Chapter 309

Chapter 309: The Crown Prince's Birthday

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, another event in the palace was the Crown Prince's birthday.

The Crown Prince's birthday falls on the Double Ninth Festival in September, but ever since the year he was born, the day has been marked by unfortunate events.

That year, a dancer from Yuefu assassinated the Emperor and revealed his true identity.

The same year, the Empress was so frightened that she gave birth prematurely to the frail Crown Prince.

It was also the year when the Zhang family deceived the Emperor under the guise of saving him.

Hence, no one has mentioned the Double Ninth Festival for years, but the Crown Prince's birthday awkwardly remains on this date.

Although it has been overlooked in the past, this year he turned ten, and a celebration was deemed necessary.

Especially now that he is not just any prince but the Crown Prince.

Therefore, the palace had no choice but to prepare for this event, even though it felt somewhat... eerie to everyone.

It's an eerie feeling of uncertainty whether to be happy or not.

"The Emperor rejected the Empress's suggestion for the Crown Prince to marry at sixteen. I wonder if the Empress is anxious now?" Zhu Ding said with a laugh.

"Anxious or not, it's futile. The Emperor has made his intentions clear. It's likely just wishful thinking on the Empress's part," Yun Li shook her head.

"Indeed, even though the Crown Prince has improved, he still spends several months a year unable to rise. In a few years, the ministers might question his ability to continue the lineage," Zhu Ding commented.

Yun Li smiled, implying that would only worsen the situation.

Zhu Ding also forced a smile: "Compared to the Crown Prince, the Fifth and Sixth Princes are only one or two years younger and will soon be ready to step forward."

Yun Li stood up, "I'm looking forward to that day."

What's wrong with having other princes set a precedent?

"The Empress has spread rumors about Consort Jin. What do you think she will do in response?" Yun Li asked.

"We don't know, but given her nature, she definitely won't sit by idly," Zhu Ding said.

Such rumors are unsavory, and even if the Empress steps in to quell them, repeating them only causes harm.

"Ensure close attention to the Ninth Prince during the Crown Prince's birthday banquet, and monitor everyone's attire and jewelry. The Crown Prince is sensitive to flower scents and pollen. No one should use perfumed powders that day," Yun Li instructed.

"Yes, I'll spread the word right away," Zhu Yu said.

"My lady, do you mean she might..." Zhu Ding frowned.

"I don't know, but isn't this an opportunity?" Yun Li said.

"Shouldn't you inform His Majesty to be cautious?" Zhu Ding suggested.

"Why bother with baseless concerns?" Yun Li waved off: "Just be vigilant."

"Yes, I shall take my leave," Zhu Ding bowed and exited.

After a while, Lu Wei entered: "My lady, I have returned."

"Did you deliver everything?" Yun Li asked.

"Yes, the Embroidery Department is very busy, but since it's for our prince, they accepted the task eagerly. They assure it'll be ready in three days," Lu Wei said.

Yun Li nodded: "Busy with the Crown Prince's clothes? Doesn't the Crown Prince have his own tailor?"

"My lady, I inquired about it. It's not for the Crown Prince; he has his own tailor. They are busy with the clothes for other princes, princesses, Yongkang Marquis, and Princess Mingzhu. The Empress Dowager instructed to prepare all clothes for Yongkang Marquis and Princess Mingzhu for this year, urgently. Especially for the princess, everything inside and out must be new; it seems they will be busy for a while," Lu Wei explained.

Yun Li raised her eyebrows, indicating she understood.

Is the Empress Dowager trying to compensate her grandchildren excessively after losing her daughter?

Well, the Empress Dowager is just that, her compensations are her own to make, not a burden. Just hope these children don't end up spoiled by her indulgence.

Three days later, the clothes for the Ninth Prince's banquet were delivered.

There were three sets, in case he got wet or dirty and needed to change.

The Ninth Prince tried them on and then stored them away, waiting for the banquet.

On the day of the Double Ninth Festival, many attended the birthday banquet: court officials and their families, along with royal relatives.

With so many guests, it was held in the Zhengyang Palace.

The Crown Prince wore a dark robe with red edges and a dragon design, though his dragon robe's claws and embroidery naturally differed from the Emperor's.

With a golden crown and his hair tied up, he looked frail but seemed to have grown.

However, looking at the other princes, each was vibrant and stood tall. Even the youngest, the Eleventh Prince, though unsteady, appeared lively.

After everyone took their seats following the greetings, since it was the Crown Prince's first full-age birthday celebration, he naturally took center stage.

Yun Li paid close attention throughout, sensing something might happen today, but she didn't expect it to unfold so suddenly and intensely.

The princes offered toasts, and though the Crown Prince certainly couldn't drink alcohol, they used water as a substitute.

The Second Prince led the toasts, approaching to show his respect. This was nothing unusual.

Then, the Third Prince followed suit, approaching the Crown Prince with a smile: "Wishing the Crown Prince health and wellness."

This comment seemed to strike directly at the Crown Prince's vulnerabilities.

Nonetheless, the Crown Prince smiled and drank.

The Third Prince extended his sleeve: "What's this on Your Highness's shoulder?"

He quickly reached over, patted a few times, then stepped back: "Just a feather."

The Crown Prince smiled: "Thank you, third brother."

The Third Prince then returned to his seat.

Initially, no one paid much attention to this episode, or perhaps... someone noticed but remained silent.

At first, indeed, there seemed to be no issue.

However, as the younger members of the royal family began to offer their toasts, the Crown Prince started feeling unwell.

First, he struggled to breathe smoothly but didn't say anything, merely enduring it.

After managing through the toasts from everyone, the Yue Mansion's singers and dancers took the stage. The Crown Prince wanted to cough but had been holding it in.

Finally, halfway through the performance, he couldn't hold it in any longer.

Once the first cough was released, the subsequent ones couldn't be suppressed.

It started with coughing, and by the time the Empress rose anxiously to approach, the Crown Prince was already pulling at his clothes, struggling to breathe.

Chaos ensued among the attendees.

Emperor Hejin urgently called for the Crown Prince to be supported to rest in the back and summoned the imperial physician.

With such a disturbance, the banquet naturally dissolved.

It was said the Crown Prince just inhaled too much pollen, triggering his asthma, but would recover with rest.

Thus, the guests dispersed for the time being.

After learning her son was alright, the Empress didn't stay by his side but instead confronted the Third Prince: "You disaster, what have you done?"

The Third Prince clenched his teeth and remained silent.

Emperor Hejin also looked over: "What have you done?"

"I didn't do much, just sprinkled a handful of pollen on my sleeve," the Third Prince said.

Emperor Hejin and the Empress were shocked, the latter exclaiming: "You... you... are you rebelling?"

"Why so nervous, Father? The Crown Prince is so frail, he should not be the heir. Can a sickly person be Crown Prince? Does he deserve it? And you, Empress, so malicious, fit to be an Empress? You, to undermine my mother, falsely accused her, causing her death. You vile woman, you don't deserve to be Empress." The Third Prince glared at Yun Li: "And you, you wretch, will eventually meet a gruesome end!"

"You!" The Empress pointed at him: "Have you lost your mind?"

[Owed once more]