Chapter 126: The Enthusiastic Consort De

???? Important Note : For the continuity of this story consider to Support us on Patreon.com/Flokixy to access +200 advance Chapters and To Support The Daily Update Supporting her mother, they arrived at Jade Hibiscus Palace. Upon entering the main hall, they saw Consort De seated above. Seeing them enter, she smiled and sat up straighter. "Paying respects to—" Consort De rose, interrupting their salutations. "Madam Su is with child, so dispense with the excessive formalities. You both, please sit." Consort De's voice was unhurried and gentle, calming the hearts of those who heard it. "Thank you, Your Imperial Highness." Mother and daughter rose, and only then did Consort De clearly see Su Li's face. "This is?" Consort De looked doubtfully at the celestial-looking beauty before her. Jun Mo stepped forward with a smile. "Mother Consort, do you not even recognize your own future daughter-in-law?" Consort De's eyes lit up with pleasant surprise. "You mean to say?" Jun Mo smiled and nodded. Mother Su smiled and said, "Your Imperial Highness, this is my humble daughter, Li'er." Consort De looked at Su Li again. Her brows and eyes indeed matched those of the masked woman from that day, and she still wore the jade bracelet Consort De had given her. The gown she wore was made of Moonlight Brocade. She remembered that, apart from the palace, only her son's residence possessed any. Consort De beckoned, "Li'er, come here." Su Li approached with a faint smile. Consort De took Su Li's small hand, her satisfaction growing the more she looked. She had been in the palace for decades and knew that beauty was fleeting. The most important thing for a woman was not her appearance, but her virtue. Therefore, when her son had taken a liking to the Su family's disfigured daughter, she hadn't objected. That was the principle, and not minding was one thing, but everyone possessed a love for beauty. Seeing the beautiful young woman before her now, her heart was even more joyful. Beauty was the icing on the cake; who didn't love beautiful things? Su Li, seeing Consort De fondling her hand as if she couldn't bear to let go, looked a little embarrassed. "Good, very good, truly a perfect match! Let's see who dares to make a joke of this now! The 'Number One Ugly Face'? This is truly the most laughable joke this consort has heard all year." She had never liked to venture outside the palace gates, but she couldn't stop the gossips within the palace. They were clearly jealous that her son had found a powerful family-in-law, yet they insisted on coming to her and harping on the girl's appearance. Jun Mo stepped forward. "Mother Consort, you're about to squeeze the young lady's hand red." Consort De shot him a playful glare, saying joyfully, "What? Are you envious or feeling sorry for her?" Seeing Su Li's face flush slightly, she stopped teasing. She looked at Mother Su and said, "Madam Su, you are truly blessed. Your esteemed daughter is well-behaved and sensible. Everyone in the palace adores my son, but this consort has always preferred daughters. Soft and delicate, calling out 'Mother Consort' in a sweet, charming voice – it melts one's heart. It's a pity..." Mother Su said with a smile, "Your Imperial Highness praises her too much. His Highness Prince Jing is a fine figure of a man and also very filial to Your Imperial Highness. It is Your Imperial Highness who is truly blessed." Consort De glanced at Jun Mo and complained, "You wouldn't know. This son of mine, once he grew up, became wild. I hardly see him all day. If it weren't for your visit today, this boy probably wouldn't have appeared here. How can a son be as considerate and obedient as a daughter?" Mother Su said, "Daughters have their mischievous moments too. This subject-wife still remembers, Li'er was quite naughty when she was little..." Consort De and Mother Su talked about amusing childhood anecdotes of their children, feeling more and more like they had met too late, completely leaving their own son and daughter to the side. Su Li was surprised by Consort De's enthusiasm. In two lifetimes, she had never seen Consort De appear so approachable. Jun Mo, seeing them engaged in lively conversation, quietly moved closer to Su Li. Su Li felt her finger being hooked and quickly looked down. Her heart leaped in alarm! This man was so audacious! Although their sleeves provided some cover, this was the palace, with people constantly coming and going. This man was truly... Su Li's face quietly reddened. She tried several times to