A cool breeze swept past her and returned to Jingzhe Courtyard to soothe the person. She sat by the bed, looking at the sleeping beauty, and suddenly smiled.
Zhizhi looked very well-behaved when she was asleep. Her cheeks were fair with a rosy glow, and her body fragrance mixed with a faint scent of wine smelled surprisingly pleasant.
Jinshi and Yinding served at Aunt Yu's side, while Feicui whispered, "Miss, Madam wants to see you."
"I understand." She composed herself and went out without hesitation.
As soon as the person left, Yu Zhi hummed softly twice and turned to sleep facing the wall.
Actually, Xi Xi treated her very well.
She was never satisfied and wanted more.
The capital city of the Great Yan Dynasty is undoubtedly magnificent and prosperous. During festivals, it is bustling with activity and fireworks. Walking on the cobblestone path leading to Liulan Courtyard, Wei Pingxi listened to the noise of the people around him and his steps became lighter.
"Mother."
Madam Wei stopped fiddling with her prayer beads and came out from inside the door to greet them.
Her gaze swept over her precious daughter from head to toe, admiring her graceful figure and ethereal beauty, noticing the joy in her eyes and the happiness playing on her lips. She chided, "Have you finished celebrating the New Year with others?"
A hint of vinegar lingered in the air, which Wei Pingxi found amusing and intriguing.
This was the first time her mother had been jealous that she hadn't come to keep her company.
The kindness of giving birth and the kindness of raising are equally important, and the debt of gratitude is greater than the heavens. Wei Pingxi stepped forward and took her hand: "Mother..."
She possessed a beauty rarely seen in this world, and a melodious voice; once she acted coquettishly, she could melt the hearts of countless people.
Madam Wei enjoyed her closeness and coquettishness, and her jealousy gradually subsided. She advised, "She's just a concubine. Don't spoil her too much, or she'll forget her limits."
Her words seemed to have a reason, and Wei Pingxi pondered for a moment before replying, "But isn't she my favorite concubine?"
She let go of Madam Wei's hand and took a few steps to the break between the tables. Li Yue, with great tact, ordered someone to serve tea, snacks, and fresh fruits.
As the sweet and delicious grapes went down his throat, Wei Pingxi narrowed his eyes: "I'm here to keep my mother company, aren't I? Of course I have to pamper her after I've taken her in, otherwise why would I have her?"
"You're tempted?" Madam Wei straightened her clothes and sat down beside her.
This time she showed some backbone, not getting choked by the grapes. After a long silence, she raised her eyebrows and said, "It's just for fun. If she can keep me from getting tired of it, then I'll respect her for her ability."
Her words implied a desire to give someone a chance, but Yan Qing looked at her seriously and said, "You can't give someone this chance; people are greedy."
“It was greed.” Wei Pingxi spat out the grape skins, his lips stained with fruit, making him look even more alluring under the lamplight. “But isn’t a child a human being too?”
She coveted Yu Zhi's body, her softness, her tendency to cry, and her forbearance as she gritted her teeth and sweated even when she couldn't eat.
He was attracted to her alluring charm and her slender waist.
You can certainly throw it away when you get tired of it, but what if you never get tired of it?
What if she wants to stay by his side without any complaints?
Wei Pingxi sighed: "I need someone to warm my bed either way. It's her now, and it's not a bad thing if it's her in the future."
"She's not good enough for you."
“Mother,” she said, lifting her face with a smile, “what are you worried about? Are you worried that one day I won’t be able to live without her? Or are you worried that I will love her?”
Yan Qing sat there, stunned: "I can't explain it."
"My child wants to live in the present moment. If she can bring me happiness in the present, then I want her in the present moment."
What if I can no longer give you pleasure?
She held a grape in her hand, her expression indifferent: "That's a matter for later."
In her past life, she had so many things she wanted to do and so many desires, yet she still died young in a deserted place.
Her hopes were dashed, and after dying once, she understood many things.
What you ask for is never the best.
She has to do it willingly.
Keep it simple.
You should choose what you like.
You should treat her well.
She wanted Yu Zhi the moment she caught a glimpse of her in the bustling city.
The man in the villa invited her to show him his philandering and dissolute side, which indeed scared her away.
After that, she stopped at the entrance of the villa, willingly taking the bait. When the butler went out to invite her, she ran away again.
She is a timid woman.
But she's also an interesting woman.
She was given the choice, and in the end, she chose to be the branch.
She depends on her for a day, she wants her for a day, spoils her for a day, protects her for a day, she frequently teaches her to soften her heart, so she gives her the opportunity to capture her own heart.
Wei Pingxi's heart is fickle and he won't stay with any woman, but what if he does?
What if she really doesn't get tired of her, and she only craves her power and her company? Wouldn't it be perfect if they each got what they wanted?
Yan Qing stared at her daughter, then suddenly felt relieved: "Jing Heliu does indeed have the ability to make people addicted."
She became so capable that even her proud daughter began to feel reluctant and heartbroken.
"Let's not talk about this anymore." Wei Pingxi smiled as she peeled a grape. "Happy New Year, Mother."
