What are you laughing at, Madam?"
"Your Majesty, I laugh at you. You truly are worthy of being a prince who has been pampered since childhood and has had a smooth journey. When you are truly happy, you are not at all pretentious." Shangguan Ji said.
"That's true. The emperor is very real and can be very scary when he loses his temper," said Caiyun.
"Your Majesty, you must value the virtuous concubine very much."
"Don't be sad, Your Majesty. You and the Emperor have a different relationship." Caiyun said.
"I'm fine. Concubine Xian has a good temper. Besides, since I agreed to enter the palace, I know that the emperor naturally has so many concubines. I don't ask for exclusive favor, but with these favors, I won't be bad in the future."
(End of this chapter)