Chapter 7 Full Moon

Some noticed that a rift seemed to have emerged between the First Prince and his Princess Consort, as they no longer appeared as intimate and harmonious as before. Yet curiously, the First Prince still visited the Main Courtyard of his consort.

What was going on here?

…

While Consort Xian was still under Confined Foot, Madam Narbu submitted her nameplate to enter the palace. The news quickly reached Yikun Palace.

“What is Mother adding to the chaos at this time?!” Consort Xian closed her eyes briefly, propping her forehead with her right hand, letting out a bitter laugh through clenched teeth.

Since when was there a precedent for visiting a confined consort?

Her mother truly seemed determined to humiliate her further, stomping a few more times to ensure the pit burying her was packed tight enough.

The Emperor and Empress would certainly not approve.

Yet within moments, word came from the Palace of Eternal Spring—Madam Narbu was permitted to visit, provided she left before sunset.

Consort Xian was stunned.

After the initial shock, she gritted her teeth, her nails digging deep into her palms. “How could this be?”

“Her Majesty the Empress is the most rule-abiding person. She actually allowed…” Rong Momo muttered a few words, her face breaking into a purely delighted smile. “The old madam must be coming to comfort you, Your Highness. Don’t bottle up your frustrations!”

With that, she directed several palace maids and eunuchs to tidy the inner hall, bringing out a soft stool and serving tea, candied fruits, and other refreshments.

Half an hour later, Madam Narbu arrived at Yikun Palace in her Respectful Attendant Robe. She bore a fifty percent resemblance to Consort Xian, with traces of her youthful beauty still visible, though her expression was somewhat weary.

“My poor daughter!” Tears fell the moment she saw Consort Xian, who wore no makeup and was dressed plainly. “Mother is here.”

Regardless of whether her mother had embarrassed her, she was still her mother, and they hadn’t seen each other in so long!

Consort Xian also began to cry, and the two women embraced, weeping together.

Rong Momo hurriedly tried to console them. Madam Narbu pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her face and said, “When we heard you were confined, your father couldn’t eat or sleep, insisting I come to see you. Lianghe’s mother has been crying at home for days—what will become of that boy’s future?”

The first thing she mentioned was Lianghe’s affairs…

Consort Xian paused in wiping her tears, fury rising in her chest. “Has Lianghe lost his mind?!” she said, exasperated. “To clash head-on with the Fucha family!”

Madam Narbu awkwardly defended him. “Lianghe was drunk and didn’t realize it was Fucha Mingliang on the other side…”

Then she fixed her gaze intently on her daughter. “He’s your own nephew. You can’t just abandon him, can you?”

Consort Xian fell silent for a moment before replying dejectedly, “I’m still under confinement. What help could my words possibly offer?”

“Isn’t the Seventh Prince’s full moon on the eighth day of the fifth month? By then, the Emperor and Empress will be in good spirits. Given the joyous occasion, they might be more lenient…”

Consort Xian looked at her mother incredulously. “Mother, that’s impossible.”

Her parents hadn’t attended the Third-Day Bath and had no idea how things had unfolded. They thought a simple plea for mercy would suffice.

—She had meddled in the conflict between the two princes, and Lianghe had walked straight into the line of fire!

After much persuasion from Madam Narbu, a bitter taste filled Consort Xian’s mouth. Finally, she relented, “This consort will try…”

Assured of her promise, Madam Narbu visibly brightened and earnestly advised her daughter, “Your father says not to get too close to the First Prince. The whole world knows whom His Majesty favors. Besides, you’re still young—it’s not as though you can’t conceive again. The right opportunity will come… You should visit the Palace of Eternal Spring more often and share in the Seventh Prince’s blessings…”

Mother always meant well for her, but Consort Xian couldn’t voice her thoughts—she felt she couldn’t conceive, that she was fated to be childless.

Her eyes dimmed momentarily.

This time, she had truly been careless, inviting not only mockery but also trouble.

The road ahead would be much harder…

She touched her belly. How wonderful it would be to have a prince?

The Full Moon Banquet for the Seventh Prince was held in the Hall of Heavenly Purity.

Yongcong was dressed in festive red. With his fetal hair shaved, he became a little bald baby nestled in Qianlong’s arms. The Empress had finally completed her postpartum confinement, wearing light makeup that accentuated her graceful features. Radiant and composed, she looked nearly the same as before her pregnancy.

The Emperor and Empress sat to the right of the Empress Dowager. Below the steps were the princes, ministers, and imperial consorts, raising their cups and offering blessings—some praising the Seventh Prince’s health and liveliness, others remarking on his resemblance to His Majesty. Compliments flowed freely.

