Wei Jing Emperor wasn't as solemn and dignified as Empress Zhou, but rather casual and peaceful, though between his brows, he faintly exuded a terrifying sense of oppression.

Yu Qingwu's body tensed up, like a wooden sculpture standing in place, not speaking, nor daring to move rashly, only secretly casting her gaze upon Xie Jin Yan.

Xie Jin Yan seemed to have long been accustomed to it. He tugged at Yu Qingwu, signaling her to sit down, and smiled back at Wei Jing Emperor.

"Father is joking, Yu Liangdi is meeting you for the first time."

"Perhaps it's because she resembles Shen Baolin somewhat?"

Xie Jin Yan sat down on a chair in the hall, and with a smile on his face, said another sentence.

The Shen Baolin in Xie Jin Yan's words was the youngest daughter of the Qiu family, originally the apple of their eye. Ten years ago, in order to consolidate the glory of the Rongguo Duke's mansion, she was sent to the palace to be selected as a concubine, hoping to leap to become a noble consort or empress to honor the family.

It was a pity that there were countless beauties in the palace, with a plethora of talent. Ten years had passed, and Shen Baolin was still Shen Baolin, like a transparent person in the vast imperial palace.

If Xie Jin Yan hadn't mentioned it today, Wei Jing Emperor would have almost forgotten that there was such a person in the palace.

He touched his nose, thought carefully for a while, and the face of Shen Baolin, delicate and pretty, appeared in his mind. He then looked at Yu Qingwu's bright and aggressive face and waved his hand at Xie Jin Yan, "No, it's not."

Wei Jing Emperor frowned, and while talking to Xie Jin Yan, he still narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Yu Qingwu's face intently.

"Ah! I remember!" Just as Yu Qingwu was becoming increasingly nervous from being stared at, Wei Jing Emperor suddenly slapped his thigh and shouted towards the outside of the hall, "Yu Qi, come in."

As soon as Wei Jing Emperor's words fell, a soft sound of footsteps came from outside.

Before long, Eunuch Yu, who was waiting outside the Zichen Hall, walked in.

He quietly glanced at Xie Jin Yan and Yu Qingwu, and soon walked to Wei Jing Emperor's front, half-bowing, and asked with a smile, "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"

Wei Jing Emperor sat cross-legged on the soft couch, pointed to the position beside Yu Qingwu, and instructed Yu Qi with a smile, "Yu Qi, you stand over there."

Hearing this, Yu Qi looked puzzled and slowly stood beside Qingwu.

Wei Jing Emperor touched his chin, his gaze carefully wandering over the two of them.

Finally, his eyes settled on Qingwu, as if he had discovered some earth-shattering secret, and he said to Xie Jin Yan, "Old Five, look, doesn't this Yu Liangdi resemble Yu Qi somewhat?"

Wei Jing Emperor's words made Yu Qingwu suddenly realize.

Indeed, no wonder she felt that this Eunuch Yu looked familiar just now.

However, she also felt that Eunuch Yu seemed to resemble… her eldest brother who died in the fire.

He was also named Yu? Could it be that brother changed his name…

That day, her brother's body was burned beyond recognition. It was only with the help of the jade pendant he carried with him that she and her mother dared to confirm that the corpse was her brother.

Countless absurd guesses flashed through Yu Qingwu's mind, but in the end, she rejected them all.

If her brother were alive, how could he not come looking for her?

"Father is right. Now that you mention it, this son also feels that Liangdi does indeed resemble Eunuch Yu somewhat." A wave of self-deprecation washed over Qingwu's heart, but Xie Jin Yan's pretentious and surprised voice reached her ears.

Yu Qi had a smile on the corner of his mouth, and bowed to Wei Jing Emperor, "Your Majesty is too kind. This servant is just a eunuch. How dare I compare myself to Liangdi? Your Majesty, please don't embarrass this servant."

Compared to Wei Jing Emperor and Xie Jin Yan, one a monarch and the other a crown prince, he appeared even more dignified and steady.

His every move was gentle and refined.

If he hadn't entered the palace and become a eunuch, with such appearance and demeanor, he would have been the dream lover of countless young ladies.

What a pity…

Yu Qingwu sighed in her heart, and her eyes couldn't help but secretly look at Yu Qi.

Yu Qi seemed to have noticed her gaze, but he didn't make any movements, still maintaining that proper and upright posture.

Wei Jing Emperor glanced at him lightly, somewhat disappointedly teasing him, "You are just so rigid."

"Alright, go down."

After saying that, Wei Jing Emperor refocused his gaze on Yu Qingwu. Seeing that she seemed very nervous, he called out to her again and began to chat about trivial matters.

He asked about her hobbies and specialties, and then mentioned Yu Qingwu's donation of her family property, praising her as a good daughter-in-law of the Xie family. Finally, he gave a few words of encouragement, saying that Xie Jin Yan's older brothers already had children, and hoping that they could also let him hold his grandson soon. Seeing that it was almost noon, they went to the Taiji Hall together for lunch.

The New Year's Eve banquet was the official one, but the luncheon was also quite lively.

When they arrived at the hall, the concubines of the various palaces and the nobles had already taken their seats according to their respective statuses.

Qiu Shi Yi Niang was specially allowed to sit in front of the Empress.

Next in order were Noble Consort Liu, and then Consort Xian and Consort Shu.

The remaining concubines, either were not of high rank or were not favored, and were seated in the center.

Yu Qingwu and Xie Jin Yan also sat in a front position, directly opposite You Wanwan and Xie Qiyun.

Upon seeing her, both of their expressions were not very pleasant, but they still forced a smile.

Especially Xie Qiyun, after being scolded by You Wanwan for no reason, he had a belly full of anger.

A touch of viciousness flashed in his eyes, and Xie Qiyun suddenly got up and slowly walked towards Xie Jin Yan and Yu Qingwu.

First, he bowed, and then smiled as he greeted Xie Jin Yan, "Fifth Brother, it's been a while."

"This… is your newly acquired Liangdi, right?" Xie Qiyun seemed to intentionally raise his voice.

As he spoke, his eyes looked at Yu Qingwu, smiling kindly, but his words were sarcastic, saying, "I must say, Sister-in-law is indeed beautiful. I heard that Sister-in-law can also make rouge, truly multi-talented. No wonder Fifth Brother insisted on seizing what others loved back then…"

"Oh, no, what am I saying?" Xie Qiyun patted his mouth, as if he didn't mean it.

How petty and back-palace-like.

With this… he dares compete with Xie Jin Yan?

A touch of mockery flashed in Yu Qingwu's eyes, and Xie Jin Yan chuckled.

"Elder Brother doesn't need to be so hesitant and cover up for this younger brother. Just say what you want to say."

"That's right, Liangdi was indeed engaged to Shen Ke, and I did use some means to snatch her away. Living in this world, one should make oneself comfortable and happy. Bearing some infamy doesn't affect anything. It's always better than marrying someone you don't love for the sake of benefits, while secretly… with the one you love…"

???

Secretly!

Who is this eldest prince secretly with?

In an instant, except for those princesses and imperial concubines who were in Fengzao Palace just now, everyone around was shocked and cast their gaze on Xie Qiyun.

Xie Qiyun was stunned. The eyes that were smiling a moment ago were suddenly filled with anger, and he sternly retorted Xie Jin Yan, "You… Fifth Brother! Don't talk nonsense! I have always been innocent and upright! I have never done anything sneaky."

"Elder Brother, what are you talking about? I didn't say that you were secretly with someone? Why are you reacting like this?"

The air suddenly fell into silence.