"Master, tonight's dinner party, which dress do you want to wear?" Dai Man was busy preparing for her early in the morning.

  Su Jing was also infected, and her mood was quite good. "Today is Laba Festival, let's make some Laba porridge in the small kitchen for ourselves to eat. By the way, everyone's monthly allowance will be doubled this month."

  "The slaves and servants thanked their master for his reward," everyone was overjoyed.

  "The clothes and jewelry are ready, just don't be rude."

  "Master, have some swallow's nest," said Yujin as she walked in carrying a tray.

  Su Jing let out a soft laugh, "This time it's not Huang Yan, is it?"

  A few days ago, Zong Zhengjin suddenly sent someone to deliver a large quantity of top-grade blood swallows to her, the amount was so much that she might be able to eat them for one or two years.

  "The master will never have to eat Huang Yan again," Ting Yao also laughed and said, "The emperor's love for the master is the master's good fortune."

  "Yes, it's Ben Niang's good fortune," Su Jing murmured.

  The Hall of Supreme Harmony

  Su Jing stepped in, actually not late, but others had already taken their seats, and by comparison, Su Jing seemed a bit late. As soon as she entered the scene, she almost attracted everyone's attention.

  It's no wonder she's like this. During this time, Zong Zhengjin has only stayed in Chonghua Palace and Cuizhu Pavilion, and hasn't set foot in any other palace.

  It's inevitable for people to be jealous, and since they can't afford to offend the noble Consort Shu, their resentment will naturally be directed at Su Jing instead.

  "Oh, Zhen sister arrived quite early," Shu Fei said with her usual fondness for teasing, speaking out as soon as Su Jing finished paying her respects.

  Su Jing slowly got up and said, "Sister is indeed not as early as the other sisters, after the Emperor and Empress arrive, sister will certainly apologize."

  The timing of the banquet was all set, Su Jingfan just didn't want to come too early, so she could only sit here and engage in a war of words with these women, how boring, that's why she came right on time.

  The implication is that the Empress is being subtly rebuked for overstepping her bounds and usurping authority, and if Su Jing'er were truly guilty, it would be up to the Emperor or the Empress Dowager to mete out punishment, which has nothing to do with the Empress.

  Shu Fei naturally understood the meaning behind her words, and coldly snorted, "After being favored, Zhen sister is indeed different. This mouth of hers is getting sharper by the day, to the point where even I can't keep up with her conversation."

  Shu Fei is indeed Shu Fei, and it's no wonder that many people, even if they're favored, don't dare to provoke her. Otherwise, with just this mouth of hers, she could make them drink a whole pot.

  This sentence is clearly sarcastic and implies that Su Jing is arrogant and disobedient due to being spoiled.

  Su Jinghui surprisingly dared to be "disrespectful" to her, but it's only fair that courtesy is reciprocated. "Princess Shu said it right, little sister has been staying in Zuiyun Pavilion for too long and her tongue has indeed become sharp."

  The Empress was taken aback by what she said, feeling a sense of powerlessness like punching cotton, and just as she was about to speak again, the eunuch's voice came from outside, "The Emperor has arrived, the Empress Dowager has arrived, Concubine Shu has arrived."

  "The concubines and maidservants pay their respects to the Emperor, pay their respects to Empress Dowager, and pay their respects to Noble Consort Shu," everyone bows.

  Zong Zhengjin walked up to the front and waved his hand, "Relax, take a seat."

  Su Jing sat down in her own seat, glanced at the top, and was frightened. The queen, although still dressed in luxury and dignity, had a face that, even with thick makeup, could still see the underlying fatigue and exhaustion. It seemed to have aged more than ten years in just a few days.

  Especially those eyes, dull and unclear, decadent and without vitality, as if they had seen through the world's coldness and warmth, no longer with the confidence and pride of the past.

  It wasn't just Su Jing who felt this way, others also seemed to have noticed and couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. They all hung their heads in reverence, not daring to speak out of turn, fearing they would incur the wrath of that person.

  For a moment, the grand hall was surprisingly quiet.

  "Today is Laba Festival, a rare day for blessings in the year. The palace ordered the imperial kitchen to prepare Laba porridge, and all of you sisters should eat more later," Shu Gui Fei said with a smile, as if she hadn't noticed anything unusual. "The Empress Dowager also needs to eat more, sister has specially prepared some according to her taste."

  Such words were usually spoken by the empress, but now that Shu Guifei was in charge of the six palaces, many people in the harem had already defected to her side. It was clear that Shu Guifei's popularity had long surpassed that of the empress.

  The wheel of fortune turns, and this sentence can also be reflected on the empress's body.

  "The palace will grant you an audience," the queen said with a faint, somewhat unnatural smile.

  The eunuchs and palace maids brought up the Laba porridge, regardless of what others thought in their hearts, after all, it was a good omen to "give face" and eat a little more.

  Su Jingxi had always loved these sweet treats, and the colorful Laba porridge in lotus-leaf-patterned silver bowls was even more appetizing. As soon as Yao hinted that it was harmless, she felt at ease and finished a bowl with visible speed.

