After the welcoming banquet that day, the Liaodong King's Wife indeed brought her three sons to the palace every day to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager visibly cheered up quite a bit, and even issued an order for their family to attend the New Year's Eve feast on the 30th.
The Emperor had always been a filial son and had no objections to this.
Thus, on New Year's Eve, the banquet hall was graced with the presence of the King of Liaodong's family.
The New Year's Eve feast was the most important meal of the year.
The palace ladies had been preparing since the afternoon.
Yanshu was no exception.
However, while others started dressing up in the afternoon, she had stopped eating snacks since then.
Tsk, she didn't know how many delicacies there would be tonight, so she had to save room to properly taste them all.
As the lanterns were lit and night fell, everyone gathered for the grand New Year's Eve feast in the Hall of Gentle Ceremony.
Similar to the recent welcoming banquet, everyone who should be there was present, except for Consort Ning who was still confined and Consort Li who was in the Cold Palace.
With the addition of King of Liaodong Yuwen Hao's family, the scene was very lively.
Yuwen Lan presided over the head of the banquet hall, secretly glancing to his right.
He saw Yanshu wearing a peach-pink jacket and skirt, her hair in a neat peach-shaped bun, with two small agate earrings. Her cheeks were peach-pink, her lips cherry-red, looking quite vivacious and adorable.
However, listening carefully, he heard her thinking, [Wow, hot pot duck, stir-fried lamb, sour and spicy tripe, jade-green shrimp! And there's soft-shelled turtle with long fish, crab roe lion's head meatballs, bird's nest with duck slices, and three-strand shark fin soup! What's that? Twelve-flavor hot pot! How extravagant!!!]
[I hope the Emperor's opening speech is quick, so I can start eating soon.]
Yuwen Lan, "..."
He knew it.
Well, to fulfill her wish, he simply said, "Everyone has worked hard this past year. For this last meal of the year, there's no need to be too formal."
Then he turned to the Empress Dowager and said, "I wish Mother Empress good health and everything goes smoothly in the coming year."
The Empress Dowager smiled and nodded, "Your Majesty has worked the hardest for the country. I also wish Your Majesty good health and everything goes smoothly."
Yuwen Lan bowed his head and said, "Thank you, Mother Empress."
Everyone then chimed in unison, "We wish Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager good health and everything goes smoothly in the coming year."
With that said, they could finally start eating.
Yanshu smiled brightly and immediately started with a bowl of hot duck soup to whet her appetite.
Mmm, the duck soup was sour and spicy, making her whole body feel comfortable.
The jade-green shrimp was fresh and crisp, the smoked cabbage was very flavorful, and the mushroom braised chicken was rich in taste.
The soft-shelled turtle with long fish was tender and delicious, the crab roe lion's head meatballs were rich but not greasy, and the three-strand shark fin soup was full of umami.
Not to mention dishes like the assorted hot pot, fat chicken with tofu, spicy stir-fried liver, bird's nest with duck slices, and so on, each with its own unique deliciousness.
Especially that twelve-flavor hot pot which encompassed a wide variety of ingredients: venison, chicken breast, deer back, wild boar leg, as well as sea cucumber, scallops, squid, and lobster balls. Various delicacies from mountains and seas gathered in one pot, with a taste beyond compare.
The New Year's Eve dinner was indeed extraordinary!
This meal was extremely satisfying!
As she was happily eating, she heard the Empress Dowager speak again, "The dishes today are quite good, especially this sour and spicy tripe. It's tender and flavorful, very suitable for my taste."
Yuwen Lan also nodded and said, "Indeed, it's very good. The kitchen should be rewarded."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Chief Eunuch of the Ceremonial Office, Hu An, who was serving nearby, quickly announced, "His Majesty rewards the Imperial Kitchen..."
Zhu Shu, the lady-in-waiting from the Palace of Benevolent Peace, served more dishes to the Empress Dowager and smiled, "Empress Dowager, please try this white jade cake."
The Empress Dowager tasted it.
After a moment, she nodded again and said, "Smooth and delicate, sweet but not cloying, indeed very good."
As she spoke, she didn't forget to invite the King of Liaodong's family, "You should try it too. This white jade cake, Jing should like it."
Yuwen Hao and his wife quickly agreed and led their three children to taste the white jade cake.
After a while, the Liaodong King's Wife smiled and said, "The food in the palace is indeed different, much better than in Liaodong."
She then asked Jing, "Quick, tell your great-grandmother, is the cake delicious?"
The little one, with his cheeks puffed out full of food, nodded and said, "It's good."
