Yu Zhi could not help him with anything now. Since Jia Jia was unwilling to let Yu Zhi give birth to the eldest son, then there would simply be no child born.
He and Jia Jia had known each other before they ever knew Yu Zhi. When he first married Yu Zhi, Jia Jia had been angry with him, so he had promised that before she entered the household, he would not allow Yu Zhi to bear his eldest son.
Later, when General Yu passed away and Jia Jia entered the household, it became even more unnecessary for Yu Zhi to bear his children.
Although Jia Jia was the concubine-born daughter of the Chief Censor, she was still far superior to the current Yu Zhi.
“Compete? What standing does Little Sister have to compete with the Crown Princess? Who knows, she might already be married off to someone by now. What does it matter that she was designated Crown Princess from childhood, the envy of all? In the end, she simply did not have the fate to be Crown Princess.” The Grand Tutor cast a disdainful glance at Yu Zhi.
“Indeed, she might already be married off.” Yu Zhi curved the corners of her lips slightly.
The Grand Tutor humphed with displeasure. “No fortune whatsoever. Do you know that His Highness the Crown Prince prepared double the betrothal gifts according to the Crown Princess’s standards, and also prepared a dowry — a dowry befitting an imperial princess of the first rank.”
“Noble Lady Wu offended the Crown Princess before she had even been officially titled, and was demoted by His Majesty the Prince of Xuan to the rank of Ying, fined her stipend, and made to kneel for half a day. The entire Xuan Wang Palace now holds the Crown Princess in the highest regard. Tell me, why does Little Sister have such poor fortune?”
The Grand Tutor shook his head with a pitying sigh.
Yu Zhi held a smile at the corners of her lips, and slowly that smile gave way to tears. “Is that so? Then the Crown Princess truly has wonderful fortune.”
If only Mother and Father were still here, how wonderful that would be.
“What use is crying? No fortune, and still you have the face to cry?”
Had Little Sister not gone missing, it would be she who was now the Crown Princess, and he himself would not still be merely a Grand Tutor.
Yu Zhi lowered her gaze, tears falling, and picked up another ruyi cake, tasting it slowly and carefully.
The Grand Tutor shot Yu Zhi an irritated look, rose to his feet, and left the side room.
——
Crown Prince’s Residence.
Just as Xuan Yanyu had said, Yan Yunning had not eaten breakfast either.
Before she even woke, he had already carried her to the soft couch in the Zhaozheng Hall.
Even when handling affairs of state, he had to keep Yan Yunning within his sight.
When Yan Yunning awoke, she did not see Xuan Yanyu. She returned to the bedchamber to wash up, then leaned her head against a soft pillow and drowsily half-closed her eyes.
“Crown Princess, it is time to rise and have lunch.” Xiao Wan crouched beside the bed, combing through the ends of her hair.
Yan Yunning cooperatively lifted her head. Xiao Wan took the tasseled phoenix hairpin and tucked it into her hair.
“Where is Xuan Yanyu?” the girl asked, eyes still closed.
He had carried her to the Zhaozheng Hall and then disappeared off somewhere.
Xiaoyue bent down and brought a cup of water to Yan Yunning’s lips, smiling as she said, “His Highness the Crown Prince had only just stepped out when you woke. His Highness left instructions that you should eat as soon as you rise.”
Yan Yunning took a sip of water, pulled the brocade quilt into her arms, and held it to her chest. “Where did he go?”
“He entered the palace. His Majesty the Xuan Wang summoned His Highness,” Xiaoyue said softly. “Crown Princess, would you like more water?”
“No. You may all step out.”
Xiao Wan pressed her lips together and looked helplessly at the girl hugging the quilt with her eyes half-shut. “Crown Princess, His Highness asked that you eat before resting.”
Yan Yunning remained unmoved.
“Crown Princess, there is a palace banquet this evening. You and His Highness the Crown Prince are to dine with Her Highness the Xuan Empress and His Majesty. If you do not eat now, it would be improper to eat too much in front of His Majesty and Her Highness tonight. Crown Princess, please at least have a little something.” Xiaoyue urged.
His Highness the Crown Prince had reminded them several times — that the Crown Princess must eat when she woke.
“What palace banquet?” Yan Yunning was immediately alert.
