Chapter 118 Birthday
Everyone present knew that the Empress favored Qin Jinzhi.
At this time, if Qin Jinzhi could say a few good words for someone, then the responsibility of organizing the birthday celebration would naturally fall to that person.
Consort De used serving chopsticks to serve food to Qin Jinzhi, and then said with a smile, "Next month is the Empress's birthday. I was thinking of preparing a celebration for the Empress, but I didn't expect that my three younger sisters would have the same idea. So, we're letting Your Highness make the decision."
Consort Xian placed a plate of candied lotus root in front of Qin Jinzhi. "Princess, I heard you like sweets. This candied lotus root is very well made. Please try it."
She then spoke casually, saying, "I thought that Consort De was already too tired from managing the six palaces every day, so I thought of sharing her burden. Besides, it is the Empress's birthday, and I also want to do my part."
Consort Shu did not speak. Of all the concubines in the palace, Qin Jinzhi disliked the most. One was Shen Mingtang, and the other was Consort Shu. When the Empress was critically ill, the Du family forced the Emperor to bring Consort Shu into the palace.
Her intentions were obvious. If the Empress were to pass away, Consort Shu's position would rise significantly.
The imperial edict for the selection of concubines issued by the Empress on her sickbed effectively shattered the Du family's initial plan.
After all, no one expected that such a strong-willed woman would make such a decision herself.
Therefore, even though Consort Shu never provoked the Empress, Qin Jinzhi still disliked her.
If it weren't for the Du family, the Empress Dowager's health would not have deteriorated to such a severe degree.
When Qin Jinzhi was a child, she released snakes into Shen Mingtang's Weiyang Palace. It is certain that Consort Shu's Tangli Palace will also appear out of thin air.
It was something that came easily to me.
When Shen Mingtang saw Qin Jinzhi's gaze fall on her, she also smiled.
Before she could speak, Qin Jinzhi turned her head away.
"Preparing for a birthday celebration is not the business of the four consorts, so what is Consort Shen doing here?"
Qin Jinzhi's words almost made Shen Mingtang break his chopsticks.
Shen Mingtang, looking aggrieved, tugged at the emperor's sleeve. "Your Majesty, look at the princess."
The Emperor patted her hand. “Jinzhi is right. You have not yet been restored to your rank. If I let you handle things, the court officials will definitely feel that I am neglecting the Empress.”
Shen Mingtang gritted her teeth. This Qin Jinzhi ruined her plans as soon as she arrived!
Qin Jinzhi picked up a piece of candied lotus root, then immediately spat it out.
"It's too sweet, it doesn't taste good."
Consort Xian never expected that Qin Jinzhi would be so ill-mannered!
Not only did they behave poorly at the table, they also showed her absolutely no respect!
The Empress simply chuckled and said, "They've grown up and started to be picky. Someone, take this candied lotus root away."
The emperor looked at the candied lotus root, but he hadn't eaten a single piece!
Qin Jinzhi clicked her tongue at the emperor, "The imperial physician forbids you from eating sweets, so have some vegetables instead."
As she spoke, she placed a large chopstick of green vegetables on the emperor's plate.
This dish is really bad!
All green!
Qin Jinzhi suddenly looked at Consort De and asked, "Is Consort De too tired from managing the six palaces?"
Before Consort De could speak, Qin Jinzhi looked at the Empress again and said, "Since Consort De is tired, let's replace her with someone else. If Consort De gets sick from overwork, people will say that you are exploiting your concubines."
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the four people present changed.
Consort De quickly replied, "Your Majesty, it is my honor to assist in managing the six palaces. How could I feel tired? Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness."
That one sentence almost took away her power as the assistant in charge of the six palaces!
Qin Jinzhi raised her chin and pointed at Consort Xian, "Didn't Consort Xian just say that you're tired from managing the six palaces? If you're tired, why don't you hand over the power of managing the six palaces to her? I think Consort Xian would be happy to help you share the burden."
Consort Xian's expression changed. Wasn't Qin Jinzhi's statement implying that she wanted the power to assist in managing the six palaces?
Everyone in the palace wants this, but wanting it is one thing, but bringing it out into the open is another.
Consort Xian quickly said, "Your Highness has misunderstood. I only wanted to show my sisterly affection and had no other improper intentions."
The Emperor spoke up at the opportune moment: "Stop teasing the Consorts, you little rascal. All four of my beloved consorts are understanding and considerate of the Empress's hard work; they all have good intentions."
Qin Jinzhi turned around and suddenly smiled broadly.
The emperor was greatly alarmed. Oh no, who knows what this scoundrel is up to now!
Qin Jinzhi blinked and asked, "Grandfather, how about this: of your four beloved concubines, which one do you love the most? Let her host Grandmother's birthday celebration."
The emperor immediately began searching the room for a suitable weapon.
If you don't discipline them for three days, they'll be climbing on the roof and tearing off the tiles!
The four concubines all looked at the emperor.
The fact that the Empress did not speak meant that Qin Jinzhi's words could indeed make decisions on behalf of the Empress.
Moreover, they also wanted to know who held a higher position in the emperor's heart!
Qin Jinzhi looked at the Empress with schadenfreude, "Grandmother, I want more rice."
The Empress smiled and said to Feiyan, "Add more rice to your princess's plate."
The emperor was so angry he was about to ascend to heaven, while she stood beside him, showing off a bowl of rice.
The atmosphere became somewhat awkward for a moment.
Qin Jinzhi chuckled, "What are you ladies thinking? Of course, my grandfather loves my grandmother the most."
The four were taken aback, then their expressions darkened slightly.
That little rascal is playing them for fools!
The emperor immediately breathed a sigh of relief and glared at Qin Jinzhi.
Next time, let him say less of those offensive things!
No one touched their chopsticks at the table except Qin Jinzhi, who ate with relish.
The Empress would add food to her plate from time to time.
Qin Jinzhi looked up and watched the four people swallow the food in their mouths.
"I was just joking with the ladies, I hope you won't take it to heart by taking it to heart by Jinzhi."
Consort De gave a fake smile, "Princess, you are overthinking it. You have been raised by His Majesty and the Empress since you were a child. You are no different from our royal princesses. We are all family members. It's harmless to make a joke."
There's no difference, but there is a distinction. They were raised under the emperor and empress's care, but they weren't true members of the royal family.
Consort De wanted Qin Jinzhi to remember her identity.
But how could a spoiled brat understand such profound words?
Qin Jinzhi's smile widened. "It's good that Consort De isn't angry. Indeed, the older one gets, the more open-minded one becomes."
The smile on Consort De's face vanished; her beauty faded and her favor waned.
This is the biggest taboo in the imperial harem.
They were no longer young. How much of His Majesty's favor was truly for them, and how much was for the sake of their families? This fig leaf of vanity was mercilessly trampled underfoot by Qin Jinzhi.
But Qin Jinzhi didn't hold back at all. "Grandmother, the ladies are all getting old, and their birthday celebrations are all the same old thing. This is the first time in so many years that you've held such a grand birthday celebration. Why don't you try something new?"
The Empress smiled and asked, "You clever little devil, tell me what kind of wicked ideas you have."
Qin Jinzhi raised an eyebrow. "Why don't you let your daughters-in-law handle the arrangements as well?"
Everyone present had a son, except for Xiao Chuan, the son of Shen Mingtang, who was already married.
Since the princes have already set up a stage in the capital.
The princes' wives would naturally have to participate as well!
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