The husband who forced her to marry her couldn't keep her warm, and she didn't want him to

The ladies who attended the palace banquet in the Qianqing Palace had exquisite makeup, swaying gorgeous clothes, and their smiles were dignified and elegant.

Empress Cao sat at the top, and below her sat the seldom-seen Imperial Noble Consort Chen. Imperial Noble Consort Chen had a calm expression, but her eyes were deep and difficult to read.

Next came Concubine Shu and Concubine Jing, who assisted in managing the harem.

Concubine Shu was dignified and beautiful, with her own unique charm, while Concubine Jing had an arrogant look on her face, with her eyebrows slightly raised, and a bit of sharpness.

Among the four most noble women in the harem, the youngest is Concubine Shu. The eldest princess she gave birth to came of age two years ago, which shows the long-lasting love of the current emperor.

Just as the people praised, there has been no fresh blood in the harem for many years.

Empress Cao's voice was not small, and it was very real amid the cheerful music.

Several concubines could not help but look at the dancer she mentioned, who looked like Huipin. The dancer danced gracefully and lightly, and she looked somewhat similar to Chen Huangguifei.

Imperial Concubine Jing put down the cup in her hand, snorted lightly, and turned down the corner of her mouth slightly, "On such a happy day, why did the Queen mention Huipin? Don't you think it's unlucky?"

When Concubine Jing was pregnant with the second prince, she almost gave birth prematurely, which was caused by Concubine Hui. Concubine Hui, who had been locked up in the cold palace for so many years, had to endure Concubine Jing's scolding from time to time to vent her anger.

Given Concubine Jing's personality, the concubines in the harem were not curious at all when she said such words at this time.

Empress Cao's smile faded a little, and she looked up at Imperial Concubine Jing, a hint of dignity flashing in her eyes. She smiled and said, "Sister, you are old enough to be a grandmother, why are you still so impatient?"

Imperial Concubine Jing was about to laugh, her eyes full of provocation, "Of course you are not as generous as the Empress, the mother of the country."

Imperial Noble Consort Chen looked calm as she looked at the young woman whom the Queen was hinting at. She then looked past her in the direction of the princes and princesses.

The third prince sat calmly among the other princes, because the eldest prince was not present and the emperor had not appointed a crown prince. Therefore, the second prince sat in the first place, followed by the third prince, and then the others.

Zhao Yu's hair hadn't grown out yet, and he couldn't tell anything from the Yishan crown on his head. But he was sitting there, looking a little out of place with the princes and the lively atmosphere of the Qianqing Palace.

Despite his young age, he was like an old monk in meditation, oblivious to the gorgeous scenery and delicious food on the table. He kept his eyes lowered, not knowing what he was thinking.

Zhao Xu walked past Zhao Yu and answered the puzzled prince, "It's been so long... I heard that Huipin was also pregnant at that time. If she gave birth, she would be about the same age as me and my third brother."

As he spoke, he leaned forward slightly, as if he was telling Zhao Yu everything.

The Seventh Prince, Zhao Kuo, who was once the Sixth Prince, raised the wine glass in his hand with a sincere smile on his face, "I haven't congratulated my second brother yet. I wish my second brother and his wife will give birth to a baby boy soon."

"I wish my second brother and his wife will give birth to a baby boy soon..."

Several princes and princesses also raised their wine glasses and echoed the words.

Someone touched Zhao Yu, and someone behind him reminded him, "Third brother, you just returned to the palace, let's have a drink together."

Princess Zhao Xuan watched coldly from the side. It was the Ninth Prince who spoke. The Ninth Prince had a playful look on his face, but his eyes were a little blurry. He was so young, but he was already being drained of his body by alcohol and sex.

Zhao Yu picked up the teacup in front of him, a compassionate smile appeared on his face, he looked at Zhao Xu and said: "I have made a vow before the Buddha... so I will use tea instead of wine, congratulations to the Second Prince and his wife."

