Doting on His Wife

"Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty." Yan Wanning offered a suitably bashful smile.

When the empress asked Yan Wanning more questions, she answered them all. Her manners were proper, and she knew when to advance and when to retreat. The two seemed to be enjoying their conversation, having long since pushed Noble Consort Hu and Consort Qiao to the backs of their minds.

Treated like thin air, Noble Consort Hu was furious and secretly ground her teeth.

"His Majesty has arrived."

A shrill voice rang out from outside the hall. The three women looked out and saw that the emperor, Crown Prince Ye Muchen, and Si Yunqi had all arrived. They rose and bowed to the emperor. "Greetings, Your Majesty."

"Rise, all of you." The emperor glanced around. When he saw that Noble Consort Hu and Consort Qiao were there too, he asked, "Why is everyone here?"

Consort Qiao smiled coquettishly and said in a soft voice, "Your Majesty, I was bored alone in Yunguang Hall. When I heard that the Princess Consort of Anbei was coming today, I thought I would join in the fun."

Noble Consort Hu said, "I also came because I wanted to see the Princess Consort of Anbei."

The emperor gave an acknowledging hum, then looked at Yan Wanning, who stood quietly nearby. "You are A Qi's Princess Consort?"

Yan Wanning stepped forward and said, "I am."

The emperor looked at Si Yunqi, who had moved to his wife's side at some point, and thought, So this is the type Si Yunqi likes. Still, one gentle and one strong make just the right pair.

"Since everyone is here, why not have lunch in the palace before leaving?" the empress said.

The emperor agreed. "Since the empress has spoken, so be it."

Noble Consort Hu knew it would not do to stay any longer, so she made an excuse and left.

The emperor was very pleased that Noble Consort Hu knew when to leave.

The emperor looked at Consort Qiao and said, "I recall how much I enjoyed the tea and refreshments at your place. I wonder when I might have them again."

Consort Qiao's eyes lit up, and she hurriedly said, "If Your Majesty likes them, I'll go back and prepare them at once."

"Sorry for the trouble, my beloved consort."

"It's no trouble. It's only what I should do." Consort Qiao could not suppress her smile. She gave the empress a rather smug look. "I'll go back and prepare them first. Your Majesty must remember to come."

With that, she swept out in a rush, the palace maids and eunuchs behind her having to trot to keep up.

The emperor and empress were already used to it, while Si Yunqi and the crown prince paid it no mind. Yan Wanning was astonished by her personality.

So this is what Consort Qiao is like?

After Consort Qiao left, they moved to the dining hall. The palace matron had the maids bring out all manner of delicacies, filling the long table.

"This is just an ordinary family meal. None of you need to stand on ceremony," the emperor said.

With the emperor himself saying so, everyone naturally did as he said, except Yan Wanning. She gazed at the dazzling array of delicacies, wanting to eat but unsure where to start. They all looked so delicious.

Seeing how reserved she was, Si Yunqi asked softly, "What would you like to eat, A Ning?"

Yan Wanning leaned closer and replied just as quietly, "There are so many delicious things. I don't know what to eat."

"You usually like fish, A Ning. Shall I get you some?"

"I'll leave it to you, husband. I want a piece of the braised pork knuckle too."

Si Yunqi smiled and reached for the fish with pickled greens in the middle of the table. He chose the tenderest piece and placed it in his own bowl, removing the bones before putting it in his little wife's bowl. He also picked up a large piece of braised pork knuckle and two sweet-and-sour ribs, likewise separating the meat from the bones before giving it to his little wife.

Seeing that her long sleeves made eating inconvenient, he took her hand and folded the sleeve back a little before letting go. Then he served her a bowl of black chicken soup.

Yan Wanning enjoyed being fed by him and obediently ate the meat in her bowl.

The emperor and empress stared at the attentive Si Yunqi in shock, forgetting even to eat. The crown prince also glanced at them repeatedly.

"Empress, is that Si Yunqi? I can hardly believe my eyes."

The empress had already recovered herself and nodded to him. "It is indeed Yunqi."

With her confirmation, the emperor barely managed to calm himself. He had only eaten a few bites, so why did he already feel somewhat full?

"A Qi is a good man who knows how to dote on his wife." After saying this, the empress looked at Ye Muchen, who was eating. Instantly losing her appetite, she put down her chopsticks and said, "You're two years older than A Xi, yet you don't even have a wife. When are you going to find me a daughter-in-law?"

Ye Muchen stiffened and said with a perfectly serious expression, "Rest assured, Mother. I will certainly marry a crown princess by the time Yunqi has a child in his arms."

The empress gave a soft humph, showing that she did not believe him.

Si Yunqi also looked up at the crown prince. He was afraid the crown prince would be disappointed.

After lunch at the palace, Si Yunqi had Yun Yin drive the carriage to take Yan Wanning and her maid back to the Prince of Anbei's residence, while he rode out of the city.

The three days given to Duke Yan and his wife soon came to an end. The couple personally brought servants to deliver the items to the Prince of Anbei's residence.

Xiao He checked the list and reported, "Your Highness, there are still more than ten items missing."

Si Yunqi sneered. "Yan Chengyi, it seems you and your wife did not take my words to heart."

Duke Yan wiped the sweat from his forehead and took a pearwood box from a servant. When he opened it, a thick stack of silver notes could be seen inside. "Forgive me, Your Highness. I did my utmost to find them, but I truly could not. My wife and I took it upon ourselves to make up the difference in silver."

"This matter is not mine to decide. If the Princess Consort agrees, I will pursue it no further."

Hearing this, Chen Shi looked at the lovely young woman seated in the place of honor. She was still unwilling to accept it, but after struggling with herself, she put on a flattering smile. She tried to approach Yan Wanning, only to be stopped by the Prince's Residence's servants. With no choice but to stand where she was, she said, "Please forgive us, Princess Consort. Your second uncle and I had our hearts blinded by lard for a time. We have truly wronged the spirits of your father and mother in heaven."

"Your second uncle and I also owe you a great deal. Please give us a chance to turn over a new leaf, Princess Consort." Chen Shi made a show of dabbing at the tears she had forced from the corners of her eyes with an embroidered handkerchief.

She looked as though she had truly realized her mistakes and was filled with remorse.

Yan Wanning was unmoved by Chen Shi's performance. She only said, "Second Aunt, I have no interest in probing whether you are sincere or false. I hope you and Second Uncle will not do anything to displease me again."

"Xiao He, accept the silver."

Given the Duke Yan Household's present decline, scraping together so much money must have cost them a great deal. It counted as a lesson for them.

Being lectured by someone of the younger generation made Chen Shi feel she had lost face. "Of course."

"Thank you for your magnanimity, Princess Consort. My wife and I will take our leave."

Fearing that Yan Wanning would change her mind, Duke Yan and his wife ran off without stopping.