Chapter 386 – A Unique Birthday Gift

Chapter 386 - A Unique Birthday Gift

If the Empress had any requests, he could consider fulfilling them.

"The Empress has no other desires. Just one thing: I am a princess from an external tribe. If our daughter is ever despised by her in-laws, even if they appear respectful, I will not tolerate it," the Empress declared firmly.

"No one would dare to look down on my daughter. You have my word," said Emperor He Jinning. It didn't matter which princess she was; he would still treat his own daughter with affection.

Even if he had favorites, they were still his children.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," replied the Empress.

"For a peaceful future, it might be better to find someone from a family with a noble title or official position. But we must also choose carefully, lest we end up with a family like the Qiangs, truly chaotic," Yun Li suggested.

"What about the legitimate grandson of General Lu?" she asked.

He Jinning pondered, "Both of General Lu's sons died in battle. I've never met his legitimate grandson. Has Yun seen him?"

"I have, but unfortunately, he was just a baby when I saw him," Yun Li recalled. Back then, the old Lady Lu had brought him to visit the Qi family.

He Jinning chuckled. "The Lu family has an upright reputation. But their children might be destined for the scholarly path of the imperial examinations."

"That's fine too, with a simple household," Yun Li replied sincerely without any ulterior motives.

She wasn't a particularly affectionate person, but the daughter of the Empress Consort held a different place in her heart.

The Empress Consort suggested, "Then why not meet and inquire? A simple household is all we need."

He Jinning nodded in agreement. "There's no rush. We can invite them during the New Year celebrations."

Both parties nodded, satisfied with the decision.

After sitting a while longer, the Empress Consort rose to take her leave, departing without any reluctance.

Once she was gone, He Jinning remarked, "You've put quite some thought into matters concerning Second Princess."

"What do you mean by that?" Yun Li raised an eyebrow.

"I'm wondering if you're doing this for me or for the Empress Consort," He Jinning looked at her intently.

"Oh, so when I served as the First Princess back then, was it for you or the Empress?" Yun Li asked in return.

He Jinli smiled.

Yun Li suddenly said, "But you're not entirely wrong. It was indeed for Concubine Xi. After all, she is the daughter of my good friend. Why doesn't she call me 'aunt?'"

He Jinli...

"She should call you 'mother empress!'" He spoke through gritted teeth.

Yun Li crumpled the silk handkerchief in her hand and tossed it to him. "You know this, yet you still ask? Do you know what the Emperor's actions mean now?"

He Jinli clenched his teeth. "What?"

Yun Li gave him a casual glance, her red lips parting softly. "Dramatic."

After a moment of stunned silence, He Jinli threw the handkerchief back at her. "How dare you! To say that I... am being dramatic?"

The word didn't carry much weight when used on others, but it felt awkward coming from his own mouth.

She actually dared to blame herself?

Yun Li smiled and got up to instruct the preparations for the noon banquet.

He Jinning's eyes blazed with fury, but after a while, he laughed too, shaking his head gently. What a woman.

Bixi was organizing a birthday banquet for Empress Xian. This was a significant matter.

On the actual day, many had already entered the palace early in the morning to offer their congratulations.

He Jinning set up a feast at the Lingzhi Palace right away. The Empress Dowager also made an appearance. However, she only came to sit for a while, tasted a few dishes, and then left.

That was more than enough.

Yun Li wore a deep crimson imperial robe today, looking dignified and beautiful.

A phoenix tail hairpin adorned her towering hair bun, with long tassels hanging down between her brows.

She exuded an aura of grandeur.

Behold, all who saw her confirmed that the Honored Consort Xian, now the most favored, truly deserved her status.

Indeed, she exuded an extraordinary aura.

When the grand banquet concluded, the crowd migrated to the Jade Channel Palace to witness its new appearance.

The Empress paid a visit but soon took her leave.

Yun Li personally bowed as she escorted the Empress out of the palace gates, granting her ample respect.

In the hall, people strolled in pairs or small groups, conversing softly.

"This Jade Channel Palace was once the Jade Chrysanthemum Palace, where the former Empress Qi resided. Now, after all the twists and turns, it's occupied by the current Honored Consort Xi. It's said that the Emperor himself renamed it especially for her. Apparently, she has a fondness for this title, so much so that he couldn't bear to part with it."

"Indeed, this place might be the finest after the Empress's own palace. The Honored Consort Xi is truly in favor."

"I wonder, do you think it's settled? Her position, I mean."

Amidst exchanged glances, they whispered, "Let's not talk about it here. We'll discuss it later, but I'd say there's a high chance it's true."

Everyone held gossip-filled hearts but wore cheerful smiles on their faces.

Yun Li knew that they all had their suspicions.

She herself was curious – had He Jinli decided?

But judging from her understanding of He Jinli, he had yet to make a final decision.

However, his inclination towards the Ninth Prince was quite evident.

Yun Li instinctively glanced at Concubine Shu.

Concubine Shu conversed with the guests, her face beaming with joy. Yun Li wondered what was truly on this imperial concubine's mind.

As night fell and the last batch of guests were sent off, Yun Li was utterly exhausted.

The room was filled with gifts, but she lacked the energy to even look at them.

As He Jinli approached, he saw her in this state and chuckled. "Exhausted?"

"Could I not be?" Yun Li shot him a withering glance.

He Jinli observed her gift. "Empress Xiaoxian truly holds great prestige."

Yun Li smiled. Could such words be used in this context?

"I haven't given you my birthday present yet. Rise first," He Jinli said, gesturing behind him.

People outside carried in a wooden frame, as tall as a person when stood upright.

They carefully opened it to reveal an enormous flower pot inside, containing a blooming crab apple tree.

Surprisingly, the crab apples were in bloom at this time of year, with many more buds yet to unfold.

"I had the Flower and Wood Department tend to it long ago. Fortunately, it flourished just in time for your birthday. Do you like it? If I were to offer you gold and silver, you would find it mundane. So, do you like this?" He Jinli asked with a smile in his eyes.

Yun Li fell silent for a long while.

She took a deep breath and walked over to embrace Helan Jincheng.

"Helan Jincheng, you're really annoying," she said with a pout.

Helan Jincheng hugged her back, smiling. "There's one more thing."

Yun Li loosened her grip and looked up. "What is it?"

From his embrace, Helan Jincheng pulled out a book wrapped in bright yellow cloth.

Yun Li took it and unfolded it, revealing a light blue book cover.

On the front was the title 'The Supreme True Lord Lingbao Scripture for Eliminating Disasters and Invoking Blessings.'

Opening the first page, she saw familiar characters.

Yun Li recalled this scripture; her grandmother had been fond of it when she was young.

The entire text consisted of thousands of words, all handwritten in this single volume.

A sigh escaped Yun Li's heart as she recognized the familiar self in her thoughts.

Hugging He Jinli again, she remained silent.

He was an emperor, doing all this for her; surely he must be deeply fond of her?

Yun Li chuckled softly in his embrace. So be it, she would give herself to him entirely.

What you can never attain, you will forever miss. But I will make you feel as if you have gained it, or perhaps, in feeling so, it is the same as gaining it?

"He's touched? Well, it wasn't for nothing that I put in so much effort."

He Jinli said with a smile.

In truth, this was the second copy. The first time, he had lost focus and made a mistake in one word.

But it wouldn't do to abandon such a task halfway through.

So he persevered and completed it.

"Everyone, I'm back."