After finishing his early morning shift, Yuan Qi had to go to the Empress Dowager's palace to pay his respects. As it was a mother-son meeting, he naturally didn't need too many attendants. Chen Lu got some free time in the morning.

  She had just returned to her own courtyard when she heard someone lightly knocking on the gate.

  As soon as the door opened, it was Princess Mei who came alone.

  It was early spring, but she was wrapped in a white fox fur coat like a ball, and as soon as she entered the door, she hastily took it off.

  "Just a few steps ahead, and I have to wear this cumbersome thing... Aunt is really troublesome!"

  She complained and saw the morning dew, "hmm" and opened her eyes wide, curiously examining: "Sister, you're dressed very differently today..."

  "This is the ceremonial attire worn by Master Shang Yi when he was on duty."

  Madam Mei's sister-in-law appeared at the door, holding a lacquer tray with a bowl of steaming medicine on it.

  "Your Ladyship, have some pity on us servants and take your medicine before going out... You agreed with your mouth a moment ago, but then you turned around and ran here, making it hard for people to find you!"

  She muttered under her breath, but her hands moved nimbly to place the medicine on the table. Then, with a calm and composed demeanor, she bowed to Chenlu: "I've seen you, Lord Shangyi."

  Chenlu knew she was the main person in charge of the palace, and also the dowry mother of Mei Pin, who had always been highly valued. She smiled and stopped her: "Auntie doesn't have to be so polite, just go serve your master with his medicine!"

  Yue's aunt picked up the bowl and used a white jade spoon to scoop up some porridge, carefully feeding it into Mei's mouth.

  The strange fragrance of medicine wafts out faintly and steams up in the room.

  She gazed intently at him for a moment, sniffed carefully, and confirmed that her memory was correct. "Where did this medicine come from?" she asked.

  "Is the emperor let the imperial physician made, a big bag of black shiny, are the size of the longan grain. It is said that it is a special recipe for nourishing qi and calming the fetus - what's wrong?"

  She was a mature and refined person, also from a wealthy family, with a keen sense of hearing, and immediately became alert.

  Chenlu lost her smile and shook her head: "Auntie is being too cautious, I just think that this medicine smells unusually fragrant, not like the handwriting of the imperial physician."

  Yue's aunt let out a sigh of relief: "Shang Yi, please forgive this old slave for being overly suspicious, it's just that at this critical juncture..."

  Mei Niang listened on the side, feeling that the topic was dull and ominous, so she smiled and said: "Auntie is being too cautious, in this vast world, how could such an evil thing happen?"

  Chenlu looked at her and saw that she had finished drinking the medicine, now idly playing with the exquisite jade and gold ornaments on her body.

  That delicate thing is only the size of a pigeon's egg, its jade quality is originally snow-white and flawless, inside it is divided into nine layers, each layer nested in one another, and separately inlaid with various patterns, drawn with pure gold dots, and adorned with ruby red gems the size of grains of rice, shining brightly in all directions, slightly swaying, producing a pleasant rustling sound.

  Such an ingenious thing is rarely seen even in the palace.

  Plum Concubine's hands were gently stroking, a tender and sweet smile spreading across her face, her bright big eyes filled with clarity and purity.

  Her family was also a small wealthy, poetry and etiquette were passed down from generation to generation. She had always been doted on by her parents, and soon after entering the palace, she gained the emperor's favor, so it can be said that she had never tasted the flavor of hardship.

  Yue's aunt looked at this scene, only to sigh with a bitter smile, deeply feeling the weight of her responsibilities. She thought of something and reminded her: "Your Majesty, early this morning, an invitation was sent from the Empress's palace, inviting the imperial consorts to attend a banquet in her palace. You haven't forgotten, have you?"

  Mei immediately clapped her hands and exclaimed, "Right, the time has come, I should go change clothes - later we can taste the secret recipe of Queen's delicacies, last time she gave me some, the flavor was really good."

  Yue's aunt was alarmed: "The old slave was just about to say this, Your Majesty please remember that when it comes to food and drink, only after everyone has taken a bite can you try it, and also use silver bowls and chopsticks..."

  She remembered that Chen Lu was also present, and she explained vaguely: "Actually, the Empress is virtuous, but the grand banquet in the palace has always been crowded and chaotic. My mistress is also pregnant with the dragon heir..."

  She brightened up and said to Chenlu, "Shangyi, you're not on duty this afternoon, why don't you go with my mother-in-law? It's a good opportunity for you to meet and pay respects to the other ladies, they don't know you yet."

  Chenlu listened and immediately understood, so she responded accordingly: "It's only natural for Chenlu to pay her respects to all the ladies - it's just that I'm a humble person and didn't dare to take the initiative, so I hope Your Majesty won't mind."

  Mei immediately retorted: "Not at all, the Empress is humble and kind. Yesterday morning when I paid my respects to her, she even asked about you, saying that she didn't know what a clever and well-mannered woman you were!"

  His hand moved swiftly! Chen Lu said with a smile, "It's better to obey than to decline", and the group of people changed their clothes and headed towards the Zhao Yang Palace.