Qianlong laughed heartily and said to Wu Shulai, “Reward them!”

Noticing him drinking cup after cup, the Empress gently took away his jade cup. “Your Majesty, alcohol harms the body. Yongcong wouldn’t like a father reeking of wine.”

Slightly tipsy but still clear-eyed, Qianlong chuckled. “As you wish. I’ll stop drinking.”

Yongcong had already been taken by the Empress Dowager, blinking curiously at the kindly old woman before him.

“Yongcong is so well-behaved, never crying or fussing—even Yonglian wasn’t this good as a baby…” the Empress Dowager remarked cheerfully to Granny Gui.

As soon as she finished speaking, Yongcong let out a little grunt. *This young master has lived three lifetimes—how could I possibly cry and fuss like a baby?*

He already felt ashamed enough for crying when hungry or wet.

In a few days, he vowed to wean himself. What kind of man would he be if he stayed cradled in a wet nurse’s arms every day?

The Empress Dowager held him close, facing the steps where rows of eyes watched him. Children were sensitive to malice and goodwill, and Yongcong detected several unfriendly gazes. He turned his eyes but couldn’t make them out clearly…

Still, judging by the gaudy Manchu dresses, they must be his imperial father’s consorts!

Yongcong glared back. *What are you looking at? Never seen a baby before?*

He couldn’t quite manage a proper glare, but his eyes widened slightly, earning another compliment from the Empress Dowager. “Yongcong’s eyes are so bright and lively!”

From below, they looked like a family of four—well, five, if you included Princess Hejing and Prince Duan.

Consort Jia twisted her napkin tightly, her heart souring at the sight of the Emperor and Empress’s deep affection and the harmonious bond between grandmother and grandson.

The princes sat together—First Prince Yonghuang drank silently, preferring not to see; Yonglian smiled faintly, occasionally glancing upward.

Eleven-year-old Third Prince Yongzhang, ever Yonglian’s loyal follower, leaned over excitedly to chat with his second brother. Meanwhile, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Princes gazed enviously at Yongcong in the Empress Dowager’s arms.

Too young to hide their emotions, seven-year-old Fourth Prince Yongcheng thought, *His Majesty hasn’t visited me in so long… Is it because of the newborn Seventh Prince?*

Fifth Prince Yongqi, clever since childhood and born to a Manchu mother, had been the second most favored prince before Yongcong’s birth, second only to Prince Duan Yonglian.

He twisted his fingers nervously. *Mother said Seventh Brother would steal my favor… Could it be true?*

Sixth Prince Yongrong felt a pang of envy but quickly brushed it aside, focusing instead on the fruits and pastries at the banquet. He reached out his little hand to grab some—only to be scooped up by Third Prince. “Little Six, you’ve had enough to eat. Mother will scold you later!”

Pouting, Sixth Prince ignored his own brother and turned to Second Prince Yonglian with pleading, pitiful eyes.

Yonglian suppressed a laugh. “I counted—he’s only had three pastries. That’s not too many.” Then he picked up a chestnut cake. “Here, let your second brother feed you!”

Both Third Prince and Sixth Prince were Consort Chun’s sons, and Yonglian had always treated them well. Watching this display of brotherly affection, Yonghuang felt even more unsettled inwardly, cursing silently: What a performance.

Qianlong took the opportunity to observe his sons and said to the Empress with a smile, “Yonglian cares for his younger brothers so well—a credit to your teaching, Empress… and mine as well.”

Not to mention the tutors at the Imperial Study!

The Empress found it amusing. It seemed His Majesty’s habit of self-praise was here to stay.

“Yonghuang, though… still falls short,” Qianlong sighed, shaking his head. “I see everything clearly!”

“First Prince is still young. He’ll mature in time,” the Empress said gently.

“Young? He’s already twenty! Next year, he’ll leave the palace to establish his own household. How is that young?” The mention of this soured Qianlong’s mood. “I’ve been too lenient with him. Let him into the Ministry of Revenue just because he wanted to—and what has he accomplished?”

“All he does is dwell on trivial matters and cozy up to Consort Xian.”

The Empress was his most beloved and trusted confidante, the one to whom he spoke his deepest thoughts.

Hearing this, the Empress soothingly patted Qianlong’s back. “It’s only because you favor Yonglian so much…”

“Yonglian is my legitimate eldest son. Who else should I favor?” Qianlong said gravely. “…The matter of appointing a Crown Prince should be brought to discussion soon.”

Author’s Note: Yongcong: I heard they’re going to appoint a Crown Prince!!! Am I about to win effortlessly??? Getting excited.jpg