This caused everyone to smile fondly.
After eating the white jade cake, the Empress Dowager had a bowl of three-strand shark fin soup and smiled, "I'm afraid I've eaten too much today."
Yuwen Lan said, "Tonight is special, and we still need to stay up to see the New Year in. It's fine for Mother Empress to eat more if you have a good appetite."
The Empress Dowager nodded.
Then Zhu Shu said, "Ever since the three young masters came to the capital, the Empress Dowager has been happy and her appetite has improved."
Yuwen Lan didn't show any unusual expression, just said "Oh" and then, "It seems I should reward the three of them as well."
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Hao quickly said, "Your Majesty's words are too kind. As juniors, it's only right for them to come to the palace often to pay respects to the Empress Dowager. There's no need for rewards."
He then instructed his three children, "It's New Year's Eve today. Shouldn't you go and kowtow to the Empress Dowager and His Majesty to wish them well?"
The eldest and second immediately agreed and stood up. The Liaodong King's Wife also pushed little Jing, so the little one also stood up bewilderedly and followed his two brothers to the center of the hall. They kowtowed to the Empress Dowager and Yuwen Lan, saying, "We wish the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty longevity and good health."
The Empress Dowager smiled from ear to ear, repeatedly nodding and saying, "Good, good, they're all good children. Get up and eat now."
Yuwen Lan also smiled and said, "They know etiquette and are obedient. They should be rewarded."
Hearing this, the Chief Eunuch of the Ceremonial Office announced, "Rewards are bestowed upon the three young masters of the King of Liaodong's household."
The three children knelt down again to express their gratitude before returning to their meal.
With this, the hall became even more lively.
At this moment, Nanny Zhuang, who was by the Empress Dowager's side, was heard saying, "It would be wonderful if the young masters could come to the palace often in the future. It's just a pity... Liaodong is so far away."
Hearing these words, everyone paused—
Nanny Zhuang's words seemed to have hidden meanings.
Sure enough, the Empress Dowager sighed next, "Isn't it? The weather is cold in Liaodong, and it would be worrying if the children caught colds from traveling back and forth. The eldest and second are older so it's fine, but little Jing is only four years old. Wouldn't he suffer if he fell ill?"
Nanny Zhuang then said, "Why not have the little young master stay for a few more days, to keep you company? When the weather gets warmer, we can send the little young master back to Liaodong."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone started to speculate in their hearts.
—What is the Empress Dowager's intention?
Does she want to keep the King of Liaodong's youngest son by her side to raise?
Yanshu finally snapped out of her food-induced trance.
—What? The Empress Dowager wants to raise the King of Liaodong's son?
Is she really that kind-hearted?
Could it be that she wants to keep Jing as a hostage?
Tsk, that's not right either. Jing isn't the King of Liaodong's legitimate son. If she really wanted a hostage, why wouldn't the Empress Dowager choose their eldest or second son?
Yanshu suddenly paused. Could it be that the Empress Dowager has discovered that the Emperor can't... you know... and wants to adopt a son for the Emperor?
At the same time, Yuwen Lan also heard the Empress Dowager's thoughts—
[Jing is not of legitimate birth, and his age is suitable. It can only be him.]
He remained impassive, but his heart was already clear.
The Empress Dowager deliberately chose Jing, who was born out of wedlock, fearing that Yuwen Hao and his wife wouldn't be willing to part with a legitimate son.
The Empress Dowager had indeed discovered his secret and was making other plans.
He concealed the complexity in his heart and even smiled at Yuwen Hao and his wife, saying, "Mother Empress's idea is excellent, but I wonder if my elder cousin and his wife are willing to part with him?"
Yuwen Hao hesitated for a moment, but then smiled and said, "To be able to accompany the Empress Dowager is Jing's good fortune. I'm happy for him, how could I be unwilling?"
Seeing her husband's response, his wife, the Liaodong King's Wife, also quickly smiled and said, "What kind of blessing has this child cultivated in his previous life to be able to accompany the Empress Dowager? Jing, quickly thank your great-grandmother for her grace."
Then, the little one who was eating dessert was pushed forward with a confused look. Under the guidance of the Liaodong King's Wife, he kowtowed to the Empress Dowager and said, "Jing thanks great-grandmother..."
The little voice once again made everyone smile.
However, Yanshu keenly noticed that at this moment, Consort Xu beside her seemed to pause for a moment.
Hiss...
For a spy with such high psychological quality, this kind of reaction seemed a bit off.
