The empress is both charming and seductive, rising through the ranks of palace intrigue.

The next day, after paying her respects, the Empress sent over the fragrant silk gauze and brocade that she had mentioned at the imperial palace.

I must say, that fabric is truly exquisite; the pattern is beautiful, and it's incredibly soft and comfortable. It also has a faint fragrance, like a sweet floral scent.

Ning Shuyan became cautious upon smelling the aroma: "Qiu Le, come and take a look."

Qiu Le understood perfectly. She picked up the brocade and examined it closely. "Don't worry, Master, there's nothing unclean about it."

Qiu Le's family had been doctors for generations, and she had been exposed to this profession since childhood, developing a strong interest in medical research. In her spare time at the Marquis's residence, she would study medical texts, which was one of her pleasures. Therefore, she could distinguish whether a scent contained musk or poison simply by smelling it.

"Then send two bolts to the Imperial Household Department to make a set of clothes, and keep the remaining two for now."

Any gifts bestowed by the Empress must be worn out to show her, as a sign of respect.

July 29th arrived quickly; it was Consort Zhuang's birthday. Consort Zhuang used sweet words and coquettish manners in front of Xiao Yu, which finally convinced him to hold a birthday banquet for her.

This made Consort Rong very unhappy. She entered the Prince's residence before Consort Zhuang, and the Emperor had never held a birthday banquet for her.

At the banquet, all the concubines had arrived, waiting for Xiao Yu and Consort Zhuang.

"His Majesty treats Consort Zhuang so well, he specially held a banquet in Yingchun Palace," Consort Rong said sourly.

She was exceptionally radiant today, a gold-inlaid jade butterfly-wing hairpin adorning her sloping hair. Every movement she made resembled a butterfly taking flight, its golden hue dazzling and captivating. Her reddish-purple palace gown made her fair and smooth skin appear even more luminous.

Ning Shuyan looked at her and thought, "She truly deserves to be called the most beautiful woman in the harem. Her face is as beautiful as jade, her eyebrows as delicate as willow branches, and her cheeks are as rosy as if she's been blessed with good health. Her magnificent appearance clearly shows that she wants to outshine Consort Zhuang."

The Empress sat gracefully at the head of the table, smiling gently. "Consort Zhuang has been in the palace for many years, and His Majesty has shown her exceptional favor. It is only natural that a banquet be held for her. Didn't we also celebrate the First Prince's birthday recently?"

The Empress's attire today wasn't particularly outstanding, but her bright red palace dress and phoenix crown were symbols of her status as Empress. No matter how exquisitely others dressed, her entire outfit was unique.

Consort Rong was still uneasy, after all, the Emperor had never held a birthday banquet for her. She forced a smile and responded, then turned to stroke the eldest prince's face.

The Empress looked at Ning Shuyan's snow-blue palace dress, which made her skin appear even whiter and more alluring. She nodded in satisfaction and smiled, saying, "I suppose this is the Jade Fragrance Brocade; this color suits you very well."

Ning Shuyan rose and curtsied, saying, "Your Majesty, I have not yet personally thanked Your Majesty for your grace."

The Empress shook her head: "We're all sisters, no need for such formalities."

The group chatted politely, exchanging pleasantries. It wasn't until Xiao Yu and Consort Zhuang arrived that all eyes turned to them.

Consort Zhuang wore a crimson palace gown, with a royal blue collar and waist embroidered with countless flowers, exuding nobility and grandeur. Most striking was her peacock-gold hair crown, from which hung lustrous red agate strands. Her earrings and necklace were also made of agate, making her entire outfit a somewhat flamboyant display of red. However, it was perhaps a little too ostentatious; if she were a Noble Consort, it would be somewhat acceptable.

The Empress was slightly taken aback upon seeing this, but quickly regained her composure. No matter how popular she was, she wasn't the Empress's favorite.

"This crown suits you very well, sister," the Queen said with a gentle smile.

Consort Zhuang smiled, raising her hand to stroke the dangling agate tassels, which shimmered subtly as they swayed. A hint of pride appeared in her eyes: "Your Majesty the Empress has excellent taste; this was bestowed upon me by the Emperor." As she spoke, she gazed tenderly at Xiao Yu with her beautiful eyes.

Xiao Yu was leisurely sipping his tea, unaware of the tender gaze she was giving him.

The Empress's smile slowly froze at the corners of her mouth, becoming somewhat stiff. "This shows His Majesty's good taste."

Xiao Yu continued to look at the tea, without answering.

Consort Rong's magnificent attire paled in comparison to Consort Zhuang's. A hint of jealousy crept into her voice: "Such fine things, Consort Zhuang, you should cherish them after wearing them this once. If they get bumped or damaged, you'll be heartbroken."

Consort Zhuang snorted softly to herself, her beautiful eyes slightly raised: "Why should I leave what the Emperor bestowed upon me? The Emperor gave it to me so that I could wear it, right? If I don't wear it, it would be a waste of the Emperor's good intentions, wouldn't it, Your Majesty?" she asked Xiao Yu in a sweet voice.

Xiao Yu raised his eyes and smiled casually, "It's a gift from me, you can do whatever you want with it."

The Empress raised her wine cup and smiled gently, "Time really flies. Consort Zhuang has been by the Emperor's side for six years now. I remember you were twenty-two years old, weren't you? I wish you continued beauty and youthful vigor."

Consort Zhuang's smile turned slightly cold. Did she really need to remind herself that she was twenty-two? Among the women present, besides the Empress and Consort Rong, she was the oldest. She raised her wine cup and forced a smile, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Just then, the sound of Xi Jieyu gagging came from behind.

The Empress quickly asked, "Is Consort Xi feeling unwell?"

Consort Xi quickly stood up, clutching her chest, and said, "I feel a little nauseous from the smell of this mushroom and duck dish, but I'll feel better in a moment. It's nothing serious."

Xiao Yu quickly ordered someone to remove the dish, and then said gently, "If there is any other dish that smells unpleasant, just have the palace servants remove it."

Ye Jieyu frowned slightly as she watched her favorite dish being removed from the table. There was nothing she could do about it; after all, she was a delicate person.

Consort Zhuang rolled her eyes. Consort Xi was always stealing her thunder time and time again.

At this moment, Xiao Yu noticed Ning Shuyan's purple palace dress. She had worn purple before. The color looked exceptionally elegant, mysterious, gentle, and charming on her.

Ning Shuyan seemed to sense someone watching her. She raised her eyes and glanced up, only to meet Xiao Yu's gaze. Startled, she quickly looked away and bit her lower lip.

Ning Shuyan didn't know what she was afraid of, but she suddenly felt a little flustered. Why was he looking at her like that?

Xiao Yu also withdrew his gaze, finding Ning Shuyan's evasive look amusing.

Consort Zhuang watched as Xiao Yu laughed at everyone in the hall, seemingly not looking at anyone else. Curious, she asked, "Your Majesty, what amusing thing are you thinking about?"

Xiao Yu snapped out of his reverie, a faint smile playing on his lips: "I was just thinking, so fast. Ling'er has been with me for six years already."

When Consort Zhuang heard Xiao Yu address her in such a way in front of everyone, her expression softened as she glanced around: "But I feel as if I've been by Your Majesty's side for a long time..."

Tonight, Consort Zhuang was like a gentle and radiant cherry blossom blooming on a branch, every word she spoke to Xiao Yu exuding tenderness. Consort Rong secretly gritted her teeth, only feeling much better after pushing the eldest prince in front of Xiao Yu.

Needless to say, Xiao Yu stayed in Consort Zhuang's palace that night.