Dugu Jingyao is reborn as Li Chu's beloved

Chapter 456 The beginning of the new year

Fortunately, Dugu Jingyao had already enjoyed her meal at the mansion and had not chosen to stay to celebrate the New Year, thus avoiding disaster. It turned out that someone with ulterior motives had secretly tampered with Dugu Jingyao's food, adding some substances that could promote blood circulation and dissolve blood stasis.

However, since no substantial consequences have yet occurred, no one except the instigator with ulterior motives knows about this matter.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year. According to tradition, this was the time every month for the other concubines in the mansion to pay their respects to Dugu Jingyao.

The only slight difference from usual was that today, not only was Dugu Jingyao present, but Li Chu was also there in person. After all, the court had to stay up all night to welcome the New Year on New Year's Eve, so no court meeting was held on New Year's Day.

What was even more surprising was that Cui Caiping was the first to arrive at Wangyuexuan today. You know, in the past, she was always late, and it was rare for her to arrive at the flower hall before Dugu Jingyao, and she was usually the last one to show up.

When Dugu Jingyao learned of this, she couldn't help but show surprise. Then she chuckled softly and said with a hint of sarcasm, "Haha, this is really unexpected! I didn't expect Cui Caiping to become so well-behaved and sensible now, and actually be the first to come and pay her respects. Back then, she was always so slow. It's a good thing she didn't step into this hall later than me."

After Dugu Jingyao finished dressing and Li Chu changed his clothes, he sent Shi Jian and Si Jian out first. Then he put his arms around Dugu Jingyao's neck from behind and said, "Who knows if she has really learned her lesson? Maybe she knew I was here today and wanted to show off."

Dugu Jingyao hit the back of Li Chu's hand and said, "Hey, please don't ruin my newly combed bun!"

Li Chu curled his lips and pretended to be jealous: "Humph, A Yao doesn't love me as much as before. You wouldn't blame me for pressing down your bun before."

Seeing his childish behavior, Dugu Jingyao couldn't help but look back, covered her lips and smiled, saying: "Donglang, you are wrong to blame me. After all, it is not easy to comb this bun. It will take a lot of time to comb it again!"

Li Chu said, "Then I'll wait for you. I have nothing to do today anyway. Besides, if I can wait, why can't they?"

Dugu Jingyao said with a hint of pouting, "But, if I sit on this dressing stool for a long time, it will make my waist very tired because it has no back."

Li Chu then stopped standing up and said, "That's easy. I'll have someone build you a new dressing table and a dressing chair someday so you can lean on it when you're tired."

Dugu Jingyao asked hesitantly, "Is this really okay? I'm worried that others might think I'm too delicate."

Li Chu said proudly, "How could that be? Others will only envy the deep relationship between me and A Yao, and only those who are jealous will say a few sour words."

Dugu Jingyao no longer refused: "Then I will accept Donglang's kindness."

After she finished speaking, Dugu Jingyao called Shi Jian in to help her change clothes, while Li Chu sat on the chaise longue beside her and waited.

In the flower hall, Li Wanqing and Zheng Wan also arrived one after another. They were both surprised that Cui Caiping had come so early, but their reactions were different.

Li Wanqing simply greeted her and exchanged a few pleasantries, while Zheng Wan, being of a straightforward character, said directly, "Sister Cui, you've come really early today. I wonder if it's because His Highness is here too?"

Cui Caiping felt a bit embarrassed when her thoughts were exposed, but she quickly recovered and retorted, "So what? Don't you want to show your face in front of His Highness?"

Zheng Wan heard this and said, "Sister, you're worrying too much. I don't have such an idea. After all, if His Highness was thinking about it, he wouldn't even bother to ask about the pregnancy, right?"

Cui Caiping was furious now. She slammed the table and said, "You really are relying on the fact that you've served the princess several times and have a good relationship with her to be so sharp-tongued!"

Li Wanqing felt a little impatient when she saw Cui Caiping's angry expression, but she still tried to mediate: "Alright, alright, it's the beginning of the new year, and you two are already bickering. What's going on? Also, Mo Xin and Lian Xin, you two should try to persuade your master not to upset the baby. This is one of the few children in our palace, and not everyone is blessed with this."

Upon hearing this, Mo Xin and Lian Xin quickly stepped forward to help Cui Caiping sit down, telling her not to get angry. Cui Caiping panted as she sat down and said, "Li Liangdi is indeed well-educated, unlike some people who are so vulgar."

Zheng Wan was just about to confront Cui Caiping again, but fortunately Li Chu and Dugu Jingyao arrived in time.

Li Chu's face was sullen, and he said in a deep voice, "I can hear the quarrel in the flower hall from far away. Do you want others to say that I can't discipline my concubines?"

