Chapter 250

Chapter 0250: Analyzing the Heart

After all, consorts who dare to argue with the Emperor are truly rare.

In their minds, if you offend the Emperor, shouldn't you be smiling apologetically upon your next meeting? Shouldn't you admit your mistake?

But this one, how dare she still stand firm?

It's as if she not only refuses to admit her wrongdoing but also acts as if she's ignoring him. It's almost as if the Emperor is the one at fault.

The Empress Dowager noticed this, but she didn't say anything.

The more Yunli acted this way, the more He Jinli felt intrigued.

So, a while after the banquet started, he ordered a dish of jade bamboo shoots to be given to Yunli: "This is to cool the temper, for Consort Qing."

Yunli stood up, her gaze lowered: "This consort thanks His Majesty for the gift."

After speaking, she sat down, still not looking at He Jinli.

He Jinli wanted to laugh but restrained himself.

Consort Lan laughed: "Oh, Your Majesty, how can you be so partial? Always thinking of Consort Qing."

Consort Jin teased: "Is it because you see that Consort Qing is fiery, or perhaps you are too?"

Consort Lan laughed: "That's certainly not the case."

He Jinli glanced at her, not reprimanding but clearly not interested in continuing the conversation.

This made Consort Lan quite uncomfortable.

The family dinner passed without incident.

Though the Empress couldn't attend, both the Grand Princess and the Fourth Prince were present.

He Jinli also gave them gifts.

Undoubtedly, He Jinli is very fond of the Grand Princess, showering her with gifts from a young age.

But towards the Fourth Prince, he feels both heartache and helplessness.

The child's frailty not only pains him but also brings disappointment.

Profound disappointment.

After all, if he were healthy, He Jinli could have groomed him to be a suitable Crown Prince.

Now, seeing his robust illegitimate sons compared to his legitimate but frail son who can't even sit up straight, his inner turmoil is evident.

In this palace, those in high positions always have their uses.

The Fourth Prince is unable to bear such responsibility.

Thus, He Jinli has no choice but to turn his attention to other princes.

No one knows how much the Emperor pondered during a family dinner, but the Fourth Prince's disappointing condition is indeed worrying.

After the dinner, He Jinli did not rush to visit Yunli.

Going today would seem too deliberate.

Yunli was aware of this, so she went to bed early.

The next morning, an imperial decree arrived, bestowing names upon the princes.

After all, it had been so long since the eldest prince had passed, and the other princes were still nameless. So, a few days ago, He Jinli had confirmed the princes' names with the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

He Jinli prefixed the princes' names with "Ji," symbolizing the land and grain of the state.

The Second Prince was named He Jixing.

The Third Prince was named He Jikang.

The fourth prince was named He Ji Cheng.

The fifth prince was named He Ji Rui.

The sixth prince was named He Ji Yu.

The seventh prince was named He Ji Qi.

The ninth prince was named He Ji Heng.

The tenth prince was named He Ji Xu.

The princesses have not been named yet. However, once they grow up, they all receive titles. Throughout history, it has not been uncommon for princesses to be nameless.

It's not unusual at all.

Yun Li recited her children's names, "Heng signifies the pendant of the Plough constellation, which is very good. This name sounds quite pleasing."

"Congratulations to the ninth prince, congratulations to Your Highness," everyone said.

Yun Li gestured for people to stand up, "You all shall be rewarded."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"Just by looking at the names, they all seem to carry auspicious and fortunate meanings. However, I fear that in the eyes of others, there will still be comparisons made. Lady Lan Xian and Lady Ning Xiu probably won't be too pleased."

Compared to the name of the fourth prince, their children's names seem much more mundane.

The fourth prince is He Ji Cheng, "Cheng" meaning to inherit and to carry forward.

But the blessings of "Kang" for the second prince and "Rui" for the fifth prince seem like simple wishes.

Too simple, indeed.

It's hard to say whether He Jin Li did it on purpose.

Yun Li lightly scratched the golden thread embroidery on the back of the imperial edict, "Tsk, all the princes have their names now."

The real struggle has begun.

He Jin Li came over on the evening of the fourth day.

Yun Li stepped forward to greet him, her every move was meticulous, embodying the demeanor expected of a consort in the palace.

Very beautiful, yet also carrying a chill.

He Jin Li smiled, gesturing for others to leave, "What? Has my beloved consort not calmed down yet?"

Yun Li softly said, "This consort is not angry."

"Oh? If you're not angry, then why do you look like this?" He Jin Li lifted her chin.

Yun Li slapped his hand away, glaring fiercely at him before turning her head aside.

He Jin Li, looking at his hand turned red from the slap, laughed again, "Tsk, why such a temper?"

"That day, I merely asked you a question, and you responded by lashing out and throwing things. Do you think you're in the right?" He Jin Li reached out to straighten her turned head.

He had expected to see Yun Li embarrassed, ashamed, or even sad.

Instead, what he saw was impatience.

"What kind of expression is that?" He Jin Li was genuinely puzzled.

"It's an 'I don't want to deal with you' expression. You are heartless. As an emperor, it's natural to think more broadly, and it's unreasonable to expect genuine feelings towards concubines. But you should be clear about how I've been towards you over the years. It's too hurtful. Today, Your Majesty remembers me, but who knows what might make you doubt me in the future? This back and forth has truly frightened me."

"When have I ever doubted you? It was just a casual question, and you're the one with the temper, refusing to back down." He Jin Li shook his head, chuckling, "Alright, I apologize. I haven't apologized to anyone before."

"I don't want it. Since Your Majesty has never done so before, this first apology you give me, I'll remember. But in the future, if you find me displeasing in any way, I won't be able to avoid the white silk and poison." Yun Li huffed.

But He Jin Li clearly saw her soften.

"You, I've never met a woman with a temper bigger than yours. White silk and poison? Even if there were any faults, would I order your death?" He Jin Li laughed and embraced her, "There, I've apologized, and it wouldn't be good to stay angry now."

Yun Li snorted, "I don't care for your apology, and I'll speak plainly. I have never coveted the position of Empress. Yes, with my family background, should anything happen to the Empress, I naturally qualify for the position."

Yun Li said this with conviction.

"But I don't care for it. If I say I don't care, then I don't. Even if something happens to the Empress in the future, I say I won't compete, and I won't. I won't go back on my word."

"However, if the Empress's son becomes the Crown Prince, I have nothing to say and will naturally instruct the ninth prince to dutifully serve the Crown Prince. But if there's a fair competition among the princes, based on talent and wisdom, then my child is second to none. I teach him to be sincere to his siblings, not to engage in underhanded deeds or schemes. But I will never say my child is unqualified."

"I speak openly today. The palace has its ways, desiring something inwardly but outwardly rejecting it. I know how to play that game too, but I've never wanted to deceive you. If you believe me, I'm honored. If not, there's nothing I can do. Time will tell by my actions."