Cining Palace
The Queen Mother sat at the top, and Empress Ouyang led the concubines to pay their respects to the Queen Mother. The Queen Mother raised her hand slightly, signaling everyone to stand up.
"Everyone, get up. I called you here today because I have something to tell you." The queen mother picked up the teacup and took a sip.
Empress Ouyang stood aside with her head bowed, secretly trying to guess what the Empress Dowager was thinking. Then, Concubine Shu stepped forward and said with a respectful smile, "Whatever the Empress Dowager wants you to do, just tell me."
The Queen Mother put down her teacup and said slowly, "The Emperor has been busy with state affairs lately, and you will need to take care of all matters in the harem. The Empress is in charge of the six palaces, so she should take on more responsibilities. The other palaces must also support each other."
Empress Ouyang quickly responded, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will do my utmost to manage the harem."
The Queen Mother glanced at the concubines who were all thinking about their own things:
"This state banquet is of vital importance. It concerns the friendship between our dynasty and friendly nations. You all must carefully prepare for it. Queen, the organization of this state banquet is now in your hands."
Empress Ouyang's heart tightened. This was her chance to shine, but it also brought a heavy responsibility. She quickly knelt and accepted the order, "Rest assured, Your Majesty. I will do my utmost to ensure that the state banquet is a complete success."
A hint of jealousy flashed in Concubine Yang's eyes, but she still agreed with a smile: "Sister Queen has always been capable. With her in charge, the state banquet will be a success." The other concubines also nodded in agreement.
The Queen Mother nodded in satisfaction, "Very good. All palace attire, etiquette, etc., must strive for perfection and not bring shame to our dynasty."
"Also, the Emperor told me last night that at this state banquet, neighboring nations will present princesses and beauties, and our country's dancers will be given as rewards to ministers from various nations. Empress, you must also make arrangements for the selection of these dancers."
Empress Ouyang sighed inwardly, thinking this task was becoming increasingly difficult, but she still gritted her teeth and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will carefully select the most outstanding dancer."
Concubine Shu rolled her eyes and said with a smile, "Sister Queen, you are very busy. Why don't you let me help you select dancers? I can also share some of your burdens." Empress Ouyang was alert in her heart, but smiled and said, "It's good to have my help."
Seeing this, Concubine Yang, unwilling to be outdone, said, "I am also willing to help my sister, the Queen." The other concubines also expressed their willingness to assist. The Queen Mother said with satisfaction, "That's very good. I am relieved that you sisters can have such harmony."
After everyone dispersed, Empress Ouyang returned to Kunning Palace, her brow furrowed. She knew full well that the concubines had their own agendas, and that there must have been undercurrents in the planning of the state banquet and the selection of the dancers.
She secretly made up her mind to stabilize the situation, ensure the smooth holding of the state banquet, and further consolidate her position in the harem.
After Concubine Yang returned to the palace, she saw her son, the second prince Song Chengyou, eating nuts and studying military books in the palace.
Song Chengyou longed to join the army and was extremely enthusiastic about marching and fighting. Concubine Yang gazed at her son, her heart moved, and she thought this state banquet might be an opportunity.
She moved to Song Chengyou's side and said in a deep voice, "You'er, this state banquet is of great importance. If you can make a difference and let the emperor see your talents, there may be a turning point in your joining the military camp."
Song Chengyou's eyes lit up, and he put down the military book in his hand and listened attentively to his mother's words. "Mother, do you have any good plan?"
Concubine Yang approached her son and whispered, "I'm also assisting the Empress with the dancer selection this time to demonstrate my abilities. If the state banquet is a success, the Emperor will undoubtedly be impressed by me, and it shouldn't be difficult for him to speak well of me."
"Since you've said you have no interest in the throne, I'll find an opportunity to speak to your father and help you become king soon. Go to your fiefdom. Whether you want to lead troops or live a life of luxury is entirely up to you. Your father is still young, and the princes are currently fighting endlessly for the throne. I don't want you to get involved."
Song Chengyou nodded, feeling that what his mother said was very true.
At the same time, Concubine Shu was also planning in her own palace, thinking that if she could use some tricks in selecting dancers and place her own people, she could please the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, and suppress Empress Ouyang.
Empress Ouyang also did not stop and began to carefully select available people to deal with the open and covert attacks from the concubines in the palace.
Zhenguogong Mansion
Jin Linlin fiddled with the pills in the inner room, wondering what kind of pet they could conjure up. The medicine in this mall was truly magical; it could actually create a pet.
Just as I threw the pills into the water, Qiuyu's voice rang out outside the door:
"Madam, Jialiu is here and says everything is done."
Jin Linlin glanced at the pet pills, not taking them seriously, and ran straight to the hall, where Jialiu was chatting animatedly with Chunxue.
When he saw her coming, Jialiu quickly stood up and saluted:
"Madam, I greet you."
Jin Linlin noticed that Jialiu had lost a lot of weight, was not as white and fat as before, and his skin had turned bronze. He must have been very tired in the past few months, but he looked quite energetic.
"Get up, you've worked hard these past few months, have you gained anything?"
Jia Liu straightened his back and said excitedly, "Madam, we have a great harvest. We have found more than 500 people in total, both men and women. They have all started training according to the master's instructions."
As he spoke, Jialiu pulled out a stack of documents from his pocket. Jin Linlin's eyes lit up, and she took the documents and looked at them carefully, a satisfied smile on her face.
"Well done. I'm going to start a newspaper company soon. You need to prepare the staff in advance. We need two managers and twenty literate workers. I'll tell you the details later."
Jia Liu handed them two boxes again:
"Madam, the cherries on the farm are ripe. I brought you a box, and another box contains the names and deeds of those people."
"You have made great contributions in the past few months. I will ask the butler to give you more rewards."
Jialiu quickly knelt down to express his gratitude.
At this time, a strange sound came from the inner room. Jin Linlin suddenly remembered the pet pills that were still soaking, and wanted to see what kind of magical pet she could create.
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