"Why do you say that, Su Xiuyi?" Zhuang Yuyan looked at Su Xiuyi with a smile.

Su Xiuyi looked at those eyes, not knowing if it was her illusion, but under the reflection of the fireworks, there was an indescribable irony in those eyes.

The other concubines looked at the two of them cooperatively. No matter who was unlucky, it would not be bad for them.

"I just asked a question because I saw Zhao Xiuyi was not in the mood to eat," Su Xiuyi put down the silver chopsticks in her hand and ignored the sarcasm in Zhuang Yuyan's eyes, "Could it be that I saw it wrong?"

"Thank you for your concern, sister. I just have no appetite," Zhuang Yuyan replied indifferently, and turned to look at the emperor and the empress, and saw that they were also looking in this direction.

Feng Jin and Zhuang Yuyan looked into each other's eyes. He saw the indescribable loneliness hidden in those calm eyes. He retracted his gaze and slowly said, "Zhao Xiuyi is weak and must have a poor appetite. Bring this plate of pheasant silk bird's nest to Zhao Chongyi. It's good for the stomach."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your gift." Zhuang Yuyan stood up to express her gratitude.

Concubine Rou laughed sarcastically. Su Xiuyi really overestimated her own abilities. Zhuang Yuyan was in the limelight at the moment. She wanted to play tricks on such a small matter, but it would only embarrass herself. She glanced at Concubine Shugui, who had a calm expression. These two really didn't look like cousins. No wonder they were in different statuses.

Pheasant and bird's nest soup was simmered over low heat and was extremely troublesome to make. Zhuang Luoyan took a sip with a silver spoon and it was indeed delicious. If she remembered correctly, this was a very famous soup in the Manchu-Han banquet.

Seeing that Zhuang Yuyan seemed to like the soup, Feng Jian smiled and turned to the empress and said, "I knew she was a foodie. Now that she has delicious food, her appetite has improved."

The Queen smiled and said, "Zhao Xiuyi is good at food, no wonder the Emperor specially gave her a small kitchen and a gourmet nanny."

Feng Jin smiled and nodded, "She loves to eat, and I can't do anything about it. I can't just let her do whatever she wants. I'll just send a gourmet nanny to let her torment me, and I'll feel at ease."

The person who said this may have ulterior motives, but the listener must have been shocked. Was the emperor's words a clear expression of his dissatisfaction with Zhao Xiuyi's diet, and also a warning to her not to do anything?

It was like this with Concubine Shu Gui back then, and it is also like this with Concubine Zhao Xiuyi now. Does the emperor really favor women from small families so much? Concubine Shu Gui is beautiful and good at dancing, which is a plus, but what about Zhuang Yuyan?

"It's not that the emperor has no choice, he just can't bear to let her go," the queen continued with a smile, "I also like Zhao Xiuyi's personality, no wonder the emperor prefers her."

Feng Jin took a sip of wine, looked at Zhuang Yuyan who was drinking soup, and said with a smile: "Yes, I can't bear to criticize people with this kind of temper."

The queen tightened her grip on the chopsticks, but the smile on her face remained unchanged.

"But her temperament is still a little childish," the emperor put down his wine glass, "Shuguifei is the one that suits my taste the most. Her virtue, beauty and good husbandry are rare in the harem."

I'm afraid that Concubine Shugui is not good in any way. The empress's knuckles turned slightly white as she gripped the chopsticks. If Zhuang Yuyan displeased her, then Concubine Shugui would be her greatest hatred. Unfortunately, no matter how many new women came to the harem, the emperor still favored Concubine Shugui the most.

Concubine Rou, Concubine Yan, Concubine Zhao Xiuyi, and Ye Ronghua were all women whom the emperor had favored or was currently favoring, but compared to Concubine Shu Gui, they were nothing.

"It is certainly rare to be a noble concubine." The Queen replied dryly, and then looked at the artists performing acrobatics on the stage. It seemed that the performances of the artists on the stage were extremely interesting, and she couldn't help but indulge in them.

Concubine Shu Gui, who was eating with her head down beside her, had a slight smile on her face, with an indescribable sweetness in her expression.

After the porridge and fruit plates were served, the food bureau removed the dishes and the rest of the party enjoyed tea, snacks and watched singing and dancing until the new year arrived after midnight, when the emperor issued some decrees of rewards.

Holding Mrs. Tang's arm, I lazily watched the national performance, and then watched the emperor reward certain useful ministers with blessing dishes and the word "blessing", and then reward members of the royal family, which was quite like giving out red envelopes during the Chinese New Year.

"The emperor has issued an order. I have been on the throne for many years. I have beautiful concubines in the harem. I should confer titles on all my concubines."

"Concubine Xian became Concubine Xian, Concubine Jiang became Concubine Gui, Concubine Zhao Xiu became Concubine Xianrong, Concubine Ye Ronghua became Concubine De, Concubine Kong became Wanyi..."

As the names were read out one by one, some people were happy, some were lonely, and the most embarrassed was Concubine Yan.

The list of promotions was not confidential, so the Palace Department had already received the news, and everyone knew exactly who would be promoted to the harem. However, there was no news about Concubine Yan, who was originally going to be promoted. Everyone thought it was a joke.

Zhuang Yuyan was also a little surprised. In the list she had seen, Concubine Yan was supposed to be promoted to Chongyi. How come her name was not on the list now? It seemed that Concubine Yan's name was erased later. What did she do to offend the emperor?

