In the Yu Garden, the empress invited all the concubines out in the name of enjoying the flowers and cooling off. Zhuang Yuyan looked at the lush trees and large ceramic basins filled with ice cubes around her, greeted the empress, and then sat down in her own seat.

Tomorrow is Concubine Shugui's birthday. What does it mean that the Empress invites the concubines to appreciate the flowers now? Sitting back in the chair, Tingzhu and Yunxi behind her fanned themselves slowly. Zhuang Yuyan actually felt that there was a bit more coolness here.

"Consort Shugui has arrived, and Su Xiuyi has arrived."

Zhuang Yuyan turned her head to look and saw that it was Concubine Shu Gui and Su Xiuyi who came together. In front of Concubine Shu Gui, Su Xiuyi always seemed a little restrained and was overshadowed by her.

After the formalities, not long after, everyone arrived. Zhuang Yuyan patiently watched the eunuchs bring up the pots of flowers, and after the concubines had a look at them, they moved them away. Although the flowers were different, they all had an auspicious name.

"This pot of green peony is rare. It is blooming so gorgeously now. What do you think of it, Concubine Rou?" The Queen looked at the green peony that was brought to her and spoke with a smile.

Concubine Rou stood up and bowed, "Of course it is unique."

The queen smiled but did not answer. She waved her hand and brought up another pot of flowers. It turned out to be a pot of chrysanthemums that should bloom in autumn.

Zhuang Luoyan glanced at Concubine Rou without leaving a trace. Seeing that her forehead was covered with sweat, she smiled and lowered her head to pick up a cup of tea. The weather was indeed a little hot today.

They had almost finished admiring the flowers and Zhuang Luoyan had almost finished drinking tea when the empress slowly put down her teacup and started talking about something unrelated to flowers.

"Tomorrow is Concubine Shugui's birthday. Although we women in the harem should not be extravagant, Concubine Shugui has served the emperor for a long time. The emperor and I are both distressed, so we want to celebrate for Concubine Shugui tomorrow. We are all good sisters here, and we should have a good time together tomorrow." After the queen finished speaking, she saw that all the concubines stood up and said yes, then she continued, "We have finished admiring the flowers, let's go."

After hearing this, Zhuang Luyan stood up and saluted again, then watched the empress leave with the other concubines.

As soon as the Queen left, several concubines from the Shugui Consort faction came forward to congratulate her. Zhuang Yuyan looked at the expressions of the other concubines and found that none of them looked a little bit out of place.

"Your Highness is deeply favored by the Emperor, so your birthday should be celebrated with great care," Concubine Xian said to her with a smile, "I will have one more drink with you tomorrow."

"Sister Xianfei, what you said makes me feel ashamed," Concubine Shugui stepped forward and took Xianfei's hand, "Sister has always been kind to me. Let alone drink one more cup, I can drink seven or eight cups."

As soon as Concubine Shugui finished speaking, several other concubines came forward to make jokes. Seeing this scene, Zhuang Yuyan had only one feeling: what a dynamic picture of deep sisterly love.

Not interested in putting on a show for others, Zhuang Yuyan was about to leave after paying her respects to several high-ranking concubines, but Concubine Shugui stopped her.

"I heard that Sister Zhaopin's birthday is also in these days?" Concubine Shugui smiled softly, "On your birthday, we will also give you a few more cups."

Zhuang Yuyan then bowed again, "I will drink the wine of the ladies even if I am drunk." What a noble concubine, she now announced her birthday in front of all the concubines. If the emperor or the empress gave her something, she would be known as a thoughtful person. If the two did not make any move, she would probably be happy to be laughed at by these women.

Concubine Shu Gui achieved her goal and said no more, letting Zhuang Yuyan kneel down to greet her. Zhuang Yuyan left without changing her expression, and after walking a long way, she looked back at the women who were still standing there, all of whom were of higher status except the Empress.

"Master, it seems that those in front are Concubine Ma and Concubine Yan," Ting Zhu had not walked far when he saw several people standing behind a cluster of flowers and plants. They were Concubine Yan and Concubine Ma.

Zhuang Yuyan looked up upon hearing this, the expressions on the two people's faces did not seem like they were in love with each other. She was about to turn around and leave when she heard a slap. She looked back and saw the maid beside Concubine Yan was withdrawing her hand, while Concubine Ma's face was visibly red and swollen.

