In the backyard, the Princess Consort watched Li Meilan and Murong Shuya cry their hearts out. She took a deep breath, wondering if her own daughter, when she got married and returned, would shed a few golden tears upon seeing her.
She thought probably not; with that child's carefree nature, it would be strange if she cried!
Pinting, her five-month pregnant belly protruding, arrived at the doorstep again to flaunt it at Zhao Jiaqi!
"Sister-in-law, this is my sixth child, and as a sister-in-law, why aren't you showing any initiative? You should at least have three or five more!"
Zhao Jiaqi pursed her red lips and glared at her, "Do you think I don't want to have another child? But he disagrees, what can I do!"
Pinting sat beside her with a grin, grabbed a bunch of grapes, and stuffed them into her mouth, smacking her lips and exclaiming how delicious they were!
"Sister-in-law, I'm not trying to lecture you, but with Eldest Brother's temper, a mere glare from you should make him obedient, right? Hurry up and have one, so these two can have a companion!"
Zhao Jiaqi couldn't be bothered with her. Having a child was not like ordering food; she wasn't a pig that could just keep giving birth indefinitely!
Looking at her delicate skin, this pregnancy was likely another girl. For years she had yearned for a son, and after five children, she only had the third one as a boy. Unwilling to accept this, she insisted on competing with her. Her belly had been busy these past few years!
"Pinting, this one is probably a girl again. Be prepared for a seventh child. Don't say I didn't warn you. When women have too many children, men lose interest. Look at you these past two years, you've gained weight, and even your beauty has faded. Be careful that Old Second Fan doesn't get snatched away by another woman!"
Upon hearing this, Pinting immediately put down the grapes, touched her face, and looked at her round figure. She panicked inwardly, "Sister-in-law, don't scare me. Old Second isn't that kind of person!"
"Who can guarantee he won't be in the future?"
Let alone Old Second, she couldn't even guarantee that Fan Zehao would be hers alone for life!
Unless he maintained his chastity until she died, she wouldn't dare to make such a definitive statement, lest she be proven wrong!
The sisters-in-law spoke so freely, it left Li Meilan and her son speechless and awkward!
"Princess Consort, you are right. Women suffer with every childbirth, and their bodies deteriorate. Princess is still young and doesn't feel it, but when one reaches my age, the flesh on their belly loosens, and it particularly accumulates around the stomach!"
Li Meilan had only given birth twice, and her stomach had already started to gain weight. Even deliberately eating less couldn't shed the flesh!
Now, Pinting took it to heart, touched her bulging belly, and pouted, "If this one is a girl again, I'll give up. I'd best hope for a boy!"
Towards the end, her voice grew softer, tinged with guilt.
Everyone said a pointed belly and an outward-protruding navel meant a girl. Even the imperial physician said it was a girl, but she refused to believe it. It was only five months now; the result would only be known upon delivery!
As they were discussing the difficulty of raising children, Ren Junying, attended by her maid, also entered the room. Seeing the maid's cautious demeanor, Zhao Jiaqi's eyes lit up with joy!
She reached out and beckoned Junjun to her side, "Did he agree to keep the child?"
Junjun nodded shyly, a happy smile on her face, "Yes, I was angry with him for two days and ignored him, threatening to divorce him. He had no choice but to agree to let me keep it. He just said I shouldn't move around carelessly before three months. If it weren't for Father's birthday today, he wouldn't have let me out!"
While it sounded like a complaint, it was actually all about how well Zong Han treated her!
Zhao Jiaqi was very pleased. She squeezed Junjun's hand tighter, happy that her daughter had found happiness!
More and more guests arrived at the manor. Zhao Jiaqi busied herself entertaining the female guests, creating a scene of peace and harmony!
At the evening banquet, the courtyard of the Prince's Manor was packed. Anyone with any standing in the inner city had come to join the festivities!
Whether married or single, everyone was well-behaved, and no one dared to cause trouble in the Prince's Manor. Everyone knew that the Princess Consort detested despicable tactics!
As the Empress of Zongsheng Kingdom and the Princess Gulun of Yun Kingdom, Ren Junying naturally sat at the seat below Zhao Jiaqi. Beside her sat Emperor Zong Han of Zongsheng Kingdom.
Below Fan Zehao sat his eldest legitimate daughter, Princess Yumeng. Despite her young age, she was as highly valued as his two legitimate sons.
Once everyone had arrived and filled the courtyard, the Prince's Manor was brightly lit. Everyone offered their congratulations to Fan Zehao on his birthday, uttering endless well-wishes and presenting precious gifts. He accepted them all without refusal.
Only after they left would he present his own gifts. He wasn't someone who took advantage of anything for free; he would take everything he deserved, not one iota less, and wouldn't accept anything that wasn't his!
There was singing and dancing, music, poetry, acrobatics, storytelling, and even a game of 'Flying Flower Order' was brought out, with young masters and ladies taking turns to perform!
The entire banquet was lively, yet one person was moping, his eyes constantly fixed on Ren Junying, as if he wanted to bore holes into her.
His intense gaze not only attracted Junjun's displeased look but also drew a threatening glare from Zong Han towards Ying Xiong!
If it weren't for his father-in-law's auspicious birthday, he would have gouged out the eyes of the man opposite him!
The tense atmosphere lingered between the two of them. Zhao Jiaqi frowned slightly upon seeing this.
"Young Master Ying, this is my goddaughter, Ren Junying. She is now married to Emperor Zong Han of Zongsheng Kingdom as his Empress. You two have not met before, so you must be unfamiliar with my daughter!" Zhao Jiaqi said with a smile, introducing Ren Junying to him.
The reason for the introduction was that Zhao Jiaqi didn't want Ying Xiong to harbor any intentions towards Junjun, nor did she want any misunderstandings between them!
Ying Xiong stood up and gazed at Ren Junying for a long moment before saying leisurely, "To tell the Princess Consort the truth, Princess Gulun's appearance bears a striking resemblance to someone I know well. I was momentarily confused. I hope Empress Zong will forgive me. I did not intend to offend!"
Upon hearing this, Ren Junying's anxious heart gradually settled. She didn't want any unpleasantness to occur at her father's birthday banquet, so she smiled and shook her head, "It's alright. Perhaps my appearance is too common, so it's possible to look alike!"
Ying Xiong didn't pick up on her remark. Instead, he inquired about the collar she wore around her neck, "The Empress's collar looks very exquisite. It doesn't seem like something made in the palace. Could you tell me where this collar was purchased?"
Ren Junying touched the exquisite collar around her neck, recalling her mother's fate. Her expression turned somber, and she said faintly, "This was personally crafted by my father for my mother. After my mother passed away, this collar was passed down to me as a memento!"
When he heard this, his mind buzzed. He stood up and strode over, standing before Ren Junying and examining the collar closely!
He reached out to touch it but was slapped away by Zong Han, who was filled with anger and struggling to suppress his killing intent. "Presumptuous! How dare you defile things belonging to Empress Zong! Retire!"