Five years after her death, she awoke on the dragon bed.

Chapter 257 Trouble in a Grand Setting

When Empress Dowager Chen saw Lou Suyi's distressed expression, she couldn't help but smile.

"I know the Emperor is busy and rarely visits Xianfu Palace. He doesn't even go into the inner palace, so it's rare for him to visit Xianfu Palace occasionally. Since you don't see him often, why don't you go to Qianqing Palace when you have time?" Empress Dowager Chen's words were brief and to the point.

Su Yi is a smart person; she should know what she's talking about.

Lou Suying understood perfectly; this meant she should spend more time around Murong. If he didn't come to her, she could go to him.

She used to visit him often a few days ago, and one night she even slept with him.

This method does indeed work.

But she wasn't in a hurry to get pregnant with a second child. Little Muchen was only seven months old, and if she got pregnant with a second child, she was afraid she wouldn't be able to handle it.

In a moment of reassurance, she realized that it was better not to get pregnant now.

She knew what was going on, but replied obediently, "I understand."

Empress Dowager Chen smiled so broadly that wrinkles appeared on her face. She was counting on Su Yi to help her fulfill her wish of having more grandchildren.

Anyway, none of the other women in the harem have that ability. They can't even see Murong. Expecting them to bear imperial offspring? She'll probably have to wait until her next life.

That night, the Qianqing Palace was brightly lit.

During the day, the emperor and his ministers enjoyed themselves together, while at night, the women also joined in the banquet.

Lou Suyi and Murong sat side by side, and Empress Dowager Chen was also seated at the head of the table.

On either side were princes, ministers, and their families.

In order to attend the banquet in her most beautiful form, Liang Wanying specially prepared her body before the Emperor's birthday, hoping that Murong would notice her at first glance.

However, seeing Lou Suyi and Murong sitting side by side really stung her eyes.

She was displeased and, seeing Consort De sitting to the side, said sarcastically, "I heard that you were the most stunning beauty on Mid-Autumn Festival night, but you still didn't get the chance to serve the Emperor. Are you feeling discouraged, which is why you're not planning to compete with the Empress today?!"

Upon hearing this, Consort De looked at Liang Wanying and retorted coldly, "On the Empress's birthday, you, sister, did not hesitate to ruin your own body but still failed to steal His Majesty away. You are more capable than me. I was hoping that you could compete with the Empress tonight."

Liang Wanying felt a pain in her chest whenever she thought about that day, and Consort De insisted on poking at her sore spot.

Consort De felt a sense of satisfaction when she saw that Liang Wanying was speechless after her rebuttal.

Liang Wanying thought she was the most favored concubine in the harem, but in her opinion, the only winner in the harem was Lou Suyi.

It was only because Murong held Lou Suyi in his heart that he realized Liang Wanying, the so-called favored concubine, didn't even understand her own position.

If Murong really liked Liang Wanying, would he not favor this woman?
Not being favored simply means she doesn't like him, just like she wasn't liked by Murong.

Liang Wanying was unhappy and always wanted to embarrass Lou Suyi.

The sight of Lou Suyi and Murong standing together during the ancestral temple ceremony stung her eyes. Now, during this time of universal celebration, Lou Suyi was sitting in the seat closest to Murong, which made her even more distressed.

In the past, she was always the most eye-catching person in any setting she was in.

Why should Lou Suyi, an illegitimate daughter who has no father or mother to love, become the empress?

That's right, didn't the Earl of Suning also attend the banquet? I heard that the Earl of Suning has already made Lady Ke his official wife, so can't she use this to her advantage?

If the Ke family were to attend the banquet, they would have a perfect opportunity to embarrass Lou Suying in public.

She whispered something to Mo Lan, who understood and left to carry out the order.

When Consort De saw this, she felt that Liang Wanying was up to something, and she was happy to watch the show. She said that Lou Suying was too enviable and was an opponent that all the concubines wanted to get rid of, and Liang Wanying would definitely not sit idly by and wait for her doom.

Mo Lan returned shortly afterward and whispered in Liang Wanying's ear.

A slight smile appeared on Liang Wanying's lips: "Well done, you'll be rewarded!"

Mo Lan immediately replied, "It is my honor to serve Your Highness."

Meanwhile, Lou Suyi, the head of the household, was teasing little Muchen, while the child looked around curiously.

Murong turned his gaze and saw the child's adorable appearance. His heart softened, and he said to Lou Suyi, "Give Chen'er to me."

Lou Suyi did as instructed and placed Xiao Muchen into Murong's arms.

In an instant, all eyes were focused on Murong and the young prince. The father and son were undeniably good-looking; the young emperor's cold, handsome face softened with tenderness the moment he held the prince, and the little prince was so adorable and charming, so captivating.

Just then, a woman called out, "Your Majesty, I offer you a toast, wishing you good health and a long life!"

No one expected such a bold woman. Moreover, the woman's voice sounded quite young, and everyone was curious about which woman dared to stand out in such a setting.

But Lou Suyi immediately recognized the voice as that of Ke Shi.

Now that Lady Ke has become the wife of the Earl of Suning, she is qualified to enter the palace. Furthermore, given the Earl of Suning's ambition, how could he possibly let go of such a golden opportunity to make his presence felt in front of Murong?

She glanced at Murong subconsciously, unsure whether he knew Madam Ke.

If he accepts this cup of wine from Madam Ke, wouldn't that be considered an honor for the Suning Marquis's Mansion and Madam Ke? But she has clearly severed ties with the Lou family.

If he doesn't accept the cup of wine from Lady Ke, who is her birth mother, wouldn't that be a slap in the face to the Empress?
Therefore, Mr. Ke is incompetent and caused trouble in such a grand setting.

Murong seemed to sense her gaze and turned to look at her.

The couple's eyes met, locked for a moment, before Murong glanced in the direction of Madam Ke.

With just one glance, he looked away, glanced around, and said calmly, "Today is my birthday. If I were to say that I am where I am today, it would be thanks to the Empress who saved my life back then."

At this point, he picked up his wine cup and offered it to Lou Suyi: "Empress, I toast you."

Lou Suyi did not expect Murong to react this way.

This was tantamount to indirectly embarrassing Lady Ke, while at the same time giving her, the empress, enough dignity.

"It is I who am toasting Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live as long as the heavens, and may the Great Xia Kingdom be prosperous and peaceful. I will drink this first as a sign of my respect." Lou Suyi raised her wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.

Murong smiled and drank it all in one gulp.

Empress Dowager Chen led the applause, and the crowd joined in with enthusiastic applause.

Everyone had recognized Lady Ke and was curious about Murong's reaction. They had only considered two possibilities, but they hadn't expected that while the emperor ignored Lady Ke, he also showed the empress considerable respect.

It seems that His Majesty also dislikes the Lou family and the Ke family, but this does not affect His Majesty's affection for the Empress.

Only Mr. Ko felt embarrassed at the scene.

She's been enjoying too much success lately, to the point of being carried away by her own arrogance.

Just now, a palace maid invited her aside, saying that today was His Majesty's birthday and that it was the best opportunity for her and Su Yi to reconcile their past grievances. She also wanted to help the Earl regain his position and wanted to give him face in this setting, but she never expected it to end like this.

The Earl of Suning felt embarrassed. He glanced coldly at Madam Ke and blamed her for meddling.