Chapter 168:

Others might not speak, but that didn’t mean family members would remain silent.

“Princess, since you’re not from Nanqin, you naturally don’t understand our country’s customs. Local women mostly stay indoors and rarely go out. Whether they’re cousins or even biological sisters, they usually have their own studies to focus on and seldom appear in public.” Yue Feng smiled as she spoke, sitting beside her mother-in-law.

She was clearly defending her mother-in-law.

Lady Fu held Yue Feng’s hand tightly.

The Diwa Princess smiled and looked at Yue Feng, “Lady Fu certainly doesn’t fit the typical image of a Nanqin woman.”

Yue Feng was unfazed, “Of course not. I was raised as a boy since childhood, so it’s more appropriate to judge me by male standards. As for Diwa, my family had business dealings with them before. Their customs are bold; women there often appear in public, which astonished someone like me. Still, even there, few women possess a personality like yours, Princess.”

“Your Majesty, don’t blame me for complaining to my cousin. Previously, when you visited Diwa, you promised to tell me about its customs upon your return. However, upon your arrival, you were immediately preoccupied with wedding preparations. After getting married, you hardly visited the palace anymore!” Shen Layue skillfully changed the subject.

Seeing that Noble Consort Shen didn’t bring up the topic, others also refrained from discussing it further.

Indeed, the Diwa Princess was a foreigner. During her brief visit with Layue, she offended many people—not only Lady Fu but others as well—by pointing out their shortcomings. Yet she seemed genuinely indifferent, which only infuriated people further. Layue smiled as she sipped tea, watching the unfolding drama. She didn’t speak much since it had nothing to do with her. However, if she hadn’t mentioned it, she wouldn’t have learned so much.

All these noblewomen were from Nanqin. In a regular banquet, they wouldn’t have let things go so easily. However, no matter what, this was Noble Consort Shen’s Qing’an Palace. They could only swallow their grievances silently.

How complicated one felt inside needed no explanation.

Eventually, someone couldn’t bear it anymore and left under a pretense.

Not long after, the guests gradually departed in twos and threes. The Diwa Princess remained completely unconcerned. Seeing everyone leave, she smiled and took her leave as well.

Yue Feng left with Lady Fu.

Layue smiled slightly as she watched their backs.

It seemed that Lady Fu treated Yue Feng quite well.

Yue Feng married into the Yue family because of her. Only when Yue Feng lived well would she feel reassured.

“Madam Fu treats Miss Yue quite well,” everyone could see that.

“My cousin is an intelligent person. Although she usually seems carefree, she knows exactly what to do at the right moment. Do you think the Yue family’s business became so large purely by luck?”

Layue had just realized this.

Yue Feng had never been an ignorant girl.

Thinking about how she handled Prince Liu’s matter, she was clearly no simple girl.

She had indeed overthought things.

“If Miss Yue lives well, the mistress will be even happier,” Jin Xin smiled.

Layue nodded. Naturally.

Tao’er lifted the curtain and entered, “My lady, everything outside is ready. We can go anytime.”

Layue nodded.

She asked, “Where is the Emperor?”

“The Emperor is in Xuanming Hall.”

After tidying her clothes slightly, Layue smiled and said, “Alright, Nurse Zhou, go and bring the children out.”

All the children were dressed in bright red, which delighted Layue. She kissed each of them on the face.

Little Jiaojiao cooed and tried to throw herself at Layue.

“Nope!” Layue gently pushed her away.

“Be a good girl now and stay with Nurse for a while. Behave! Mommy will hold you tonight, but not now.”

Jiaojiao protested with more coos, but she seemed to sense Layue’s refusal. Although unwilling, she obediently nestled into Nurse Zhou’s arms.

Normally, such banquets were held in the imperial garden. However, due to the cold early spring weather, Layue didn’t want the children to catch a chill. Holding everyone outdoors would also be inconvenient. After discussing with the Empress Dowager, she decided to move the banquet indoors.

Nonetheless, she had arranged a stage in the imperial garden in the afternoon. Those who enjoyed watching operas and arrived early at the palace could pass the time there. This arrangement worked out quite well!

“Her Highness Noble Consort Shen has arrived!” a young eunuch announced loudly.

By now, most of the guests had arrived. Layue wore a bright red dress, which matched the children perfectly.

“All subjects greet Noble Consort Shen!”

“Please rise.”

Layue glanced around. Except for Emperor Jing and the Empress Dowager, everyone else had already arrived.

The children weren’t at all shy despite the crowd. Little Si’er and Jiaojiao happily waved their little hands. Only Little Wu remained leaning against his nurse, half-asleep.

Today, Yan Yu and Yan Jia didn’t accompany Layue. She knew that Emperor Jing had summoned them to Xuanming Hall earlier. They would probably arrive together with the Emperor.

Many guests came to greet Layue, who responded with a smile.

Although smiling, she maintained a polite and distant demeanor.

Seeing her composed manner today, many people found the previous rumors hard to believe.

Previously, people often said that Noble Consort Shen possessed only beauty without substance. But looking at her today, how could that be the case?

“The Emperor has arrived! The Empress Dowager has arrived!”

They had barely exchanged a few words when Emperor Jing’s arrival was announced. Emperor Jing supported the Empress Dowager, with two young princes following behind. The scene was warm and harmonious.