She immediately called out to the system, [Judging from Consort Xu's reaction, could this Jing be the child she bore for Yuwen Hao?]
System, [It should be, but it's not.]
Yanshu, [??? What does that mean? What do you mean by 'should be but is not'?]
System, [It means that Consort Xu herself thinks this child is hers, but in fact, her child died young due to congenital weakness. But Yuwen Hao wanted to keep her in check, so he found another child as a substitute, making her believe it was her child.]
Yanshu, [...]
That's complicated.
However, she managed to understand.
In other words, Consort Xu's child was actually long gone, but Yuwen Hao found a fake child to deceive her in order to make her obey him.
Yanshu couldn't help but click her tongue. This King of Liaodong was truly full of schemes.
But as a man, to use women in such a way was truly disgusting!
Not far away, Yuwen Lan heard her inner thoughts word for word.
Very well, the Empress Dowager was eager to adopt another pawn, but this little child wasn't of the Yuwen family bloodline.
Without showing any sign of surprise, he said to the Empress Dowager and the Yuwen Hao couple, "If that's the case, let the child stay here for a while. Being able to bring joy to the Empress Dowager is a great merit for him."
Yuwen Hao immediately laughed, "Your Majesty is too kind. This is indeed a great fortune for him, haha!"
Yanshu found this fat man's laughter truly revolting.
For the sake of ambition, he separated an innocent child from his family, and so brazenly used him as a tool.
If this child were truly his own flesh and blood, would he be able to part with him so easily?
However, in this case, wasn't the Empress Dowager raising a child with no relation to the royal family?
If it were the eldest or second child, it would be more understandable, as they at least had the blood of the great ancestor!
Just then, the system suddenly popped up again, [You're overthinking. Those two aren't from the Yuwen family either.]
Yanshu, [???]
[What does this mean? Those two children aren't Yuwen Hao's either?]
System, [That's right.]
Yanshu's eyes lit up, [Could it be that the Liaodong King's Wife also cuckolded the King of Liaodong?]
Yuwen Lan, who overheard this nearby, "???"
The Liaodong King's Wife cuckolded Yuwen Hao???
What was this situation?
System, [You think everyone is as unlucky as the Marquis of Linwu? These two children were actually also found elsewhere by the Liaodong King couple, to replace their own flesh and blood in coming to the capital.]
What???
Yanshu felt that her brain might not be sufficient for tonight, [Using fake children to bring to the capital? What are these two up to?]
System, [You think it's a good thing for a feudal king to come to the capital? If the Emperor is displeased, he might detain them, at best punish them, at worst execute them. The King of Liaodong certainly doesn't want to take that risk!]
Yanshu, [....]
Alright, she finally understood.
This was truly a case of one mountain being higher than another between the Empress Dowager and the King of Liaodong!
How could people be so cunning?
But this was a serious crime, once discovered, it would lead to execution.
Wasn't this fat man afraid?
The system said very maturely, [It's very difficult to discover. They come to the capital at most once a year, and they always find children who look similar to their own. Who could recognize them except their own people?]
Yanshu, [....]
That was true.
In this era without photographs, even the best portrait would have some discrepancies, not to mention children grow every year. When children who haven't been seen for a long time suddenly appear, as long as there aren't significant differences in their features, it's really hard to notice.
Tsk tsk tsk, this fat Yuwen Hao was truly sly!
What did he eat to grow so many schemes in his mind!
As she was sighing inwardly, Yuwen Lan, who had heard everything, also understood.
Huh, so that's how it was.
It turned out that none of the children Yuwen Hao and his wife brought to the capital this time were their own flesh and blood?
This sounded absurd at first, but for Yuwen Hao, it was entirely possible.
Moreover, after experiencing so many shocks before, he no longer doubted Yanshu at all.
Good, very good.
It seemed that this cousin had made up his mind to do something big this time.
Outside the hall, the sound of firecrackers continued, while inside, people were still eating, drinking, and exchanging New Year's greetings happily.
Yuwen Lan drank a cup of wine without showing any change in expression.
Huh, did they think this throne was something one could sit on just because they wanted to?
Before they knew it, night had fallen deep, and the New Year's Eve banquet had finally come to an end.
After respectfully sending off the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, everyone dispersed.
Yanshu returned to her palace to change clothes and wash up, while Rendong and others prepared some melon seeds, snacks, and fruits, ready for tonight's vigil to welcome the New Year.
However, when Yanshu finished washing up and came out, she had no mood for the vigil.
