In the blink of an eye, New Year's Eve arrived.
Starting from the Minor New Year, the palace servants had been bustling about, cleaning every corner of the inner court until it was spotless. Lanterns and red silks, symbols of joy and auspiciousness, hung from tree branches, eaves, and along the pathways.
While firecrackers were forbidden within the palace, there was no shortage of couplets, 'Fu' characters, and paper-cuttings. The imperial kitchen had also prepared large quantities of Laba porridge, with each servant receiving a generous bowl.
On the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, the royal family held a grand New Year's banquet in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, inviting imperial relatives, foreign envoys, and important court officials of the fifth rank and above. The scale was magnificent.
In previous years, attendees mostly just ate, drank, presented congratulatory gifts, and celebrated with the emperor. This year, however, many were more eager to catch a glimpse of the rumored young prince's true appearance.
With no empress in the palace, Yun Wan, as the Noble Consort, held a status akin to a deputy empress, surpassing Imperial Concubine Li who lacked both an honorary title and authority over the palace.
Hall of Supreme Harmony.
As the New Year's Eve palace banquet commenced, she appeared in the resplendent robes of a Noble Consort, hand in hand with Emperor Jingxuan.
Behind them was Sui, dressed in the intricate indigo-blue robes of a prince, holding the hand of Jiang Fusheng as he followed his parents.
No one dared question such an arrangement.
The prince's attire was overly elaborate and somewhat heavy for Sui. He tried his best to hold his head high and chest out, ignoring the intense gazes from all around and focusing straight ahead. Yet, in his excessive concentration, he forgot to watch his step, nearly stumbling on the stairs, saved just in time by Jiang Fusheng.
"Your Highness, be careful!"
Noticing the commotion behind her, Yun Wan stopped and turned, with Emperor Jingxuan also following her gaze, their eyes filled with concern.
Sui's cheeks flushed slightly as he raised a hand to adjust the crown on his head.
Seeing this, Emperor Jingxuan gave a faint smile. Then, in full view of everyone, he bent down, picked up Sui with his left arm, and clasped Yun Wan's hand with his right, fingers interlocked, publicly declaring his favor for this mother and son.
The audience drew a sharp breath. Those who still harbored doubts instantly dismissed them.
Among the court ministers' seats, Lu Yuanduo watched their retreating figures, which resembled a family of three, from afar, his expression bitter.
Others seeing this shook their heads and sighed.
In the consorts' seating area, the faces of Li and Lu were slightly darkened. No matter how they tried to conceal it, not a trace of New Year's joy could be seen in their eyes.
After taking his seat, Emperor Jingxuan swept his authoritative gaze over the assembly and spoke thoughtfully, "Rise, my ministers. Today is New Year's Eve; we shall not discuss state affairs."
Hearing this, everyone pricked up their ears. Not discussing state affairs? Then it must be family matters.
After speaking, Emperor Jingxuan beckoned to Sui, "Sui'er, come to your father."
Sui obediently stepped forward and called out, "Father."
Emperor Jingxuan patted his head, his expression softening. "I presume you have all been curious for a long time. I shall keep it hidden no longer."
"Sui'er is my own flesh and blood, born to Noble Consort Yun. He is a blessing bestowed upon me by heaven. From this day forth, Sui shall be the Fourth Prince of Great Qi, renamed Cheng Sui."
He announced it loudly before everyone, his brow bearing a spirited look rarely seen by the ministers.
Yun Wan had been mentally prepared for this scene. Now, she watched the father and son with a silent, smiling gaze. As her smile bloomed, it was like ice and snow melting.
Emperor Jingxuan called, "Director of the Imperial Observatory!"
The named official hurriedly stood up. "Your servant is here."
Emperor Jingxuan issued a stern order: "I command you to swiftly select an auspicious date without delay for Sui'er's ancestral worship and entry into the imperial jade records."
The Director replied, "Last night, your servant observed the celestial phenomena and calculated that the tenth day of the first lunar month is a rare and highly auspicious day in recent years—"
Emperor Jingxuan stated succinctly, "Then let it be the tenth! This matter is entrusted to you and the Ministry of Rites to handle fully. There must be no mishaps."
