c81 (1/2)

Chapter 81: The Empress’s Trap

Qing Feng sat half leaning the bed and her heart which was hanging the entire evening was about to be place down when a voice came from outside the courtyard reported, “The Emperor has arrived. The Empress has arrived.”

Qing Feng suddenly sat up, why would they… Come over together?

“Long live the Emperor. Long live the Empress.”

Yan Hong Tian and Xin Yue Ning came into the house one after another. Other than the Empress Dowager who was carrying the Little Prince and the slightly stunned Qing Feng who was sitting on the bed motionless, the rest of the concubines and servants all knelt down.

Yan Hong Tian crossed the screen and his view met with Qing Feng’s puzzled and slightly surprised eyes. After both of their eyes met for a while, Yan Hong Tian indifferently broke eye contact and said, “All raise.”

The inner room was originally not that big and now the Emperor and Empress came, it was much more crowded. A few of the concubines that came with the Empress Dowager were sensible enough to get up and retreated to the living room.

Yan Hong Tian sat down on the deck chair near the window and drank the tea that was freshly brewed by Fu Ling, portraying a leisurely image. In this room, the only person that Qing Feng was most afraid of was Xin Yue Ning. With her head slightly down while sitting on the bed, Qing Feng looked up and saw Xin Yue Ning putting on a smiling face with a ruddy complexion, like she was not at all ill and that brows were actually a little pleased with herself. When she entered the house, she went to the Empress Dowager and smiled, “Chenqie greets the Empress Dowager.”

This group of people came in, a moment bowed, a moment greeted, and had somewhat scared the already sleeping little obedient grandchild. Lou Su Xin saw him moving uncomfortably like he was about to wake up and quickly patted and coax him . She did not even gave Xin Yue Ning a look as she reply in a whisper, “Did the Empress said that she is not feeling well and will rest in Yi Lan Palace? Why come over with the Emperor?”

Xin Yue Ning did not mind the Empress Dowager’s displeasure and still smile and laugh, “Chenqie’s health was not a big matter. Today younger sister Imperial Concubine Qing just returned to the Palace, Chenqie should come over to visit. Thinking that after a short period it would be the Little Prince’s full month and younger sister’s health have yet to recover, these things Chenqie have to manage. Chenqie went over to the Emperor’s to invite him to visit younger sister and the Little Prince and also to consult with the Empress Dowager to discuss about the full month celebration.”

Originally when there was an arrival of an Imperial child, the Palace was naturally prepared for it but who knew that Qing Feng would give birth prematurely and everyone temporarily panicked. For Xin Yue Ning to be this meticulous, Lou Su Xin could not help but praise and smiled, “It was still the Empress that was thoughtful. The day is no longer far, did the Empress though of how to celebrate the Prince’s full month? Say it out for Aijia to listen.”

Xin Yue Ning turn back and looked at Qing Feng with a brilliant smile which made Qing Feng’s heart trembled as she saw it. Presumably, Mo-er had brought harm to Xin Yue Ning material uncle’s family and Su Ling publicly refuted her so even if Xin Yue Ning did not glower at her, she should not be that amiable. The more she was like that, the more nervous Qing Feng became.

Qing Feng’s face became solemn which made Xin Yue Ning’s heart pleased. Humph! You will suffer more in the future! Turning back to look at the Empress Dowager, Xin Yue Ning put back that radiant smile and replied, “For the Little Prince’s full month banquet, the entire spectacle must be grand and festive. The officials in court must also come and the commoners should also take the opportunity to have a nationwide celebration for three days. Just now the Emperor mentioned that General Su will be heading off to crush the pirates in half a month time so Chenqie thought of why not taking the occasion and hold it with the Little Prince’s full month banquet. As such the scene would be even more lively.”

Sure enough, it had to do with Su Ling. Qing Feng’s mind concluded that Xin Yue Ning had some conspiracy planned and before the Empress Dowager could say anything, she immediately replied, “This is not right. General Su will be taking the troops to suppress the pirates and it is a major event for Qiong Yue. How can it be held together with a small child’s full month celebration? Afraid that this would cause the soldiers to be dissatisfied.”

As she had expected Qing Feng would have said as such, Xin Yue Ning chuckled and walked over to the bed and grabbed Qing Feng’s hand to pat a little and laughed loudly, “Younger sister remarks is incorrect. The Emperor is happy to have a prince and this is a thing to be celebrated. The pirates have been pus.h.i.+ng the borders and Qiong Yue’s auspicious omen of the Little Prince is born, for General Su to besiege the pirates now, it would definitely be a victory. For it to be held with the Prince’s full month banquet, first to celebrate the Prince’s full month and also to boost the army’s morale, it would indeed be the best of both worlds. Moreover, younger sister have not seen your own sisters for a long time and can take the opportunity to let Prime Minister Lou and General Su to bring them in the Palace. At that time all you three sisters can catch up and they can also take a look at the Little Prince. Why is younger sister hesitating?”

Xin Yue Ning said it reasonably and Qing Feng actually should not have any hesitation but she felt that things was not as simple as it it but she was unable to tell at this moment what was wrong with it.

Qing Feng was silent but Lou Su Xin was instead extremely satisfied, “Aijia finds that the Empress’s idea is not bad.”

“The Empress Dowager also felt that it is good? This is great.” Loosening Qing Feng’s hand, Xin Yue Ning happily turned around and look at Yan Hong Tian, who had been drinking tea the entire night, to ask, “What is the Emperor’s thoughts?”

Yan Hong Tian did not even look up before he casually replied, “Then just follow the Empress’s wishes to hold it.”

“Thanking the Emperor.” Xin Yue Ning’s face was filled with happiness but Qing Feng’s heart sank. Did they already discussed it? No wonder they came together, it was indeed an affectionate husband and wife! Her heart could not get away from the nervousness and Qing Feng stared at Yan Hong Tian fiercely. She did not think that Yan Hong Tian, who was looking down at the cup in his hand, would suddenly look up and their line of sight crossed. Qing Feng was stunned and at that moment she panicked but after realising that she did not do anything wrong, she stared back. Yan Hong Tian raised his brows slightly and the faint smile, but not a smile, expression in his dark eyes made Qing Feng inexplicably irritated.

Seeing the two persons flirting with their eyes, Xin Yue Ning jubilant mood went down to rock bottom. Xin Yue Ning coughed once and took a few steps forward and block their line of slight before asking in a reluctant laugh, “After the Little Prince is a full month old, he should be moved to his own palace and should now start to pack else when the time comes, it would be a rush. Not sure the Emperor had bestowed which palace for the Little Prince to live?”

When the topic of her child was made, Qing Feng’s nerves once again tighten and after some thought, she carefully replied, “The Emperor has been busy with state affairs and have yet to bestow.”