That Imperial Concubine is both wicked and cunning! Your Majesty, wake up!

The Empress Dowager's birthday arrived as scheduled.

The area in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony had been swept clean and spotless. Marigolds and nandina were arranged in clusters inside the hall, their gold and red colors complementing each other, spreading out like a beautiful brocade cloud.

Gilded palace lanterns hang under the eaves, decorated with the "Pine and Crane Longevity" pattern. When the wind blows, the tassels sway gently, and glittering gold dust falls all over the ground.

The birthday banquet was held in an open hall in a side hall of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, with dozens of eight-immortal tables arranged in a row, covered with bright yellow tablecloths embroidered with the auspicious words of "longevity and good fortune".

On the table were cloisonné enamel bowls and plates, filled with imperial dishes such as "Longevity Buns," "Jade and White Soup," and steamed Qilin fish.

Following the palace attendants' directions, Song Shuangning took her seat, which was placed next to Consort Shao.

Song Shuangning's father, the Marquis of Zhenbei, sat in the first row of the court officials' seats, separated from the concubines' seats by a carved screen, where only the outline of her father's figure could be vaguely seen.

Grandmother Madam Zheng and Aunt Zheng Yueyao sat in the first row of the outer ladies' section.

She nodded slightly, and Old Madam Zheng nodded kindly at her, saying to Zheng Yueyao, "My little girl is so beautiful."

"That's right, thankfully I didn't take after my brother."

Her elder brother had a full beard and a fierce appearance, but fortunately, Yuan Jieyu did not resemble him at all. She was born with bright eyes and white teeth, and was beautiful and charming.

A sharp eunuch's voice rang out.

"The Emperor has arrived! The Empress Dowager has arrived! The Empress has arrived!"

Xiao Yan and the Empress helped the Empress Dowager into the palace.

The Empress Dowager wore a bright yellow brocade robe embroidered with a hundred bats holding longevity symbols, and a red gold phoenix hairpin inlaid with pearls and dangling with delicate swaying ornaments. When she smiled, even the wrinkles on her face radiated a warm and joyful aura.

The concubines, princes, and noblewomen all bowed in turn and shouted in unison, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress Dowager! Long live the Empress!"

"Rise," Xiao Yan said.

In the center of the hall stood an exquisite stage, where actors dressed in colorful costumes were performing excerpts from the opera "The Peach Banquet." The sounds of the erhu and gongs rose and fell, making the hall lively and bustling.

The birthday banquet was halfway through, and the music and ceremonies paused briefly.

Li Fuquan led two eunuchs forward, carrying a large box. When the box was opened, it contained a necklace of longevity beads made of a hundred pearls, each one round and large, which made the whole hall shine.

The second birthday gift was an enamel screen inlaid with various precious stones, depicting the themes of "longevity with pine and crane" and "offering peaches for longevity," shimmering with light and color.

The Empress Dowager's eyes crinkled with a smile. "Your Majesty, you're very kind."

Xiao Yan said, "As long as Mother is happy."

The birthday gifts from the concubines of each palace had already been secretly sent to Shou Kang Palace.

As the Empress, she presented a seated Guanyin statue carved from Hetian jade, while Consort De, catering to Consort De's tastes, presented a set of famille rose porcelain bowls depicting the longevity of the hundred gods.

Xiao Yan picked up his wine cup, took a small sip, and looked over the crowd, his gaze landing on Song Shuangning.

"Consort Yuan, didn't you prepare a birthday gift for the Empress Dowager? Take it out."

Upon hearing this, Song Shuangning's skirt swayed slightly, and she gracefully moved to the center of the hall.

Instantly, everyone in the hall turned their attention to her, eager to see what birthday gift she would present.

Song Shuangning curtsied and said in a respectful but not arrogant manner, "Your Majesty, I have been reviewing the palace regulations today and found that there are still some omissions in the details of offerings before the Buddha in the sacrificial rites of the inner palace. Therefore, I have taken the liberty of referring to the old examples and making some additions and improvements. I ask Your Majesty to take a look."