withdraw her hand but failed. She didn't dare make too large a movement, fearing discovery. She could only let Jun Mo hook her hand right under the noses of Consort De and her own mother. Jun Mo’s lips curved slightly. He mischievously tickled her soft palm, causing the young woman's face to flush even redder. To an outsider, the two standing shoulder to shoulder were a handsome man and a beautiful woman, an exceptionally well-matched pair. The man had a smile on his face, while the woman shyly lowered her head slightly. The palace attendants smiled knowingly, feeling as if the very air in the hall had turned sweet. An hour later, a palace attendant entered. "Your Imperial Highness, the banquet is about to begin. Please proceed to Baohua Hall." Consort De smiled. "Madam Su, let us go." Su Li stepped forward to support Mother Su, following behind Consort De, with Jun Mo walking at the very end. The Emperor's birthday celebration was naturally grand. From the palace gates to the entirety of the palace grounds, embroidered brocades with dragon and phoenix motifs and a hundred flowers, as well as rainbow-colored woolen felts, were laid out, creating a scene of vibrant colors and dazzling splendor, like floating jade and flowing vermilion, with rosy clouds forming ornate patterns. On the white jade flagstones, auspicious dragon and phoenix twin cloud patterns were carved in pairs. In the great hall, various young ladies from noble families gathered in small groups, whispering and laughing softly. Occasionally, their gazes would drift towards the men's seating area, only to be quickly withdrawn with blushing faces as if scalded, pretending nothing had happened as they continued chatting with their young sisters. And the topic of everyone's conversation, naturally, revolved around the recently renowned legitimate daughter of the Su family. The woman who had risen from an ordinary official's daughter, step by step, to the high position of a Princess. "Do you think Princess Changning will come today?" "Su Li? This Princess thinks she probably won't. With a ruined face, what's the point of coming out instead of staying home?" The one who spoke was the young princess of Prince Zhao's household, Zhao Wange. A girl of sixteen or seventeen, from a good family, renowned for her talent, and also one of the Four Beauties of Tianqi, she naturally didn't need to be too guarded with her words. "The Princess speaks rightly. It's such a pity for His Highness Prince Jing, a man like a celestial being, to be paired with such a... tsk tsk, truly a pity. If you ask me, only someone like our Princess is worthy of the position of Princess Jing," a young lady said, looking at Zhao Wange. Zhao Wange snorted coldly. "Just you wait and see. His Highness Prince Jing will sooner or later grow tired of that faceless woman!" It was well known to many that Zhao Wange had always liked Prince Jing. Princess Zhao had also, intentionally or unintentionally, tried to sound out Consort De, only to return disappointed each time. Zhao Wange had been waiting for Prince Jing; she knew being impatient was useless. For so many years, no woman had appeared by Prince Jing's side, nor had there ever been any rumor of Prince Jing liking someone. Zhao Wange felt that as long as she persisted and let Consort De and Prince Jing see her devotion, one day, the position of Princess Jing would be hers. But unexpectedly, a Su Li had appeared out of nowhere. If her rival had been a beauty who surpassed her, she would have accepted it. But this was Tianqi's Number One Ugly Face! Her being by Prince Jing's side was simply an insult to Prince Jing! Wei Yuanyao, who was chatting with Qu Zhirou, heard this and immediately took offense. She shot up from her table and began to retort. "Zhao Wange, we all know what you're thinking. I advise you to give up! His Highness Prince Jing likes my cousin more than you can imagine! His Highness has even said that in this lifetime, he will only marry my cousin! He hasn't even left a position for a concubine for anyone else!" Zhao Wange's face turned black as ink. Looking at Wei Yuanyao, she gritted her teeth. "Just because of your ugly cousin, she thinks she can monopolize His Highness Prince Jing? Why doesn't she take a look in the mirror!" Although the two were arguing, they still exercised some restraint, their voices not too loud, audible only to those nearby. Just as Wei Yuanyao was about to say more, an announcement came from outside the hall. "Her Imperial Highness Consort De arrives! His Highness Prince Jing arrives!"