The many consorts were shocked in their hearts, the empress dowager had always been strict with the women of the harem, if there was any flirtation, they would be severely punished. Many consorts secretly resented her for favoring her own niece, but now hearing her say it herself, she seemed to have a grasp on everyone's hidden resentment.

  "You children are also pitiful, leaving your parents and coming to this unfamiliar palace everywhere... I was just because the emperor was young before, now he has grown up, and I won't be in charge of you little girls' affairs anymore."

  The empress dowager smiled warmly and her words were extremely sincere. The consorts who heard this already had sixty to seventy percent faith in her, their hearts relaxed their guard without realizing it.

  "I was young once too, what haven't I seen? A loving couple, sweet as honey and oil, inseparable, it's all been there." She covered her mouth with a light smile, several consorts were touched to the heart by her words, their faces flushing with color.

  "You are all still young, these absurd things, I can tolerate them... However, there is one thing, if you commit it, don't blame me for being ruthless..." She looked around at the concubines, not angry but authoritative: "Although you all serve the Emperor and are sisters, there is also a distinction between birth mothers and concubines. If anyone has the intention of competing for favor and status..."

  She didn't finish what she was saying, but her tone was icy and chilling, making one shudder.

  The dew in the courtyard was heard clearly, although the central palace was more than a dozen zhang away, but her skills had increased several times, and the empress also spoke out with energy, all these words were taken into her ears.

  As expected, you're really skilled!

  She smiled slightly in her heart, Lin Yuanyu saw that the emperor had also laid down heavy chess pieces in the harem, knowing that forced suppression was no longer possible. Using this kind of both-soft-and-hard approach could also confuse many concubines' eyes.

  But under heaven, there are always clever people, aren't there?

  She recalled two figures, either slender and elegant or standing upright —

  "Why are you standing there stupidly?!"

  The arrogant tone, due to familiarity, doesn't sound so jarring anymore.

  Chenlu turned back and saw that Empress Zhou and Consort Qi had arrived together at the center of the courtyard.

  Today is the Empress Dowager's family banquet, although I can also see the Holy Carriage, but the imperial concubines are too afraid of the Empress Dowager, they are all dressed up, although they have put their minds to it, but still mainly in simple and elegant attire. However, Consort Qi doesn't care at all, wearing a palace skirt with embroidered butterflies and flowers, with gold thread embroidery in the middle, at a glance, she looks like a stunningly beautiful peony flower.

  Standing beside her was Zhou Guifei, dressed in a dark black long gown, with a yellow jade qilin tied at the end of the blue silk ribbon - wearing such an unlucky color at the banquet for seniors, she was even more taboo than Qi Fei's beauty and extravagance.

  The two of them were quite strange today, unexpectedly standing together shoulder to shoulder, without the usual tension between them. Chenlu knew that her words had taken effect and was also very impressed by Qifeng and Zhoujun's magnanimity and demeanor.

  As for the relationship between the two families, it's not very good. One is a noble family that naturally looks down on the rough and unrefined military family. The other has been suppressed by the first family during the previous emperor's reign and harbors resentment in their hearts. The daughters of both families have become imperial consorts, but they are as different as ice and charcoal from different furnaces.

  This time, she conveyed to Qi Rong the emperor's views on the Xiongnu. Although Qi Rong was arrogant and self-willed, he was not a fool. In the court, he belonged to the war faction, constantly advocating for another northern expedition, wanting to leave his name in history before retirement. However, in recent years, after the emperor took power, he did not entrust him with important tasks, but only borrowed his influence to counterbalance the Empress Dowager's party.

  This time, the emperor's trusted aide conveyed his words, and he began to disobey. After careful consideration for a night, he suddenly became enlightened - the emperor really wanted to conquer the Tartars, but he had to have absolute certainty of victory, and only with Zhou Jun's support could he achieve this.

  The old fox Qifeng stood up and sent a letter to Zhou Jun, expressing his sincerity in "harmonious cooperation". The morning dew just received the thank-you letter from Qi Fei through the palace staff this morning. Now that the relationship between the two is harmonious, it's natural to know that this matter has been settled.

  Qifeng glanced at Chenlu, exchanged a tacit understanding with her eyes, and then seemed to have just seen Meigui, exaggeratedly raising her voice: "Isn't this our delicate and weak Meimei?"

  Mei Gui Bin immediately revealed an extremely frightened expression as soon as she saw her and Zhou Gui Fei, as if she had seen a malevolent spirit, trembling as she retreated backwards.

  She was so weak and pitiful that anyone who saw her would feel sorry for her, and suspect that the two of them had done something outrageous and cruel to her.

  Qifu's eyebrows rose in anger as she was about to step forward and argue with her. Zhou Guifei pulled on her sleeve: "Why bother stooping to her level!"

  Zhi Fei was still fuming, ever since Mei Pin's miscarriage, she had been punished by the Emperor and confined to her quarters. It wasn't until recently that she was released. Her majestic image in the imperial harem had taken a huge hit, and she felt extremely wronged. Today, Mei Pin actually dared to show such an attitude, which really made Zhi Fei's anger uncontrollable.

  "Stop pretending! Let me tell you, I haven't done anything wrong and I'm not afraid of being haunted. That thing has nothing to do with me!"

  "It has nothing to do with me either."

  Zhou Guifei whispered something beside him.

  The two of them nodded slightly towards Chenluo and walked forward, Chenluo could no longer bear Mei Guibao's playfulness, so she pulled her sleeve and followed along.

  Four people arrived at the gate of the palace, just about to enter, when they heard a soft and charming voice inside, somewhat affectedly surprised, saying: "Oh dear, it's already three quarters past noon, they're late again, what do they take the Empress Dowager's family banquet for?!"

  The eunuchs at the gate were just about to lift the curtain for them when they heard this and couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.

  Zhi Fei immediately recognized the voice as Yun Lao and became furious, just about to go in and reason with her, when she heard the Empress calmly say: "Yun Guiren was indeed mistaken about the sisters. I asked Mei Mei to bring someone to meet the Dowager Empress, so it took a bit longer. As for those two princesses... they must also have important matters."

  Whether intentionally or unintentionally, she put emphasis on the last two words "want affairs".

  The empress's voice came faintly, but without any anger: "These two children are late, which is a common occurrence at home. It takes more than half a day to get dressed and ready - but the clothes they wear are quite colorful, I think it's good."

  Zhi Fei didn't mind, but Zhou Gui Fei had always disliked such finery and adornments. Now that she was included in the criticism, it seemed as though her unusual attire was intentionally seeking to draw attention from others. Her face immediately turned stern.

  Mei Gui Bin looked at the two people beside her, not wanting to stand outside the door for too long. She hastily ordered the palace staff to enter and report, and with a voice announcing their entry, the four of them entered in order of rank.

  The sunlight slanted into the hall, casting a warm orange glow. The three consorts paid their respects to the empress dowager with great ceremony. The morning dew sparkled in the sunlight as they gazed towards the jade throne and beaded curtain.

  Time, at this moment, solidified into eternity, the warm intention of the sunset's afterglow, in the morning dew's view, transformed into a blood-red color that fills the sky and earth, surging forth.

  Twenty-six years later, on this day when people and things are no longer the same, she traverses the eternal darkness that separates heaven and man, quietly standing here.

  Lin Yan! We finally meet here!

  (Today is PK's first day, I'd like to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone for their strong support! Hope you can continue to mobilize friends with votes and acquaintances in the group to vote for me. Currently, it seems that third place cannot be kept... Mobile voting sisters please note, one phone number can only vote for one work once, don't waste money, everyone's money is hard-earned.)