Between the lines, the implied meaning is that she has the opportunity to host a birthday banquet as Empress Dowager because the Emperor gave her this right. If anyone is dissatisfied, they should go find the Emperor. Hot topic.

  Besides, she mentioned the Imperial Concubine Qiao, who had served in the palace for a long time and was well aware that the late Emperor had especially bestowed Qiao Jingyu upon the Seventh Prince, admiring her noble character, cleverness, and kindness.

  If anyone dares to question her today, it would be disrespecting the former emperor, which is a serious crime.

  Su Jingxi stood by quietly listening, silently praising in her heart.

  Zong Zhengjin still didn't seem to want to speak up, as if he hadn't noticed anything.

  The empress dowager held her breath, knowing that the emperor was intentionally making things difficult for her. She took a deep breath and smiled lightly, saying, "Look at what you're saying, it's as if I'm deliberately making things hard for you."

  This sentence is somewhat beneath one's dignity and is equivalent to using one's status to bully others.

  Qiao Jingyu didn't mind either, she had no intention of fighting with the Empress Dowager from the start. She smiled and said, "I dare not, Your Majesty has always been kind and gentle, today is also Your Majesty's birthday, naturally there won't be any spare time to bother with someone as lowly as me."

  Although it sounds like this, but thinking deeply, there is a bit of irony, but looking at it simply, it's just normal.

  The empress dowager was accustomed to thinking deeply about problems, understanding the subtle implications, and feeling indignant in her heart, but she couldn't express it, so her face naturally looked unpleasant.

  "It's also the Empress Dowager's birthday, so I'll take the liberty of presenting the gift I've prepared, and I hope the Empress Dowager won't disdain it." Consort Shu had achieved her goal and didn't entangle herself in these matters anymore.

  The empress dowager had given her an opportunity to retreat, and she took it, "What are you talking about? Bring it here quickly for me to see."

  "I'll present it now," said Consort Shu, getting up and taking a box from the hands of a palace maid behind her.

  After taking two steps, she stopped and opened the box. Inside was a white jade statue of Guanyin with a thousand hands. The pure and flawless white jade was carved with vivid figures, surrounded by thousands of hands on both sides. What's remarkable is that the entire Buddha statue was only about an inch in size, but the eyebrows and eyes of Guanyin were still depicted.

  At first glance, it's clear that this gift is valuable and was given with careful consideration.

  Looking at the empress dowager, even though she had just had a small dispute with the two of them in words, her face still showed an expression of appreciation at this time, it can be seen that she also has two points of true affection.

  "Ah, I see that this Guanyin Bodhisattva bears some resemblance to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager," said Xianfei, her gaze darting back and forth between the bodhisattva lying quietly in the box and the empress dowager's face before finally coming to a stop.

  Xian Fei said so, and others naturally followed to take a look. Perhaps with Xian Fei as a comparison, everyone really felt that the more they looked, the more alike they were, and they all chimed in agreement.

  "All right, all right, you go on talking nonsense," the empress dowager scolded, although her tone was somewhat stern, but her eyes were full of smiles, obviously not angry.

  Others can naturally see it, and smile in response.

  With Shu Guifei's precedent, others naturally hurriedly took out their carefully prepared gifts and presented them in order of rank.

  After Shu Gui Fei, it was Xian Fei who presented a pair of embroidered screens with the "Wan Shou Tu" (Longevity Picture) on both sides, which she had personally made. Although not expensive, it showed her thoughtfulness. Looking at the embroidery work, one could tell that it took a lot of time and effort to complete, probably taking three to five months.

  The empress dowager naturally also saw it and looked at Xian Fei's eyes with a few more warm intentions, "You have a heart."

  She is old now, and the things she saw in her youth are countless precious treasures. As she grew older, she cherished these thoughtful things even more.

  The Xianfei presented the Wan Shou Tu, with pouches and other items prepared by the imperial consorts at the bottom, also showcasing embroidery skills, but some were not very impressive.

  Giving gifts is also a big question, giving what's suitable is the most appropriate, rather than the most expensive being the most suitable.

  What kind of gift to send, there are corresponding grades, the first grade is sent, and the lower-ranking concubines cannot surpass the previous ones, otherwise it would seem that the previous one's sincerity is not enough, offending her.

  It is true that the lower the grade, the worse the gifts sent, of course, this also has something to do with one's own family background.

  Those with thick silver and money, such as Shu Gui Fei, can naturally give away the Thousand-Handed Guanyin jade statue with a big hand. Those who are thin in silver and money are mostly lower-ranking concubines who have not been favored for many years, and what they give is just a token of their intention.

  The gifts were presented one by one, and soon it was Su Jing's turn.

  Inlaid with purple sandalwood and peony, the box is adorned with intricate carvings of flowers. When opened, only a single blood-red jade bangle is revealed, its surface smooth and lustrous. However, for the empress dowager, it was not particularly precious.

  Not outstanding, but also not discourteous.

  "Jen sister surprisingly chose the same gift as me," Xiang Gui Fei walked over to take a look, then stood up and said.

  Everyone came back to their senses and saw that Xiāng Guì Pín took out a similarly exquisite jewelry box, inside which was placed a bangle made entirely of bright green jade, its color was bright and radiant, one glance and it was clear that it was extremely valuable.

