The main hall was soon filled with noblewomen from various families. Hai Ling was now completely different from when she first arrived in Bei Lu. She remembered that when she first arrived in Bei Lu, everyone looked down on her, and many people even plotted against her. But now, she had become the mother of the nation, the object of everyone's admiration, and everyone respected her.
Thinking about all this, Hailin was filled with emotion. She never expected that she would come this far, and her life could be described as perfect.
Inside the main hall, the noblewomen were anxiously inquiring about the kitten's condition.
"Is the young prince alright?"
"Yes, it's fine."
Hailing nodded, then ordered Shimei to take the kitten down to show the noblewomen. The kitten had already woken up and was at the age where it loved to play, so it opened its bright eyes and looked at the noblewomen in front of it, occasionally frowning its little eyebrows and playing with its little fingers to show its evaluation of them. Finally, when it passed Nalan Mingzhu, it finally managed to smile, showing that it liked Nalan Mingzhu quite a bit. Mingzhu couldn't help but smile, it seemed that she hadn't spoiled this little guy for nothing.
As they walked along, all the noblewomen in the hall began to praise it, offering a variety of comments.
Although Hailing knew everyone was just being polite, she was still pleased to hear it, so she became even more gentle, creating a harmonious and joyful scene throughout the hall.
Just as everyone was having a good time, a eunuch came in to report that the Empress Dowager's mother had arrived.
This time, not only the noblewomen, but even Hailing came down to greet them with the kitten in her arms. The Empress Dowager had already seen the kitten before, but now she couldn't rest easy if she didn't see the kitten for a day. Today, Hailing had to entertain these noblewomen from the court, so she didn't go over to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager wanted to see her beloved grandson, so she brought Granny Qingzhu to see the kitten.
"Ling'er greets Mother Empress."
Hai Ling greeted the Empress Dowager, and all the noblewomen on both sides of the hall respectfully greeted her as well: "Greetings to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."
"Ling'er, get up." The Empress Dowager first reached out to help Hailing up, then looked at the noblewomen on one side of the hall: "Everyone, get up."
Everyone expressed their gratitude, then stood up and looked at the Empress Dowager and the Empress in the center of the hall. The Empress handed the little prince to the Empress Dowager to hold. Although the Empress Dowager was old, she loved holding the kitten and didn't find it tiring, which showed how much she loved this precious little grandson.
The family of three walked to the head of the hall, and once they were seated, the Empress beckoned for everyone to sit down.
"Please sit down, don't be shy."
"Yes, everyone is happy that the little prince is back. Let's all stay in the palace for lunch today before leaving."
When the Empress Dowager issued the decree, all the noblewomen in the hall were somewhat flattered and rose again to ask An Fang to sit down.
The Empress then ordered Shi Mei to arrange the banquet. Today, these noblewomen would dine in the palace, and the banquet would be held in a side hall. Shi Mei accepted the order and went to make arrangements, and the main hall became lively again.
To be honest, the kitten is back, and that woman Xi Xiu has been eliminated. As for Feng Zixiao, he wants to deal with Ye, which is a matter between men, so let men handle it. Hai Ling doesn't want to get involved in court affairs; now she just wants to raise the kitten to adulthood.
After lunch, the noblewomen left the palace and returned to their residences. The Empress Dowager took the kitten to Lanqing Palace to play, and Shimei followed her, carefully protecting her.
Hailing left Na Banlan Mingzhu in Liuyue Palace and carefully inquired about her pregnancy. Only after confirming that everything was normal did she feel relieved.
"Mingzhu, the kitten is back now, so you don't need to worry about me anymore. Now you can focus on your pregnancy."
She knew that her near-death experience a few days ago had terrified Mingzhu, who was now pregnant, so she couldn't afford to be frightened again, otherwise it would affect the fetus.
"I see."
Nalan Mingzhu responded softly and nodded. She was indeed very sad when she saw Ling'er so upset a while ago. Even the doctor said that she shouldn't think too much, as depression is not good for the baby. Now that she saw that Xiao Mao'er and Ling'er were both fine, she was relieved. The two of them then started talking about other topics in a soft voice, very affectionately.
