Chapter 225: Entering the Palace

Chapter 225: Entering the Palace

"Yunwan, I'll go with you to see your mother and brother first, then take Qi Zaijun to the palace to meet the Emperor and Empress."

Qi Lingheng knew Lin Yunwan was anxious.

As the ship neared the capital, she became restless, unable to sleep or eat properly.

She must be deeply concerned about her family.

Lin Yunwan shook her head, "That won't do. Let's not rush. We should first pay our respects to the Emperor upon entering the palace."

Their return to the capital was closely watched by many even before they disembarked.

Knowing her cautious nature, Qi Lingheng didn't insist.

Qi Zaijun, seasick, had been vomiting for several days and fell asleep as soon as they reached their residence.

The palace had already sent people to help arrange their old residence and also to convey messages in advance.

After resting for a night, the couple, along with a yawning Qi Zaijun, went to the palace to meet Emperor Jingshun and Empress Zhao.

"My son."

"My daughter-in-law."

"Accompanied by the imperial grandson, Qi Zaijun, we come to pay respects to the Emperor and the Empress."

The couple, dressed in their finest, entered the palace with Qi Zaijun, bowing deeply in the hall.

The Emperor and Empress on the throne remained silent for a long time.

Lin Yunwan faintly heard a suppressed sound of weeping.

It sounded like the Empress's voice.

But Emperor Jingshun remained silent, evidently troubled inside.

Emperor Jingshun said softly, "Rise."

He instructed the eunuch, "Provide seats."

Empress Zhao, unable to wait, hurriedly said as the couple stood up, "Quickly bring the imperial grandson over for me to have a closer look!"

The chief eunuch bent down, smiling as he approached Qi Zaijun, saying, "Young master, come with me to meet your imperial great-grandmother."

Qi Zaijun looked curiously at the splendidly decorated grand hall.

He then gazed at the two elder figures seated high in the distance, resembling great Buddha statues.

He asked inquisitively, "Mother, are they deities?"

Lin Yunwan, lowering her head, glanced at him and said, "...They are your imperial great-grandfather and great-grandmother."

But their status was so exalted and they looked so imposing, akin to the gilded statues he had seen in temples.

Qi Lingheng patted his son's head, squinting and saying, "Your imperial great-grandmother wants to meet you, why don't you go?"

Qi Zaijun hesitated.

At home, he was bold and unruly, but in the unfamiliar palace, he felt a bit scared.

Empress Zhao, clutching her sleeves to contain her joy, smiled and said, "Jun'er, come to your imperial great-grandmother."

Emperor Jingshun, with a more imposing demeanor, said, "Qi Zaijun, your imperial great-grandmother is speaking to you. Did you hear? How were you taught manners at home?"

Lin Yunwan lowered her head further.

If the imperial grandson lacked proper manners, it was the mother's fault.

Empress Zhao intervened on her behalf: "The child is still so young, and it's pitiful he had to grow up enduring hardships outside. Learning manners can come gradually."

Emperor Jingshun gave a contented 'hmm'.

He beckoned, "Qi Zaijun, come to me."

His heart swelled with joy.

The boy resembled his own son at a young age, especially those black eyes shimmering with starlight.

Qi Zaijun ran over.

Remembering the manners his mother taught, he didn't rush to climb onto Emperor Jingshun's lap but knelt and performed a grand salute, "Imperial Grandson Qi Zaijun greets the Imperial Great-Grandfather and Great-Grandmother. Wishing you endless blessings, prosperity, and health."

Emperor Jingshun laughed heartily, "You certainly have a way with words."

He personally bent down, scooped up his grandson, and placed him on his lap.

Qi Zaijun felt suddenly taller.

A bit frightened, he clung tightly to Emperor Jingshun's arm.

Once settled, Qi Zaijun explained on behalf of his mother, "Imperial Great-Grandfather, my mother has taught me manners; I just didn't recall them earlier."

Emperor Jingshun teased him, "Remembered them now, have you?"

Qi Zaijun nodded, "I remember now."

So nobody could blame his mother.

Empress Zhao, looking on with longing, said, "Let me hold the child."

Emperor Jingshun was reluctant to let go, but knowing the Empress had also longed to see her grandchild, he passed the child to her.

Empress Zhao carefully scrutinized her grandson, growing fonder by the moment, and burst into laughter in the grand hall.

Qi Zaijun, amused, clung to her arm and asked with a smile, "Imperial Great-Grandmother, what makes you laugh?"

"I'm laughing at your mischief. You've only just returned to the capital, making your imperial great-grandmother worry so much!"

Qi Zaijun simply laughed in Empress Zhao's embrace.

"Summon the attendants, prepare a banquet in the Kunning Palace."

Emperor Jingshun, having longed for this day, invited Qi Lingheng and Lin Yunwan to lunch in the Kunning Palace.

Being in the Empress's palace, the meal was less formal, featuring both visually appealing and many edible dishes.

Adults might not eat much, but children can't go hungry.

Emperor Jingshun had the Imperial Kitchen prepare eighteen dishes suitable for children.

The imperial meal was enjoyed in a harmonious atmosphere.

After the meal, they moved to the warm pavilion for conversation.