Xiaoyue explained, “It is more of a family gathering. His Highness the Crown Prince said it will be only a small number of people — the consorts of higher rank and a few princesses. If you just keep your head down eating throughout, it would be quite against propriety.”
His Highness had instructed: if the Crown Princess made excuses not to eat, tell her she cannot eat much at the evening banquet — and she would eat her lunch without fuss.
Xiao Wan picked up Yan Yunning’s embroidered shoes, lifted the brocade quilt, took hold of the girl’s fair ankles, and slipped the shoes onto her feet, chattering away. “The Qishan Hall has already prepared lunch. Crown Princess, let us go.”
Yan Yunning stood up. Her knees bent involuntarily, her legs feeling weak and unsteady. Xiao Wan set down the phoenix comb and steadied her, teasing, “Crown Princess, no wonder His Highness had you drink those restorative tonics.”
The Crown Princess was nothing like their Highness — the Crown Princess was easy to get along with, which gave her the courage to tease her a little.
Yan Yunning brushed away her hand, stood up straight, and said at an unhurried pace, “I have not eaten since last night all the way until noon today. Weak legs are perfectly normal. You are welcome to try it yourself if you do not believe me.”
“Oh~” Xiao Wan blinked, stifling a laugh. “Crown Princess, this servant never said it had anything to do with His Highness — there was no need to explain yourself to me.”
Yan Yunning: “……”
What kind of maidservant had Xuan Yanyu found?!
This was the first time she had ever missed Qiuci so much. She was going to make Xuan Yanyu bring Qiuci to Xuanzhao!
——
Less than a quarter of an hour after finishing lunch, someone from the palace came to escort her. After changing into formal attire and tidying up, Yan Yunning boarded a carriage and entered the Xuan Wang Palace.
Inside the lavish palace, atop a rosewood table draped in brocade, various kinds of fresh fruits and pastries were arranged.
Upon the imperial throne carved with dragon motifs sat the Xuan Wang in his dragon robe. To his left and right sat Xuan Yanyu and the Xuan Empress, and beside Xuan Yanyu there was one additional seat that appeared to have just been added.
“This subject pays respects to Imperial Father, Imperial Mother, and to all the Honored Consorts.” Yan Yunning curtsied in greeting.
“Rise.” The Xuan Wang spoke before Xuan Yanyu could.
He was afraid that if he were a moment too slow, his worthless son would, just as he had done before, reach over him to invite the Yan girl to rise. He too had his dignity to consider.
After all, someone who could set aside an additional seat beside him in defiance of all propriety was certainly capable of reaching over him to invite the Yan girl to rise — it had been done before and could absolutely be done again.
The man slowly descended the imperial dais, stood beside Yan Yunning, swept his gaze over the consorts all around, and said, “Today is the first time Ningning meets all of you. According to custom, a meeting gift must not be neglected.”
The Xuan Wang was struck speechless with exasperation. Was this something that ought to be said to his consorts? How could he simply come out and ask for them directly?
“They were prepared long ago.” Noble Consort Lang rose with a smile, extending a pure gold incense burner toward Yan Yunning. “Ningning, may your and the Crown Prince’s virtue be as enduring as the fragrance, and may your union be harmonious.”
“Thank you, Honored Consort.” Yan Yunning accepted it with a smile.
“Ningning.” Consort Tong, with a smile in her eyes, took the phoenix hairpin from a maidservant’s hands and pinned it into Yan Yunning’s hair. “I wish you and the Crown Prince a harmonious marriage, and smooth sailing in all things.”
“Thank you, Honored Consort.” Yan Yunning touched the phoenix hairpin, her smile sweetly radiant.
By the time all the consorts had finished presenting their gifts and offering their blessings, Yan Yunning’s face had gone stiff from smiling.
“Let the banquet begin.” The moment Xuan Yanyu and Yan Yunning were seated, Chief Eunuch Feng by the Xuan Wang’s side called out the announcement.
Eight dancers emerged from behind the folding screens. Dressed in harmoniously matched robes, their hair loosely cascading down their backs, silver chains hung from their slender waists. As they spun, the silver chains fanned out through the air.
In the great hall, the candlelight was soft and dim. The exquisite dancing held all eyes captive, gazes unable to look away.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, do you find it beautiful?” Yan Yunning slanted a glance at the man beside her.