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

On the Empress's birthday, it should be the happiest day of the year for her. Near the end of the banquet, Xiao Yu would personally go to Fengqi Palace to accompany the Empress to Yingchun Hall. After the banquet, Xiao Yu would naturally stay at Fengqi Palace.

The concubines arrived early, each one dressed like a flower, each with their own unique charm.

Especially Consort Zhuang, now that Consort Rong is confined, she is naturally the only remaining consort. Today, she wore her hair in a "fallen horse" style, adorned with several pearls of varying sizes. Most striking was the gilded jade hairpin with dangling ornaments, each gold tassel shimmering like the golden light of sunrise, dazzling and radiant. It perfectly complemented the gold peony pattern on her long dress, making her every movement exude regal beauty.

The concubines chatted idly for a while before the eunuch outside announced, "The Emperor and Empress have arrived!"

Today, the Empress wore a long, bright yellow robe that trailed on the ground, embroidered with several blooming peonies. On her head was a golden phoenix crown with phoenixes flying, from which hung red-gold phoenix pearl hairpins. As she walked, she was dazzling and radiant, her phoenix-like presence magnificent.

Xiao Yu, standing to the side, wore a black dragon robe, exuding an aura of nobility and mystery, instantly embodying the demeanor of a monarch.

No matter how many women were in his harem, only his principal wife, the Empress, could stand openly by his side.

After everyone paid their respects and exchanged greetings, starting with Consort Zhuang, each palace sent their congratulatory gifts one by one.

When it came to Consort Xi's turn, the Empress quickly stopped her from bowing, saying, "You are pregnant, you can just stand." After a pause, she turned to Consort Ning and said, "Consort Ning as well."

Upon hearing this, Xi Jieyu smiled faintly, gently touching her slightly protruding belly as she presented the congratulatory gift.

Next, Ning Shuyan presented her congratulatory gift.

The Empress's actions were virtuous and kind, and Xiao Yu also cast an approving glance at her.

The gifts from the concubines were nothing more than ornaments, famous calligraphy and paintings, or things they had embroidered themselves.

What Xiao Yu presented caught everyone's eye was a 20mm pearl from the East, round and large, with a crystal-clear texture and a smooth, lustrous sheen.

The Empress smiled at Zhan Yan, her eyes brimming with undisguised joy.

Consort Ying smiled and said, "This pearl is round and lustrous, not only is it large, but it is also flawless. It is thanks to Her Majesty the Empress that we were able to see it as well."

Consort Zhuang gripped her skirt tightly, wishing she could pluck the few small pearls from her hair. She used to treasure these pearls like precious gems, afraid of even bumping or damaging them. Now, compared to the Empress's enormous pearl, her own pearls paled in comparison, utterly unworthy of her attention.

However, such a large pearl could only be worn by the Empress. Regardless of whether the Emperor respected the Empress or put thought into it, ultimately, among the concubines, only the Empress was suitable to wear that pearl.

The Empress raised a cup of wine, her face beaming with a smile: "Your Majesty, I thank you. I toast Your Majesty."

Xiao Yu smiled and raised his wine cup: "The Empress is virtuous, and this is what you deserve."

The emperor and empress were drinking happily, which made many people feel uneasy.

A thin, veil-like smile played on Ning Shuyan's lips. Just now, the Emperor said that the Empress was virtuous and therefore deserved to be Empress. Why isn't she my Empress...?

It seems that the Emperor's feelings for the Empress are nothing special, and he doesn't necessarily have much affection for Consort Zhuang either.

"The emperor has no heart!" Ning Shuyan thought to herself.

Just then, a voice came from outside requesting an audience with the eldest prince. Xiao Yu remembered that it had been a while since he had seen his son, so he let him in.

The eldest prince slowly entered and respectfully bowed: "Your subject greets the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and all the other consorts."

Xiao Yu quickly beckoned the eldest prince forward: "You'er, what brings you here?"

The eldest prince stepped forward and bowed to the empress again: "Your Majesty, I wish you good health. I have come to present a birthday gift to you on behalf of my mother."

As he spoke, the palace maid behind him hurriedly presented the congratulatory gift. Xiao Yu's eyes changed as he looked at the gift. It was a Guanyin statue that he had given to Consort Rong when she was pregnant.

The Empress smiled gently and said, "I really like the gift from your mother."

After saying that, she smiled and said, "Consort Rong is so thoughtful, even while under house arrest, she still specially sent me a congratulatory gift."

Xiao Yu remained calm and spoke gently with the eldest prince for a long time before the prince returned to the palace.

Ning Shuyan had a premonition that Consort Rong would probably be released soon.

Xi Jieyu, who was standing to the side, looked at the crab meat on the table and said in a low voice, "This crab looks good, let's try it."

The Empress knew that Consort Xi and Consort Ning were both pregnant, so the food on that table was specially prepared.

The Empress said gently, "Now is the perfect time to eat crabs. They taste delicious, so you can try them right away. They won't taste as good if they get cold."

All the concubines agreed.

Ning Shuyan looked at the crab meat. This was the first time she had ever eaten crab meat that had been peeled so cleanly, with not a trace of the crab shell left.

The Empress then said, "Consort Xi and Consort Ning, you are both pregnant and should not eat too many crabs, so I have only prepared two for you."

Ning Shuyan quickly replied, "Your Majesty the Empress is so thoughtful."

The Empress smiled and said, "Now that you are both pregnant, it is only right that I take extra care of you."

Xiao Yu looked at the Empress with satisfaction, then glanced at Ning Shuyan's table, noticing that the fish there was almost completely eaten. He quickly said, "Consort Ning likes fish, please take my fish away."

Yang An quickly picked up the fish and walked downstairs.

Ning Shuyan was somewhat surprised, but Consort Xi's eyes darkened slightly as she forced a smile and said, "Your Majesty, have you forgotten? I also love to eat fish."

Xiao Yu was slightly taken aback, but quickly regained his composure: "That's perfect, you two take your time eating."

Consort Zhuang gazed tenderly at Consort Xi, then turned to Ning Shuyan, and finally gently poked a hole in the fish's belly with her chopsticks.

In a moment they'll be just like this fish...

When everyone had almost finished eating, the concubines moved to the pavilion to watch the fireworks.

The pavilion was located on a high platform, with more than ten steps. Consort Xi held her lower abdomen, and the palace maid held her tightly, afraid that something might happen.

Ning Shuyan's heart skipped a beat; for some reason, she felt that an accident might happen on these steps.

When no one was looking, she put a pill in her mouth and swallowed it.

But everyone arrived safely at the viewing pavilion...

Fireworks, like bright pearls, shone brilliantly in the sky, making the entire night sky as bright as day.

Some are shaped like chrysanthemums, while others droop down like willows, their shimmering colors as dazzling as colorful silk.