A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 151

Chapter 151

Morning, in the Imperial Harem.

The Emperor’s consorts, children, and relatives were all gathered in the main hall, waiting for the Emperor to emerge.

Consort Xiang stood beside Prince Wu and Princess Wu, Prince Yongqing, as well as the Prince’s concubine-born family members who had returned with him. The Consort was Prince Wu’s birth mother, an elder by the Emperor’s side.

Although mother and son hadn’t seen each other for many years, they weren’t particularly close, perhaps to avoid attracting attention.

On the other side, Prince An’s family accompanied Consort Xian. Prince An was considered the Emperor’s youngest son, and his children were still young.

Consort Xian had no particular skills and remained peaceful and low-key. She was related to the Empress, and as the Empress had no children, she treated Prince An well, often speaking up for him. He was considered the only Prince the Empress could show kindness to.

Prince Yun had died outside the capital a few years ago, and his mother had also passed away from illness long ago.

The Emperor felt some heartache, and perhaps, also relief!

He had specially summoned Prince Yun’s wife, their son Prince Yongping, and daughter Princess Yongan back to the capital and treated them all quite well.

Consort Kang’s mother was also gone. He didn’t have many children, but in recent years, he had reported several achievements to the Emperor, which the Emperor greatly appreciated. However, some of these achievements clashed with Prince An’s responsibilities, incurring Prince An’s displeasure.

There were also several other consorts, some with only daughters and no sons, while others had nothing at all. Their food and clothing were provided for, but they lived a life of quiet endurance.

After the Emperor turned fifty, he lost interest in women, and in recent years, no new consorts had entered the palace. The old ones died, and no new ones replaced them. Therefore, there were only a few people left now.

Besides them, there were also three princesses, the Emperor’s granduncle, as well as brothers, cousins, and other relatives.

All in all, a large crowd of people.

No one knew what each person was thinking, but on the surface, they were all amicable.

The Emperor was suspicious and ruthless. These people could indulge in food, drink, and entertainment, and even if they overstepped the boundaries, there wouldn’t be any major consequences. But in some matters, they had to be extremely careful. Otherwise, the consequences would be dire.

After all, he had killed his own son.

Wrapped in thick sable fur, the Crown Prince was helped in by the Crown Princess and the Emperor’s grandson.

Upon entering, he bowed slightly towards Consort Xiang, “Consort Xiang, my other mothers… Granduncle.” Although his complexion was pale and his breathing weak, his voice was warm and gentle, his demeanor noble and elegant.

Everyone was cautious not to disturb the Crown Prince’s fragile health, and even Consort Xiang hurriedly said, “Crown Prince, please dispense with the formalities, quickly take a seat inside.”

Prince Wu and Prince An also stood up, their hands clasped respectfully, “Second Brother!”

The other Princes and the rest were even more respectful and courteous.

The princesses, usually flamboyant, had to restrain themselves in front of the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince nodded. He wouldn’t neglect his manners, but he wouldn’t be overly polite either. He walked to the innermost part, beside the Emperor’s throne.

The Crown Princess helped him take off his thick sable fur. The Emperor’s grandson had a thin cloak draped over his arm and carefully placed it on him.

Observing coldly, many people secretly laughed in their hearts: This family relied solely on this sickly man, who knew how long he could hold on. If he couldn’t… both opportunity and danger loomed!

The Crown Prince sat down on a chair with a thick cushion.

The Emperor’s grandson was very attentive to his father, reminding him, “Today, you’re accompanying Grandfather Emperor for the meal, you can only have some hot water, no tea.”

The Crown Prince looked at him and playfully said, “What about wine?” After speaking, his lips twitched slightly, revealing his craving.

The Crown Princess looked at her husband and son with tenderness in her eyes.

“You ask Grandfather Emperor, if he allows you to drink, I’ll pour you some.”

“Ask me what?”

A gentle voice, a small old man walked in from the side hall.

He wasn’t tall, quite thin.

His eyebrows were very long, almost covering his upper eyelids.

With his hands clasped behind his back, he strolled out casually, showing no imperial majesty.

Behind him, followed the Empress in bright yellow attire.

But this small old man made everyone present stand up in unison.

The Emperor’s grandson quickly helped the Crown Prince up, his heart vigilant, but a mischievous smile on his face. He said, “Grandfather Emperor, Father wants to drink wine!” Looking as if he were tattling.

The Emperor glanced at the Crown Prince disapprovingly.

The Crown Prince smiled, but remained silent.

The Empress laughed, “Doesn’t the Crown Prince know whether he can drink or not? And you, grandson, don’t you know? Why bring up something baseless and make the Emperor worry?… ”

The Crown Prince acted as if he hadn’t heard. He leaned closer to the Emperor and whispered something. The Emperor also whispered something back to him.

They seemed quite close.

