Entering the Palace to Pay Respects

At those words, Yan Wanning's eyes lit up. She had Xiao He push open the paper-covered window and reached out to touch the snow on the sill, only for a large hand to seize her wrist. The window was shut as well.

She turned around in a huff and saw the displeasure on Si Yunqi's handsome face. Her indignation vanished at once.

Without a word, Si Yunqi took the clothes Xiao He brought over and deftly dressed her, wrapping Yan Wanning's petite frame up so snugly that she was almost a round little ball.

Even then, he thought it was not enough and wanted to add a heavy cloak. Yan Wanning hurriedly retreated to one side. "Husband, that's enough. If I put on any more, I won't be able to walk."

Seeing how much she resisted, Si Yunqi hesitated for a long moment before finally giving in.

Yan Wanning breathed a sigh of relief.

After washing and dressing, the couple took a carriage and made their way slowly to the palace. The thought of meeting the emperor and empress made Yan Wanning so nervous that her delicate brows knitted together. Si Yunqi held her hand and said, "Wife, don't worry too much. His Majesty and the empress won't make things too difficult for you. Besides, I'll be there."

"Mm, I... I can't help it."

She was about to meet the two most powerful people. Couldn't she be allowed to feel nervous for a little while?

Before long, the carriage arrived outside the palace. Yun Yin called from outside, "Your Highnesses, we've reached the palace gates."

No minister was permitted to ride in a carriage inside the palace, so they had to stop outside and proceed on foot.

A young eunuch stood at the palace gates. When he saw the young couple alight from the carriage, he stepped forward and bowed. "This servant is Xiao Shunzi, from Her Majesty the Empress's palace. Her Majesty sent me to welcome Prince Anbei and the princess consort."

Si Yunqi glanced at Xiao Shunzi and told him to lead the way. But they had not gone far when someone came to inform them that the emperor had summoned Prince Anbei to discuss an important matter.

Even after receiving the message, Si Yunqi was in no hurry to go. He was deeply worried that his young princess consort would be frightened on her first visit to the palace, where everything and everyone was unfamiliar. Although Xiao He was by her side and Xiao Shunzi was there to guide her, he still could not put his mind at ease.

Yan Wanning was accustomed to relying on him, but she also knew important business came first. Reluctantly, she released his hand. She was about to speak when she heard him say, "Go and tell His Majesty that I will come shortly."

The messenger agreed without hesitation and turned back.

"Husband, won't His Majesty be angry if you do that?" Yan Wanning asked worriedly.

Si Yunqi stroked her head reassuringly. "Don't worry. I'll be fine."

Seeing how relaxed he looked, Yan Wanning knew he was not merely saying that to soothe her, and only then did she truly feel reassured.

Si Yunqi escorted her all the way to the empress's Perching Phoenix Palace before leaving. The senior palace attendant waiting outside dismissed Xiao Shunzi, then led Yan Wanning into the hall to pay her respects to the empress.

Mindful of her status as Princess Consort of Anbei, Yan Wanning gave the empress a proper, formal bow. "This subject pays her respects to Your Majesty the Empress."

"Princess Consort of Anbei, please rise."

Yan Wanning slowly rose as instructed and looked up. The empress wore palace robes of true red, and a gold-and-jade phoenix hair ornament with dangling pendants spread its wings atop her phoenix crown. Her bearing was dignified and stately, her expression serene yet commanding, and she exuded an air unique to an empress.

Seeing her delicate beauty and well-behaved nature, the empress nodded inwardly in satisfaction. Before she could speak, a consort seated below her in pink palace robes said, "The Princess Consort of Anbei is truly beautiful. Your Majesty the Empress has such a discerning eye."

"But how does someone so delicate and tender endure a man as tall and brawny as Prince Anbei? It must be quite an ordeal for you, Princess Consort of Anbei."

Yan Wanning had paid attention only to the empress just now and had not taken much notice of the others. Hearing those ill-timed words, she frowned slightly and looked at the consort in puzzlement.

"Consort Qiao!" the empress shouted angrily at the consort in pink.

Now Yan Wanning knew who she was. This consort must be Consort Qiao, who currently enjoyed the emperor's favor. Consort Qiao was quite resourceful: after attending the emperor in bed only a few times, she had risen from Concubine Qiao to the rank of consort.

"Elder sister, why be angry? I was only making a little joke."

"Hmph! That joke wasn't funny."

The empress gave a cold laugh. This woman had merely been promoted to consort, yet she was growing more and more carried away with herself. Still, that could not have been better.

"Your Majesty the Empress, why be angry? Consort Qiao has always been flighty, as we both know."

The speaker was another beautiful woman, dressed in blue palace robes. She seemed to be putting in a good word, but there was calculation in her eyes.

"Noble Consort Hu, you'd best keep quiet." The empress gave her a cool glance.

Hearing this, Yan Wanning stole a look at Noble Consort Hu. So this was the second prince's birth mother.

"Greetings, Noble Consort Hu, Consort Qiao."

Yan Wanning merely bowed to them, then straightened.

"Consort Qiao meant nothing by it, Princess Consort of Anbei. Please don't take it to heart." The empress smoothed things over. "Someone, bring the Princess Consort of Anbei a seat."

Yan Wanning broke into a smile. "I know Consort Qiao is a straightforward person. I won't take it to heart."

Consort Qiao, whose thoughts took eighteen twists and turns: "..."

Straightforward?

Was the Princess Consort of Anbei taking a roundabout jab at me?

Consort Qiao studied Yan Wanning, only to see an innocent expression on her face, as though she were utterly guileless and harmless.

Consort Qiao dismissed the thought. She must have been reading too much into it. She was the emperor's most beloved consort; how could the Princess Consort of Anbei dare?

The empress looked at the young woman sitting below her, her eyes bright and sparkling, and smiled. "I only saw you once when you were a child. I never imagined you would blossom into such a graceful young woman. A-Qi may be a bit rough around the edges, but he is handsome. The two of you make a good match."