Emperor Jingming left Yuquan Palace in a huff, leaving Noble Consort Xian feeling dejected.

The Emperor was indeed truly angered by Seventh Son’s audacity and was now taking it out on her.

This cursed child was born to collect debts!

Returning to his chambers, Emperor Jingming was in a gloomy mood. He asked Pan Hai, “How is Prince Yan faring in the Imperial Clan Court?”

“Your Majesty, the Prince is calm and staying quietly in the empty room.”

“What about the others?”

“Several princes have gone to visit Prince Yan…”

Emperor Jingming glanced at Pan Hai, “Any movement from the Yan Prince Manor?”

Pan Hai immediately understood the Emperor’s meaning: His Majesty was worried about his unborn grandson but didn’t want others to notice.

“Princess Consort Yan sent a maid to deliver food to Prince Yan, eighteen dishes in total. Prince Yan ate them all.”

Emperor Jingming pursed his lips, “Quite an appetite.”

Pan Hai smiled and agreed.

Emperor Jingming tapped his fingers on the armrest, “No fuss, no pleading at the palace, and the food prepared for Seventh Son was quite sumptuous…”

It seems Seventh Son’s wife can keep her composure well.

Come to think of it, before her marriage, she had experienced both a broken engagement and a lawsuit for her sister. She had been through big storms…

Emperor Jingming suddenly felt that this daughter-in-law was a good choice.

Not from a small family dealing with trivial matters, as a royal daughter-in-law, she needed to be able to stay calm and weather storms. Seventh Son, with his impulsive and straightforward nature, needed such a princess consort to support him.

Emperor Jingming inexplicably felt relieved, his expression relaxing.

Pan Hai observed coldly, gaining a new understanding of Princess Consort Yan’s position in Emperor Jingming’s heart.

Prince Yan was truly lucky. It seemed he would be released after returning from the winter solstice ceremony.

“Go to Kunning Palace and inform them that I will dine there again tonight.”

Pan Hai complied and immediately sent someone to Cining Palace to relay the message.

The Empress was in high spirits.

With the Emperor visiting more frequently, she, as the Empress, also gained face.

Of course, even if the Emperor didn’t come, she was still the Empress. If any of those concubines dared to be disrespectful in front of her, she would deal with them all the same.

This was the confidence of being the Empress.

The Empress was very clear that although the Emperor didn’t have much affection for her, he respected her as his wife.

“Instruct the small kitchen to prepare well. The Emperor loves braised fish lips with dragon beard noodles, remember to make it,” the Empress ordered, then had a thought.

In recent years, the Emperor rarely had two consecutive meals in Kunning Palace. Today was indeed unusual.

Pondering the Emperor’s words from lunch, the Empress realized: Was His Majesty worried about the pregnant Princess Consort Yan?

Understanding this, the Empress chuckled silently.

The Emperor loved to save face and couldn’t show his concern directly, so she would do it for him, also expressing her goodwill.

Hearing that the Empress had sent a eunuch to deliver tonics to the Yan Prince Manor, Emperor Jingming sipped his tea with satisfaction.

The Empress was indeed much better than Noble Consort Xian, truly worthy of being the mother of the nation.

Hmm, he could look forward to the rare day of freedom again.

Soon, it was the eve of the winter solstice.

Perhaps because Yu Jin’s punishment had intimidated the other princes, these days had been remarkably peaceful.

Emperor Jingming was in a good mood and went to visit Noble Consort Yang.

Although “three thousand beauties in the harem” was an exaggeration, there were indeed many consorts, among whom Noble Consort Yang had been Emperor Jingming’s most favored in the past two years.

However, since Noble Consort Yang’s brother died tragically last year, she had been quite resentful towards Emperor Jingming. As time passed, the Emperor grew weary of seeing the weeping consort and visited less frequently.

Emperor Jingming was a sentimental person, and after some time, he began to miss her.

Outside Furong Palace, a beautiful woman holding a lantern stood on the stone steps.

The woman’s figure was somewhat slender, her crow-black hair bun contrasting with her moon-white dress, as if she might fly away with the wind at any moment.

