"The virtuous imperial concubines sister said," The empress glanced down below and saw that the host had yet to arrive, somewhat displeased.

  Huì zhú hastily leaned in close to the empresss ear and whispered a few sentences. The empresss face suddenly turned even colder.

  Downstairs, the people were chatting politely with each other. Those concubines who had not seen the emperors face for a long time were all secretly looking forward to it. The empress obviously did not put Su Jing in her eyes, so they had an opportunity.

  "The Emperor has arrived, Su Gui Ren is here."

  "The concubines pay their respects to Your Majesty."

  "Get up," Zong Zhengjin walked over and sat down at the head of the table.

  Su Jingxi also exchanged greetings with the various people present, and was just about to sit down when she heard, "Today is Su Guirens birthday, so come sit beside me."

  Everyone was stunned, the emperor not only came in person today, but also asked someone to sit beside him. Although it was just setting up a small desk behind the emperor, which was even farther back than the empress, this was already an extraordinary honor.

  Looking at the host today, a shallow blue cheongsam with a long skirt that trails on the ground, a pink bamboo-patterned pouch is tied around her waist, and only a few pink pearls are dotted between her temples, and a blue jade butterfly-shaped hairpin, cherry lips painted red, eyes like rippling water, and surprisingly, no powder or rouge is applied to her face.

  Simple yet elegant, plain yet beautiful, among these various concubines with either heavy or light makeup, she can instantly capture peoples attention, a bright moon standing out from the stars.

  And the emperor beside her was only wearing a simple moon-white embroidered golden dragon robe, the two people sitting together were a perfect match, and at first glance, the empress immediately took a back seat.

  Shu Gui Fei only thought of the phrase "Jin Tong Yu Nu", and her heart felt a little sour, "Su Mei Mei is indeed a beauty, even without dressing up, she makes me feel inferior."

  Su Jing heard the words and turned her head to look at her, Shu Guifei was still wearing the plain-colored clothes she had worn before, but this autumn-colored ruyi-patterned shirt was unexpectedly worn by her with a few points of elegance. If it were someone else, Su Jing might have thought it was sarcasm or something else, but for Shu Guifei, she was willing to believe in the sincerity in her eyes.

  Just as she was about to speak, Zong Zhengjin turned around and looked her up and down, smiling and saying, "I dont need you to say it, I also think that Huier is indeed a beauty."

  This sentence made the people below change color, even if the palace was no longer short of beauties, but being able to be praised by the emperor in person meant that they had some status in the emperors heart.

  "Yes, seeing Su sister, I think of Li sister, she is also a beauty," Shu Fei never hid her thoughts, the jealousy on her face was evident.

  Shu Fei was actually quite beautiful, but the long-term sharpness and acidity had made her eyes dull, and her facial features had also changed. She spoke directly and frankly, without hiding anything. Su Jing thought to herself that Zhong Zhengjin must have doted on her for a period of time in the past.

  "The queen took over, Yes, Your Majesty, Li Mei has been confined for a long time and must have known her mistake. How about..."

  Zong Zhengjins expression remained unchanged, his tone calm, "As for matters of the harem, it is up to the Empress herself."

  This sentence also made others who thought the empress would lose favor wonder, is this acknowledging the empresss status and showing respect to the empress?

  It seems many plans need to change and be re-planned...

  The queens heart was delighted, and a smile also appeared in her eyes. The emperor was not entirely strict with her either, and there were still some feelings between them, so she cooperated even more enthusiastically to say a few words.

  The dishes were served, and Zong Zhengjin pointed at the Pipa shrimp in front of him, "This dish is for Su Gui Ren."

  Su Shunan immediately took away the dishes.

  Su Jingxi put down the chopsticks in her hand and was about to get up to thank him, but Zong Zhengjin hurriedly waved his hand. "No need to thank me, I remember you love to eat."

  The Empress Shu smiled, "Your Majesty only remembers that Sus sister loves to eat, but has forgotten about me?"

  This sentence can be considered over the top, but Zong Zhengjin didnt show any anger at all, instead he burst out laughing, "Its my fault, I was only thinking of her status, I suppose she couldnt eat it, so this dish is yours."

  The people below once again witnessed Shu Gui Feis favoritism, and some who wanted to deal with Su Jing Rong also wavered once more.

  "Sister Sus status is too low, many dishes cant be eaten, it seems a pity," said Shu Guifei with playful teasing.

  Everyone thought that Consort Shu was targeting Su Jing, and they were eager to watch the show, but unexpectedly, the main character didnt seem angry at all. Instead, she smiled sweetly and said, "Consort Shu is right, its just that I, a concubine, dont have good fortune."

  "This is easy, Ill just promote you," Zong Zhengjin said in a timely manner, giving Su Shunian a wink.

  Su Shun stepped forward and pulled out an imperial edict from his bosom, "The Emperor has issued a decree."

  Everyone knelt down.

  "By the mandate of Heaven, I hereby decree that Su Shis tranquil and elegant demeanor, gentle and soft beauty, refined and delicate nature, virtuous and cautious character, and noble and dignified appearance have deeply won my heart. Let it be known from this day forward that she is to be enfeoffed as Consort Su!"

  "The concubines kowtowed and thanked Your Majesty, may Your Majesty live for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, forever."

  Su Jingxi actually guessed that he would promote himself, but also thought it was Liangdi, or else Xiaoyuan, but did not expect to be Pin.

  Not only Su Jingxian, but everyone else was stunned. Having entered the palace for just a few months, she had been promoted to the rank of Pin, and the Empress Dowager had not expected that her casual mention of promoting her would result in a Pin position.

