The empress dowager snorted coldly and casually threw the exquisite fan painting, her face sinking like water, and those around her were silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to make a sound.

  She was comforted by Ye, who knew what she meant, dispersed the crowd, picked up the painted fan and consoled her: "Don't get angry, master, it's just the emperor's usual temper, there's no ill intention."

  "What's wrong with him? He seems to be suspecting me..."

  "His Majesty must have had a grudge in his heart... No wonder, considering what Her Majesty the Empress did last time."

  "Hum, both of them are so careless. Shu Jing was still okay when she was young, but as she grew up, she became ignorant and unbearable... Ah, no wonder, my son looks gentle, but is actually very stubborn, Shu Jing has offended his biggest taboo!"

  The Empress Dowager frowned with hatred, saying that Ruo Xiang was the imperial concubine's name in the palace, and she was indeed her second brother's treasured daughter.

  "What should be done about Lady Mei's pregnancy this time?" Yehu's expression turned gloomy as she changed the subject and asked.

  "Still the old way... Tell Shu Jing to calm down, when the boat reaches the bridgehead, it will go straight!"

  These ambiguous words, with the hidden bloodiness in between, made Ye Gu Gu feel a chill, and she hastily said: "I'll go talk to E Jie right away."

  The empress dowager watched her hurry away, picked up the painted fan on the table, and still had a calm and elegant expression.

  ****

  In the Zhao Yang Palace, the imperial consorts and concubines arrived one after another. Only then did the Empress rise from her seat, receive the curtsies of the various consorts, and hastily ask everyone to rise and take their seats.

  In the palace, flowers are clustered and brocade is gathered, the oriole's song is soft and gentle, it can't be described how warm and tender.

  The morning dew looked away, but saw that the layout of the Zhao Yang Palace was extraordinary. All kinds of precious objects were all introverted and simple, clearly luxurious to the extreme, yet without any intention of showing off. Looking at the placement and posture, it seemed as if they had been there for many years.

  This must be the handwriting of the Empress Dowager back then. Chen Lu thought to herself.

  Indeed, looking back carefully, one can see the silk curtains hanging low, with a beaded mist, and the scenery in the inner courtyard is quite different from this.

  This is the main hall, with over a dozen concubines who seem as close as sisters. Upon closer inspection, however, it becomes apparent that they are divided into three factions.

  The queen and Yun Qing Palace's Yun Gui Ren had a tacit understanding that day, thinking about what Consort Qi said, it was the queen who supported Yun Gui Ren, allowing her to escape from her humble role and gain favor.

  The people of Yun and Gui today wore a light green palace dress, with stars and dots of pearls on it, showing a delicate and elegant appearance - I guess she didn't want to steal the empress's thunder.

  Seated right in the center was the Empress, who had been bedridden for a long time and only recently showed some improvement. She wore a traditional phoenix coronet and court attire, with an air of elegance reminiscent of the Dowager Empress. Although not often seen as a beauty, she had a pale complexion, looking delicate and gentle, with every gesture exuding noble bearing.

  On the right side of the first row, sitting is Empress Qi, she raised her eyebrows, somewhat domineeringly looking at the empress's side, with a deep sisterly affection, on her face a faint, almost imperceptible cold smile, as if victory was already in hand.

  In the harem, she was one of the emperor's most favored concubines, and after two years, her popularity had not waned. Previously, Yuan Qi had been infatuated with Mei Pin, but soon became pregnant and could no longer be favored. This time, a new concubine, Yun Gui Ren, appeared, but counting the number of nights she spent in the emperor's bed, it was still far less than hers.

  She was also of noble birth, being the daughter of Qi Rong, a trusted minister appointed by the previous emperor. Qi Rong had always regarded himself as a senior official and many people in the court looked up to him as their leader. This faction was very dissatisfied with Empress Dowager and the Lin family, and there were even rumors that he had once said "the hen crows at dawn".

  Empress Zhen was also surrounded by many consorts, she seemed to be ignoring the Empress Dowager and kept looking at the person opposite her.

  The seat next to him was empty, as if waiting.

  Not long after, the eunuch's voice was heard announcing someone's arrival. Everyone stopped chatting and laughing, all looking towards the entrance.

  The legendary Rakshasa evil spirit, the renowned Empress Zhou has finally arrived.

  At this time, the first drum of the morning finally sounded, which was exactly the time written on the queen's invitation.

  That was a woman wearing a large and ancient-style dress.

  She wore a wide robe with large sleeves, and around her waist was a black-red sash made of xuan fabric, adorned with golden dagger. On her feet she didn't wear embroidered shoes, but instead Jin-style wooden clogs that were neither gold nor jade.

  What she held behind her back was not a handkerchief with a sweet fragrance, but a short sword.

  She stepped forward, curtsied to the empress, and then sat down in the vacant seat.

  Chenlu had heard many rumors about this Concubine Zhou, and whenever people mentioned her, they would look around cautiously before saying in a hushed tone: "She's a malevolent demon..."

  She is the daughter of General Zhou Daquan of Tianmen Pass and grew up in the army since childhood.

