"Your Majesty, this old servant believes that since the little princess was born in the eleventh month, if the first birthday celebration is held in the eleventh month, the weather will be too cold and the little princess may catch a cold."

In the dead of winter, it was freezing cold with heavy snow, making it difficult to walk and do anything.

People with fluctuating body temperature are also prone to catching colds.

"How about we hold it in the fall? The weather will be comfortable then, and it'll be close to the winter months, so the little princess and the ministers who come to the palace for the 100-day celebration won't feel cold."

"Moreover, there is plenty of time to prepare for the first birthday party from now until autumn."

"Hmm, what you said makes a lot of sense, Lao Zhao, I didn't realize that!" Yun Beiye looked at Zhao Zhongquan approvingly.

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. It's all because I've been by Your Majesty's side for so long. This old servant has been learning from Your Majesty." Zhao Zhongquan said with a humble expression.

"Yes, this is Duoduo's first time hosting a grand banquet. Last time, the 100-day celebration was only attended by members of the royal family and some ministers. This time, we've also invited the royal children from neighboring countries who are on good terms with us." A hint of pride flashed in Yun Beiye's eyes. As far as he knew, none of the royal families in the surrounding small countries had ever produced a girl as clever and bright as his daughter.

[My daughter, let the world see her!]

The Shu royal family did have many little princesses, but according to my mother, they were all naughty and mischievous girls. They could climb walls, trees, and kill bird eggs, and they were good at everything, but they didn't study or write properly. They were not good at any of the arts, and they didn't have the demeanor of a royal princess at all.

Zhao Zhongquan observed the smug and disdainful expressions on Yun Beiye's face and pondered them in his heart, but said nothing.

"Your Majesty, which consort do you think should be in charge of this first birthday banquet?" Zhao Zhongquan asked, head bowed. He hoped he wouldn't be assigned to it; he still hadn't found the assassin in the sack. Fortunately, His Majesty had been in a good mood lately, and nothing untoward had happened at the little princess's Fushuang Palace, which was why he had managed to postpone it.

However, investigating this sack assassin is proving quite tricky, as there are absolutely no clues.

"The Empress hosted the 100-day celebration last time, so let's leave this first birthday celebration to Consort De!" Yun Beiye pondered. There are many affairs in the harem, and if the Empress is left to handle them all, she might not be able to manage them all.

However, he really couldn't remember anyone else in the harem. It was only a few days ago, when Consort De sent him some pastries, that he remembered such a person.

"Yes, this old servant will go to Changqiu Palace to deliver the message."

...

Inside Changqiu Palace, Consort De was sitting under the shade of a tree, enjoying the cool air, with two palace maids fanning her with palm-leaf fans beside her.

"Your Majesty, such a beautiful day is perfect for making hibiscus cakes!" A palace maid squatted down and carefully picked the flowers.

“Yes, yes, make more in the summer, dry them, and then eat them in the winter!” Another palace maid stood under the tree, holding a plate and placing flower petals on it.

"It can also be made into hibiscus wine. Having a glass in autumn would be wonderful!"

The palace servants in Changqiu Palace are busy making hibiscus flower cakes.

"Chunhua, be careful when you pick hibiscus flowers, don't damage the petals and stamens!" Consort De called out, looking at the busy crowd outside the window.

"Yes, Your Highness!" Chunhua was the head maidservant of Consort De.

It's the season when hibiscus flowers are in full bloom. The hibiscus flowers in Changqiu Palace are red, blooming in patches, which is very beautiful.

This hibiscus flower is very large. When it blooms, it has five large petals, with the stamen in the center standing upright and the petals spreading out.

Food made with these flowers was Consort De's favorite.

"Chunhua, after you've picked all the petals, divide these flowers into three portions: one for making hibiscus cake, one for making hibiscus honey, and one for making hibiscus wine," Consort De instructed. The number of flowers was limited, so they had to be allocated carefully.

Although she had only met the little princess a few times, she couldn't say she particularly liked the girl.

But since my son likes little sisters, why not make this honey candy for Yun Duoduo? Then His Majesty will treat her differently.

“Yes, Your Highness, we have remembered!” Chunhua replied loudly.

...

As everyone was busy, they suddenly saw a group of people enter Changqiu Palace.

The leader was Zhao Zhongquan.

"Eunuch Zhao?!" Chunhua looked at Zhao Zhongquan with some surprise. Usually, it was rare for people close to the emperor to come to Changqiu Palace.

"Greetings, Eunuch Zhao!" The palace servants in Changqiu Palace greeted the newcomer warmly.

"Your Highness, His Majesty has issued a decree." Zhao Zhongquan, dressed in a dark blue eunuch's uniform and wearing a hat, held a bright yellow imperial edict in his hand.

Consort De, who was eating melon seeds under the shade of a tree and looking at the hibiscus flowers outside, quickly got up and came out to receive the imperial decree after hearing the sound.

After Consort De came out, everyone in Changqiu Palace knelt on the ground.

"Consort De, receive the imperial decree!"

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Consort De is respectful, virtuous, and intelligent; she is hereby ordered to prepare for the little princess's first birthday banquet without any mistakes. So be it!"

Zhao Zhongquan read the imperial edict in a high-pitched voice, and then handed it to Consort De.

Preparing a first birthday banquet for a little princess? Isn't that the queen's job?

Does this mean that Empress Zhaoyuan has fallen out of the Emperor's favor and is slowly taking over the management of the harem?

Consort De's face lit up with joy, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up.

"Your Majesty, I accept the decree. Thank you!"

"Your Highness, these are the account books for the recent palace banquets. His Majesty said they are for your reference." As soon as Zhao Zhongquan finished speaking, the little eunuch behind him handed three account books to Chunhua.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. You've gone to a lot of trouble, Eunuch Zhao."

"Oh, by the way, this time, the little princess's first birthday banquet will invite the royal families of Shu, Nanrong, and Beiliang to attend. Your Majesty, please make preparations."

What? Royal families from other countries are coming too?

She's never done anything like this before, how should she prepare?

Her expression gradually became somewhat troubled and at a loss.

"Your Highness Consort De?" Zhao Zhongquan called out softly when he saw Consort De lost in thought.

"Ah, Chunhua, quickly serve tea to Eunuch Zhao," Consort De said hastily, realizing what was happening.

"No need to trouble Your Majesty, this servant still needs to report to the Emperor!"

"Alright, then I won't keep you any longer. Chunhua, see Eunuch Zhao out."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Chunhua handed the account book to another palace maid beside her and saw Zhao Zhongquan and his entourage out. At the corner, Chunhua secretly slipped a gold ingot to Zhao Zhongquan.

"Oh, Miss Chunhua, you're too kind. Please thank Your Majesty on my behalf." Zhao Zhongquan said with a smile.

...

Consort De returned to the front hall with the account book. She sat down at the table, her brow furrowed as she opened the book. Looking at the densely packed small characters, she rubbed her temples. How could she possibly understand it?!