Chapter 979: Mid-Autumn Banquet (Part 1)

The more she thought about it, the more upset she became, her eyes reddening.

Pregnant women really are emotional.

Zhao Junyao grappled with the decision, and finally decided firmly.

"How about letting him wait until his sixth birthday?"

A six-year-old prince still living in the harem is truly the limit.

Any older, and it becomes inconvenient, and not conducive to the child’s growth.

These have always been the rules throughout history.

Even outside the palace, ordinary official families wouldn’t let their children be raised by women!

So, there’s really no other way.

Xia Ruqing also knew this was the reality and couldn’t force it, but she still felt upset.

Zhao Junyao patted her.

"Alright, have a good sleep!"

"It’s not like you won’t see him; he’s just living ahead, you can see him anytime!"

The Imperial Palace hasn’t been left, has it?

Xia Ruqing nodded.

"Just have to think of it like that!"

"Sleep now!"

"Mm!"

They embraced each other in sleep, passing the night in silence.

...

After the White Dew passed into August, the weather gradually cooled.

Mid-Autumn was also approaching.

Last year’s Mid-Autumn was hardly celebrated.

The Empress passed away, and the Empress Dowager was absent as well, leaving Consort Hui to arrange for a table in the harem.

This year was different.

In the palace, the Noble Consort was pregnant, and the Royal Clan had a new addition, all of them joyful events.

However, Consort Hui was unsure of the situation, so she went to consult the Emperor.

Zhao Junyao thought for a moment and waved his hand magnanimously.

"Make it lively!"

Previously, because of the Late Empress, the harem had been suppressed.

Now it should be lively to ward off the ill luck.

Consort Hui immediately accepted the order.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Junyao nodded.

"Rise now!"

"You’ve worked hard!"

Consort Hui quickly replied that she did not dare.

"Please do not flatter your servant, it’s within my duties to share Your Majesty’s worries!"

Zhao Junyao smiled faintly and made no further comment.

Thinking of Yi An, he asked.

"What has Yi An been doing recently?"

In all honesty, compared to the Eldest Princess, Yi An was more to his liking.

The young girl was lively and adorable, her spunk was very endearing.

Consort Hui smiled gently as she heard the Emperor mention her daughter.

"Oh, Your Majesty, don’t mention it!"

"The older Yi An gets, the more difficult she is to manage!"

"The other day, she saw His Highness the Crown Prince learning to ride horses and clamored for the same, I had to coax and restrain her!"

"A girl child, if she were to bump into anything, it wouldn’t be a laughing matter!"

No mother can refrain from talking endlessly when discussing their children.

The always gentle and wise Consort Hui was no exception.

Zhao Junyao didn’t find it surprising.

After listening, he smiled.

"It’s immaterial!"

"An Imperial Family princess is naturally different from ordinary ladies!"

"If she truly wants to learn, it’s not impossible, but she should be a bit older!"

Ultimately, boys and girls are different.

A girl bumping into things would certainly cause distress, and he couldn’t bear to see it.

After all, while equestrian skills appear glamorous, learning them is truly arduous.

Recently, Chenchen had been learning equestrian skills, despite having the best teacher to guide him.

Still, bumps and bruises were unavoidable, and minor and major injuries were constant.

Fortunately, Xia Ruqing was unaware; otherwise, she would be unbearably distressed.

This is also why princes are not to be raised in the harem.

Jade must be carved to take shape, and women are often overly compassionate.

Thus, what is out of sight is out of mind!

Consort Hui smiled gently.

"I share the same thoughts!"

"But..."

"You also know Yi An; she changes quickly, perhaps when she’s older, she’ll fancy something else!"

Zhao Junyao smiled mildly.

"Whatever she likes, just let her!"

"She is a princess, as long as it’s not excessive, what can’t be arranged?"

Consort Hui also smiled.

"You’re right, Your Majesty!"

Glancing at the stack of memorials on the Emperor’s desk.

Consort Hui sensibly withdrew early.

Zhao Junyao continued reviewing the memorandums without further mention.

...

Leaving Zhaochen Palace.

Consort Hui led her entourage along the Imperial Garden, all the way back to her Zhaoxiang Pavilion.

In the days that followed.

She was preoccupied with the Mid-Autumn preparations.

Since the Empress had left the palace that year, she had been managing all the harem matters.

Initially, there was Consort Ning to assist her.

Unfortunately, Consort Ning had always looked down on her.

She didn’t just disdain her, but even despised the Noble Consort, constantly provoking, eventually being demoted to Consort Ning Pin.

Recently, she was caught by the Emperor speaking arrogantly in front of Consort Cheng Pin, disparaging the Second Prince.

Directly demoted to Honored Lady.

Once a prominent Consort, the birth mother of the Eldest Princess, now thoroughly fallen.

Now, not only was her position precarious, but she couldn’t even meet her daughter.

All the harem matters fell entirely on her shoulders.

With no one interfering.

Though busy, ultimately it was more comforting, without constant trouble.

She had handled the Mid-Autumn banquet a few times as well.

There were protocols, preventing chaos and confusion.

But with the Emperor’s command to make it lively.

Then a lively event it shall be, carefully calculated, there were indeed many things to worry about.

One way or another.

She hadn’t slept well for several days.

The Senior Palace Maid Xiang Tan saw her eyes reddened from exhaustion, feeling pity.

"Madam, you should rest a bit! If you continue like this, your body won’t withstand it!"

Consort Hui responded while scanning the lists.

"It’s alright!"

"It’s just these few days of hard work, once the Mid-Autumn banquet is over, I can rest well!"

Xiang Tan realized she couldn’t persuade her and said nothing further.

She merely took the scissors to trim the lamp’s wick, brightening the light so that Madam could see more clearly.

The other maid, Xiang Lin, couldn’t help herself, murmuring quietly.

"Madam is too aggrieved!"

"Hard work is ours, while favors belong to others!"

"It’s said over in Duanning Palace, the palace doors lock early in the day!"

"Even the servants rest earlier than our Madam! How’s that fair?"

The Noble Consort is a consort, so is our Madam, albeit ranked a tier lower, but the difference is so vast!

Though the words were quiet.

Consort Hui heard them clearly, word for word.

Her expression immediately hardened, raising her gaze, she asked sternly.

"Who did you hear these words from?"

"Is it your own opinion or is there gossip elsewhere in the palace?"

Xiang Lin startled, quickly lowering her head.

"I...I said it myself!"

"I’m just standing up for Madam!"

Consort Hui’s gaze sharpened instantly.

"Insolence!"

"Discussing the masters in private is insubordination, if sent to the Punishment Department, it’s fifty strikes, would you still want your life?!"

Her demeanor was imposing, her tone brooked no argument.

Xiang Lin dropped to her knees.

"Madam, I’ll never dare again!"

"Please don’t send me to the Punishment Department!"

"I know I was wrong!"

Consort Hui watched her for a long time before speaking lightly.

"Considering you’ve served by my side for so long, I’ll forgive you this time!"

"Next time, dare to repeat it, and I won’t be lenient!"

"Yes! Thank you, Madam, thank you!" Xiang Lin kowtowed.

Consort Hui finally gestured for her to leave.

"Leave now! One servant, Xiang Tan, is sufficient!"

"Yes!"