How did she choose it? Could it be that there is someone loyal to her in the harem, telling her which princess can make friends with her? Alas, this is even more impossible!

  Lin Wan thought more and more, and finally laughed at herself - what kind of person is this, worth thinking about? If she wants to get rid of her entanglement, it's easy, just avoid her when she enters the palace next time, and she only enters the palace once a year. She really has no threat or value to herself.

  ***

  That evening, as expected, the Emperor went to Hamh?ng Palace.

  Lin Wan's mood was not good or bad. The position of being favored by the emperor was suddenly taken away by Chu Huashang, and after experiencing the greatest glory and honor, she lost it again, which was still a pity. In order to prevent Chu Huashang from taking advantage of this opportunity to gain more power, Lin Wan had to return to her previous days as a palace maid and concubine, working hard to think of ways to win back the emperor's favor... She hadn't worried about competing for favor in a long time.

  Interestingly, Chuhua Shang was also thinking of swapping with her.

  If there's anything that has changed, one is that Lin Wan didn't get the position of Rong Hua, and the other is that the Empress Dowager will have to wait a little longer. Before becoming Rong Hua, she wouldn't let herself become pregnant, that would be asking for trouble.

  A few days later, it was Double Ninth Festival.

  The custom of wearing flowers and grasses on one's head is not just for fun, all the concubines and palace maids in the palace, big or small, are all wearing them. Lin Yu wears a branch with three small red fruits hanging down from her hair like a hairpin, looking at herself in the mirror, she looks fresh and lovely, but also a bit comical.

  The queen held a family banquet in the Changxin Palace as usual. Of course, at the banquet, she still had to wear gold and jade accessories, and the Osmanthus branches were collected in a handkerchief and tied on her body.

  As the weather started to cool down in September and it was windy today, the elderly empress dowager did not come over.

  Xiang Fei, who had always been fond of hosting banquets, also took leave. Her health was no longer as good as it used to be.

  But Shen Zhaoyuan, who had been in seclusion recently, did come.

  Her attire and adornments were almost the same as when she was a gentle concubine. She had never liked extravagance, and after being demoted, it was easier not to deliberately reduce her expenses, but only changed the crimson purple she used to wear to light purple, and replaced the phoenix tail hairpin on her bun with a five-branched golden lotus hairpin - both of which were exclusive to concubines.

  The arrival of Shen Zhaoyuan instantly silenced the scene - not because it was cold, but a subtle, inexplicable dullness.

  Just a few days ago, people who were coldly ridiculing and resenting Shen's family have all quieted down, even showing a bit of fearful shrinking. Shen Zhaojuan is now the mother of King Zhao, even if she has committed an error and been demoted, who dares to look down on her? But neither does anyone eagerly try to get close to her, Shen Zhaojuan's current reputation is worse than that of Consort Xiang, a poisonous woman with no virtue, whoever gets involved with her will be seen as having no virtue themselves.

  Shen Yunrong suppressed the distractions in her heart, and calmly walked past these concubines with different expressions but none of whom spoke a word, until she reached the front of the Empress Dowager and paid her respects.

  Her legs were trembling slightly.

  She has been in the palace for ten years, but still can't help but feel some resentment... She entered the Eastern Palace at the age of 16, and although she was the same age as the legitimate wife, Xiao Shi, she served the Crown Prince two years later. The two women have been competing with each other for so many years, and in the end, she gave birth to a son and became the Empress, while Xiao Shi remained in her position, it can only be said that the outcome is still uncertain. Later, another powerful concubine, Xiang Fei, entered the palace, although there was another strong competitor, but because of the three-legged cauldron situation, Rong Fei's position became even more stable than before.

  This time she was demoted from her position as imperial consort, and it was the first time in her life! Moreover, she almost lost her life, being able to remain as a concubine was already fortunate.

  The queen won't take action if she doesn't have to, but once she does... Shen Yunrong has already regretted it, thinking that she should have taken the most extreme and forceful method, even assassination or poisoning, disregarding the risks and quickly taking Xue Yueyi's life, rather than slowly grinding her down with a steady and stable approach.

  She couldn't bear the sight of Xiao Yueyi's face at this moment.

  So many years of hard work and reputation were ruined overnight!

  She will never again have the qualifications to be a motherly figure in the imperial court. In the past, she was busy dealing with the Empress Dowager and avoiding conflicts with Consort Sheng because Consort Sheng was not her biggest threat; with her overbearing reputation, it was impossible for her to become the Empress. Shen's good name is known throughout the land: she is obedient, virtuous, kind, and magnanimous, while Empress Xiao can't compare to her.

  It's really hard to maintain a good reputation. When faced with the humiliation and provocation of low-ranking concubines, one cannot get angry or punish them; when repeatedly provoked by Shanggui, one has to suppress the incident and pretend to value harmony within the imperial family; what's even more hateful is that several serving maids were found to be spies planted by others, but one can't use torture to force them to reveal the mastermind.

  Xiao Yueyi, you're really great!

  But what can Xiaoshi do, a childless woman... The appointment of the Crown Prince is like Shen Yunrong grasping a life-saving straw in the deep pool. For so many years, the Emperor had no intention of appointing a Crown Prince, but now he suddenly granted the title of King... He is the only son of the Emperor, it seems that the Emperor has finally come to his senses and thinks he should cherish this only son. The Crown Prince will soon take over the Eastern Palace!

  Even if she can never become the legitimate wife, she still has Yanner, this biggest trump card. In the future when Yanner ascends to the throne, the childless Xiao family will still be at her mercy, and she, revered as the Empress Dowager, will still be the phoenix destined for heaven!

