Lin Wan apologized to the Empress and concubines, "I'm so sorry, I overslept and missed the tea party, please forgive me."

  The queen's mood at this time was quite good. Although that key chess piece allowed Lin to take advantage of her, she wouldn't go against Lin - after all, the emperor had promoted Bai as a concubine and summoned the six palaces to say that the queen's advice had merit, giving her great face, and this return was already very rich, it's best not to hope for more from that terrifying and ruthless emperor. As for Lin... she would be keeping an eye on her in the future, but there was no need to oppose her, who knows when she might still be useful to herself.

  The Empress smiled and said, "Why would I blame you? I just suddenly wanted everyone to gather together and have some fun, but I forgot that young girls like you tend to sleep in. It's nothing, just go to bed a bit earlier at night and take a nap in the afternoon from now on." She then ordered someone to bring her a seat.

  After Lin Wanxie thanked and sat down, a concubine beside her covered her mouth and chuckled, saying in a clear and cold tone: "Hui Guigong serves the emperor day and night, working hard and tired, it's not something we can compare to. Getting up late is nothing, what do you think, Hui Guigong?"

  Then someone heavily "hmm"ed again, and the atmosphere in the great hall suddenly became somewhat chilly.

  Those who can follow the emperor in the palace are all favored concubines in the palace, and everyone has a certain status. When it comes to speaking, they are even more unceremonious. The first concubine to speak was Feng Zhuangji, who lived in the same palace as Xiangfei, with an ordinary appearance and family background, but she had won over Xiangfei and dared to say a word or two in the empress's palace.

  Lin Yin didn't put her in her eyes at all, and she didn't want to respond to what she said. She just smiled and said to Liu Jieyu beside her: "The queen's palace really has some good things, even the bowls used for pouring tea are nine-curve ten-ring one-hundred-twenty-section carved bamboo root basins, which I think is more elegant than those gold and jade ones." This was a sincere remark, not flattery to the queen. Lin Yin remembered that when she read "Dream of Red Mansions" before, she saw the part where Miao Yu tasted tea with Bao Yu, and the teacup used by Miao Yu was made of bamboo root. At that time, she felt that this kind of thing was a noble and elegant style, completely different from those who use golden cups. It seemed that Queen Hui came from the Xiao family, a large clan, and her knowledge and learning since childhood were all top-notch. The tea party was arranged in a way that made people appreciate every detail.

  Lin Wan finished speaking and took another sip of tea, savoring it slowly, her expression relaxed, thoroughly enjoying herself. Feng Zhuangji spoke the first sentence but didn't get a response from start to finish, being treated like air was truly humiliating, she looked at Lin Wan's closed eyes as she savored the tea and opened her mouth to say: "You..."

  Fortunately, she realized in time that Lin Yuanchu had sealed Gu Ji, and her status was barely above hers. She immediately blushed again and endured it.

  Feng Zhuangji's improper behavior did not attract ridicule from others, and everyone's eyes were still fixed on Lin Yuan. In recent days, everyone has come to realize that the exclusive favoritism of the Chu sisters is a thing of the past, and now Hui Guizi is unstoppable.

  At this time, Yun Xiurong pinched the green jade finger of Dou's hand, which had already turned slightly pale. Tian Shu Ji lowered her head to taste tea. The several concubines facing them were glancing at the sisters while whispering to each other, and even Lin Yuan, who was far away, could vaguely hear the mocking tone. Lin Yuan smiled coldly, now the Chu family sisters are quite worried, today the many concubines are not only jealous of themselves but also ridicule the sisters in every way, to avenge their past favoritism.

  Originally, Chu Huaxin had a great future ahead of her, but now she has only been granted the title of Xiū Róng due to her father's merits. Lin Yuannu thought about this position and felt that Tuoba Hong was indeed a stingy person. Because he was angry with Chu Huaxin, even if he had to promote her, he would only give her a second-rate position. This Xiū Róng Niángniáng might not be aware of it herself, but Lin Yuannu thought it through clearly for her - in the future, it would be as difficult as ascending to heaven for her to get promoted again.

  It's all about fighting for favor and causing trouble.

  At this thought, Lin Yan secretly pondered that if she were to be favored again tonight, she would definitely decline. This kind of thing was really not good to do. In fact, Tuoba Hong did not have the intention of favoring only one person, but Chu Huaxin had taken advantage of the situation and monopolized him, fearing that the emperor would be snatched away and she would suffer a loss. If Chu Huaxin had some deep thoughts and made a detailed plan to "stand out", then perhaps she could really become a concubine by taking advantage of the opportunity given by the emperor.

  Favoritism is fine, but blocking others' way for a whole month is a bit too much. Ah, you're talking about Xiang Fei? Remember that she's an anomaly.

  Everyone was holding their tea bowls and tasting the tea, but the expressions on their faces were not simple. Some people didn't want to let Yunxiu Rong go, while others wanted to take advantage of Lin Yuen's low status to suppress her early on. Liu Jieyu, who had been spoken to by Lin Yuen, knew that Feng Zhuangji was a power of Xiangfei and did not dare to come forward, so she just politely replied to Lin Yuen with a sentence "Hui Guixiu is right".

  But Lin Wan didn't worry that Liu Jieyu wouldn't help her, as today there was a super peacemaker present.

  As expected, the gentle and warm Empress smiled and began to speak: "Hui Guifei has been staring at the cup for so long, if you drink this tea, you will surely praise it to the heavens. Liu'an tea is most particular about timing, too much rainwater makes the fragrance scattered, not enough rainwater makes the taste bitter, but the one in the Empress Dowager's palace is just right." She skillfully shifted the topic to the tea.

