Chapter 6 House Arrest

When the Empress was pregnant with Yongcong, Old Mrs. Fucha entered the palace to care for her for a month. Mother and daughter had not seen each other for half a year by their reckoning.

The Empress’s eyes reddened slightly as she said, “Mother, are you trying to make your daughter feel unworthy?”

Yu Momo hurried forward to assist, while the old lady wiped the corners of her eyes and nodded repeatedly. Her Majesty looked well, her complexion rosy—this was good, very good.

The Empress handed Yongcong to the old lady, saying softly, “Yongcong is very well-behaved. He only cries when hungry or wet, otherwise never fusses. His temperament is excellent. Hold him, Mother.”

The old lady’s eyes crinkled with laughter as she bent to play with the baby in swaddling clothes. “My precious grandson…”

They spoke of Yongcong and then moved on to matters of the Fucha family.

“Chunhe’s wife is eight months along. The child will be the same age as the Seventh Prince. He even said he wants to send the child to the palace as the Seventh Prince’s study companion,” the old lady chattered on. “As for that rascal Mingliang, with Prince Duan away in Jiangnan and no one to restrain him, he’s been running wild these past months. Every day after school, he’s either chasing cats or teasing dogs. Just yesterday, he got into a conflict with Lianghe of the Ula Nara family…”

Though her words carried reproach, the old lady’s expression showed no real concern. Mingliang knew his limits and was her favorite. In her eyes, any conflict was surely the other party’s fault.

Lianghe was Consort Xian’s nephew, while Mingliang was the Empress’s nephew. A conflict between these two was rather intriguing.

“What was the conflict about?” the Empress asked.

“There was only one private room left in the restaurant. Both had gathered friends and neither would yield—they nearly came to blows.” The old lady grew indignant as she spoke. “Lianghe, drunk and unreasonable, kept insisting his aunt was a consort. Would Mingliang back down? It took the Capital Garrison to intervene.”

The Empress said coolly, “The Ula Nara family dares to compare with the Fucha family?”

Yongcong’s ears twitched, and his little feet kicked. Mother was so domineering!

The old lady was surprised. Her Majesty had always been composed—this was the first time she’d spoken like this!

The Ula Nara family truly couldn’t compare to the Fucha family. Back when Empress Xiaojing was alive, her full younger brother had been utterly useless, barely propped up by a nominal dukedom granted by the late emperor. Within a few years, the main lineage had declined. Later, her clan niece entered Hongli’s inner court and was named Consort Xian, after which the Ula Nara family’s leadership passed to the consort’s father, Narbu.

Narbu was merely a fourth-rank captain, showing just how far the Ula Nara family had fallen.

Compared to the illustrious Fucha family, where every descendant was accomplished, it was truly…

“Let Mingliang be. Even if he beats Lianghe, I’ll take responsibility,” the Empress said with a faint smile.

Yongcong felt his mother was different from how she had been in his first life.

In her previous life, she had been virtuous and fair, a model of maternal grace. Though she had won his father’s genuine love and respect, and the harem revered her, Yongcong had keenly sensed that his mother was a pitiable figure bound by propriety.

She had lived up to the world’s praise—but what had she gained for herself?

Phrases like “I’ll take responsibility” were something his mother would never have said in his first life.

Yongcong’s tiny hands curled slightly, his heart aching with a bittersweet urge to cry. Had his transmigration caused this life to be different?

He wished his imperial mother would be less fair, less virtuous, and more true to herself, living happily.

In this lifetime, his dear second brother was still alive, and his sister Hejing was in the bloom of youth. With the three of them protecting her, their imperial mother could surely live joyfully, growing old together with the emperor instead of passing young, leaving only regrets.

“Ah ah ah!” Yongcong let out loud cries, as if declaring, “Wait till I grow up! I will definitely live past two years!”

The little baby’s cheerful cries came with uncontrollable drool, drawing a gentle smile from the Empress. “Come, let Mother wipe your mouth.”

Old Mrs. Fucha chuckled, “With Her Majesty’s words, that wild monkey Mingliang will surely turn the world upside down!”

Moyun lifted the curtain and entered, quietly reporting the incident involving the First Prince and Second Prince during the Third-Day Bathing Ceremony. “…It was Prince He who smoothed things over, and Consort Xian even had the First Princess Consort step in to mediate.”