“Greetings to Your Majesty,” Noble Consort Yang curtsied slightly, the palace lantern emitting an orange glow swaying gently.

Emperor Jingming took Noble Consort Yang’s hand.

Her fingertips were ice-cold.

“Why are you waiting outside?” Emperor Jingming asked as he led Noble Consort Yang inside.

Noble Consort Yang lowered her eyes and said softly, “To light the way for Your Majesty.”

“Having a palace maid stand guard would be the same.”

Noble Consort Yang smiled faintly, “It’s not the same.”

Emperor Jingming studied Noble Consort Yang, seeing her thin face wearing a gentle smile, feeling somewhat moved and relieved.

At least she wasn’t making a fuss anymore; it seemed she was no longer angry with him.

Last year, Noble Consort Yang’s brother died tragically at a post station on the outskirts of the capital. The case was solved by the newly appointed Shuntian Prefecture Magistrate, Zhen Shicheng. Since then, Noble Consort Yang had been at odds with him.

After an intimate moment, Emperor Jingming dressed to leave. Noble Consort Yang embraced his waist and pleaded, “Your Majesty, can you take me with you on tomorrow’s outing?”

“My beloved wants to go out?”

Noble Consort Yang bit her lip and nodded, “Yes, since entering the palace, I’ve never had a chance to leave. I couldn’t even go out when my brother passed away…”

Emperor Jingming’s heart softened, and he nodded.

For the winter solstice ceremony, the Empress, Noble Consort Xian, and others would already be accompanying him. Adding Noble Consort Yang wouldn’t make much difference.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Noble Consort Yang escorted Emperor Jingming out with the palace lantern.

In the cold, Emperor Jingming looked back once in the darkness.

The beauty holding the lantern, her facial expression blurred.

“Your Majesty, watch your step,” Pan Hai reminded softly.

Emperor Jingming turned back and strode forward.

Pan Hai and several eunuchs followed closely behind, soon disappearing into the night.

Only then did Noble Consort Yang turn and enter her chambers.

The next day, before dawn, both inside and outside the palace were bustling with preparations for the winter solstice ceremony, except for the Yan Prince Manor, which remained enveloped in tranquility.

Jiang Si had woken up early, staring at the silver hooks on the canopy lost in thought.

The winter solstice had arrived.

After this day passed, who knew how many lives would undergo earth-shattering changes?

“My Lady, you’re awake,” A-Qiao, wearing a robe, walked over at some point and gently lifted the bed curtain.

Jiang Si smiled, “It’s still early, you can lie down for a while longer.”

A-Qiao smiled, “You’re already awake, how could this servant be so lazy? Would you like to lie down a bit longer or get up to wash?”

“Let’s wash up in a while.” Nestled in the warm, soft brocade quilt, Jiang Si felt too lazy to move.

“Did you relay the message to Second Young Master yesterday?”

“Yes, I did.” A-Qiao nodded, feeling a bit puzzled.

My Lady had asked this several times since yesterday. It seems pregnant women are indeed restless.

Jiang Si showed a relieved smile.

The warmth of the quilt made her drowsy, and she soon fell asleep again.

Seeing this, A-Qiao lowered the bed curtain and quietly retreated.

The doctor said pregnant women tend to sleep a lot, and it was indeed true.

Outside, the wind was bitterly cold. A long, dragon-like procession slowly moved towards the outskirts of the city, facing the darkness not yet dispelled by the dawn.

Rows of guards in brocade uniforms carrying banners, canopies, and other ceremonial objects walked at the front, giving the silent procession an air of extreme solemnity.

When they reached the sacrificial site at Cuilo Mountain in the suburbs, it was just as daylight broke.

At the auspicious time, Emperor Jingming led the royal family, nobles, and civil and military officials in offering sacrifices to Heaven, praying for favorable weather and peace for the people in the coming year.

Afterward, as customary, there was a banquet for the officials at the temporary palace.

Just as the hall was filled with the sound of silk and bamboo instruments and a spring-like atmosphere, snow began to fall outside.