  The queen listened and replied, "Shen's tongue is indeed nimble. She says that Liu'an tea is a seasonal choice, but for ordinary people, it's just about the same, with a bitterness that's only slightly less than bitter melon, which overpowers the other sweet flavors and makes them hard to discern." She smiled again: "Whoever likes what kind of tea can order their own, some people can't even drink Liu'an tea, while those floral teas are clear and sweet. I've prepared thirty-six famous teas for you all to choose from today."

  This remark made outsiders think that the Empress and Rong Fei got along well, as if the ice block incident was not done by Rong Fei.

  The queen's words made all the concubines laugh, some thanked her for her kindness, while others said: "Your Majesty is really extraordinary here, we are lucky to have a good mouth today!" Some, like Bai Rongji and the queen who got along well, smiled and said: "Later, let's each ask Your Majesty for a tray of tea to take back!" The queen personally came to mediate, and no one dared to entangle with Lin Yu, Yun Xiurong and others anymore.

  The gentle wife's face was full of smiles, but her heart was anxious, especially when she looked at the Empress's comfortable and joyful face, she felt like she was going to be suffocated. She had to maintain her usual gentle image. At first, for those dozens of carts of ice, she had made a great effort. The things in the palace were not easy to steal, and she had arranged for someone to pretend to be an inner monitor from the Shang Gong Bureau to receive the ice blocks, and then ran twenty miles to dump them into the Huai River. She understood the Emperor's dislike and fear of the Empress, as long as this dislike was gradually expanded, the Empress would eventually be abandoned. But someone had brought up the matter of the Chu family sisters...

  The Chu sisters' arrogant and spoiled behavior has caused resentment throughout the palace, and Shen Yunrong understands that someone is trying to take advantage of the situation to frame them. If both parties were understanding, this would be a harmonious arrangement. Shen Yunrong immediately instructed several concubines to stir up trouble and put pressure on the Empress. However, unexpectedly, Xiao Yuezhao presented an opportunity for promotion to the Emperor, neatly resolving the Chu sisters' issue and earning the Emperor's praise. Seeing Bai Liangyi suddenly become Bai Rongji, although not as eye-catching as Hui Guifei, Shen Yunrong understands that this is the Emperor showing favor to the Empress.

  Shen Yunrong thought of this and her anger rose, she even suspected that the news of Chu's sisters taking ice blocks was intentionally released by the Empress, just to lure herself into danger and then turn disaster into opportunity!

  Xiao Yuezhao ultimately lost only one million taels of silver, but the deployment she made for stealing ice blocks also cost a lot. This is... Shen Yunrong almost couldn't hold back her anger and had to keep drinking the Liu'an tea in her hand to calm down, finally getting her tongue numb from the bitterness. The empress dowager was still smiling at her and said: "Consort Rong likes Liu'an tea so much, when you go back later, be sure to bring two or three kilograms, the tea gardens in Lingnan are having a good harvest, and the best Liu'an tea is not scarce..."

  Shen Yunrong almost choked to death after taking a sip of tea, pinched her neck and forced herself to swallow, only then managing to squeeze out a smile: "Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty the Empress..."

  At this moment, Xiang Fei, who had been quietly tasting tea from head to toe without saying a word, slowly opened her mouth: "Let's not mention that Lin Shi is late, haven't you seen that there are two people missing on this seat?"

  Everyone was stunned, and only then did they realize that there were indeed fewer people in the grand hall. Today, all the concubines in the palace came to taste tea, with many people and complex relationships, everyone had their own concerns, so no one noticed those two inconspicuous people. The empress calmly said: "I don't know what Concubine Lazhen and Noble Consort Su are doing, I've already sent someone to urge them, they'll probably arrive soon..."

  The queen's words had just finished, and a small eunuch rushed in from outside the palace and said: "I beg to report to Your Majesty the Queen, that Concubine Lao and Noble Lady Su have fallen into the water at the lotus pond of Bibo Pool!"

  "The queen hastily asked: 'How are they now? Is there any great harm? Has the imperial physician been summoned?' Her eyes were full of urgent concern."

  The eunuchs who had been sent to inquire about the situation one by one reported back: "Imperial Concubine Su is fine, but Imperial Consort Liang fell into a deep part of the water and swallowed several mouthfuls. When she was rescued, she had already fainted. However, after being treated by the imperial physician, it was said that her condition was not severe, and Imperial Consort Liang has since come to again. She seems to be all right."

  "This is good, this is good." The queen said repeatedly. The consorts on the side had a worried look on their faces, but in their hearts they were full of disdain - Zhen consort and Su Gui Ren had fallen into the lotus pond early in the morning, what else could it be because of? Learning from others to curry favor didn't get any benefits, and instead ended up falling into the water in a sorry state.

  The Empress naturally knew what was going on and didn't say anything. The gentle concubine, who usually cared about others, had a trembling hand as she held the tea, and didn't speak much either. The Empress said to her: "Consort Li and Noble Lady Su are both in your palace, you must take good care of them when you return."

  Rou Fei hastily agreed and stood up, adjusting her clothes as she said: "I'm still worried about them in my heart, I'd better take my leave first."

  "It's all right." The queen nodded and said, "Fortunately, neither of them was hurt. Don't forget to remind them to be more careful when they go out in the future, and don't let them go to the lotus pond again."

  "Yes." The gentle concubine lowered her head and backed down, stumbling slightly as she walked out of the palace gate, as if she had been tripped by the threshold. Only after leaving the grand hall did she raise her head, her face already filled with resentment.