If that were true, then they would have to make plans early.
"Miss, there's no need to worry. The guests have all arrived. You should hurry and bring the young master out for everyone to see."
"Yes, today is a big day. You take the young master first, and I'll go call His Highness."
She had to go out with Chu Yanxi today to assert her status, to let everyone see who was truly in charge of the Third Prince's mansion, who was the real mistress.
"Yes, Miss, this servant will go now."
When Feng Ruoyan arrived at the study door, she heard an unspeakable sound coming from inside. Her eyes instantly dimmed. She took a deep breath, adjusted her emotions, and then pushed the door open to enter.
"Your Highness, try this orange. It's very sweet, Your Highness..."
"Your Highness..."
Two beautiful women were entwined around Chu Yanxi, their voices so soft they seemed to melt people.
Feng Ruoyan coughed lightly, drawing everyone's attention to her presence: "Your Highness."
"Yan'er, you're here. Come here quickly."
Seeing Feng Ruoyan at the door, Chu Yanxi quickly pushed aside the woman beside him and pulled Feng Ruoyan into his arms.
"You all may leave now."
"Yes, Consort."
The two beauties responded in unison. They were both found by Feng Ruoyan for the mansion, so they naturally followed Feng Ruoyan's lead.
"Your Highness, have you forgotten today's banquet? You are still in the study indulging yourself. Do you truly not care about me and our child?"
"In this Prince's heart, you and our child are always first. After I successfully ascend the throne, I will surely make you Empress and our child Crown Prince."
Chu Yanxi made solemn promises. In his heart, he only loved Feng Ruoyan.
From the moment he first glimpsed her in his youth, his entire heart had fallen for her. Even if there were other women, they were merely for show. The only one he loved in his heart was Feng Ruoyan.
When he ascended the throne as the Son of Heaven, the only person who could stand by his side was Feng Ruoyan. He wanted to share this vast land with her.
"My status is but humble. To be so cherished by Your Highness is already a blessing from three lifetimes. To be able to stay by Your Highness's side, I am already content. How could I dare to ask for anything more? I only hope Your Highness will not find me old and unattractive in the future."
Feng Ruoyan, with her delicate willow-like body, leaned gently into Chu Yanxi's embrace. The man instantly softened like water, tightly hugging his beloved woman and making even more solemn promises: "Yan'er, wait for me... When I become emperor, I will surely make you Empress."
The woman in his arms curved her lips in satisfaction. As long as she held Chu Yanxi's heart, anything she wanted was just a wave of her hand away.
"Your Highness, this is not acceptable... The Empress Mother wishes for me to be your principal wife, and she already dislikes me. I don't want these matters to cause discord between you and your mother and son. As long as Your Highness has me in your heart, I am content."
Chu Yanxi was even more touched, and his resolve to make Feng Ruoyan his principal wife was further strengthened.
"Yan'er, you are truly sincere towards me, and I will never let you be wronged. Rest assured, even if I have to give up everything, my wife will only be you."
"Your Highness..."
Feng Ruoyan forced a few tears from the corners of her eyes, acting as if she were deeply moved, and threw herself into Chu Yanxi's embrace.
"Don't cry. Today is a good day for our son. We must go together. Tonight, we also have to take the child to the palace to see the Emperor. This is his first grandson."
The Emperor had always longed for a grandson, and this child had come at the right time. He believed the Emperor would be very happy upon seeing the child.
By gaining the Emperor's favor, his position as Crown Prince would be one step closer. He wanted to see how Prince Jing would compete with him.
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Feng Ruoyan responded obediently and walked out with Chu Yanxi.
Now that her mother was gone, and her father's attitude towards her grew distant, her maternal family was no longer a support. She could only rely on Chu Yanxi now.
Fortunately, she had given birth to their eldest son. With this child as her backing, she had secured her position in the Third Prince's mansion.
How could that little slut Liu Menghan possibly compete with her? All she had was the Empress's insistence.
Once the Third Prince succeeded to the throne and became emperor, the position of Empress would not be decided by the Empress.
...
"Imperial Consort, you are heavily pregnant now. We shouldn't stay here. Let's go back and rest."
The maidservant looked at Liu Menghan's visibly enlarged abdomen with worry. It was getting close to her due date, and to be in such a crowded place. If anything were to happen, and the Empress Mother blamed her, even with nine lives, it wouldn't be enough to atone.
Liu Menghan supported her heavy abdomen and slowly moved forward: "What do you understand? All the esteemed ladies from the capital are here today. If I, as the Third Prince's consort, do not attend, won't Feng Ruoyan snatch all the attention?"
"There are already rumors outside that His Highness favors his concubine and neglects his wife, wanting to divorce me and legitimize Feng Ruoyan. If I don't go today, won't it fuel their speculation even more? I will never let Feng Ruoyan have her way. I must go today no matter what, and I must display the demeanor of a principal wife, letting them all know that she is the mistress of this mansion."
As Liu Menghan took her first step into the front hall, she saw Chu Yanxi and Feng Ruoyan embracing. Feng Ruoyan held the child in her arms, smiling happily, looking truly blissful.
This heartwarming scene, however, brought a piercing pain to Liu Menghan's eyes, like a thorn fiercely piercing her heart, bleeding profusely with the slightest movement.
She took a deep breath, suppressing the pain in her heart, and after adjusting her emotions, she walked towards the two of them.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Chu Yanxi heard the voice, turned his head, and upon seeing Liu Menghan, responded with a smile, mindful of the people present: "You're here."
"Sister, why have you come? Didn't I tell you that you are heavily pregnant now and cannot move around freely? I told you to rest well in your room. His Highness and I will handle everything here."
Feng Ruoyan smiled at the rushing Liu Menghan, expertly concealing the trace of disgust on her face. On such a good day, she still had to come out with her pregnant belly to be an eyesore. Was she afraid people wouldn't know she was carrying a child? Looking at Liu Menghan for another moment made her feel unlucky.
"Sister, you have never managed banquet matters. I was worried that Sister would cause any disruptions. I need to review all the affairs of the mansion to feel at ease."