Everything went smoothly at the palace night banquet. Just as Gu Qing and Chen Zhizhou walked outside the imperial garden, a clear female voice came from behind them.

When Gu Qing turned around, she saw Mu Xin wearing a red, body-wrapped long dress with a corset and a hairpin with gold, jade, and red cherry gemstones. She looked more noble and dignified than usual.

"Xin'er, you look so beautiful today!" Gu Qing took her outstretched arm with both hands. Before the two of them said a few words, Mu Zheng stood aside with a graceful figure, attracting many wives of officials who came to attend the dinner.

Mu Xin smiled brightly, and when he saw his elder brother, he deliberately joked, "Brother, didn't you say you wouldn't come with me?"

"Being my follower again."

Gu Qing was amused by her. Mu Zheng was slightly stunned. There was a hint of tenderness in his eyes when he looked at Gu Qing. The beauty of the entire imperial garden was not as charming as the woman in front of him.

Chen Zhizhou was a man of keen observation and could see the thoughts that flashed across Mu Zheng's eyes at a glance.

A meaningful smile appeared on his lips. He took a step forward, put his arm around Gu Qing's waist, and pulled her into his arms. Then he looked at Mu Zheng and said, "I haven't seen you for a few days, Prince. Are you busy with the affairs of Huaishui City today?"

"That's right. The Huaishui City case involves a lot of things. Lord Chen, would you like to talk about it when you have time?" Mu Zheng nodded. What he meant was that he wanted to go with him to meet the third prince.

Chen Zhizhou is the third prince's man, and the Mu family is the imperial concubine's maternal family. In the final analysis, they are in the same camp.

"Go ahead." Gu Qing also saw what Mu Zheng was thinking. She patted Chen Zhizhou's palm and said softly, "Husband, don't worry about me. The princess and I are together. We will meet at the banquet after the meal starts."

"Okay." Although Chen Zhizhou was still a little worried, but thinking about what Gu Qing said to him when he came, the smile on the corner of his mouth became much more relaxed, and he left with Mu Zheng with his hands behind his back.

As soon as the two of them left, Mu Xin took Gu Qing's arm and joked, "Chen Zhizhou's personality has really changed completely."

"Oh? What do you mean?" Gu Qing knew what Mu Xin was going to say, but she still couldn't help but want to hear what other people said about Chen Zhizhou.

"From what I know, Chen Zhizhou was originally a ruthless man. Even when he was working under the Third Prince, he was quite unruly. But he is so gentle in front of you." Mu Xin said, clicking her tongue twice and deliberately lowering her voice: "It seems that our Qing'er has a way to control her husband. Teach me later."

Upon hearing this, Gu Qing blushed immediately and said coquettishly, "Xin'er, what are you talking about? This is the imperial palace, don't talk nonsense."

"What's wrong with the palace? I can say whatever I want."

"It's getting late, let's go into the palace early." Gu Qingyao looked at the Peony Terrace where the sound of string music came from, and pulled Mu Xin to speed up his pace.

Mu Xin also withdrew his gaze and went towards the Peony Terrace with Gu Qing.

"It's really strange."

On the way, Mu Xin suddenly said this. Gu Qing tilted his head in confusion: "What's wrong?"

A hint of doubt and sadness flashed across Mu Xin's eyes. "Qing'er, you don't know, this Peony Terrace was built by His Majesty for the former Queen. The pavilions and towers are inlaid with gold, jade, and jewels."

“There is no place in the world more magnificent than that.”

Gu Qing listened quietly, and couldn't help but look curiously at the pavilion emitting golden light.

"But since the death of the former empress, the Peony Terrace has been sealed off. No one is allowed to pass within a two-mile radius. Special personnel are sent there to clean it every day. I heard that Your Majesty stays there on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month every month."

Gu Qing heard this and looked slightly surprised: "On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, shouldn't Your Majesty stay with the Queen?"

The two looked at each other, keeping secrets from each other.

Then, Mu Xin lowered her voice and said, "So, although the current queen has authority in the harem, she is subject to many rumors and gossips in private, but Your Majesty still insists on doing so."

Gu Qing sighed helplessly, feeling a little sad about the helplessness within the thick palace walls.

At this point, the full view of the Peony Terrace was revealed.

The big words "Only the peony is the true national beauty" came into view. Gu Qing looked around and saw the Peony Terrace leaning against the bank of the river, stretching all the way to the Qinglong Mountain outside the palace. Clusters of lush green leaves jumped out of the wall, as if it were the second imperial garden in the palace.

Mu Xin was also surprised and couldn't help but sigh, "No wonder His Majesty wants to hold a banquet at the Peony Pavilion."

"Even this princess couldn't help but be shocked, let alone those foreigners?" Mu Xin's tone revealed a bit of excitement and joy: "We are really lucky."

But Gu Qing couldn't be happy. If His Majesty said he had deep feelings for the late Queen, why did he bring such a noisy banquet here?

The emperor is heartless, but in the final analysis, it is only for himself.

"Let's go, let's go in!" Before Gu Qing could come to his senses, he was pulled inside. The golden glazed tiles in the hall were sparkling, and the steps and the ground paved with fine white jade were shining with a warm light. Looking out the window, there was mist curling around the river, like a fairyland.

Gu Qing and Mu Xin sat down at the seats for the female members of the family. For the sake of the princess's face, the two of them sat at a table alone. No one dared to cause trouble in such a situation.

The carved pearwood table in front of him was made of sandalwood, emitting a faint sandalwood fragrance. Gu Qing raised his head slightly. The phoenix on the eaves spread its wings as if ready to fly. The floating windows carved from green tiles and the wall panels piled up by imperial censors were stunning and beautiful.

"What's wrong? Are you stunned?" Mu Xin supported his chin and looked at Gu Qing's expression.

Gu Qing shook his head and laughed, "It's truly shocking. Ordinary people will never see such a grand spectacle in their lifetime."

For some reason, Gu Qing felt even more depressed after seeing these things, and he couldn't feel at ease at all.

Mu Xin said boredly, "It was a bit new when I first came in, but after seeing so much, it's all the same. Attending this kind of banquet is the most boring thing."

Gu Qing poured her a cup of tea and said, "If you're bored, just lower your head and eat."

"I heard that the Princess of Northern Frontier will be performing a dance later. Aren't you curious?" Gu Qing said slowly. Mu Xin snorted coldly, "What's there to be curious about?"

"No matter how beautiful she is, she only attracts those men. I don't like her coquettish and charming appearance."

Gu Qing said no more and focused her gaze on the cup of tea in front of her. The floating tea leaves created subtle ripples, bringing her thoughts to her past life.

It was not until a heavy hand rested on his shoulder that Gu Qing came back to his senses. He raised his eyes to meet Chen Zhizhou's gentle gaze, slightly distracted, as if something was unreal.

"Madam." As he spoke, Chen Zhizhou bent down and leaned close to Gu Qing's ear. Ignoring the gazes of the people around him, he whispered softly, "If anything happens, let Cuiping inform Feng."

"Food and water given privately by anyone are not acceptable."

Gu Qing nodded slightly: "Okay."

In the women's seats next door, some women showed jealousy towards Gu Qing, and some were whispering to each other.

"This couple is truly shameless. They even dare to act like this in the imperial palace."