Upon hearing the message, everyone stood up.

After the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, the Empress, and the concubines entered the hall.

Everyone then knelt down.

"Your Majesty, we pay our respects. May you live a thousand years!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"Your Majesty the Empress, may you live a thousand years!"

"Long live all the ladies!"

After the Empress Dowager, the Empress, the concubines, and others were seated.

The emperor stood on the high platform and looked down at the kneeling officials below.

"All of you, rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After everyone had thanked them, they stood up.

"Today is the Empress Dowager's eightieth birthday. All the officials have gathered to celebrate with her. I am very pleased."

Throughout her life, the Empress Dowager was kind and benevolent, and with her exemplary conduct as a mother to the world, she protected our Great Xia, ensuring its prosperity and the well-being of its people.

"As a son, I have specially prepared this grand banquet to show my filial piety, and now I bring all my ministers to celebrate his birthday."

"Yes, Your Majesty, we obey."

After the emperor finished speaking, all the officials responded in unison.

Immediately afterwards.

The Emperor then turned around and bowed to the Empress Dowager: Your Majesty, I wish you well.

May your life be as long as the Southern Mountain, and your fortune as boundless as the Northern Sea.

May you live a long and prosperous life, like the Eastern Sea, and may your mother in the Western Paradise live forever.

After the Emperor finished speaking.

All the officials knelt down again, responding in unison:

"Congratulations to the Empress Dowager."

May you live as long as the Southern Mountains, enjoy boundless happiness like the Eastern Sea, live ten thousand years without end, and remain forever young.

The Empress Dowager looked at the Emperor and the assembled officials, a smile on her face:

"Very well, Your Majesty is too kind. All of you may rise!"

"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty."

After the officials finished responding, they all stood up.

"Today is my birthday banquet. The Emperor is filial, and the Great Xia is prosperous. On this auspicious occasion of my birthday, I pray to Heaven, hoping that Heaven will protect the Great Xia's land and ensure its eternal stability and prosperity for generations to come."

"The Empress Dowager is wise."

"kindness!"

The Empress Dowager smiled and nodded in satisfaction.

Then.

The emperor then turned to look at the assembled officials.

"The Empress Dowager's birthday banquet officially begins. Today, I am sharing this joyous occasion with all my ministers. Please, do not be shy, and take your seats!"

"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty."

After the officials finished responding, they all sat down.

After everyone was seated.

Then, melodious music began to play.

Immediately afterwards.

Then palace maids carried pastries, dishes, fruit platters, wine, and other items, placing them on the tables.

Then another group of dancers came in.

With graceful movements, she danced a court dance to the music.

After they finished dancing, they withdrew.

As they withdrew, the music stopped, and the entire hall instantly became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Huh? Why did it stop?

Seeing this, Ye Qingcheng was very puzzled and turned to look around.

At this moment, everyone raised their wine cups and looked at the Emperor.

Ye Qingcheng frowned slightly upon seeing this and also looked towards the Emperor.

At this moment.

The Emperor, holding a cup of wine, stood up and turned to face the Empress Dowager.

"Your Majesty, I offer you a toast, wishing you a long and prosperous life."

"Your daughter-in-law, I wish Your Majesty the Empress Dowager a long and healthy life."

Seeing this, everyone stood up and faced the Empress Dowager.

"Your Majesty, we respectfully wish you a long and healthy life."

"Alright, alright, please sit down!"

The Empress Dowager took a small sip of wine, then asked everyone to sit down.

Upon seeing this, Ye Qingcheng instantly understood that the previous singing and dancing was just the opening act!

This way.

After everyone sat down...

Then Eunuch Yin, who was by the Emperor's side, stepped forward and shouted:

"A gift."

After he finished speaking...

The officials below then took out their prepared gifts and went up to the Empress Dowager to present them with their gifts and congratulatory messages.

In an instant, one after another, valuable gifts, such as luminous pearls, glass cups, and various calligraphy and paintings, were presented.

The eunuchs receiving the congratulatory gifts were extremely busy, with beads of sweat constantly appearing on their foreheads.

Because there were many officials, and they also had families.

The officials' offerings lasted for about an hour before ending.

And then...

This was the part where the princes, grandsons, and daughters-in-law presented gifts.

Prince Gong was the first to present the gifts.

Prince Gong was the Emperor's only younger brother. Although he was not born to the Empress Dowager, he was very filial to her and close to the Emperor. He always remained true to his original intentions and had no intention of competing for power.

After Prince Gong presented the gifts.

Next was the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince stood up, and with Ye Qingyao in tow, stepped out of his seat and down to the lower level.

"Grandson wishes Grandmother a long life and eternal youth."

"Very well, Your Highness is very kind."

"This humble servant wishes Your Majesty well."

May your happiness be as boundless as the Eastern Sea, and your longevity as enduring as the ancient Chinese tree, exceeding eight thousand years.

The Empress Dowager glanced at Ye Qingyao and nodded slightly with a hint of disdain.

"Yes! Get up and take a seat!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After Ye Qingyao finished speaking, she and the Crown Prince returned to their seats.

However, they had only just taken their seats.

The officials below then began to discuss it.

"This Crown Prince's concubine truly lives up to her reputation as the most talented woman in the capital! Her words flow effortlessly."

"Yes! Yes! The Crown Prince's concubine is indeed exceptionally talented!"

"That's right, alas! It's just a pity she's an illegitimate daughter. Otherwise, with her stunning beauty and talent, the position of Crown Princess would have been her long ago."

"Yeah yeah!"

"Hey, you're wrong about that. Haven't you heard?"

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!