The old woman stepped down, took the booklet from her with both hands, and presented it to the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager lowered her eyes and carefully examined the documents. Her slightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed. Finally, she looked up at Song Shuangning and said, "Hmm. You've done a good job perfecting it. I noticed how messy these details were when I was here, and I was just about to organize them, but you beat me to it."

The Empress Dowager took a sip of tea, tapping the teacup lightly with her fingertips, and said in a tone that was both praise and sigh, "Marquis of Zhenbei, Consort Yuan is indeed worthy of being a child of your Zheng family; she is intelligent and quick-witted."

Grandma Zheng looked at her granddaughter with a face full of pride.

Then the Marquis of Zhenbei bowed and said, "It is my daughter's honor to be able to share the Empress Dowager's burdens."

Although the Imperial Household Department and the Ministry of Rites changed her name from a concubine's daughter of the Song family to the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Zhenbei, the ceremony for announcing her kinship to the imperial relatives was canceled due to the inconvenience.

The Marquis of Zhenbei's words not only acknowledged Song Shuangning as his daughter in front of the Emperor and everyone else, thus silencing the gossips that his claim was illegitimate, but also subtly supported Song Shuangning.

Xiao Yan suddenly spoke up, "Consort Yuan has shared the Empress's burdens, and it just so happens that she is recognizing her relatives. Shouldn't the Empress bestow some rewards upon her?"

The Empress Dowager paused, her hand holding the prayer beads still. She turned to look at Xiao Yan, her eyes showing some displeasure.

Xiao Yan seemed oblivious to her expression and slowly said, "The booklet that Consort Yuan presented this time appears to be a birthday gift, but in reality, it has resolved a matter of concern for the Empress Dowager. It is so thoughtful and considerate. The Empress Dowager has always been kind and benevolent. If we do not reward her today, wouldn't we be letting down your kind and compassionate heart?"

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager understood.

Her "good son" placed her on a high platform in front of all the concubines and the families of the court officials.

If they contradicted the emperor, they would lose face for the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion and appear narrow-minded. But if they agreed, they would be following the emperor's wishes and elevating Consort Yuan's status.

The Empress Dowager gritted her teeth inwardly, but maintained a dignified smile on her face.

"The Emperor is right. Since that is the case, and Consort Yuan is thoughtful and considerate, I hereby issue an edict to promote Consort Yuan to the rank of Zhaoyi."

"Is the Emperor satisfied now?"

The Empress Dowager looked at the person on the throne and asked through gritted teeth.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan raised his wine cup to toast the Empress Dowager from afar, his tone carrying a hint of casual ease, "I am naturally satisfied. The Empress Dowager has always been kind and benevolent, and I imagine she would be pleased to see this happen as well."

The Empress Dowager was angered by his words, but because of the many people in the hall, she could only snort coldly and look away.

Song Shuangning said, "Your Majesty, I thank you. I wish Your Majesty good health."

The Marquis of Zhenbei, accompanied by Madam Zheng and Zheng Yueyao, expressed their gratitude, saying, "Your Majesty, we thank you for your great kindness."

The Empress took another sip of wine, but couldn't taste anything in it. The Emperor, who was gazing tenderly at Consort Yuan, suddenly found it somewhat amusing.

She guarded this central position, exhausting herself day and night.

Consort Yuan's current prestige is no less than that of Consort Rong back then.

However, Consort Yuan differs from Consort Rong in one crucial aspect—

Consort Yuan won the emperor's genuine favor, while Consort Rong only earned his fear and scheming.

The most obvious difference lies in the fact that contraceptives disguised as nourishing tonics are different from contraceptives disguised as fertility-enhancing and pregnancy-stabilizing medicines.

Both may seem to be contraceptives, but the underlying meanings are completely different.

The incense flames in the incense burner flickered, the red light shrinking to a single point before just beginning to glow again, and even the wisps of smoke drifted intermittently.

An unstable incense offering is an ominous sign.