Sang Xue'er stood up, "I have two princes in mind. I hope His Majesty will grant me more time to think about it"
"Okay, as soon as you make a choice, tell me. I'll draft the marriage edict immediately", He Jingcheng assured her.
"Thank you, Your Majesty"
Soon after, dancers came in. The dancing was going quite well as serving maids came in to pour the tea.
He Yu picked up a grape and held it in front of Lingxi's lip. Everyone's attention was gradually fixated on them. She ate it without a word and He Yu took it as a go ahead to serve her.
"Imperial uncle sure dotes on his wife", He Jingcheng commented. He Yu smiled at Lingxi in response.
Immediately after the dancing, He Xuan arrived.
He walked in and bowed, "greetings, Father, empress and noble consort"
"He Xuan, you're late again", He Jingcheng looked pleased to see him.
"I had a long journey and decided to take a rest. Who knew I would rest for so long?" He Xuan answered.
He Rui rolled his eyes at such a blatant excuse. He had arrived the previous day. How could he have rested for more than a full day? Anyways, what he thought didn't matter. What mattered was if the emperor believed it or not which he did.
"You are not used to long journeys. It's normal for you to feel tired", He Jingcheng said.
"That's such a blatant display of favoritism", Lingxi commented.
"His Majesty has always favored He Xuan", He Yu answered.
"Commandary princess Anning, this is my third son, Prince Ning", He Jingcheng introduced him to Sang Xue'er.
Sang Xue'er on the other hand had found He Xuan's voice rather familiar.
She stood up to greet him with a curtsy, "greetings, Prince Ning" He Xuan turned to look at her and immediately recognized her.
Sang Xue'er, though her eyes were facing downwards, recognized his folding fan she had caught a glimpse of the previous day while he was in the carriage.
He Xuan found the situation funny, "Your Grace, there is no need for formalities", he smiled.
Sang Xue'er straightened up and met his gaze but almost immediately, he turned back to He Jingcheng, "I'll take my seat now" he sat in the space between Lingxi and Sang Xue'er.
He Jingcheng went on to introduce the other princes.
"This is Prince Cheng and his consort".
He Yan and Li Min acknowledged her presence.
"This is Prince Jing, he was the one who escorted you here and the last one is Prince An. He has just graduated from Shenli Academy. He is the youngest prince"
Sang Xue'er looked at the innocent looking prince that had just reached adulthood. She greeted him with a nod and he responded just the same.
"As for Prince Wen, he is not yet back but I'm sure you must have seen him in the past", he said. She nodded.
"And most importantly, this is my uncle, grand prince He Yu", he introduced He Yu.
She stood up and curtsied, "greetings, Grand Prince"
He Yu was not expecting her to be so courteous as she did not necessarily need to stand up and greet him.
He coughed lightly, "I have always disliked such formalities. There is no need to be so formal"
"Thank you, Grand Prince", she said and sat down back.
"Greeting only the grand prince and not including his consort, how rude", someone from the back whispered. It was Rong Xue.
There was quiet for a second.
"Commandary princess Anning and I are family, after all. There is no need for formalities", Lingxi answered back, "and mind your words, Miss Rong, lest you disrespect Her Grace"
There was a short moment of stillness for a minute.
"There is no need to be so tense. We are welcoming Commandary Princess Anning. It's a joyous occasion", Shen Ruihua broke the ice.
The banquet then continued naturally. He Jingcheng took a sip of the Spring tea.
"Good tea, it's mellow with a hint of spice", he complimented it.
Lingxi stood up, "actually, it was Princess Anle who generously offered it to me for this banquet"
"It is truly perfect for the weather, a great choice", He Jingcheng was truly pleased.
He looked at her, "Imperial Aunt has arranged the banquet beautifully. It is dignified without being overly formal, and every detail has been thoughtfully considered. You have done very well", he praised her.
"I thank Your majesty for the praise", Lingxi curtsied.
He Jingcheng paused for a while, "perhaps, Imperial Aunt would like to give a toast?"
Lingxi smiled in affirmation. She reached for her cup but halfway through, He Yu lifted it up for her. She smiled lightly and accepted it.
She lifted the cup up, "there is no wine, so I shall offer tea in its place"
Everyone lifted their cups. "On behalf of every person present here today, I welcome Commandary Princess Anning to the Capital. May you have every favor and have a peaceful life. May the Southeast borders remain strong and may Daxia and its people enjoy long-lasting peace and prosperity"
She drank hers with her sleeves covering her face and the others followed.
"May the Southern borders remain strong and the people enjoy lasting peace and prosperity", He Jingcheng repeated her words as though trying to grasp the meaning, "well said!"
Lingxi was about to take her seat when she suddenly started feeling a bit dizzy.
He Yu noticed her standing still, "Lingxi, are you okay?" he asked softly.
She shook her head telling him not to worry but as she tried to sit down, she collapsed.
The entire hall was shook. Everyone stood up immediately. He Yu stood up with Lingxi in his arms looking obviously panic-stricken.
"Summon the Imperial Physician!" he ordered as he left with Lingxi in a rush.
He Jingcheng and the others followed while the guests looked confused at what was happening.
No one had a chance to notice Shen Ruihua's change in expression before she tagged along
[Channing Palace]
Everyone waited impatiently as the Imperial Physician read Lingxi's pulse. He Yu was seated on the bed by her side as he waited with his hand holding one of Lingxi's.
After taking the pulse, the Imperial Physician, Physician Du, was quiet for a long time.
He Yu looked at him visibly worried, "what's wrong with her?"
There was still no response.
"Could it be that...." Fuxia had a bold thought in mind that she hesitated to speak out, ".....grandaunt is pregnant?" she asked in a cautious voice.
There was a short pause as though everyone was thinking of her suggestion. He Yu's thoughts didn't reach that far. After all, they had not yet consummated their marriage.
"Physician Du, is there something wrong?" He Jingcheng asked.
Physician Du stood up and bowed, "Reporting to Your Majesty and Grand Prince. It seems Her Highness has been poisoned"
The words did not sound right with the people present.
"Poisoned?" He Yu was not impressed by what he heard. He looked at Lingxi and everything pieced together in his mind.
"Poisoned? Who could have poisoned grandaunt?" Prince An, He Zhen could not understand who could do such a thing against basic morality.
"Did Her Highness ever eat or drink anything weird?" Physician Du asked.
"No, she has only eaten regular meals", Xin Xie answered. She and Xin Lan were no less worried.
"Yes, I eat with her every day. She hasn't eaten anything strange", He Yu affirmed Xin Xie's answer.
Physician thought for a long while again.
"That's strange. Are you sure she had nothing else?" he asked again.
Xin Xie responded in the negative but after some thought, she remembered something.
"I think I remember something", she said, "the only time Her Highness ate outside the palace was when she was summoned to Fengyin palace and had tea with..... the empress", she was careful of the person she called.
All eyes turned to Shen Ruihua.