With the Empress Dowager's gifts, the Empress's palace no longer needed to bestow peonies upon Consort Yang after her bath.
Pei Yuanhui glanced at Empress Xue and then gave up on rewarding her. Instead, he said that Consort Chi had been working hard to manage the six palaces recently, and he also rewarded Consort Chi with two pots of flowers.
Consort Zhuang also received two pots, and Consort Ming and Consort Cao, who were both pregnant, each received one pot.
There were two pots left, and the Emperor bestowed them upon Consort Lin, now known as Consort Cheng, under the watchful eyes of everyone.
Consort Cheng received one pot, while the remaining pot was unexpectedly given to Huo Yiyun.
The lower-ranking concubines and the newcomers did not receive a pot, which was unexpected by everyone.
Hearing the Emperor's reward, Consort Meng was naturally a little envious, but she couldn't help but pull Huo Qinghe aside and whisper, "I originally thought that you and Consort Xie would at least receive one. I never imagined that in the Emperor's heart, the old friendships still matter more."
Huo Qinghe glanced at Meng Meiren again; this woman was indeed a straightforward person.
However, she felt a pang of conscience at the thought of agreeing with Meng Meiren.
After all, of the fourteen pots of peonies that Consort Yang had just bathed in, the most belonged to the Empress Dowager and Empress Xue, with three pots in total. However, Huo Qinghe herself actually received four pots.
That is, out of a total of eighteen pots, Huo Qinghe took the lion's share and got four pots.
It would be somewhat insincere for her to say something expressing envy at this moment.
Since Huo Qinghe remained silent, Meng Meiren naturally assumed that it was because Huo Qinghe was too lonely to speak.
After all, Consort Meng herself didn't receive much favor, but Huo Qinghe had recently received a lot of favor. The Emperor's reward didn't go to Huo Qinghe, so Huo Qinghe must be feeling more upset than her.
Seeing this, Lady Meng thought of some words of comfort in her heart.
Those who received the reward were naturally delighted and grateful.
Regardless, those who received a reward were naturally happy, and those who didn't have to put on a smiling face and offer their congratulations.
After the banquet, the only important thing is probably where the emperor will stay tonight and who he will favor.
Huo Yiyun was the least concerned one present, since she was under house arrest and the Emperor was unlikely to visit her Xianfu Palace.
Then came Consort Ming and Consort Cao, since both of them were pregnant.
Consort Ming is quite far along in her pregnancy, and all she wants right now is to get back to the palace as soon as possible, so that nothing bad might happen under the cover of night.
Everyone assumed that the Emperor would summon Consort Zhou tonight, but the Empress Dowager suddenly spoke up.
"I am a little tired, Consort Zhou, please help me back to Cining Palace to rest. Your Majesty, there is a morning court session tomorrow, you should also go back and rest early."
As she spoke, the Empress Dowager patted Pei Yuanhui's hand again, displaying a deep mother-son affection.
Pei Yuanhui nodded in agreement, "Your son will escort Your Majesty back."
The Empress Dowager waved her hand again, saying, "Alright. It's enough that Consort Zhou is here to keep me company. The Emperor has been with me all day; he must be exhausted."
The mother and son declined at first, but in the end, Consort Zhou reluctantly stepped forward to help the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager patted Consort Zhou's hand meaningfully, and Consort Zhou instinctively forced a smile the next second.
Pei Yuanhui glanced around. Even without the Empress Dowager's words, he wouldn't have gone to see Consort Zhou tonight.
He had indeed drunk quite a bit today and was already slightly tipsy. He looked down and seemed to see several overlapping images, and finally saw someone he didn't recognize.
"I am returning to the Funing Palace."
Today, both the attempts to appease Huo Yiyun and the way the Emperor dealt with the Empress Dowager and the others were irritating to him.
Upon receiving the Emperor's words, everyone silently curtsied and said, "Respectfully seeing off the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty."
Xue Yinjia was also exhausted, and now he was finally able to leave.
The Empress Dowager was the first to be helped out by Consort Zhou. When Xue Yinjia stood up, Pei Yuanhui helped her up as well: "Empress, you should also go back and rest early. The road is difficult to travel at night, so I will have Jinyang escort you."
Xue Yinjia felt a warmth in her heart and nodded slightly: "Your Majesty as well."
When the Emperor returned to Funing Palace, Pei Yuanhui was already a little sleepy. Miao Xi brought in some hangover soup, which Pei Yuanhui drank after a while.
Miao Xi dared not disturb him and could only wait for his master to return before making a decision.
He silently withdrew.
But a short while later, footsteps were heard again in the main hall.
"What is it now?" Pei Yuanhui rubbed his temples, looking troubled.
As Miao Xi approached, he instinctively picked up a folded book from the table.
The memorials that were delayed during the day still need to be approved now.
"Your Majesty, Consort Huo sent two pots of peonies that resembled those of Consort Yang after her bath. She said that it would be too much for her to admire all by herself, and that it would be more reassuring for Consort Huo to have Your Majesty share the burden."
This is something Huo Qinghe would do.
Pei Yuanhui's rewards were always given according to his own mood, and he smiled upon hearing this.
"Okay, put it outside."
The emperor didn't particularly like white peonies; he preferred brightly colored flowers, such as the purple lotus from last time.
But Huo was quick to act.
"What else did she have someone say?"
Miao Xi was taken aback, but still said, "Others. Lady Huo only said that she had many things to do today and didn't want to disturb you too much. She only hoped that Your Majesty would have a good night's sleep."
Pei Yuanhui drank the hangover soup and was now somewhat sober. He kept flipping through the memorial in his hand.
"She certainly has a sweet tongue. She's very glib. Since she sent two potted plants, I'll pick out two more good ones from the flower shop and send them to her."
There's no reason to take back what's given away by the government.
"Also, Consort Cheng sent over some hangover tea..."
There are quite a few who put their heart into it in this harem.
Pei Yuanhui closed the memorial without looking up: "She is the most thoughtful. Bring it in and tell her that I will visit her tomorrow."
We'll see Xiao Huo in a few days.
Huo Yiyun has already been appeased, but there's no rush with Xiao Huo.
See you in a few days.
Miao Xi received the order and hurriedly went out to fetch some tea to help her sober up.
Pei Yuanhui ignored it, rolled up his sleeves, and leisurely added water and ground ink.
There was no morning court session, but the number of memorials was just as high, and it would still take at least half an hour to review them.
When Miao Xi came in again, her steps were a little hurried, and Pei Yuanhui noticed it.
He was already bowing his head and reviewing memorials.
"What is it now?" The official's voice already betrayed his impatience.
"Your Majesty...Your Majesty, something has happened." Miao Xi entered, her voice trembling.
I almost slipped and fell face-first while bowing.
Pei Yuanhui tilted his head: "Speak with your tongue straight."
Miao Xi blushed with anxiety: "Someone from Chuxiu Palace reported that Consort Gui slipped and fell on her way back to the palace. The imperial physician has already gone there."
Consort Ming is almost eight months pregnant.
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