The Legend of Moonflower

Chapter 19 -Subterfuge and a Surprise

The loud cries of Fourth Prince Sicheng were met with the coos of the empress dowager and his mother the Noble Consort Wanyin. Today the members of the inner palace along with some of the Jiang clan, gathered together for the prince's one month celebration. The emperor had attended briefly, but was called away to deal with state business. Now only the harem omegas, Minister Jiang and the Jiang clan leader Yu Ziyuan were left in the grand hall.

"You'd think the emperor would at least spend more than ten minutes at his son's one month celebration," Yu Ziyuan complained.

"His majesty has much to take care of," Jiang Yanli said in defence of the emperor.

Yu Ziyuan scoffed. "If it's such an important situation, then why weren't you called in? Unless your position is useless and just for show," she said to her daughter.

Wei Ying almost balked at her comment. When Lan Zhan told him that Jiang Yanli was Jiang Wanyin's sister, he was very surprised. Their personalities couldn't be more different and when they were in the same room, they had little to no interaction. Now listening to the way the Jiang clan leader spoke to her, he knew why Jiang Yanli wanted nothing to do with her clan.

The minister turned away from her clan alpha and bowed towards the noble consort and empress dowager. "Congratulations, I wish Prince Sicheng great health and happiness," she said. "If you will excuse me, I have much work to attend to."

Jiang Wanyin rolled his eyes and waved her away. "That's why she isn't married and has no offspring," he muttered when she left. "Puts the kingdom first above everything else."

"Much good that has done for her," Yu Ziyuan added with disdain.

The omegas around the baby carried on with their gossip while they doted over the baby.

Wei Ying was never welcomed to sit close to the empress dowager, and now sat across the room beside Xiao Xingchen. It had been seven months since the Third Prince Sizhen had fallen into the pond, and although the noble consort could have stayed in his palace by feigning illness, he had graciously come to the one-month celebration. Upon his arrival, Xiao Xingchen had spoken all the right words while gifting the prince with a beautifully carved wooden wolf, made by his own hands. After enduring the scrutiny of the empress dowager and some harsh words of why he looked so wain and pale, he was now sitting quietly, drinking elegantly from his teacup.

"Did you want to leave now?" Wei Ying asked, quietly.

"It is not yet time," Xiao Xingchen whispered back. As harem omegas they were expected to stay until the empress dowager took his leave.

Wei Ying knew underneath the noble consort's serene expression he was hiding how painful it was for him to be there.

"My grandson has the voice of an alpha," Yu Ziyuan said when the baby let out a loud cry.

"Such a strong voice," Concubine Chengmei agreed.

"Strong like the emperor's," Second Attendant Minshan added.

"He sounds like every other baby to me," Ouyang Zizhen muttered as he joined Wei Ying and Xiao Xingchen.

"Let's hope he presents as an alpha," the empress dowager said, loudly. "The emperor doesn't have enough offspring with omegas not doing their duty."

Xiao Xingchen visibly flinched at Lan Qiren's words. Months ago, anticipating that his heat would be approaching, the noble consort had asked the emperor if he could spend his next heat alone. The omega stated that he wasn't over the loss of their son and did not think he would be in the best state of health if he were to get pregnant again. The emperor had granted Xiao Xingchen's request immediately. He even went as far to decree that no one was to disturb the noble consort when he was in his palace. This prevented the empress dowager from visiting and lecturing the noble consort on the responsibilities of a harem omega.