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

The grand birthday banquet began three days before Lunar New Year's Eve.

Outside the hall, the air was bitterly cold, but inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, it was warm as spring because of the countless charcoal braziers burning.

Civil and military officials wore court robes, while concubines in the harem jingled with their jewelry, their clothes fragrant and their hair elegant.

This year's birthday banquet was far more grand than in previous years.

Not only were there officials from the court, but also envoys from the Western Regions, the Northern Desert, and even the Eastern Sea Kingdom, who brought exotic treasures and congratulatory messages, all gathered together.

This birthday banquet was jointly organized by the Empress and Consort De.

Song Shuangning was flanked by Consort Xu and Consort Ye on either side, and she slowly took her seat.

During the meal, Zheng Yueyao gently shook the arm of the old lady beside her, "Mother, look, that is Consort Yuan."

The old lady followed her gaze and saw Song Shuangning calmly taking her seat. In that instant, she froze on the spot.

They look so alike, so incredibly alike.

Their expressions and demeanor are practically identical.

Especially those eyes.

The old lady's mind was in complete turmoil, as various clues connected together.

This is no coincidence.

Zheng Yueyao whispered, "Mother must find this unbelievable too, right?"

The old lady's hand trembled slightly. "Yes."

Before long, the high-pitched voice of a eunuch announced something outside the hall.

The Emperor and Empress arrived together.

Xiao Yan wore a bright yellow dragon robe with twelve imperial symbols, his face calm.

The Empress, dressed in a bright red phoenix robe, naturally exuded the air of a mother of the nation.

Outside the palace, fragments of jade and precious stones were falling softly.

The Empress gazed at the snow scene outside the window, a gentle smile playing on her lips, and softly spoke to Xiao Yan beside her:

"Your Majesty, look at this snow falling from the sky. It truly fulfills the auspicious saying, 'A timely snow promises a bumper harvest.' Your birthday falls at this very moment, a truly auspicious sign from heaven, indicating that our dynasty will be forever secure and the country will be prosperous and peaceful."

All the civil and military officials, along with the concubines of the harem, rose together, raised their wine cups high, and shouted in unison, "Wishing His Majesty a joyous birthday! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Xiao Yan drank the wine in his cup to the last drop.

The envoy from Yunshuo Kingdom bowed and said, "Our country has a saying: 'Celebrating a birthday with dance can prolong the dynasty's life.' To wish Your Majesty a long and prosperous life, our Princess Mingyue wishes to offer a dance to bring a smile to Your Majesty's face."

Xiao Yan said gently, "You've come from afar, thank you for your thoughtfulness."

These four simple words sounded like a heavy hammer blow to the concubines.

What was bound to happen has finally happened.

The melodious sounds of string and wind instruments rose, and several dancers moved gracefully, circling the central figure like water, before slowly retreating.

Princess Yunshuo twirled gently, her dance dress unfolding layer upon layer like a snow lotus suddenly blooming, captivating all who beheld it.

Song Shuangning held her wine cup, watching with great interest.

It must be admitted that Princess Yun Shuo was incredibly charming, and her captivating gaze seemed to linger on Xiao Yan almost imperceptibly.

However, the Empress Dowager's expression on her throne was not very pleasant.

After the dance ended, Xiao Yan clapped his hands and said, "Princess, you have put a lot of thought into this. Your dance is very beautiful."

Princess Yunshuo bowed gracefully, her breath slightly ragged, adding to her delicate and charming appearance.

She did not rush to express her gratitude, but instead raised her shimmering eyes to look at Xiao Yan on the dragon throne, and said shyly:

"It is my honor to receive Your Majesty's praise. I have long admired the Celestial Empire. If I could gain Your Majesty's favor, it would not only be my good fortune, but also a blessing for the diplomatic relations between our two countries."

These words were perfectly watertight.

The hall fell silent instantly, and all eyes were focused on the emperor.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's face remained expressionless, revealing neither joy nor anger.

He pondered for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the concubines below the steps with their various expressions, before finally settling back on the princess of Yunshuo Kingdom, a faint smile suddenly appearing on his lips.

Xiao Yan announced loudly, "By imperial decree, the princess of Yunshuo Kingdom is hereby conferred the title of Consort Qing and granted residence in Jingren Palace."

Upon hearing the words "Consort Qing," the princess of Yunshuo Kingdom was almost overflowing with joy.

She never expected that she would become a concubine as soon as she entered the palace!

Suppressing her overwhelming joy, she respectfully kowtowed in gratitude, saying, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great favor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

The concubines' expressions all changed.

Consort Shu and Consort Shao, who was standing to the side, exchanged a glance, their eyes flashing with helpless jealousy.

