As Chu Ye approached, his peripheral vision caught Mu Yunjin sitting beside Chu Qing. Mu Yunjin likewise met his gaze and detected a hint of… disgust in his deep eyes.
Understandably so—after how she had disrupted Chu Ye’s Crown Prince enthronement ceremony last time, it would be strange if he didn’t have some resentment toward her.
Mu Yunjin lowered her eyes, no longer looking at Chu Ye. She considered whether she should privately apologize to him.
But after just a moment’s thought, Mu Yunjin quickly dismissed the idea. After all, it was Chu Qingchang who had provoked her last time; it wasn’t her fault.
When Chu Ye approached Chu Qing, he looked down at him and said with a flat tone, “Third Brother.”
“I heard Fourth Brother has been ill recently. Have you recovered now?” Chu Qing raised his eyes to Chu Ye, his gaze revealing some concern.
“I have recovered,” Chu Ye replied blandly.
Mu Yunjin propped her head up with her hands, leaning toward Chu Li as she listened to Chu Qing’s voice from the side. Her thoughts were complicated as she secretly sighed at how deep his scheming ran and how well he disguised it.
Chu Li glanced at Mu Yunjin, noticing the subtle expressions flitting across her face. Knowing what she was thinking, he pushed a piece of pastry toward her. “Eat your food.”
…
…
Mu Yunjin nodded, understanding that Chu Li meant for her to focus on eating and mind her own business.
After chatting briefly with Chu Qing, Chu Ye returned to his Crown Prince seat, positioned at the head of the opposite side, highlighting his status as Crown Prince.
Soon after, several more announcements came from outside the hall. The Western Ming Emperor entered in a bright yellow dragon robe, flanked by Empress Dowager Zheng in a bright red brocade garment and the Empress in a vermilion phoenix dress.
After they took their seats on the dais, everyone rose to pay their respects.
When the formalities were complete, the Western Ming Emperor smiled from the main seat, his gaze flitting almost imperceptibly toward Mu Yunjin. His eyes concealed some displeasure, but he still maintained decorum and smiled. Today is Mother Empress’s birthday banquet. I won’t steal the spotlight. Everyone need not be overly formal.”
Hearing this, Empress Dowager Zheng’s face immediately bloomed with smiles. In previous years’ birthday celebrations, there was always that troublesome Empress Qin around, nearly ruining her entire mood on her birthdays.
This year was much better—the short-lived Empress Qin had died, and only three chairs were placed in the great hall. It felt spacious and comfortable.
She couldn’t help but smile and say, “This old one is getting on in years and originally wanted to keep my birthday simple. But the Emperor said there have been too few joyous occasions in the Imperial City lately, so he arranged such a grand birthday banquet for me. The Emperor is truly thoughtful.”
The Empress beside her couldn’t help but chime in, “Indeed, Your Majesty began instructing me to prepare Mother Empress’s birthday banquet about three months ago. He has always kept you in his heart.”
“Hahaha,” the Western Ming Emperor laughed heartily.
Below, Mu Yunjin rested her chin on her hands, listening to the harmonious family on the dais. She couldn’t help feeling somewhat nauseated. If Empress Qin could see this scene, she would probably jump out of her grave.
Next, music and dance performances began in the hall.
While everyone was watching the performances, Mu Yunjin quietly opened the gift box with the cat a little and leaned toward Chu Li, speaking softly, “Why is this little one still sleeping?”
“Song Chun picked the fattest and laziest one,” Chu Li replied, turning toward her.
Hearing this, Mu Yunjin couldn’t help but smile. Her peripheral vision caught the Empress Dowager in good spirits on the dais, and she silently prayed that Empress Dowager Zheng would like this cat; otherwise, the little creature would suffer.
Halfway through the performances came the gift-giving ceremony. Everyone knew that since Empress Qin’s death, the palace factions had changed from two to one. Those who previously belonged to Empress Qin’s faction, including consorts and young ladies, had racked their brains for suitable birthday gifts for Empress Dowager Zheng, hoping to gain some favor.
The first to present a gift was Yan Qiuhuai, who had replaced the previous Prime Minister. Now respected as Prime Minister Yan, he naturally had to offer something impressive.
Yan Qiuhuai stepped forward with Yan Lingshang, opening a gift box in the great hall to reveal a pair of longevity peaches made of pure gold. With the hall brightly lit, the golden peaches gleamed dazzlingly under the light, catching everyone’s eye.
After Yan Qiuhuai finished his birthday speech, Eunuch Lu descended the steps, took the gift box, and presented it to Empress Dowager Zheng.
Empress Dowager Zheng smiled, nodding to Yan Qiuhuai. Her gaze then fell on Yan Lingshang beside him. “Has the Yan family’s daughter come of age? Another day, this old one will act as a matchmaker and help arrange a good marriage for you.”
Empress Dowager Zheng had just made a casual remark, but Yan Qiuhuai and Yan Lingshang took it to heart, greatly delighted. They thought that with the Empress Dowager’s words, the marriage would certainly be advantageous.
It could potentially be with Crown Prince Chu Ye, who had not yet established a Crown Princess, or with Prince Chen Chu Qing, who had not yet taken a primary consort.
Their Yan family was truly on the rise.
Following Yan Qiuhuai’s lead, many officials began presenting their gifts one by one. They were mostly precious calligraphy, paintings, and antique vases. After looking at them all, Empress Dowager Zheng still favored the pair of golden peaches the most.
