The Empress Dowager was speechless after being challenged.

The crowd braved the wind and snow to get there, and His Majesty also arrived.

He was still holding the seventh princess...

It's a pity that His Majesty just took the child to the Beichen Palace, and now he's brought the child to the Empress Dowager. He's walked all over the palace and must be exhausted.

After greeting the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager looked at the Seventh Princess.

The Seventh Princess looked back and blinked, "Grandmother, what's wrong? Is Bao'er's face dirty?"

The Empress Dowager, after holding back for a while, finally blurted out: "Did your father carry you all the way here?"

The seventh princess was surprised: "Yes, because the snow is so heavy and the wind is so strong. Father said that if I walk by myself, my shoes will get wet and I will catch a cold and get sick."

That's perfectly reasonable.

The Empress Dowager glanced at the Emperor.

Shu Chengfeng smiled and said, "Bao'er is still young."

"...Your father really dotes on you." The Empress Dowager was somewhat speechless.

"My father and mother both love me the most," Bao'er said proudly.

"Seventh Sister is both smart and beautiful, and I like her the most," the Fourth Prince said with a smile.

After inquiring about the Empress Dowager's health, everyone learned that she was fine.

His Majesty also fined the two maids by cutting off their monthly allowance.

The wind outside gradually subsided, but the snow became heavier and heavier, and the weather was noticeably colder.

They spent the whole afternoon here. When it was almost time for dinner, Yan Nangui told the other concubines that they could go home first, leaving only Consort Xiangxian, Consort Ningshu, Consort Jin, Consort He, Consort Jia, and Consort Rong behind.

The rest of the people went back.

Neither the princes nor the princesses were spared.

His Majesty had other matters to attend to, so he also took his leave.

The Empress and her companions dined at the Empress Dowager's residence.

It is time to attend to the sick at night.

However, the Empress Dowager had no intention of keeping anyone here, and after dinner, she sent everyone back.

"The New Year is approaching, and the Empress is busy. She only needs to come and visit tomorrow. There's no need for her to serve me here," the Empress Dowager said.

These words were rather unpleasant, but Yan Nangui dismissed them as mere flattery: "Since Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has spoken, I will come to see you tomorrow and have the other concubines serve you."

The Empress Dowager spoke for herself, and the Empress didn't even try to argue against it. What else could she say but hum in agreement?

There's a lot to do at the end of the year.

This year, in particular, people are sending New Year's gifts from all over the country, and princesses and ladies from various families are also coming to the palace to pay their respects.

We can't just refuse to see them all.

Since there will be a talent show next year, some families have started to think about bringing their daughters in early to pay their respects to the Empress.

That's how people were in ancient times; they always openly brought their daughters to other men's wives.

If the other person is unhappy, they'll grumble about how petty she is.

However, Yan Nangui didn't care about that.

This group of people also failed to get what they wanted.

Since His Majesty is going to hold a selection of concubines, it is to let the whole world know. Therefore, the selection will be conducted in various regions, and the daughters of these high-ranking families will not be specifically chosen.

There are women of similar age whom the Fourth Prince could choose, but there's no rush. Even if he does choose one, they can't get married immediately; he'll have to wait a year or two.

The main purpose was to select consorts for the late emperor's fifteenth and sixteenth sons.

Although the two princes didn't achieve much, they were both obedient. They were born a year or two after the late emperor's death. The fifteenth prince was the son of Consort Fanghui, who was very favored at the end. The sixteenth prince was the child of Consort Hua, who directly killed the late emperor, and was later given to Consort Xu.

The twelfth princess also belonged to Xu Lingyi.

The twelfth princess is not married yet.

As the year draws to a close, news arrives from the border that the Tuotuo people intend to send envoys to the capital to reconcile with the Dayan people.

After all, these two countries have only become more peaceful in recent years, so nobody likes them.

But if they offer to fix it, wouldn't refusing to accept it be a problem for Dayan? After all, nobody likes war.

Therefore, when General Yan's memorial was delivered to the palace by express courier, it was already the third day of the twelfth lunar month.

Shu Chengfeng thought about it and agreed.

He urgently ordered the Ministry of Rites, the Court of State Ceremonies, and the Prefect of the Capital to make preparations immediately.

While the Daiyang Pass allowed passage, General Yan was stationed there and could not leave. Yan Nanxu, along with several other generals, escorted the Tuotuo people southward.

Ding Min, the Minister of War, personally led troops out of the city to welcome them.

As for whether this "welcome" is a welcome or a deterrent, that's hard to say.

Since this news came, Yan Nangui, from the inner palace, sent Jiangxiang to the Empress Dowager.

After kneeling and paying her respects, Jiang Xiang said, "Because of the upcoming arrival of the Tuotuo people, we are busy now, and Your Majesty is still not fully recovered. However, I think you will be better by the time of the New Year. The New Year's clothes that were originally intended to be worn should be even more formal. Her Majesty the Empress's intention is that all those in the harem with rank must attend the state banquet. Therefore, no detail can be neglected. This year is also the first year of her ascension to the throne. So the harem will be busy during this period, and Your Majesty will not be able to come for the time being. Please do not be angry."

The Empress Dowager listened, unsure of what to say.

"Empress Ning, even if she were extremely busy, would not dare to say such a thing."

Consort He smiled and said, "That's why she's so busy."

Empress Dowager...

Incense...

"Ahem, Your Majesty's arrangement is very appropriate. Time is of the essence. The Tuotuo people have been at odds with our Dayan for many years. They even harmed the Crown Prince of Emperor Jingrun. What a deep grudge! It's a good thing that they want to make peace now. But we can't lose face and decorum, can we? It's really hard on Your Majesty, as we were already rushing this year, and now everything has come together." Consort He said.

"Alright, since the Empress is busy, let her be busy. You may go. Consort He, you may also go back. I am much better now and do not need anyone to attend to me." The Empress Dowager was in a terrible state.

Consort He replied, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."

The busyness of geese returning south is no joke; it's genuinely busy.

He directly instructed all the maids in each department not to slack off and to keep busy for half a month before making any decisions.

The main concern is that we might not have enough clothes to make.

The ladies-in-waiting in the Imperial Household Department have already started working overtime.

Yan Nangui summoned Prefect Song directly: "I know your Imperial Household Department has much more to do than just deal with the affairs of the inner palace this time. This year is different from previous years, so we absolutely cannot afford any mistakes. Tell everyone that there will be a three-month monthly allowance after we finish. If the treasury doesn't provide this money, I will pay for it myself. So tell everyone to work harder and not cause any trouble at this time. Anyone who dares to act recklessly at this time will not be spared by me."

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will go back and give them a thorough warning. They must be instructed carefully in all places, and no mistakes are allowed," said Prefect Song hurriedly.

After Prefect Song left, Yan Nangui summoned the head maids from various departments in the palace, and they all came over to discuss the details.

In short, we should expedite the procedures that need to be done.

Everyone had already received a reward because of the establishment of the empress.

Yan Nangui directly promised three more months' worth of monthly wages, just like the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

But the premise is to avoid making mistakes; any mistakes will not be tolerated. If someone deliberately courts death, they will be sent to their death, regardless of whose side they are on.

Everyone happily agreed; it was three months' worth of monthly pay!

As for the consequences of making mistakes, well, you can't avoid making mistakes altogether, can you?

The harem operated in an orderly manner; although busy, things generally went smoothly.