TSWRLM -Chapter 303 The Princess’s Birthday Banquet

Shen Qingyuan entered the palace at night, and as soon as the Crown Prince received the news, he hurried over.

“What happened? Why are you coming to the palace at this hour?”

“There’s a problem with the Xianghun incense.”

Shen Qingyuan gestured for the Crown Prince to look at the cage of mice he had brought, then briefly explained the process of how Chun Xi had been exposing the mice to Xianghun incense over the past few days. He concluded: “This incense is addictive, and when the craving hits, people go into a state of madness. The death of Princess Baohua is likely connected to this incense.”

The Crown Prince’s expression stiffened.

He had commissioned Xiao Yecheng to establish the Wuyou Pavilion not to amass wealth, but to understand the real situation of the major families, so that once he ascended the throne, he could quickly assert authority without being manipulated by the nobility. Now, the sudden appearance of this Xianghun incense and the harm it caused—was it the work of a traitor inside Wuyou Pavilion, or someone who knew that Wuyou Pavilion’s true master was him, deliberately targeting it to destroy his intelligence network outside the palace?

Lost in thought, the Crown Prince listened as Shen Qingyuan said: “The strange effects of this incense suggest that if someone did this deliberately and spread it further, countless families could be ruined. I believe Your Highness should confiscate these incense stocks first and find their source as soon as possible. Only then can we prevent further hidden dangers.”

The Crown Prince immediately nodded in agreement, then added, “Xiao Yecheng has gone to Wengzhou and hasn’t returned yet. We don’t know what he discovered, or if it’s related to this Xianghun incense.”

Shen Qingyuan hadn’t returned all night, and Chun Xi had barely slept. She woke early the next morning, still dazed.

Just then, Nanny Zhang and Nanny Li entered. Nanny Zhang helped her with her hair and makeup, while Nanny Li picked two sets of clothes from the wardrobe for her to choose: “Madam, would you like to wear this dark blue set or this apricot-white one?”

Seeing Chun Xi lost in thought, Nanny Li reminded her, “Madam, don’t forget—today is Princess Hengyang’s birthday. You need to attend the banquet at the princess’s residence.”

The previous day’s shocking effects of the Xianghun incense had made Chun Xi completely forget about this event.

She quickly collected her thoughts, picked her outfit, finished her makeup, and took the gift to the princess’s residence.

Since Princess Hengyang was pregnant, it was rare for her to celebrate her birthday with her child, so this year’s banquet was grander than usual.

However, the princess had been more lethargic during her pregnancy, so the Empress specially sent staff from the palace to handle the preparations. Princess Hengyang had nothing to worry about. When Chun Xi arrived, the princess was lounging in the garden pavilion, eating grapes peeled by her consort.

Seeing Chun Xi, Princess Hengyang immediately pushed her consort aside and gestured for Chun Xi to sit next to her, then reached to touch Chun Xi’s belly: “A-Xi, your belly doesn’t seem to have grown much. You haven’t gained weight either—I feel like I’m about to roll into a ball myself.”

Her words were full of envy.

In reality, Princess Hengyang hadn’t gained much weight either; she had been mostly confined and inactive, making her face appear rounder. But her complexion was rosy, and a little weight actually made her look more elegant and dignified.

Chun Xi smiled and said, “Princess, your pregnancy is a little ahead of mine. You’ll give birth a bit earlier, so you’ll get to relax sooner.”

Princess Hengyang liked hearing that. Right now, she just wished to give birth soon and get some relief.

“This little brat has started kicking me recently. Didn’t you feel it? And I always have to get up at night. My back hurts—so annoying.”

“It’s normal to feel movement at this stage. I not only get up at night, but sometimes my belly itches too.”

“Exactly, exactly.”

Hearing the same symptoms, Princess Hengyang immediately nodded in agreement and vented her frustrations.

Although the princess’s residence had plenty of people to listen and comfort her, she was only truly happy talking to Chun Xi. A-Xi was pregnant too, so she understood exactly what the princess was experiencing and wouldn’t think she was being dramatic.

She was genuinely troubled by these little things.

Chun Xi patiently chatted with Princess Hengyang, and after finishing, the princess felt completely relaxed and turned to other matters: “I heard the Shen family forced Shen Qingchi’s daughter onto you to raise. Do you want me to intervene on your behalf?”

The Marquis of Qingyuan had been stripped of his title, and his residence was confiscated. The Shen family, hoping to seek refuge with Shen Qingyuan, were denied entry, leaving the child in Chun Xi’s care.

Hearing the princess’s question, Chun Xi shook her head: “Thank you, Princess, but I’m willing to raise the child myself.”

“After all that Shen Qingchi did to you, you’re still willing to raise her child? A-Xi, you’re so soft-hearted. If anyone dared to plot against me, I wouldn’t just raise their child—I’d wipe them out completely!”

Princess Hengyang made a throat-slitting gesture. Chun Xi didn’t call out her soft side, only said, “After all, she is my husband’s sister, and she’s timid. Those previous incidents weren’t necessarily all her own doing.”

Hearing this, Princess Hengyang leaned closer and whispered gossip: “It was Yun Wantang who instigated her, wasn’t it? I’ve long suspected that woman. She wasn’t even in Hanjing, yet rumors about the consort lasted ten years without end. Since returning these past few months, she’s caused so many problems, but you can never catch her in the act. Every time I see her, I feel so frustrated.”

As soon as the princess finished speaking, a soft, chubby little bundle ran over: “Fairy Sister, Yue’er finally sees you again! I missed you so much!”

Yun Wantang had stayed outside the pavilion, not daring to enter, and gently scolded: “Yue’er, don’t misbehave. Bow to the princess quickly.”

At her words, Yue’er immediately bowed: “Yue’er greets Your Highness, Princess.”

Having just criticized Yun Wantang, the princess now saw obedient Yue’er and felt a little guilty, quickly saying, “No need for formalities. Get up. There’s lots of delicious food today. Tell me what you want to eat.”

“I’m happy just to see Your Highness. I don’t need to eat anything.”

Afterward, Yue’er curiously looked at the princess’s belly, and after a moment said, “Princess, little brother is moving!”

Princess Hengyang’s expression stiffened.

She didn’t want a son. Sons weren’t considerate; they would grow up, marry a daughter-in-law, and irritate her. Daughters were better. She could buy her daughter beautiful clothes and jewelry, and when she grew up, find a husband so she wouldn’t suffer in her in-laws’ home and could stay with her.

Princess Hengyang fell silent. Unlike before, she didn’t praise Yue’er or reward her. Yue’er’s eyes shifted slightly and she looked at Chun Xi: “Madam, the one in your belly seems to be a little sister.”

Princess Hengyang: “……”

Talk about misfortune! A-Xi already has one daughter, so how could she have another?

Overcome with emotion, Princess Hengyang couldn’t control herself and tears welled up.

The maids and attendants hurriedly tried to comfort her. Yue’er, startled, ran back to Yun Wantang.

How strange.

Mom said the princess would reward her with a bigger, brighter pearl. Why then did the princess cry when she heard it was a boy?

Yue’er, confused, suddenly felt a pinch on her arm and burst into loud tears: “Princess, I’m sorry! I spoke wrongly! Please don’t hurt me!”