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

Chapter 283 My Beloved Consort's Birthday Gift
Chen Xing, impatient with these words, said, "Does the harem have to be a place where we fight to the death?"

She felt that Lou Suyi was not that kind of person at all, and that Lou Suyi would not bother to deal with her, a concubine who posed no threat whatsoever.

Furthermore, Lou Suyi is so close to Empress Dowager Chen; she is a member of the Chen family. What reason would Lou Suyi have to deal with her?
Seeing that Chen Xing was unhappy, Yue Xue wisely shut her mouth.

A few days later would be Liang Wanying's birthday.

Her entourage was clearly much grander than Chen Xing's. Not only did Madam Liang arrive at the palace early with another daughter of the Liang family, Liang Xiaoying, but many noblewomen from the capital also submitted their names to enter the palace to celebrate her birthday.

Of course, most of these women of noble birth came from powerful families who were on good terms with the Liang family.

Most of the concubines in the harem also looked down on Liang Wanying, but because of her high rank, they dared not offend her and brought birthday gifts to Quanfu Palace early.

Empress Dowager Chen was the only one who did not appear, citing illness as the reason.

As the Empress, Lou Suying could not be absent, and she also could not steal Liang Wanying's thunder.

When she arrived at Quanfu Palace, it was packed with people.

As soon as she appeared, everyone stood up and bowed to her.

There were many people today, and it was Liang Wanying's territory, so Lou Suyi didn't bring Xiao Muchen along.

Seeing that the little prince, who was never far from her side, was not by Lou Suyi's side, Liang Wanying was somewhat displeased: "Why didn't Your Majesty bring the little prince to celebrate my birthday?"

Chen Xing's birthday celebration included the little prince. Was Lou Suyi trying to tell the whole world that they were on guard against her?

“Chen’er is still sleeping, and I couldn’t bear to wake him, so I left him at Xianfu Palace. If Consort Hui wants to see him, she can do so next time she goes to Xianfu Palace.”

Liang Wanying couldn't afford to lash out, so she gave a soft hum and let the matter drop.

She kept glancing towards the door, hoping to catch a glimpse of Murong soon.

Last year, Murong took her out of the palace to play on her birthday. I wonder if he will prepare any surprises for her this year.

With a hint of anticipation, she kept glancing around, and everyone present knew who she was waiting for.

Half an hour had passed and there was still no sign of Murong. Madam Liang was getting restless and wondered if His Majesty was not coming to celebrate Consort Hui's birthday on this occasion.

Liang Wanying herself became more and more disheartened as she waited. Even on Chen Xing's birthday, Murong arrived early, so why was Murong nowhere to be seen on her birthday?
Could it be that you forgot?
Seeing the veiled look in Liang Wanying's eyes, Consort De deliberately asked, "Why hasn't His Majesty arrived yet?"

No one dared to speak at this moment, lest they offend Liang Wanying. However, Consort De was not afraid and continued, "His Majesty was also late on the Empress's birthday. Today, His Majesty must be preparing a birthday gift for Consort Hui, which is why he is a little late. We are not in a hurry."

The concubines in the harem were all watching the spectacle with a sense of amusement. They felt that Liang Wanying, the favored concubine, was far inferior to Lou Suyi, the empress. After all, the favored concubine didn't even have the opportunity to serve the emperor, so how could she be worthy of the title of "favored concubine"?

They absolutely refused to believe that His Majesty was late because he was preparing a birthday gift for Liang Wanying.

Liang Wanying coldly stared at the gloating Consort De: "Consort De, so much delicious food can't shut your mouth. Should I cover your mouth?!"

Consort De curled her lips slightly: "Why is Consort Hui so angry on her birthday?"

Even though Liang Wanying is a concubine, she doesn't have the right to punish her so easily, while Empress Lou Suyi is sitting right here.

Just then, Murong's imperial procession arrived.

The moment Liang Wanying saw Murong, her expression immediately brightened. She happily stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty has kept me waiting." This time, Murong did not forget Liang Wanying's birthday, and the gift was carefully selected. He presented the gift, saying, "Today is my beloved consort's birthday. This is a gift for her."

Liang Wanying eagerly opened the box, but when she saw that it was a hairpin, the smile on her face faded.

How could such an ordinary hairpin compare to Lou Suyi's priceless phoenix crown?

Consort De noticed that Liang Wanying's birthday gift was an exquisite hairpin. Seeing Liang Wanying's disappointed expression, she couldn't help but laugh: "His Majesty's birthday gift to Consort Hui is so beautiful."

The others also noticed the beauty of it and chimed in, "Yes, yes, it's really beautiful."

Liang Wanying managed to force a smile, telling herself that this hairpin was exquisitely crafted and had a unique design, unlike any other hairpin.

Furthermore, the birthday gift that Murong sent couldn't be too bad, could it?

Having convinced herself of this, she quickly pulled Murong to sit down next to her.

Sitting next to Madam Liang, Liang Xiaoying was immediately struck by the young emperor's aura and appearance upon seeing Murong, and was momentarily lost in thought.

Murong's arrival made the scene much livelier, and everyone took the opportunity to strike up a conversation with him.

Looking at the lively scene, Chen Xing felt out of place.

She also knew that Murong's harem had far fewer concubines than the late emperor's, but there were still quite a few, even though the emperor only held one selection of concubines.

Since Murong is rarely seen by others, everyone starts vying for her favor as soon as she appears.

Lou Suyi was probably the only one who didn't join in the fun.

She looked at Lou Suyi, who was focused on eating fruit, seemingly unfazed by the scene of everyone vying for attention.

Of all the concubines, only Lou Suyi could remain so calm when she saw Murong.

Murong left after sitting for only a short time, which disappointed Liang Wanying.

She had always thought that Murong would give her a special birthday gift, but he came and went in a hurry, giving her a hairpin and leaving. What does this mean?
Perhaps he had another surprise in mind, and was going to take her out of the palace to play that night?
Holding onto this hope, she told herself there was no need to overthink things.

Lou Suying left Quanfu Palace after the birthday banquet. Just as she was about to board the palanquin, Chen Xing asked, "Is Your Majesty returning to Xianfu Palace?"

“Exactly,” Lou Suyi replied with a smile.

She thought Chen Xing had something to say, but instead heard him say, "This concubine respectfully sees off Her Majesty the Empress."

Lou Suyi nodded slightly and rode away in her palanquin.

Just as Chen Xing was about to head back home, Consort De and Consort Ning came out. Consort De was laughing so hard she was shaking: "Consort Hui's face was as black as hell just now. She really thinks she's some kind of favored consort. It's hilarious."

Consort Ning looked helplessly at Consort De and said, "Sister, be careful that walls have ears. If these words reach Consort Hui's ears, I'm afraid it will make her unhappy."

"What's there to be afraid of? I've never gotten along with her." As Consort De spoke, seeing that Chen Xing was still there, her smile gradually faded. "Is Consort An going back?"

Chen Xing smiled and agreed, then bid farewell to Consort Ning and Consort De, and rode away in his palanquin.

Consort De watched Chen Xing's departing figure and said calmly, "Does Sister like Consort An?"