Do Not Offend the Reborn Wicked Wife-Chapter 506: Imperial Edict, Bestowed Favor!

Chapter 506: Chapter 506: Imperial Edict, Bestowed Favor!

"Your humble son, pays respects to Mother Empress!"

Kunyuan Palace, the Crown Prince bowed deeply, his long sleeves touching the ground, showing utmost sincerity.

Empress Qiao was sipping a bowl of perfectly cooked, tender snow clam. Facing the Crown Prince’s bow, she showed no reaction and continued sipping.

The Crown Prince dared not rise, maintaining the posture with his long sleeves touching the ground.

Despite the hot weather, the Crown Prince managed to hold this position for half the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before sweat began to bead on his forehead.

Only then did Empress Qiao slowly lift her gaze to him.

"Oh? Why hasn’t the Crown Prince risen yet? Get up quickly!"

"Thank you, Mother Empress!"

Qi Junji stood up, full of respect.

Empress Qiao carefully observed him and suddenly sighed: "Come to think of it, I was a confidante of your mother consort in the palace, but alas... she met her end early at the hands of villains. Still, when I see you, I feel like I’m seeing her."

The Crown Prince, Qi Junji’s heart trembled; his biological mother passed away shortly after giving birth to him. He was practically raised by Empress Qiao herself. Now that she brings up his biological mother, what does she mean by this?

Instinctively sensing danger, he quickly said: "Your humble son is terrified! Since childhood, I’ve followed Mother Empress, who treated me as her own. I’ve long regarded Mother Empress as my biological mother. What Mother Empress said really troubles me!"

Empress Qiao narrowed her eyes, revealing a gentle expression: "In truth, I have always treated you as my own son, but we are ultimately not mother and son. If someone with ill intentions speaks behind our backs, who knows what..."

"Mother Empress!" The Crown Prince exclaimed, kneeling down, "Your humble son is truly terrified and deeply grateful for your nurturing. Anyone who dares speak ill of Mother Empress speaks against me, and I shall have them torn limb from limb!"

"What tearing limb from limb, my dear son, you’ve gone too far. After all, rumors only stop with the wise, remember this well!"

"Yes, your humble son heeds Mother Empress’s teaching!"

"Since antiquity, a Crown Prince without fault, even the esteemed Emperor, cannot be easily deposed. My dear son should be diligent, securing the position of Crown Prince firmly."

This was meant to reassure and inform Qi Junji that with Empress Qiao as his protector, no one could shake his position as Crown Prince.

Immediately, Qi Junji excitedly placed his forehead on the ground.

"Your humble son, thanks Mother Empress!"

"Mother Empress is also tired, my dear son you may leave!"

"Your humble son, shall take his leave!"

Qi Junji respectfully performed another bow, then retreated out.

Once Qi Junji left, Empress Qiao’s wet nurse, Aunt Zhen Shu approached and said: "Your Majesty, concerning the Crown Prince, I have ensured that no information he shouldn’t hear reaches him!"

Empress Qiao gently rubbed her brow with her hand, her previous composure gradually dissipating, leaving a cold demeanor.

"Since returning from Nanyuan Palace two months ago, that wretched woman has caused quite a fuss. How come I didn’t see her deviousness before?"

Empress Qiao’s face gradually twisted as she spoke, clearly enraged!

"That wench Consort Li, truly pulls every trick out of the hat against me, even devising ways to drive a wedge between me and my son!" 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Your Majesty, rest assured, those words are baseless; the Crown Prince hasn’t heard them and wouldn’t believe them even if he did!"

Aunt Zhen Shu quickly interjected.

Empress Qiao waved her hand, her voice icy: "No, you’re wrong. Rumors are fiercer than tigers, and once they are repeated, they become truth even if they were not, moreover..."

She paused and glanced at Aunt Zhen Shu.

Aunt Zhen Shu hurriedly knelt down, bowing repeatedly, "Your Majesty, regarding that matter, I swear I was the only witness, no second person saw it!"

Empress Qiao withdrew her gaze and said indifferently: "Zhen Shu, you are my wet nurse, I trust you. But still... I’m curious, how did that wench obtain the news?"

"Your Majesty, please give me some time, and I shall investigate this matter!"

"Good."

...

Long Yue’s housewarming banquet was quite simple, with only a few horse carriages outside, it was hard to tell the family was holding a banquet.

"Yue’er, congratulations! Although you previously stayed at the General Mansion, where General Cao trusted you to manage his household, it wasn’t truly your home, right? Finally, you can be comfortable now!"

"Isn’t it just so, especially with a child, the noise is unbearable, always worrying about disturbing others!"

"Qiao’er, is your child particularly noisy?"

"Yes, almost tearing the house down!"

"Hahaha..."

The group of women sat around a table, chatting and laughing, with Long Yue, Yang Zhuoya, and Chai Qiao’er discussing childcare while almost forgetting the men around them.

"Uncle Mu, has your wife forgotten her husband now that she has a child?"

Qi Jingyu, though only fifteen or sixteen, was quite mature-minded, his sharp eyes darting between Long Yue and Xiao Rui’er.

Li Qingmu’s handsome face turned dark and gloomy upon hearing this, and he pinched him directly.

"Ow—You set me up! How dare you!"

"Young Master, when did I ever set you up? Are you injured? Don’t falsely accuse!"

Li Qingmu, feigning innocence, infuriated Qi Jingyu to death.

This man is shameless!

"The Emperor’s decree—"

Suddenly, outside came Chief Eunuch Chen Zhong’s voice, catching everyone by surprise as they looked at each other, clueless about what transpired.

Even Long Yue and Li Qingmu were confused.

But with the Emperor’s decree came, they hurried to receive it.

"By the mandate of heaven, the Emperor decrees, bestowing the name Jingrui upon the son of Imperial Censor Li Qingmu, for his intelligence and virtue, goodness and wisdom, accordingly—Appropriately named—Jingrui, hereby!"

Once Chen Zhong finished announcing, the surroundings fell silent.

Li Qingmu was too dumbfounded.

He merely asked Qi Yun to name the child, but now there was an Emperor’s decree?

Worse, it was proclaimed throughout the realm!

Qi Jingyu, ever astute, quickly sensed something unusual.

Jingrui? Why is there the "Jing" character in the middle?

Is this equating him with the Imperial Family’s level?

This is not just ordinary favor; it’s an extraordinary honor, the height of prestige!

"Mr. Li, will you receive the decree?"

Chen Zhong, chuckling, handed the decree to Li Qingmu.

Li Qingmu bowed and said: "I... Accept the decree!"

"Mr. Li, this is His Majesty’s favor; cherish it well!"

Chen Zhong, smilingly, said this and left.

Li Qingmu still stood there, a bit dazed. This is... leaving him no chance to dodge, directly facing the envy, jealousy, and fury of his peers?

Li Qingmu chuckled lightly, with a smile mingled with relief.

This Emperor, ruthless to himself, and equally ruthless to others!

"A Mu, the Emperor granting a name is one thing, but granting the ’Jing’ generation, this seems rather improper, doesn’t it?"

Xiang Yin pondered and felt something was amiss.

But with the decree issued, they couldn’t defy it.

Su Shi pondered: "His Majesty the Emperor never acts pointlessly. I actually believe this signals a Crown Prince contest!"