In the Imperial Study, Ye Lingfeng received an invitation to a banquet from the Southern Ling Kingdom. The battle for the throne in the Southern Ling Kingdom had finally come to light with the passing of the old emperor. At the last moment, Consort Xiao's son, Prince Min, overtook the crown prince and emerged as the new ruler of the Southern Ling Kingdom. The Southern Ling Kingdom and the Northern Lu Kingdom had a good relationship on the surface because of two marriage alliances. Therefore, the new emperor invited Emperor Ye Lingfeng of the Northern Lu Kingdom to a banquet upon his ascension to the throne.
Inside the room, several court officials were also present, all looking at the emperor and requesting his decree.
"Whom does Your Majesty deem appropriate to send to the Southern Ling Kingdom this time?"
Normally, such a task would require at least a prince to lead the team, but currently there is no royal prince in Northern Lu, so it is impossible to find someone to lead the team. It seems that the only option is to send a minister from the court.
Ye Lingfeng remained silent, his face glowing, his eyes dark and deep, shimmering with a subtle glint. He slowly spoke, "This time, I am leading a delegation to the Southern Ling Kingdom to congratulate its new ruler."
The Imperial Study fell silent for a moment, everyone staring at the Emperor, somewhat bewildered.
Ye Lingfeng's smile deepened. He was going to Nanling Kingdom for two reasons: first, to investigate the country's situation; and second, because Ling'er had suffered a lot because of the kitten, and now that Beilu Kingdom was peaceful, he would take Ling'er and the kitten to Nanling Kingdom for a trip, killing two birds with one stone.
However, the current situation in Nanling Kingdom worried several courtiers in Beilu, and several of them said, "Your Majesty, this is absolutely not allowed."
The Southern Ling Kingdom must still be in chaos right now. With the Min King in power, the Crown Prince's faction probably hasn't been completely eliminated. If these people go there, they will become targets of attacks from the remnants of the Crown Prince in the Southern Ling Kingdom. Therefore, Your Majesty should not go. Wouldn't it be worrying to put yourself in danger?
Ye Lingfeng remained calm and fearless: "I have made my decision."
Seeing that the Emperor had made his decision, the people in the Imperial Study could not say anything more, so they asked, "When Your Majesty goes to the Southern Ling Kingdom, who do you intend to take with you?"
"I have my own arrangements."
Ye Lingfeng nodded, then instructed a few people to leave. Ji Shaocheng, however, did not leave. After the others had left, he asked again, "Is Your Majesty sure you want to go to Nanling Kingdom?"
Ye Lingfeng didn't say anything, but his expression showed that he was definitely going to Nanling Kingdom.
The reason he did this was to help Ling'er relax. Ever since Xiao Mao'er was found, he noticed that she was overly anxious, watching over him all day long, afraid that something might happen to him. If this continued, not only her but also Xiao Mao'er would feel depressed. That's why he wanted to go to Nanling Kingdom. Firstly, to help her relax, and secondly, he remembered that Princess Qinyang had married the War King Ruan Xiyin of Nanling Kingdom. He had heard that the War King had played a significant role in the successful ascension of Consort Xiao's son, the Prince Min. Princess Qinyang was also Ling'er's friend, and their meeting would surely help alleviate Ling'er's anxiety. Therefore, he was determined to go.
"So His Majesty intends to take the Empress and the young prince with him."
"Hmm," he thought, if it weren't for them, he might not have gone to Nanling Kingdom in person.
"Then take me with you," he said, wanting to protect Hailing closely and not wanting her to suffer any harm.
After listening to Ji Shaocheng's words, Ye Lingfeng thought about it seriously for a moment, then raised an eyebrow: "I remember Princess Mingzhu seems to be pregnant. Don't you need to stay in the manor to keep her company?"
Ji Shaocheng was taken aback, not expecting the Emperor to notice this matter. He smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Mingzhu is only four or five months old. I can stay with her after we return from Nanling Kingdom."
"Alright, then you shall accompany me to the Southern Ling Kingdom."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Ji Shaocheng left the Imperial Study and went to Liuyue Palace to pick up Nalan Mingzhu and leave the palace together.
That evening, Ye Lingfeng returned to Liuyue Palace and told Hailing about the banquet in Nanling Kingdom. Before he could mention that he planned to take her to Nanling Kingdom to relax, Hailing became anxious: "Who did you send? Who did you send?"