Three days later.

Guan Zhiyue was in the greenhouse in the backyard of the Cold Palace, looking at the various fresh vegetables inside. This was a vegetable greenhouse that she had built so that there would be fresh vegetables to eat in winter.

Many officials need a hot spring resort in the suburbs of Beijing to enjoy fresh, lush green vegetables in winter. Unfortunately, very few people in the suburbs of Beijing own a hot spring resort.

In the palace, only the Cold Palace exists, which is unique. Especially in Guan Zhiyue's place, not only was a large greenhouse built, but a large kang (heated brick bed) was also dug in the greenhouse so that firewood could be burned from time to time to keep the whole greenhouse warm.

It can help these seeds buried in the soil to germinate in winter. Of course, the temperature must be controlled. High temperature or low temperature can cause root damage.

Each of these issues requires serious attention, which is why Guan Zhiyue was most worried about when she first started building the greenhouse.

"Your Majesty, these flowers are so beautiful! It truly is a scene of a hundred flowers blooming and a hundred schools of thought contending!" Bilian followed behind Guan Zhiyue, who was dressed as a peasant woman, carrying her a woven bamboo basket. She was enjoying the weather and gently inhaling the fragrance of the flowers.

"These flowers are blooming beautifully, it's just a pity no one is appreciating them." Guan Zhiyue raised the back of her hand to wipe the slight sweat from her forehead. She held scissors in her hand, pruning the withered branches and leaves, and separating the overly dense flower clusters, which would also help the bouquets grow and flourish.

Bilian followed behind Guan Zhiyue, carrying a bamboo basket. She placed the flowers that Guan Zhiyue had cut into the basket, intending to use them for Guan Zhiyue's petal bath or to make various delicious flower cakes. In short, she had all sorts of creative ideas.

"Your Majesty, why don't we hold a flower-viewing banquet? We can invite the young ladies and ladies from various noble families, as well as the concubines of our harem, to attend the banquet together. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

When Guan Zhiyue heard Bilian's words about the concubines and other women in the harem, she thought of what Li Qiji had told her some time ago.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."

Seeing that Guan Zhiyue remained silent and seemed to be deep in thought, Bilian asked, "Your Highness, is there something you're wondering about?"

"...Ah! Bilian, what did you just say? I didn't understand!"

Bilian repeated herself, and Guan Zhiyue then said, "It's not impossible, but if I were to take the lead, I'm the kind of person who doesn't like to organize things. Why don't we let the Empress Dowager handle it?"

Bilian was speechless. This was a time for their Empress to shine, yet someone else was being brought in. Besides, the Empress Dowager was the kind of person who particularly preferred quiet, so she probably wouldn't like this kind of banquet.

"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager prefers quiet; this may not be appropriate!"

Guan Zhiyue thought about it and it seemed to make sense. After all, the Empress Dowager was a person who liked peace and quiet. If she were to bring up such troublesome matters, it would definitely give her a headache.

Guan Zhiyue mentally reviewed all the women in the harem and decided to leave the matter to Consort De. After all, Chang Shu was mostly a loner and, despite holding the position of one of the four consorts in the palace, had never thought of getting close to the emperor.

"Then let Consort De handle it!"

Guan Zhiyue gave the order in a deep voice. The flowers in the greenhouse could finally see the light of day again. These flowers were all carefully cultivated by her, and it would be nice for them to enjoy them in this sunny and breezy spring weather.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong...?"

Guan Zhiyue waved her hand and said, "You know I don't like these kinds of formalities. Let others take the spotlight. I'll just be an observer."

"Furthermore, the Emperor has been preoccupied with the Cold Palace for the past few years, and the other women in the harem must have been harboring resentment for a long time. The Emperor told me that he wanted to dismiss these women, but I don't know how Ji Wu is doing with it yet, as there has been no movement."

Upon hearing Ji Wu's name, Bi Lian immediately hung up her little oil-spout teapot, extremely angry—that was someone who infuriated her.

Guan Zhiyue looked at the small oil-spout teapot that Bilian had hung up and teased, "Oh, what's wrong? Did Jiwu make you angry?"

Bilian snorted and said, "Hmph, that big guy is just a rude blockhead, how could he possibly make me angry!"

Upon hearing this, Guan Zhiyue exclaimed, "Wow, there's more to this than meets the eye! It seems that Bi Lian's important matter is starting to take shape. Now that's good! When Ji Wu comes in the future, I'll definitely have to observe her carefully. After all, Bi Lian is very loyal to her and is a great help, a right-hand woman!"

"Go ask Consort De if she's willing. If she's not, then forget it, we won't hold the banquet," Guan Zhiyue said to Bilian, who was still a little sullen.

Bilian placed the flower basket she was carrying beside Guan Zhiyue, curtsied slightly, and respectfully took her leave.

Guan Zhiyue wiped her forehead and continued bending down to trim her flower branches.

Chonghua Palace.

"Sister Suyan, please trouble you to inform her," Bilian said, looking at Suyan standing at the door.

Su Yan was one of Consort Changde's head maids and the leader of all the servants under Consort Changde. She controlled all the maids in Consort Changde's Chonghua Palace, and her demeanor was arrogant and haughty.

"Does Your Majesty have issued any imperial decree?" Su Yan asked.

Bilian nodded slightly without saying anything, and Suyan didn't know what to say either, so she led the person in directly.

When Bilian met Consort De, she knelt respectfully on the ground and bowed very politely. After receiving Consort De's permission, she calmly stood up, bowed, and said, "Your Highness Consort De, my Empress has sent me to seek your opinion."

"Many flowers are planted in the Cold Palace. Her Majesty the Empress asked Consort De if she was interested in hosting a Hundred Flowers Banquet. If so, Her Majesty the Empress will provide a hundred kinds of flowers that are already blooming in full glory, free of charge."

Upon hearing Bilian's words, Chang Shu gracefully rose from the chair where she was sitting cross-legged. With Su Yan's support, she took a few steps. Her magnificent robes gave off a sense of heaviness, making Bilian feel that this Consort De seemed frail and weak.

She's only in her early twenties, but she looks like she's about to die. It's so strange!

"Your Majesty, are there really a hundred kinds of flowers, and that they are all in full bloom?" Consort De asked uncertainly.

Bilian quickly and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, that is indeed the case. That is why Her Majesty the Empress sent me to inquire whether Consort De would be interested in hosting a Hundred Flowers Banquet."

Consort De's face, as smooth as jade, and her lips, as red as blood, were slightly upturned in a beautiful smile. Her long, slender, and fair fingers, adorned with red nail polish, gently touched the white hair at her temples.

"If that's the case, why doesn't Her Majesty the Empress host this Hundred Flowers Banquet herself?" The tone was gentle and calm, yet it carried an indescribable quality, a blend of mockery and sorrow.

"Your Highness, as you know, Her Majesty the Empress is currently working at the Foreign Language Institute and doesn't have much energy to host these banquets. However, in order to maintain good relations between the noble families and the ladies, Her Majesty has made this matter public."

Chang Shu seemed to have thought of something, and then said, "Alright, I will agree to Your Majesty's request."

"Yes, in that case, Your Highness, please inform us five days in advance when you need flowers, so that Her Majesty the Empress can arrange for them to be delivered to the designated place. Please also take good care of these hard-won flowers."

"good."

After receiving a positive reply, Bilian left Chonghua Palace after giving a few more instructions. She felt so oppressed. Her Cold Palace was much more comfortable. She could do whatever she wanted there, without so many formalities. It was simply too suffocating.