After the officials had presented their gifts, it was Rong Prince’s residence’s turn.
Mu Yunjin had been eating snacks since entering the hall and now felt rather full. She leaned back in her chair and turned her gaze toward the Rong Prince’s residence.
She wondered what rare treasure this exemplary daughter-in-law Qin Shuning would present.
Rong Prince Chu Zhen had been drinking wine and watching the performances since being seated. Now that it was his turn to present a gift, he rose with Qin Shuning and walked to the center of the great hall.
Chu Zhen was Empress Dowager Zheng’s son. The Empress Dowager looked at her son with loving eyes; even if Chu Zhen had brought just an ordinary porcelain bowl, she would have been pleased.
Rong Princess Qin Shuning was holding the gift box. She smiled at the Empress Dowager and said coquettishly, “Mother Empress, can you guess what the Prince and your daughter-in-law have prepared for you?”
Empress Dowager Zheng paused, then looked at the square gift box and shook her head with a smile. “There have been so many varied gifts today, this old one cannot guess.”
The Rong Princess lowered her eyes with a smile, then opened the gift box. Immediately, everyone in attendance gasped—
Inside the gift box was a jade carving of Guanyin. The body of Guanyin was made from luminous white moonstone jade, radiant and translucent. Beneath the Guanyin figure was a lotus pedestal, also made of jade but adorned with a layer of pink jade accents, adding a touch of color to the Guanyin statue. The entire statue looked lifelike and ethereal.
“Mother Empress enjoys Buddhist practices daily, so the Prince went to great lengths to collect moonstone jade and spent considerable effort to have it carved into this Guanyin statue,” the Rong Princess explained as she handed the gift box to Eunuch Lu.
Empress Dowager Zheng nodded repeatedly. So far, this was the most valuable gift and the one she liked the most.
Indeed, her son knew best how to show filial respect.
Mu Yunjin looked at the Guanyin statue and felt genuinely impressed and appreciative. She had to admit, this gift was quite exquisite.
Inevitably, Mu Yunjin began to worry about her cat.
Though she felt somewhat anxious, it was now her turn to present a gift. Mu Yunjin glanced at Chu Li, who nodded to her. Then Mu Yunjin picked up the gift box and walked to the center of the great hall.
The previously lively atmosphere in the hall cooled.
The Western Ming Emperor still felt lingering fear about Mu Yunjin killing Chu Qingchang last time. But at that time, she had been fortunate to have Bei Tang Wenfeng backing her, which had forced him to swallow his anger. Now he couldn’t give Mu Yunjin any pleasant expression.
Empress Dowager Zheng had always disliked Mu Yunjin. She glanced at the gift box in her hands, then averted her gaze with contempt.
“Little niece-in-law, open the gift box for us to see,” the Rong Princess said with a mocking tone.
Mu Yunjin was long accustomed to such cold ridicule. She glanced at Chu Li, who stood beside her with a calm expression, completely unaffected by everyone’s emotions.
Mu Yunjin smiled, then reached out to open the gift box lid and took out the still-sleeping cat. Today, Mu Yunjin had specially adorned the cat with a red ribbon tied in a bow around its neck.
“Meow—” The little one woke from its sleep and whimpered.
Everyone was stunned. After seeing so many rare treasures, they were surprised to now see a living creature.
“Go on,” Mu Yunjin put the cat down and patted its bottom. The lazy, fat cat seemed to follow her direction, stepping onto the stairs and running toward Empress Dowager Zheng.
As it walked, Mu Yunjin said, “The Prince and I thought that Mother Empress, living in luxury, probably doesn’t lack for precious treasures. So we decided to send a cat instead, which can keep Mother Empress company and chat with her daily.”
After speaking, Mu Yunjin raised her eyes to look at the dais.
Empress Dowager Zheng looked with some astonishment at the approaching cat. The cat was now looking at her with round, jade-green eyes. Its entire body was gray, and it was so fat it looked almost like a fur ball. When it reached her feet, it curled up and fell asleep on her brocade shoes.
Mu Yunjin held her forehead—how lazy could this cat be…
Empress Dowager Zheng looked down at the cat, bent forward to pick it up with some effort, and placed it on her lap. The cat, disturbed again, woke up and mewed at the Empress Dowager, “Meow—”
Its soft, cute, and gentle demeanor instantly delighted Empress Dowager Zheng. When Eunuch Lu tried to come forward to take the cat away, she waved him off, continuing to hold it in her arms, unwilling to let go.
Seeing this, Mu Yunjin exchanged a glance with Chu Li. It seemed this gift had been well-received.
Having accepted Mu Yunjin’s cat, Empress Dowager Zheng did not withhold her smile. She looked at Mu Yunjin and Chu Li with a grin. “This old one likes this cat very much. You’ve been thoughtful.”
“I’m glad Mother Empress is pleased.” Mu Yunjin smiled, then returned to her seat with Chu Li.
Beside them, the Rong Princess bit her lip and glared at Mu Yunjin, her hands tightly clasped together. Mu Lingzhu had the same reaction as the Rong Princess, utterly infuriated.
That Guanyin statue had cost their Rong Prince’s residence a full fifteen thousand taels of silver to carve and polish. How much could Mu Yunjin’s wretched cat be worth?
And this Empress Dowager Zheng—how could she become so muddleheaded with age!
To be won over by a mere cat!