Yan Nangui shook her head: "I don't know, maybe they want to overshadow the Empress. The Empress won't be able to regain favor anytime soon."
"Besides, she also enjoyed flower-viewing banquets back when we were in the manor. Let's go take a look first." Yan Nangui wasn't afraid at all.
These are all things for tomorrow, so I'm too lazy to deal with them for now.
Today is the birthday of the Marquis of Xinyang, and Yan Nangui naturally sent a congratulatory gift a few days ago, and today he specially sent a few more things.
It's nothing more than putting on a show for the Marquis.
The Marquis of Xinyang only held a title and no official position, so it was not a problem for him to be close to the empresses in the palace.
When the others returned, they announced that the Lady of the Marquis requested an audience.
When the geese fly south, send someone to tell them to come see you the day after tomorrow.
That night, Shu Chengfeng actually summoned people to the Beichen Palace to serve him in bed.
And this person, who also drew the attention of everyone in the harem, was none other than Consort Zhang.
Consort Mu was furious. She had to watch as Consort Zhang changed into her beautiful clothes and left in the sedan chair that had come from Beichen Palace.
"Your Majesty, please calm down. Your Majesty, please don't be like this," Wuyu comforted her.
"Think about it, Consort Zhang has never been favored, so it doesn't make sense that she's suddenly in the favor," Consort Mu said through gritted teeth.
"Regarding Consort Jing's matter, perhaps... His Majesty still has suspicions. Although Imperial Physician Fang didn't do anything, he was still involved. His Majesty may still care about this matter."
"Your Majesty, no, that won't happen. If that were the case, His Majesty wouldn't have come yesterday. It was because you were red-faced that he had Consort Zhang serve you. He is His Majesty, after all. He wouldn't favor someone he doesn't like just because of that. Consort Zhang... although she is not favored, her father is quite capable. Although his official rank isn't high, he is still a useful person."
“Besides, although she has been out of favor for many years, Consort Zhang is not old and is beautiful. There is no one like her in the harem. Isn’t it just a passing fancy?” Wu Yu said.
Consort Mu gritted her teeth, but in the end, she said nothing.
Who can stop His Majesty from favoring whomever he chooses?
The next day, when paying her respects, Consort Zhang came directly from the Beichen Palace.
She remained low-key and polite, but many people couldn't stand it.
Consort Jing would certainly not miss the opportunity to make things difficult for her.
They even dragged Consort Mu into the fray.
Consort Mu probably gave a very strong answer yesterday, because today she has returned to her old ways.
Zhang Jieyu said whatever was said, and didn't argue back.
Consort Jing was also at a loss for words.
After the greetings were finished, Consort Jing mentioned flower viewing and said she would make arrangements first.
When everyone went back to change their clothes and came back, Fuyun Pavilion was already prepared.
Not only can you admire the flowers, but you can also see women playing the zither in the palace's music hall.
However, she didn't intend to present it to the emperor; it was just for entertainment.
When the Empress arrived, she smiled and said, "Of all the women in the harem, only Sister Jing could have such talent."
To put it bluntly, these expenses had to be paid by the individual; the palace did not reimburse them.
You pay for whatever you spend yourself.
"Your Majesty flatters me. I simply enjoy a lively atmosphere. If anyone would like, all are welcome to join in," Consort Jing said with a smile, exuding a touch of magnanimity.
Today's guests are the Empress, Consort Chen, Consort Mu, Consort Huo, and Consort Yi and Consort Zhang.
The rest of the people weren't invited; those below them probably weren't good enough for them, and those above them were pregnant. As for Ning Wanrong, they were probably forgotten.
Consort Jing did not want to take any risks.
However, what the public didn't know was that Consort Yi and Consort Zhang didn't initially want to invite them; they only invited Consort Zhang because they wanted to annoy Consort Mu.
Then, considering that they were all concubines, and that Concubine Yi was even more favored than Concubine Zhang, it wouldn't be right not to invite them, so they were all summoned together.
While everyone was talking, His Majesty arrived.
After everyone paid their respects, Shu Chengfeng sat in the middle and said, "Why are you all here? Why did Nan Gui sit over there?"
Yan Nangui laughed and said, "It's hot, and all the sisters smell so good. I can't resist. So I'll stay away a bit."
This sentence both teased the emperor and flattered the others.
This successfully kicked off today's small banquet.
Shu Chengfeng glanced at her, speechless.
However, the Floating Cloud Pavilion is large, so there's no need for everyone to gather together, and the banquet hasn't started yet.
People have already picked lotus flowers, and there's a large patch of them in the water below. A few should also be placed on the table to mark the occasion.
Several women playing the piano were under a tree not far away, taking turns playing.
Each one has its own unique charm.
The group chatted idly, and the atmosphere was quite pleasant.
The kitchen served desserts first, and the various desserts were exquisite and beautiful.
When geese return south, it's nice to have a plate of plum cake. It has a glutinous rice skin and a plum filling inside. It's sweet and sour, and it's really refreshing to eat in the summer.
"These golden thread dates, I remember Your Majesty likes to eat them. It's really Consort Jing who is so generous. These are not easy to make, and the kitchen doesn't usually provide them," Consort Yi said with a smile.
"What good stuff is it? Consort Yi likes it too, so have the kitchen send some over," said Shu Chengfeng.
"Speaking of generosity, how can we leave out Consort Chen? Last time, my servants went to deliver a message and came back saying that they received quite a few rewards," Consort Mu said with a smile.
"That's not magnanimity, that's just loose-fistedness," Shu Chengfeng joked.
“Speaking of which, I am more generous than Your Majesty. Your Majesty is far too stingy and miserly,” Yan Nangui replied with a laugh.
That's quite disrespectful of you to say.
Everyone was a little worried.
Shu Chengfeng picked up a nut and tossed it at him: "I'm stingy? You have the nerve to say that?"
"Why are you embarrassed? Your Majesty, I feel indignant on behalf of Consort Zhang. She is an elder from the household, having entered the household long before me. She is a Consort, after all, and there are so many places to live in the palace. If Xuanzi is reluctant to give her a room, it would be nice to give her a pavilion. But she insists on living in Yujing Palace. Your Majesty, do you think Your Majesty is stingy and miserly?"
The wild geese return south with a clear conscience.
Consort Zhang blushed deeply and stood up: "This... Your Majesty... Your Majesty is fine with wherever you stay."
Goodness gracious, Zhang Jieyu was in a panic.
She dared not accept this kindness, yet she dared not refuse it either.
Having witnessed Consort Chen's violence firsthand, Consort Zhang was truly terrified.
"Tsk, what a look you have. Fine, I admit I was inconsiderate in this matter. Consort Zhang's status certainly allows her to live alone. Empress, choose a place for her another day. Since Consort Chen says I have mistreated her, then bestow upon her a title. Have the Imperial Household Department arrange one another day," Shu Chengfeng said.
The Empress rose and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, I will certainly take care of it."
Consort Zhang knelt down: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace. Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress and Consort Chen."
"Don't thank me. I was saying His Majesty was stingy. Now that His Majesty isn't stingy anymore, this matter is over. My sisters may overthink things, but don't be grateful to me for this. Don't think we've formed a faction. I won't form a faction with you, nor with any of my other sisters. In this entire palace, I'm only on good terms with His Majesty and the Empress."
Trust His Majesty and listen to the Empress.
So I'm not afraid, I'm a bachelor. I'll just keep my eyes on His Majesty. You can't withstand this kind of torment.”
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