“Does the First Princess Consort truly think of herself as the First Prince’s mother just because she often pays respects at Yikun Palace?” The old lady’s lips curled in disdain. “And the First Prince—he really…”

Attempting to assert superiority over the Crown Prince based on seniority, ignorant of the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate heirs—his actions were being watched by all!

“Mother, please don’t be angry,” the Empress said calmly, her smile unchanged. “Yonghuang is simply too impatient.”

“Consort Xian is truly… In previous years, she was so well-behaved and rule-abiding. Why has she suddenly become so meddlesome lately?” Moshu complained.

“After years without a child, seeing me pregnant has made her anxious,” the Empress replied, gently rocking Yongcong to sleep as a faint smile touched her lips. “…When His Majesty visits the Palace of Eternal Spring, I’ll mention it to him.”

Day by day, Yongcong grew. His skin shed its redness and wrinkles, becoming fair and tender, while his vision sharpened enough to see the carved cloud-patterned cradle around him, the stern yet kind Yu Momo, the highly capable senior palace maids, and his graceful and beautiful imperial mother.

One day, Yongcong overheard Yu Momo telling the Empress, “Consort Xian has been reprimanded and confined for three days. Lianghe was also chastised by His Majesty’s decree, leaving the Ula Nara family in gloom…”

Yongcong was stunned.

Had his imperial mother said something to the emperor?

He’d missed a major drama while sleeping!

Yongcong’s dimpled little hands moved toward his mouth, ready for a chew—he couldn’t resist the urge to gnaw on them—but the Empress gently moved them away.

As she soothed him, she remarked lightly, “Three days is nothing. She’ll still make it to Yongcong’s full-month celebration. The emperor’s punishment was lenient.”

Moyun covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. If Consort Xian missed the Seventh Prince’s full-month banquet, her dignity would suffer greatly.

As discussed in the Palace of Eternal Spring, the incident sent ripples through the Forbidden City.

The concubines whispered among themselves—who would dare provoke the Empress’s anger?

Yet it turned out to be the ever rule-following Consort Xian!

Consort Jia sat before her dressing mirror, irritated. Pregnancy had made her avoid cosmetics, leaving her complexion dull and unattractive.

She had never been favored, and the emperor hadn’t visited Qixiang Palace in two months.

Hearing of Consort Xian’s confinement, she burst into laughter, her mood instantly lifting. “Who would’ve thought she’d cross the Empress? Her nephew had to face a Fucha family young master.”

In truth, the disputes among the younger generation were insignificant—they all knew very well in their hearts.  

The Emperor, because of Prince Duan and the First Prince, had taken his anger out on Consort Xian.  

Lianghe had been saddled with a heavy and unjust blame, but the Ula Nara family could only swallow their bitterness in silence.  

The imperial concubines saw everything clearly!  

They dared not discuss the matters concerning Prince Duan and the First Prince, so they directed all their mockery toward Consort Xian. After all, she was the highest-ranking after the Empress, and they usually couldn’t find any faults to exploit.  

Even as they ridiculed her, they sighed inwardly, “Prince Duan truly is favored…”  

In the Eastern Three Houses, Yonghuang sat pale-faced and silent. Ilaris bit her lip and brought him a cup of hot tea while servants gradually laid out the meal.  

“My lord, please eat something?” Ilaris asked cautiously.  

Yonghuang glanced at her, his voice icy as if laced with frost, “Take it away.”  

“My lord…” Ilaris tried to persuade him further, but Yonghuang suddenly erupted, springing to his feet. “Enough! Are you done yet?!”  

The servants dropped to their knees in fear, and Ilaris, too, trembled as she knelt on the floor tiles. The room fell into a deathly silence—no one dared to speak.  

Yonghuang felt a surge of pent-up fury with nowhere to vent. Yonglian, Yonglian!  

The Emperor only had eyes for Yonglian—even calling him “Second Brother” had earned him a warning!  

Though he hadn’t been reprimanded and was still safely residing in the Prince’s Residence, Yonghuang felt a burning rage beneath his relief.  

He glared coldly at Ilaris. “Consort, I’ve been too lenient with you… Look at you now, growing bold enough to presume to dictate my actions.”  

Ilaris paled, her body trembling uncontrollably. “My lord, I didn’t…”  

Yonghuang sneered. “Don’t worry. I’ll still visit your courtyard tonight. But—” His tone shifted ominously. “If there’s no good news within a month, I’ll have Zhangjia bear my firstborn son. I always keep my word.”  

Ilaris jerked her head up, her face deathly white!