"Xian Fei's sister, why be so modest? Sister's Changchun Palace management is in order, the palace people are all obedient and do not dare to have a second heart. How can there be what you said about being unbearable?" Qiao Jingyu did not give up, but rather continued to persuade her along with her words.

  Before she could respond, he shifted his gaze back to the front and asked, "What does Your Majesty think?"

  "Your Majesty, I actually..." Consort Xian wanted to speak but was interrupted by Zong Zhengjin.

  "Very well, let's do it as you said," Zong Zhengjin replied in coordination, and then turned his head to say, "You don't have to bear too much burden either. I believe in you. Besides, it's just a matter of time. Everything will be fine if we follow the rules."

  Since it has come to this point and it was Zong Zhengjin who said it, Xianfei could no longer refuse.

  It's no good to be entangled in this anymore, so I'll take the lead. If there's anything I don't understand, I'll definitely ask Concubine Shu carefully. I hope you won't mind me disturbing your peace, Your Highness.

  Qiao Jing nodded, "This is natural."

  "Your Majesty, there's one more thing. It's not something I should be concerned with, but given the current situation, I have to bring it up. With the passing of New Year's Eve, a new year will begin. I wonder if Your Majesty intends to promote the ranks of the imperial sisters?"

  Logically, this matter should be the responsibility of the empress, but now that the phoenix throne is empty, although there have been ministers asking to crown a new empress for some time, the emperor has always suppressed and not issued an edict. She didn't want to think deeply about the reasons behind it.

  It's just a diversionary tactic, and it's also for one's own purposes.

  Zong Zhengjin thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement. This matter was neither here nor there to him, and the difference was not great. "The high position of the harem is indeed not many people, so let's take advantage of this grand ceremony to do it once. The ceremony of granting titles will be held together with the full moon ceremony of the fourth imperial son. Let Xian Fei handle this matter."

  Everyone who heard the words felt both joy and jealousy, and the emperor's intention was to hint that they were promoted only because of the fourth prince, and their promotion ceremony was held together with his full moon banquet. Even if their ranks were higher, they were still just concubines, and could not surpass the prestige of the fourth prince.

  And his birth mother, Jin Xiu Rong Su Jing.

  Invisible in the midst, they are equivalent to just being a foil for them.

  How one thinks in their heart is not always visible on their face, but a few hints of joy are inevitably revealed.

  Zong Zhengjin saw, with the same expressionless face, but in his heart, he had a little more disgust. After finally enduring to the end of the banquet, he said a few words and left. "Your Majesty, don't sigh anymore, today is New Year's Eve, tomorrow is a new year," heard Yao see her sitting on the bed, although she was flipping through a book, but from time to time, she sighed out loud.

  Su Jing furrowed her delicate eyebrows and shook her head, sighing, "This palace has grown another year older."

  Xiang Yu couldn't help but smile, "Even if the princess is a year older, she's still as beautiful as a flower, with a heavenly beauty that can't be blocked by anything."

  Su Jing let out a soft laugh, feeling as though she had found someone who understood her. "You're right," she said. "I think you have excellent taste. This year's reward money, take a bit more of it."

  Dai Man couldn't help but interrupt, stamping her foot, "Your Ladyship, I disagree. Yao only said two sentences and you rewarded her with more silver. If I were to say three sentences, wouldn't Your Ladyship give me even more silver?"

  Su Jing raised an eyebrow, "It depends on whether what you say is something that I want to hear."

  "If that's what I said, it's also what Fei'er wants to hear. Does Fei'er want to give me some reward silver as well?" Zong Zhengjin walked in from outside and said with a relaxed expression.

  The old woman selling melons is indeed bragging and still thinks it's not enough.

  Su Jing nodded solemnly, "That's natural, but it also depends on whether the Emperor's words are in line with my intentions."

  Dai Man and Ting Yao didn't dare stay any longer, so they paid their respects and left.

  Zong Zhengjin walked to the bedside and sat down, touched her hand, and found it wasn't cold. He directly held it in his own hands, "Then tell me what's on your mind."

  The Emperor said whatever he wanted, it would always hit the heart of his subjects, and must be in line with their intentions.

  Zong Zhengjin raised an eyebrow and didn't respond. The two locked eyes, seeing her waiting for his next words, he simply cooperated again, "Why?"

  This little thing is getting more and more difficult to serve.

  Su Jingxi revealed a bright smile, intending to praise his emotional intelligence, and laughed, "Because the emperor is in my heart, my heart is all about the emperor, so naturally whatever the emperor says is right."

  Zong Zhengjin didn't mind her being so blunt, without any disdain, instead a smile appeared in his heart, "You, you've been together for a year, how come you still haven't made any progress"

  Su Jing shook his hand and didn't seem afraid, smiling and saying, "How could I not have made progress, I've become more beautiful."

