Yuan Yun and Yuan Xiu are siblings. Although Empress Dowager Feng only accepted Yuan Xiu as her daughter, it was perfectly acceptable for Yuan Yun to call Empress Dowager Feng "Mother".
Yuan Yun said frankly, "Grandpa's sixtieth birthday is a major event that the whole country is celebrating. If I, as the eldest princess, don't go, outsiders will think that the Empress Dowager and my mother are not on good terms! Moreover... I have been preparing birthday gifts for Grandpa for a year now. Please grant my request, Mother."
Empress Dowager Feng said indifferently, "Preparations started a year ago? What birthday gift is it?"
Yuan Yun said to those behind her, "Bring it up!"
Several people carried over a huge stone, about the height of two people, with a golden character for longevity on it.
Empress Dowager Feng glanced at it disdainfully and said, "Isn't this just an ordinary longevity stone? Although the stone is big enough, the character for 'longevity' is obviously carved on. You need to prepare a gift like this for a whole year?"
Empress Dowager Feng shook her head, very disappointed in Yuan Yun.
She had no children of her own and longed for them, so she didn't mind that Yuan Yun also recognized her as her mother. She didn't dare to be kind to Yuan Xiu because she harbored the idea of replacing him in the future. However, she tried to get close to Yuan Yun, but found that Yuan Yun was aloof and eccentric, unapproachable, and a bit slow-witted. So she thought she would marry her off when the opportunity arose and didn't take her seriously.
"Mother, please don't rush. Please look at the back."
Yuan Yun clapped her hands, and the group adjusted the direction of the longevity stone.
Empress Dowager Feng looked closely and saw that some small golden pomegranates were growing on the back of the longevity stone, and these small pomegranates just happened to form the character "Feng".
Empress Dowager Feng's eyes lit up, and her expression unconsciously brightened.
Yuan Yun explained, "Your Majesty has discerning eyes. The character for 'longevity' on the front was indeed carved, but the character 'Feng' on the back was formed naturally. The reason Yun'er spent a year preparing this birthday gift is because Yun'er didn't have enough money and tried every means to have this stone transported from Jinghai."
"Good!" Empress Dowager Feng exclaimed in praise, then scolded, "You child, if you need money, just tell your mother! You are, after all, the eldest princess of our Great Jing, how can you be outdone by others when it comes to money!"
"Mother is usually very busy, so Yun'er dares not disturb her."
"It's good that you have such filial piety, then let's go together!"
Yuan Yun quickly boarded the phoenix carriage and said, "Yun'er wants to sit with Mother and Brother. Let's go as a family!"
Upon hearing the words "family," Empress Dowager Feng smiled knowingly.
The silly girl has grown up, she's become sensible, and she knows how to curry favor with me.
This is a good thing.
"Alright, alright, our whole family will go together to celebrate your grandfather's birthday."
With that, Empress Dowager Feng glared at Consort Jia, who was still standing to the side, and said unhappily, "What are you all standing there for? Get in your carriage, we're about to leave!"
"Yes..." Consort Jia left dejectedly.
Feng Garden.
The hall was packed with guests, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.
The entire audience erupted in cheers when Empress Dowager Feng and the Emperor arrived.
At a glance, there are no fewer than 10,000 people in the lobby and courtyard!
The old emperor's father-in-law, Empress Dowager Feng, and the emperor sat in the main seats, while Yuan Yun stood beside Empress Dowager Feng. Feng Bao was not seen.
Zhao Huan, Erzhu Hua, Tu He, Li Shou and other high-ranking officials sat in the main guest seats, admiring the longevity stone presented by Yuan Yun and the rare birthday gifts from other guests.
Li Shou flattered, "I've long heard that Jinghai can nurture divine stones, but this particular stone has given birth to a golden character 'Feng.' Father-in-law, Empress Dowager, this is an auspicious sign!"
Empress Dowager Feng smiled slightly at Li Shou. Unlike her attitude towards Er Zhuhua and Tu He, although Li Shou could not win them over, he never interfered in the affairs of the Empress Dowager's faction.
