Shen Yuning stared calmly at the queen without a trace of timidity or evasion. The queen, in turn, gazed quietly at her. Their eyes met, as if they had engaged in numerous confrontations.
After a long while, the queen pursed her lips and smiled. She patted Shen Yuning's hand and said, "My child, you've always been a thoughtful one. The imperial physicians have said that it's precisely because of your over - thinking that you've had an unstable fetus. If you think it's inappropriate to hold the banquet, then don't. I originally just wanted to share your joy. Well, we can wait until the birth of the heir in your womb and then make arrangements."
Shen Yuning nodded with a smile. "Your Majesty's understanding makes me extremely grateful."
If it weren't for the slight tremor in the queen's hands as she held hers, and the pain caused by the excessive grip, Shen Yuning would hardly have noticed the queen's momentary loss of composure.
The queen, after all, stood second only to the emperor, above thousands of others.
When one had been alone for too long, it was easy to fall into wild imaginings.
Shen Yuning gently withdrew her hand from the queen's and smoothed the hair beside her temple.
The queen seemed to have just come to her senses and took a look around. When she had previously urged the Inner Palace Office to build the mansion for Prince Yu, it had not been in such a state. It seemed that during these idle days, Shen Yuning had not only rested but also taken inventory of the entire mansion.
She was a person who preferred simplicity.
However, some people feigned simplicity for the sake of others. If one truly didn't care about money, why would they have once been so eager to open an embroidery workshop and make their way to the capital, a place full of opportunities for wealth?
The queen stood up. After walking a few steps, she turned back with a smile. "There's no need to make a big deal out of Zidu's birthday. But not long ago, Jiayang said she wanted to host a banquet. I thought your mansion, which is reputed to be like the Jasper Lake, would be a perfect place to hold it and liven things up."
Shen Yuning raised her eyebrows in surprise. Jasper Lake? Why had she never heard that Prince Yu's mansion had such an elegant name?
Of course, she knew very well that even if she hadn't heard of it before, since the queen had spoken, by tomorrow, rumors about the unparalleled luxury of Prince Yu's mansion, comparable to the celestial palace of the Jasper Lake, would surely spread far and wide.
It seemed that the queen was determined to hold a banquet in the mansion.
The queen continued, "You know that your imperial brother is in poor health. A bit of celebration might bring some good luck. But every time I wanted to liven things up, your imperial brother wasn't willing, saying it was too noisy. Sigh..."
Was she using the emperor to pressure me?
Shen Yuning smiled. "It's normal for the emperor to dislike noise when he's ill. If Your Majesty doesn't mind, it would be a good idea to hold the banquet in my mansion."
The queen was taken aback. She hadn't expected Shen Yuning to agree so readily. However, every time she saw Shen Yuning's face, she would feel a pang of discomfort and annoyance. No, it wasn't Shen Yuning alone that bothered her, but the sight of Yin Zidu and Shen Yuning, this seemingly hypocritical couple, that made her feel sad and irritated.
She quickened her steps, suppressing the annoyance in her heart, and continued with a smile. "Yuning, don't worry. You won't have to trouble yourself. I'll have the Inner Palace Office take care of all the arrangements."
Although it was said that the Inner Palace Office would handle everything, two days before the banquet, an unexpected guest arrived at Prince Yu's mansion.
Tong Xianqiao, looking full of childishness, came to the mansion with eunuchs and maids. She happily circled around Shen Yuning, carefully examining her belly, sometimes looking puzzled and sometimes sighing.
Even Shen Yuning had to admit that Tong Xianqiao was truly beautiful, but not in the traditional way of a petite beauty. Her beauty had a unique charm that seemed impossible to describe with any words.
Tong Xianqiao said cheerfully in her clear and pleasant voice, "Princess, the queen said that in the future, I'll be leaving the palace to build my own mansion and will need to manage all the affairs myself. But you know, I've always been a playful person, and my parents never taught me these things. The queen said that I should come to you during this banquet to learn from you."
Naturally, this meant that she would be staying in the mansion.
Moreover, for the convenience of making arrangements, the Inner Palace Office directly assigned Tong Xianqiao to a room next to the main courtyard.
Bi Huan stared blankly at all this. In front of others, she didn't dare to say a word, but privately, she couldn't help but worry. "Princess, the Inner Palace Office made these arrangements without your permission. Who's the master here, them or you?"
Shen Yuning chuckled. "All land under heaven belongs to the emperor. This mansion was bestowed by the emperor and is also the property of the royal family. Even if it's my mansion, the queen's authority is greater than mine."
Bi Huan muttered discontentedly, "It would be fine if the prince wasn't at home. But the prince comes back every day. How could she be so unaware of propriety?"
She had originally wanted to say that it was like barging into the house, but out of consideration for Shen Yuning's feelings, she didn't say it.
In the evening, when Yin Zidu returned home and saw the bustling scene, he felt quite impatient. He asked Shen Yuning a few questions and frowned even more tightly when he learned that the princess from the palace was also there.
"What's she doing here in our home?"
Our home?
Shen Yuning, who had been a bit depressed, couldn't help but beam with joy upon hearing this.
