CH 99.2

The morning light shone faintly, a mix of orange and white.

At first glance, one could tell that it would be a beautiful day.

Yaoniang opened her eyes. When she lowered her head, she saw the large palm on her belly. There was also the sound of breathing coming from behind her. It was Jin Wang. Every time she awoke, she would find the two of them in such a posture.

She was still lying in the same position as when she went to sleep, but with Jin Wang squeezing in behind her, he took over her place. He even wronged her by saying that it was she who had burrowed into his arms. He didn’t even pause to think about how she could’ve burrowed into his arms with such a big belly.

Yaoniang laid there quietly, pondering over her thoughts for a while. It wasn’t until there were sounds of movement coming from behind her that she finally moved.

Jin Wang sat up and rang the bell beside the bed. Yu Chan quickly brought people in and served the two of them to wash before changing their clothes. Jin Wang finished cleaning up first, then left to exercise according to his normal routine, but Yaoniang continued to stay there for a while.

Hong Chou brought her a few different sets of clothes, but Yaoniang always looked dissatisfied. It wasn’t that she was trying to be picky, but this was her first time entering the palace, so she hoped that everything would be perfect. It wasn’t good to be too flamboyant while dressing too simple was also not good since that would damage Jin Wang’s face.

In the end, she chose a double-layered cloud-water pattern jacket paired with a cyan silk skirt. Yu Chan helped her to put them on.

Yaoniang was now six months pregnant, but she didn’t look fat. The six-month-old belly on her was like a small basin. Since her dress started above the waist, it didn’t make her look bloated, but only emphasized the plumpness of the places that should be plump. Her complexion was also better, her fair skin was much rosier than before.

Hong Chou helped her style her hair into a butterfly bun. A rose gold and jade hairpin was inserted at the end of her hair bun along with a golden butterfly buyao¹.

Hong Die also offered her a large box inlaid with pearls. Inside were sachets and pendants of various colours. Hong Chou picked two and hung them from Yaoniang’s waist. Hong Fei brought over a matching box, which contained various bracelets and asked Yaoniang to pick from it.

Yaoniang chose a jade bracelet, which was originally a pair, but she’d only brought one. She never wore these things, because she was afraid of damaging them. She was also lazy and found them to be cumbersome. Normally, as long as she didn’t need to, she wouldn’t wear them.

Once Yaoniang was done with washing and dressing herself up, breakfast was already set.

Jin Wang walked in from outside, sat down beside her, and glanced at her. “Too plain.”

Sure enough!

Yaoniang sighed in her heart. Only when she was decked out in gold and bright colours would he feel that it was good.

“It’s not that plain. Don’t you think I look good?”

Jin Wang stared at her. His eyes deepened before he nodded after a long time.

“Since I look good, then there isn’t a problem.”

After breakfast, Jin Wang went to tidy up Xiaobao.

This was also the first time for Xiaobao to enter the palace, so naturally, he had to dress up properly.

They stalled until the main courtyard sent people to rush them. Only then did Yaoniang hurriedly take her people to the main courtyard while Jin Wang went to the front courtyard.

Today was the day for the female members of Jin Wang Manor to visit the empress. The plate had already been handed over a while ago, but Empress Wei had been busy with palace affairs until today. Jin Wang Manor wasn’t going to be the only visitor. The family members of all the other princes who had entered the capital were also going to be there. When Yaoniang learned of this yesterday, she became very nervous.

Jin Wang rode a horse, while the women were divided into three carriages. Surrounded by many guards, they headed into the palace.

When they arrived at the Xuanwu Gate, everyone got off their carriage one by one. Jin Wang also got off his horse.

Passing through the imperial garden and approaching Kunning Palace, Jin Wang took Xiaobao from Yuchan. He wanted to take Xiaobao to Qianqing Palace first.

Xiaobao didn’t speak. He only glanced over at Yaoniang then at Yu Chan.

Yu Chan nodded imperceptibly.

Normally, a visitor wasn’t able to bring her personal maid into the palace, but Yaoniang was in a different situation. She was six months pregnant and this was also her first time entering the palace, so she brought Yu Chan with her.

Jin Wang soon left. Then, with Consort Jin as the leader, they entered the gate of Kunning Palace and waited to be summoned inside.

Soon, a palace maid came to usher them in and lead them to the main hall. Along the way, their eyes took in all the lavish and majestic decorations.

On the main phoenix seat, sat Empress Wei.

The empress was dressed in a bright yellow dress, with the six dragons and three phoenixes crown on her head. She was a bit old, but it was obvious that she was quite the looker when she was young. By her side was Crown Princess Wu and several other ladies of various ages, either dignified and graceful, or generous and beautiful. Amongst them was a woman who was the most eye-catching.

This woman was born with a fair face and vermilion lips. Her eyebrows were delicate while her eyes were bright. She had an aggressive temperament that made people afraid to look at her directly.

At this moment while she was talking to the empress, she suddenly raised her eyebrows and smiled. It was as if a hundred flowers bloomed simultaneously, undoubtedly catching everyone’s attention.

Consort Jin shook.

Yaoniang kept her head down, for fear that she would make a mistake, so she didn’t witness this scene.

At this time, the people in the hall noticed the women of Jin Wang Manor. When they turned to look, that woman also glanced over. Her phoenix eyes narrowed and her eyebrows lifted as her gaze landed on Consort Jin. Then she curled her lips and smiled.

“Mother Empress, fifth brother’s family is here.” Her voice was not like an ordinary woman, soft and crisp, but with a strange hoarseness. It was very special, causing people to never forget it.

Yaoniang automatically raised her head to look, just in time to catch sight of the other’s face.

What a beautiful woman, she exclaimed in her heart.