"Whatever my aunt says is what it is."

He left Tang Ruozhi's seat, walked to the dragon throne, and sat in his own seat.

He always felt that the Queen Mother had placed him in this position as a special humiliation.

After all, the seat he always wanted to sit was in the middle of the hall.

Helan Ruizhe and Helan Yinsheng sat on the left and right of the Queen Mother.

Helan Minzhi sat behind Helan Yinsheng, while Shi Qingmiao and Eunuch Bai stood on the left and right of the Queen Mother.

At this time, the banquet is about to begin.

"Long live the Mother of the Nation—"

Everyone knelt on the ground, Helan Ruizhe and Helan Yinsheng stood up and saluted the Queen Mother.

Helan Yinsheng didn't want to say this at all. He wished the Queen Mother would die tomorrow.

But he still maintained a gentle fake smile, slightly bent his noble waist, and performed an incomplete salute.

Grand Tutor Yu's face looked a little ugly. He had never liked Helan Yinsheng and thought that keeping him around would be a disaster that could explode at any time.

"Stand up, stand up," the Queen Mother seemed particularly happy today. "First of all, thank you all for coming to my birthday banquet. I am very happy."

Perhaps because she is old, the Queen Mother likes such happy moments very much.

"Secondly, I'm very grateful for everyone's tolerance and understanding over the years. Being an emperor isn't easy, and being an emperor's subject is even more challenging. So, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all and offer a toast to everyone!"

The palace maids had already placed fine wine and delicious food on each seat, and the royal tableware had also been laid out before the Queen Mother came in.

Everyone raised their glasses, waiting for the Queen Mother to speak, and toasted her properly.

Lu's eyes were always fixed on Helan Ruizhe. She didn't know if it was Jin Suting's illusion, but she always felt that Lu was different today.

After the toast, Prime Minister Tang stood up, raised the full cup to the Queen Mother, and said, "I wish the Queen Mother blessings as vast as the East Sea, with the sun and moon shining brightly; eternal youth and evergreen like pine and crane; and everlasting happiness, with a new beginning in her seventies."

The Queen Mother also raised her glass and responded to Prime Minister Tang: "Okay! Hahahahaha, thank you very much, my dear minister."

After he finished speaking, he drank it all in one gulp.

Prime Minister Tang sat down, and Grand Tutor Yu stood up again, raised his glass, and said, "Then I wish the Queen Mother eternal youth and beauty, smooth sailing, the best of both worlds, prosperity, four generations living together, five sons passing the imperial examinations, great luck, a bright future, a prosperous life, a prosperous life, and a perfect Double Ninth Festival!"

The Queen Mother was amused and laughed out loud. Grand Tutor Yu was worthy of being the Grand Tutor.

"Good, good, good." The Queen Mother smiled from ear to ear, "My dear minister, you are so thoughtful."

Another glass of wine was drunk in one gulp, and now everyone was looking at the old general.

Waiting for him to get up and celebrate birthday.

There has been an unwritten rule for the Queen Mother's birthday banquets over the years: Prime Minister Tang celebrates first, then Grand Tutor Yu, and finally it is General Jin's turn to celebrate.

These three represent the three people with the highest status among the court officials. Grand Tutor Yu is the most favored by the Queen Mother, Prime Minister Tang has the highest authority, and General Jin has made the most contributions.

But General Jin didn't stand up for a long time.

Jin Suting didn't quite understand what was going on. Seeing that everyone was looking at the old general with a half-smile and a look of anticipation, she called him "Daddy" in a low voice.

The old general sighed deeply, then stood up shakily, leaning on his cane, and said, "I wish the Queen Mother good health and all the best."

…

That’s it, that’s all?

The Queen Mother's expression was obviously a little disappointed, after all, this was her former senior brother.

After the old general finished speaking, he drank a glass of wine and sat down without even waiting for the Queen Mother's next words.

Now, the Queen Mother's face looked a little unhappy.

Everyone looked at the old general with an expression of watching a show. Some people even discussed privately whether the old general was too old and his brain was not working well, so how dare he act like that in front of the Queen Mother?

But some people also say that he has worked hard and made great contributions. He is still leading troops in battles at his old age. Isn’t it normal for him to have a bit of temper?

The Queen Mother said nothing, put the wine glass on the table in front of her, and did not drink it.

It was Prime Minister Tang who came to the rescue. He suggested, "The old general may be a little tired. Haha, then, Your Majesty, I will present the birthday gift first."

The Queen Mother agreed, but her expression still looked unhappy.

Prime Minister Tang waved his hand, and the servants behind him came up pushing a box. There was something on the box, but no one knew what it was because it was covered with a layer of red satin cloth.

The Queen Mother's expression turned from confusion to curiosity. She asked, "My dear, what is this?"

Prime Minister Tang replied, "Your Majesty, please allow me to do one thing."

"What?"

"Put out all the candles in the hall."

When these words were spoken, everyone in the hall was filled with horror. Why would someone suddenly make such a request?

"Ah? This..."

"I'm afraid that's not appropriate."

The Queen Mother asked, "Why did you do this, my dear?"

Prime Minister Tang played with the medicine in his gourd, with a half-smile on his face, pointing to the unknown object under the red satin cloth, and said, "This birthday gift I want to give you must be seen at night to appreciate its beauty and value."

The Queen Mother hesitated for a moment and then agreed.

Then all the candles in the hall were extinguished, one by one, and the entire hall was shrouded in darkness.