The sky was full of fireworks and silver flowers all night long. Zhuang Luoyan leaned on the sedan chair that was moving steadily forward, looking at the fireworks exploding in the sky. Somehow she suddenly thought of what Concubine Shu Gui said a few days ago, which were as brilliant as fireworks but fleeting.

A woman's youth is short. She is an ignorant child when she is born. When she grows up, she has not enjoyed much of the innocence of a girl before she has to have children. Then the rest of her life is dedicated to her husband, children, and husband's parents. The three obediences and four virtues, tolerance and generosity are the duties that women should abide by throughout their lives, even if her man has three wives and four concubines, spends his time in debauchery, and even does not take her seriously at all.

The women in the harem are more noble and luxurious than other women, but they are more miserable than ordinary women. If they make a wrong step, they will be doomed. Zhuang Yuyan is a person who knows her own business but is greedy and afraid of death, so she abides by the rules of the game and tries to make her life better. Sometimes when people have no way out, they can't compete with God.

"Master, we are almost at Taihe Palace," Yun Xi saw Zhuang Yuyan's dazed expression and reminded her in a low voice, "It seems that the person in front is Xu Zhaorong."

Zhuang Weiyan came back to her senses and looked at Xu Zhaorong who was walking towards her with a hint of a smile on her face.

Xu Zhaorong's appearance was not stunning, but she had a delicate and charming look. She knew that her appearance was not top-notch among the concubines in the harem, so she knew how to highlight her advantages. So today she wore a pure white gauze skirt with a goose yellow cape, which made her look even more fragile. But when she saw Zhuang Yuyan's outfit, she felt a little uncomfortable.

No woman likes to see another woman who is more suitable for her favorite color. Xu Zhaorong was unwilling to accept it, but she had to admit that Zhuang Yuyan was dressed just right. This snow-white red plum skirt with a white fox fur coat not only made people feel a little pity but also looked luxurious. It was just right for tonight's occasion.

Zhuang Yuyan couldn't help shivering when she looked at Xu Zhaorong. She was wearing so little in the winter. I really didn't know if she was beautiful or freezing. Who said Xu Zhaorong was delicate? She was wearing so little in this weather. Only the iron-blooded Zhenyu sister could stand it.

"Sister Zhao Chongyi," Xu Zhaorong nodded modestly, but the sedan chair she was sitting on moved in front of Zhuang Yuyan without any hesitation. When the wind picked up, the hem of her skirt under her cloak swayed in the night, which was quite charming.

Taking a deep breath silently, Zhuang Yuyan unconsciously tightened her fox fur coat to make sure not a single breath of cold wind could get in. Then she returned to her elegant sitting posture with a smile on her face.

Before the Taihe Palace, Zhuang Yuyan got off the sedan chair, held Yunxi's hand and slowly walked in from the right door. When the eunuch who was singing saw her, he lowered his head and shouted, "Zhao Chongyi has arrived!"

Zhuang Yuyan entered the hall and saw that men and women were sitting on the left and right. However, the hall was very large, and there was a platform in the middle, so men and women were quite far apart. It seemed that the separation between men and women in this dynasty was not as abnormal as in some dynasties in the past. At least in this case, men and women were in the same place.

After another round of greetings, Zhuang Yuyan sat down in her seat, carefully disguising herself as she looked at the emperor who was sitting at the top. Unexpectedly, the other party was also looking at her. After a slight pause, she showed a shy smile, then lowered her head to look at the jade bracelet on her wrist, but accidentally bumped her hand against the edge of the table, and the smile on her face twisted in pain.

"Tsk," Feng Jin picked up the wine glass, trying to hide his smile, but in the end a chuckle escaped.

The queen turned to look at the emperor, then turned back to look at Zhuang Luyan who was sitting quietly on the side, raised her eyebrows and smiled, "Your Majesty, it's cold today, Zhao Chongyi rushed over from Xihe Palace, and she's pregnant, why not give her a bowl of hot milk tea to warm her body."

"The Queen has the final say on everything." Feng Jin put away the smile on his face and didn't even look at Zhuang Yuyan.

The queen smiled unchanged, waved her hand and asked the palace maids to go down and prepare, then said to the other concubines and royal family ladies: "Zhao Chongyi is pregnant now, so we have to be careful."

Many people agreed, and those who had given birth also talked about some things to pay attention to during pregnancy.

Zhuang Yuyan practiced Tai Chi with the women around her with a shy smile on her face, but she was secretly gritting her teeth, thinking that the Queen was bringing hatred upon herself.

Taking the hot milk tea presented by the palace maid, Zhuang Yuyan stood up to thank the emperor and the empress, and took a sip without hesitation. The milk tea tasted normal and there should be nothing special added.

After a while, the prince of Gaomei led the envoys into the hall and performed a ceremony of worship. Then the envoys read out a list of gifts. The names of each tribute were very auspicious, but if you think about it carefully, you will know that these things are not rare items.

Zhuang Yuyan looked at the tall American prince. He was neither tall nor short, neither fat nor thin, and his appearance was not very distinctive. Although he was the prince of a country, he seemed too respectful in front of Feng Jin and lacked the aura that a prince should have.

"Your Highness, there is no need to be so polite." Feng Jin waved his hand, "Come here, give me a seat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Park Tai Nguyen thanked him again and bowed in the direction of the concubines before sitting down in his seat cautiously, not even daring to look around.

