Yu Jingchen felt a headache coming on as he looked at Nan Zhiyun's protective attitude. Why hadn't he thought of this from the beginning?

"Yun'er, how about we change to another one?" Yu Jingchen couldn't force her, so he could only discuss it with her.

"No," Nan Zhiyun resolutely refused. Yu Jingchen had a headache. He looked at the cat again. Nan Zhiyun really didn't want to change it, but there was nothing he could do.

We can always start with the cat. Apart from the palace maids, the rest of the people in the palace... so this cat isn't an unsuitable option.

After seeing Yu Jingchen's look, Little Bell shrank into Nan Zhiyun's arms. Of course, it had no idea that its actions only strengthened Yu Jingchen's resolve...

"Then let's not change it." Yu Jingchen compromised.

"Really?" Nan Zhiyun didn't expect that would be enough.

“Okay,” Yu Jingchen agreed.

"Then tonight..." Nan Zhiyun's words were interrupted by Yu Jingchen before she could finish.

"No, it doesn't have a home anymore?" This time, Yu Jingchen's attitude was much firmer, and Nan Zhiyun dared not continue to demand. Yu Jingchen, seeing this, felt increasingly displeased with the cat.

Jiang Ji watched the two of them interact and lowered his head, a thoughtful look in his eyes, seemingly lost in thought.

Cixi Palace

The Empress Dowager sat in the high seat, and An Xin brought over a bowl of medicine.

"Your Majesty, it's time for your medicine." An Xin put down the tray and then brought out the medicine bowl. The Empress Dowager glanced at it; it was dark and she didn't really want to drink it.

"Take it away, it's useless, I won't drink it," the Empress Dowager said, waving her hand.

"Your Majesty, this was sent by the Imperial Advisor," An Xin advised. Although she didn't know exactly what was wrong with the Empress Dowager, she was certain that something was amiss with the Empress Dowager's health. She was worried, but she had no other options.

She knew the Imperial Advisor's attitude towards the Empress and how capable he was. No matter the circumstances, the Imperial Advisor would never harm the Empress.

"I already said I won't drink it. Take it away." This medicine was for treating her slowly losing her sense of taste, and to be honest, it was effective. But... he no longer wanted to bother with it.

"Your Majesty, please drink it. If you really don't want to drink it, then I'm afraid I'll have to go and tell Lord Gu." An Xin had no choice.

"Anxin, you seem to have forgotten your place. How dare you try to use him to impress me?" the Empress Dowager said.

"Your Majesty, please don't be offended. This servant had no choice. You must think about your health." An Xin had always served the Empress Dowager closely, so how could she not know about any changes in her?

The Empress Dowager pinched her brow, and finally had no choice but to bring over the medicine and drink it all in one gulp. The medicine wasn't bitter, which suggested that Gu Yin had taken special care of it.

"Did His Majesty send a cat to Yun'er today?" the Empress Dowager asked.

"Yes, His Majesty planned to send it over several days ago, but was worried about the cat, so he specially had someone observe it for a few days before sending it over." An Xin had not expected His Majesty to be so thoughtful.

"Yun'er even hired a eunuch specifically to take care of the cats?" the Empress Dowager asked again.

"I heard it's the one who was by Lady Yin's side last time. His Majesty originally intended to punish her, but Consort Shu pleaded for her life and spared her life." An Xin had a fairly detailed understanding of the information from Nan Zhiyun's side.

"What's your name?" The lady-in-law picked up a glass of water.

"The Imperial Concubine Shu bestowed upon him the name Jiang Ji," An Xin said.

Jiang Ji... they all have the same name. The Empress Dowager tasted the tea in her cup; it was a bit more astringent than before.

"The New Year is coming to an end, and the Lantern Festival is just two days away. Will we hold a Lantern Festival banquet?" The Empress Dowager changed the subject.

“When the Imperial Concubine went to ask His Majesty, he said that it was unnecessary to hold the ceremony this year,” An Xin replied. His Majesty didn’t care much about these matters and wasn’t interested in them.

"Do as you say. Just tell His Majesty that I feel the palace is too quiet and I want it to be more lively." The Empress Dowager put down her cup.

"Should... or should the Imperial Concubine handle this?" An Xin asked another question.

"Let her handle it." The Empress Dowager didn't care who organized the banquet.

"It seems that Consort Shu and His Majesty have a very good relationship now, Your Highness..." Even before An Xin finished speaking, the Empress Dowager knew what she was going to say next.

"No rush. Who can take away what is rightfully Yun'er's? Besides... I think that person is not worthy of Yun'er." The Empress Dowager's eyes remained unchanged.

"Consort Shu is still young and doesn't understand these things. Has Your Majesty considered having Consort Shu learn from her?" An Xin asked the Empress Dowager.

"No rush, didn't you say it yourself? She's still young, let her play more. She's been carefully raised by me since she was little, not to be burdened with these things." The Empress Dowager felt that her Yun'er's happiness was the most important thing.

“Yes, but Consort Shu has been intelligent since childhood and learns things quickly. As she has seen more, she will naturally be able to learn them as well,” An Xin said.

"The imperial concubine selection will begin in the spring. Has Your Majesty ordered preparations to begin?" the Empress Dowager suddenly remembered.

"The Imperial Concubine is already making arrangements." An Xin didn't think the imperial concubine selection would have any particular impact on Consort Shu. His Majesty didn't seem to be the kind of person who was obsessed with such matters in the harem.

"Make all the necessary arrangements here," the Empress Dowager instructed.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, nothing will go wrong." She was certainly concerned about the Empress Dowager and Consort Shu's affairs.

"Hmm," the Empress Dowager said no more after hearing the reply.

Yunpeng Palace

"A Lantern Festival banquet?" Yan Qing was puzzled when she heard His Majesty send someone to say that another one was going to be held.

"I heard that the Empress Dowager felt the palace was too quiet and wanted to liven things up," a palace servant replied.

"Alright, I understand. You may leave," Yan Qing said.

The palace servant who had spoken withdrew upon hearing this.

Yan Qing sat in her seat feeling somewhat irritated. In front of her were files on the newly arrived palace ladies, which she had been looking at all day.

"The Lantern Festival is in three days. Isn't it a bit too rushed for the Empress Dowager to say she wants to hold it now?" The personal maid felt sorry for her mistress, who had been so busy these past few days that she hadn't even been able to eat properly.

"Instruct the servants to prepare. There must be no ambiguity. I will give you the specific instructions later, and then have someone from the Imperial Household Department come to see me." Yan Qing had no choice but to put down what she was doing for the time being.

Since taking charge of the harem, she felt like she had become the steward of the harem. In theory, she could also have the other concubines assist her; the four concubines were not just for show.

However... Consort Xian is naturally out of the question, Consort De... is good enough at managing herself, and as for Consort Shu... judging from His Majesty's expression, he doesn't want her to be tired, so Yan Qing didn't bother making trouble for herself.

For a fleeting moment, she actually felt a pang of envy for Nan Zhiyun now.