Chapter 621 Just Exudes a Kind of Benevolence?

Chapter 621: Just Radiating Kindness?

When Consort Bai was mentioned, Empress Nie’s expression turned complicated, and she shook her head.

Consort Bai was a royal hostage sent by the Xidi. No matter how noble her status had been in Xidi, here in Great Xia, she was merely one of the consorts in the inner palace.

As long as Consort Bai didn’t cause trouble in front of her, Empress Nie was quite lenient toward her.

But Consort Bai clearly didn’t see it that way.

Empress Nie pressed her fingers to her temples, already feeling a headache coming on.

Since it was her own mischievous son who had frightened Consort Bai into fainting this time, Empress Nie didn’t want to say much and simply waited for the imperial physician’s diagnosis.

Before long, the imperial physician emerged from the inner chamber and announced with congratulations, “Your Majesty, Consort Bai is pregnant—already over two months along.”

Empress Nie felt even more helpless.

Wei Shiyu, knowing he had nearly caused a disaster, was dead silent, not daring to make a sound.

By the time Emperor Jiazheng and Wei Shiqing arrived, Wei Shiyu was on his knees, properly chastened in the outer chamber.

Wei Shiqing sometimes felt he couldn’t be blamed for favoring his second brother—just looking at Wei Shiyu’s behavior, he thought it was already quite generous of him not to have thrown this third brother out.

Emperor Jiazheng had already heard about Consort Bai’s pregnancy from the eunuchs on the way. Seeing his third son kneeling there with such a meek expression, his heart softened. “Alright, get up.”

“If I get up now, you can’t punish me anymore, right?” Wei Shiyu didn’t forget to negotiate with Emperor Jiazheng. “No double punishment for the same offense.”

Emperor Jiazheng laughed in exasperation.

Taking the hint, Wei Shiyu swiftly scrambled to his feet—only to catch an icy stare from his eldest brother.

Wei Shiyu: “….”

Why did his neck suddenly feel so cold?!

Emperor Jiazheng didn’t enter the inner chamber to see Consort Bai but instead asked Xingxing first, “Did this troublemaker scare you?”

Before Xingxing could answer, Wei Shiyu butted in from behind, “Nope, nope! Township Lady was quick on her feet—dodged without blinking. Not scared at all!”

Wei Shiqing cuffed him on the back of the head and scolded, “And you’re proud of that? Have you even apologized to Township Lady yet?!”

Wei Shiyu clutched his head, sulking but keeping quiet.

Turning around, he obediently apologized to Xingxing, “Sorry, Township Lady. I shouldn’t have scared you. Won’t do it again.”

Xingxing wasn’t about to make a fuss over something so trivial.

She thought to herself. After all, this was Brother Yan’s little brother.

Brother Yan had been so kind to her, and Empress Nie had been so welcoming. She wouldn’t dream of getting upset over something so minor.

Xingxing had put two and two together.

Just by their looks alone, the mother and sons were clearly related. And later, when she learned the Crown Prince’s name, it was plain to see they were brothers.

Though it seemed Brother Yan had only told her his real name—when speaking to her family, he used the name Shiyan. Perhaps he didn’t want his identity revealed, so Xingxing played along with the charade.

But with this connection in mind, Xingxing couldn’t bring herself to be angry at a scamp like Wei Shiyu—even if this mischief-maker was around her age.

Xingxing smiled warmly, "Don’t mention it."

Wei Shiyu: "???"

Hold on, why is the Lady of Blessed Peace smiling like those concubines in the inner palace who always beam at him?

…It’s just… kinda gives off a grandma-ish vibe?

When Consort Bai came to and realized she was pregnant, she froze for a long moment.

Emperor Jiazheng muttered a few consoling words before taking off again.

Empress Nie, though, felt bad for Consort Bai—so young, so far from home, and now expecting. She must be freaking out inside. So Empress Nie sent over a bunch of fancy tonics and told her to take good care of herself.

Consort Bai just stared blankly and didn’t say anything for ages.

With things in the imperial study mostly wrapped up, Wei Shiqing figured he’d walk Xingxing over to the Eastern Palace.

Wei Shiyu insisted on coming too, and Empress Nie didn’t stop him. With his eldest brother around, this little menace wouldn’t get too out of hand.

But maybe because it was such a nice day, half the palace seemed to be out wandering. As Wei Shiqing passed through with Xingxing and Wei Shiyu, they ran into the Fourth and Fifth Princes.

The two younger princes, accompanied by attendants, were catching fish by the lake near the garden.

They were almost the same age as Wei Shiyu—one three months younger, one a year—but both were a good half-head shorter.

Xingxing noticed that while the Fourth and Fifth Princes were about Wei Shiyu’s age, since they weren’t Empress Nie’s sons, they weren’t nearly as cute and didn’t look much like Wei Shiqing, Wei Shiyan, or Wei Shiyu at all.

The two younger princes bowed politely to the Crown Prince and Wei Shiyu:

"Greetings, Eldest Brother and Third Brother."

The Fourth Prince looked curiously at Xingxing: "Who’s this?"

Wei Shiyu enthusiastically introduced, "Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother, this is the Lady of Blessed Peace. We’re headed to the Eastern Palace to visit Big Sis-in-law."

A flicker of envy flashed in the Fourth Prince’s eyes, but he just said, "We’ll let you get going, then."

Wei Shiqing reminded them, "Stay safe by the water."

"Yes, Eldest Brother."

Wei Shiqing led Xingxing and Wei Shiyu away.

But as they turned past the arched gate of the garden, Xingxing peeked back and saw the Fourth Prince still standing there, watching them.

...

The Fourth Prince looked away.

The Fifth Prince let out a sigh, "Sometimes I really envy Third Brother."

The Fourth Prince gave him a puzzled look.

The Fifth Prince said wistfully, "Third Bro’s got the same mom as Big Bro—of course they’re closer."

The Fourth Prince tensed up and checked their surroundings. Luckily, only their trusted attendants were nearby.

"Fifth Brother, watch your mouth," he frowned. "Big Bro’s always been fair to all of us."

The fifth prince gave a wry smile. "Do you actually buy that, Fourth Brother?"

The fourth prince fell silent.

The fifth prince knew better than to press further at this moment. He smiled and pointed toward the fish trap they had placed by the lake earlier. "...Fourth Brother, looks like we've got a fish."

The fourth prince's attention shifted immediately as he peered into the water. "Hey, you're right!"

...

Crown Prince Wei Shiqing brought Xingxing and Prince Wei Shiyu to the Eastern Palace.

The Eastern Palace happened to have a visitor—Nie Yuke's mother, Aunt Nie of the Nie family, who had come to visit Crown Princess Mu Rujun.

When Nie Yuke's mother saw the Crown Prince approaching with Xingxing and Prince Wei Shiyu, she quickly rose: "Your Highness."

Having met Xingxing before, she hesitated briefly before curtsying: "Township Lady."

"Aunt, there's no need for such formality," Crown Prince Wei Shiqing waved off her courtesy. "How is Uncle?"

Seeing that the Crown Prince still remembered her husband, Nie Yuke's mother was visibly delighted, her face beaming with joy. "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. We're all doing well at home."