Chapter 264

Chapter 0263: Child's Innocence

"And her relationship with the Empress, from being enemies to now the most trusted consort. What did she give? Merely visiting the Empress when she was gravely injured and everyone thought she was finished," the Dowager Empress shook her head with a smile: "Truly clever."

"These years, she's been wholeheartedly supporting the Empress, endearing herself as one of her own. How much of the past hatred does the Empress remember? Now with Qi Tongxi actively supporting the Fourth Prince as Crown Prince, how much of the Xie family's grudges remain?"

"Your Majesty is absolutely right; we've underestimated them," Nanny Fan mused.

"Gracious to the Empress, charming to the Emperor. Consort Qiong is not to be underestimated," the Dowager Empress sighed deeply.

"Your Majesty, I will make sure she is closely watched," Nanny Fan promised.

The Dowager Empress nodded: "When dealing with clever people, don't act rashly. We must find the right opportunity to strike decisively."

"Understood," Nanny Fan replied solemnly.

The appointed day arrived quickly.

The frail Crown Prince somehow managed to endure the day's ceremonies. It seems minimalism was the right choice.

Otherwise, he might not have lasted, especially in the summer heat.

Normally, he's okay, but the heat makes him prone to heatstroke.

Even so, someone was on standby with ginseng slices, just in case he couldn't hold up.

He Jinli looked at the Crown Prince kneeling before him to receive the gold seal, his face pale with a tinge of blue, and felt a wave of frustration.

How much better would it be if the child wasn't like this?

But the child is not only physically weak; his temperament is also delicate due to his frailty.

He struggles to keep up with his studies, showing none of the stature expected of a legitimate heir to the central palace.

Yet, He Jinli personally helped him up, offering encouragement and reassurance.

Proclaiming to the officials, the Chongzheng era of Great Jin now had a Crown Prince.

That night, during the grand banquet for the officials, the Crown Prince couldn't hold up and nearly fainted, so he was sent back to the Fengyi Palace first.

In contrast, the other princes were all lively and spirited.

The irony of this contrast was stark.

But the Empress had no time to dwell on it.

The Xie family couldn't be concerned anymore.

After retiring, General Xie returned to the capital for rest, and naturally, he also came to the palace for the banquet.

Even though both the central palace and the Xie family know the Crown Prince's health is poor and his position unstable, he was still publicly declared the Crown Prince, so how could they not be pleased?

The Ninth Prince came running: "Mommy, mommy."

"Hmm? I've taught you, in such settings, you should call me 'Mother Consort'." Yunli patted his head.

"Oh, Mother Consort," the Ninth Prince corrected himself.

"Yes, what is it?" Yunli looked at him.

"Mother Consort, is Fourth Brother the Crown Prince now?" The Ninth Prince's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, audible to Yunli, Consort Wu Zhaorong, Ning Xiuyuan, and nearby Consort Shu and Consort Min.

And also to some attending servants.

"Yes, from now on, your Fourth Brother is the Crown Prince, and you must know your manners when you see His Highness," Yunli said.

"Oh, but why? I want to be one too," the Ninth Prince pouted, unhappy.

His words brought a hush over the surroundings.

Noise can spread, and so can silence.

This silence made the Ninth Prince's subsequent words even clearer: "We're all Father Emperor's children, has Father Emperor stopped loving me? Why can only Fourth Brother be Crown Prince?"

The expressions of those present were nuanced, their gazes immediately turning to Yunli.

Yunli smiled: "My apologies for disturbing everyone's enjoyment."

She smiled and beckoned her child over: "How has your Father Emperor not loved you? Your Fourth Brother is your Mother Empress's child. He is the legitimate son of the central palace, of distinguished status, born to be Crown Prince."

"Also, let me tell you a secret, being Crown Prince is very hard work. You have to start studying at dawn, without break for summer or winter. Meals are supervised, and you can't just eat whatever you like anymore. No playing every day, and you can't kick your favorite ball. After your Fourth Brother gets married, he'll have to attend court, just like your Father Emperor, never getting enough sleep."

"Ah? That sounds awful? Then I don't want it," the Ninth Prince shook his head.

"You mustn't say such things in the future, remember, you and your brothers are all loved the same by your Father Emperor. But your Fourth Brother is different. He is the legitimate son. He has responsibilities on his shoulders. Understood?" Yunli said with a smile.

The Ninth Prince nodded, half understanding.

Yunli then stood up with a smile: "Forgive me, Your Majesty the Empress, for not teaching my child well."

"My consort, how have you not taught well? In my view, you've done extremely well," He Jinli laughed: "Come, reward Consort Qiong. I recall there's a pearl coronet? Give that to Consort Qiong."

"I thank Your Majesty deeply," Yunli bowed.

"Sister, you are too polite. The Ninth Prince is just a child; children say the darndest things, I found it quite endearing," the Empress laughed: "Such a clever child. The Dowager Empress must also reward you, I'll have someone select something nice for you tomorrow, how about that?"

The Ninth Prince stepped forward, surprised: "Son thanks the Dowager Empress for her generosity."

"Hmm, very well-behaved," the Empress said with a loving smile.

A potential disaster was averted effortlessly.

Those hoping for a spectacle had to stand down.

This was a grand banquet, attended by all officials.

Though some are bound to submit impeaching petitions tomorrow, as the censors find discomfort in silence.

Yet, Consort Qiong's graceful handling far outshone any act of kneeling for forgiveness.

By simply leading the Ninth Prince to express his disinterest, she showcased a sophistication far beyond reprimand.

After all, it portrayed the Ninth Prince as naive, utterly unaware of the Crown Prince's responsibilities.

The pearl coronet mentioned by He Jinli was not just adorned with pearls,

but also ivory and shell.

The entire coronet was stunningly beautiful, with shell beads turned jade-like. Likely to avoid plainness, pink quartz beads were interspersed among the pearls.

Thus, it wasn't just simple but elegantly so.

Exceedingly refined, marking it as a significant treasure by today's standards.

Receiving it, Yunli couldn't deny its value, a potent symbol of status and favor.

The banquet continued late into the night before concluding.

The night passed without incident, with the Emperor naturally staying with the Empress.

The next morning, the Empress conveyed that due to the previous day's fatigue, her sisters need not pay respects today, suggesting they rest well instead.

Consequently, Yunli woke up later than usual.

After breakfast, she asked the Ninth Prince, "Who told you to say what you did yesterday?"

The five-year-old child still remembered the events of the previous day clearly.

"It was Third Brother. He said since Fourth Brother became Crown Prince, the Crown Prince is the best," the Ninth Prince thought for a moment before adding, "He mentioned Father Emperor loves me the most, so I should be the Crown Prince. But I'm not, so Mother, does Father Emperor love me the most?"

Yunli sighed internally at her son's innocence.

"Your Father Emperor loves you the most, but we can't say that out loud. It would upset your brothers since they are also your Father Emperor's children."

The Ninth Prince nodded happily: "Mhm."

"Also, such words as yesterday's should not be mentioned again. Haven't I taught you to be well-mannered from early on? You'll be starting school next year; you need to be more sensible."