Yin Zidu tapped her nose. "She's so annoying. She loves to make a ruckus. I'm always busy, but she keeps coming to me and disturbing my peace."
Shen Yuning raised her eyebrows and asked, "She always comes to you? She's a beauty."
Yin Zidu was slightly taken aback. He turned around, carried Shen Yuning onto the bed, and propped himself up above her. He hooked her chin with one hand and said, "My beauty is right here."
Shen Yuning giggled and pushed him. "No way. I'm already six months pregnant. No, no. Move aside."
Yin Zidu lowered his head and kissed her lips. Even though her belly wasn't very prominent, it had already swelled up.
He stroked her belly and asked again, "Do you find it too noisy? If you do, I'll go to the palace tomorrow and talk to the imperial sister - in - law. We can cancel the banquet."
Shen Yuning shook her head. "The queen said that this banquet is to bring good luck to the emperor. We can't cancel it."
Yin Zidu usually didn't care about such things. Feeling rather troubled, he said, "Then, how about you go and stay at the Xue family's place for a few days and come back on the day of the banquet? I'll stay in the palace these days to avoid the annoyance."
Shen Yuning burst out laughing. "What are you saying? How can the host be away when the guests are staying here?"
The Inner Palace Office truly went all out. They transported all the finest things to Prince Yu's mansion, making it even more magnificent than when Shen Yuning had gotten married.
Shen Yuning said nothing and stood with her arms folded in the courtyard.
Nanny Shuang rushed over. "Princess, a message came from the marquis's mansion. It seems they won't be able to attend the banquet. The young mistress has gone into labor. She's likely to give birth today."
Shen Yuning reached up to stroke the jewelry on her head. Just like the garden, today's willow branches had adorned her beautifully and grandly.
"Sister - in - law is going to give birth? It's really a lucky day today."
The guests arrived one after another. Before long, the queen's carriage pulled up.
Shen Yuning went out to the gate to greet her and bowed to pay her respects.
The queen smiled happily. She got out of the carriage and came over to support Shen Yuning. "There's no need for such formalities between us. Come, be careful. Let's go in."
The queen's attire today was not as solemn as usual. Instead, she looked a bit like she did when she was the crown princess, with a sense of weariness.
As the two of them walked into the garden side by side, it seemed that Shen Yuning looked more noble than the queen. Especially with the queen's hand carefully supporting Shen Yuning, it was as if she were Shen Yuning's maid.
The banquet today was extremely lively. All the court officials and their families had come. With the queen's arrival, everyone had long been waiting in two rows to receive her.
Seeing this scene, some of the senior officials frowned.
The queen seemed to be in a very good mood. She looked up at the courtyard and laughed softly. "You young people just love a bustling and colorful celebration. This magnificent mansion is truly a wonderland on earth."
Shen Yuning lowered her eyebrows and said nothing.
Just then, Shen Weirui raised her innocent - looking face. "I also think that Prince Yu's mansion is especially magnificent today. It's much more beautiful than when I usually come here. I was even wondering how my thrifty aunt could afford such an expense."
Princess Jiayang stroked Weirui's head. "Although the banquet is held in the mansion, it's all arranged by the Inner Palace Office. Your aunt has no say in it."
Shen Yuning turned around and smiled at them. Then she looked back at the queen. "Actually, I also think that such a banquet is a bit of a waste. But Princess Tong said that this is a banquet for the emperor, so we can't be negligent."
The queen's face darkened. She couldn't help but say, "Xianqiao is just a child. She doesn't know anything. Why do you listen to her?"
Shen Yuning opened her mouth in feigned surprise. "Oh, Your Majesty, I might have misunderstood. The princess said that she was ordered by you to arrange the banquet. She also said that you were considerate of my heavy pregnancy and told me not to worry about anything. I... I'm probably just afraid of the noise. I thought you had thought of everything for me, so I just decided to be a hands - off manager. This..."
With her constant use of "this subject's wife", the queen felt a bit headache. She forced a smile and said, "That child is always eager to take charge. But she did a good job of decorating your courtyard."
Shen Yuning nodded. "It's all thanks to Your Majesty. I'm used to being thrifty from my days in the countryside. If it were up to me, I wouldn't be willing to spend so much on such luxury."
In this exchange, Shen Yuning had outmaneuvered the queen.
All these verbal exchanges were completely lost on Tong Xianqiao. She was completely confused. Did they mean she had done something wrong or not?
When they entered the courtyard and everyone sat down, the queen looked around and laughed again. "Yuning's courtyard is really spacious. It can accommodate so many people. In the capital, except for the imperial palace, no other mansion can compare."
Shen Yuning replied, "It's all because of the emperor and Your Majesty's love. They bestowed such a large mansion on the prince."
The queen added, "Such a large mansion with only the two of you living in it is a bit dull."
Shen Yuning looked up. Was the queen trying to place someone in her mansion? Tong Xianqiao? But Tong Xianqiao was a princess, while she was just a rural lady. If it really was Tong Xianqiao, how would the status be determined?
In just this short moment, all she could think about were these calculations, without a trace of jealousy. She knew very well in her heart that Tong Xianqiao was only interested in the Regent's status, not Yin Zidu himself. Yin Zidu was not a blind or foolish person and would surely not like such a woman.