"The taste is not bad, but it doesn't taste very fresh. It's not as good as what we eat in Jiaozhou."
"It is said to have been transported from other places, so it is naturally not as fresh as when it was caught."
Fang Qing picked up a shrimp and handed it to Zhao Shi'an.
"You should try some too."
The two of them interacted frequently, gradually creating an atmosphere that outsiders couldn't get involved in. Eventually, no one came over to try and build a relationship with Zhao Shi'an under the guise of offering a toast.
After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill and enjoyed the singing and dancing performances, the Emperor led them outside to release lanterns.
These Kongming lanterns were prepared in advance; they were ornate in style and unique in design, and were carried up by several palace servants.
The Kongming lanterns were covered with blessings, but surprisingly, the names of the Emperor and Consort Xian appeared at the end.
The Empress's expression changed upon seeing this.
The emperor and empress should be the ones to perform the sacrificial rites and pray for blessings. Now that the empress is standing to the side, it's awkward for her to step forward or not.
Consort Xian glanced at the Empress, then stepped forward with a smile, took the Emperor's arm, and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, let me release this lantern with you to pray for the well-being of all people."
The emperor continued to smile.
"Is that so? So my beloved concubine wrote both my name and yours on it."
"I have heard that if you write the names of your loved ones on a lantern and then release it back into the heavens, the lovers will be together forever."
A woman's gentle and feminine demeanor can capture a man's heart.
But in this kind of situation, such a posture is not appropriate.
The emperor was still smiling, but when his gaze fell on the name written next to his own, his eyes turned icy cold.
Before he could say anything, the Empress waved to the palace servants.
"Take it away. Ordinary lanterns will suffice. This festive occasion is for all the gentlemen present, so we can celebrate together."
After the Empress finished giving her instructions, the palace servants looked at the Emperor, who waved his hand, and they carried the huge lantern away.
Consort Xian's eyes widened.
"Your Majesty, you..."
Because of the large number of people present, the Emperor only gave her a cold glance before looking away from Consort Xian's arm.
"The Imperial Concubine is unwell; take her to rest."
Consort Xian didn't know what she had done wrong and was about to say something when the Empress gave her a look. The palace servants quickly stopped Consort Xian and pulled her away.
She's been favored for a few days and already forgot her place.
Even the Empress's name cannot be on the same level as the Emperor's, let alone that of a favored concubine?
Moreover, how can His Majesty's name be written on a lantern so casually?
Although the commotion over there wasn't much, quite a few people saw it.
Fang Qing and Zhao Shi'an exchanged a glance.
She also knew that the Emperor had begun to punish the empress's interference in politics.
What a heartless emperor.
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