Chapter 274 - Happy Full-month Party

The full-month party was even more splendid than the Second Prince’s and the Sixth Prince’s wedding ceremonies. The officials and their families were all dressed up in full attire to attend the banquet, and the gifts that they sent were expensive.

Previously, other members of the royal family still thought that Baili Junyi was born among the common folk. Although Noble Consort Xian was a high-ranking imperial concubine, her appearance…it was better not to talk about it. They had thought that even if such a prince born by her was recognized by the Emperor, it would be difficult for him to stand out. They did not expect that in such a short time, he would become the most favored son of the Emperor.

Anyway, one had to admit that he was good at choosing his wife. He married Princess Zhaohua, a peerless beauty. But beauty was not the most important. After all, beauty was only skin-deep. Most importantly, she gave birth to the auspicious boy-girl twins. When other women gave birth to a child, they would always be worried that it would be a girl. As for her, she had two children at one go and became the proud mother of the auspicious boy-girl twins. This made people envious to the point that their teeth itched.

When Baili Junyi led Shen Ninghua to the front yard, everyone’s eyes were full of envy and jealousy. Their thoughts could even be described as funny. They thought that if they looked at the couple more, maybe they could also get some good fortune from the two and so they could have one or two children.

Bu Tinghe sat in the VIP area and looked at the couple walking in hand in hand. Hatred surged in her eyes.

Shen Ninghua was dressed in a pink and white dress. The dress was embroidered with large patches of red begonia flowers, making the originally plain dress look as eye-catching as burning flames. The finest satin was gorgeous and charming, and the beautiful red flowers were attractive. However, no matter how outstanding the dress was, it could not conceal the light that shone from Shen Ninghua’s body. She was like a cluster of fire in the dark night, causing people who looked at her to yearn for her from the bottom of their hearts.

On her side, Baili Junyi was dressed in a black robe. The exquisite dark-colored patterns made his figure look even more slender. There was a gentle smile between his sharp brows, but Bu Tinghe keenly discovered that the smile was exceptionally cold, indifferent, and distant, like the ice and snow on a mountain. Only when he looked at Shen Ninghua would the smile be genuine.

Bu Tinghe clenched her fists so tightly that a heart-wrenching pain came from the fracture on her forearm. Her face turned pale and she bit the tip of her tongue tightly until she felt the smell of blood in her mouth. She could not help but think of the way Baili Junyi looked at her in the Sixth Prince’s Mansion: bloody, cold, and cruel. It was not that he did not know how to be gentle, but he gave all the gentleness to Shen Ninghua alone…

Shen Ninghua, being able to have my cousin’s heart was your greatest sin. Everything you enjoyed should belong to me. So, don’t blame me for being ruthless. You could only blame your own bad luck!

The Third Prince Baili Jinyu sat at the side, looking at Bu Tinghe with much concern. After not seeing her for a few days, he felt that Princess Wenhe had become thinner.

Thinking about what happened that day, a nostalgic smile appeared on his lips. Speaking of which, it was also his fault. He told his mother about the matter between him and Bu Tinghe, but his mother was resolutely against him marrying Bu Tinghe as his legitimate wife. Well, his mother was reasonable. Since he aimed for the throne, his legitimate wife was set to become the Empress in the future. No matter what, the Empress should not come from another country.

Therefore, the matter was delayed. Thinking about it, he really felt that he had let her down and could only let her be his side concubine first. When he achieved his goal, he would definitely give her a distinguished position as compensation. Today, Father Emperor was especially happy because Shen Ninghua had given birth to the twins. He could take this opportunity to ask for his permission.

Bu Tinghe sensed the Third Prince’s gaze and looked up at him with trembling eyes. A shy smile appeared on her face. She opened her mouth and wanted to say something, but she seemed to realize this wasn’t the right place. She only smiled and lowered her head.

Her hesitant and shy appearance made the Third Prince’s heart tremble. He just wanted to hold her in his arms and exchange sweet talks with her.

Baili Junyi and Shen Ninghua exchanged greetings with the people present before a high-pitched announcement came from the door. “His Majesty has arrived. Noble Consort Xian has arrived!”

Everyone hurriedly came out to welcome them. After a complicated set of formalities and greetings, they welcomed Baili Qingcang and Bu Yunqing into the main seats.

Bu Yunqing held Shen Ninghua’s hand. Seeing that her face was ruddy and her eyes were clear, Bu Yunqing knew that she had recovered well. “I wanted to see you a long time ago, but you have been recuperating, so I didn’t come.”

“Thank you for your concern, mother.”

Baili Qingcang was extremely happy. During this period of time, there was peace in both the northwest and the court, and he felt unprecedentedly relaxed. When he realized that such a time of peace came only after the birth of the twins, he loved the two babies even more. As soon as he sat down, he said to Shen Ninghua, “Ninghua, quickly bring the two babies out.”

Shen Ninghua smiled. “Yes, Father Emperor.”

Bai Ruo and Hong Ling each carried a baby out. Baili Junyi and Shen Ninghua each took one of the babies and carried them to Baili Qingcang.

The two babies had been asleep. After being brought into a slightly noisy environment, they slowly opened their eyes.

Their eyes were dark and clear. They had inherited the good looks of their parents well. The boy looked like Baili Junyi, and the girl looked like Shen Ninghua. When they grew up, they would definitely be exceptionally good-looking.

“Haha, my little grandson and granddaughter are awake. Come, let grandfather hug you.” Baili Qingcang took the girl over and reached out to touch her little face.

