Consort Qin rubbed her temples, leaning lithely on the table. Her gaze swept over the Empress, and she said to Emperor Yuming, "Zhao Lang, I feel dizzy."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yuming felt a chill run down his spine. He looked at Consort Qin with concern: "Niao Niao has a headache again, should she go back to rest?"

"No, Niao Niao wants to stay here with Zhao Lang," she said to Emperor Yu Ming in a coquettish tone.

Although Consort Qin was nearing forty, she showed no signs of aging; one might even believe she was only twenty.

Clearly, she deserves the description of "still charming and attractive".

Emperor Yuming shook his head helplessly: "You."

"Zhao Lang must come to Niao Na Palace tonight to keep me company, otherwise I will not allow it." Consort Qin winked playfully.

"I will definitely come to accompany you," Emperor Yuming said to her with a look of deep affection in his eyes.

The Empress's face was stiff, and her palms were already marked with red welts, but she didn't notice at all.

Your Highness.

The fourth prince sat next to Princess Zhaoyang. After taking his seat, he remained silent, sitting there lost in thought as if he had lost his soul.

Qin Xi didn't look at him, but sat upright, waiting for the banquet to begin.

Finally, the people above finished their discussion. Emperor Yuming said to the chief eunuch beside him, "Let the banquet begin."

"Yes, sir." The head eunuch nodded and bowed, then shouted in a shrill voice, "Let the banquet begin!"

With a shout, the palace maids and eunuchs began to serve the dishes.

They lifted the tray above their heads before placing it on the table.

Qin Xi looked at the dishes in front of her; there were over a hundred of them.

"My dear ministers, please have your meal," Emperor Yuming gestured, indicating that everyone could eat.

Seeing that Emperor Yuming had granted permission, everyone picked up their chopsticks and began to eat.

The singers and dancers entered the palace, played music and danced, and celebrated joyfully.

Qin Xi didn't have much of an appetite for the food in front of her, but Lu Huai kept putting food on her plate.

She subconsciously looked at Prime Minister Qin, but saw that he was not looking in her direction, but was chatting happily with the ministers around him.

So it wasn't because they were afraid of being scolded by Prime Minister Qin.

Qin Qi felt a sudden warmth in her heart, and she returned Lu Huai's gentle smile.

Lu Huai shifted uncomfortably, then stammered guiltily, "I'm just afraid of being..."

Qin Qi squeezed his hand, interrupting him: "I know."

Lu Huai took an awkward sip of wine.

Qin Xi withdrew her hand and unconsciously looked at the person opposite her.

Princess Zhaoyang held up her wine cup to her from afar, moved her lips, and gave a provocative smile before downing the wine in one gulp.

Qin Xi understood what she meant from her lip movements: 'We'll see.'

Qin Xi lowered her head and smiled.

The first time he met Princess Zhaoyang, she was full of hostility towards him, little did he know that he was helpless in the face of it.

"Your humble servant Qin Lang respectfully wishes Your Majesty good health and a prosperous nation!"

Upon hearing the name of Prime Minister Qin, Qin Qi subconsciously looked up.

It turned out that the father was serving Emperor Yuming wine.

As soon as Prime Minister Qin stood up, his entire lineage stood up as well.

At a glance, it appears that the majority of the important officials in the court are among them, including Minister Lu.

Despite hearing these auspicious words, Emperor Yuming felt no joy whatsoever.

His face was stiff, but he forced a smile: "My dear ministers are very kind."

His eyes swept over the crowd, pausing briefly as they passed over Minister Lu, before he finished his drink.

Seeing this, Emperor Yuming's faction could no longer sit still.

The one in the lead was Yuan Fang, the Minister of War.

Yuan Fang had served in the court for many years and remained loyal. As a supporter of the emperor, he was extremely at odds with Prime Minister Qin.

Minister Yuan was a stern man, and apart from Prime Minister Qin, few dared to confront him directly.