Madam Wei's expression softened slightly: "You."
Another firework exploded in the sky, a testament to the people's joy at this prosperous and peaceful era.
The majestic and magnificent imperial city, with its high walls, served as a natural barrier between commoners and royalty.
His Majesty favored the Empress above all others, abolishing the three palaces and six courtyards. During festivals, the most lively place was the Gan Ning Palace, where the Empress resided.
The palace was brightly lit. Neither the emperor nor the empress were fond of feasting and revelry. In particular, the current emperor was a diligent and benevolent ruler who disliked extravagance. On New Year's Eve, a table of delicacies and a few cups of wine were enough for him.
The important thing is to have family and loved ones by your side.
Crown Prince Ji Qingyou sat to the right of the Empress.
The eldest princess refused to return to the palace for the New Year, which displeased the Empress Dowager. As a result, the usually filial Princess Jiaorong stayed at the Fushou Palace to celebrate the festival with the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager and the Emperor had the title of mother and son, but no real affection between them. Even during the New Year, they celebrated separately.
The emperor and empress were not happy because their daughter could not be by their side on this day of family reunion.
Ji Qingyou probably understood this unhappiness.
It's not the first or second time that the imperial sister has failed to distinguish between close and distant relatives. Every time she chooses the empress dowager instead of her own family, he, as the imperial brother, is unhappy about it, let alone his father and mother.
On the table were the Empress's favorite crystal shrimp balls, sweet and sour mandarin fish, and four-happiness meatballs. They weren't particularly expensive dishes, but they were made by the Empress herself.
The Empress Dowager only cooks four times a year—on his and his elder sister's birthdays, the Emperor's birthday, and the Lunar New Year.
Ji Qingyou tried his best to create a harmonious atmosphere: "On this auspicious occasion, your son offers a toast to Father Emperor and Mother Empress."
He drank the contents of the cup in one gulp.
Ji Ying gently squeezed the Empress's hand, and Yan Xiu woke up from her unknown daze, her eyes smiling, and she rolled up her sleeves and raised her cup.
A sliver of her slender, white wrist was visible, and under the lamplight, the Empress looked ethereal and beautiful, her smile gentle and graceful.
Seeing this, Ji Qingyou was even more confused: How could the princess be so blinded by lard that she would be willing to make her own mother sad?
On New Year's Eve, at night, trusted ministers in the court would be given dishes by the Emperor, ranging from one or two to five or six dishes, as a sign of imperial favor.
The courtiers who received the bestowed dishes were grateful for the Emperor's boundless grace and felt honored, while those who did not could only hope to gain even greater favor from the Emperor the following year.
Yan Xiu couldn't resist making a braised fish and a soy sauce chicken at the private kitchen of Gan Ning Palace. After making the chicken, she couldn't resist making a sweet fermented rice, papaya, milk, and lotus root starch soup to aid digestion. But when she was about to make it again, she just stood there, stunned.
The sink was filled with water, which reflected her bewildered figure. She pursed her lips, knowing that she had gone too far.
Too much of a good thing is bad.
Everyone in the world knows that the Empress has a beloved niece, but no one knows the true extent of the Empress's affection for her niece.
Loving someone too obviously will cause unnecessary harm to Xi Xi.
The dishes were packed into specially insulated food boxes. The palace was not far from Xuanwu Street, and it wouldn't take long to send a guard to deliver them.
But should we really send it?
Yan Xiu looked lost and dejected.
"Send it if you want." Ji Ying appeared in the small kitchen.
The head palace maid, Ning You, greeted His Majesty with "May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings," and led the Empress's confidantes out in single file.
The imperial guards diligently protected the peace of the palace, making Gan Ning Palace as secure as an iron barrel.
"His Majesty……"
Ji Ying put her arm around her waist from behind and took out a handkerchief to wipe her dripping hands: "Just send it to her, openly and honestly."
The truth will eventually come to light.
Back then, it was difficult to conduct a thorough investigation due to the lack of resources and power. Now, with the people's support, can Fushou Palace possibly still hinder the emperor?
This is Ji Ying's source of confidence.
This is also the source of the Great Yan Emperor's confidence.
He whispered in the Empress's ear, saying in a way that only the two of them could hear: "If she is truly our daughter, I will do everything in my power to protect her."
...
On New Year's Eve, when the palace bestowed dishes upon the most trusted ministers, the most conspicuous one was neither the Minister of Personnel nor the Minister of War, but the Wei family, specifically the fourth young lady of the Wei family.
The Empress bestowed two dishes and a soup upon her niece; the dishes were hot, the soup was hot, a gesture of heartfelt affection.
The favoritism that others would beg for.
Even if the food bestowed upon ministers in the palace was the most delicious, it would probably have gone cold by the time it was delivered to their residences.
However, the two dishes and one soup that were sent to Liulan Courtyard were freshly made by the Empress, and they were still warm when they were delivered to Wei Pingxi.
The dishes were prepared by the Empress, but the one who delivered them was Yang Ruo, the most trusted eunuch by His Majesty's side.
"Please inform Your Majesty that Pingxi is very pleased."