Xuanyuan City's words had just fallen, and the banquet hall burst into lively scene, laughter and cheers rose and fell continuously, filling the air with uninterrupted noise.
Under the brilliant glow of the lights, the concubines resemble flowers blooming in competition in spring.
Each one was swaying gracefully in their respective positions, raising their cups towards Xuanyuan City in the distance and offering a toast with eyes full of tenderness and expectation.
Li Youyan, in a pink silk dress, with a graceful posture and beautiful face, gently opened her red lips: "Your Majesty, I dare to raise a cup to you. May your Majesty's career last for thousands of years, and may your reputation remain eternal."
Her gaze was fixed intently on Xuanyuan Cheng, hoping that the prince would remember her and summon her to his bedchamber tonight.
She dared not yearn for too much favor, but only hoped that the prince would bestow a child upon her, so that her future days would have a reliance and she would not live alone and die lonely in the princely mansion.
Xuanyuan Cheng sat in the seat of honor, his gaze fixed on Li Youyan, his expression indifferent. Thinking that tonight's family banquet was not a time for excessive coldness, he also drank the wine Li Youyan had offered.
Li Youyan saw that the prince had drank the wine she had offered, her expression was full of joy, but she also knew how to be discreet and did not say anything more. She sat down gracefully.
The other concubines, upon seeing this, followed suit, raising their cups to make a toast.
Xuanyuan Cheng's eyes flickered with a hint of impatience, and he suddenly felt that there were quite too many women in the mansion.
He had previously thought that as long as he kept them, it was just a matter of spending some silver money.
But now, he felt that these women were annoying and quite bothersome.
He was thinking of sending them off to the country estate when the time comes, allowing them to marry whoever they wish or return to their parents' homes as they please.
In short, don't stay in the princely mansion.
Xuanyuan Cheng's thoughts were unknown to these concubines.
They still looked at him with eyes full of hope, expecting that the prince would drink the toast they offered, then remember them, and summon them to his bedchamber.
Xuanyuan Cheng forced himself to endure the impatience, drinking the wine offered by the concubines one by one, but his expression gradually darkened.
Yu Yao witnessed all this, suddenly feeling that these women were not very smart.
The first one to make the toast might be remembered by Xuanyuan Cheng, but with so many women, one after another offering toasts.
This would definitely be annoying for anyone.
If Xuanyuan Cheng's tolerance for alcohol is not good, he might even be drunk.
Yu Yao shook her head, her gaze falling on the delicious food in front of her. She ate with relish, unable to stop.
Pregnant in her late stage, it's naturally easy to be hungry. With three babies in her belly, she was even hungrier.
Basically, she would need to eat again shortly.
A court advisor, noticing the tense atmosphere, stood up and said, "Your Majesty, although the great victory is joyous, there are many subsequent affairs that require careful consideration."
Xuanyuan Cheng looked at the court advisor and nodded slightly, "I understand, let's discuss this in detail tomorrow."
The concubines, seeing that Xuanyuan Cheng was discussing serious matters with the court advisor, were all as still as ice, too afraid to make a sound.
Li Youyan bit her lip unwillingly, thinking that the prince had been at war for months and that Yu Yeifei was pregnant. As a normal man, the prince would have those needs like any other man.
If she performs well, maybe she can climb onto the prince's bed tonight.
Her face flushed slightly, and she stood up again, her gaze falling on Xuanyuan Cheng. Her seductive eyes were like threads of silk, and she cooed, "Your Majesty, the other day I learned a new melody. I would like to play it for you."
Xuanyuan Cheng looked up at Li Youyan and coldly said, "Another day."
Li Youyan encountered a rejection, and her face turned pale instantly, tears welling up in her eyes.
The other concubines, upon seeing this situation, all silently felt relieved that they had not rashly acted.
Xuanyuan Cheng's gaze shifted to Yu Yao, who was sitting quietly and enjoying her meal.
He slightly raised the corners of his mouth, his eyes carried a hint of indulgence and helplessness, and his thin lips opened: "Yu Concubine, your greedy appearance is like the prince mistreating you."
Yu Yao lifted her head, her cheeks puffed out like a small squirrel, and replied vaguely, "Your Majesty please don't tease the concubine. The three little ones in my belly are causing a ruckus, and I'm starving."
Xuanyuan Cheng laughed heartily, "Then you should eat more, and fatten up my sons until they are chubby and healthy."
Yu Yao gave him a cold look and swallowed her food, muttering, "How do you know it's a little prince, what if it's a little princess?"
Xuanyuan Cheng's face faltered. He actually had no preference for male or female children, but since the Qin Prince's mansion had no successor, it was obviously more desirable for her to give birth to a son.
He quickly regained his composure and looked at Yu Yao seriously, "Whether it's a little prince or a little princess, I will cherish them as precious gems. As long as the child is born to you for me, I am overjoyed."
Yu Yao inwardly thought: You really believe me? You hesitated for so long, it's obvious that you want a son.