  At first, Empress Feng's body was not in harmony, and Yuan Qi appointed her to take charge of the affairs of the six palaces. Unexpectedly, she used military law to govern the harem, and within three months, she demoted four concubines and caned eleven palace maids to death.

  She held people accountable with solid evidence, and never let anyone off lightly who had committed crimes that harmed others, spread rumors or engaged in corruption.

  Those three months were the quietest and safest time in the harem, but also the most headache for Empress Dowager and Yuan Qi - people came to cry and beg incessantly.

  At last, the queen had no choice but to take charge of the situation with the help of consorts Zhou and Qi, and thus the right and wrong were finally settled.

  As soon as Empress Zhou sat down, Consort Qi smiled and said in a soft voice: "Sister Zhou is really elegant, everyone has been waiting for you!"

  Empress Zhou's eyebrows didn't even twitch: "The imperial edict said it was time, but you arrived too early - could it be that you're too hungry?"

  She hadn't even arrived yet, but she already knew that today was Qifu's earliest, this momentum was simply terrifying.

  Morning dew secretly smiles, this one is indeed a military habit, neither early nor late, just on time.

  The queen looked at them sitting down and spoke ill, hastily changing the subject. She smiled warmly at Mei Pin and said: "Sister, are you feeling well today? You're pregnant with a dragon heir, it must be very tiring... Ah yes, you sent someone over today saying that the new Shang Yi also wanted to come together, is this her?"

  She gazed at Chenlu behind Mei Niang, her eyes becoming increasingly gentle and affectionate: "What a delicate little girl... the Emperor really doesn't mind using her."

  She said to Chenluo: "Poor thing, seeing you reminds me of my sister... Come closer and let me take a good look at you."

  Dozens of eyes immediately gathered, they had long heard that the emperor had sealed Shang Yi and had a personal female officer. In fear of losing what little favor they already had, they were like facing a great enemy.

  At first glance, the other consorts were relieved to see that she was just a delicate little girl with no beauty that could entice the Emperor. Only Consort Qi snorted coldly, probably remembering that this was the one she had sent out of her palace.

  Chenlu walked forward with big steps, and paid her respects to the empress with great courtesy. The empress was even more delighted, held her hand and said a lot of things before letting her go.

  After the formal opening, the queen said a few words, such as "Today is a fine day" and "Let's have a small drink", then announced the start of the banquet. The various consorts and concubines hurried to dress up and exchange many warm and intimate words with each other, just in time for they were also getting hungry.

  At this time, the dishes had been sent up one after another, and suddenly the fragrance was overflowing. The empress was indeed a high-ranking aristocrat, and the flavors in her palace were all unheard of by the other consorts. As soon as they took a bite, they all applauded and cheered.

  The people of Yunnan and Guizhou hastened to flatter the empress: "Your Majesty, this imperial kitchen in the palace has already gathered the famous chefs from all over the world. Unexpectedly, you have even more hidden dragons and crouching tigers. These dishes, I dare not say that I have seen them before, even in my dreams, I couldn't imagine such delicious flavors!"

  Zhi Fei saw her and hated it so much that her teeth ached, but she smiled even more charmingly on her face: "Wow, Yun meimei loves to eat so much! In that case, from now on, when the Empress Dowager has meals, you can just wait at one side, there will always be leftovers for you!"

  The people of Yunnan and Guizhou listened to such vicious and sarcastic remarks, getting so angry that their chests heaved: "What is sister saying? I didn't hear anything!!"

  The empress, seeing the situation, quickly and quietly eased it: "Yunluo is a filial child, but seeing me weak, she uses various methods to make me happy. Qifu, as an elder sister, why are you being so particular about what a child says? In fact, which woman from a noble family hasn't seen the delicacies of the world? - Qifu, I heard that your father was also infatuated with the dishes at Cuise Tower not long ago, wasn't he?"

  Cuise Tower is the most famous wine tower in Beijing. This sentence sounds ordinary, but Qifu's father Qirong had a tryst with a beautiful courtesan here a few days ago and was caught by someone early in the morning, causing a stir throughout the city.

  The queen then brought it up, and there were whispers among those in the know. Consort Qi's anger caused her eyebrows to invert, but she couldn't afford to lose her temper.

  Chenlu stood behind Meihui, watching her curiously staring at the crowd arguing, while continuously putting food into her mouth, occasionally revealing a happy smile.

  She ate comfortably! Chenlu was crying and laughing, leaning down to her ear just about to remind her of her manners, when suddenly she froze.

  Mei Gui had a dish of freshly served pine nut fish sauce by her side, she picked up a chopstick and was just about to bring it to her mouth.

  This taste...

  It was as if a flash of lightning had illuminated the mind, and the morning dew suddenly became clear.

  So that's how it is...... Such a sinister plot!

  She stretched out her hand and decisively stopped Consort Mei.

  "Mother, this can't be eaten!"

  On the side, Qifu was still sulking, and she inadvertently raised her head, just in time to see this scene.

  She raised her voice so everyone in the room could hear: "Shang Yi, what are you doing?"

  Everyone, please give me more recommendation votes. The current number of votes is really disappointing me. I can guarantee one chapter per day, so please give me some confidence too.