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For the full moon celebration of their two precious sons, He Yu did not plan to make it too extravagant.
After all, it was just a child's full moon celebration. However, the scale and quality of this event were not low at all. At least, that was Xiao Yao's understanding; the Emperor had specifically granted a pile of rewards for the two children and had also bestowed many jewels and ornaments upon Xiao Yao, which left her feeling somewhat at a loss.
He Yu, on the other hand, appeared indifferent and smiled as he softly said to Xiao Yao, "It's fine. Since it's a gift from the Emperor to you, you should accept it graciously."
"That's right, Prince," the Grand Eunuch Liang Xinzhi, who was beside the Emperor, also smiled and said, "The Princess need not worry. Since the Emperor has granted it, there must be a reason behind it."
Indeed, after hearing their words, Xiao Yao felt that since it had already been granted, why not accept it? Even if it ended up in the Storage Room and there were any issues later on, selling it could still bring in some money! With this thought in mind, Xiao Yao smiled graciously. After bowing to express her gratitude, she accepted the gifts.
In addition to the Emperor, Consort also personally came to congratulate them with gifts for the Crown Prince. Xiao Yao quickly had someone receive the gifts brought by Su Hong and smiled as she said, "Your presence here is already a great honor for my Xuanping Prince's Mansion, and you even brought gifts. How could I feel at ease?"
"There's no need to feel uneasy," Su Hong rolled her eyes at Xiao Yao. It had been a while since they last talked together, and she missed her friend. "Besides, this is a congratulatory gift for my future son-in-law; it's not for you!"
"Oh? So you've already decided that you're going to have a daughter?" Xiao Yao teased.
"Not really," Su Hong's cheeks flushed slightly as she smiled and said, "I want both a son and a daughter."
"Oh..." Xiao Yao understood now; this meant more than one child. "So this is your daughter's dowry?" Xiao Yao continued to joke, "This little dowry... my Xuanping Prince's Mansion won't be easy to satisfy."
Su Hong couldn't hold back any longer and laughed out loud. "Alright, alright! This is just my intention as an elder giving something to the child. As for the betrothal gifts and deposits, those can be discussed later. You might not only have these two sons in the future; there could be daughters as well!"
"Ah!" Xiao Yao exclaimed in surprise. "I haven't even planned on having more children yet! You all are already plotting for my future daughter's interests! Truly cunning!"
The two laughed heartily in the courtyard while Consort chimed in with a smile, "Really, it's much more relaxed here with you. The palace truly makes one feel stifled."
"This is natural," Xiao Yao said, pulling Su Hong's hand as they entered the house. "In my residence, aside from the prince, it's just me, so naturally, it's much more comfortable."
"Yes, how nice," Su Hong replied with an envious look at Xiao Yao, then sighed. "When I was at Su Mansion, I wasn't very talkative either, but at least I was the eldest daughter of the household, which was much more comfortable than now. Now that I've become a Consort, there are rules everywhere in the palace. I feel like I have to think three times before speaking, afraid that one wrong word might cause trouble for the Crown Prince. It's truly exhausting."
"Just endure it," Xiao Yao said, unsure of how to comfort Su Hong. "Once the Crown Prince ascends the throne, things will get much better."
"Who knows?" Su Hong sighed deeply, her expression filled with concern and reluctance. "Honestly, ever since marrying the Crown Prince, I've realized how hard his life is. Every day he deals with state affairs and reviews memorials; he has to get up early to study and practice martial arts. Besides all that, dealing with those who have ulterior motives is truly the most tiring part."
"I really don't know how he has managed all these years," she said, her heartache evident in her expression.
Xiao Yao remained silent as Su Hong continued talking. She knew Su Hong needed an outlet for her feelings; at that moment, her best role was to be a good listener.
After a long while of rambling on, Xiao Yao did not interrupt Su Hong's conversation but occasionally let Yun Zhu change the tea or asked, "What happened next?" or simply signaled with her eyes for Su Hong to continue.
Eventually, after what felt like ages, Su Hong seemed to be done. She took a sip of tea and smiled shyly. "Was I too chatty? Did you find it annoying?"
"How could that be?" Xiao Yao shook her head with a smile. "Isn't it what sisters-in-law do—share these trivial matters? How could I get tired of listening? In the future, if I complain about my two rascals, you can't find it annoying either."
With just a few words, Su Hong's embarrassment disappeared. She smiled gratefully at Xiao Yao and said, "Your two sons haven't even grown up yet, and you're already complaining! If that's the case, then you can let me raise them; I won't mind!"
"That won't do; my lord would cry his eyes out," Xiao Yao replied matter-of-factly.
Su Hong wasn't fooled by this and joked back, "Oh, look at you refusing to admit it! You even brought up your lord! Be careful; he might bite you back."
"Hum," Xiao Yao said with certainty, "he wouldn't dare deny it."
