Help! The Frosty Noble's Son Is in Love With Me!-Chapter 378: His Majesty Doesn’t Like Me Much Right Now
Qu Fulan had a "family dinner" with the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.
It was indeed a family dinner because, besides the few of them, not even the Empress was invited, let alone the other concubines. This was a family dinner deliberately created by the Emperor.
The Empress Dowager was very amiable and even picked dishes for Qu Fulan at the dinner, urging her to eat more.
Both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor thought she was too slim. Girls look better with a bit more weight, they said.
Nanny Lai also diligently helped serve her food.
"Being too thin is not good for pregnancy later on; even if you conceive, it might harm your health," the Empress Dowager advised sincerely.
Qu Fulan kept nodding in agreement.
The Emperor wasn’t as pleased, saying, "She’s still so young, what’s the rush to have children? No rush, but she should indeed eat more to gain some weight."
The Empress Dowager shot the Emperor a glance, "She’s already married, how can she not have children? Is this how a father should be?"
The Empress Dowager understood the Emperor’s feelings about just finding his daughter, but there should be limits to spoiling her. A woman who doesn’t bear children could be gossiped about, and men are often too rough-minded to understand the nuances involved.
Nanny Lai also sided with the Empress Dowager.
In the end, under the "concern" of the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and Nanny Lai, Qu Fulan ate an extra bowl of rice compared to usual.
As soon as they finished eating, Noble Princess Consort Xu came with her daughter, Princess Qiuxi, to greet the Empress Dowager, perfectly timing their arrival.
Princess Qiuxi, upon entering, first greeted the Empress Dowager and then her father, the Emperor. After receiving their responses, she didn’t look at anyone else and went straight to cling to the Emperor’s arm, saying coquettishly, "Father, you haven’t visited Qiuxi for so long, have you forgotten about Qiuxi?"
The Emperor laughed heartily, "Father has been too busy, but I planned to visit you once things settled down."
Princess Qiuxi pouted, "Father is lying; you were clearly busy with Mingzhu and forgot about Qiuxi."
The Emperor touched his nose and coughed, slightly embarrassed at being called out.
Noble Princess Consort Xu quickly interjected, "How can you speak to your father like that? Such lack of respect."
Princess Qiuxi held onto the Emperor’s arm stubbornly, "I talk to Father however I please. Besides, I’m not wrong."
This was a display of vying for affection, which the Empress Dowager most disliked. Especially with many other concubines waiting outside to greet her, she found it bothersome and claimed fatigue, wanting to rest, prompting everyone to leave.
Once outside, they saw a large group of concubines, princes, and princesses standing by, eventually gathering in a side hall to chat. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖
In front of the Emperor, they all praised Princess Mingzhu to high heaven, but once he left, the more experienced concubines masked their expressions, while some princes and lords visibly sulked.
There was no help for it; the Emperor could only favor one at a time, making the favored one the target of everyone’s resentment.
The news of the Emperor’s actions today had reached them, making them all the more jealous, as the Emperor had never treated them this way before.
Most of the princes and princesses managed to maintain a composed front, except for one or two more foolish ones, like Princess Qiuxi.
She looked at Qu Fulan, "I heard you used to be a servant for someone, so you must be good at serving others, hence you could rise to become the Young Lady. No wonder you’ve got Father wrapped around your finger."
Her words were too blunt and rude, but Princess Qiuxi had been provoked. The father’s affection for this newfound daughter had filled her with jealousy, making it hard for her to hold back once the father left.
Qu Fulan, upon hearing this, did not change her expression, merely replied calmly, "By your logic, you are not even as good as a servant, as you can’t even please Father."
"You..." Princess Qiuxi was rendered speechless, directly rebuffed.
The others watching the drama saw that Princess Mingzhu directly retorted, realizing she wasn’t easy to bully. After all, it’s not possible to climb from a servant to her current position without some grit.
So no one dared to pick another quarrel, as few would be foolish enough to offend while the Emperor favored this daughter so much. Thus, they all maintained appearances well.
After returning to the palace, Princess Qiuxi was harshly scolded by Noble Princess Consort Xu.
"Have you become too comfortable, losing your wits? Why did you speak about her in front of others? If your father finds out, you’ll be in big trouble!"
Princess Qiuxi was unimpressed, "Father would never punish me for a newly found daughter; I’ve been watched over by Father since I was little. This bond isn’t easily replaced by some child brought back from outside."
Noble Princess Consort Xu tapped her daughter’s forehead forcefully, sighing helplessly, "Check your temper. Don’t upset your father; otherwise, even Mother can’t help you."
Despite her words, Noble Princess Consort Xu didn’t truly believe the Emperor would punish her daughter over a newly acknowledged one; both are precious and bear their own pain if hurt.
Besides, her daughter has indeed been watched and grown under the Emperor’s care; when it comes down to it, it’s uncertain who he might favor.
Meanwhile, after dealing with the Emperor’s multitude of concubines and children, Qu Fulan also felt somewhat weary. Such is the sorrow of being an Emperor; having so many wives and children, few truly care for him; most are in it for the benefits.
Back at Biyue Palace, Qu Fulan inquired if Pei Ji’an had visited.
The palace attendant’s expression was a bit subtle but replied, "The Heir Pei came early, but the Emperor stopped him at the door, saying he shouldn’t disturb the princess’s time at her maternal family."
Qu Fulan: "...Let him in."
With Princess Mingzhu’s directive, the palace attendants naturally dared not disobey, especially since the Emperor was only joking with Heir Pei, not sincerely preventing the couple from meeting.
Heir Pei finally saw his wife, and truly it felt as though a day apart was like three autumns.
"How long are you staying?" he asked.
"Probably two or three days," Qu Fulan replied, sensing the Emperor wasn’t inclined to let her return anytime soon.
Pei Ji’an sighed, "It’s truly difficult to meet you nowadays."
Qu Fulan smiled, "You’re exaggerating."
Pei Ji’an, resigned, said, "Not an exaggeration at all; the Emperor now isn’t fond of me."
Qu Fulan chuckled, "Endure it for a while. If you have a daughter someday, and she marries without your knowledge, you might find it hard to sit still as well."
Pei Ji’an humored her, imagining the scenario, and instantly understood the Emperor’s actions, thinking he might react even more intensely.
While this serious couple was considering matters of having children...
Elsewhere, the single Prince Xiao was still troubled by a certain matter.
To confirm it, he visited the tofu skin bun shop every day to observe.
Li Hua went to the tofu skin bun shop to help daily, and Li Niang was willing to teach her, so she was eager to learn.
Xiao Shiqing, who was in charge of that area, didn’t originally need to patrol in person, but now it was his only legitimate way to approach her.
Li Hua, being too busy learning to make tofu skin buns and selling them, had no time to notice her surroundings, and thus didn’t know she was being observed continually.
