Chapter 15: Prince Qi’s Eldest Son – Zhuo’er Likes You!

Early April, with its gentle spring breeze and brilliant sunshine, was the perfect season for flower viewing and lake excursions. The palace’s Flower Viewing Banquet arrived as scheduled, bringing together ministers’ families and imperial relatives to admire the spring splendor.

Within the palace gardens, pavilions and towers stood in harmonious disorder while flowers and trees vied for beauty. Peonies displayed regal elegance, magnolias exuded subtle fragrance, cherry blossoms bloomed like rosy clouds, and crabapples glowed with captivating charm. The Supreme Clarity Pond shimmered with emerald waves, its banks lined with weeping willows, while the Penglai Island at the center appeared and disappeared through the mist like an ethereal paradise.

The banquet proceedings followed the same pattern as previous years: the Emperor and his ministers composed poetry at Penglai Pavilion, while imperial consorts and their families crossed the corridors to boat upon Supreme Clarity Pond, enjoying both the lake scenery and flowers, before finally gathering on Penglai Island for wine and dance performances.

However, this year’s Flower Viewing Banquet was entirely hosted by Xie Defei, as Consort Shen Liang had claimed illness and the Shu Consort had not yet fully recovered.

Your Highness truly stands first among His Majesty’s companions. Having presided over the Flower Viewing Banquet these past years, you might soon ascend to the central palace! one noblewoman remarked with a smile.

Lady Zhang speaks wisely. Though Your Highness doesn’t yet hold the phoenix seal, you manage all palace affairs—there’s truly no second person in the entire rear palace who compares, another lady promptly added.

Xie Defei smiled faintly, her expression calm. You flatter me too much, ladies. I merely share His Majesty’s burdens.

Her gaze swept past the blooming peonies and magnolias beyond the corridor, yet her heart remained utterly unperturbed. Such compliments were merely routine pleasantries to her.

Just then, a commotion from nearby interrupted the group’s cheerful conversation.

Xie Defei looked up, her brow slightly furrowed. Has the Northern Garrison Prince’s consort arrived?

The palace maid Yue E hurried to the corridor’s end to investigate, then quickly returned to Xie Defei’s side, whispering: Reporting to Your Highness, it’s Consort Chu and Consort Qi who have arrived.

Xie Defei raised an eyebrow. Both consorts are dignified and virtuous—how could they be so discourteous?

Yue E bowed her head in response. They’re accompanied by Prince Qi’s secondary consort Wu Shi and Prince Qi’s eldest son.

That explained everything.

Recalling the chaotic scenes she’d witnessed involving those two in the past, Xie Defei waved her hand dismissively, clearly displeased.

Whatever is happening, let them resolve it themselves. There’s no need for them to come pay respects.

As you command.

Beside the corridor, under the cherry blossom trees.

Murong Ji was tilting her head upward, feeling the gentle caress of cherry petals. Pink and white blossoms drifted down like rain, settling on her hair and shoulders, filling her nostrils with their delicate fragrance.

She closed her eyes slightly, savoring this moment of tranquility. However, hurried footsteps soon shattered the peaceful atmosphere.

Waaah—Mother—Elder Sister—where are you—

A child dressed in blue-purple brocade suddenly appeared beside her, crying and shouting simultaneously.

Murong Ji opened her eyes to see this child—half a head taller than herself—and couldn’t help feeling a pang of bitterness.

This boy was far too handsome! His skin was fair as jade, his features exquisite as a painting, with amber eyes brimming with tears, like an immortal child who had strayed into the mortal realm.

But before Murong Ji’s sense of crisis could fully develop, the child threw himself before her, weeping as if his heart would break.

I didn’t touch him! Facing the strange looks from surrounding adults, Murong Ji quickly stepped back, spreading her hands open with an expression of complete innocence.

At that moment, an exquisitely beautiful woman hurried over. Dressed in lavish robes, her brows carried traces of anxiety and displeasure. Upon seeing Murong Ji, she frowned, pulled the child into her embrace, and without asking for an explanation, pointed at his nose and scolded sharply.

Whose child are you! Are you blind! How dare you bully Prince Qi’s eldest son? Fetch your mother here!

Prince Qi’s eldest son?

So this was the legendary Wu Cefei (Consort Wu), the renowned Jiangnan beauty deeply favored by Prince Qi!

Murong Ji blinked, his tone obedient: Consort, Ji’er didn’t bully younger brother.