Upon hearing this, the two stopped arguing. Cui Caiping reacted first and saluted, saying, "Greetings to His Highness and the Princess." The other two also followed suit.

Zheng Wan rolled her eyes in her heart and complained secretly: Isn't this Cui Caiping just showing off in front of His Highness?

After Li Chu helped Dugu Jingyao sit down, he said, "Today is New Year's Day, and I don't want to punish you two. If you quarrel again and make me and the princess unhappy, I will punish you severely. This includes you, Cui Caiping. Although you have a child, I will remember it and settle the matter after you give birth."

Cui Caiping said in a very proper manner, "Yes, Your Highness, I will remember this."

Zheng Wan also bowed and said, "Yes, Your Highness, I will remember this. Thank you for not punishing me." Li Chu then gestured for them to sit down.

After they both sat down, Li Chu continued, "Today is the beginning of the new year. The princess and Consort Cui Liang are both pregnant, which is a good sign. After the princess gives birth to a legitimate son, my father said he wants to confer the title of prince on me. So, whether you have any thoughts or not, it's best to put them aside for the sake of me and the palace."

When the others heard what Li Chu said, they naturally knew what he meant. First, he was telling them not to have any thoughts about the princess's pregnancy; second, he was telling them not to do anything about the princess's pregnancy in order to ensure their future wealth and glory.

So they looked at each other in tacit understanding, and then saluted and said, "Yes, I will remember this!"

Dugu Jingyao hadn't expected Li Chu to say these words to the others, just to give her and the child in her belly a guarantee. And he wasn't just threatening them, because just threatening them might not be without a sense of luck.

Now that they understand the pros and cons, they will weigh the pros and cons and work together to help her give birth to the child.

But she didn't say anything, so Li Chu continued, "Well, today is New Year's Day, and I've prepared red envelopes for you all."

The atmosphere was not as serious as before, but Zheng Wan couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, are all the red seals the same?"

Li Chu kept it a secret and said, "It is customized for each of you, but you will know the specific differences when you get them."

Cui Caiping was tactful enough to be the first to come to Li Chu and Dugu Jingyao to offer tea. Li Chu and Dugu Jingyao allowed her to stand while offering tea because she was pregnant.

Li Chu and Dugu Jingyao both took a sip, and then Cui Caiping said a few auspicious words. Li Chu and Dugu Jingyao ordered someone to give her a red envelope, thanked Cui Caiping and returned to their seats.

Then Li Wanqing and Zheng Wan served tea in turn, but Li Wanqing's auspicious words were well-balanced and quite poetic, while Zheng Wan's auspicious words were a bit more playful.

Li Chu and Dugu Jingyao both smiled and took a sip before handing them a red envelope. Zheng Wan returned to her seat and eagerly opened the red envelope. Besides the banknote, there was also a piece of paper stating that with this note, they could go to Zhang Deyu to collect a set of Chang'an City's fashionable picture books.

Although Zheng Wan was happy, she did not say anything. After all, it would be embarrassing if Cui Caiping and Li Wanqing knew that she loved reading picture books.

Li Chu looked at her expression and asked, "Mrs. Zheng, are you satisfied with the red envelope I gave you?"

Zheng Wan nodded vigorously: "I am satisfied, thank you very much, Your Highness!"

Cui Caiping couldn't help but open the red envelope and found a piece of paper besides the silver note, which said that her reasonable demands must be met (it couldn't be illegal activities such as murder and arson, it couldn't involve the Yang and Cui families, and it couldn't harm anyone in the mansion).

Although the requirements were a bit excessive, it was the biggest concession Li Chu could make to her because she was pregnant. Cui Caiping was still very happy, after all, she could make a wish.

Cui Caiping put the note away and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Li Chu nodded, but Li Wanqing didn't open it. Zheng Wan asked curiously, "Sister Li, what's yours? Why don't you open it and take a look?"

Li Wanqing smiled and looked at Zheng Wan. "Looking at how happy Cui Liangdi and Sister Zheng are, I know that His Highness gave us gifts based on our preferences. So, what His Highness gave must be in line with my preferences."

Zheng Wan felt that what Li Wanqing said made sense, so she didn't ask any more questions. Instead, she asked, "Princess, what did His Highness give you?"

Dugu Jingyao revealed a mysterious smile and said, "Of course, this is something I like."

Zheng Wan saw Dugu Jingyao playing dumb, but Li Chu was sitting there, so she didn't dare to ask any more questions, fearing that Li Chu would be angry with her, so she could only give up in disappointment.

Li Chu saw that Dugu Jingyao seemed a little tired, so he said, "Okay, let's stop here for today's greetings. We will have dinner together tonight. You can go back first."

Several people stood up together and said, "I'm leaving." Then they left one by one.

Li Chu also personally took Dugu Jingyao's hand and returned to the bedroom.