The Director swallowed all the prepared explanations he had ready, thinking to himself that it was fortunate he had prepared the date in advance, as it clearly met His Majesty's wishes.
He bowed. "Your servant obeys the command!"
Emperor Jingxuan glanced at the assembly. "What do my esteemed ministers think?"
The ministers, given no real opportunity to respond or voice opinions, looked at each other and shook their heads repeatedly.
Since you said it's a family matter, an imperial family matter, what could they possibly say?
Emperor Jingxuan was satisfied.
However, there were always those unwilling to accept it.
Receiving a look from his father-in-law, Chen Jieyi stood up and spoke under everyone's gaze, "Your Majesty, concerning the imperial heir, this subject has something to say."
"Speak."
Chen Jieyi said, "Regarding the young prince's identity, this subject has a doubt."
"As everyone knows, previously the young prince had always been known as the young master of the Lu family, his father having passed away many years ago. Yet now he has suddenly become Your Majesty's flesh and blood. The truth of this matter deeply troubles this subject."
As soon as these words were spoken, whispers spread through the banquet hall.
Yun Wan's expression remained unchanged. She glanced towards the consorts' seats, just in time to meet what seemed like a mocking look from Imperial Concubine Li.
Emperor Jingxuan's face showed impatience, the layers of imperial authority pressing down. "Are you doubting that Sui'er is my own child?"
Under immense pressure, Chen Jieyi gritted his teeth and stated, "This matter concerns the imperial bloodline. This subject cannot help but doubt. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"
Where one took the lead, others seized the chance to muddy the waters, speaking in his support: "Your Majesty, Minister Chen speaks reason. The matter of the imperial heir is of utmost importance; we must not recklessly confuse it!"
"Might this subject ask Noble Consort Yun, what evidence is there to prove the Fourth Prince's identity?"
It was evident that this matter was aimed not only at Sui but also at Yun Wan.
If Yun Wan were merely a favored consort, her influence on the court would be limited. But now everyone realized she was not only deeply favored by the Emperor but also had a clever and bright prince by her side. The nature of the situation was entirely different.
Once she gained power, who knew how many people's interests would be affected, especially factions supporting the Crown Prince and the Third Prince.
Yun Wan recognized that among those echoing the doubts was someone from the Li family.
"Evidence?"
Emperor Jingxuan immediately placed Sui on his knee, facing the crowd, and rebuked sternly, "Are my ministers blind? The evidence is Sui'er's eyes, identical to mine!"
Chen Jieyi said, "Your Majesty, the world is vast, full of wonders. People with resemblances are not unheard of..."
Emperor Jingxuan narrowed his eyes, about to speak, when the hand resting within his wide sleeve was grasped.
Yun Wan gave him a gentle smile, then turned her gaze to Chen Jieyi. Her voice was clear and calm. "Does this minister have any children?"
Chen Jieyi, unsure of her intention, answered cautiously, "This subject and my wife have a son."
"Does he resemble you in appearance?"
"There is some resemblance in the eyes and brows."
Yun Wan gave a light laugh, her gentle eyes carrying a hint of mockery. "With only some resemblance, how can you be certain he is your son? After all, the world is vast, full of wonders. People with resemblances are not unheard of."
Laughter arose from the banquet tables, with Princess Yongshou and Concubine Hui's being the most unrestrained.
Pei Qian didn't understand what his mother was laughing at, but that didn't stop him from joining in with a hearty laugh: "Hahaha—"
His voice was loud and robust, carrying through the air past the stone pillars to Chen Jieyi's ears. He flushed red with anger. "This subject... this subject and my wife are harmonious; we have only this one son. There is absolutely no other possibility."
As soon as he finished, a colleague refuted him: "Enough, Minister Chen. I heard your wife returned to her parental home a few days ago, angry about you taking a concubine. Where is this marital harmony?"
Chen Jieyi gritted his teeth. "That is mere rumor and speculation, utterly baseless!"
Others hearing this smiled without comment.
This interruption seemed to loosen the tense atmosphere somewhat.
But the matter was not yet over. Emperor Jingxuan spoke coldly:
"Bring the person forward."