She thought back and forth, feeling that the gossip she had heard tonight was indeed significant, and closely related to the Emperor. As the Emperor's leg accessory, she couldn't stand idly by, she had to find a way to let the Emperor know.
If it were usual, she could remind him through hints in conversation as she had done before, but tonight was New Year's Eve, and according to custom, the Emperor had to spend the night in the central palace. Since there was no Empress now, he could only sleep in Qianming Palace and couldn't come to the consorts' quarters.
So she couldn't see him.
After much thought, she could only go to the writing desk and start writing.
Seeing this, Rendong asked curiously, "Aren't you going to rest a bit for tonight's vigil, mistress?"
Yanshu sighed silently, and could only make an excuse, "I suddenly thought of a very good story, I have to write it down quickly, otherwise I'll forget it tomorrow. You all go ahead with the vigil, don't mind me."
With that, she started writing.
Rendong didn't understand but could only comply and retreated to the side without disturbing her further.
Yanshu wrote while thinking, and soon became fully absorbed in her task.
Damn, this story was really brain-taxing.
With the adoptive mother having ulterior motives, and the cousin constantly causing trouble, Emperor, oh Emperor, you must thank me for this!
That night, while firecrackers continued to sound outside the window, Yanshu almost forgot it was New Year's Eve.
It wasn't until the sky began to lighten that she finally finished writing.
Putting down her brush and yawning, she called out to the people outside.
Rendong entered the room and was shocked to see her still sitting at the table. She hurriedly asked, "Has the mistress been writing until now?"
Yanshu nodded and said, "When it's daylight, find an opportunity to send this stack of papers to Qianming Palace. Say it's a new story I've written and ask His Majesty to take a look."
Rendong complied and tidied up the papers.
Turning around, she saw Yanshu collapse onto the bed and fall into a deep sleep.
Rendong shook her head, thinking to herself that the mistress was going through unnecessary trouble. She was already a favored consort, yet she still thought about writing stories to earn money every day.
Tsk, she was truly a hardworking person.
On New Year's Day, the Emperor was very busy.
At the fifth watch, Yuwen Lan had already washed up and changed clothes, coming to Fengxian Hall to worship the ancestors and deities.
After daybreak, he led the consorts to pay New Year's greetings to the Empress Dowager.
After paying respects to the Empress Dowager, he returned to the palace to change clothes again and attended the New Year's court ceremony.
After the court ceremony, there was the New Year's grand banquet, where the emperor, officials, and royal relatives shared the first feast of the new year.
By the time the grand banquet ended and he returned to Qianming Palace, it was already afternoon.
While changing clothes, he heard Fu Hai report, "By the way, Your Majesty, earlier Consort Li sent over a stack of papers. She said it was a new story she had written and asked for your perusal."
Hmm?
Yuwen Lan was a bit surprised. She had time to write a new story during the New Year?
So he said, "Bring it here."
Fu Hai complied and presented the papers.
Yuwen Lan took them and started reading.
After a while, he realized that this was still the story about the young family master and his cousin that she had told that night.
However, this time she had added some new plot elements, such as the cousin and the beautiful spy having once been lovers and having a child together, and this person using the child to control the beauty;
The family master's adoptive mother had ulterior motives and planned to support someone else...
The scheming cousin had also arranged a stand-in for his own child, attempting to deceive the family master...
Yuwen Lan, "..."
Alright, he understood now. She was trying to remind him of what happened at the New Year's Eve banquet.
And the fresh ink smell on the paper told him that she must have just written this story not long ago.
Actually, after returning to Qianming Palace last night, he had already sent people to Liaodong.
He didn't expect her to worry about him and specially write such a story to remind him.
To think that such a person who loved eating and sleeping would stay up late to write a story, it was truly not easy.
Being an emperor might not be easy, but in that harem, there was a little girl who cared for him.
Yuwen Lan suddenly wanted to go to Ganlu Palace.
But he couldn't.
Because today was New Year's Day, according to custom, he was not allowed to visit the consorts' quarters for three consecutive days.
After pondering for a while, he suddenly called out, "Come here."
Fu Hai hurriedly came before him and said, "This servant is here."
Yuwen Lan said, "Go to Ganlu Palace and send something to Consort Li."
...
Yanshu was also very busy today.
She couldn't sleep in on New Year's Day. As soon as it was dawn, she went with the other consorts to pay New Year's greetings to the Empress Dowager along with the Emperor.
Afterward, there were noble ladies and royal relatives entering the palace to pay New Year's calls, and at noon she attended another New Year's lunch banquet. She had only just returned not long ago.
