It was said that on the night after Liang Zongzheng left, Consort Xiao also whispered in Emperor Qizhen’s ear for a long time.

Praising Kong Yu continuously.

She also analyzed with the Emperor the advantages and disadvantages involved.

Emperor Qizhen lost sleep the entire night. The next day he rose early, then spent the whole day thinking in Fuyang Hall.

The hour of Shen!

Carriages successively rushed toward the palace. The usually quiet South Gate now became lively.

Officials and worthy scholars hurrying into the palace to celebrate the birthday, ladies and madams from various families joyfully entering the palace for the banquet, and large and small carriages loaded with congratulatory gifts blocked the South Gate tightly.

The guards at the gate were busy unloading those gifts and pulling carriages, so busy they saw stars.

At this moment—

Jingrong and Ji Yunshu sat inside their carriage, about to reach the palace gate.

He grasped her hand, saying: “Actually, you don’t need to enter the palace with this prince.”

“His Majesty’s birthday—how could I not go?” she replied.

Jingrong sighed lightly and shook his head.

Ji Yunshu then continued with a curious tone: “Actually, I have another purpose.”

“What?”

“I want to know what birthday gift you’re presenting!” Ji Yunshu furrowed her brow, leaning closer to him: “Tell me.”

But—

Jingrong curved his lips, turned his body, and kept her in suspense: “You’ll know when the time comes.”

Tch!

As if anyone cared.

Ji Yunshu rolled her eyes at him, pressed her lips together, lifted the carriage curtain, and looked outside. The South Gate was indeed blocked by luxurious carriages.

She couldn’t help but say: “How could she suddenly fall ill when everything was fine?”

She was naturally speaking of Ji Muqing.

Hearing this, Jingrong replied: “What, you regret that your Ji family can’t produce a Crown Princess?”

Just as these words finished, Ji Yunshu glanced at him: “What nonsense!”

Jingrong smiled: “Actually, this is perhaps what common people call good people receiving good rewards, evil people receiving evil retribution. Your eldest sister is so vicious—Crown Princess? She has no fortune to enjoy it.” After speaking, he realized: “Wrong—you’re no longer a member of the Ji family. She’s also not your eldest sister. The Crown Princess matter has nothing to do with you either. You belong to this prince. The Imperial family is your home.”

When someone is narcissistic to a certain degree, they become like an inflated balloon.

“Pop!”—it explodes!

Although Ji Yunshu hated his self-infatuation, she couldn’t refute his words.

Yes, she indeed was no longer a member of the Ji family. In the future, if she married Jingrong, she would be Princess Consort Rong. What else would she be if not a member of the Imperial family!

She could only dully endure her frustration.

Arriving at the South Gate, the two descended from the carriage. Seeing that Prince Rong had come, the guards naturally had to clear the way first, escorting the two of them inside without obstruction.

The birthday banquet was at Chengqing Hall.

The feast was not in the inner hall but outside. A stage had even been erected outside, with opera troupes from outside the palace invited to perform, along with some birthday celebration programs.

This was the annual procedure for His Majesty’s birthday.

Throughout the exterior ceiling of the hall, lanterns were all hung on thin steel wires, very beautiful.

Like colored lights.

By the hour of You, everyone had taken their seats!

Those who should come today had all come. Old General Li was present, even the often-ill Jingxian had come. The beautiful ladies competing for Crown Princess also sat in a cluster, each dressed up gaudily, wearing makeup, extremely eye-catching.

Competing to sit further forward.

As for the Crown Prince’s gaze, it naturally fell on those beautiful ladies from time to time.

But strangely, today neither Ji Li nor Ji Huan came, saying there were matters at home. Qizhen didn’t pursue the matter either. After all, with Ji Muqing fallen ill, it was natural for her two elder brothers to care for her. Moreover, this Crown Princess selection had nothing to do with the Ji family anymore. If they came here, wouldn’t it be a slap in the face?

So they simply didn’t come!

Before long, Emperor Qizhen arrived, sitting on the dragon throne on the high platform, beside him as always was Consort Xiao in her brocade finery.

Everyone rose, saying: “We wish His Majesty abundant blessings equal to heaven, longevity comparable to the Southern Mountains. Long live our Emperor, long live, long live!”

“Rise!” Emperor Qizhen waved his hand, his face carrying a smile: “Today there’s no need for such formality.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

They all took their seats!

Emperor Qizhen knew Old General Li had also come, so he said: “I didn’t expect Old General Li, after so many years, would return to the capital today to celebrate Our birthday. We are very happy.”

Old General Li was a man of few words. After responding with a couple sentences, he sat at his table drinking wine.

At the banquet, there was a scene of peace and prosperity, with the opera performers singing their songs.

After finishing, the court officials began presenting their generous gifts one by one.

The Crown Prince naturally couldn’t contain himself. Rising from his seat, brushing his wide sleeves, he walked to the center.

Bowing: “Your son respectfully wishes Father Emperor blessings like the Eastern Sea and longevity like the Southern Mountains.”

These words were like reheated leftovers.

Qizhen smiled broadly: “The Crown Prince is thoughtful.”

As his words fell, the Crown Prince had people bring up his gift—a large square bright red box that, placed on the ground, stood one meter high.

Everyone whispered among themselves, guessing what could be inside such a large box?

The box was slowly opened, and several eunuchs struggled somewhat to remove the item inside.

Just as the top emerged, it shocked everyone.

It was a giant… Hetian jade.

Yes, no mistake—it was a rare giant Hetian jade, carved into the shape of a longevity tree, truly exquisite.

After Emperor Qizhen saw it, his smile remained, seemingly very satisfied.

The Crown Prince observed his father emperor’s expression, lightly raising his chin proudly, pointing at this expensive gift, and bowing again: “Father Emperor, this jade was obtained by your son after searching throughout the land. I also commissioned the world’s finest craftsman to carve it into a longevity tree, specially presented to Father Emperor.”

Emperor Qizhen nodded: “Mm, carving jade into a tree—the Crown Prince must have spent much thought. We are very pleased.”

“Your son actually has another gift.”

“Oh?”

The Crown Prince waved his hand, and several eunuchs carried over a frame covered with red cloth, removing the cloth.

It turned out to be an Eight Immortals screen!

This was originally what Jingrong had planned to give. Fortunately, when this idea sprouted, he had dismissed it.

Otherwise, today’s gift collision would have been awkward.

But it was also sufficient to prove that the Crown Prince had been watching Jingrong, monitoring information about what gift he would give.

The Crown Prince glanced at Jingrong intentionally or unintentionally, his lips curling, then said to His Majesty: “Your son knows Father Emperor loves screens, so I had people make this Eight Immortals screen. Moreover, on this screen, your son also added Father Emperor’s favorite pear fragrance, which can help Father Emperor calm his mind.”

Before Emperor Qizhen could speak, Consort Xiao beside him took up the Crown Prince’s words: “The Crown Prince has given two gifts, and so thoughtfully too. One is a longevity tree carved from superior Hetian jade, one is an Eight Immortals screen. Both items are extremely exquisite and must have cost considerable gold and silver. No wonder His Majesty often praises the Crown Prince’s filial piety before this consort. Judging by these gifts, it truly is so.”

Her tone was sarcastic!

Others couldn’t hear the meaning in it, but Emperor Qizhen was no fool.

These two items certainly cost a lot of money. As the heir apparent, he should be frugal and love the people, yet he was so extravagant just to please this father emperor—it was truly excessive.