The baby girl was about to cry when she felt she was being held by a stranger. However, her attention was suddenly attracted by the gem ring on Baili Qingcang’s thumb. She blinked and moved her eyes back and forth along with Baili Qingcang’s finger, looking particularly cute and lively.

Baili Qingcang suddenly laughed. “Haha, as expected of my granddaughter. You have a really good taste at such a young age. This is my favorite thing.” As he spoke, he took off the thumb ring and placed it in her little hand.

The baby was only a month old. She couldn’t grasp the ring at all and barely held it in her palm. Shen Ninghua watched from the side and quickly thanked him. “I thank Father Emperor on Sweetie’s behalf. Bai Ruo, go get a red rope.”

When the rope was brought over, Shen Ninghua put the rope through the ring and put it on Sweetie’s neck.

“Sweetie?” Baili Qingcang was puzzled.

“Yes, Junyi and I give her an informal name. It is convenient for us to call her.”

Baili Qingcang smiled. “It’s my fault. I haven’t given my grandchildren a good name after so long. Sweetie, this name is good. Does the little heir-apparent have a name?”

Shen Ninghua saw Baili Junyi’s body stiffen, and she couldn’t help but laugh. “The boy’s name was given by Junyi. Father Emperor, please ask him.”

Seeing Shen Ninghua’s expression, Bu Yunqing became curious and stopped playing with the baby. “Oh? What name did Junyi give the boy?”

“…Big.” Baili Junyi lowered his voice.

Baili Qingcang was silent for a long time before suddenly laughing out loud. “Big, hahaha. When he grows up, he will definitely argue with you.”

Seeing Baili Qingcang’s happy expression, the officials below began to ponder in their hearts. The Emperor had called Princess Zhaohua’s children prefectural princess and heir-apparent. It seemed that he would give them titles in advance. These two children were just one month old. Once they had a title, other people would have to bow to them. How great a fortune was this!

As expected, after Baili Qingcang finished laughing, he said, “Princess Zhaohua has performed a meritorious deed in giving birth to the auspicious twins and shall be conferred the title of Noble Princess Zhaohua, the same level as a royal prince. Baili Junyi shall be conferred the title of Royal Prince Yi, with the salary of a royal prince. The boy is named Baili Yongchen. He shall be the heir-apparent of Royal Prince Yi and be bestowed the rank of Bei Zi. The girl is named Baili Luoyao. She shall be conferred the title of Prefectural Princess Luoyao. I hereby reward them two pairs of jade ruyi, two pairs of pure gold longevity locks…”

The officials were dumbfounded. How long had it been since Baili Junyi was conferred the title of Prefectural Prince Yi? And now, he was conferred with the rank of Royal Prince for having a pair of twins. He was way too lucky to be envied. Princess Zhaohua was really an auspicious wife who brought unlimited luck to her husband.

Baili Junyi and Shen Ninghua knelt on the ground together and kowtowed. “Thank you, Father Emperor.”

“Alright, quickly get up.”

Coincidentally, just as the two of them got up, Sweetie in Baili Qingcang’s arms, the newly titled Prefectural Princess Luoyao, revealed a toothless smile, causing Baili Qingcang to laugh out loud. “Haha, look, our little Prefectural Princess Luoyao is helping her parents thank me! Come, help little Prefectural Princess Luoyao and Little Bei Zi Yongchen wear the longevity locks I brought for them.”

The officials all praised the two babies as they saw how much the Emperor liked the two children. If he didn’t consider Princess Zhaohua and Royal Prince Yi’s ranks, he would have directly conferred the two children the title of princess and prefectural prince.

Listening to the crowd lavishing their praises for the two children, Shen Ninghua could not help but laugh in her heart.

Just when the atmosphere was particularly lively, the Third Prince suddenly stood up. “Father Emperor, I have something to report.”

“Huh? What do you want to say?” When Baili Qingcang saw the Third Prince, he was a little unhappy. Recently, the Third Prince had fought with the Crown Prince so fiercely that he almost didn’t care about anything, which made Baili Qingcang particularly annoyed.

“Father Emperor, Princess Wenhe and I are in love. I want to marry her…”

Baili Qingcang frowned. “You and Bu Tinghe?”

The Third Prince looked at Bu Tinghe with a gentle smile on his face. “Yes. Tinghe and I have already pledged to marry. Father Emperor, please let me marry her.”

Baili Qingcang handed Luoyao over to Shen Ninghua. After that, his expression instantly became much more serious. “What did you say?” Pledging to marry? Who did he think he was? Did he think that he could decide whom to marry without asking for the opinion of his Father Emperor?

The Third Prince was stunned. He did not understand why Baili Qingcang was suddenly so angry. “Yes…”

Baili Qingcang was furious. Looking at the Third Prince, he suddenly lost his patience. “Alright, since you and Bu Tinghe have pledged to marry, then take Bu Tinghe as your legitimate wife. Tomorrow I will send an envoy to the Great Yue Kingdom to settle your marriage.”

Legitimate wife? The Third Prince paused. He thought of what his mother had said and wanted to explain. But when he saw the happy smile on Bu Tinghe’s face, he immediately swallowed the words he had wanted to say. Bu Tinghe was a Princess. It was unfair for her to be his side concubine. Moreover, she was so beautiful…

Shen Ninghua’s eyes were indifferent. She looked at the Third Prince and Bu Tinghe coldly. These two persons really knew how to choose the time. They actually made use of the two babies’ full-month party. Hmph, fortunately, Father Emperor did not get angry. If they ruined the banquet, she would definitely make them pay back a hundred times!