[1]The Consort is Both Charming and Scheming, Rising Through Palace Intrigue

On the day of the Empress's Qianqi Festival, this should be the happiest day of the year for her. As the evening banquet approaches, Xiao Yu will personally go to Fengqi Palace to accompany the Empress to the Yingchun Hall. After the banquet, Xiao Yu will naturally stay at Fengqi Palace.

The concubines arrived early, each dressed beautifully like a flower, with a variety of elegant styles.

Especially Consort Zhuang, who, now that Consort Rong is confined, is naturally the only consort. Today, she wore a "falling horse bun" hairstyle, adorned with several pearls of different sizes. The most eye-catching was the golden jade circlet with golden silk tassels hanging down, shining like the golden glow of a sunrise, dazzling and magnificent. The gold thread peony pattern on her long gown complemented her appearance, every movement exuding luxury and beauty.

The concubines chatted for a while before hearing the eunuch outside announce: "The Emperor and Empress have arrived."

The Empress was dressed in a bright yellow floor-length robe, embroidered with several blooming peonies. She wore a phoenix crown, adorned with red-gold phoenix beads that swayed with her movements, emitting a brilliant, dazzling light, like a thousand phoenixes in the sky.

Xiao Yu, beside her, wore a black dragon robe, exuding nobility and a mysterious aura, embodying the dignity of a ruler.

No matter how many women there were in the harem, the only one who could stand by his side openly was his lawful Empress.

After everyone greeted them and exchanged pleasantries, the consorts started presenting their gifts, beginning with Consort Zhuang.

When it was Consort Xi's turn, the Empress quickly stopped her from bowing, saying: "You're pregnant, just stand and receive it." She paused and then turned to Ning Shuyan, "Consort Ning too."

Consort Xi smiled gently, lightly resting her hand on her slightly rounded belly as she offered her gift.

Next, Ning Shuyan also presented her gift.

The Empress's behavior was gracious and virtuous, and Xiao Yu gave her an approving look.

The gifts from the concubines were mostly items for amusement, famous calligraphy and paintings, or things they had personally embroidered.

However, Xiao Yu's gift made everyone's eyes widen—a 20mm East Pearl, large, round, and flawless, gleaming with a translucent shine.

The Empress smiled warmly as she looked at it, her joy evident in her expression.

Ying Zhaoyi smiled and said, "This East Pearl is so round and radiant, not only is it big, but it's also flawless. Thanks to the Empress, we have the chance to admire it."

Consort Zhuang clenched her skirt tightly. She really wanted to pull the small East Pearls from her own head. She had always treated them as treasures, fearing they might get damaged. But now, compared to the Empress's large pearl, her small ones seemed insignificant.

However, such a large East Pearl could only be worn by the Empress. No matter if the Emperor respected the Empress or had thought carefully about it, that pearl was suitable only for the Empress.

The Empress raised a cup of wine and smiled like a blooming flower, "I thank the Emperor, and I offer you this cup."

Xiao Yu smiled and lifted his cup, "The Empress is virtuous, this is what you deserve."

The Emperor and Empress enjoyed the wine together, and many people looked on with feelings of discomfort.

Ning Shuyan smiled faintly, thinking to herself: The Emperor said the Empress was virtuous, so it was what she deserved. Why wasn't it 'you are my Empress'?

It seemed the Emperor's affection for the Empress was no more than this, and his love for Consort Zhuang didn't seem very deep either.

An Emperor with no heart! Ning Shuyan silently muttered.

At this moment, a message came from outside: the First Prince requested an audience. Xiao Yu realized it had been some time since he had seen this son and allowed him to enter.

The First Prince entered slowly, bowed and greeted, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects. I also wish to greet the Empress and the other consorts."

Xiao Yu quickly beckoned for the First Prince to approach, "Youer, why have you come?"

The First Prince stepped forward and bowed to the Empress, "I wish the Empress good health and longevity. I have come to deliver a birthday gift from my mother to the Empress."

As he spoke, the palace maids hurriedly presented the gift. Xiao Yu's gaze shifted slightly as he saw the gift—a statue of Guanyin, which he had given to Consort Rong when she was pregnant.

The Empress looked at the gift with a gentle smile, "I truly appreciate the gift from your mother."

She then laughed, "Consort Rong is thoughtful, sending a gift to me even while confined."

Xiao Yu's expression remained calm as he spoke warmly with the First Prince, and the First Prince eventually left.

Ning Shuyan had a premonition that Consort Rong would soon be released from confinement.

Beside her, Consort Xi looked at the crab meat on the table and whispered, "This crab is good. Let's try some."

The Empress thought about how Consort Xi and Ning Shuyan were both pregnant and thus had special dietary arrangements prepared for them.

The Empress said, "Now is the best time to eat crab, it's fresh and delicious. You should try it before it cools down."

The concubines all agreed.

Ning Shuyan looked at the crab meat, this being the first time she had eaten such cleanly peeled crab. There wasn't even a trace of the shell.

The Empress added, "Consort Xi and Consort Ning, since you're both pregnant, you shouldn't eat too much crab, so I've only prepared two for you."

Ning Shuyan quickly replied, "Your Majesty is very considerate."

The Empress smiled, "Now that you're pregnant, it's natural for me to take extra care of you."

Xiao Yu looked at the Empress with appreciation, then glanced at Ning Shuyan's table, seeing that most of the fish had been eaten. He quickly said, "Consort Ning likes fish, take my portion of the fish and bring it to her."

Yang An hurriedly took the fish and started to bring it over.

Ning Shuyan was a bit surprised, while Consort Xi's eyes darkened slightly as she forced a smile, "Your Majesty, you've forgotten. I also love fish."

Xiao Yu was momentarily stunned, then naturally replied, "Then, enjoy it together."

Consort Zhuang's gaze shifted from Consort Xi to Ning Shuyan, and she gently poked a hole in the fish's belly with her chopsticks.

Soon, they would be like this fish...

After everyone had eaten, the concubines moved to the pavilion to watch the fireworks.

The pavilion was quite high, with over ten steps leading up to it. Consort Xi held her belly, and the maids closely assisted her, afraid of any accidents.

Ning Shuyan felt a sudden unease in her chest, sensing that something would happen on these steps.

Taking advantage of everyone's distraction, she quickly swallowed a pill.

But, everyone arrived safely at the pavilion...

The fireworks bloomed in the sky like pearls, shining in a brilliant array of colors, filling the entire night sky with light.

Some resembled chrysanthemums, while others bent like willow branches, their lights flowing like colorful silk.