Ye Ziyun, already disliking her, frowned at the words.
"What's wrong with the hawthorn? If you can't eat it, then don't. Why make such a fuss, eating it and then spitting it out!"
Hussy, so melodramatic!
Before she could finish speaking, the Empress Dowager suddenly noticed, her expression instantly turning grim. "Silence!"
Abruptly reprimanded, Ye Ziyun looked utterly incredulous.
"Imperial Grandmother..."
Her plea was met with the Empress Dowager's stern gaze, and she immediately fell silent.
The Empress Dowager, her face darkened, swept her eyes over the pile of pastries. "Who brought these pastries? The Ink Prince's consort is with child, how can she eat hawthorn!"
This statement was even more astonishing than before.
Unexpectedly, Concubine Rong was the first to look up, a hint of surprise on her usually composed face.
She was... pregnant with Lan'er's child?
"Pregnant, pregnant, always talking about being pregnant. If you're so delicate, why come out? Wouldn't it be better to stay at the prince's manor."
Ye Ziyun grumbled discontentedly under her breath. These words, however, made Concubine Rong's expression immediately darken.
"Yun'er, you knew about this already?"
Concubine Rong didn't particularly like Feng Yinwan, her daughter-in-law.
Ye Ziyun dismissed it with a wave of her hand. "Yes, Mother Consort. She's just pregnant, why are you all so nervous!"
Concubine Rong shot her a glare, her face tinged with anger. "Nonsense!"
Among the Emperor's five sons, Ye Tinglan was undoubtedly the most favored. Currently, none of the other princes had any offspring. If Feng Yinwan were to be the first to conceive, then this child would be the legitimate eldest grandson!
This was a truth that other consorts naturally understood.
"This servant deserves to die, this servant deserves to die."
A palace maid in the hall suddenly knelt. "Your Majesty Empress Dowager, please forgive this servant. This servant did not know the Ink Prince's consort was with child and unintentionally presented the pastries. It was not deliberate!"
"Insolent!"
"The Ink Prince's consort carries Lan'er's bloodline, the legitimate eldest grandson of our imperial family. How can you be so careless!"
The Empress Dowager slammed her palm heavily onto the table. "Guards, drag this clumsy servant out and punish her severely for me!"
The guards were about to step forward to apprehend the maid when the Empress, who had remained silent until now, suddenly rose.
"Your Majesty Empress Dowager, please forgive me. These hawthorn glutinous rice cakes were ordered by this consort from the Imperial Kitchen for the palace banquet. This consort was unaware that the Ink Prince's consort was with child and thus, through a moment of negligence, almost caused a grave mistake."
"The Ink Prince and his consort arrived late. Hope'er, as per custom, presented the pastries without noticing this. It is this consort's oversight."
Previously, no one had paid close attention. Upon hearing this, everyone looked up and noticed that they all had a stack of similar pastries at hand.
The Empress Dowager's expression softened slightly upon seeing this, but she did not relent.
"There are many women in the palace. One should be extra careful about dietary restrictions. As the Empress, in charge of the six palaces, how could you be so careless in your duties!"
Her daughter-in-law had always been meticulous in her conduct. How could such a lapse occur?
The Empress lowered her head further. "This consort has failed in her duties and dares not defend herself. I accept Your Majesty's punishment."
She was, after all, the Empress. And the matter had not resulted in any substantial harm. The Empress Dowager frowned, pressing her temples, and waved her hand.
"Forget it. Fortunately, the Ink Prince's consort is skilled in medicine and was able to detect this matter in time. If it were another consort in the palace, it might not have been so simple."
"You must take this as a warning and handle matters more properly in the future."
"Yes."
The Empress nodded. Having received the Empress Dowager's approval, she was helped to her feet by a palace maid.
Feng Yinwan didn't quite believe this explanation and subtly raised an eyebrow before putting the pastries back. She then heard the Empress speak again.
"The imperial bloodline is indeed of great importance. This consort also feels guilt over this matter. It is a merit for the Ink Prince's consort to conceive, so this consort shall bestow this Ruyi hairpin upon her, as a token of auspicious blessing."
With that, she removed a white jade hairpin from her hair.
