Zong Zhengjin, as usual, said some encouraging words to the ministers, roughly saying that most people did a good job this year and should take it as a warning, continue to work hard next year and improve their performance. The latest chapter of this book, please search for 800.

  No matter what the emperor says, the people below are always listening with a serious face. Those who think deeply will carefully ponder the meaning of every word the emperor says, while those who don't think much will follow suit and not dare to take it lightly.

  After the Grand Minister, it was the harem, only with the Empress on top. No matter what, Su Jing would never be next in line, so she just listened and her mind wandered off, which was also beyond her control. She naturally missed Zong Zhengjin's resentful gaze, as if he hated that iron wasn't turning into steel.

  The "speech" ended, and the banquet naturally began. One by one, exquisite dishes were served on various delicate and luxurious plates, flowing like water as they were brought in. The palace maids and eunuchs entered in an orderly manner, all well-trained, without making a single sound.

  This is royalty, this is the product of imperial power.

  "My dear sirs, no need to be too polite. On New Year's Eve, regardless of whether you are a monarch or a subject, the most important thing is to eat and drink well," said Zong Zhengjin with a smile as he looked down.

  "We obey your orders," the officials sitting below naturally paid their respects again, only to be exempted by Zong Zhengjin in time. However, in their hearts, they did not dare to really disregard the monarch and his subjects. The monarch was the ruler of the ministers, and it was always right to do so, otherwise, it would be joking with the lives of the Manchu people.

  Regardless of what's to come, the people above were filled with anticipation because the Empress said, "Your Majesty, why not issue a decree promoting all the sisters before the formal banquet begins? It would make them even happier."

  "Hmm, let's go with what the Empress said," Zong Zhengjin said indifferently.

  He hastily pulled out the imperial edict from his sleeve and read aloud, "By the Emperor's decree: On this auspicious day, we hereby confer honors and encouragement upon the consorts of the inner palace. Specifically, we promote Xiang Yu to the rank of Gui Pin and Zhen Yu to the rank of Rong Hua."

  Whether or not they themselves had been promoted, or whether it was a first- or second-level promotion, when they heard that Su Jing had been promoted to Ronghua, everyone was stunned for a moment, and then subtly revealed a few hints of jealousy and unwillingness.

  Su Jing was also somewhat unable to calm down, saying that she had been promoted to Ronghua, which meant that the title would be retained as usual. She had always known that she would be promoted, but she hadn't expected it to be Ronghua's position, and the sudden promotion of several ranks came too suddenly.

  Su Jing slowly raised her head, revealing a smile, and secretly glanced at that position with one eye, not caring whether he could see it or not, quickly lowering her head.

  Zong Zhengjin's light actually always shines on her, the xiang-colored trailing long skirt, only embroidered with plum blossoms at the collar and cuffs, while the rest is a pale plain color, but the hem is densely covered with a whole plum pattern that echoes each other, walking between them is extremely beautiful.

  She slightly raised her head and gazed at that exquisite face, which had an unusual light makeup on, with fine eyeliner and beautiful eyes shining brightly, a perfect combination of charm and purity that left people enchanted, mesmerized, and unable to help themselves.

  A faint smile flashed across his eyes, and he shifted his gaze elsewhere.

  Returning to her own seat, Su Jingyan had a rare good mood and once again engaged in a war of words with these people. This time's promotion almost everyone was promoted one or two levels, except for her.

  Of course, apart from Yu Fu Yi who had just entered the palace not long ago and was still in the position of selection, there was also Ruan Xiao Yi who was ignored by both the Emperor and Empress for some unknown reason. Only these two did not receive a promotion.

  "Zhen jie is really lucky, indeed deeply favored by the Emperor," said Yu Xuan Mei, who had just been promoted to Xiao Yi, with a face full of admiration.

  Su Jing couldn't stand her hypocritical attitude and also couldn't bear to see her working so hard, so she cooperated fully and said, "Limei still has self-awareness as always."

  Shangguan Mei originally had a grudge in her heart and also wanted to provoke them, so she had been paying attention to their conversation. When she heard Su Jing's words, she couldn't help but laugh out loud, ignoring Yu Xunmei's resentful gaze. "Indeed, Concubine thinks that Li Mei is quite self-aware."

  Yu Congmei was just about to speak when she heard the Empress Dowager Cixi, formerly known as Empress Ci'an, say, "What are you sisters talking about that's making you so happy?"

  The volume of this sentence is a bit loud, as if it's trying to insert itself into their "happy" conversation, and it's slightly out of control, unexpectedly drawing the attention of several people nearby.

  "A few sisters are saying something, speak out and share with all the sisters, it's better for us to have fun together," Shu Fei said as usual.

  Yu Congmei took a glance at Su Jingyi, stood up decisively, and bowed her body, "Replying to Your Majesty, the concubines were just congratulating Zhen sister earlier."

  It's said that way, but with such a hesitant expression and those pitiful eyes, it always seems like Su Jingrui is the one being bullied.