The Empress Dowager's slightly cold voice rang out, "On the Emperor's birthday, my niece has also prepared a dance."

Upon hearing this, many people in the hall immediately understood.

It turned out that the Empress Dowager's gloomy expression just now was not because she was displeased with the Yun Shuo Kingdom princess being made a concubine, but because she was upset that her niece had been overshadowed.

Song Shuangning thought that there had been rumors about the princess of Yunshuo Kingdom entering the palace. If the Empress Dowager's niece was truly intelligent, she should have found another way instead of insisting on competing in the same venue and thus losing out.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan simply gave a faint "hmm".

Then, dance music filled the hall again.

The crowd watched with little interest, not even bothering to glance at it.

Xiao Yan never raised his eyes from beginning to end, but slowly sipped the wine in his cup, his lazy appearance showing no interest in anything in front of him.

The Empress Dowager glanced at Xiao Yan with displeasure.

When the dance ended, the Empress Dowager's niece, Shen Qinghan, gave a slight bow, her stiffness barely concealed.

She looked up at the man on the dragon throne, her voice barely audible: "This humble woman... wishes Your Majesty a happy birthday."

However, all she received in response was Xiao Yan's usual indifference.

He didn't even look up, only letting out a barely audible "hmm" from his nose.

This dismissive response was like a bucket of ice water, drenching Shen Qinghan from head to toe.

The carefully maintained, polite smile on her face froze instantly, all color drained from her face, and she stood there awkwardly, her fingertips trembling slightly.

The Empress Dowager's face also darkened.

The Emperor and the Empress Dowager, this mother and son, have long been outwardly friendly but inwardly at odds. The Empress Dowager wanted to plant spies through her niece, but how could the Emperor allow her to do so?

Shen Qinghan is nothing more than a pawn destined to be sacrificed.

Just as Shen Qinghan was about to collapse, Xiao Yan finally spoke lazily.

But his gaze remained fixed on the wine glass: "The dancing was acceptable. In that case, let's proceed according to the rules."

Xiao Yan paused, as if just remembering something, and casually said, "Confer upon her the title of Jieyu, and grant her a seat."

The fact that she was merely a Jieyu (a concubine rank) shattered Shen Qinghan's last illusions.

She had thought that, at the very least, she should be a concubine of the lowest rank among the nine concubines.

She forced back the tears welling in her eyes, lowered her head deeply, and tried her best to make her voice sound steady.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace."

A sly smile played on Song Shuangning's lips as she thought to herself, "With two beauties by my side, the Emperor must be feeling incredibly pleased right now."

With a hint of sarcasm, she quickly glanced at the dragon throne.

But that one glance was precisely what the Emperor saw.

He seemed to have been waiting for her all along. His previously languid posture instantly vanished, and he sat up straight, raising an eyebrow with a playful glint in his eyes.

Song Shuangning quickly lowered her eyelashes.

This can also be detected.

Xiao Yan lowered his head and drank his wine, then couldn't help but smile. She loved watching the spectacle so much; she deserved to be punished.

The birthday banquet didn't end until 3:45 PM, and everyone was already exhausted, both physically and mentally.

As Song Shuangning walked out of the Hall of Supreme Harmony with the crowd, the biting night wind cleared her muddled mind somewhat.

Just then, a figure hurriedly caught up and blocked her way; it was Zheng Yueyao.

She looked somewhat anxious, gave a curtsy, and said, "Greetings, Consort Yuan. My mother... is waiting in the side hall. She said she felt a connection with you and would like to say a few words. Would you mind stepping in for a moment?"

Although Song Shuangning had some doubts, seeing her earnest words and considering the Zheng family's reputation, she nodded.

Following her to the side hall, they saw Old Madam Zheng waiting alone, her expression filled with an indescribable excitement.

Upon seeing Song Shuangning, the old lady grabbed her hand, and tears welled up in her weathered eyes.

"Child..." The old lady's voice trembled, her eyes fixed on her palm.

When she saw the tiny cinnabar mole the size of a grain of rice on Song Shuangning's right palm, tears welled up in her eyes.

This sudden action left Song Shuangning somewhat bewildered.

She gently withdrew her hand and asked tactfully, "Madam, is there something you need, and Miss Zheng's as well?"

The old lady then seemed to wake from a dream, quickly wiping away her tears and forcing a smile: "It's nothing, it's nothing... I just think you look so much like an old friend. Good child, it's getting late, you should go back and rest."

Although Song Shuangning had many questions, seeing that she was unwilling to say more, she had no choice but to take her leave.

As she stepped out of the side hall, she felt that although the old lady's behavior was strange, her eyes revealed a genuine kindness.

It made her feel a strange sense of familiarity.