  ****

  On this side, the imperial concubines in the harem had already dressed up and were ready to attend the banquet. In the Cining Palace of the Empress Dowager, it was harmonious and auspicious, with mother and son, brothers gathering together.

  Yuan Qi arrived at Tai Hou Gong and from afar, he could already hear Yuan Xi's bright and clear laughter.

  He entered the main hall and first gave a proper bow to Empress Dowager, then sat down on the chair presented by Aunt Ye. Only then did he have time to look at his third brother, Jing Wang Yuanxi.

  It's been a long time since we last met, and this wind Liu Wangye from the imperial court is still unchanged in his old ways, with a body full of gold and luxury. He wears a golden crown on his head, inlaid with large night pearls that shine brightly, and has a dragon-patterned ring on his hand that is translucent and emerald green. His whole body is dressed in magnificent clothes and precious shoes, but at his waist, there is only one splash of unusual color. Upon closer inspection, it turns out to be the most mysterious "Moon God's Tears" from the ancient Loulan.

  Such a treasure trove of pearls and jade, if worn by anyone else, would be utterly tasteless and unrefined. Yet on this King Jing, it only serves to highlight his extraordinary appearance, as if he were a celestial being among mortals.

  The King of Jing, with a serious and dignified expression, performed the grand ceremony to pay his respects. Only afterwards did he smile and say to the Emperor: "It's been many days since we last met, and I see that my imperial brother looks especially spirited. No wonder they say that when people encounter happy events, their spirits are lifted."

  Without waiting for his response, she sneered and turned to the Empress Dowager: "Your Majesty just said that you're worried about the Emperor overworking himself, but actually there's no need to worry at all... The Emperor is very healthy, isn't he? Concubine Mei is pregnant!"

  The emperor was so angry with this lazy rascal that he could have strangled him to death, and had to glare at him sternly with his eyes, but only got a smug expression in return.

  The empress dowager gazed at the two sitting together, the emperor dressed in simple yet elegant attire, while Jing Wang was extravagantly luxurious. In her heart, she secretly sighed at the two's innate natures, but on her face, not a hint was revealed. She was only teased by Jing Wang Yuan Yi until she couldn't help but laugh, taking a sip of tea before composing herself, smiling as she pointed at the two: "Even in my presence, you're still so mischievous!"

  The previous emperor was a hero who dominated the world, drove out the barbarians, and established the brilliant foundation of this dynasty. However, in terms of descendants, he was quite thin. The palace concubines gave birth to three princesses one after another, but not a single prince. It wasn't until Empress Dowager gave birth to the current emperor that the hidden danger was temporarily alleviated. Later, a concubine gave birth to a son, but unfortunately, he died young. This King Jing of Yuan, who was born in the third year of the reign, was the son of Consort Huifeng, the elder sister of Empress Dowager. He often stayed by her side and was treated no differently from her own children.

  Yuanyu got up, changed the tea for Empress Dowager, and then smiled: "San'er can learn from Lao Laizi to amuse his relatives, and make Mother laugh with a smile. Looking at this point, no matter how naughty he is, I won't argue with him anymore!"

  Yuan Xi couldn't help but laugh slyly: "I heard that the Emperor has found another extraordinary beauty, and is hiding her in Chang Palace with Mei Pinniang?"

  The emperor had not yet become greatly enraged when the empress dowager rebuked him: "You wicked ruler, how can you fabricate such slander against people! A pure and innocent girl, who is also a female official, will be wantonly tarnished by your words?"

  She turned around, smiled slightly, a forty-five-year-old woman, still smiling beautifully beyond compare.

  "Qier, I've also heard about your new engagement with Shang Yi - is that woman really so exceptional that she changed your original intention of not wanting a female official?"

  The Emperor couldn't help but laugh: "Is that the slave who chewed his tongue off?" He glanced at King Jingyuan: "And that troublemaker, exaggerating and spreading rumors, turned a small matter into this. Empress Dowager, you'll see for yourself, that girl's appearance is really ordinary, what 'peerless beauty' or 'stunning looks'? She's just a niece of Qu Consort, I thought she spoke and acted refreshingly, so I made her a Shangyi."

  The empress dowager lightly tapped his forehead with a painted fan: "You, always cautious by nature, even chose an ordinary-looking imperial concubine. I heard that to avoid suspicion, you had her live in the Chang Palace - this is really going too far. You are the emperor, even if you really did favor someone, it's a common occurrence. My son acts like this, does he want to be a saint?"

  Yuanyu replied, "I also know this principle. Throughout history, cultivating oneself, regulating the family, governing the state and bringing peace to the world, if one cannot cultivate oneself, then one cannot regulate the family. If the harem is in constant strife, even the Son of Heaven will be ridiculed by others." He glanced at the Empress Dowager and added, "The Empress Dowager should also understand this principle."

  The empress listened to these words with hidden meaning, and her face stiffened involuntarily. However, the words were so elegant and dignified that she couldn't refute them no matter what. She immediately smiled.

  "You're such a good kid, it's all right, with you around, I have nothing to worry about."

  The three of them chatted about some trivial matters, and then the two brothers took their leave.