Chapter 752: Chapter 752: Scared to Death!

"Thank you, Princess! Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The concubines stood up to express their gratitude, and Li Qingmu demonstrated by raising his cup to invite a toast.

With Rong Si present, he couldn’t show impatience. Otherwise, he would have hastened these concubines to leave long ago.

"Princess, on such a wonderful day, how can we just rely on the singers’ and dancers’ performances? Why not let the sisters offer a dance to liven things up?"

The Empress Nianxi smiled slightly, but when speaking, she deliberately glanced towards Long Yue.

This country bumpkin, there’s no way she has any noteworthy dance piece!

The other concubines all wanted to showcase themselves in front of the Emperor and immediately responded eagerly, some even began performing on the spot.

One concubine instructed her palace maid to quickly fetch the ancient zither from her quarters to prepare a song.

Others brought out the four treasures of study to start painting, showcasing a variety of talents.

Long Yue understood that Nianxi’s words were somewhat challenging for her. She gently stroked her abdomen and smiled, "Empress kind-heartedly thought of me, but unfortunately, I’m with child now and it’s not appropriate to perform, please forgive me, sister!"

Nianxi’s expression changed; she only intended to make things difficult for Long Yue but forgot she was pregnant. With this, indeed Long Yue need not perform any piece.

Rong Si said, "Indeed, Ming Fei should focus on nurturing the body, there’s plenty of time for these performances after childbirth. By the way, how has Ming Fei been feeling lately? Any discomfort? Just say the word, and we can have Lord Wen take a look."

Wen Jingzhong had the rare opportunity to attend the family banquet today.

This was thanks to the Princess Consort Jing; he was her father, thus the royal father-in-law, making his presence at the family banquet both just and reasonable.

Wen Jingzhong quickly stood up and greeted Rong Si with a slight bow.

"Lord Wen, both of the ladies rely on you, you must attend diligently!"

Rong Si smiled, this was entrusting a heavy responsibility. Wen Jingzhong immediately bowed, "Rest assured, Princess. This minister will strive to ensure the safety of both ladies’ pregnancies!"

Ensuring a safe pregnancy isn’t just about stabilizing the fetus, it also includes the proper positioning for delivery. If the head is not facing down, it may lead to difficult labor.

Wen Jingzhong was quite accomplished in childbirth and was skilled in using acupuncture to facilitate delivery.

Recall, when the late Emperor was still around, his concubine almost had a difficult labor, it was this Doctor Wen who used acupuncture to stimulate the fetus, prompting it to turn its head, ensuring mother and child safety.

Rong Si entrusted the issue of Long Yue and Princess Consort Jing to Wen Jingzhong, a sign of trust, but also a heavy burden.

If done well, it would mean great success.

Wen Jingzhong quickly stood up and expressed his thanks.

While this side was happily chatting, on the other side, Zhi Jin’s gaze continuously swept over the dining table.

She was looking for an opportune moment to place some mooncakes in front of Long Yue.

Rong Si seemed to care for Princess Consort Jing and Ming Fei, but what does that matter? As the shadow said, he just wants to plant a tiny seed of hatred, which might be extinguished, or it might grow stronger!

Whether it thrives or fades depends on actions thereafter.

"Ah, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, just appreciating the moon won’t do! Bring out the mooncakes! These mooncakes were specially made by the Imperial Kitchen and taste excellent, everyone should try them!"

Rong Si smiled as she spoke, and as soon as the words fell, trays of mooncakes were brought out. The mooncakes were uniquely shaped and richly colored, instantly appetizing.

In front of Long Yue were several pieces of golden mooncakes, stamped with small words: Luck and Prosperity.

In the corner, the words egg yolk stood out.

These were egg yolk mooncakes!

Long Yue wasn’t fond of egg yolk mooncakes. She disliked overly salty or sweet foods and pushed the mooncakes aside.

Seeing this, Yu Zhu quickly remarked, "Lady, these mooncakes are bestowed by Princess, wouldn’t leaving them uneaten be somewhat inappropriate?"

Long Yue glanced at "Yu Zhu," who immediately lowered her head, behaving obediently.

And her earlier reminder seemed never to have occurred!

Long Yue squinted slightly, somehow ever since learning Yu Zhu was swapped, she’s become particularly cautious when eating, fearing unintentional poisoning.

These mooncakes were gifted by Rong Si, shouldn’t be a problem, right?

Long Yue picked up an egg yolk mooncake, pondered, and then broke it apart.

However, before she could break it, a sharp scream echoed from afar.

"Aaah—"

The scream was piercing, hurting eardrums terribly. Long Yue looked up to see the Princess Consort Jing, alarmed, staring at the table at a half-eaten mooncake. Moments later, she began vomiting vigorously.

"Susu!"

Seeing his daughter vomiting non-stop, Wen Jingzhong hurried over to inspect, and upon seeing the fallen half-mooncake, his expression also changed.

This mooncake...

A cold sweat mysteriously broke out.

Rong Si’s seating happened to obscure her view. Fortunately, Yin Li, being sharp-witted, quickly went down to take a look.

Instantly, Yin Li’s expression turned unpleasant.

She swiftly returned to Rong Si’s side and whispered in her ear, "My lady, there are two gluttonous worms in that mooncake!"

Gluttonous worms?

Rong Si paused, then angrily exclaimed, "How could gluttonous worms end up in a mooncake? These mooncakes were made by the Imperial Kitchen, there shouldn’t be worms! Investigate immediately, find the culprit!"

Rong Si was genuinely enraged!

Gluttonous worms were extremely rare, only appearing in her quarters, and now two ended up in the mooncake? Clearly an attempt to disgust her!

Such a trivial matter wouldn’t break up the royal family, so the remaining theory becomes someone’s prank, targeting her, or the Princess Consort Jing?

Though pranking and harming have many methods, why choose this particular way?

"Susu, quick, vomit it out, expel those dirty things!"

Over there, Wen Jingzhong continued assisting the Princess Consort Jing with the vomiting.

Mostly, there’s uncertainty whether she actually consumed them.

"Father, daughter feels dizzy..."

This ordeal left the Princess Consort Jing in a terrible state, clutching her forehead, her face pallid.

Perhaps frightened, pressure overwhelming.

"Someone, promptly escort the Princess Consort Jing back to her quarters, Lord Wen, take good care of her!"

Rong Si gave the orders, Wen Jingzhong thanked her and led his daughter with several palace maids and eunuchs away.

Long Yue watched the pitiful scene of the Princess Consort Jing, smiling faintly, "Looks like I don’t need to eat my mooncakes either, who knows what peculiar things might lurk inside? What if it’s poisonous?"

Yu Zhu’s mouth twitched slightly, flattering, "Lady, you’re right, truly clever!"

Long Yue responded with a silent smile.

Nevertheless, during the moment Yu Zhu turned to arrange dishes, she quickly slipped one of the mooncakes into her sleeve.