The mother-in-law, Madam Wen, also nodded. Having given birth to several children, they naturally understood that childbirth could not be rushed.
Madam Wen was quite tolerant, only occasionally letting out sounds. The midwife came out to have them prepare brown sugar eggs and ginseng slices to boost energy. Feng Jinxu, unable to enter, naturally went to oversee these preparations, a way to distract himself.
Madam Wen stayed inside with Madam Wen, while Zhu Jin was responsible for preparing food for her.
This was a critical moment, and no mistakes could be made.
Although the household was impeccably clean, and concubine Linlang was already dead, it was still uncertain if there were any hidden individuals with ill intentions, so everyone remained vigilant.
Meanwhile, as Madam Wen was enduring a difficult labor, the imperial palace on the other side was bustling with activity.
Consort Wei, having shed her past grief and resentment, was exceptionally well-dressed and by Emperor Qi's side. Even the Empress herself was overshadowed by the two, let alone the other consorts trailing behind.
Consort Shu was naturally displeased, but she couldn't help it when her son was so outstanding. No matter how reluctant she was, she was powerless.
However, Consort Liu Xian remained as low-key as ever, like a transparent figure, with a faint smile on her face, always appearing harmless.
Consort Zhen and Noble Lady Xing, who were usually close to Consort Wei, were now fawning over her even more.
They eagerly offered congratulations to His Majesty, Consort Wei, and Prince Li.
Emperor Qi and Consort Wei, with smiles on their faces, accepted the wine cups and drank.
Prince Li, as the protagonist of the celebratory banquet, was naturally surrounded by many court officials, clinking glasses. Few military officers stepped forward to join the revelry.
Xiao Muqian had not returned to the Prince Kang's mansion since his return, let alone the Bai family. He had not seen Bai Siruo in months, only exchanging two letters. In this atmosphere, he missed her intensely.
He knew she was at the women's seating area not far away, but due to his status and etiquette, he could not disturb her.
Bai Siruo had entered the palace with her mother and aunt. She had expected to see her long-awaited fiancé and had even dressed up for the occasion. To her surprise, she found herself sitting there watching Liang Luo vie for attention in front of Princess Huaran, which completely ruined her appetite.
Today, Liang Luo was dressed in a way that showcased Consort Wei's "affection" for her.
The clothes were a gift from Consort Wei, the hairpins were bestowed by Consort Wei, and even the shoes on her feet and the silk handkerchief in her hand were personally selected by Consort Wei from imperial gifts.
In contrast, Princess Huaran, although soon to be Prince Li's consort, appeared rather shabby next to her.
Princess Huaran didn't care about such things. What was the point of dressing up so splendidly? She was merely a secondary consort.
Her future mother-in-law didn't seem like a clever woman. For now, maintaining appearances would suffice. Her top priority was to win over the Ninth Prince and give birth to the legitimate eldest son, which would secure her position.
Therefore, she had another purpose for coming today: to let that yapping dog know its place.
The Empress withdrew from the banquet in front of the hall and came to the women's seating area with a few consorts who preferred to stay out of the limelight.
She ceded that honor to the currently favored Consort Wei.
To her surprise, as soon as she entered, she heard Liang Luo speaking smugly.
"Prince Li is so favored by His Majesty; his future is bound to be limitless."
As a prince, the phrase "limitless future" might seem innocuous, but everyone knew its underlying meaning: aspiring to the throne.
She, a mere betrothed secondary consort, was already so boastful in such a setting. The Empress glanced at the eunuch beside her, who quickly understood and nodded slightly.
Princess Huaran, having grown up in the "poisonous nest" of Prince Yu's mansion, had seen much more of the world than Liang Luo.
Moreover, because her mother was not favored, she had learned to bide her time from a young age. In such a situation, she naturally knew that the early bird gets the worm, but also that the tallest nail gets hammered down.
And Liang Luo, unaware, had not only become a thorn in the eye of Princess Ke's consort but also sand that the Empress could not tolerate. Yet, she reveled in the admiration of the crowd, oblivious to the approaching danger.
"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived!"
The announcement, like a thunderclap, startled everyone, especially Liang Luo, who remembered what she had just said.
Trembling, she knelt on the ground, her words stumbling.
She feared that the Empress might punish her. As the daughter of a mere second-rank official, she was no match for the Empress's might.
To her surprise, the Empress was as amiable as ever. Liang Luo secretly breathed a sigh of relief, assuming she hadn't heard.
"Rise, everyone. Today is a celebratory banquet, so no one need be formal. Yunli has rendered such great service to Great Jin, and I am very pleased. Especially Huaran, who will soon be marrying into Prince Li's mansion. I am looking forward to helping you prepare your dowry."
Her affectionate demeanor caused everyone to look at Liang Luo, who now appeared somewhat embarrassed.
After all, as a mere secondary consort, she would not receive the Empress's dowry preparations.
Princess Huaran respectfully knelt before the Empress and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness. Huaran will not disappoint His Majesty's good intentions and will serve the Prince well."
The Empress was satisfied with the future consort's demeanor.
At least in her heart, she felt that only those who were neither servile nor overbearing, and who conducted themselves with propriety, could enter the imperial family. Otherwise, if everyone were like Consort Wei, Consort Shu, or even Liang Luo, who relied on their beauty to gain favor, life would be unbearable.
"Today is a joyous occasion. His Majesty has specially bestowed the Ruyi Jin wine. All the ladies and young ladies may drink freely."
With that, she instructed the palace maids to deliver a pot of wine to each table. Led by the Empress, everyone drank the fine wine in their cups.
Liang Luo drank the imperial wine without suspicion. Princess Huaran, however, was more cautious. She used the silk handkerchief in her hand to meticulously wipe away any wine that dripped from her lips.
Their positions were now opposed to the Empress. Therefore, everything she bestowed or gifted required extreme caution.
The handkerchief was specially made and highly absorbent, making any wine stains invisible from a distance.
Only after seeing the two drink the wine did the Empress's smile reach her heart.
"Good. You are indeed worthy of being Prince Yunli's future consort and secondary consort. You two must serve Yunli well in the future, and the most important thing is to conceive an imperial grandson as soon as possible. Otherwise, His Majesty and Consort Wei will worry about this daily."
Both Princess Huaran and Liang Luo were unmarried daughters, and upon hearing this, they naturally felt shy, their faces displaying the bashfulness of young women.
Bai Siruo, sitting below, remained silent. Princess Wenyi, beside her, thought she was still thinking of Xiao Muqian and said,
"Don't worry, you'll see him tomorrow."