With her brows slightly wrinkled, Zhuang Yuyan didn't know what the conflict was between Concubine Yan and Concubine Ma, but Concubine Yan's behavior was a bit too arrogant.

Zhuang Yuyan wanted to leave again, but she saw a group of people coming this way. Her face changed immediately, she adjusted the accessories hanging on her body, and walked a few steps forward, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

When Concubine Yan saw Yu Ji, her face changed drastically. She ignored Concubine Ma and knelt beside Zhuang Yu Yan with her skirt dragging. "I pay my respects to the emperor."

Ma Jieyu knelt down in front of the emperor with a red face, and glanced at Concubine Yan with a little pride, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

Feng Jin reached out to help Concubine Yan and Zhuang Luoyan up, "My beloved concubines, please stand up." After saying that, he glanced at the redness on Concubine Ma's face, narrowed his eyes slightly, and said something that had nothing to do with it, "The weather is hot, why are you gathered here today, my beloved concubines?"

"Your Majesty, the Empress invited me to enjoy the flowers, and I was just about to go back," Concubine Yan replied softly, "but I didn't know I met Your Majesty here."

"The queen is thoughtful," Feng Jin let go of Concubine Yan's hand and patted Zhuang Yuyan's hand lightly, "You should all go back and settle down as soon as possible."

"emperor…"

"Does Concubine Ma have any opinion on what I said?" Feng Jin glanced at Concubine Ma indifferently, as if he didn't notice the redness on her face.

"I...will take my leave." Ma Jieyu's face suddenly turned gloomy, as if she had lost all her vitality.

Zhuang Luoyan lowered her head and looked at Feng Jin's hand, but a chill seeped out from her bones. Ma Jieyu had been favored before, but now she had ended up like this. It showed how cold-blooded and heartless this emperor was. People said that bitches are heartless and actors are unrighteous, but it was really unfair to these people. The emperor was the representative of heartlessness and lack of loyalty.

Looking up at the pride in Concubine Yan's eyes, Zhuang Yuyan retracted her gaze and continued to lower her head, just looking at the bony palms and her own neatly trimmed and beautiful nails.

Feng Jin saw Zhaopin lowering her head and thought she was a little shy, so he let go of her hand and said, "My beloved concubine, please go to bed early today."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Zhuang Yuyan bowed, "I'll take my leave."

"I'll take my leave." Concubine Yan followed suit and took her leave.

Feng Jin nodded and let them leave. After the three of them walked away, the smile on his face disappeared without a trace.

"There is no need to promote Yan to the rank of noble concubine in the next two years," Feng Jin put his hands behind his back and turned to walk in the opposite direction, "Send a pot of water lilies from my place to Zhao concubine."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Gao Dezhong found that the emperor did not mention Concubine Ma in his words, and he knew in his heart that this Concubine Ma was useless.

Not long after Zhuang Luoyan returned to Taoyu Pavilion, she heard the steward of Qianzheng Palace coming, so she stood up to greet him.

"Hello, Master Zhaopin," Gao Dezhong stood up and saluted when he saw Zhaopin coming out. "The emperor ordered me to bring you the water lily for your enjoyment. Master, where do you think it would be best to put it?"

After expressing her gratitude, Zhuang Yuyan had the things put in her room. After serving tea to Gao Dezhong, she said, "Thank you, Eunuch Gao, for making this trip. It's not easy in this hot weather." As she spoke, she asked Yunxi to bring a purse up.

Gao Dezhong accepted it after a brief refusal. He took a sip of tea and said with a smile, "Master Zhao, you are too kind. It is only natural for me to work for the emperor. You are embarrassing me by saying this."

"Since you are loyal, the emperor will inevitably respect you," Zhuang Luyan did not continue to say such polite words, and said with a smile, "It is my honor that the emperor cares about me."

Gao Dezhong was also very polite to Zhuang Yuyan. After talking for a few words, he stood up and said goodbye. Zhuang Yuyan did not want to keep him, but personally saw him off for a few steps before returning to the room.

The water lily was placed in a blue and white porcelain pot. With the half-opened water lily and lotus leaves, it looked particularly refreshing. Zhuang Yuyan reached out and touched the petals, took a cup of water from Tingzhu, and poured a few drops into it. "This water lily is really beautiful."

Yun Xi glanced at the water lilies and quickly lowered her head.