I am the stepmother of my son, and the little villain has changed into a little cotton-padded jacket

Concubine Shu knelt on the spot and refused to get up. She looked up at the emperor eagerly, hoping that he would say something to take back his order, but after looking at her for a long time, the emperor didn't even glance at her.

The emperor frowned and turned to look at Xiao Dezi, his tone was not very good: "Xiao Dezi! Are you deaf? Did I not explain it clearly or you can't listen to my orders?!"

Hearing what the emperor said, Xiao Dezi was frightened and quickly walked up to Concubine Shu and whispered.

"My Lady, please get up and go back to the palace. His Majesty is very angry right now. Please don't be stubborn at this critical moment and make things difficult for His Majesty!"

When Concubine Shu heard what Xiao Dezi said, she bit her lip and glanced at the emperor, then glanced at Wen Shutang fiercely, and then lowered her head to salute.

"Yes, I obey your order. I will reflect on my mistakes after returning to the palace. I hope Your Majesty will not be angry. Take care of yourself. I will take my leave."

After saying this, he left the hall under the escort of the guards.

This little episode ended only after Concubine Shu left. Everyone withdrew their gazes and continued to eat the dishes in front of them as if nothing had happened.

But the atmosphere became a little cold.

Xiao Yizhuo watched all this with indifference, as if everything that happened had nothing to do with him.

He turned his head and looked through the crowd at Wen Shutang, and found that Wen Shutang was eating pastries with relish and watching the show with squinting eyes. Now that the farce was over, she still had a look of being unsatisfied.

Xiao Yizhuo was amused by her little expression. His thin lips curled slightly, and his cold face softened a little.

The emperor, who was sitting on a high throne, naturally noticed that the atmosphere in the hall was a little strange. He coughed and a smile reappeared on his face: "Okay, the banquet will begin. My dear ministers, don't let what happened just now affect your mood today, okay?"

Hearing the emperor say this, everyone echoed him, and the hall became lively again.

Sitting below the emperor was the Empress’s mother’s family, the Mu family of the Grand Tutor’s Mansion.

The current head of the Mu family, Mu Tingren, the Queen's brother, watched this farce. This was the Emperor punishing Concubine Shu. If he wanted to just turn it around, he would never just watch. He would never let his sister suffer such an injustice.

However, Mu Ting was still not satisfied with the emperor's handling of the matter. That woman had offended his sister, but now she was only confined to house arrest, which was too light a punishment.

It seems that I have to find an opportunity to talk about this matter properly. Even if his sister is no longer favored by your emperor, she is still the legitimate and unshakable queen. How can anyone bully her?

Thinking of this, Mu Ting looked up at the emperor, a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes.

The emperor turned his head and happened to meet Mu Ting's eyes. Sensing Mu Ting's emotions, the emperor pursed his lips and thought to himself that something was wrong.

The queen didn't care about these little details, she was just quite interested in Wen Shutang as a person.

When Xuan Jiangli came to the palace to talk to her a few days ago, Jiangli specifically mentioned this person to her, which made the queen somewhat interested in her.

Anyone who can be praised by Jiang Li is probably not bad.

As for why she wanted Concubine Shu to pay attention to Wen Shutang, the Queen just thought it would be more fun this way.

Wen Shutang didn't know that because the Queen was playful, she would offend Concubine Shu for no reason.

The banquet had just begun, and Zhao Linhe and Zhao Fuqiu kept looking back at the door, as if they were waiting for someone.

Wen Shutang glanced at Zhao Fuqiu and understood that they were probably waiting for Concubine Dun.

With such a grand banquet, Concubine Dun must attend even if she is not favored. If she doesn't come, the entire Zhao family will lose face.

But Zhao Linhe and Zhao Fuqiu were not worried about the shame of the Zhao family, but were truly worried about their own aunt.

After all, they couldn't see Concubine Dun on weekdays, and could only catch a glimpse of her at such important banquets, which made them feel at ease.

Now that Concubine Dun has not arrived yet, the two are naturally a little worried.

The emperor was naturally aware of these things. Seeing the two of them looking back frequently, he immediately smiled and comforted them, "Don't worry, my dear ministers. Concubine Dun has been ill these days. I have already sent someone to invite her. If Concubine Dun is feeling better, she will definitely come."

Hearing what the emperor said, Zhao Linhe nodded slightly and responded: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am very grateful."

Although he said this, he was still worried.

Just as the two were talking, a message came from the door of the hall.

"Empress Dun is here!"

The young eunuch did not recognize the wrong person this time. Concubine Dun, wearing a green brocade skirt, slowly walked into the hall, walked straight to the emperor, knelt down and saluted.

"Your Majesty, may your Majesty live long and healthy. I pay my respects to the Empress, may your Majesty live a thousand years and be blessed with good health."

Seeing that Concubine Dun really came, a hint of surprise flashed in the emperor's eyes, and then he stood up and walked forward to personally help Concubine Dun up.

"My beloved, please get up quickly. You are not feeling well. Why are you still able to come here?"

Concubine Dun stood up, covered her lips and coughed a few times, shaking her head: "Of course I will come, I am fine, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

The emperor responded, "Come here, give my beloved concubine a seat."

Wen Shutang looked at Concubine Dun, and a flash of surprise passed through his eyes.

Although she looked a little haggard, her pretty face was refreshing, with a beauty that could not be concealed even by her haggardness and morbidity.

There was a hint of morbid melancholy on that face, which only added to the temperament of a sickly beauty to Concubine Dun.

However, what surprised Wen Shutang was that Concubine Dun was once a favorite concubine. Even if she was no longer favored, she shouldn't be so haggard, right?

It looks like he has been ill for a long time.

Thinking of this, Wen Shutang suddenly felt confused.

She turned her head and approached Zhao Fuqiu, who was staring at Concubine Dun, and asked in a low voice, "Is Concubine Dun so seriously ill? There are faint bruises under her eyes, and she looks listless."

Hearing what Wen Shutang said, the usually cheerful and lively Zhao Fuqiu sighed deeply and responded in a low voice: "To be honest with you, Sister Shutang, my aunt has been like this for a long time. When I went to the palace to visit my aunt a few months ago, she was already like this. Now it seems that my aunt is getting weaker and weaker."

Zhao Fuqiu frowned, her tone full of worry and helplessness.

When Wen Shutang heard what she said, his heart skipped a beat. He felt that things were not that simple.

Just as she was about to turn around and take a closer look at Concubine Dun, she inadvertently caught a glimpse of the Queen's expression.

Wen Shutang was slightly stunned. The look on the Queen's face clearly showed deep worry.

Seeing this scene, Wen Shutang became even more confused.

Could it be that the Queen and Concubine Dun have a good relationship?