After swapping bodies with the princess, this prince slaughtered his way through the court and becam

Inside Changqiu Palace, high-ranking concubines and princesses could sit directly on chairs on either side of the hall.

Those of low status, after presenting their gifts, could only exit through a side door and stand outside the hall, waiting for the next part of the birthday celebration.

Meanwhile, Consort Ming, who had been openly and secretly targeting Wei Xinyan, was sitting with another woman dressed in luxurious clothes.

The two women do appear to look somewhat alike.

Consort Hua picked up her teacup, blew on it, took a small sip, and asked casually:

"How long has it been since His Majesty last visited you?"

Upon hearing this, Consort Ming gave an awkward smile:

"His Majesty has not come since Chang'er entered the academy."

Consort Hua nodded casually, then asked:

"What about the illegitimate child born to that maidservant of yours?"

At the mention of Wei Xinyan, a hint of malice flashed across Consort Ming's face:

"She somehow managed to attend the Empress's birthday celebration!"

I really don't understand. What's the point of someone with no power or influence attending a banquet other than to embarrass themselves?

Consort Hua put down her teacup and shook her head:

"This little brat, without any guidance, thinks that showing her face will win His Majesty's favor."

In such situations, it would be inappropriate to present a meager gift.

"You're not only embarrassing yourself, but also Her Majesty the Empress. What's the point?"

Consort Ming gritted her teeth:

"Just wait, I've already spoken with some of the palace maids and concubines in the palace."

"If that bastard offers a gift, then he'll be laughed at!"

In the central position of the long palace, the Empress slightly raised her chin, looking down at the offerings with an air of arrogance and elegance.

At this moment, she no longer had the sorrowful look she had a few months ago.

In another central position, the emperor, with a square, slightly plump face and a well-to-do figure, is looking at Empress Zhang with a smile.

Our queen has finally returned.

She was no longer the sister of Marquis Anren who would cry and beg him for her younger brother's title as a salt merchant.

This is the Empress Zhang who dared to stand in front of him and rebuke the ministers, and directly block the assassins!

Empress Zhang noticed the gazes around her and turned around with a smile.

The icy expression on her face instantly melted into a garden full of spring flowers.

The emperor couldn't help but reach out and shake the empress's hand.

"I was too short-tempered the other day and angered the Empress, the Empress..."

Before the emperor could finish speaking, the empress tightened her grip on his hand and shook her head.

"Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, and your words carry the weight of the law. How can you possibly apologize to a mere woman?"

However, I'm ashamed to admit that I was taught by a little girl back then.

He said that I am one with His Majesty as husband and wife, and that the wealth and honor of Marquis Anren should come from His Majesty, not from his concubine.

It was only then that I realized that the one who needed me most was actually Your Majesty, not my good-for-nothing brother.

The emperor's face showed curiosity:

"Oh? Who is it? Could it be Mei'er?"

At that moment, a voice announced something from the palace gate:

"Princess Wei Xinyan, the Fourteenth Princess, enters the palace to offer her congratulatory gifts!"

The Empress smiled slightly and pointed towards the palace entrance:

"She's here."

Ren Jingxing lowered his head and hunched his shoulders, walking briskly with short, quick steps.

This ceremonial posture caused some concubines and female officials from the Bureau of Ceremonies to frown deeply.

When the female official of the Imperial Ceremonial Bureau saw that it was Wei Xinyan, she gave up on scolding him.

After all, this person was personally invited by the Empress.

The eunuch took the congratulatory gifts and the gift list, and read them aloud:

"Fourteenth Princess, He Yan..."

The eunuch's voice abruptly stopped.

The eunuch's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Ren Jingxing.

Ren Jingxing blinked and nodded slightly.

The concubines, palace maids, and princesses who were watching couldn't help but start discussing it amongst themselves.

"What's going on? Why did you stop reading?"

"Could it be that the gift was too expensive?"

"Who is the Fourteenth Princess? I've never heard of her."