He ordered everyone to rise.

Emperor Jing clapped his hands, and immediately, little Jiaojiao leaned toward him.

He tightly embraced his most beloved little daughter.

Emperor Jing spoke, “I had previously stated that I would bestow names upon these children today. Perhaps I was too serious about it, thinking for a long time without being able to decide. Just before arriving, with the reminders from Yu’er and Jia’er, I finally decided on the names.”

Emperor Jing’s words were artfully phrased. They demonstrated his importance placed on the three little ones while subtly showcasing the influence of Yan Yu and Yan Jia on him.

“The Fourth Prince shall be named Yan Zhao. ‘Zhao’ signifies the brightness of the sun and moon! The Fifth Prince shall be named Yan Jin. ‘Jin’ means a beautiful jade! The little princess shall be named Zi Yi and be granted the title of Princess Zhaoyang.”

Upon hearing Emperor Jing’s words, everyone was astonished.

However, praises immediately followed one after another.

Previously, people had heard that Emperor Jing favored the little princess. Now, seeing this, they realized it was indeed true. Even Daizi Yan Yu hadn’t received a title, yet this little princess was immediately granted the title of Princess Zhaoyang.

Under Lai Xi’s arrangement, the objects for the “zhuazhou” (a traditional Chinese custom where a baby chooses objects symbolizing future success) ceremony were quickly prepared.

These items were personally chosen by Emperor Jing. Layue took a glance and saw books, swords, jade pendants, gold, brushes, and other objects.

Since there were three children simultaneously participating, the space was especially large.

Layue looked at the location she had selected. She had arranged the surroundings herself, naturally ensuring it was best for the children.

All three little ones were placed down.

“Waaah!” Little Jiaojiao softly cried.

Layue smiled at the children and clapped her hands, “Sweetie, be good! Grab one.”

Jiaojiao, frustrated that her mother wouldn’t hold her, grew angry.

She had been unable to get her way since earlier. Finally, her father held her, but she was put down again.

She angrily slapped the ground while crying “Waaah! Waaah!”, looking utterly furious.

Little Si’er and Xiao Wu weren’t as upset as her. However, seeing their sister so angry, they thought she was playing and became happy too.

“Cool, cool cool…”

Layue often referred to herself as “mother” around the children. Every time Xiao Si’er wanted to call her “mom,” he always ended up saying “cool” instead. This made him want to call her “Your Majesty” again.

Of course, this was Layue’s interpretation.

“How clever the Fourth Prince is! He can already speak so fluently at such a young age. Listen to him call ‘Noble Consort’ so smoothly!” a lady beside them flattered with a smile.

Unfortunately, this flattery hit the wrong spot.

Layue’s expression paused briefly but quickly returned to normal without any noticeable change.

Those who understood Layue’s thoughts silently blamed the lady. Previously, Layue had thought the child was calling out “Mom.” Now, with this new interpretation, how could she possibly be happy!

In everyone’s hearts, the young master indeed seemed to be calling “Your Majesty.” They addressed her that way every day, and the clever little prince had picked it up. Yet, Layue stubbornly insisted that the child was saying “Mom.”

As servants, they naturally couldn’t say anything.

Emperor Jing smiled with his lips pressed together beside them.

Over this matter, Layue had often bragged in front of him, believing she was the most important person in Xiao Si’er’s heart.

He also found it hard to expose her misunderstanding.

Now seeing her slightly embarrassed expression, he found it particularly amusing.

Looking at the children again.

Little Si’er was lively. Seeing so many things and people, he naturally became cheerful, cooing happily.

He grabbed this and that, joyfully crawling in circles.

“Little Si’er, be a good boy and grab one.”

Little Si’er completely ignored her.

Looking at Xiao Wu, he sat upright, watching his older siblings with his little hands clasped.

Among the three children, none obediently participated in the zhuazhou ceremony.

Layue silently looked at Emperor Jing, hoping he could think of something.

However, Emperor Jing remained unfazed. After all, the children were very young. It was understandable for them to hesitate a little.

But his smile only lasted briefly as he continued watching the children.

To everyone’s surprise, little Jiaojiao threw a writing brush onto the ground without hesitation. Seeing the astonishment on everyone’s faces, she no longer appeared unhappy as before but instead became excited.

Trying to throw the nearby sword to the ground, she couldn’t move it even slightly. The little girl wasn’t discouraged. Instead, she stretched out her foot, attempting to kick the sword beside her.

Layue silently frowned. This child’s habits were truly not good.

She kicked once but failed to move it. She shifted her little bottom, then kicked again. She continued shifting and kicking.

The little girl happily clapped her hands as she continued kicking.

As the sword was about to fall to the ground, Little Si’er sat on it, watching his sister and cooing.

Jiaojiao didn’t care. She reached out and pulled her little brother, refusing to give up on kicking the object to the ground.

Little Si’er waved his little hands and continued cooing. After a while, perhaps the two children reached some kind of agreement.

Jiaojiao finally stopped kicking things, and Little Si’er also moved his little bottom away. With great effort, he finally hugged the sword to his chest. This action exhausted him, causing him to sweat profusely. Despite this, he seemed very happy.

With a proud “Hmph!”, he glanced at Layue once more and called out, “Mother—”