Page 398

During the banquet, everyone started to present their full moon celebration gifts.

Everyone prepared their gifts with great care, choosing the very best and most precious, for fear of being outdone.

The Emperor surveyed the gifts offered by the guests and spotted a jade stone display. He picked it up and playfully offered it to Susu, "Susu, do you want to play with this?"

Upon seeing this, the Empress hurriedly reminded him, "Your Majesty, Susu is still so small, how can you give her something so large to play with? What if it should fall and hit her?"

The Emperor explained, "I am aware. How could I possibly harm Susu?"

The gift-giving continued below.

Shen Chuwei, perhaps because she had just finished her confinement, felt some discomfort in her abdomen. She quietly informed Xiao Jinyan, then picked up her skirt and withdrew.

Inside the hall, no one noticed Shen Chuwei’s departure.

Upon leaving the Ganqing Palace, Shen Chuwei could not wait to make her way to the Gong room.

Chun Xi followed closely behind, afraid that her young mistress might fall.

The Gong room was some distance from the Ganqing Palace, and it took a good while to arrive.

After relieving herself, Shen Chuwei took a deep breath of relief.

Seeing Shen Chuwei emerge, Chun Xi suggested, "Young mistress, please take it slow. This servant will help you to the side hall to use some incense."

After attending to nature’s call in ancient times, one would bathe and also use incense, with the aim of dispelling any odors.

On the way back, they encountered an acquaintance, someone they had not seen for half a year.

"Wu Tan, you are still in the palace? I thought you had already left for the White Horse Monastery," Shen Chuwei remarked.

Wu Tan clasped his hands together, "Lady Shen, the Emperor asked this humble monk to stay in the palace to pray and bless. Just when I was about to return, the Emperor commanded this humble monk to transcribe scriptures for blessings for the Crown Prince and Princess."

"I see," Shen Chuwei had some understanding of this place. They believed in Buddhism and feng shui, so it was not hard to understand why the Emperor would ask Wu Tan to pray for blessings.

Wu Tan looked at Shen Chuwei for a long time. The palace had many rules and, even though they were in the same palace, it was difficult to catch even a glimpse of someone.

He still had doubts that he couldn’t resolve.

"I’ve heard Lady Shen is blessed with twins, a boy and a girl, and I have not had the chance to offer my congratulations. I prepared a gift but couldn’t find an opportunity to deliver it."

Shen Chuwei smiled, "It’s okay, it’s the thought that counts."

However, Wu Tan said, "Would Lady Shen be willing to wait a moment? I can go and get it now."

"There’s no need, Wu Tan. I have to get back. It’s not good to be away from my seat for too long." Well, actually, she was just eager to get back to the feast.

But then again, Wu Tan, a monk, would naturally be without wealth, so there was no need for him to prepare a gift. Better to save his resources for his own needs.

Wu Tan hesitated for a moment but did not insist, "Then, I will offer it to Lady Shen the next opportunity I get."

"Alright, I will go back first," said Shen Chuwei as she waved goodbye and returned to the Ganqing Palace with Chun Xi’s assistance.

She carefully returned to her seat and noticed that the gift-giving was still not finished...

Lu Zhaoyan suddenly left his seat and came forward to bow, "Your Majesty, this minister has a matter to report."

The Emperor looked toward Lu Zhaoyan, his voice full of pleasure, "Minister Lu, what matter do you have to report?"

Lu Zhaoyan said, "Your Majesty, today is the full moon celebration for the Crown Prince and Princess. This minister observed the astral signs last night and noticed a celestial omen of good fortune will appear to the southwest."

As the ruler of a nation, the Emperor was immediately intrigued by the mention of a celestial omen, "Minister Lu, are you certain of this?"

Lu Zhaoyan replied, "To Your Majesty, at the third quarter of the hour of the Dog, Your Majesty can step outside to witness it."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor turned to inquire of Eunuch Li, "What time is it now?"

Eunuch Li replied, "Your Majesty, it is just past the hour of the Dog."

The Emperor commanded, "Let’s step outside the Ganqing Palace."

Eunuch Li called out loudly, "Let’s move outside the Ganqing Palace."

Shen Chuwei, who was enjoying venison, looked up toward Xiao Jinyan to find that he had already risen. Reluctantly setting down her chopsticks, she followed Xiao Jinyan from her seat.

Under the Emperor’s lead, the civil and military officials exited the Ganqing Palace, awaiting the celestial omen of good fortune.

The winter wind was biting and bitterly cold.

The Emperor, holding Susu, made sure a blanket was brought over, fearing the cold might affect her.

The Empress likewise took a blanket to wrap around her grandchild, to prevent them from catching cold.

Shen Chuwei, hand held by Xiao Jinyan, stood behind the Emperor and Empress, curious to see what lay in the southwest direction that Minister Lu spoke of, whom she always trusted without question.

As everyone waited in silence, the southwest sky suddenly brightened, a white light bursting forth, with all eyes fixed on it.

Following that, the white light exploded, and a golden phoenix appeared in the southwest.

"Your Majesty, that is a phoenix, Your Majesty," the official exclaimed.

"This is a celestial omen of good fortune, the luck of Daxia," another voiced.

The civil and military officials, having seen it, started to cheer aloud.

The Emperor, watching the golden phoenix appear to the southwest, was astonished. He felt that Daxia was blessed by Heaven, gracing him with the Crown Prince and Princess, and now with the celestial omen of good fortune, it was joy doubled.

Everyone marveled at the celestial omen, the golden phoenix, signifying Daxia’s prosperity, strength, and peace for the nation and its people.

Lu Zhaoyan stepped forward, bowing in respect, "Your Majesty, with the celestial omen of good fortune, it is also an opportune moment to appoint the Crown Princess."

"Appoint who as Crown Princess?"

"Princess Xueyue?"

"Could it be General Chang’s legitimate daughter?"

"How could it be General Chang’s legitimate daughter? She has a deep-scheming mind and has already been demoted to a phoenix position."

"This is easy to guess, of course, it’s Lady Shen. After all, she has borne the Crown Prince twins, a boy and a girl."

As someone mentioned her, everyone collectively turned their gaze toward Lady Shen standing beside the Crown Prince. Although not stunningly beautiful at first glance, upon closer observation, you would discover she was comparable to a nation-toppling beauty.

While beautiful, she was neither ostentatious nor vulgar.

Upon closer observation, it was noticed that the Crown Prince always had Lady Shen by his side at court functions.

Hearing the discussions, the Emperor’s gaze turned toward Shen Chuwei. Perhaps because she was young, she didn’t seem like someone who had given birth to two children.

He looked down at Susu in his arms. The distinction between legitimate and illegitimate offspring was of great importance both in the Royal Family and beyond the palace walls.

However, Shen Chuwei’s status indeed did not qualify her to be the Crown Princess.

ps: Three Chapters tonight