In the early morning, the golden sunlight shines on the earth once again, gradually brightening everything in the world.

Hailanzhu opened her hazy eyes. There was no one beside her. She knew that Huang Taiji had gone to court again.

"Being an emperor isn't easy; you don't even have the chance to sleep in." Hailanzhu smiled faintly and shook her head.

After she got up and stretched, she called Qingluan in to serve her.

After she finished dressing up, she had Qingluan follow her to Zhe Zhe's palace.

At this moment, Qingning Palace was not as quiet and elegant as usual, but instead was bustling with activity and filled with a strong festive atmosphere.

As soon as she stepped into the palace, she saw two rows of palace maids standing neatly on both sides, each holding a tray filled with exquisite pastries, fruits, and other foods.

When they saw Hailanzhu enter, they all said in unison, "May Your Highness, Consort Chen, enjoy boundless blessings and peace."

"No need for formalities," Hailanzhu said.

"Thank you, Consort Chen."

After performing the proper courtesies, the palace maid resumed her work.

"I never expected that you would be the first person to come to Qingning Palace."

Hailanzhu looked up at the sound and saw Zhe Zhe, dressed in a bright red cloak, wearing a phoenix crown, and with a sweet smile on her face, walking gracefully towards her.

“Aunt, you look absolutely stunning today,” Hailanzhu said, her gaze lingering on Zhe Zhe’s face. “You’re truly captivating.”

"You're such a smooth talker." Zhe Zhe was overjoyed by Hailanzhu's praise, and what pleased her most was that Hailanzhu hadn't stolen her thunder on her birthday.

"Let's go sit over there and talk, and wait for the other sisters from the palace," Zhe Zhe said, pointing to a corner that was relatively far from the crowd.

"Okay." Hailanzhu agreed softly, and the two walked hand in hand toward the corner.

As soon as the two sat down, Zhe Zhe's face darkened instantly, and he said with displeasure, "What is the meaning of Lan'er's actions?"

As expected of a queen, despite being extremely angry, she did not show it in front of others.

Especially the smile after Hailanzhu's praise; it was impossible to tell if it was genuine or not. You'd really think she was genuinely happy. Everything she did was just an act in front of outsiders.

"I don't understand what Auntie is saying." Hailanzhu was somewhat confused by the sudden change in expression.

Zhe Zhe tried her best to control her anger and said bluntly, "Was it your idea to have Yunxian come over to celebrate my birthday?"

So that's what you were talking about.

Upon hearing this, Hailanzhu did not deny it and nodded, "It was indeed my idea."

She actually wanted to deny it and shift the blame to Huang Taiji, but she could tell that Zhe Zhe was a very shrewd person and that lies could not fool anyone.

"How could you be so absurd!" Zhe Zhe said in a low voice. "You don't care about my reputation, and you don't even care about Borjigit's reputation?"

Hailanzhu was completely bewildered and stammered, "What...what does this have to do with face?"

Zhe Zhe frowned. "The position of Admiral originally belonged to our Borjigit clan, but now it has been taken away by Ulanara. This is enough to make our family lose face. And yet you still suggest that Yunxian celebrate my birthday. Doesn't that make the whole world think that we Borjigit are afraid of Ulanara?"

“Um…” Hailanzhu didn’t know how to answer, because she really hadn’t considered these things at the time.

She could only lower her head and say, "Lan'er has her reasons for doing this."

"What reason? It's just to please the Emperor," Zhe Zhe sneered.

Hailanzhu shook her head. "No, Lan'er really has her reasons."

"Difficulties?" Zhe Zhe scoffed. "Is your matter more important than the family's reputation?"

Hailanzhu raised her head, a complex expression flashing in her dark pupils. She wanted to tell him the plan, but she was still wary of Zhe Zhe, so she only said, "You will know in a moment."

Zhe Zhe said irritably, "Anyway, I've only set up these tables. You invited Yunxian, so you can arrange them yourself!"

Having said that, he turned and left, then sat in the main seat to wait for the other concubines to arrive.

After Zhe Zhe left, Hai Lan Zhu sighed.

She glanced at the lively scene inside the hall and sighed inwardly: This birthday banquet will not be peaceful!

As time went by, everyone gradually arrived. Seeing this, Hailanzhu stopped sitting in the distance and slowly walked forward to stand in her corresponding position.

This arrangement was based on rank, so Namuzhong's position was next to Hailanzhu, while Dayuer, being the last of the four consorts, was three tables away from Hailanzhu.

While everyone was busy with their own things, Hailanzhu quietly made a small move, without anyone noticing.

The other concubines, unaware of what had happened and assuming everyone had arrived, hurriedly knelt and bowed, saying, "May Your Majesty the Empress live a thousand years! A thousand years! A thousand thousand years!"

Seeing this, Hailanzhu also knelt down to avoid standing out from the crowd and becoming the subject of gossip.

Zhe Zhe waved her hand, indicating that they could rise, "Get up!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty," the crowd said.

"It's just a regular birthday banquet, everyone please don't be shy and make yourselves at home," Zhe Zhe said gently.

"Yes!" Everyone took their seats.

Just as Yunxian had planned, Namuzhong began to provoke Hailanzhu after taking his seat.

“No matter how much the Emperor likes you, you can never compare to the Emperor’s child.” Namuzhong gently stroked her flat stomach, her smile full of pride.

Normally, Hailanzhu would have argued with her, but when she learned of Yunxian's plan, she just glanced at her indifferently and didn't say anything more.

She knew that if she confronted Namuzhong at this moment, she would fall into Yunxian's trap.

"Idiot, being used as a tool and not even realizing it," she cursed inwardly.

Ke Namu Zhong wouldn't let her off the hook, and with Sang'er fanning the flames beside her, the things she said became increasingly offensive.

All she could do was clench her fists; there was nothing else she could do.

Just because she can endure it doesn't mean that Da Yu'er can.

When Namuzhong revealed that Hailanzhu was a hen that couldn't lay eggs, Dayuer couldn't help but sneer, "I hope you give birth to a prince. If it's a princess, then it wouldn't be fair to your smugness."

Her words instantly changed Namuzhong's expression.

Hailanzhu gave Dayuer a grateful look and gestured for her not to say anything more.

Da Yu'er wanted to argue with Na Mu Zhong again, but seeing that Hai Lan Zhu kept shaking her head, she could only hold back for the time being.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door. Hailanzhu knew that Yunxian was coming and became more alert.

Yunxian looks much younger today than yesterday. With makeup and luxurious clothes, she looks like someone in her forties.

But upon closer inspection, it was discovered that there were even fly legs stuck in the corners of his eyes.

"Who is this? I've never seen her before." Some concubines of low status who had only recently entered the palace were curious and began to discuss her.

Yunxian did not bow to Zhe Zhe, but looked around and found that there was no place for her. Her face immediately darkened.