As the Huan King and his consort, they couldn't stay overnight in the palace without reason, but Empress Zhao and Emperor Jingshun were reluctant to part with their grandson, seeing it was getting late, and unwilling to let them go.

Qi Lingheng, noticing his son dozing off, reminded Empress Zhao, "Mother, Jun'er is getting sleepy. Perhaps you could hand him over to the wet nurse."

Empress Zhao was reluctant to let go.

Emperor Jingshun pretended not to hear.

Lin Yunwan suggested, "Father, Mother, Jun'er is particular about his bed. Do you have a soft quilt here? We could layer a few for him to sleep comfortably."

"Of course. There are ready ones on the beds in my chambers."

Empress Zhao personally carried Qi Zaijun to bed.

Now that he was sleeping in her chamber, why not stay until the morning? It would spare the child the trouble of moving.

That's what she thought, exchanging a glance with Emperor Jingshun.

Emperor Jingshun, too, gazed fondly at his grandson, a smile still on his face.

Lin Yunwan discreetly tugged at Qi Lingheng's sleeve, signaling it was time for them to leave.

She whispered, "Let's leave Jun'er's wet nurse here with him."

Qi Zaijun nodded and went to bid farewell to the Emperor and Empress.

Upon hearing their grandson would stay, Emperor Jingshun and Empress Zhao had eyes only for him, forgetting their son.

Emperor Jingshun smiled, "It is indeed late. You both must be tired from the journey. Go back and rest well for a few days."

"Your son takes his leave."

"Your daughter-in-law takes her leave."

Lin Yunwan and Qi Lingheng left the palace together, boarding their carriage to return home.

Qi Lingheng, not wanting her to worry, held her hand and said, "The Emperor and Empress are just fond of Jun'er. He'll be sent back in a few days."

Lin Yunwan wasn't worried about this at all.

She laughed, "That little troublemaker, I'm actually glad he's going to give someone else a hard time."

Taking care of their son every day was exhausting for her.

Waking up to "Mother, Mother" every morning, there were times she wished she could silence Qi Zaijun.

Now, finally having a few quiet days, she couldn't ask for more.

Qi Lingheng chuckled softly, "The little troublemaker isn't here..."

With their son away, there were many things they, as a couple, didn't need to shy away from.

The next day, Lin Yunwan and Qi Lingheng woke up quite late.

As Cuiqin came in to assist Lin Yunwan with her dressing, she said, "Someone from the palace is here."

"When did they arrive?"

"They've been here for about an hour."

Lin Yunwan felt a bit anxious, "Why didn't you wake me up?"

Cuiqin smiled, "The eunuch said there's no need to disturb you and the King. He just came on behalf of the Emperor to present some gifts and convey a message."

They had just arrived in the capital, and already there were more gifts?

After changing into her formal attire, Lin Yunwan, accompanied by Qi Lingheng, went to receive the imperial edict.

The Chief Eunuch, with a smile, said, "The young prince is greatly favored by the Emperor and Empress. They wish for him to stay a few more days and have sent me to inform you so that the prince and princess need not worry."

Lin Yunwan was not worried.

She asked in surprise, "The Crown Prince?"

A prince's son is not born a crown prince; such a title is only conferred and recorded in the imperial register.

The Chief Eunuch congratulated them, "Congratulations to the princess and prince. The Emperor intends to confer the title of Crown Prince upon the young master. I am here to deliver the news in advance."

Lin Yunwan felt a mix of honor and astonishment.

She gracefully saw off the Chief Eunuch.

Qi Lingheng, seeing her deep in thought, sat down to drink tea and gently laughed, asking, "Are you not worried anymore?"

This was Lin Yunwan's first meeting with the 'uncle' and the supreme ruler of the realm.

It was inevitable that she would be under close scrutiny.

The Emperor and Empress didn't say much yesterday, but she knew they had formed their opinions.

Judging by their current attitude, they seemed to be satisfied with her.

Lin Yunwan smiled faintly, "Thanks to Your Highness's blessing."

Qi Lingheng slowly said, "Thanks to our son's blessing."

In the Kun Ning Palace, Empress Zhao and Qi Zaijun were having a great time.

The Empress neglected visiting concubines, preferring to dote on her grandson in the palace daily.

Qi Zaijun was very cooperative, "Fun to play with, tasty to eat, Great-Grandmother, can I keep some of these for Mother?"

"Of course, you can."

Empress Zhao replied with a smile.

After finishing his court duties, Emperor Jingshun headed straight to Kun Ning Palace, not visiting anywhere else.

However, he arrived late, and Qi Zaijun had already fallen asleep.

Standing by the bed, the Emperor and Empress admired their grandson's adorable appearance. Hand in hand, they stepped out, and Empress Zhao remarked, "Jun'er resembles his mother."

"I think he looks more like Lingheng," the Emperor disagreed.

The two playfully argued over this matter.

Finally, Emperor Jingshun suddenly said, "I feel that Jun'er's mother... looks somewhat familiar."

Empress Zhao agreed, "His Majesty mentioned it, and I too find Jun'er’s mother very pleasant."

She praised, "Lady Lin is dignified, and dignified people have a dignified appearance. It’s quite common among the daughters of the capital, nothing unusual."

Emperor Jingshun nodded in agreement.