The eunuch who was giving the congratulatory gift suddenly became a little nervous. He swallowed hard and continued shouting:

"Fourteenth Princess, two congratulatory salt coupons!"

After the eunuch finished speaking, there was a moment of silence in Changqiu Hall, followed by a commotion.

"What did you send?"

"I didn't mispronounce it, did I?"

"Salt coupons? Weren't salt coupons invalidated?"

"For the Empress's birthday, as a princess, you only gave her two salt certificates?"

"This fourteenth princess is truly insane!"

Marquis Anren sacrificed his private salt business to save his own life, thus protecting the Empress.

Sending the salt certificates at this time is tantamount to slapping the Empress in the face, isn't it?

Consort Ming was initially taken aback, then covered her mouth and laughed through her tears.

Now, even the palace maids she instructed didn't need to say a word; everyone was mocking the Fourteenth Princess!

That fourteenth princess is a complete madwoman!

I'm afraid that after her birthday, her body will be used directly to nourish the peonies in front of the Empress's palace.

Consort Hua glanced at the center of the hall, then turned her head and asked:

"Is this the bastard?"

Consort Ming laughed until tears streamed down her face and nodded frantically.

"Now you don't even need to lift a finger; I reckon she won't survive the night."

The emperor wasn't angry; he just looked at the empress with some confusion.

After all, this was the princess who helped them reconcile; logically, she wouldn't be so foolish.

The Empress was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter:

"This girl is trying to curry favor with you."

"To claim credit?"

The emperor was unaware of the intricacies behind the salt administration, while the empress intended for the fourteenth princess to gain exposure in front of the emperor.

"Back then, this girl made me persuade Ah He to give up the salt business."

He even told me that I must slap him and show the handprint to Your Majesty.

But even after it was all over, I still hadn't thought of any reward for her.

The emperor nodded.

"The reform of the salt administration deserves the greatest credit."

In this light, the Fourteenth Princess has done me a great favor and deserves a reward!

These salt certificates will also disappear from the Great Wei in the future. I may keep one and look at it from time to time as a memento.

At this point, the Empress quietly tugged at her clothes and took out the jade pendant hanging on her chest.

"Your Majesty, look."

The emperor looked at it and showed a surprised expression:

"You found the jade pendant?"

The Queen nodded:

"It was this girl who found it."

The emperor finally nodded:

"This child is truly sincere. Since she is a princess, how come I have no recollection of her?"

Who is her mother?

The Empress's thoughts shifted slightly as she recalled how the Fourteenth Princess had always claimed that Consort Ming was targeting her.

Moreover, during the period when she was having a falling out with His Majesty, Consort Ming and Consort Hua were quite unconventional!

As the empress, how could she possibly intimidate the concubines without having the means to do so?

So the Empress sighed and shook her head, saying:

"The situation back then was somewhat complicated."

The Fourteenth Princess's mother was originally a maidservant of Consort Ming in Shaoguang Palace.

Later, she became pregnant with the Fourteenth Princess, and even after giving birth, she was unable to leave Shaoguang Palace, serving Consort Ming continuously.

Unfortunately, the maid died in Shaoguang Palace before the Fourteenth Princess came of age.

As expected, the emperor's face immediately turned gloomy.

After the eunuch announced the order, no command was given from the person behind the curtain.

The commotion inside the palace gradually subsided.

At this moment, Consort Ming suddenly stood up, slammed her hand on the table, and angrily said:

"What a fine Fourteenth Princess! The Empress's birthday is a day of great fortune for the entire nation!"

Sending two worthless salt coupons—is that a sarcastic jab at Marquis Anren?

After Mingfei finished speaking, a cold smile appeared on her lips.

She just wanted to add fuel to the fire.

Just then, the palace eunuch finally spoke:

"Princess Wei Xinyan, the Fourteenth Princess, is truly filial! Her gift is thoughtful!"

"Bestowed the title of Princess Filial Piety!"

The entire Changqiu Palace fell silent!