  Shen Yun's thoughts came and went, and she finally became calm and composed. Ten years had passed, and the days to come, this palace could also wait.

  After Shen Yunrong took her seat, several more consorts arrived in twos and threes.

  When it was time for the banquet, everyone had arrived except for Xiang Fei. The Double Ninth Festival is not as grand as the Dragon Boat Festival, and a family banquet is just a simple gathering, not very formal, so there's no need to wear thick and heavy court attire. Everyone gathered together to celebrate the joy of reunion.

  The emperor arrived half an hour after the banquet started. He came from Changxin Palace after wishing the empress dowager a happy birthday.

  The banquet was harmonious and joyful, although everyone was dissatisfied that Chu Huashang had been summoned to the emperor's side to sit in the closest seat, they still maintained the festive atmosphere with great effort.

  The emperor treated Shen Zhaoyuan, whom he had not seen for half a month, with neither coldness nor warmth, without any lingering anger from her mistakes, nor any extra favoritism due to the crown prince.

  Shen Zhaoyuan had a repentant look on her face and was even more obedient than before.

  Lin Wan's seat was next to Jin Pin. Jin Pin was the last to arrive, she had been nursing her broken foot in the palace for several months and had long since fallen out of favor, so the palace staff did not serve her wholeheartedly and casually arranged for her to sit beside Lin Wan - although according to the rules she should have sat a bit further forward.

  However, she had no complaints and was even genuinely reconciled with Lin Yuan, who had harmed her.

  The emperor was being served by his favorite concubine, Chu Huashang, and was laughing and having a good time. Lin Yuan saw that the emperor had intentions of promoting Chu Huashang, so she didn't come forward to compete for the position. She sat back leisurely and chatted with the surrounding consorts. Zhang Wan'er next to her kept discussing the dishes on the banquet table with her.

  Zhang Wanyi, although not a deep thinker and not on the same wavelength as Lin Yuan, is easy to get along with, and talking to her makes one feel at ease. Lin Yuan quite likes this kind of association without any entanglement of interests.

  The emperor on the front seat suddenly smiled. Lin Yuantou took a look and saw that Chuhuashang was smiling and saying something interesting to the emperor.

  The faces of the imperial consorts turned even more sallow.

  The emperor was delighted and applauded, saying: "Tan Ying has read the classics of the sages, his words are poetic and his style is extraordinary..."

  Everyone thought that Chu Shi was again showing off his writing skills. Someone disagreed and said, "Is this Rong Hua's poem? Why not bring it out for the concubines to discuss and have some fun?"

  Chu Huashang didn't decline, and said straightforwardly: "It's just the right time for a good festival, so I'll recite a few lines to make Your Majesty smile. Since you sisters are in the mood, I'll say it out loud and share it with everyone. However, you can't keep secrets either, let's compose poems together to add to the fun." As she spoke, her eyebrows and eyes sparkled with laughter: "Why don't we follow the order of our ranks and take turns composing poems?"

  Everyone knows that Chu's literary talent is exceptional, ordinary people can't keep up with him. Even if everyone writes poetry together in front of the king, the one who stands out in the end is still only Chu... Knowing that they can't compare to him, yet unwilling to give up, if they decline to write, they will lose the opportunity to show their face in front of the emperor.

  As soon as Chu Huashang's proposal came out, everyone gritted their teeth and echoed in unison. The emperor was also in a good mood today and eagerly looked forward to appreciating the masterpieces of these beauties.

  The queen took the lead in writing a sentence "Chongjiu Kaiqiu Festival, got one dynamic ritual". The poem is not excellent, but she wins with her handwriting like a dragon flying down, making people praise.

  Zhao Shuwan followed her nature and continued with a sentence "Golden wind blows chrysanthemum, jade dew wets the branch". She inadvertently completed a whole poem with the Empress.

  Shen Zhaoyuan disdainfully wrote a new seven-character sentence, "A year's festive season passes the western wing, chrysanthemum slender Du Qiuniang." It was unexpectedly novel and didn't lose to the Empress. However, everyone was staring at Chu Huashang, Shen's excellent work couldn't gain much attention.

  The following queens all recited poems, some of which read: "Flowers lean on the railing to watch the blooming flowers, the moon once asked about wine on a reunion night", some said "Happy to meet the Double Ninth Festival, and the best wine is freshly brewed today", and others said "Rejoice that the Double Ninth Festival has arrived again, and the yellow chrysanthemum blooms first". And so on, all of which are auspicious phrases celebrating the festival and wishing for reunion.

  Everyone knows that after entering the palace, they can't see their families for many years. What's the point of reunion on Chongyang Festival? However, in the palace, one cannot freely express their emotions. The emperor, empress, dowager empress, and various imperial consorts are now your relatives. On Chongyang Festival, a family banquet is held in Changxin Palace, which is naturally a joyful occasion. Who dares to say "people near their hometown feel nostalgic"?

  Since Shen Yunrong lost her power, Empress Dowager has also fallen out of favor. She has been depressed lately, but the emperor's emphasis on the crown prince gave her a glimmer of hope. At this time, at the banquet, she hurriedly tried to please the emperor and wrote a sentence: "The empire is unified, the imperial cause prospers, civil and military officials are all loyal and good."

  As soon as this poem was recited, everyone's face showed a hint of a smile.

  But no one commented.

  The emperor slightly frowned and said, "Although the poem's intention is good, it doesn't quite fit the occasion." Flattery is always welcome, but must it be so obvious? The two lines of poetry didn't even mention Chongyang Festival, instead thoroughly praising the mountains and rivers... If the emperor were to lavish excessive praise, he would appear foolish and arrogant.