The attendees at this Lantern Festival banquet were all family members of officials ranked fifth grade or higher, and Yan Qing was constantly busy, never having a moment's rest.
"Your Highness, the First Princess is ill. Consort De said she won't be able to come for now," Wenxi, Consort De's personal maid, came to report.
"Ill? How did she suddenly fall ill?" the Noble Consort frowned.
"Perhaps it's because the temperature difference between day and night has been quite large these past few days, so she caught a cold and developed a high fever just now," Wenxi said.
"Have the imperial physicians been summoned?" Noble Consort Yan asked.
"They have already been sent for and should have arrived by now," Wenxi replied.
"The First Princess is the priority. There's nothing too important here; if she can't come, she can't come," Yan Qing responded.
"Yes, thank you for your understanding, Your Highness," Wenxi said and then left.
Seeing the situation, the Noble Consort even said to a nearby palace attendant, "You also find someone to check on her. Don't let anything go wrong. If there's anything you need help with, remember to come to me anytime." Yan Qing was still a bit worried about Consort De being alone.
"Yes," the palace attendant quickly took the order and followed her out.
"Let's go to the banquet hall," Yan Qing said.
"Has His Majesty been informed? Is he coming?" Yan Qing asked.
"He has been informed and said he would arrive later. Noble Consort Shu has not yet woken up," the palace attendant replied.
"His Majesty truly dotes on Noble Consort Shu." Yan Qing's expression revealed nothing.
"What about Her Majesty the Empress Dowager? When will she arrive?" After all, this banquet was proposed by the Empress Dowager.
"Her Majesty the Empress Dowager will come personally in a while," the palace attendant said.
"Alright, let's go. The people below should almost all be here," Yan Qing said, being helped as she walked towards the banquet.
He An Palace
Yu Jingchen looked at Nan Zhiyun, who was still asleep, with a hint of helplessness, but he couldn't bear to disturb her.
"Your Majesty, the banquet has already begun, and Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is also on her way. Should we wake Noble Consort Shu?" Xinglai came to ask for instructions.
"She's sleeping so soundly, what good would it do to wake her? Let her sleep a while longer. It's not mandatory to attend the banquet," Yu Jingchen said indifferently. Compared to Nan Zhiyun's sleep, what else mattered?
"Yes..." Xinglai didn't dare to say more.
After the attendant withdrew, Yu Jingchen walked over to Nan Zhiyun. The quilt was fluffy, and Nan Zhiyun was nestled inside, with only a small head peeking out. Seeing her small figure hidden in the quilt, Yu Jingchen's heart melted.
Perhaps dreaming of something delicious, Nan Zhiyun's lips smacked, bringing a sense of joy to anyone who saw it.
"A young girl is indeed just a young girl." Yu Jingchen sat by her side, feeling content just watching the sleeping figure. In fact, if it could always be like this, it wouldn't be so bad.
"Your Majesty..." it was Qian Xia.
Yu Jingchen looked over, "Is there something else?" Yu Jingchen asked.
"It's Her Majesty the Empress Dowager... Her Majesty the Empress Dowager would like to invite Her Highness to the Lantern Festival banquet with her later," Qian Xia replied.
Yu Jingchen hesitated for a moment, looking at Nan Zhiyun sleeping, unwilling to disturb her. "Must we go now?" Yu Jingchen asked.
"Her Majesty the Empress Dowager merely sent someone to relay a message, she didn't say anything else," Qian Xia replied.
"Alright, you may withdraw. I understand," Yu Jingchen said. Qian Xia knew Yu Jingchen had his reasons and did not interfere.