"This decree should have been announced after the New Year, but I am in a good mood today, so I will announce it all at once. The Ministry of Rites and the Palace Department will prepare the specific matters, and the Qintianjian will choose a good day to hold the ceremony of promotion and enthronement." Feng Jian stood up and raised his head slightly. Everyone knelt down and shouted long live the emperor three times.

Then there were fireworks all over the sky, almost lighting up the entire capital city red.

Zhuang Weiyan knelt on the ground and secretly looked up at the emperor who was standing proudly. She instantly felt that his figure had become taller. He really was... a domineering, strong and tough monster who was difficult to defeat.

The lively dinner finally came to an end, and everyone left one after another. The only thing that continued was the fireworks in the sky. Zhuang Luoyan sat on the slightly swaying sedan chair, looking at the fireworks flashing in the sky, and suddenly something cold fell on her face.

"Your Majesty, it's snowing." Yun Xi looked up at the sky and said to the eunuchs carrying the sedan chair, "Be careful."

Now that Zhuang Yuyan has become a second-rank lady, she can address herself as "this palace" to those below her, and the servants must also call her "Madam," instead of "Master," which anyone of a certain rank can call her.

"Well, the snow this year is pretty good, and I think the harvest next year will be very good." Zhuang Yuyan blinked, and the snowflakes that fell into her eyes melted and felt a little cool.

"Your Highness also knows this?" Tingzhu said with a smile, "There is a saying in my hometown: If you cover yourself with three layers of wheat quilt, you will sleep on steamed buns next year."

Zhuang Yuyan smiled when she heard this. This sentence was a folk proverb in her elementary school textbook. Hearing it now, she really felt like she was traveling through time.

She couldn't help but look up again. In the dark sky, the fireworks were indescribably beautiful and eye-catching. She sighed deeply. A year had passed just like that.

On the first day of the first lunar month, the ladies of honor came to pay homage to the emperor, and the emperor stayed in the empress's Jingyang Palace.

On the second day of the first lunar month, the emperor stayed in a side hall of Linyuexuan, and Zhen Cairen, who had just been taken into the harem, became his favorite.

On the third day of the first lunar month, the emperor rewarded Concubine Zhen with many precious ornaments and jewels, and reprimanded Concubine Yan who had deliberately made things difficult for Concubine Zhen. For a time, Concubine Zhen became very popular in the harem.

"The snow has finally stopped," Zhuang Yuyan held Tingzhu's hand and walked slowly on the cleaned bluestone pavement. Many flowers in the Yu Garden had disappeared, but fortunately there were still some evergreen branches that added a bit of green to the Yu Garden.

"Luo'er, this garden is so beautiful. I wonder how beautiful it will be when the flowers bloom in a few months," a clear voice rang out behind the flowers, with a hint of pride in the tone.

"Master, there are few flowers in winter. They are beautiful at other times."

Zhuang Yuyan raised her eyebrows. Seeing this, Tingzhu beside her asked softly, "Who's there?"

After waiting for a while, a woman in red came out. She looked particularly bright in the snowy winter day.

"I have seen your virtuous face." The woman in red saw Zhuang Yuyan clearly and hurriedly knelt down to greet her. The red dress was eye-catching no matter how she looked at it.

Zhuang Luyan took a closer look before recognizing that this was the dancer who was named Zhencairen at the New Year's Eve banquet. Her name seemed to be Emei?

"Please stand up, Miss Zhen," Zhuang Yuyan raised her hand slightly and looked around, "It's so cold, and you're still out strolling in the garden."

Ting Zhu was somewhat dissatisfied. Why did this talented lady Zhen name the maids around her? Why did the names conflict with the names of her own queen?

"The room was boring, so I went out for a walk. I didn't expect to meet the queen," Zhen Cairen answered carefully, "Is the queen here to enjoy the scenery as well?"

A talented person shouldn't ask about the whereabouts of high-ranking concubines. Zhuang Yuyan didn't blame her for this and replied calmly: "Empress Ning invited me to have tea, and I have been bored for a long time, so I wanted to walk there, but I don't know how to enjoy the scenery."

Zhen Cairen suddenly realized, "So that's how it is. I didn't receive an invitation, so I didn't know about it."

Zhuang Yuyan smiled and did not answer.

After Zhuang Yuyan and his group walked away, Zhen Cairen said with some envy: "I wonder when I can be as noble as this?"

Luo Er carefully looked at the backs of Zhao Xianrong and his group, "I heard that Zhao Xianrong is one of the most favored queens in the harem."

After hearing this, Zhen Cairen's eyes became even more enthusiastic.

"That talented lady Zhen really has no rules," Tingzhu frowned slightly, "There is no place in the harem for a little lady like her to yell and make noises."

"What does she have to do with us?" Zhuang Luoyan smiled and looked back. The red dress was still bright as fire in the snow. "If I don't care about it today, she will make a bigger mistake tomorrow. Who knows what will happen one day?"

If it were anyone else today, it would not be excessive for this noble person to be caned, but she did not want to be the first to do so. At least she did not know how new the emperor was to this noble person, so she did not want to cause trouble.

She was not Concubine Yan, who was extremely confident in herself and even forgot that the most powerful person in the harem was the emperor.

"Hmph, you are indeed a lowly person. You don't even know the basic etiquette. You even dare to call the palace maid beside you Luo'er. You are really brave!" Ting Zhu snorted coldly.

Zhuang Luyan smiled softly after hearing this. She wondered how long this talented person could remain so proud.