“Right! His Imperial Majesty also said he would give me a little bow and arrow.”

“His Imperial Majesty?” Yu Ning couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s what Xiaobao calls him? Do you know what the Emperor means?”

“I know, I know. The teacher taught me, but I always call him Uncle.”

Yu Ning patted Xiaobao’s head and curiously asked, “Then, Xiaobao, do you like Emperor Uncle?”

“Yes! But…” Yu Xiaobao hesitated, looking into Yu Ning’s eyes and tentatively saying, “But this uncle said bad things about Mother.”

“Huh?” Yu Ning frowned. “What bad things?”

The two ladies of the Yongning Hou Mansion accompanied the Empress Dowager, so they arrived a little late. When Huo Shi took her seat, her daughter and granddaughter were already seated.

“What secrets are you two whispering? Let me hear it too.” Huo Shi sat down beside Yu Ning and asked with a smile.

“There are no secrets. I was just telling Xiaobao that when the banquet starts, she shouldn’t eat too much without regard for etiquette.” Seeing Huo Shi, Yu Ning felt even more uneasy and quickly changed the subject to divert her attention.

After all, if Huo Shi heard what Xiaobao had just told her, it would be a great shock.

Yu Ning thought that perhaps Shen Tuo’s words to Xiaobao were also a veiled warning to her.

As the emperor, his status was high, and he naturally didn’t want to be associated with her. If she really got married, it would eliminate Shen Tuo’s suspicions.

Marriage, for her, might be the best way to ensure her safety for the rest of her life, without worrying about Shen Tuo taking her life.

The autumn hunting banquet lasted for three days, with great fanfare.  The banquet featured various rare delicacies. Before the banquet began, the dishes and game hadn’t been served yet, but the aroma was already carried on the breeze.

“Sister-in-law, Ning’er, I just heard that our Xiaobao was taken to play in the woods by His Majesty today?”

Second Madam Lin approached, inquiring with curiosity.

In just a few hours, the news had spread. Many ladies were talking about it privately, and the women of the Yongning Hou Mansion had naturally heard about it.  Lin Shi couldn’t contain her curiosity, so she came to Huo Shi and Yu Ning to inquire.

Yu Ning had to recount the events in the woods, then feigned ignorance, saying she didn’t know why His Majesty had done that.

Lin Shi guessed, “Perhaps His Majesty just found Xiaobao cute and took her to play on a whim. After all, he’s twenty-five or six years old. Ordinary men at this age have several children, but he, though in a high position, is lonely, without a single prince or princess…”

“Yes, that’s quite possible.” Huo Shi agreed.

Lin Shi seemed to remember something and continued with relish, “Speaking of which, he’s already that age, but he doesn’t even have a concubine. It’s strange, isn’t it? I heard that most of the people serving in Zi Chen Palace are eunuchs and guards, rarely any palace maids, let alone maids who attend to him at night. There are rumors that His Majesty doesn’t like women…”

Huo Shi gave Lin Shi a look, putting a finger to her lips and making a “shushing” sound.

“This is not the place to say such things. If someone hears you, you’ll get into trouble.”

Huo Shi and Lin Shi, sisters-in-law, had a good relationship and often chatted about family gossip. Lin Shi, once she started talking, forgot where she was and spoke without thinking.

“Oh, I forgot, I forgot.  Elder sister-in-law is right, it’s my fault.”

Lin Shi slapped her mouth and went back dejectedly.

After hearing her second aunt’s words, Yu Ning was momentarily surprised. Her first reaction was that it was impossible.

How could Shen Tuo like men? He seemed perfectly normal…

But on second thought, Yu Ning found some reason. Otherwise, why was there not a single woman in the palace? Why would the Emperor not establish a queen or take concubines?

While Yu Ning pondered, the autumn hunting banquet began.

The Emperor and Empress Dowager entered, followed by a large group of eunuchs and maids carrying dishes.

The autumn hunt was all about the prizes, awarded based on the number of animals each person hunted.  The young generals who had fought alongside the Emperor in battles had the most, followed by the noble youths.

Xie Yutang had a good harvest and received some rewards.

Upon receiving the rewards, Xie Yutang immediately presented these rare items to his niece to apologize, “Today, Uncle was wrong, Uncle knows his mistake, I hope Xiaobao will be magnanimous and not hold it against Uncle.”

Yu Xiaobao wasn’t a vengeful child, and seeing her uncle’s sincere apology, she reluctantly forgave him.

In a few words, the two reconciled.

Huo Shi and Yu Ning watched from the side, smiling and enjoying the scene, occasionally teasing Xie Yutang.

After the initial pleasantries, the drinking became more lively.

As usual, Shen Tuo raised his cup to toast the Empress Dowager.

Whenever the Empress Dowager attended a palace banquet, Shen Tuo would always toast her.

Although their relationship was only that of mother and son in name, he had to maintain appearances.  He showed respect and etiquette, leaving no room for faultfinding by the civil and military officials.

The Empress Dowager returned the toast and said slowly, “I heard that His Majesty took the Yongning Hou Mansion’s granddaughter to play today. I’ve never seen His Majesty so close to a young child before. Now this…If His Majesty likes children, why not let the Ministry of Rites prepare a list of eligible ladies, selecting a few virtuous and gentle women from noble families to enter the palace, to continue the imperial line and expand the family?”

“I just found the child cute and played with her. There’s no other meaning.  There’s no need to rush the selection of concubines. I have my own considerations.”

Shen Tuo was always like this, rejecting the selection of concubines directly, without any polite evasion, showing no consideration for others’ feelings.

The Empress Dowager had only mentioned it casually. Seeing Shen Tuo’s usual response, she said no more.