The farce finally ended like this. Yu Jingchen looked at the crowd filling the room, feeling annoyed.
"Regarding today's events, if I discover anyone dares to spread gossip, they will be executed without mercy. Do you all understand?" Yu Jingchen scanned the assembled people.
"Yes." With so few concubines remaining in the palace, everyone clearly understood Yu Jingchen's attitude towards Nan Zhiyun. Even the court officials couldn't do anything about His Majesty, so what could they?
"Your Majesty, with the Yuan family in this state, the First Prince..." Yan Qing mentioned.
"Do you wish to raise him?" Yu Jingchen looked at Yan Qing.
"Your Majesty, your humble servant's palace affairs are too busy, and I fear I cannot properly care for the First Prince. Previously, your humble servant observed that Consort Bai seemed to have a good relationship with the Yuan family, and I presume she would be willing to care for the First Prince, wouldn't you? Consort Bai?" Yan Qing looked at Bai Yusheng, who seemed somewhat surprised that Yan Qing would approach her. She had been wondering how to get the First Prince adopted under her care.
"Your humble concubine is humbled. Your humble concubine is merely a lowly Consort, of low status... Although your humble concubine wishes to adopt the First Prince, it might not be in accordance with the rules," Bai Yusheng stepped forward and knelt in the center of the hall.
"Your Majesty, your humble servant believes Consort Bai is indeed an excellent candidate, but her rank is indeed a bit low. Your humble servant has seen Consort Bai being favored since entering the palace, so how about promoting her rank?" Yan Qing spoke in favor of Bai Yusheng again.
This made Bai Yusheng feel somewhat overwhelmed, completely unsure of Yan Qing's intentions. Yu Jingchen glanced at Yan Qing, a look that was hard to interpret, but in the end, Yu Jingchen said, "Then, as you wish. Consort Bai shall be promoted to Noble Consort Bai and shall raise the First Prince."
Bai Yusheng hadn't expected things to progress so smoothly and felt a sense of unease, but it was a good outcome for now, so she still expressed her gratitude to Yu Jingchen.
However, Yu Jingchen didn't even spare her an extra glance. He directly looked at his little Empress in his arms. "Shall I carry you back?"
"Mm, okay," Nan Zhiyun nodded.
Yu Jingchen gently stroked her head and, disregarding the gazes of those present, lifted Nan Zhiyun up, placing her on his arm. He then used his other hand to support her waist and carried her away from Yunpeng Hall.
After Yu Jingchen departed, Yan Qing and the others watched him leave before turning to the rest. "Congratulations to Noble Consort Bai," Yan Qing said unhurriedly.
"All of this is thanks to Noble Consort's kindness. Your humble concubine thanks Noble Consort," Bai Yusheng didn't understand the meaning behind Noble Consort's help.
"It is merely speaking the truth. This Palace has no other intentions. The First Prince is now His Majesty's only child. This Palace does not wish for him to be without support, and having someone to care for him is naturally the best," Yan Qing sat down and drank a cup of tea.
"Yes, Noble Consort is benevolent," Bai Yusheng said.
"Noble Consort is elegant and noble, with a compassionate heart. She has been managing the Six Palaces all this time, and even with the Empress, His Majesty still trusts Noble Consort, which shows Noble Consort holds a certain position in His Majesty's heart," Su Qianyan added.
Yan Qing cast a fleeting glance at her. "Treasured Lady Su should watch her words. This Palace merely handles some trivial matters and cannot be compared to Her Majesty the Empress." Yan Qing never accepted such praise. She knew what these people were thinking.