The first day of February is the birthday of Concubine Xian.
The queen had already ordered people to take care of it, so it was much more grand than in previous years.
The congratulatory gifts sent from various places were more numerous and valuable than in previous years. Chi Su whispered to Xue Hengzhao from the side: "It is true that these four words are inseparable from the world. Last year's birthday of the Concubine Xian was completely silent. It’s not even as good as the tenth princess’s birthday. It’s so grand this year, second only to the queen’s birthday.”
Xue Hengzhao and she both followed Empress Fu Fei to the Tian'en Palace and watched the palace people coming in and out in an endless stream.
I couldn't help but think of the Queen's birthday party last year.
Of course, Concubine Xian's birthday is still not comparable to that of the Queen, but today's pomp is indeed grand.
When everyone had almost arrived, the queen walked in holding the concubine Xian's hand.
The wise concubine was dignified with a bit of humility and shame, as if she felt that she was being overly polite.
When she sat down, she asked the Queen to sit first no matter what, and she would not sit side by side with the Queen no matter what, but took the second seat.
Some people were whispering below, saying that the virtuous concubine really knew the truth and it was no wonder that the queen promoted her.
Chi Su didn't think so in her heart. If she said she knew etiquette, she might be no better than their empress.
The queen praised her so highly just because the sixth prince married the one-eyed girl of the Yao family.
As the saying goes, a rising tide lifts all boats, and the courtesy you receive is for a reason.
Yao Wanyi was naturally present. She was now free from confinement and pregnant again, so she was still as proud as ever.
Of course, she had seen Xue Hengzhao a long time ago, and she was filled with hatred, but it was difficult to get angry in such an occasion.
In any case, Concubine Fu is now something people don't dare to mess with easily.
Yao Wanyi naturally heard about Concubine Fu's dealings with Concubine Li. Moreover, the Sixth Prince respected Concubine Fu extremely and repeatedly told her not to cause trouble on this side.
Furthermore, it is impossible to say that Yao Wanyi is not afraid of Xue Hengzhao.
In her heart, Xue Hengzhao was like a demon and a ghost.
Now that she is pregnant with her child, she is really afraid of having a miscarriage like Ma did before.
Although there is no evidence that it was Xue Hengzhao who did it, Yao Wanyi is determined to have something to do with her.
When everyone sat down, Li Guiren and the Seventh Princess arrived belatedly.
It is a rare necessity to go forward to wish the Concubine Xian her birthday and to pay her respects to the Queen and others.
Concubine Xian treated her no differently before and after, and returned the favor kindly.
Naturally, the Queen would not do anything, and was very peaceful to her.
Concubine Ying said with a half-smile but not a smile: "Mr. Li, you are so arrogant! The Queen and Concubine Xian are already here, and you just came. I wonder where the rules are?"
Li Guiren gritted her teeth, but could not help but lower her attitude and explained: "My concubine and the Seventh Princess also left the house early, and they didn't want to get their clothes dirty along the way.
Thinking that it was really unsightly, I had to go back and change again. "
The Caiwei Pavilion where she lived was far away from Tian'en Hall. When she was halfway there, someone poured a basin of dirty water from a high place and stained her clothes.
Li Guiren knew that this must have been done by someone who had a personal grudge against her in the past.
In this palace, you will never have to worry about someone who will add insult to injury.
However, looking at Concubine Ying's expression, she guessed that it was probably her instigation.
However, she didn't say anything delicate, knowing that there were some things she shouldn't say on such occasions, otherwise it would only further degrade her status.
Because no one here would sympathize with her, all she could get was ridicule.
Of course Concubine Ying would not let her go and said, "No matter what, you are late and it is rude after all.
So I poured a glass of wine for everyone present as an apology! "
Everyone could see that Concubine Ying wanted to humiliate Lady Li on purpose. The servants had to do all the work of serving wine and serving dishes.
However, no one sympathized with Li Guiren. Firstly, they knew that she had been at odds with Concubine Ying for a long time, and secondly, when she was Concubine Li, she often made things difficult for others.
The queen sat there without speaking, and no one present interceded for Lady Li.
Lady Li had no choice but to take the jug and pour the wine one by one, starting from the queen.
Coming down from the Queen is Concubine Xian, Concubine Fu comes after Concubine Xian, and then Concubine Ying.
Everyone focused their attention on the two of them.
Concubine Ying was seen holding the wine glass, and noble lady Li was pouring wine into the glass.
I don't know whether it was Concubine Ying's cup that was tilted, or whether Li Guiren's hands were shaking, but the wine spilled.
Concubine Ying immediately lowered her face, raised her hand and gave Li Guiren a slap in the face.
The slaps were clear and sharp, and many people's hearts trembled.
"What a scumbag! I asked you to pour wine for everyone to make amends, just to give you a step up. You are still playing tricks in a coquettish manner, so shameless!" Concubine Ying not only beat her, but also scolded her extremely unpleasantly.
The reason why she is so confident is that once the emperor is not here, Li Gui has no one to rely on.
Secondly, for so many years, the queen also disliked her very much.
But the queen's identity is there, so it's hard to get to know her.
But if someone embarrasses her, the queen will be happy to see it happen.
Concubine Ying and the Queen have known each other since childhood, and they know the Queen's temperament quite well.
Another point is that Concubine Ying wants to establish her own authority.
The power of her mother's family is not what it used to be. No one says anything in front of her, but there are few discussions behind her back.
Concubine Ying hit Li Guiren today to scare those who gossiped.
Let them all be afraid and don't make yourself angry.
"It's done, Lady Li, go down! Don't ruin everyone's fun here." The queen said lightly.
Someone immediately came up and pulled Li Guiren down, and the seventh princess followed her out with tears in her eyes.
"Sister Xian Fei, I'm sorry, I have a really hot temper. Let me offer you a drink as my apology." Concubine Ying put on a smiling face, filled a glass of wine herself, and toasted to Concubine Xian.
"Sister, what you said is a big deal." Concubine Xian also raised her glass quickly, "Then let's all have a drink and thank the Queen for her grace!"
For a while, there was a lot of cheers and congratulations, which quickly diluted what just happened.
"Why didn't the emperor come today?" Chi Su asked Xue Hengzhao on the way back after the birthday banquet.
"After the emperor had his morning court these days, he asked Taoist Qingque to teach him how to adjust his breath and guide him, which requires both fasting and purity. That's why he didn't come."
"So that's it. Have you seen that Qingque Taoist? They all said it was amazing." Chi Su was curious, "I heard that there will be no draft this spring, and he was the one who suggested it to the emperor."
"I have never seen that person." Xue Hengzhao said, "Probably only the people in Yangze Palace have seen him."
Under normal circumstances, Qingque would not enter the palace. His suggestion to the emperor to put aside practicing Taoism was actually in line with the advice of ordinary ministers to the emperor.
Take care of state affairs, cherish your body, do not collect people's wealth, and do not recruit beautiful women.
From this point of view, the emperor is already a virtuous king.
Because of this, even people who are suspicious of Qingque dare not touch him easily.
Otherwise, if you are not careful, you will become a traitor.
(End of chapter)
