However, to everyone's surprise, Song Xia's makeup was very simple today. If it weren't for the presence of foreign officials, she might not have even wanted to wear the phoenix crown.

Although she wore a phoenix crown, her makeup looked old-fashioned, lacking the freshness of her usual light makeup. It seemed that even her temperament had become dull, and her beauty had been reduced by three or four points.

The concubines were taken aback, then realized that perhaps the Empress had never intended to serve His Majesty. With the Empress's insight, her ambitions were likely to reach far beyond her immediate surroundings.

As a result, Consort Li felt increasingly uncomfortable with her head full of jewels and jade. She wished she had been more plain.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

The high-ranking officials rose, and Song Xia led the concubines in bowing, saying, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"Your Majesty, rise. All my ministers and concubines, rise as well." The Emperor, who had not appeared before everyone for a long time, looked energetic, completely different from his previous appearance after taking the elixir. His complexion was rosy, his gait was powerful and vigorous, and his eyes looked very clear. Could it be that Master Qingfeng was really some kind of immortal?

The ministers felt a chill in their hearts. If things continued like this, what would they have left to pursue if His Majesty were to rule for generations to come?

Song Xia observed the expressions of the ministers. It seemed that some of them were starting to back down. In that case, His Majesty was still useful for the time being, but once the princes grew up and these people's ambitions were completely worn away...

The emperor was very pleased with everyone's shocked expressions. It was worth it for him and Daoist Qingfeng to cultivate for so long. Now it seemed that the results were remarkable. He himself felt that he had a lot of energy to spare. Most importantly, the pills he was taking now would no longer cause headaches or make him lose control of himself.

The emperor, thinking of all the poison he had ingested in the past, wished he could kill Wuweizi and Xuanjizi's entire families. Unfortunately, they were both monks, and after leaving the capital that time, they could not be found again.

"Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. I am celebrating with all my officials. Please do not stand on ceremony."

After a round of drinks, the officials from the south began to introduce him to the clan chief's family who had submitted to the emperor. The emperor felt that the entire Xuan Kingdom was very prosperous under his rule, and ordered that many good things be bestowed upon the clan chief's family.

Song Xia kept a close eye on it, and sure enough, the clan chief's youngest son seemed to have never eaten so much delicious food before. He kept stuffing it into his mouth and then choked.

"What happened?"

"Your Majesty of Xuan, please save my son."

"He's choking! Quickly, call the imperial physician!"

At this moment, all six princes stood up; they had learned this first aid technique!

"Your Highness, what are you doing!"

"Get out of the way, I can save him."

The emperor frowned and shouted, "Jiang Jin, this is not the place for you to act recklessly."

Jiang Ming spoke up for Jiang Jin: "Father, the imperial physician hasn't arrived yet, so let my elder brother try it. The child's face has already turned blue."

When everyone saw that it was indeed true, their faces turned pale, and even their eyes began to roll back. On such a joyous day, if the clan chief's son were to die in the main hall...

Just as everyone was getting anxious, Jiang Jin stood behind the clan chief's son, wrapped her arms around him, and pressed her clenched fists against the child's stomach.

When the clan chief saw his son being tormented like this, his eyes immediately turned red. Fortunately, Jiang Ming and Jiang Zhen, who were waiting nearby, stopped him from interrupting Jiang Jin's actions.

"One, two, three..." Jiang Jin remained calm in the face of danger. Seeing that Song Xia did not move, the concubines gradually calmed down as well. The first aid measures taught by the Empress must be correct!

"vomit……"

The ministers were delighted to see this: "He vomited! The child has vomited up what was stuck in his throat, he's fine now."

Song Jin released him. By this time, he had regained consciousness, but he looked somewhat tired.

Upon seeing this, the clan chief and his wife immediately knelt down to kowtow to Jiang Jin, but Jiang Jin quickly dodged them, saying, "If you want to thank someone, thank Father Emperor."

The couple then took the opportunity to thank the emperor. The emperor laughed heartily and no longer held Jiang Jin's earlier presumption against him. Instead, he asked him with a rare gentleness, "Jin'er, how did you know those things just now?"

Jiang Jin did not mention Song Xia, but instead attributed the credit to the other two: "It was all thanks to the Grand Tutor and the head of the Imperial Medical Academy for their excellent teaching."

"Not bad, it's rare that they even thought of teaching you these things, reward them!"

The Grand Tutor and the head of the Imperial Medical Academy felt unworthy of such a position, but since Her Majesty the Empress did not wish to reveal it now, they would just have to bear the burden for the time being.

The concubines also looked at the Empress with complicated expressions. If it were in the past, they would probably have spoken up without hesitation. However, now that the Empress wants to do more, it is indeed best to keep it from His Majesty.

But aren't she and the eldest prince afraid that they will reveal the truth? Do they really trust them so easily?

Seeing that the knowledge she had taught had solved the troubles of her past life, Song Xia breathed a sigh of relief. Moreover, she believed that this was just the beginning, and that in the future, the princes would use that knowledge to bring more benefits to the people.

The banquet ended without the arrival of Master Qingfeng, whom everyone had been waiting for. His Majesty, however, did not become muddle-headed after several rounds of drinks. This made the ministers increasingly believe that His Majesty might not make a mistake again.

But in that case, even if His Majesty doesn't become immortal, his lifespan will be very long. By then, the princes they support might be old, so what's the point?

Some people have already given up, after all, there's no need to offend His Majesty, who is still healthy and strong, for something uncertain in the future.

That evening, His Majesty still did not visit any of the concubines' palaces, which made the concubines feel increasingly bored. At the same time, they were very glad that His Majesty did not come to disturb them. When they realized their own thoughts, they were all astonished. When did they start to regard His Majesty as a big trouble?

However, it seems that the harem is more relaxed when His Majesty doesn't come. The Empress is fair and just and never deliberately makes things difficult for everyone. She also occasionally organizes garden parties, tea banquets, and experimental competitions. Everyone's life is fully arranged.

There was no longer any infighting between the palaces, no longer any fear of being constantly plotted against, and even their imperial sons were well-educated.

As for who will succeed to the throne in the future, judging from His Majesty's current state, he will likely remain in power for several more decades. If they start vying for the throne now, wouldn't they be wasting their entire lives on this? Moreover, if they compete too much and His Majesty becomes wary of them, they might be eliminated early on.

It's better to just study and wait as we are now. Who can predict the future?

There have been instances in history where princes were bypassed and their grandsons succeeded to the throne. Given Your Majesty's situation, it's hard to say for sure.

The emperor may never have guessed that his public appearance this time greatly diminished everyone's desire to seize the throne, to the point that when he later tried to use the strategy of weighing options, many ministers no longer participated.