The Emperor’s grandson bowed towards the Empress with a smile, but said nothing.

The Crown Princess’s face paled slightly with anger.

Of course, the Empress knew the Emperor’s grandson was just joking. With her status, it was unbecoming of her to say what she had just said.

But she had to say it.

She was clearly unhappy with the Emperor’s grandson’s closeness to the Emperor, so she wanted to suppress him. What could he do about it?!

The Emperor said to the Crown Prince, “Go back to your seat! The Imperial Observatory says there’s wind today. If you’re feeling well, stay seated inside. If not, go lie down in the next room, or go home! You’re not allowed to go outside.”

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“…” The Crown Prince didn’t want to agree, “Father, there’s a polo match today. Qi Huan is playing…” He wanted to go watch, so he pleaded softly with the Emperor.

“Are you suggesting I cancel the polo match!?” The Emperor said slowly.

“Father…”

The Emperor snorted and sat down on his throne.

Everyone knelt and bowed, offering their birthday greetings to the Emperor.

After the ceremony, they presented their gifts.

The gifts were placed on the tables and the floor beside them. The gift list was handed to the Emperor, who casually flipped through it.

“You’ve all put in a lot of effort!” He didn’t seem to care much.

The Crown Prince returned to his seat, his son helping him sit down.

The Empress sat down leisurely on her throne.

This Empress had a somewhat unpredictable temper. It seemed she wasn’t particularly afraid of the Emperor. She often did things that were unbecoming of an Empress.

But strangely, even the ruthless Emperor didn’t seem to control her much.

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In the end, Wen Yu couldn’t come.

Because there seemed to be an unwritten rule: Young ladies who were engaged but not yet married couldn’t go out and about, it would be considered improper.

Therefore, Madam Qi didn’t even bother asking if Wen Yu was going.

Old Madam Wen, Yuan Xi Jun, along with Wen Huan and Wen Jiao, dressed up and boarded the carriage.

Leaving Wen Wan and Wen Su behind, envious.

At the palace gate, there were female officials and guards who had to check their identities. Each family could only bring one servant inside.

According to the instructions on the invitation, they went to the designated area. As Yuan Xi Jun had said, the Wen family couldn’t go to the front.

But even where they were, it was enough for Old Madam Wen.

She looked around carefully: This hall, so big, and so high!

The ceiling was adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, hanging with colorful palace lanterns. There were tall doors and windows, thick pillars, giant carpets, and bronze cranes emitting fragrant mist…

Heavens, it truly was the imperial palace, truly magnificent! She didn’t know where to look, her eyes were dazzled…

All present were women and young ladies, each adorned with jewels, none speaking loudly.

When they encountered acquaintances, they only exchanged glances…

So many people, yet so quiet!

It’s all thanks to my son that I could stand here today!

Old Madam Wen was overwhelmed with emotion, her pride overflowing, her eyes welling up… She quickly wiped them.

Wen Jiao, usually arrogant, was as meek as a lamb here, her eyes darting around nervously, following her grandmother closely.

Wen Huan, on the other hand, was very composed. Seeing familiar faces, she smiled brightly and waved discreetly in greeting.

Yuan Xi Jun also appeared calm and collected, gracefully nodding to those around her or exchanging a few whispered words.

Yuan Xi Jun secretly observed her mother-in-law, feeling a sense of disdain at her behavior.

A path was laid out in the middle of the hall with a single-colored carpet. From time to time, noble ladies with their daughters would walk past in their finery, heading towards the inner hall.

Their bearing showed they were no ordinary people.

Occasionally, when someone walked by, there would be whispers: This is from the XX family…

Old Madam Wen watched with rapt attention.

Wen Jiao suddenly tugged at Old Madam Wen, “Grandmother! Madam Qi!” She didn’t dare to speak loudly, her voice filled with excitement as she leaned close to her grandmother’s ear.

Old Madam Wen followed Wen Jiao’s finger and indeed saw Madam Qi! She was also dressed in her finest today, her gaze straight ahead, walking unhurriedly towards the inner hall.

Yuan Xi Jun didn’t hear what Wen Jiao said, but seeing her excitedly pointing…

She also looked over, at a group of people she didn’t recognize. She suddenly understood: The Qi family?

Leading the group was a woman who shouldn’t be young, but appeared quite youthful. She had a smile on her face, looking very approachable! When she encountered acquaintances, her smile would deepen towards a certain person or direction.

The person following behind her had fair skin but ordinary features. She wasn’t wearing much jewelry, but each piece was extraordinary.

She seemed a bit aloof, but not in an arrogant way… Perhaps she was accustomed to it!

This must be Madam Qi…

Yuan Xi Jun pursed her lips. With such a picky and difficult demeanor, how could she have taken a liking to Wen Yu?

If it was because of her appearance, the young ladies here were all as beautiful as flowers, who could be considered lacking?