  Xian Fei glanced at Su Jing Bian, who was still sitting there motionless, and inexplicably felt a bit annoyed. She opened her mouth and said, "Those two sisters' feelings are really good, aren't they?"

  "Your Majesty, the concubines can bear witness that just now it was indeed Li Mei's younger sister congratulating Zhen Jie on her promotion, but it seems that Zhen Jie didn't take kindly to it and even spoke sarcastically." Shangguan Meizi, who had become a noble consort, stood up and said with a curtsy.

  "Zhen Pei, Qi Pei's words are true." The Empress Dowager spoke calmly, her gaze directly on Su Jingzhen, with a hint of pressure.

  It was clear that the Emperor had already issued an edict, and Zhen had been promoted to Zhen Ronghua, but Empress Dowager deliberately called her Zhen Gui. If it's said that she didn't notice so much at her age and couldn't change her mouth for a while, it would be understandable. But Qi Gui was called in such a smooth way, which is too different from the treatment of others.

  Others didn't care how speechless Su Jing was in her heart, but they were delighted themselves. Although the Empress Dowager did not interfere with the affairs of the harem, she was after all the Empress Dowager. If she wanted to find fault with Su Jing, they would be more than happy to oblige.

  Su Jingxi heard the voice and had no choice but to get up, bowed, "Replying to the Empress Dowager, if it's according to what Qi sister said, it's not impossible."

  The Empress Dowager did not get entangled in the title, but glanced at the Emperor and turned her head again, continuing to say in a low voice, "So, you have confessed."

  Su Jingxu sighed in her heart and was about to open her mouth to defend herself, when she heard a thick and low voice coming from above, "Tell me, what bad thing have you done again?"

  Zong Zhengjin's tone was somewhat playful and familiar, with a hint of helplessness and gentleness, leaving the listeners stunned for a moment before being overwhelmed by jealousy.

  Su Jingxi raised her head and gave him a big smile, "Your Majesty, this time it's really not the fault of the concubine."

  Her tone was somewhat aggrieved, and she glanced at Li Xiangyun standing beside her, "Just now, Sister Li said that the concubine was lucky to have won the emperor's favor, and she felt inferior."

  This sentence is basically a reiteration of what Yu Xiumei just said, and she's not afraid that the two of them will gang up on her.

  "So?" Zong Zhengjin seemed to have taken an interest and asked in a very cooperative tone.

  Su Jingxi was somewhat embarrassed, "The concubine said that Li Mei had a good understanding of herself."

  "Haha," Zong Zhengjin laughed out loud, his eyes scanning the three people standing in the hall, finally focusing on one person, "You're right, she's very self-aware."

  As soon as the sentence came out, not only Su Jingxian, but almost everyone was stunned. This is already a naked defense, and one sentence is defending Su Jingxian while belittling Yu Xiumei. The words are overflowing with affection for Su Jingxian.

  "Your Majesty is wise," Su Jing also cooperated very well, without fearing offending anyone.

  "Bring someone over, set up a table next to me, and let Zhen Ronghua sit beside me. This way, others can see how much I value you, so no one will say you're boasting in the future," said Zong Zhengjin with a hint of a smile, seemingly in a good mood.

  "Concubines thank Your Majesty for his kindness."

  Su Jing was more than happy to leave the place of gossip and speculation, but as she stood up, she unexpectedly saw the Empress Dowager still staring at her with piercing eyes, her expression unclear. Su Jing felt a chill rise up from behind her back.

  The people below actually didn't know what had happened above, they could only see from a distance that the eunuchs and palace maids were rearranging the tables, with a focus on the position behind the emperor's seat, and couldn't help but speculate which imperial concubine had caught the emperor's eye.

  But for a moment, they had already seen clearly who had this great fortune. Some thoughtful people went to Su Shu Yan's desk to toast and chat for a while, "Su has given birth to a good daughter."

  Su Shuyan was in a rear position and wasn't very clear about what happened at the front, but he was also quick-witted. From the implicit meaning of his colleagues' words, he could vaguely guess why these people who usually looked down on him would come to flatter such a small official like him.

  He didn't say much more, as trouble often comes from the mouth, and only faintly said, "I dare not, I dare not. Su's daughter has already entered the palace and become a member of the imperial family, so she no longer has much to do with the Su family."

  The people around exchanged dull glances, then burst out laughing. They were all seasoned officials who had been through the ups and downs of officialdom for decades, and they knew how to speak in a way that was both subtle and effective. Without saying too much, one of them said, "Lord Su is right, but Lord Su will surely be a lucky man in the future, don't forget about Li when the time comes."

  "It's nothing, Lord Li is being too polite."

  “”

  “”

  Su Shuyan gazed far into the distance in that direction, although he couldn't see very clearly, but he already knew his daughter was doing quite well, and perhaps had even won the emperor's favor, if so, then he could also be at ease.

  Palace Concubine (Yi Shu)

  Gong Shu