Chapter 0222: Continuing

Chapter 0222: Continuing

Upon returning to their seats, everyone looked on with envy.

Especially since He Jinli specifically offered Yun Li fruit to eat.

Although everyone had fruit on their tables, it seemed different coming from the Emperor's hand.

Yun Li smiled sweetly at He Jinli, making the consorts and concubines almost unable to maintain their composure.

The newcomers had only heard of her favor but didn't know the extent of it.

Now, having seen it, they understood.

The royal family and the officials' families also recognized that this Lady Xiu Yi was not the same as the former Noble Consort.

After that incident, the Jiang family has hardly made public appearances.

So even though the Empress Dowager invited many officials' families, the Jiang family was not among them.

The Empress Dowager certainly wouldn't intentionally exclude her, but she herself wouldn't attend. Qi Tongxi also wouldn't ask her to.

Thus, no one from the Qi family attended.

But the events of today will surely be conveyed to the Qi family.

Such is the way of the world.

People may dislike falsehood, but sometimes falsehood is practical.

When surrounded by splendor, whatever you do seems easy. People naturally give you face.

But if you're already struggling, how many will stand by you?

The Qi family may not be in dire straits, as Qi Tongxi still holds a first-rank position with real power.

However, in terms of the women's side, they've lost their dominance.

This aspect should not be underestimated, as gatherings among women often carry a wealth of information.

By showing off her favor today, Yun Li ensures that the Qi family women will be invited to future gatherings of noble families in the capital.

The main branch may be confined, but there are still the second and fourth branches.

Overall, it also paves the way for the Qi family women.

In this era, a clan's survival isn't ensured by just one Qi Tongxi.

As the younger generation grows, a supportive marriage network is essential.

This is what is meant by shared glory and shared loss.

Yun Li resents her family for forcing her, but logically, she wouldn't wish for the Qi family's downfall.

The Qi family must not only avoid collapse but also cannot depend on just one person.

Relying solely on anyone is not feasible.

They must be able to stand on their own.

After the play, the Emperor and Empress supported the Empress Dowager back to the palace.

People outside also gradually left, and Yun Li returned to Yu Qu Palace.

Wu Zhao Rong and Consort Min walked together: "Look at her, so pleased with herself."

"Why do you always have to be at odds with her?" Consort Min was also helpless.

"No, can't I even make a comment without provoking her?" Wu Zhao Rong said.

"There you have it. You know she's formidable. We're just barely getting by these days, why bother?" Consort Min spoke earnestly.

Wu Zhao Rong fell silent.

In Ci'an Palace, the Empress Dowager was removing her makeup. She indeed didn't look very old, but to say she wasn't aging at all would be untrue.

Now, white hairs were appearing, though not many yet.

"Did you see? I've never seen the Emperor wear such a thing before. He's really favoring Qiong Xiu Yi now."

"This servant saw," Fan Gugu slowly combed the Empress Dowager's hair. "What does favor amount to? How did he dote on others before? And what came of it? Consort Lan suffered so much and only conceived at her age now."

In Fan Gugu's view, even if Consort Lan bore a prince, she had lost her early advantage.

"And that Li Bao Lin, what's become of her face."

The Empress Dowager gently shook her head: "Still, we shouldn't underestimate them. The Emperor never indulged them like this before."

"Your Majesty, don't overthink it. After all, His Majesty isn't in his teens anymore. As a man gets older, he's likely to be more doting than before. In His Majesty's eyes, Qiong Xiu Yi might have had a child, but isn't she still a young consort? Plus, she knows how to act coquettishly, endearing herself to His Majesty. Now, what else can the Qi family do but remain loyal? Seeing all this, it's understandable that His Majesty has a soft spot for her."

The Empress Dowager nodded: "You're right. But Late Yi's temperament, not knowing how to act coquettishly, she's bound to be at a disadvantage."

Late Yi is Lin Late Yi, indeed Ning Xiu Yuan.

"Each has their own merits. Qiong Xiu Yi can't rely on acting coquettishly forever. As she ages, would it still be seemly to behave like that?"

As the master and servant were talking, He Jinli went to Yu Qu Palace.

Before leaving, he had just come from the Empress Dowager's place. He took off the jasmine flower bracelet and handed it to Meng Chang: "Have someone store this away."

Meng Chang caught it, holding it carefully: "Yes."

Can this even be preserved? Dry it? Meng Chang pondered sadly.

Yun Li had already known he would come today, and of course, his absence wouldn’t have been a loss either.

She changed into a lake-green gauze dress, with a long hem and wide sleeves. Her hair was styled into a simple serpent bun, adorned with a few silver ornaments.

Around her neck, she wore the pearl necklace he had given her before. Each pearl was as big as a thumb, glowing lustrously in the moonlight.

It made her collarbones look exceptionally beautiful.

She also applied silver powder on her collarbones.

And with silver powder mixed with face cream, she drew a crescent moon on her forehead.

In the moonlit night, she was the embodiment of a fairy from the Moon Palace.

He Jinli couldn't help but be astounded.

By day, she was a beautiful apricot fairy, both beautiful and enchanting.

At night, she transforms into a serene moon fairy.

He Jinli reached out, holding her hand and lifting her chin to gaze at her full lips and beautiful cheeks: "Yun'er's beauty is truly a gift from heaven."

"Your Majesty, I do not like that remark. My beauty is my own doing," Yun Li lightly glanced at He Jinli.

"Beauty comes from within. My heart is beautiful, thus my appearance is beautiful. Your Majesty likes what you see. If my heart were dark and malicious, then Your Majesty would only admire from a distance, unable to get close."

He Jinli laughed: "You do have some peculiar logic."

"Peculiar or not, it's still logic. Have I convinced Your Majesty?" Yun Li asked on tiptoe.

He Jinli looked down at her: "No, I still believe your beauty is bestowed by the heavens."

Yun Li rolled her eyes at He Jinli.

He Jinli laughed and led her by the hand into the room.

There's truth in the saying beauty comes from within, but a person's innate appearance rarely changes significantly due to external factors.

The couple first went to check on the child.

The Ninth Prince was also asleep, but as soon as Yun Li touched him, he began to fuss.

The wet nurse quickly explained: "Your Highness, the Ninth Prince was about to wake up for his feeding."

Yun Li nodded, and the wet nurse picked up the child, who soon opened his eyes.

His pure eyes looked around, but such a young child does not recognize people yet.

She let the wet nurse hold him.

Yun Li took the opportunity before feeding to hold her little darling: "Little Ninth, let mommy hold you."

He Jinli didn't comment on her self-address.

Yun Li kissed him, then brought the child closer to He Jinli: "Little Ninth, look at your daddy, isn't he handsome?"

He Jinli reached out, touched his son's head gently without speaking, but his eyes were very tender.

After the wet nurse took him for feeding, the couple returned to the main hall.