  "Empress Dowager, this is a warm jade that I, your subject, have specially found. Wearing it in winter is most nourishing," said Xiang Gui Bin with a smile.

  Everyone listened and didn't expect it to be Warm Jade. In comparison, Su Jing's blood ring was slightly inferior.

  "It's hard to find a good jade, but Xiang Mei has a kind heart," Su Jing said with a smile, ignoring the gazes of others.

  The Empress Dowager also nodded, "Yes, you have a good heart, I am very fond of you."

  "If this bangle can gain the favor of Empress Dowager Cixi, it is its own good fortune. I shouldn't take credit for it," said Consort Xiang with a bow.

  Su Jing returned to her own position, it seems that Xiang Gui Fei's thoughts have also grown.

  Although it was the Empress Dowager's birthday, these consorts only needed to prepare a decent gift, but now that the Empress has passed away, the consorts with ambition were not willing to stay in their current position.

  They all want to be the one who will become the empress and sit on the throne.

  But seeing that the emperor only had Guan Yu's palace in his heart, they were at a loss for what to do, so they naturally sought another target, which was the empress dowager.

  If Empress Dowager supports them, they will have a lot of confidence.

  Su Jing slightly shook her head, apparently these women had all forgotten who was the greatest ruler of the harem, who could grant them wealth and glory, and who was their only reliance in this life.

  Obviously, he was the only man present.

  Moreover, the empress dowager had her own nieces and daughters, it was impossible for her to ignore her own flesh and blood and instead support an outsider.

  After all the concubines finished presenting their gifts and wishing him a long life, the banquet was also nearing its end.

  "Your Majesty, state affairs can be busy." The Empress Dowager put down her teacup, "If it's not..."

  "Zichen Hall still has many memorials to be reviewed, it seems that I will have to be busy for a while," said Zong Zhengjin, not waiting for the Empress Dowager to finish speaking.

  The empress dowager chuckled and seemed to not mind the emperor's interruption at all. "Since Your Majesty is busy with state affairs, you may return to the Zichen Palace first. There are still them accompanying me here, so don't worry."

  Zong Zhengjin nodded, "Since that's the case, I'll leave first."

  Zong Zhengjin stood up, took two steps, and suddenly turned his head. As expected, he saw that pair of eyes staring tightly at his back, with an unspeakable desolation in them. He hooked the corner of his mouth and said, "You come with me."

  Without waiting for Empress Dowager's words, he directly turned his head and said to the Empress Dowager, "I suppose Your Majesty won't mind, I've recently gotten used to having her by my side."

  Since things have been said to this point, the Empress Dowager, even if she was unwilling in her heart, couldn't say anything. For now, she forced a smile and said, "I won't mind, Zhenxiu, you just take good care of the Emperor."

  Everyone who heard this couldn't help but feel a little resentful. Su Jing was obviously pregnant and didn't have the chance to serve the emperor, yet she still didn't give them the opportunity, disappointing their long-held expectations.

  If the empress were still around, she would have had the right to advise the emperor to be fair and impartial. However, since the empress has been deposed and passed away, Consort Shu may have the power to manage the six palaces, but ultimately lacks the legitimate qualifications to do such things.

  Only the empress dowager was left, but she seemed completely unflustered.

  The Empress Dowager was indeed unconcerned and had never wished for Zong Zhengjin to have any offspring, so she had always tacitly approved of the Empress's actions, pretending not to know.

  Although she raised Zong Zhengjin to adulthood and helped him ascend to the throne, it was all a reluctant move. If there had been a second choice, she would never have chosen this thorn in her side of a son.

  Even so, she became a legitimate empress dowager, but that doesn't mean she would truly care about his well-being and worry about the continuation of his descendants.

  If possible, she had only two wishes: one was that Shangguan Wan'er would have his children and the child would ascend to the throne; the other was that other women would have children, raised under Shangguan Wan'er's name, and the child would also ascend to the throne.

  But at present, the latter is more likely to be realized. After all, the third prince is still alive in the world, she just needs to think of a way to put the third prince under Shangguan Wan'er's name.

  If it comes down to it and there's no other way, then she must be the Empress.

  Su Jing curtsied and said, "Your servant withdraws."

  Following Zong Zhengjin out, they didn't stop until they left the Taihe Hall, and Su Jingfan finally let out a subtle sigh of relief.

  Zong Zhengjin sensed her relaxation and teased, "You're also afraid"

  Su Jing pouted and said, "Of course, I'm afraid of many things." Seeing him preparing to ascend the dragon throne, she pulled his arm and said, "Your Majesty has a lot on your mind."

  "What's wrong?" Zong Zhengjin stopped in his tracks and stood still.

  Su Jing pulled him by the arm, "Your Majesty, accompany your concubine for a walk, every day staying in Guan Yun Palace, my body is almost growing mold."

  Zong Zhengjin raised an eyebrow, without any hesitation agreed, waved his hand to signal Su Shun and others to keep a distance, holding her slowly walking towards the Zixi Hall, fortunately the distance was not far, and it was good for her body to move more.

  Su Jing had been cooped up in the palace for a long time and although it was still the same vermilion walls, but after all, the structure was different, so there was a bit of freshness to it.

  Palace Concubine (Yi Shu)

  Gong Shu