You say you didn’t, so it means you didn’t? Zhuo’er is crying so hard—you must have hit him! Have your mother come apologize! Consort Wu’s tone was aggressive.

Murong Ji looked helplessly at the mother and son before him, sighing inwardly: Is Consort Wu’s brain just for decoration?

He patiently compared their statures: Consort, younger brother is taller than me. Why not let him explain what just happened?

Murong Ji thought the child would tell the truth no matter how immature he was, but instead, the boy sniffled and buried himself in Consort Wu’s embrace, completely ignoring him.

Mother, hold me.

Mother isn’t feeling well, dear. Let Xing’er hold you first.

After comforting Murong Zhuo, Consort Wu turned and glared at the little child before her.

She had never seen such a young child in the palace—he must be some official’s ill-mannered offspring. The moment Prince Qi left, they all ganged up to bully her and her son. How outrageous!

You! Apologize to Zhuo’er at once!

Murong Ji was genuinely puzzled—how had someone with Consort Wu’s temperament survived this long?

Did she rely entirely on Prince Qi’s favor?

As it turned out, Prince Qi’s principal consort’s magnanimity also played a role.

Wu Shi, silence! This is the Imperial Grandson!

Qi Wangfei (Qi Consort) rebuked sternly.

But Consort Wu persisted: So what if he’s the Imperial Grandson! If he bullies Zhuo’er, should I just endure it?

Qi Wangfei’s temple throbbed as she suppressed her anger: Did Zhuo’er say Ji’er bullied him? Must you assume someone bullied him every time he cries? Zhuo’er has been spoiled rotten by you!

Tears welled in Consort Wu’s eyes as she retorted passionately: Sister, that’s utterly unreasonable! Zhuo’er is so well-behaved and obedient—His Highness often praises him!

Gazing at the stunningly beautiful Consort Wu, Qi Wangfei admitted she had been intensely jealous when the woman first entered the household, even considering schemes to drive her away. But over time, she realized this woman seemed rather simple-minded—blurting out whatever came to mind, wholly devoted to Prince Qi, and now additionally to Murong Zhuo.

Having such a concubine had its advantages: Qi Wangfei needn’t worry about harem conflicts. The downside was that she ended up worrying more than if there were actual harem strife.

Consort Wu was pregnant, and Qi Wangfei hadn’t wanted her to attend the Flower Viewing Banquet, but the mother and son’s dramatic weeping had been too unsightly, forcing her to bring them along.

Yet despite all precautions, the agile Murong Zhuo had chased a butterfly and gotten lost, and the thoughtless Consort Wu had still managed to cause a scene.

Qi Wangfei took a deep breath, pressing her chest, and turned to Chu Wangfei (Chu Consort): My apologies. Wu Shi is with child and emotionally volatile. Please don’t take it to heart.

But I’m not—

Silence!

Chu Wangfei smiled gently: It’s no matter. Perhaps Ji’er and Zhuo’er were startled meeting for the first time. They should spend more time together.

Hearing this, Qi Wangfei softly asked Murong Zhuo: Zhuo’er, is that true?

Murong Zhuo peeked out from Xing’er’s embrace and looked at Murong Ji, who was half a head shorter than him, then slowly nodded. Curiosity and shyness mingled in his eyes.

At that moment, Yue E, Xie Defei’s maid, approached and respectfully bowed before saying: There is a pavilion set up ahead in the peach blossom grove. Her Ladyship invites you all to rest there.

The peach blossom grove was quiet and deserted. Understanding the intention, Chu Wangfei and Qi Wangfei brought the two children toward the peach grove.

Inside the peach blossom grove, pink petals bloomed like rosy clouds. As the breeze passed, petals drifted down, filling the air with fragrance. The pavilion was furnished with tea and snacks, with exquisite pastries and fruits arranged on the stone table.

Murong Zhuo broke free from Xing’er’s embrace and ran toward Murong Ji a few steps away, his eyes full of curiosity: Are you my elder brother?

Murong Ji smiled and nodded, his tone gentle: Younger brother.

Murong Zhuo lowered his head, carefully examining him, then suddenly laughed: You’re the cutest child Zhuo’er has ever seen! Zhuo’er likes you!Murong Ji raised his hand to block the other’s reaching claws, and in the process, pinched that enviably beautiful face.

Younger brother is also the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.

Oh,

Except for Yan Qing.

Author’s note:

———————-

The little crybaby has appeared, and the imperial eldest grandson is about to embark on a long-term career of coaxing people.

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