Chapter 254: Surpassing a Birth Mother

Chapter 254: Surpassing a Birth Mother

"The joyous occasion of the appointment of the heir has been reported to His Majesty, and I have requested an extra six months' stipend for all palaces to celebrate."

It's unclear what the consorts with princes were thinking, but the others sincerely expressed their gratitude.

Just as they were rejoicing, even more delightful news arrived.

"Imperial Noble Consort, the heir has arrived."

This announcement felt oddly significant.

The heir is not allowed to enter the inner palace; there are strict rules separating men and women.

Only this time, since the heir is a female, some of the conventional rules no longer applied.

Bei Jingchu entered and paid her respects to her elders.

The Imperial Noble Consort couldn't hide her joy as she smiled and asked, "Jingchu, you must be busy moving to your new palace. Why have you come?"

Bei Jingchu replied, "I am grateful for the guidance of the Imperial Noble Consort and the Virtuous Consort. Though you are not my birth mothers, your kindness surpasses theirs."

"Having achieved this honor, it is only right that I personally share the good news with my mothers."

The others sneaked glances at the Virtuous Consort.

Just moments ago, she had claimed that the heir had no connection to the princess, yet here the heir was, at the first opportunity, saying they were like her own mothers.

Under the other consorts' scrutiny, the Virtuous Consort wished she could vanish.

The Graceful Consort, ever eloquent, immediately praised, "The heir and you two sisters share such a wonderful bond. The bond between mother and child isn't solely defined by blood."

The Virtuous Consort turned her head disdainfully, thinking the Graceful Consort was just putting on a show.

Having a clever son, she couldn't believe this woman hadn't considered the heir's position.

Now that someone else had taken it, she remained composed.

After the midday meal, the Imperial Noble Consort dismissed the guests due to Bei Jingchu's arrival, keeping only herself and the Virtuous Consort to chat with the little one.

Bei Jingchu's cheeks were pinched once more.

"Jingchu's little face isn't as soft as before. Have you been skipping your creams?"

She quietly removed the Imperial Noble Consort's mischievous hands. Did her dignity as the heir count for nothing?

The Imperial Noble Consort patted her, "You and His Majesty quietly pulled off such a grand move, child."

"When I heard the news, I thought I was dreaming."

"But even in my dreams, I wouldn't dare dream this big."

Bei Jingchu lifted her little head proudly, "Coward, I dare to dream!"

Imperial Noble Consort: ...Is that the point?

The Virtuous Consort had only one piece of advice: "Don't neglect your martial arts."

"Now that your status has changed, any mishap could cause turmoil across all of Dayue."

"Guards are indeed important, but there's always the fear of a slip-up."

As she spoke, the Virtuous Consort hesitated for a moment but couldn't resist complaining: "His Majesty used to be quite skilled in martial arts, but after ascending the throne, he barely moves a muscle, just buried in piles of documents, as if welded there."

"Now, I don't even know how much he's gotten out of shape. I'm too embarrassed to spar with him, afraid it might end up looking like an assassination attempt."

Bei Jingchu picked at her chin.

Huh, so Father used to be skilled in martial arts too.

But I’ve never actually seen him train.

I wonder who’d come out on top if Father and I fought.

Could I take Father down now?

The dutiful daughter fantasized about the delightful scene.

On the other side, the concubines dispersed to their respective palaces.

The Virtuous Consort's sour mood still hadn't improved.

Her maid comforted her: "My lady, when the Prince was young, the Crown Prince once saved him."

The Virtuous Consort seethed inwardly: "It's not that I've forgotten the favor, it's just that I was caught off guard and feel upset."

She had a good relationship with Bei Jingchu; the goofy kid always liked to hang around his elder sister, and with the favor from nine years ago, they exchanged gifts every year during festivals.

She had even fantasized that if her son ascended the throne, he would make Tianwu Princess the most revered Princess Royal.

But this girl took an unconventional path and leapfrogged into the position of heir!

If it weren't for this curveball, her son, being the eldest, would have had a great chance of succession.

Thinking about the Noble Consort Yi only fueled her anger.

"I don't believe that Noble Consort Yi is as cool and collected as she appears."

"The Sixth Prince is sharp as a tack, just not as much as the Crown Prince was in his youth."

"His Majesty has high expectations for the Sixth Prince; I don't believe Noble Consort Yi hasn't dreamed big."

"Now she acts all high and mighty, who believes that!"

The Virtuous Consort clenched her jaw: "Go back and prepare a gift to send to the Eastern Palace."

No matter how unwilling, she had to play the part, and the gifts must be sent.

Noble Consort Yi was also picking out a gift for Bei Jingchu, with the Sixth Prince by her side.

"You are neither the eldest nor the firstborn, but with your intelligence, you’ve still got a shot."

"But since His Majesty has come around and seen his daughter."

"When it comes to character, we must admit, you are indeed not as good as your elder sister."

The Sixth Prince nodded solemnly.

When he entered the main hall, his elder sister had already left.

Although she is not in the Hongwen Academy, her reputation is everywhere.

Teacher Jiang and the others often use the elder sister's stories as examples, and then lead to a sentence: "You are the worst group I've ever had!"

In Lao Liu's memory, he spent more time playing with his elder sister when he was young.

After he entered middle school, his elder sister has been very busy.

When they do meet, it's just a quick hello.

Everyone around is talking about her.

No matter what her reputation is outside, in the Hongwen Academy, Princess Tianwu is always the genius that all students admire.

So when Mother said he wasn't as capable as his elder sister, Lao Liu didn't feel any rebelliousness from being put down.

He's used to it.

Concubine Yi, however, has a good attitude.

"You, child, have no ambition, and a little setback can easily break you."

"It's all because your brain is somewhat bright."

"The Emperor has few princes, and I was originally worried that you would be pushed forward because of your good talent."

"At that point, you definitely wouldn't be able to handle it."

"Now it's fine, you just need to coast along and wait for death."

Lao Liu: ...Leave me some dignity, Mother, you don't have to say everything.