Having stayed up late the previous night writing her story, she was feeling waves of drowsiness and was about to take a nap when Fu Hai arrived carrying a box.
"This servant wishes Consort Yanshu a happy New Year," Fu Hai said with a smile. "His Majesty has sent me to deliver a treasure to you."
Oh? A treasure?
Yanshu immediately asked curiously, "What kind of treasure?"
Fu Hai carefully opened the box. "Please have a look, Consort."
In an instant, a dazzling light filled the hall.
Yanshu was shocked.
It turned out the box contained a golden bowl.
The bowl was about the size of a palm, exquisitely crafted, and inlaid with red and blue gemstones. It was so bright it could nearly blind someone.
She was stunned for two seconds before remembering to ask, "Why has His Majesty given me this?"
Fu Hai replied, "His Majesty said it's because you wrote your story so well. This is your reward."
A reward?
Yanshu thought for a moment. He must have understood, right? That's why he gave her this, to reward her loyalty?
Haha, excellent! Very good!!!
She quickly called Rendong to receive it, saying delightedly, "Thank His Majesty for his great kindness."
Well, well, that late night certainly wasn't wasted.
Her choice had indeed been correct - writing stories was truly the path to wealth and riches!
...
Not long after, the Emperor saw his head eunuch return to report.
"Your Majesty, the golden bowl has been delivered to Consort Yanshu. She was very pleased," Fu Hai said with a smile.
Yuwen Lan nodded, seeming to envision her beaming face.
For such a money-loving little girl, the way to make her happy was certainly to give her gold, silver, and jewels.
He couldn't help but smile as well, then asked, "Did she say anything else?"
Fu Hai quickly replied, "Consort Yanshu said she thanks Your Majesty for his great kindness, and that this was the most expensive payment she's ever received for her writing."
Payment for her writing?
Yuwen Lan paused.
Had she misunderstood?
For three consecutive days, there were various New Year's banquets and feasts in the palace.
On the third day, the palace held a family reunion banquet for the imperial clan.
As night fell and the lanterns were lit, the palace grounds glowed with brilliant lights.
Tonight's banquet was held to entertain the imperial relatives. In addition to the Emperor and his consorts, there was also the King of Liaodong and his family, the Prince of Pingyi County and his family, the Grand Princess Leping and her husband, and Princess Yuwen Yan and her husband.
To save face for the royal family, the Emperor had given his sister some face, allowing Princess Yuwen Yan to reappear before everyone.
However, Consort Ning was still under confinement, so she was not present at the banquet.
Everyone had thought that after being sent away last time, the Princess would be more low-key today. Unexpectedly, she wore a fiery red fox fur cape over an embroidered satin robe, her hair in a high bun adorned with gold hairpins, pearl combs, and various jeweled accessories - it was almost blinding.
Once everyone had arrived, the banquet began.
As in previous occasions, Yanshu was seated at the same table as Consort Xu today.
She saw that Consort Xu was wearing a crimson brocade jacket today, with her hair also in a high bun, adorned with two multi-jeweled gold hairpins, looking particularly glamorous.
Because of this, Consort Zhou had already thrown several sharp glances her way.
Yanshu, however, felt something wasn't quite right.
Consort Xu had never been so high-profile before.
Could it be that she had been pushed to desperation by Yuwen Hao and was now trying to attract the Emperor's attention?
However, even stranger things were yet to come.
As the second round of drinks was being served and the atmosphere in the hall was at its liveliest with everyone offering toasts, Consort Xu suddenly stood up and came to the center of the hall. She addressed the Emperor, "Your servant has prepared a dance and music performance to respectfully offer to Your Majesty."
As her words fell, everyone paused.
Although it wasn't unusual for consorts to dance for the Emperor, it was always done when there were no outsiders present.
Tonight, there were quite a few outsiders.
However, the Emperor on his throne did not refuse, and actually nodded, saying, "Granted."
Consort Xu acknowledged and summoned musicians to accompany her as she began to dance in the hall.
Seeing this, the eyes of Consort Zhou, Consort An, and others were almost murderous.
The Princess also cast a look of contemptuous mockery.
Was this woman willing to discard even her dignity in order to compete for favor?
In the entire hall, only Yanshu felt something was amiss.
Consort Xu was no brainless cannon fodder.
She was a spy with a very strong psyche!
Was she planning to do something with this move?
Yanshu quietly called out to her system, [Why is Consort Xu coming out to show off at this kind of banquet with outsiders present? Is she dancing for Yuwen Hao to see?]
The system replied, [Because she plans to assassinate the Emperor.]
