Seeing the Empress Dowager give Shen Yunxi so much face, the Empress Dowager was also very happy, and a smile appeared on her face as well.
"Sister, there's no need to be so polite. Today is your birthday, and I couldn't come empty-handed. Yunxi, please give the small gift I prepared to the Imperial Concubine. I hope you'll like it," the Empress Dowager said with a smile.
Shen Yunxi replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Immediately, she took out the gift prepared by the Empress Dowager from the tray in the hands of the palace maid behind her. It was a jade ornament, completely free of impurities, with floating blue orchid patterns, carved into a Guanyin statue.
It must be said that the Empress Dowager also paid a price; this ornament is quite valuable.
The Empress Dowager's smile widened. "I'm a little embarrassed that my elder sister has given me such a valuable gift."
The Empress Dowager said she was embarrassed, but her eyes didn't lie; she liked it very much, and there was a hint of superiority in her eyes.
Indeed, as the Imperial Concubine Dowager, she actually received more respect from the Emperor than the Empress Dowager; she certainly had the advantage.
Shen Yunxi kept her eyes down, listening silently to the Empress Dowager and the Dowager exchanging pleasantries. She understood that the Empress Dowager's words to the Empress Dowager were just for show, and that everything was for Junxuan's sake. She didn't really care about her younger sister in the harem, and the two of them had some conflicts when they were young.
However, the Empress Dowager's situation is different. She has no ambition now and only hopes to be healthy and enjoy her old age. She doesn't need to sacrifice anything for her maternal family.
The Empress Dowager had no children, but this was something she and the late Emperor had agreed upon long ago.
The late emperor granted her the title of empress and bestowed upon her lifelong favor, but she was not allowed to have her own children. The empress dowager did not care, as she would not have to suffer if she did not have children.
At that time, the Empress Dowager was still unmarried and was being pressured by her family to the point of desperation. She even considered ending her life. Just then, the late Emperor proposed this agreement, which she naturally agreed to.
As for the Empress Dowager, she had a son and a daughter, but unfortunately her son was framed and killed, and her daughter had already married.
As they spoke, the Imperial Concubine led Shen Yunxi and the Empress Dowager inside. Several people were already seated in the Zhao'an Hall, including several imperial concubines who had been on good terms with the Imperial Concubine, her younger sister Lu Wanqing, and her mother.
That said, I haven't seen Lu Wanqing yet; he's probably busy preparing his own plans.
The arrival of the Empress Dowager naturally caused everyone who was seated to stand up and bow to her.
"Please don't stand on ceremony, everyone. Today is the Empress Dowager's birthday, so please don't mind me," the Empress Dowager said with a smile.
It must be said that the Empress Dowager gave the Imperial Concubine a lot of face. Even if Junxuan were there, he wouldn't be able to find any fault with her.
They had all known each other for many years and were generally familiar with the Empress Dowager's temperament. They knew she was telling the truth, so they didn't go too far and didn't fawn over her.
Shen Yunxi followed the Empress Dowager, occasionally exchanging a few words with the imperial concubines in the palace.
Somehow, the conversation turned to the hot springs we went to Yanshan last month. Several imperial concubines happened to be there with us and naturally knew some of the details.
"So, we old women still have to be careful when we leave the palace. Otherwise, if we're not careful, we might be assassinated like Yan Shantang was that day, which would be terrible." Consort Qi said helplessly. "Speaking of which, I was thinking of going to the imperial palace to pick lotus seeds, but I don't dare to go now, for fear of being assassinated."
The Empress Dowager chuckled, "I didn't go that day because I caught a cold, which was a bit of a disappointment, but it turned out to be lucky. However, those assassins were quite bold, actually attacking His Majesty at Yanshan Tang. Fortunately, His Majesty was not injured. When I heard about it later, I felt a chill in my heart."
Shen Yunxi's heart stirred slightly. Logically speaking, the Imperial Concubine should not be absent from such an occasion, especially since the Empress Dowager was there, she should also be there.
It was rather strange that he claimed to be sick at the time, saying he had caught a cold and didn't go to the hospital.
The Empress Dowager was unwilling to let the Empress Dowager enjoy it alone. Given her personality, she would go back even if she caught a cold, not to mention that soaking in hot springs would help her recover from a cold as quickly as possible.
In this light, the Empress Dowager's actions seem rather strange. Could she possibly have known in advance that she would encounter assassins at Yanshantang?
The moment this thought crossed Shen Yunxi's mind, she broke out in a cold sweat, realizing she was overthinking things.
Impossible. There's no way the Empress Dowager could be involved with the assassin. She's just a woman in the harem, and even if she's respected by Junxuan, she wouldn't have that kind of ability.
As Shen Yunxi pondered, a high-pitched, shrill voice came from outside the hall.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
The group bowed to Junxuan one after another, and Junxuan casually said that there was no need for formalities. Lu Wanqing followed behind him, looking like a little bird clinging to a tree.
Shen Yunxi lowered her head, her gaze fixed on her toes, and did not look at Jun Xuan.
Little did anyone know that the moment Jun Xuan entered the hall, his gaze fell upon Shen Yunxi, though he did so subtly that no one noticed.
"Today is the Empress Dowager's birthday. I have prepared a birthday gift, which Defu will send to the Empress Dowager's private treasury later. I will not take it out myself," Junxuan said.
Needless to say, it must be something precious, even surpassing the gifts for the Empress Dowager's birthday, which is why it's not appropriate to bring it out.
Everyone present understood, but no one dared to expose it, as no one wanted to offend anyone.
The people attending the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet today are exactly the same as in her previous life, the only difference being that Shen Yunxi's identity has changed.
At that time, Shen Yunxi participated as Consort De, but she had never been favored by Jun Xuan. There was no shortage of people in the harem who treated others differently based on their status, so she did not receive any kind treatment. Everyone seemed to be intentionally or unintentionally avoiding her, making her feel out of place.
Now that I think about it carefully, maybe it was Junxuan's doing. He brought her to this banquet to tell her that even if she became Consort De, she wouldn't have his favor. Shen Yunxi was nothing and wouldn't be valued at all. No one would care about this Consort De.
At that time, the Empress Dowager spoke up for her quite a bit, and Shen Yunxi thought it was really for her sake, but later she realized that it only made people hate her more.
When taking their seats, Shen Yunxi was naturally different from her previous life. In her previous life, as Consort De and Junxuan's first concubine, she naturally sat with Junxuan.
Since she is still unmarried and her status is still that of a young lady from the Shen family, and she is also someone brought by the Empress Dowager, she naturally sits with the Empress Dowager.
Jun Xuan glanced at Shen Yunxi indifferently before looking away. He gave up the main seat and sat in the secondary seat, which was obviously intentional, to give face to the Empress Dowager and sit in the main seat.
After the Empress Dowager and Junxuan took their seats, the Empress Dowager sat on the other side of the Empress Dowager. Given her status, it was impossible for her to sit at the next table.
"Yunxi, sit down too."
The Empress Dowager spoke softly, but her gaze swept indifferently over the seat next to Junxuan.
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