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

Chapter 339 Tea Talk Tea Talk
After a moment of silence, Jinshu suddenly said, "The Empress Dowager should also know that the seal might represent another meaning, right?"

Lou Suyi hadn't really thought about it that way.

Empress Dowager Chen most likely knew, otherwise she wouldn't have included the seal among the items for the baby's first birthday celebration. But she didn't dare to think too deeply about what it meant.

What Lou Suyi and her servants thought of, the other concubines naturally thought of as well.

While they were still plotting how to win the emperor's favor and rise to power, Lou Suyi's son was already close to becoming the crown prince.

Even ordinary people's seals are very important objects, let alone the imperial seal.

There were so many small items for the baby's first birthday celebration, totaling dozens of items, but the little prince didn't grab any of them; instead, he grabbed the seal.

They could clearly see that the seal was placed on by Empress Dowager Chen just before the baby's first birthday celebration.

When people saw this scene, they didn't think much of it, thinking that since Empress Dowager Chen had put the seal away, it was the least noticeable item among so many objects, and even if the young prince had put it away, he wouldn't have taken it.

Moreover, when Lou Suyi took the little prince to all the objects, the place where the mother and son stood was still a bit far from the seal. Later, Lou Suyi let go of the little prince.

In just a short while, the young prince picked up the most inconspicuous seal among all the items.

If Lou Suyi did it on purpose, everyone could only curse her for being too ambitious. But since it was all the young prince's own decision, it seemed like fate.

Consort De let out a long breath, but the energy she had just mustered dissipated after seeing the little prince's first birthday celebration.

"Is Consort De feeling discouraged?" Consort Tao's voice rang out beside Consort De.

Consort De forced herself to cheer up and looked at Consort Tao: "Where did you see me looking discouraged, sister?"

Consort Tao laughed, "Sister, there's no need to force yourself. The Empress has already surpassed us by a large margin. It's normal that we can't compare to the Empress. Even the little prince is so promising; he already knows how to choose the best at such a young age."

But life is unpredictable, and only those who laugh last are the true champions.

The higher Lou Suyi stands now, the more devastating her fall will be in the future. She will not give up easily and will wait until that day comes.

“Sister Tao and Consort Ning are both so composed and unperturbed by honor or disgrace. You two are the ones who are destined for great things. No wonder you are growing closer and closer,” Consort De replied with a faint smile.

Jealousy is an uncontrollable human emotion, yet Consort Tao and Consort Ning showed absolutely no signs of jealousy. These two are certainly not saints, leaving only one possibility: they are so cunning that they can control their emotions with ease.

She was just waiting to see these dogs fight each other, and her mission was to seduce Murong into her bed.

Dealing with Lou Suyi, that kind of hard work, can be left to these two.

“What are you saying, Consort De? I’ve always considered Consort De a close sister I can talk to, never an outsider,” Consort Tao said with a smile.

Consort Ning listened quietly without making a sound.

Consort De then looked at Consort Ning and said, "Consort Ning, you seem unusually quiet today. Could it be that something is on your mind? We are all sisters. If you have something on your mind, you might as well tell us. Keeping things bottled up for too long can harm your health."

Consort Ning shook her head and sighed, "It just feels like time has passed too quickly. I suddenly remembered the scene when I first met Her Majesty the Empress. At that time, Her Majesty the Empress had not yet returned to secular life, but she was already stunningly beautiful. In the blink of an eye, Chen'er has turned one year old, and we have all grown a year older."

Hearing Ningfei's words, Tao Zhaoyi chuckled and said, "Sister is already looking back on the past. I've heard that only the elderly like to reminisce about the past. Sister's mindset is not good."

Consort Ning shook her head: "I am the oldest among all my sisters. I am indeed old, and I can't deny it." Consort De agreed: "What Consort Ning said is true. Among all my sisters, Consort Ning is the oldest."

Consort Tao couldn't stand seeing Consort De bullying Consort Ning, and she sneered, "If I remember correctly, Consort De and Consort Ning entered the palace together, didn't they? In terms of age, aren't Consort De and Consort Ning about the same age?"

Consort De covered her mouth and giggled, "I'm younger than Consort Ning, and besides, I look younger..."

She continued her witty remarks: "Oh, I didn't mean that Consort Ning looks old."

Wasn't Consort Ning supposed to be playing the role of a gentle and refined person? Anyway, no matter how much she provokes her, Consort Ning can't possibly argue back.

Consort Tao was truly angered by Consort De. How could someone have such a vicious tongue? It was utterly hateful.

Looking at Consort Ning's expression, she seemed unaffected by Consort De's words.

"I'll head back now. You two ladies, please continue your chat." Consort De was too lazy to engage in any more witty banter with the two women, so she boarded her palanquin and left.

Consort Tao scoffed lightly and whispered to Consort Ning, "Sister is just too good-natured. If my rank were higher than Consort De's, I would definitely teach her some manners!"

"We all see each other all the time, there's no need to make things too ugly. Even if discipline is necessary, it's not my place to do it; the Empress is above us." Consort Ning's throat itched, and she couldn't help but cough a few times.

Tao Zhaoyi then noticed that Consort Ning had applied powder today, something she rarely did before.

"Is my sister feeling unwell?" Consort Tao asked with concern.

"Her Majesty caught a cold a few days ago and only felt better yesterday. Today is the little prince's first birthday, and Her Majesty, fearing to spoil His Majesty and the Empress's joy, did not disturb anyone." The one who replied was Linglong, a palace maid serving Consort Ning.

Tao Zhaoyi felt distressed upon hearing this: "Sister's health is of utmost importance. If you are unwell, you should inform His Majesty."

Consort Ning smiled and said, "I'm fine, I'll be better soon. Everyone catches a cold sometimes."

Consort Tao sighed, "Sister is just too sensible. You know, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. If you hadn't said anything, how would His Majesty have known that you were sick? If it were that other person, they wouldn't have wanted to tell the whole world about even the slightest illness."

Consort Ning felt an even stronger itch in her throat and couldn't help but cough twice more.

But her coughing subsided, and she said in a hoarse voice, "I'll go back first, and my sister should go back early too."

Consort Tao watched Consort Ning depart into the distance, and after a long while, she sighed softly, "How can there be such a vast difference between people?"

She thought Consort Ning was very good; apart from not being particularly beautiful, she was good in every other way. But His Majesty only had eyes for Lou Suyi.

Besides her good looks, what else is there about Lou Suyi that is worth mentioning?
She truly felt sorry for Consort Ning.

After returning to Jingren Palace, Consort Ning's cough worsened.

Linglong specially invited the imperial physician to examine Consort Ning. After the physician prescribed medicine, Consort Ning took it and rested.

Linglong was worried about her master and stayed by his bedside at all times, fearing that her master would need someone to serve him.

A young eunuch beside her asked, "Should we go and invite His Majesty?"

"No need. Her Majesty instructed that today is the young prince's birthday, and we cannot go and spoil the fun," Linglong quickly replied.