Returning after a three-year escape from death, the tyrant has turned evil.

Chapter 234 Birthday Banquet

The entire area under the pavilion was decorated beautifully, and as Song Yi, the protagonist of the day, walked over, everyone looked at her with envy.

"Greetings, Your Majesty; greetings, Imperial Concubine."

Song Yi glanced around and, not seeing the Empress Dowager, knew that she was definitely unwilling to come today, and breathed a sigh of relief.

fair enough.

Just as she was feeling uneasy, Jiang Lanye raised his arm and put it around her shoulder, saying calmly, "Please take your seats first. I want to go with Consort Yun to see the peach blossoms over there."

Consort Meng was taken aback and asked, "Your Majesty, were those peach blossoms planted for the Imperial Concubine?"

Song Yi explained with a smile, "Because I really like peach blossoms, and my birthday happens to fall during the season when peach blossoms are in full bloom, so..."

Consort Shen was surprised by this. She recalled how she and Consort Meng had wondered why such ordinary flowers appeared in the Imperial Garden.

It turned out to be the case.

Consort Shen still didn't dare to look up at Jiang Lanye, but instead focused her gaze on the arm that was around Song Yi. The words that Eunuch Cao had said a couple of days ago came to mind, and she pursed her lips tightly.

She had absolutely no desire to attend her birthday banquet today.

Her intuition told her that coming would only make her feel uncomfortable.

Jiang Lanye knew perfectly well that until now, he had only ever chosen Song Yi as his concubine, yet he still chose to bring everyone over. He clearly wanted everyone to see just how much he doted on Song Yi.

Jiang Lanye led Song Yi over.

These peach trees are still quite short, but for Song Yi, the height is just right at this time, and what comes into view is a vast expanse of delicate pink peach blossoms.

The branches are very thin, and one after another, pink and white flowers are crowded on the branches. Because it had rained, the flowers and leaves looked particularly vibrant.

Most of the peach blossoms were in full bloom, their petals unfurling to reveal the pale yellow stamens inside.

Sunlight streamed through the petals, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

The air was filled with the fragrance of peach blossoms.

Song Yi turned to look at Jiang Lanye, gave him a bright smile, and said, "I really like peach blossoms, but I only stop and linger for a moment when I see peach trees outside. I never thought that I would actually have so many peach blossoms. You gave them all to me."

After saying that, she looked around a little shyly. Seeing that no one was looking at her, she immediately took Jiang Lanye's arm, stood on tiptoe, and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Jiang Lanye, thank you, I like it very much."

Jiang Lanye was momentarily dazed, then raised his hand to pat her head and said softly, "These are nothing. If there's anything else you like in the future, just tell me, and I'll give it to you."

As they were talking, a pink and white petal drifted down. Song Yi reached out to catch it and said, "Let's go, don't keep them waiting."

"Ah."

As the two walked back hand in hand, Song Yi sat next to Jiang Lanye. She sat in the main seat and had a clear view of everyone below.

She saw Consort Zhuang, whom she hadn't seen for a long time.

Consort Zhuang was still wearing a veil. Ever since her face was slashed by Jiang Lanye's men, she seemed to have never taken off her veil.

Song Yi glanced at it briefly, then smiled and said, "Today is my birthday banquet. The delicacies on the table were all prepared by the Imperial Kitchen at His Majesty's order. Everyone, please don't be shy today."

They didn't look very well.

Anyone with eyes can see that this is clearly in accordance with the standards for an empress, but she is only a Noble Consort. His Majesty's intentions are far too obvious.

Consort Ning sat upright to one side, pretending to be indifferent.

Since the Empress Dowager had already promised her, the Empress's position was definitely hers, so she could just bear with it.

Consort Shen sat down next to Consort Ning and whispered, "Consort Ning, was Consort Yun's birthday banquet like this before?" Consort Ning gave a short laugh, "Before? What before? She disappeared for three years without any reason. Where did His Majesty find the money to hold a birthday banquet for her?"

Consort Shen stared wide-eyed in surprise, stammering, "Three or three years? Isn't she a concubine in the harem? How could she disappear for three years out of nowhere?"

Consort Ning looked at her with great interest and said, "What? You've been in the palace for several days now, and you don't even know about this?"

Consort Shen shook her head blankly.

The two were speaking softly, and their whispering didn't escape Song Yi's notice.

Song Yi couldn't help but mutter to Jiang Lanye, "I have a feeling that several people will be talking badly about me behind my back at today's birthday banquet."

Jiang Lanye asked in a low voice, "Are you scared?"

She glared at Jiang Lanye. "What do I have to be afraid of? I'm upright and have nothing to hide. Besides, I'm hosting a birthday banquet with so much delicious food. If it were me, I would only think, 'I can get a free meal.'"

Jiang Lanye: "."

He stared at Song Yi's somewhat excited little face, and then reached out and pinched it, seemingly with a hint of helplessness.

Forget it, just be stupid.

Anyway, this wasn't the first time he thought Song Yi was stupid.

Song Yi slapped Jiang Lanye's hand away without any politeness.

Lin Cairen, who was below, spoke first: "Your Highness, you look so beautiful today."

Song Yi smiled and said, "It's because of the makeup."

Song Yi still had some impression of this Lady Lin.

She had just returned when the woman suddenly rushed up to her and knelt down, calling her "Your Highness the Imperial Concubine," which terrified Song Yi, who was still wearing a veil.

Jiang Lanye whispered from the side, "She looks good even on ordinary days."

Song Yi pretended not to hear.

After a while, seeing that everyone had said enough, Jiang Lanye suddenly spoke:
"Today is Consort Yun's birthday banquet. As you all saw just now, those peach blossoms were planted by my order as a gift to Consort Yun. Therefore, when you come to the Imperial Garden to admire the flowers, please do not touch those peach blossoms."

Song Yi choked up, not expecting Jiang Lanye to be so direct.

Consort Ning reluctantly replied, "Yes."

Consort Shen frowned.

Who cares about those peach blossoms?
"Besides that, I have something else to give to Consort Yun."

Song Yi looked at him in surprise.

She had assumed Jiang Lanye would give her the gift he had prepared when they were alone together that evening, but she hadn't expected this.
After saying that, Eunuch Cao suddenly came over with a wooden box in his hands and said with a smile, "Your Highness, this is a birthday gift prepared for you by His Majesty."

Song Yi stood up, and just as she was about to take it blankly, Jiang Lanye suddenly reminded her, "It might be a bit heavy."

Song Yi responded and, under the intense gaze of everyone, took the box.

It does have some weight, but it's not very heavy.

Jiang Lanye said softly, "Open it and take a look."

Song Yi opened it as instructed, and blinked in surprise when she saw what was inside.

She dared not take it out.