The hairpin was pure white throughout, with only a blood-red gemstone inlaid at the end. The red and white, in contrast, were strikingly distinct.
The Empress Dowager nodded. "You are thoughtful."
With permission granted, a palace maid immediately brought the hairpin forward. Under everyone's gaze, Feng Yinwan could only accept it.
She hadn't seen it clearly from afar earlier. Now, holding it, she inexplicably felt a sense of familiarity with the red gemstone.
Before she could examine it further, Ye Tinglan spoke.
"On behalf of the Prince's consort, this King thanks the Empress for her kind gesture."
Feng Yinwan snapped back to attention and immediately nodded. "This consort thanks Your Majesty the Empress."
After such an incident, the Empress Dowager had lost her appetite for pleasantries, and shortly after, everyone moved to the Yiqing Hall, where the banquet was to be held.
Ye Tinglan stood up and, seeing her still examining the hairpin the Empress had given her, his dark eyes focused with silent intensity.
"What is it? Is there something wrong with this hairpin?"
The jade was good jade, both the white and the red.
Besides, the hairpin had been taken directly from the Empress's hair in front of everyone. Anything problematic, she surely wouldn't wear.
Feng Yinwan shook her head. "Perhaps this consort is overthinking it."
When they arrived at Yiqing Hall, they unexpectedly saw Feng Yiyi.
Feng Yinwan raised an eyebrow and saw that she was accompanied by a man in gaudy attire.
Before they could speak, the other party had already spotted them.
"Long time no see, Third Brother."
The man spoke with a rather flippant tone, his peach blossom eyes conveying affection, with a hint of playfulness.
Feng Yinwan's beautiful eyes lowered slightly, a suspicion dawning in her heart.
This must be the Emperor's fourth son, Ye Tingyu.
Ye Tinglan nodded indifferently, showing no inclination to converse. Clearly, he did not care much for this fourth brother.
"Eldest Sister, why did you leave so abruptly? Fortunately, I met Fourth Prince, otherwise, how could I have caught up with you!"
Feng Yiyi's tone was tinged with a hint of wistfulness, yet her eyes were fixed on Ye Tingyu, with a shy affection.
Feng Yinwan's beautiful eyes subtly lifted as she spoke with a cool, indifferent tone.
"Second Sister, what are you saying? If not for this, how would you have met Fourth Prince?"
Look at those eyes, they were practically sticking together.
"Eldest Sister!"
Feng Yiyi playfully rebuked her with a blush, sending a shiver down Feng Yinwan's spine, goosebumps erupting.
Fortunately, Ye Tinglan spoke in time. "Let's go in."
The Empress Dowager's return to the palace was not as grand as the previous Spring Festival ceremony. Besides princes like Ye Tinglan, there were many imperial consorts and royal offspring.
Among the female attendees, apart from Feng Yinwan who was a Prince's consort and rightfully present, Qin Rulian and Feng Yiyi were clearly uninvited guests.
"The Empress Dowager has been praying at Qingpu Temple, praying for the country and its people. Her actions have contributed to the state. Now that she has returned to the palace, all of you should show her utmost filial piety."
"Yes."
Amidst a chorus of agreement, the Emperor looked at Ye Tinglan.
"Lan'er, you have meritorious service in pacifying the border and have safely escorted the Empress Dowager back to the capital. Today, I shall reward your achievements. Do you have any requests?"
Such public bestowal of rewards was sufficient to show the Emperor's praise for Ye Tinglan.
Ye Tinglan rose and bowed respectfully.
"This subject's duty as a general is to lead troops into battle. I do not desire any rewards."
Seeing that he refused without even thinking, the Emperor's eyes narrowed slightly.
"I know you have always disliked worldly possessions, so I have prepared a special gift, which I believe you will surely like."
He clapped his hands, and a palace servant immediately presented a tray.
It was covered with red silk. From afar, it was impossible to tell what it was.
As the item was brought closer, Ye Tinglan did not reach out to lift the covering.
"Father Emperor, this subject..."
The Emperor laughed heartily, interrupting him. "Don't be so quick to refuse. Take a look first."
With that, the red silk was lifted by a palace servant. Ye Tinglan raised his eyes and looked. His gaze immediately tightened.
It was a military tally.