The imperial banquet was held to celebrate the little monkey’s full moon, and the Emperor was naturally in high spirits.
He even joked with Mu Changxi and Song Chaoyu that when the child grew up, he would probably resent the two of them for giving him such a nickname.
Little monkey, what kind of name was that for a royal prince?
Today was the little monkey’s day of celebration, and Song Chaoyu had not forgotten Little Peach Blossom either.
Little Peach Blossom was a girl. Although she had a physical defect, she was so lovely that she tugged at people’s heartstrings.
Previously, the Emperor had been unwilling to see her, but today, when Song Chaoyu had someone carry her up, the Emperor said nothing.
Now that Little Peach Blossom was being raised in the Chang Prince’s manor, everyone naturally had to show some respect.
Moreover, Little Peach Blossom was truly adorable, so everyone gathered around her, appearing delighted.
“Father Emperor!”
Unexpectedly, at this moment, Mu Hansu suddenly stood up and knelt before the Emperor.
It was already a great favor from the Emperor that Mu Hansu was allowed to be present in this place today.
When he suddenly knelt, the Emperor’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. “What is it?”
Mu Hansu, unlike his usual extravagant appearance, wore only the simplest brocade scholar’s robe today, making him look rather refined and elegant.
As he spoke, he also slightly restrained his expression, showing less of his usual ferocity.
On such a joyous occasion, the Emperor would naturally not be critical of him with a stern gaze.
The Emperor, while cradling the little one in his arms and coaxing him, glanced at Mu Hansu. “What is it?”
In front of everyone, Mu Hansu presented something with both hands. “This is a full moon gift from your son to his little nephew. I hope my little nephew will like it!”
Song Chaoyu looked closely and was somewhat surprised.
What Mu Hansu held was a necklace made of pigeon-egg-sized emerald jade, an extremely rare treasure.
Not to mention the gold and silver used for the necklace, even the pigeon-egg-sized emerald itself was a rarity. It was unlikely that another such gem could be found in the entire court!
Song Chaoyu had never known that Mu Hansu possessed such a treasure.
Upon seeing the pigeon-egg-sized emerald, the Emperor seemed to fall into a reverie of the past.
He handed the little monkey in his arms to the wet nurse, then reached out and caressed the large emerald. “I remember this emerald was given to me by my father when I was young. It was because I once risked my life to save my brother. My father said that I was a person with a compassionate heart, and he rewarded me with this item, hoping that I would always maintain that compassion.”
The Emperor’s gaze seemed to become distant because of this emerald. “At that time, I had already understood my father’s intention. Later, I bestowed this item upon your mother. It was when I had just met your mother. I saw her, a slave, jump into the cold water without hesitation in winter to save someone. I felt that this item suited her character perfectly.”
“Alas—”
But when the Emperor mentioned Mu Hansu’s birth mother, he sighed again. “Alas, later, your mother changed. She was completely unlike the person I saw back then. She became greedy, became cruel, became someone I dared not recognize. Was she still the same person who jumped into the cold water to save someone in winter?”
Staring at the gem, the Emperor nodded with great emotion. “You are giving this necklace to the heir of the Chang Prince’s manor today. Have you asked your mother? This is her item, after all. Despite her misbehavior in the palace over the years, I always remembered that girl who jumped into the cold water in winter, which is why I never took this item back from her.”
“Yes.”
Mu Hansu’s purpose today was also evident.
His eyes held more regret and helplessness. “It was my mother who asked me to bring this item and present it to the little heir. Over the years… my mother has been alone in her palace and has thought through many things. She knows that she made many mistakes. She always told me that it was precisely because she cared too much that she made such grave errors.”
It seemed that Mu Hansu and his mother had discussed this for a long time before speaking today. “My mother has regretted it immensely over the years, but she also knows that many things cannot be undone. That is why, when Your Majesty reinstated my mother to her position a while ago, she was truly overjoyed. She always taught me to be friendly with my brothers, to have a harmonious family, to respect Your Majesty, and to treat the common people kindly.”
“Hmph!”
However, upon hearing this, the Emperor’s eyes flared with anger. “Then it seems you haven’t taken your mother’s words to heart at all!”
“Yes.”
To his surprise, Mu Hansu, at this moment, looked like a child who had made a mistake. He merely lowered his head and gave a wry smile. “I was bewitched and messed everything up. I have truly failed Your Majesty’s expectations and my mother’s earnest teachings. I am unfilial, and that is why I have specially brought this emerald necklace, as ordered by my mother, to give to the little heir. I hope that in the future, he will be a righteous person as my mother wished and share Your Majesty’s burdens.”
His words were very cleverly phrased.
Firstly, it allowed Consort Li, who was not qualified to be present today due to the Emperor’s displeasure, to gain the Emperor’s forgiveness and pity.
Secondly, it also informed the Emperor that Mu Hansu’s actions had nothing to do with Consort Li. Mu Hansu’s current desire to “mend his ways” was attributed to Consort Li’s persuasion.
Song Chaoyu had to admit that their approach was extremely clever.
This way, the Emperor’s dislike for Consort Li would decrease, and Consort Li would naturally have the opportunity to speak well of Mu Hansu in the future.
Moreover, Mu Hansu’s respectful and cautious demeanor today also made the Emperor believe that he had probably truly recognized his mistakes and corrected them.
Indeed, as Song Chaoyu had predicted, the Emperor sighed and waved his hand at Mu Hansu. “It is fortunate that you now understand these things; it is not too late. Rise!”
Then, he personally accepted the emerald necklace and handed it to Mu Changxi. “Since this is your brother’s kind gesture, you should accept it. In the future, you shall teach your children according to Consort Li’s teachings to the Prince.”
The gift was valuable, but the recipient felt rather awkward.
Fortunately, Mu Changxi seemed accustomed to the Emperor’s ways. He readily accepted the necklace and nodded with a smile at Mu Hansu. “Thank you, Prince Brother and Consort Li, for parting with such a fine item for Little Monkey.”
Even so, Mu Hansu had not yet risen.
The Emperor frowned and looked at him. “What, is there something else?”
Unexpectedly, Mu Hansu, a grown man, suddenly had red eyes at this moment and sighed. “Father Emperor… I merely look at the happiness of Prince Chang’s family and feel both happy for them and envious. Thinking of myself, I too once had such family harmony. Alas, my consort, Jiao’er, was lost too soon.”
He lowered his head, and tears fell onto the black jade bricks. “When she was alive, we would bicker and quarrel, and I didn’t feel much. Now that she is gone, my heart feels empty all day long. Only now do I realize how much I miss her, how much I regret. If time could turn back, I would surely cherish her with all my might.”
Mu Hansu’s voice was choked with sobs. “I would never let her exert herself so much during childbirth, ruin her health, and finally die of melancholy.”
These words sounded as if the decision made that day had caused Song Yanjiao’s death.
He was truly skilled at distorting the truth!
Song Chaoyu’s gaze grew colder, while the Emperor’s face showed a hint of emotion. He also sighed with Mu Hansu. “Alas… why must you do this to yourself? You didn’t cherish her then, and now that she’s gone, you’re in such pain. Su’er, what can I say to you?”
The Emperor was still influenced by his demeanor, or perhaps he wanted to appear as a kind and understanding emperor in front of everyone.