The Emperor's Birthday

Not long after the new year, the emperor's birthday arrived. Many envoys from other countries had come to the imperial city to offer their congratulations, and foreigners could be seen everywhere in the streets, dragons and fish mingling together.

After finishing her preparations, Yan Wanning entered the palace with Si Yunqi. He took her to the empress's Perching Phoenix Palace, then left.

"This subject pays her respects to Your Majesty the empress."

As a first-rank Princess Consort, Yan Wanning did not have to kneel. She gave the empress a proper formal salute.

The empress had to prepare the emperor's birthday banquet that day, and everything had to pass under her eye to prevent any mishaps. There was a great deal to do, but even so, she handled the matters before her without haste or a change in expression.

A smile appeared on the empress's solemn face when she saw Yan Wanning. "A Ning, come and sit here."

Yan Wanning did as she was told and sat down beside the empress. A palace maid brought her pastries and tea.

Her eyes lit up. With some difficulty, she poked her little hand out from her fluffy cloak, grabbed a soft rabbit-shaped cake with a lovely color and shape, and stuffed it into her mouth. Her cheeks bulged as she chewed.

"Pretty sister, I want some too."

A milky little voice rang out. Yan Wanning looked up in puzzlement and met a pair of big, sparkling eyes. Even her cheeks stopped moving.

Standing before her was a soft, squishy little bundle, as exquisite as if carved from pink jade. His big eyes were fixed on the rabbit-shaped cakes on her table, and his fair little face was tinged with pink.

He was so adorable that Yan Wanning's heart melted. Staring at his chubby face, she felt an itch in her hand and wanted to pinch it.

"Here, have one." Her eyes sparkling, Yan Wanning placed a soft rabbit cake in his little hand.

"Thank you, pretty sister."

The little bundle grabbed the rabbit cake and took a big bite. Yan Wanning seized the chance to pinch his chubby little cheek.

So soft, so nice.

She finally understood why Si Yunqi always liked pinching her cheeks.

The empress looked up to see the two of them, one big and one small, munching their way through the plate of pastries. She smiled helplessly. "Little Six, come to Mother."

"Mother!" The little bundle shot into the empress's arms like a tiny firecracker.

Only then did Yan Wanning realize that this chubby little bundle was the empress's youngest son, the sixth prince, Ye Muqi. He was three and a half this year.

"Mother, have some cake."

The empress lovingly took a bite of the cake he offered her. "Little Six, you should call pretty sister 'sister-in-law.' She is your Brother Qi's wife."

The little bundle nodded his head, only half understanding, and called out in his milky voice, "Pretty sister-in-law."

Yan Wanning smiled gently at him and felt like pinching something again.

Night fell, and palace lanterns were lit. The families of the court officials entered the palace one after another, filling the vast banquet hall.

The noble young ladies were dressed like flowers in full bloom, wearing whatever looked best. None would let her attire cost her face, unwilling to be outshone.

Si Yunqi had finished his business and taken Yan Wanning away from Perching Phoenix Palace. She was now sitting in her place, eating the delicacies on the table.

"His Majesty the emperor arrives!"

"Her Majesty the empress arrives!"

"His Highness the crown prince arrives!"

Shrill announcements rang out from the hall entrance. The emperor entered with the empress, the crown prince following behind them, and the assembled officials' voices rose in salute.

"We respectfully welcome Your Majesty the emperor, Her Majesty the empress, and His Highness the crown prince."

Amid the officials' voices, the emperor and empress took their seats on the dais, and the crown prince settled into the seat reserved for the heir apparent.

"Rise, my officials."

After the emperor delivered a few majestic ceremonial remarks by way of an opening, the banquet truly began, and sovereign and subjects exchanged toasts.

Dancers drifted into the hall like immortals, sweeping their long sleeves as they danced. Their steps were light, and every movement gave off an ethereal grace. The officials exchanged cups of wine, drinking as they admired the dancers' beautiful movements.

The noble ladies, however, kept their expressions unchanged. Even when they saw their husbands staring fixedly at the dancers, they could still summon perfectly measured smiles.

Yan Wanning turned to look at the man beside her, who was drinking alone, his expression impassive and his manner cool, and gave him a radiant smile.

Noticing his little wife staring at him, he looked at her and asked gently, "What is it?"

Yan Wanning shook her head. "Nothing."

Without a word, Si Yunqi drew her cloak tighter around her. Then he put on a perfectly serious expression, while beneath the table, he held fast to his little wife's hand.

Chancellor Lu, seated at the neighboring table, saw what he did. He smiled and raised his cup to him in salute, and the two men drank at the same time.