  "Give this porridge to Zhen Bin," said Zong Zhengjin, who had taken a few sips and then put down his spoon. He looked up to see her standing beside him, smelling very fragrant, and curled the corner of her mouth as she spoke to Su Shunian.

  Although the words were spoken to Su Shunan, they were not soft, and everyone around heard them. Upon hearing this, they all paused for a moment, even the delicious Laba porridge seemed tasteless at that instant.

  "Thank you, Your Majesty," Su Jing'an said, ignoring the resentful and jealous glances from the people around her, and got up to make a polite bow.

  Such a banquet was just going through the motions, and everyone had eaten some fillers beforehand. After all, it was impossible to really enjoy oneself in such an occasion, and unseemly actions in front of the emperor were absolutely not allowed. So everyone just took a few bites and then stopped.

  There isn't anyone like Su Jingzhen, fortunately Zong Zhengjin was already used to it and was delighted.

  Everyone was still as usual, actively seeking various ways to attract the emperor's attention. Unfortunately, Zong Zhengjin seemed to be in a bad mood tonight and didn't cooperate much, so everyone left disappointedly.

  The queen sat quietly on the side, not saying much, as if she was just a spectator. The people of the queen's faction couldn't help but feel uneasy and somewhat depressed, which made the atmosphere rather awkward.

  Zong Zhengjin also had no interest in livening up the atmosphere and made an early exit with a ready-made excuse.

  The emperor left, and everyone else was reluctant to stay longer, so the banquet dispersed quickly.

  Drunken Cloud Villa

  "Master, I think something is strange tonight," said the maid who was attending to Su Jing's hair washing.

  Su Jing smiled and said, "What's strange about it?"

  "It seems like no one is at odds with each other, and they're all getting along harmoniously, but the servants seem a bit unaccustomed to it," Xiang heard Yao say with an unnatural smile.

  Su Jing let out a sigh, "In a few days it will be the Dragon Boat Festival, probably they have all put their minds on that day."

  The Emperor's Birthday Festival is also known as the Long Life Festival.

  "Does the master have any idea what to give to the emperor?" Yau deliberately asked, but she actually knew that her master had been making clothes for several days, and had already discarded two pieces, so it was not certain whether he would definitely send clothes.

  Su Jing let out a bitter laugh, she had indeed planned to make a garment with her own hands to give to him, the gift was light but the thought was heavy, but after seeing his clothes, not to mention the expensive material, just the dense and tight stitches made her feel ashamed.

  Even if she is the best among the women in red, she cannot be compared with those from Shangfu Bureau and Shanggong Bureau. Those places have gathered the most excellent embroiderers in the world, and every year new blood is injected with fresh vitality, so the patterns there are also unmatched by other places.

  For example, Zong Zhengjin's socks, 365 days a year, one pair per day, no wearing old ones, let alone occasionally getting wet in the rain or other situations, he changed into another pair. The material of his socks is the smoothest and softest satin, and on the surface, there are almost no signs of needle and thread stitching.

  In comparison, she was rather at a loss as to how to show off her skills.

  "Master, you should also be more mindful of the Emperor, the Emperor is so good to you, Master must cherish it," heard Yao's sincere advice.

  In fact, she was also unclear about her master's attitude or feelings towards the emperor. Now that she mentioned it, it was just to prevent herself from being confused and trapped, so as not to suffer losses.

  "Listen, Yao, you're being kind," Su Jing said with a sincere tone, she could tell that she was genuinely looking out for her.

  Su Jingxiang had feelings for him, but she didn't dare to think too much about it, afraid of getting hurt, fearing that it would all be just a dream, this was what she always told herself.

  Perhaps she should think carefully about it.

  Kunning Palace

  "Mother, use some more," Jin Moumou advised, her mother had hardly used any food these days, and at night she couldn't sleep soundly, often having nightmares.

  The empress waved her hand, "I'm full, take it away."

  Jinmomo sighed and walked over to kneel on the ground, "Your Ladyship, I, a humble servant, dare to beg of you to take better care of your own body. You've lost so much weight these past few days, it pains me to see."

  "Even if you don't think about your own body, what about the eldest princess? The eldest princess is already without your love and care. How can she stand in this palace? Have you forgotten the hardships of being pregnant for ten months? Have you forgotten when the eldest princess calls you 'mother'?"

  Jinmumu saw the empress still lacking in spirit and enthusiasm, so she had no choice but to use the eldest princess to comfort her. Even though the empress had initially hoped to give birth to a son and had treated the eldest princess as if she were a prince while pregnant with her, she was disappointed when the child turned out to be a girl. However, as a mother, no matter what, that was still her own child.

  When the eldest princess fell ill, her mother also personally took care of her, feeding her medicine and taking good care of her. Alas, the hearts of parents in the world are pitiful, saying they don't love or like, but when it comes to a critical moment, blood ties are still the most powerful.

  Jinmomo gave a signal with her eyes, and Huizhu hastily invited the eldest princess in.

  "Mother, your son has come to pay his respects," Zong Zhengya walked in and bowed, even though she was only seven years old, but her etiquette was impeccable.

  The queen glanced at her without offering a hand to help her up and said indifferently, "Get up."

  Palace Concubine (Yi Shu)

  Gong Shu