  Zong Zhengjin was amused by her and scratched her nose, "How can you be so shameless?"

  "It's all grown on the emperor's face, after all," Su Jing said whatever came to her mind, and only realized that it was somewhat inappropriate after speaking, so she secretly observed his expression, but didn't find anything out of place, which made her slightly relieved.

  Zong Zhengjin's mouth twitched slightly, somewhat speechless, but not angry. "You're becoming more and more unscrupulous."

  Su Jing pouted and changed the subject, "Will Your Majesty give me some hongbao money this year?"

  "No," Zong Zhengjin spat out coldly.

  Su Jing's face changed immediately, and a hint of resentment appeared on her originally smiling face, "Your Majesty"

  "You're all parents now."

  "But I am younger than Your Majesty."

  “”

  “”

  That night, the two of them had been "discussing" this matter for a long time, and even before falling asleep, they still hadn't come to a conclusion. "Master, the Emperor went to Guan Yu Palace again tonight," Hongzhu walked in and said somewhat indignantly.

  An Shu Wei didn't show much expression, nodded slightly and didn't continue the conversation.

  Hongzhu saw that her master was so indifferent and couldn't help but feel a bit unfair, "Master, don't you care at all?"

  An Shu furrowed her brow, "What's wrong with Ben Pei's current life? Ben Pei is very satisfied."

  Indeed, although the emperor had never been to Zhongxiu Palace before and had not favored her, but now her life is much better than she had imagined, and she didn't have much desire for imperial favor in the first place. She was unwilling to do things that would harm others and go against reason. Being ordinary and simple, being herself, was the best thing to do.

  She is not born cold, but has seen a lot, understood a lot, and has fewer obsessions. She doesn't care about many things from birth, and a simple and quiet life is good.

  Hongzhu, however, did not think so. Even if it was because of the third prince's sake, her own master's days were spent better than others, at least no one dared to privately deduct their share, nor did anyone dare to disrespect them openly. But such a life, without the emperor, to put it bluntly, was equivalent to being a widow in all but name.

  Anyway, she can't see where it's good.

  She glanced at her face, sighed softly, thought for a moment, and decided to say, "You are Ben Pei, brought in from outside the palace. If you can't be of one mind with Ben Pei, don't blame Ben Pei for being ruthless if you act arbitrarily."

  Hongzhu was startled in her heart and hastily knelt down, knocking her head on the ground, "Your servant dares not, begging Master to forgive the crime."

  An Shu Yi didn't even call out, let alone get up to help her. "I don't know if someone has said something to you, but if you can't even make the most basic distinction and your ears are too soft, or if you're disloyal to me, then you might as well leave Chong Xi Palace. I don't need you."

  "Master, spare my life!" Hong Zhu knelt on the ground, continuously knocking her head and crying.

  She indeed heard some words from others, but absolutely had no intention of betraying her own master, only that she was not worthy of her own master.

  In terms of family background and knowledge, Zhen Xiurong is not as good as the master, but she is more beautiful, so she has occupied the emperor for so long, and even doesn't let the emperor see the third prince once. In comparison, the fourth prince is really too lucky.

  An Shu Yi waved her hand, "Get up, you were brought into the palace by Ben Pei and are also the person she trusts most. However, as for what to do and what to say, you should also have a balance in your heart."

  Hongzhu nodded and said, "I understand."

  "Uh, you go down first," An Shuyi nodded, watching her back disappear, seemingly thoughtful, but not really putting her mind at ease. "Empress Dowager, please take your medicine," Liu Momo placed the medicine bowl on a tray and brought it up.

  The empress dowager didn't even glance at her, her tone calm and collected. "Put it aside for now, I don't feel like drinking."

  Liu Momo sighed in her heart, originally before she didn't feel anything was wrong when she wasn't sick, but after falling ill it's like a mountain collapsed, during this period of time, the Empress Dowager indeed grew old by a lot, whether physically or mentally.

  But she can only watch from the side and can't do anything.

  The Empress Dowager and the Emperor have been at odds, never stopping, but it's unknown whether this move will retreat or advance, and whether the Emperor will buy into it.

  "Is the one from Guan Yu Palace attending tonight's New Year's Eve banquet?" The Empress Dowager asked, taking a deep breath.

  Liu Moumou shook her head, "No, the imperial physician said that Zhenxiu's delivery was exhausting and she needs to rest for a few more months."

  The empress nodded, "Since she has already given birth, Ah Jin's illness should also be cured."

  Her illness is not incurable, old age is one aspect, but more of it is a heart disease.

  "Empress Dowager, what's the point of this again?"

  The empress smiled lightly, "Mei'er is not a child who can bear heavy responsibilities, but I have no choice but to consider her, let's prepare everything and we'll make a decision in a few days."

  "Yes."

  Palace Concubine (Yi) / 33 / 33265

  Gong Shu