Empress Dowager Feng asked, "Lord Li, tell me, what is the good news?"
Glancing at Empress Dowager Feng's face, Li Shou lowered his head, concealing his greedy gaze, and said, "The Feng family will bring prosperity to the nation! With the Empress Dowager's assistance, the Great Jing Dynasty will surely reach its golden age, and may even unify the world!!"
"Hehehe..." Empress Dowager Feng couldn't help but cover her face and laugh, saying to the old father-in-law, "Father, look at Lord Li's mouth. He doesn't need to give anything; his words are the best birthday gift."
The old emperor's father-in-law stroked his beard and said, "Lord Li is flattering you. You must do your duty and assist the emperor well."
Li Shou's lips curled into a sinister smile.
My mouth?
Tonight I'll show you just how powerful my mouth is!
Li Shou turned his head to look at Zhao Huan and the others, and then said, "We can't wait to drink the old emperor's father-in-law's birthday wine. When will the emperor's brother-in-law show up?"
The old emperor's father-in-law smiled and said, "No rush, everyone, please chat a little longer. My son will be here soon."
"Gentlemen, please enjoy your wine and songs. I must take my leave now."
Empress Dowager Feng raised her hand, and Yuan Yun and Yuan Xiu quickly supported her on either side.
"I dislike noise, so I will not attend the banquet. Father, please forgive me."
The old emperor's father-in-law waved his hand and said, "Go ahead, taking good care of the emperor is your most important task."
Yuan Xiu said, "Grandfather, I have returned to the palace with the Empress Dowager."
The old emperor's father-in-law stood up, bowed slightly to Yuan Xiu, and said, "Your Majesty, please take care."
After Empress Dowager Feng left, Li Shou returned to his seat and glanced at Zhao Huan and the other two. All four of them looked serious.
Zhao Huan said in a low voice, "Keep calm."
Outside Feng Garden.
The imperial carriage set off, and Empress Dowager Feng's entourage quickly headed towards the palace.
Empress Dowager Feng was very happy. She held Yuan Yun's hand and said with a smile, "Yun'er, your grandfather really likes the birthday gift you gave. You've done a great job this time."
Yuan Yun said, "This is what Yun'er should do. It's good that it makes Grandpa feel at ease."
Empress Dowager Feng said, "When we get back, I will reward you handsomely. You are already sixteen years old, and you are becoming more and more beautiful. I will find you a good family to marry into..."
As she spoke, Empress Dowager Feng noticed Yuan Yun lifting the curtain and looking outside, and asked in surprise, "What are you looking at?"
After the imperial carriage departed, Yuan Yun became nervous, staring intently at the gate of Feng Garden, but she never saw Feng Bao enter Feng Garden.
As the imperial carriage drew further and further away from Feng Garden, and the procession sped up, Yuan Yun grew anxious.
"Ah...Mother, Yun'er rarely leaves the palace and wants to see you a few more times."
"As the eldest princess, it's not very convenient for you to leave the palace often. However, your maternal grandfather likes you, so you can come to Feng Garden to play often in the future."
Empress Dowager Feng said proudly, "Feng Garden is very large. Your uncle alone has more than a dozen residences. Even if you come ten times, you may not be able to visit them all."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Yun felt a sense of relief.
Feng Bao alone owns more than a dozen residences.
Wrong, the estimate was wrong.
Given Feng Bao's cautious nature, the fact that he set up more than a dozen residences in Feng Garden was definitely not for pleasure, but to conceal his whereabouts.
Since that's the case, there's absolutely no need for him to wait for Empress Dowager Feng to leave before entering Feng Garden from the outside.
He's inside Feng Garden!
It was in one of those dozen or so houses!
Once Empress Dowager Feng leaves, he can go directly from Feng Garden to the birthday banquet location, which would be safer!
Thinking of this, Yuan Yun made up her mind and said, "Mother, actually, there's a surprise in the longevity stone I gave to Grandpa!"
"oh?"
Yuan Yun's hand trembled, and the dagger in her sleeve slipped into her hand. She then stabbed at Empress Dowager Feng.
"It's a pity you can't see it!"
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