"My third brother has just returned to the palace, and the brothers also want to be close to you. Don't be scared by their enthusiasm." Zhao Xu had a gentle smile on his face, and was very tolerant of his rudeness.

He also quietly reprimanded the princes who spoke rudely, and in a harmonious atmosphere, accepted the compliments from several of his younger brothers.

Zhao Kuo saw Zhao Yu put down the teacup in his hand and whispered to him, "Third brother, I see you haven't even had your meal yet."

He raised his hand and pointed at two dishes on the table. "Father is a Taoist. There is a small kitchen in the imperial kitchen that specializes in making vegetarian dishes. You can eat the three or four dishes on your left without worry."

"I believe what Seventh Brother said. After all, Seventh Brother was always hungry when he was a child, so he knows exactly which direction the door of the imperial kitchen opens." The Ninth Prince raised his chin and said with a smile.

Zhao Kuo was not angry when he heard this. He and the Ninth Prince were born only two months apart. There was also an Eighth Prince between them, who was said to have died after crying once when he was born.

He withdrew his body, sat there and looked at Emperor Jianyuan behind the dragon case, and replied calmly: "Of course I am not as good as my brothers who have a mother by their side."

Emperor Jianyuan turned his head to look at Concubine Jing and pointed at her with his finger, his eyes filled with both doting and reproach.

She said, "Today is New Year's Eve and a palace banquet. Let's not be too reserved and not contradict the queen verbally."

Imperial Concubine Jing stood up from her chair with her eyes rolling, holding the wine glass in front of her, and looked at Empress Cao without sincerity, "Your Majesty, you are magnanimous and will not blame me, right?"

Empress Cao smiled and said, "What are you talking about, Concubine Jing? We came out of the palace together, and I know you well."

After hearing this, Imperial Concubine Jing smiled brightly and looked at Emperor Jianyuan: "Even the Empress doesn't care. Your Majesty, please don't blame me anymore."

Emperor Jianyuan raised his hand and told the palace attendant beside him, "Noble Concubine Jing cannot hold her liquor well, replace the wine in her cup with tea."

After hearing this, Concubine Jing looked behind the dragon table with a gaze as tender and intimate as water.

In the entire harem, she is the only one who dares to be so arrogant in front of the emperor and empress.

Emperor Jianyuan turned to look at Concubine Shu and asked with concern: "I heard you cough a few days ago. Is your throat better now?"

Concubine Shu smiled dignifiedly and reservedly, "Your Majesty, I am fine now, and I did not let down the fine wine at the palace banquet on New Year's Eve today."

Empress Cao said, "I was not feeling well some time ago, and it was thanks to my sister that I was able to help with the palace affairs... I am relieved to have my sister accompany His Majesty all these years."

Emperor Jianyuan, sitting on the dragon throne, raised his wine glass and motioned to Concubine Shu, "Since there is no problem, drink another glass with me."

He turned slightly and looked in the direction of the ministers. "Lord Jiang is the younger brother of Concubine Shu. Not only did he save Yu'er and send him back to the palace, he also solved many old cases. Very good..."

Concubine Shu stood up, with a faint smile on her face, "As His Majesty's subjects, it is my duty to serve His Majesty and the people."

Under the gaze of everyone in the Qianqing Palace, Master Jiang Wu stood up, clasped his hands and bowed, his eyes firm: "Your Majesty, I will do my best to relieve your worries."

Emperor Jianyuan nodded, raised the wine glass in his hand, and said slowly: "Today is New Year's Eve, I offer a toast to you, my dear ministers. May the country be forever stable, and the people live and work in peace and contentment."

The ministers all stood up, raised their glasses, and said in unison: "Our emperor is wise, may the country last forever, long live our emperor!"

Imperial Concubine Jing pressed the corner of her mouth with her handkerchief, looked at Imperial Concubine Chen who was sitting next to the Emperor and Empress, raised her eyebrows and said, "On such a festive day, Imperial Concubine Chen, why don't you ask for a favor?"