Chapter 48 Gathering at Yikun Palace

"I heard that this banquet was organized by the Queen. I wonder what unexpected things will happen."

Ever since Nian Shilan took the initiative to go to Xianfu Palace last time, Feng Ruozhao would go to Yiku Palace every few days.

On this day, she was talking to Nian Shilan in Yiku Palace as usual, and Concubine Duan also took Wen Yi out for a walk, which was rare.

"It's the same old routine every year. She can't come up with anything else. It's just that every time a good party ends up in chaos, it's really boring."

Nian Shilan spoke lightly, and everyone knew who the "she" she was talking about was.

"Sister Duan looks much better now. It seems like she's getting better soon. It's so different having her daughter by her side. I'm so envious of her."

Feng Ruozhao looked at Concubine Duan and Wen Yi sitting in her arms and said with a smile, the envious look on his face could not be faked at all.

"Then you can come to my palace more often when you have nothing to do. Our little Wen Yi loves lively places, doesn't she?"

While Concubine Duan was talking, she did not forget to tease Wen Yi with her hands. Looking at her smiling little face, Concubine Duan also had a loving expression on her face.

As expected, every woman in this palace wants to have a child of her own. Even if it is not for competing for favor, it gives them hope for the future.

"In previous years, Concubine Duan was not in good health and never attended such banquets. This year, with little Wen Yi, I'm afraid my sister will go for Wen Yi's sake."

Children at this age love to be lively, and Concubine Duan now holds Wen Yi in the palm of her hand, so she will naturally not let the child down.

"Go ahead. It's been a while since I last showed up. It's time to go see those old friends."

As soon as Concubine Duan finished speaking, she saw Su Peisheng walking in behind Zhou Ninghai.

"Greetings to the ladies."

"Eunuch Su is here, but does the Emperor have any instructions?"

Nian Shilan thought that the emperor had not come for some time, and guessed that he had something to arrange for her this time. Unexpectedly, Su Peisheng just said that the emperor would come to have dinner with her in the evening and asked Yiku Palace to prepare in advance.

"I understand. I'm sorry to trouble Eunuch Su to make this trip."

When Concubine Duan and Concubine Jing heard that the emperor would come to Yiku Palace for dinner soon, they thought about leaving.

Nian Shilan saw the not-so-obvious look of loneliness on Feng Ruozhao's face, and after thinking for a moment, she tried to persuade them to stay.

"Don't leave, stay and have dinner together. It just so happens that our little Wen Yi hasn't seen the emperor for a while. I wonder if she misses him too."

Since Nian Shilan no longer placed her emotions on the emperor, she would no longer think of ways to get the emperor to come to Yiku Palace every now and then like in her previous life. However, in this way, the emperor would come on his own initiative.

Although she didn't come here that often, she would always come here once every few days. Even if she didn't stay overnight, she would sit here for a while. This made her feel like a fool.

Concubine Duan thought for a moment, looked at Wen Yi's confused eyes, and nodded. Needless to say, Concubine Jing was naturally happy to see the emperor.

"In that case, I would like to thank Her Majesty Hua Fei."

The emperor didn't come late. He arrived almost as the kitchen had prepared dinner.

"May the Emperor be blessed with good health."

"I told you before that you don't have to wait at the door. Hurry and get up."

"Concubine Duan and Concubine Jing are here too, Wen Yi, I haven't seen you for a long time."

The emperor teased Princess Wen Yi with a smile, then pulled Nian Shilan into the house.

"Why are you guys gathered together today?"

"Your Majesty, I haven't been out for a while. Wen Yi couldn't stay indoors, so I took her out for a walk. She used to live in the Yikun Palace when she was little. When she passed by here, she clamored to come in and take a look. So I had no choice but to come and disturb Concubine Hua."

Concubine Duan explained in her usual gentle tone.

"That's good too. Walking around more often is good for your health."

"By the way, when I went to the Empress Dowager's palace today, she told me that you have been serving her wholeheartedly these past few days, and she praised you highly."

The emperor looked at Nian Shilan and talked about what had happened in Shoukang Palace before.

"It is my blessing to be with the Queen Mother. It makes Shilan very happy that the Queen Mother does not despise me."

"Jingpin has been helping Huafei deal with the affairs of the six palaces for a while now, so it's been hard work."

After the emperor sat down, he looked at Concubine Jing who was sitting on the other side.

Seeing how harmoniously they got along, the emperor felt quite emotional. Isn't this the harmony in the harem that he had always hoped for? He didn't expect to see it here.

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. I have never dealt with these matters before. It was only with your guidance that I was able to avoid such a rush."

Seeing that the emperor noticed her, Jingpin was also excited. She couldn't remember how long it had been since the emperor spoke to her face to face and so gently.

However, she did not take credit for it. She knew that the opportunity to meet the emperor today was deliberately created for her by Concubine Hua. She would certainly not take credit for the credit that the emperor mentioned.

Unexpectedly, Nian Shilan did not take credit for it: "Jingpin, there is no need to be so modest. Your Majesty knows that I have always been impatient and sometimes I simply do not have the patience to deal with these things. If Jingpin had not been with me, I might have really gone on strike."

Nian Shilan smiled and picked up some dishes for the emperor and placed them in the bowl in front of him, while explaining something to him.

"Of course I know that you are all sensible, especially Shilan. You are much calmer and more sensible now."

"Thank you for the praise, Your Majesty. Shilan is naturally very happy to hear your words."

Nian Shilan was not pretentious and she readily accepted the emperor's recognition of her.

"Oh, right, I have something else to tell you this time. Concubine Duan and Concubine Jing are here too, so you can listen to them together."

The emperor thought of what the empress dowager had said to him when they were in Shoukang Palace before, and thought of informing Nian Shilan in advance.

"Today, when I was in the Empress Dowager's palace, the Empress happened to be there too. She mentioned to me that it had been a long time since the harem had rewarded concubines. Now that Fucha is several months pregnant and the pregnancy is stable, the Empress wanted to promote her to a higher rank to give her peace of mind. The Empress Dowager agreed."

For the emperor, promoting a concubine who was pregnant was not a big deal, so he agreed with what the queen said.

After hearing this, Nian Shilan looked at the other two people sitting next to her.

"This is a good thing. Fucha is pregnant now, which is a great joyous event in the palace. There is nothing wrong with promoting her."

At this point, Nian Shilan paused and said, "However, since it is a happy event, why doesn't the emperor let the other sisters share in the joy?"