  His Majesty has already written the imperial edict, its absolutely not a sudden decision.

  And what about the sentence "deeply in line with my heart", is it written casually or does it have a deeper meaning.

  "Get up," Zong Zhengjin said with a smile, without caring what others thought.

  Su Jing gave him a sweet smile, without hiding her surprise and joy, and indeed, Zong Zhengjins smile deepened.

  "Su Shuxian," he paused, "you also have the surname Su..."

  Su Shun Xian suddenly guessed the emperors meaning and quickly knelt down.

  "By order of the Emperor, Su Pin is granted the title Zhen. From now on, you shall address her as Consort Zhen."

  Because of sharing a surname with a eunuch and being granted a noble title, this is something that has never happened in the history of Chu Zhou country.

  Su Shunxian couldnt help but bitterly smile in his heart, thinking that he had been made a scapegoat this time, and could only hope that these two people would remember him, their humble servant.

  "Thank you, Your Majesty."

  "Its all right, get up. Theres no need to continue with the ceremony of presenting gifts. Just kowtow here," said Zong Zhengjin, comforting her with a glance.

  Su Jing gave him a "never mind" look, she knew that being conferred as Pin already made her quite memorable, if she were to attend the conferral ceremony again, it would only make her stand out even more.

  No betrothal gifts, no bestowal of imperial seal and imperial book, its all the same to Su Jingzhen. She doesnt care about these tedious rituals. From now on, the three words "Su Jingzhen" will be inscribed on the Imperial Jade Butterfly, and only then can she be considered a true imperial consort.

  No matter how the people below gritted their teeth and clenched their fists, or how many resentful glances the empress and others cast at her, halfway through the banquet, Zong Zhengjin still took Su Jing back to Xuiyun Pavilion.

  Even so, today is the fifteenth.

  Su Jingxi wont use this as an excuse to pretend to be virtuous and push people away, unless shes gone stupid.

  "Doesnt Xiǎo ér really want to move to the side house?"

  Su Jing lived in a small temple behind the Guan Yun Palace, called Zuiyunwu. She was promoted to Pin and had the qualifications to move to the front of the Guan Yun Palace, but this also required the emperors permission.

  One in front and one behind, even if they are both side halls, but the meaning is different.

  "The concubine doesnt want to move anymore, Your Majesty. Although the Drunken Cloud Pavilion is small, its already enough for the concubine to live in. Its small and cozy, with a warm atmosphere, just like home."

  Zong Zhengjin originally had no intention of moving her out, and was just casually mentioning it, but when she said it felt like "home", he was slightly moved.

  The entire Gongzhong Palace was no more than half as large as his Qianqing Palace, but he had been living there alone for six or seven years.

  Although the Drunken Cloud Pavilion is small, it has been decorated warmly by her. Many things are not to his liking, such as the pillows on the couch and the pearl curtains of a womans boudoir, but it cannot be denied that this place is more like home than his Qianqing Palace.

  "Suit yourself."

  Su Jingfan didnt quite understand why he suddenly became low-spirited, so she shook his arm and asked, "Your Majesty wants to take a bath?"

  Zong Zhengjin nodded, and he would definitely be staying at Zuiyunwu tonight.

  Su Jing softly refused the suggestion of bathing together, and Zong Zhengjin didnt really like two people washing in a wooden tub either. Occasionally it was romantic, but if it happened too often, it would lose its appeal.

  They each went to take a bath and didnt mention it again.

  Su Jing took some time to clean herself up, and when she came out, she saw him sitting on the couch, flipping through the book she had put aside, his face full of disdain.

  "Your Majesty..." Su Jing walked over slowly, calling out in a somewhat bashful tone.

  Zong Zhengjin looked up, stunned, wearing a pink silk dress with a very low neckline, revealing her slender neck and full chest. The gauze skirt underneath hinted at two straight legs, as if she wasnt wearing underwear, her bare feet stepped on the brown floorboards, making her toes look even more plump, white and delicate. Zong Zhengjin felt he could grasp it all in one hand.

  Her face was even more delicate without makeup, and after bathing, the water vapor on her face still lingered. Her pink and white skin was tender to the touch, her bright eyes sparkled with moisture, and her pink lips were slightly pursed, making one want to kiss her fragrant skin.

  Zong Zhengjin knew that if she was nervous, she would have some small movements, such as biting her lip.

  A low, enchanting voice full of magnetism, "Come here."

  Su Jing walked over with a gentle and charming smile, her peach blossom eyes captivating the hearts of all, "Your Majesty..."

  Zong Zhengjin pulled her onto his lap, gave a loud slap on her buttocks, and to his surprise, she bounced up with a springy movement, suddenly feeling flames rising all over her body.

  "No, Your Majesty, it hurts..." Su Jing covered her mouth with her hand and said sweetly, making Zong Zhengjin feel his lower body swell a few more times.

  "Who allowed you to come and provoke me? You dare to flirt with me," Zong Zhengjin said sternly, but his hands didnt stop moving, rubbing and pinching fiercely.

  Su Jings eyes became even more misty, and I saw that she still had a lingering attachment. "Does the Emperor not like it?"

  "Like, like..." With a rip, he tore off her thin, almost transparent silk skirt. The "zip zip" sound was even more stimulating to Zong Zhengjin, and Dan Fengs eyes were also filled with desire.

  "No mercy tonight."

  Su Jingxi clung to his neck, her entire body hanging on him. "This is a thank you gift for the Emperor, and a concubine would not easily beg for mercy."

  "You asked for it yourself, you wont be spared tonight."