Before they knew it, summer had arrived, and the preparations for the garden party were almost complete. At this time, two pieces of good news came from the palace: both Concubine Zhen and Concubine Xin were pregnant.
Ji Feiyu checked the imperial records and calculated the dates. She knew that it was the result of the emperor bestowing his favor on other concubines during the period when he was angry with her after she kicked him out of the bed.
Of course, the happiest person about this was the Empress Dowager. She had been waiting for Ji Feiyu to have a grandson for a long time. It was truly a process from hope to despair. In the end, she finally gave up on Ji Feiyu and strongly demanded that she follow the principle of "sharing the emperor's favor equally" so that the other concubines would not waste their wombs.
The fact that two concubines were pregnant at the same time was exactly the result she had been hoping for.
Regarding this matter, Ji Feiyu asked Yong Yaxuan for his opinion. When he saw Ji Feiyu, he flattered her, saying, "It's certainly wonderful to be a father. But I wonder when my dear empress will give birth to a child for me?"
Ji Feiyu replied, "Didn't I say before that I don't really want a child now? Why are you in such a hurry, Your Majesty?"
He sighed and said, "As an emperor, even if I'm not in a hurry, there are always others who will be for me."
Indeed, establishing an heir was a prerequisite for national stability. How could Ji Feiyu not understand this?
It was just that Ji Feiyu's womb was really uncooperative. She had been with the emperor for three years, but she hadn't been able to conceive a child. This made her start to wonder if she was infertile. Or perhaps the emperor always timed their encounters accurately to avoid the crucial period?
After Concubine Zhen and Concubine Xin became pregnant, the emperor came to Ji Feiyu's palace less often.
After all, he was going to be a father. Ji Feiyu could understand his excitement and the sense of novelty. She couldn't say anything about it. She could only blame her own uncooperative womb for not being able to conceive a child.
Finally, the day of the garden party arrived.
This day was extremely lively. There were games such as arrow - throwing into a pot, riddle - guessing, poetry - matching, and the flower - flying game. Ji Feiyu also introduced some new and interesting things from the common people, either for sale or as prizes.
On this day, with the special permission of the Empress Dowager, all the concubines in the harem could dress up in their most beautiful clothes and enjoy the outing.
All the concubines in the harem cheered and were grateful for the kindness of the Empress Dowager and the empress.
The whole event was mainly organized by the empress, but she also borrowed the help of the officials from the Twenty - Four Bureaus and the Ministry of Rites.
Unexpectedly, the person sent by the Ministry of Rites on the day of the garden party was Lin Zhiran.
On that day, Ji Feiyu came to the garden party with the white rabbit that Yong Yaxuan had given her. Seeing the bustling crowd and the smiling faces of everyone, she felt very comfortable.
As she walked around and looked, unexpectedly, she saw Lin Zhiran by the lotus pond in the garden. She was slightly startled and asked, "Lin Zhiran, why are you here?"
When Lin Zhiran saw it was Ji Feiyu, he quickly bowed and said, "Your humble servant pays respects to the empress."
Hearing this, Ji Feiyu's eyes darkened. Before, when they were discussing learning, there were not so many formalities. But after being scared by Yong Yaxuan... However, she was not convenient to show her emotions too obviously. She just said, "There are only you and me here. You don't need to be so formal."
But Lin Zhiran shook his head and smiled. "No matter where it is, Your Highness is still the empress. The proper etiquette that your humble servant should pay when seeing Your Highness cannot be omitted."
Ji Feiyu couldn't help but scold him in her heart for being a fool, but she didn't show it on her face. She just asked with a smile, "Why are you here?"
Seeing Ji Feiyu's clear smile, Lin Zhiran felt unworthy of her beauty. He lowered his eyes and said, "Your Highness has forgotten. The Ministry of Rites is also involved in the garden party."
Only then did Ji Feiyu remember. She let out an "oh" and said, "I've been so busy with so many things that I forgot. But the official from the Ministry of Rites I contacted before wasn't you."
Lin Zhiran nodded and said, "Yes. Unfortunately, he was unwell, so your humble servant was sent instead."
Ji Feiyu understood. Then she said, "Well, Lord Lin, would you like to accompany me to sit in that pavilion? I'm a bit tired after walking all the way."
Hearing this, Lin Zhiran quickly said, "It's my negligence. Your Highness, please!"
Ji Feiyu smiled at him and walked towards the waterside pavilion with him. In her heart, she was thinking that Lin Zhiran was the son of Lin Chujie, the treacherous official of the court. How come he seemed so dull - witted and nothing like his father? Was he a man of great wisdom who appeared foolish, or was he truly kind - hearted?
Looking at him, Ji Feiyu thought of her first love.
At first, her first love treated her just as dull - wittedly as Lin Zhiran. It wasn't until later, when he felt a sense of crisis, that he volunteered to go to war for her and fight bravely on the battlefield.
She had witnessed his transformation bit by bit, from a young and innocent boy to a mighty general. Apart from gaining that masculine charm, he was still as taciturn as before. Ji Feiyu always liked to see his slightly blushing face when he secretly looked at her, and she liked to see his tolerant expression when he doted on her.
Ji Feiyu slowly pulled herself back to reality and casually chatted with Lin Zhiran about the flowers and plants in the garden. He was really erudite. No matter what Ji Feiyu said, he could discuss it in depth with her, which made her admire him very much!
Later, seeing that the atmosphere between them was quite good, Ji Feiyu finally brought up the previous matter.
"Lord Lin, actually, on the day of the banquet for the ministers, I invited you to tell you about my identity. But you didn't come."
Hearing this, Lin Zhiran's heart skipped a beat. But he still said gently, "It was my fault. I accidentally lost the note. When I went back to look for it, I couldn't find it."
Was the truth really like this? The scenario Ji Feiyu had imagined in her mind was much more complicated than this. Wasn't it the emperor who coerced and bribed him?
"So that's how it is. I'm afraid my action made Lord Lin misunderstand." Ji Feiyu said a bit disappointedly as she stroked the rabbit in her arms.
Lin Zhiran lowered his head and was silent for a moment. Finally, he said, "It really doesn't conform to the etiquette."
Ji Feiyu looked at him with a piercing gaze and retorted, "Then, is it proper etiquette for you and me to meet alone now?"
Just as she finished speaking, Lin Zhiran looked up at her. Before he could answer, he knelt down with a thud and said, "Your humble servant welcomes Your Majesty."
Ji Feiyu turned around and saw Yong Yaxuan walking towards them. So she also knelt down with the rabbit in her arms to welcome the emperor.
"Rise." After Yong Yaxuan came in, he first helped Ji Feiyu up and took the rabbit from her arms.
Lin Zhiran bowed to the emperor and said, "Your humble servant will take his leave first."
Yong Yaxuan smiled and waved his hand. Lin Zhiran quickly retreated. Ji Feiyu looked at his innocent smile and also wanted to stand up and leave. But he stopped her.
"My dear empress, why do you want to leave when you see me?"
Ji Feiyu said, "Shouldn't I leave? Do I have to wait for Your Majesty to get jealous and punish me?"
Yong Yaxuan stroked the rabbit in his arms and smiled. "Do you think I'm such an unreasonable person?"
Aren't you?
Ji Feiyu also smiled. "Your Majesty is so busy with state and family affairs. Why do you have time to come to my garden party today?" After saying that, she snatched the rabbit back from Yong Yaxuan's arms.
Seeing this, Yong Yaxuan burst out laughing. "It seems that I've neglected you these days. You're really unhappy! Does this mean you miss me?"