This year, His Majesty had preparations made early on for the Dragon Boat Festival, as it was Consort Duanyi's birthday.

It's clear that they'll have to hold off on hosting one this year as well.

Yan Nangui didn't refuse; since it was arranged, he would go along with it.

It happened to be a festival, so relatives and female family members of court officials were brought together.

A flower-viewing banquet was held right in the Imperial Garden.

We had a flower-viewing banquet at noon, ate zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) in the evening, and then went home separately.

The wild geese returning south today are wearing a pale yellow dress, which is very eye-catching in the season of blooming flowers and green willows.

Her hair was styled in a high bun, and the jewelry set with golden cat's-eye stones shone brightly.

Her words and actions were much the same as before. It's not that she hadn't improved, but rather that she had always maintained an aloof and superior demeanor from the very beginning.

It doesn't feel out of place at all now.

This is enough to elevate the demeanor of Consort Duanyi.

Whether he's in charge or not, he's the same; no one dares to underestimate him.

The relatives and families of court officials outside couldn't help but recall the past.

At that time, it was only because of General Yan that Lady Yan was allowed to enter the Crown Prince's residence as a concubine.

I figured I was destined to waste my life in the harem.

Because of her family background, even obtaining the rank of a second-grade imperial concubine would be considered good.

But to my surprise, she entered the palace as a second-rank imperial concubine.

Over the years, she hasn't been promoted many times: Consort Yan, Consort Chen, Consort Chen Hui, Noble Consort Chen, and Noble Consort Duanyi Chen.

But every step was at a crucial moment.

She rose rapidly in rank, enjoying unwavering favor. Even with only one princess, she remained a figure of enduring power in the harem.

Who dares to underestimate them now?

Ultimately, it's fate.

Back then, how illustrious the Ning and Ye families were! But the Empress passed away without leaving any heirs.

With Consort Jing's passing, the prince she left behind is ineligible to inherit the throne.

Consort Ning and Consort He are still alive, but what use are they? The eldest prince, even if he can become the crown prince, who knows how many more years he has left?

At least for now, don't they all have to bow their heads?

Lady Xinyang was further courted by various people.

Although the Marquis of Xinyang no longer held real power, the Luo family's sons were still quite promising.

The hospitality at Zhaochun Palace was excellent.

His Majesty also specially ordered many things to be sent over, not to mention the dishes to be served. There were also various fruits and snacks. All of this was given to the ladies of the household to eat.

In any case, they gave Yan Nangui a lot of face.

In the evening, everyone gathered at Yaoguang Palace. It was the Dragon Boat Festival.

There were singing and dancing performances, making it quite lively.

After the event, His Majesty naturally went to Zhaochun Palace. However, before that, he had to send the Empress Dowager back first.

Inside Ruining Palace, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor sat together.

“It’s been years since my son and I have spoken so quietly. Sometimes I think back to the late emperor’s time. Although life was difficult, at least my son and I were close. Now, the emperor resents me.”

"Mother, you've had too much to drink." Shu Chengfeng sighed. "You are my mother, what is there to complain about? I was young and ignorant in the past. If I have offended you in any way, please forgive me."

"Of course I have nothing to blame you for." The Empress Dowager lowered her eyes: "I know that because of Consort Jing, you always have a grudge against me."

"Mother, there's no need to mention the deceased," Shu Chengfeng said.

"Very well, let's not bring it up. You blame me for interfering too much, but I won't interfere anymore. However, you have so many princes now. Since there is no legitimate son, a son born of a concubine should be made crown prince. As long as you don't make a crown prince, the struggles in the harem will not stop, and the court will not be peaceful either," the Empress Dowager said.

Shu Chengfeng nodded: "Yes, son knows, but we also need to consider their qualifications. If we appoint the wrong ones, won't we have to make things even more complicated later?"

"That's good. As for the harem, since you think Yan Shi is doing a good job, let her continue to manage it. However, she is, after all, a second-time bride, and now that she is the Noble Consort Duanyi, she is already at a very high position. You should restrain yourself a bit. There are many other concubines in the harem, and you can't just focus on her alone. At any time, being the only one favored is not a good thing."

"Over the years, although my son has visited her more often, he hasn't prevented the other concubines from having children. Mother, please rest assured." Shu Chengfeng's tone was still relatively gentle.

The Empress Dowager, not wanting to make things awkward, snorted and said nothing more.

After exchanging a few more casual words, they finally summoned the emperor.

After the emperor left, Granny Fei said, "You should have spoken to His Majesty properly a long time ago. Isn't it better this way?"

"I'm doing this all for the Ye family. It's just a pity they don't understand my heart," the Empress Dowager sighed.

"Children and grandchildren have their own blessings; can you really guarantee the Ye family's prosperity for generations to come? With you around, the Ye family will surely enjoy wealth and honor for three generations. Besides, although the old lord has passed away, he was a meritorious official, and His Majesty still remembers him fondly. If the Ye family's sons are capable, they won't have to worry about a good life. If they aren't capable, are they supposed to rely on their sisters?"

The Empress Dowager did not respond, but remained silent.

When Shu Chengfeng went to Zhaochun Palace again, both mother and daughter had already washed up, and the Seventh Princess was already asleep.

Yan Nangui was leaning back in his study chair, lost in thought and drinking tea.

"Your Majesty," the servant greeted hurriedly.

Yan Nangui glanced at it and asked, "Would you like some tea?"

Shu Chengfeng sat down beside her and asked, "What kind of tea did you drink?"

"Silver Pine, we're waiting for you," Yan Nangui said.

Shu Chengfeng smiled, took the tea that Jiangxiang handed him, and took a small sip.

It was getting late, and the sky was dotted with stars.

They rarely sat like this, especially Shu Chengfeng. At this moment, just sitting here in the warm breeze, gazing at the stars, drinking tea in silence was quite pleasant.

As my mind gradually empties, I don't actually stop thinking about anything.

But it's quite interesting that he's thinking about trivial things or whimsical ideas.

It wasn't until the pot of tea was finished that Shu Chengfeng turned his head to look and found that Yan Nangui had fallen asleep.

She drank quite a bit of alcohol at noon and in the evening, so she slept soundly.

In the dim candlelight, the shadows beneath her eyelashes were clearly visible.

Yet, she radiated a soft glow.

It's hard to imagine that beneath such a gentle and helpless exterior lies a heart capable of being ruthless.

In fact, Shu Chengfeng often didn't want to think about or admit it.

The incident of him releasing snakes for the late emperor back then... remained a knot in his heart.

While it was indeed Lady Jiang who caused the late emperor's death, it was also Lady Sun's desperate last stand. But if it weren't for the snake venom, the late emperor wouldn't have fallen so ill and died so young.

Of course, in that case, he would have to remain the crown prince for much longer, and might not even be able to ascend the throne in the end.

He didn't regret it, but he couldn't help feeling some guilt as a son.

Even if he has never been a good father.

However, he later learned a lot from Yan Nangui, this woman.

For example, don't hesitate, and don't regret.

She could decisively divorce the Meng family, and she could also decisively take advantage of the Yan family.

She doesn't hesitate to attack anyone.

If she makes a mistake, she will correct it, but she will never regret it.

She looked down on everyone who looked down on her, or those she looked down on.