"If you don't deny it, then you don't deny it, right?" Su Hong said with a mischievous smile. "Is that clear?"
"The son carries his surname. Besides, he is my hard-earned child; he wouldn't be willing to give him to you!" Xiao Yao declared firmly.
"Tsk tsk." The Consort looked at the utterly confident Xiao Yao, amused yet envious. She thought to herself that if the Crown Prince were just a leisurely prince like Xuanping Wang, life would surely be as carefree as Xiao Yao's. What a pity...
Su Hong revealed a bitter smile.
Seeing Su Hong's bitter smile, Xiao Yao took Su Hong's hand and said, "Don't think too much. Since we are in this position, we must hold on. Trust me, if we endure, the clouds will part and the moon will shine through. If we persist, things will get better."
"Really?" Su Hong looked confused as she gazed at Xiao Yao.
Xiao Yao nodded firmly. "Yes, it will get better. We will all be fine."
While Xiao Yao and Su Hong were having a lively conversation, an unexpected yet reasonable visitor arrived at the front courtyard—Fourth Prince Yang Yunzhe.
When Zhao Hezhong reported his arrival, the other officials who had come to congratulate were all surprised. He Yu raised an eyebrow and said, "Let's go." With that, he strode toward the outside.
Sure enough, just as he stepped out of the main house in the front courtyard, he ran into Yang Yunzhe, who was walking toward him. He Yu immediately stepped forward to pay his respects. "It's just a child's full moon celebration; having Fourth Prince grace us with your presence truly brings glory to our humble abode!"
"The prince is being too modest," Yang Yunzhe replied promptly. "With the addition of a precious child in the family, it is indeed a great joy. For such a happy occasion, this prince naturally must come to share in the joy."
He Yu smiled but did not answer, his attitude extremely respectful.
Yang Yunzhe knew that He Yu had not taken any of his words to heart, so he asked, "Is the Princess in the residence?"
"Of course she is," He Yu replied with a smile. He glanced at Sun Ruoxue, who was following the Fourth Prince, and said, "The Princess is currently talking with the Consort in the courtyard. I ask that Fourth Prince's Consort please wait for a moment in the Western Courtyard; I will send someone to invite the lady out to entertain Fourth Prince's Consort."
Hearing this from He Yu, Yang Yunzhe's expression turned slightly unpleasant. What does this mean?
The Consort can enter the Central Courtyard, but my Princess cannot? The Western Courtyard? I fear there isn't even a ghost there now! However, given the current situation, it would not be wise to act out. Sun Ruoxue stood silently behind Yang Yunzhe, not showing any indication of her thoughts.
However, He Yu was not in a hurry. He thought to himself, Can you compare your relationship with the Consort to mine with Yao Yao? Moreover, considering what you have done at Sun Residence, it's already good that I haven't kept your daughter-in-law outside; how can you still expect more?
No one spoke as they remained in a stalemate.
At that moment, Xiao Yao walked out with Consort Su Hong. Xiao Yao smiled and said, "My lord really is something; he didn't even inform me of such important guests arriving. How rude!"
With a playful tone and lively eyes, her skin like cream and exuding countless charms while still retaining an innocent demeanor, the Fourth Prince looked at the radiant Xiao Yao and listened to her teasing voice, feeling as if half his bones had melted. His eyes were fixed on Xiao Yao, seemingly unable to recover from his astonishment.
Seeing the Fourth Prince like this, He Yu couldn't help but smirk. He wrapped his arm around Xiao Yao's waist and affectionately said, "Alright, it's not that I didn't want to disturb you while you were enjoying your conversation with the Consort."
"But after all, they are our guests; we can't neglect the hospitality of Xuanping Prince's Mansion," Xiao Yao noticed Yang Yunzhe's blatant gaze and leaned closer into He Yu's embrace.
He Yu smiled and kissed the corner of Xiao Yao's lips. "Since my dear Princess feels this way, then I shall leave the Western Courtyard to you."
"Well, Your Highness, rest assured." He Yu responded with a kiss on his lips.
The Consort smiled and said, "You two are openly showing affection in this place, truly not considering my feelings as someone who came here alone?"
He Yu squinted his eyes, turned to Su Hong, and smiled, saying, "I believe the Crown Prince cares for the Consort even more than I care for the Princess. The Crown Prince is a person of deep affection."
The Crown Prince is a person of deep affection.
These words warmed Su Hong's heart, and she smiled as she replied, "Then I shall take the Prince's good words to heart."
"How can it be just taking his good words?" Xiao Yao immediately interjected. "The Crown Prince is indeed such a person; I believe the Consort must be well aware of this, right?" She even winked at the Consort.
In an instant, a blush spread across Su Hong's cheeks, but the smile at the corners of her lips, filled with happiness, could not be hidden.
Xiao Yao and He Yu exchanged knowing smiles.
Leaving Yang Yunzhe and Sun Ruoxue feeling quite awkward in place.
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