From then until Eunuch Li finished reading the imperial edict, the Empress Dowager did not look at Tang Baozhu again, as if she did not exist.
To be honest, Tang Baozhu was a little scared. She felt that the Empress Dowager would deal with her next. It seemed that she should refrain from provoking the Empress Dowager in the future, lest she get herself killed.
Looking at the people kneeling down below to congratulate him, even the concubines beside him, whose eyes were like knives, had to reluctantly kneel down and offer their congratulations.
Next came the banquet. Tang Baozhu felt that the dishes on the table were not very good because so much time had passed and some of the dishes had gone cold. She could only pick out the dishes that were still edible to eat.
When Situ Rui saw that his beloved concubine was eating only a few bites of food, he knew that the food might not suit her taste, and he felt a little sorry for Baozhu.
"If Baozhu can't eat, then don't. Don't force yourself to eat. When we get back to Changchun Palace, I'll eat some more with you."
Upon hearing the emperor's words, Tang Baozhu immediately put down her chopsticks. She had really struggled to eat just now, even though the food looked and smelled delicious when it was first prepared. But after so much time had passed, she couldn't eat anymore.
I always felt that I was spoiled by the emperor. I used to eat a lot of cold food. It was only after I transmigrated and my living conditions improved that I stopped eating cold food so much.
It seems that it's easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality. I secretly warned myself that I can't be like this in the future. Who knows where I'll go in the next world? It's better not to be so spoiled.
"His Majesty is fine. He probably just doesn't have much of an appetite, which is why he can't eat."
After putting down her chopsticks, Tang Baozhu quietly enjoyed the song and dance performance below. It was quite good, and it was obvious that the performers had put in a lot of hard work; everyone's basic skills were excellent.
After the banquet finally ended, Tang Baozhu originally planned to run back to Changchun Palace, but unfortunately Situ Rui was following behind her, so she could only slowly walk back hand in hand with him.
Situ Chuang and I first went to see the children. They watched them quietly for a while, then the two of us went back to the bedroom hand in hand.
"Little Li, tell the imperial kitchen to send up another table of food."
"Your servant obeys the decree."
“Your Majesty, did you think Ya’er was too domineering just now? She snatched the toys from her two brothers’ hands without saying a word. If this continues, it won’t do. Also, Your Majesty should not spoil the little princess too much, or she will become unruly.”
Although Situ Rui didn't take it seriously, seeing his beloved concubine's worried expression, he could only try to appease her.
"Alright, Baozhu, don't worry, I will be more careful in the future."
Situ Rui felt that since he had only one little princess among his five princes, it was normal for him to favor her a bit. However, he wouldn't spoil the little princess into being unruly and ignorant. If he wanted her to have a better life in the future, she would have to learn what she needed to learn as she grew up.
"Your Majesty, you cannot treat me with such perfunctory attitude."
Tang Baozhu had slept with the emperor for six or seven years, and judging from his expression, she knew he didn't care. She could only deliberately remind him that she wouldn't accept it if he didn't act as her.
Seeing his beloved concubine looking so serious, Situ Rui had no choice but to nod earnestly. Since he had promised, he would definitely keep his word. Even if he showed favoritism in the future, he would do it in a way that no one would notice.
"Don't worry! Today is your special day, so let's not talk about these things. I'm going to move you to Kunning Palace, which is reserved for the Empress. What do you think?"
Tang Baozhu thought that she had lived in Changchun Palace for so many years, and she was really reluctant to move. Moreover, she had taken such good care of everything here, so she thought that it wouldn't matter whether she moved or not.
"Your Majesty, how about we call it quits? I'm used to living here, so it doesn't matter where I live."
Situ Rui held his beloved concubine's hand, feeling its softness in his palm. He felt that every part of his beloved concubine was exquisite, even her hands were so delicate.
“It’s very important. Kunning Palace has a special hall for receiving noblewomen. There are always one or two days a year when noblewomen from the court come to pay their respects to you. If you don’t move, it won’t be very convenient for them to come here.”
Tang Baozhu really hadn't expected what the emperor hadn't said. Indeed, she had been in the palace for so many years and had never seen a court lady come to pay her respects, so she didn't know about this.
Now that we know, we should maintain our dignity; after all, the royal family still has a sense of pride.
"Then I will listen to Your Majesty. There are still three or four months until the New Year. We will find an auspicious day within these three or four months and then move."
Situ Rui didn't care when his beloved concubine moved; he just needed to know the details.
At this moment, he kept thinking about his mother. He remembered the look in her eyes at the banquet today. It seemed he needed to have a good talk with her to avoid implicating Baozhu.
Tang Baozhu felt a little excited at the thought of being received by court officials and their wives during the New Year. Her mother had stayed in the palace for a few days a few months ago to accompany her during her postpartum period. She had just returned home, and it hadn't even been two months, yet she already missed her.
Now that she's the Empress, she can see her family whenever she wants without having to ask anyone else. She's incredibly free. She's also been missing Lady Tang Li a bit, so she'll go and bring her in in a couple of days.
The days passed quietly, each day filled with raising and caring for the children, without a single ripple. Even the harem remained as still as a stagnant pool.
It seems that everyone has lost interest in vying for the emperor's favor. There's no way around it; the emperor has been resting with Tang Baozhu for so many years and doesn't go anywhere else. Where would they find the desire to compete for his favor?
Fortunately, since she was chosen from a peasant family, she was relatively accepting of the situation, as she was well-fed and clothed in gold and silver in the palace.
Tang Baozhu knew that they would be lonely without any love or affection in the future, so she never withheld anything from them and always tried to make their lives a little better.
By the way, Tang Baozhu has now taken control of the palace. The emperor was worried about his precious daughter, thinking she was too naive and easily bullied, so he took over the palace power from the Empress Dowager and gave it to Baozhu so she could protect herself.
Of course, the Empress Dowager also launched a strong counterattack during this period. After all, she had held power for decades, and it was bound to be uncomfortable when the power was suddenly taken over.
Fortunately, Situ Rui remained loyal to Tang Baozhu, which prevented her from suffering any losses.
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