Zhuang Yuyan watched the actions of the Gaomei prince, and somehow felt that the prince was not as incompetent as he appeared. After all, any rogue country must have an invincible thick skin. This guy pretended to be respectful, but he might be thinking about how to please the Kyushu in his heart.

"Your Highness, you have come at the right time. Today happens to be Laba. Normally, I and the other ministers are busy with state affairs, and it is rare for us to relax and hold a banquet. Your Highness should not be polite tonight." Feng Jin did not wait for Park Tairuan to reply. With a high five, dancers, singers, and musicians came in one after another, and the whole banquet immediately became lively.

The sound of the pipa was like jade beads falling on a plate, the singing was like the sound of nature, and the dancing was graceful. Zhuang Yuyan had to admit that the people raised by the royal family were indeed very good, at least more beautiful than the so-called classical dance in later generations.

"Master Zhuang, I heard that Zhao Chongyi is pregnant with a son. I would like to congratulate you first."

Minister Zhuang looked at the official in front of him and raised his glass with a forced smile: "It is Zhao Chongyi's duty to bear the dragon seed for the emperor. Lord Su is too polite." Although this man is not a high-ranking official, he is from the Su family's branch. It is expected that his congratulations are not sincere.

The official's face twitched. Zhuang's words were humble on the surface, but inwardly he was mocking Concubine Shu Gui for not doing her duty. Everyone knew that Concubine Shu Gui had not conceived a child in the years she was favored. "No, no, not everyone can conceive a dragon seed. Zhao Chongyi is really blessed by the emperor."

"Lord Su, you are too kind. The emperor has shown his love for you." Minister Zhuang took a sip of wine and refused to respond. His sister was pregnant now, and he didn't know how many people were watching the Zhuang family. He didn't want to give someone else a handle.

The official wanted to say something, but when he saw the palace maids rushing in with bowls of Laba porridge, he had to reluctantly give up and watch the exquisite Laba porridge being served.

When no one disturbed him anymore, Minister Zhuang looked at his sister who was sitting very close to the throne. After only one year in the harem, it seemed that his willful sister had changed a lot. He even felt that she was a little strange. He knew that life in the harem was difficult. Some time ago, his sister lost favor, but he was powerless to help. Now that she was favored again, he didn't know whether to worry about her or be happy for her.

At this moment, the queen suddenly spoke up: "This year's Laba porridge is very finely cooked. Zhao Chongyi should use more of it. It is very beneficial for pregnant women to eat more beans."

Minister Zhuang's heart shuddered. The Queen's words were clearly intended to push his sister to the forefront. The situation in the harem was complicated, and the baby in his sister's belly was only a month old...

"Your Majesty, don't be too cautious," Feng Jin said, "You care so much about her that you forget that you also like to eat these. Zhao Chongyi's servants are all very attentive. I will send two nurses who know about pregnancy to Xihe Palace later. Don't tire yourself out."

To outsiders, this statement not only expressed the emperor's love for the empress, but also expressed his favor to Zhao Chongyi, which was really appropriate. However, the empress felt that the emperor valued the child in Zhao Chongyi's belly, at least unlike the previous indifference to the pregnant concubines.

"It turns out that the noble Emperor's concubines have children," Park Thai Nguyen stood up and said, "Your Majesty is blessed by heaven, and we, the subjects, bow down to you."

What's there to admire about a concubine being pregnant? Zhuang Yuyan was shocked by Gao Meiguo's shameless flattery. She lowered her head to hide the twitching corners of her mouth. It was true that the meanest people were invincible.

"I do not seek the heavens and the earth for my actions, but only to have a clear conscience." Feng Jin smiled faintly, obviously not buying into this flattery, "Prince Gao Mei thinks too highly of me."

"His Majesty the Emperor is broad-minded, and it is we, the ministers, who are narrow-minded." Park Tai-Nguyen was flattering the emperor without showing any embarrassment, and continued to offer compliments.

Feng Jin raised his eyebrows, not interested in such flattery. He moved his eyes slightly and saw the expression on his beloved concubine Zhao Chongyi's face... It seemed that his beloved concubine also disdained Gao Meiguo's behavior. He curled his lips and put down his wine glass. No wonder he said such words that night. It was really interesting.

The Queen followed Feng Jin's line of sight and saw Zhao Chongyi, who was eating Laba porridge with his head bowed. The hand holding the silver spoon paused slightly, and then she withdrew her gaze with a normal expression.

"Master?" Lingsha, who was serving behind Concubine Shugui, saw that the Laba porridge in her bowl had not been touched, so she called out softly.

Concubine Shugui lowered her eyelids and looked at the sticky porridge in the bowl, seeming to have lost her appetite.

"Does Concubine Shu Gui seem to have a poor appetite today?" Concubine Xian glanced at Concubine Shu Gui and wiped the corner of her mouth. "I think this year's Laba Congee is better than in previous years."

"If Concubine Xian likes it, please use more," Concubine Shugui scooped the porridge from the bowl and replied with a smile, "My appetite is a little poor today..."

"master!"

Shuguifei's words were interrupted by a scream. She looked in the direction of the scream, but saw Zhao Chongyi lying on the table with her hands on her stomach. The snow-white fox fur on her body was dyed bright red, and the red color was particularly dazzling on the white fox fur.