But her expression was one of relief: "In that case, the concubine will feel at ease."
No one knew better than she did that she was carrying three sons in her belly.
Li Youyan watched the intimate interaction between Xuanyuan Cheng and Yu Yao, and her jealousy only intensified.
In her heart, she secretly cursed Yu Yao to give birth to a daughter, preferably with three daughters in her belly.
She dared not openly harm others, but she wasn't afraid of cursing her in her heart.
The other concubines were more or less the same, some even secretly cursed Yu Yao to have a fatal accident and die with all four of her children.
Yu Yao was unaware of their thoughts. If she knew that these people were cursing her behind her back.
She probably wouldn't be so polite.
The family banquet continued in this complex atmosphere, but it was soon over.
Yu Yao, with her belly, returned to Mingxi Pavilion, followed by Xiangling and Xiangju, who carefully protected her.
In the courtyard, the bamboo shadows danced gracefully, and the fragrance of flowers was intoxicating. It seemed that even the air was exceptionally tender due to the night.
Yu Yao's forehead showed signs of exhaustion. She let Xiangling and Xiangju attend to her grooming.
She had just finished her bath and changed into a clean pajama set when she saw Xuanyuan Cheng push the door in, his face slightly flushed, and carrying a strong scent of wine on his person.
Yu Yao, sniffing the strong scent of alcohol that greeted her, knew that this man had had quite a bit to drink and her brow furrowed.
"Xiangling, go to the kitchen and prepare a bowl of warming wine soup."
She ordered Xiangling, who was preparing to curtsy, with a gesture.
"No need, the prince is fine." Xuanyuan Cheng said dismissively.
Xuanyuan Cheng waved his hand, indicating for them to withdraw.
Xiangling and Xiangju wisely withdrew.
Yu Yao saw that he walked with steady steps, so she said no more.
Xuanyuan Cheng raised his robe and sat on the bed, pulling her into his arms, facing her.
Looking at the high and round abdomen in front of her, he marveled once again that the belly was indeed large.
He wanted to hold her close, but his arms were blocked by the large belly.
Yu Yao also felt embarrassed and chose to side herself, avoiding the belly towards him.
She wanted to sit on his lap, but was afraid that the man would find her heavy.
Although she did not have the usual swelling of a pregnant woman or gain much weight, she was indeed not light.
After all, this large belly, with three triplets, could not be without weight.
After thinking about it, she decided to sit next to him, and they chatted while side by side.
Xuanyuan Cheng watched her action and chuckled lowly.
He placed his large hand on her abdomen and whispered, "Are the children alright? Have they been bothering you?"
Yu Yao shook her head, "The children are quite peaceful, just occasionally playful and kick a bit. I can bear it."
Xuanyuan Cheng nodded slightly, although he wasn't very knowledgeable about pregnancy, he knew that multiple pregnancies could lead to preterm labor.
He thought for a moment and said, "Your belly is already seven months. The midwife's delivery room things should be prepared. These should have been prepared earlier, but I have been at war, too occupied to consider them."
Upon hearing this, Yu Yao couldn't help but laugh, "Your Majesty is unaware. I have already had someone arrange the delivery room, and I have also hired several midwives with extensive experience from the folk. A lot of clothes for the three children have been made as well. I was afraid that Your Majesty would not be able to return in time from your campaigns, so I made these preparations in advance."
Upon hearing this, Xuanyuan Cheng's eyes flashed with admiration and tenderness, and he gently patted her hand, "Is it not good for the concubine to take care of these things? Why should you have to worry about it?"
"You are saying this, what are you doing, Your Majesty? I have merely instructed the people below to handle it. How can I be bothered?" Yu Yao replied with a teasing smile.
They chatted for a while and then went to bathe and sleep.
As Yu Yao had a big belly, she couldn't do much, so they just covered themselves up and talked.
Of course, cuddling while talking.
To avoid the awkwardness of her belly blocking their closeness, she lay on her side with her back to Xuanyuan Cheng, nestling in his arms. She slept soundly like that.
Xuanyuan Cheng felt the warmth in his arms, and couldn't help but feel a myriad of emotions.
"You, no matter what your past identity was, and whatever purpose you came to Jin State with, I can overlook it. As long as you treat the prince well in the future, everything will be fine." Xuanyuan Cheng whispered in her ear.
Yu Yao heard Xuanyuan Cheng's words in a dazed, half-asleep state, and her body trembled slightly, but she did not wake up.
Xuanyuan Cheng hugged her tightly and continued to murmur lowly, as if talking to himself.
"I know, there are many complicated things in the world. You may have unspoken troubles. Most importantly, I can't live without you. Without you, no matter how much wealth and luxury there are for me, it would be meaningless."
"You are the only one by my side, and I feel that life is full of flavor."
As the night grew deeper, Xuanyuan Cheng slowly closed his eyes, burying his head in her hair, holding the woman in his arms tightly but avoiding pressing on her belly. He gradually drifted into sleep.
