Xiao Chuchu found herself in the Emperor's embrace, listening to his praise of her paternal grandfather, but her mind seemed elsewhere.
[Strange, originally my paternal grandfather didn't notice the rebellion of the Liao King.]
The Old Master of the Liu Family felt a chill down his spine for a moment.
Xiao Yunzhou raised an eyebrow.
But soon Xiao Chuchu chuckled, [Who would've thought, the Emperor suddenly had the idea to gift my paternal grandfather a basin of nine-colored peonies.]
[For generations, the Liu family has been tilling the land, tending to what grows from it. When my paternal grandfather received the peonies, he didn't just admire them, he immediately began studying how they could have nine petals and nine colors.]
[So, every action has its consequence!]
[The law of cause and effect can change at any moment. This time, thanks to the Emperor's gift of flowers to my paternal grandfather, he was rewarded! And he didn't forget the tradition of our ancestors tending to the crops in the fields.]
Xiao Yunzhou and Old Master Liu both smiled at the same time.
They felt incredibly satisfied!
—All thanks to my wisdom!
—All thanks to my understanding of flowers and plants!
Both of them were very pleased with the praise they received from Xiao Chuchu, and their moods lightened.
"Old Master Liu, for this year's Awarding Gold Festival banquet, you should enter the palace early. I have something to entrust you with," Xiao Yunzhou quickly got back to the main topic.
The Old Master of the Liu Family felt a shock.
Indeed, the Emperor could also hear the thoughts of the little princess!
He would have to be more careful in the future.
No more casual deceit or flattery, but genuine advice to the Emperor.
With these thoughts in mind, he took his leave, only to unexpectedly encounter Concubine Liu and the Fifth Prince in the side hall.
"Mother, Your Highness the Fifth Prince, you're also here?" Old Master Liu was surprised.
Concubine Liu and the Fifth Prince both coughed lightly.
They had been eavesdropping for a while, and had been pondering whether the Old Master of the Liu Family could also hear the thoughts of the little princess.
But after hearing the words of the little princess, they dismissed the idea.
It turned out that because of the Liu family's involvement with farming, they discovered the unusual peonies.
Concubine Liu and the Fifth Prince now understood, and Old Master Liu had stumbled upon good luck once again, seizing the opportunity and showing great insight!
It served him right to be praised by the Emperor this time.
"Father, you've worked hard."
"Paternal grandfather, I'll learn from you in the future."
Old Master Liu blushed for a moment.
What's wrong?
What happened?
Lunchtime.
Xiao Yunzhou joined them for lunch, but they didn't discuss what would happen at the Awarding Gold Festival, nor did they mention the matter of the Liao King and others again.
Since he didn't mention it, Concubine Liu and the Fifth Prince pretended not to know.
During the meal, they chatted about the little princess's daily routine—how many times she ate, how many times she urinated, whether the color and amount were normal, and how well she slept. The meal passed smoothly and harmoniously.
"Channi, you'll continue to stay in the side hall of Donghua Palace for now."
"When spring comes after the new year, I'll arrange a new main palace position for you."
With her rank, she could become the mistress of a palace, which was much better than being attached to Consort Min and only being able to stay in a side hall.
After all, it meant moving to a bigger house.
As the mistress of a palace, she wouldn't have to worry about offending others in Donghua Palace with her words.
Concubine Liu smiled and accepted, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The Fifth Prince also smiled.
They knew that the main palace allocated to them this time would definitely not be inferior, and might even be better than Donghua Palace.
As long as the Awarding Gold Festival proved that the Old Master of the Liu Family's advice about the Liao King's intention to rebel was true, the Emperor would reward him generously.
The Liu family would never be the same again!
*
Soon, the day of the Awarding Gold Festival arrived.
"Liu Concubine, I really can't bear to see you move away after the new year," Consort Min sighed, comparing a piece of emerald green Shu brocade with Liu Concubine.
She would miss having someone to eat meat with!
Ah, only Liu Concubine would encourage her to eat meat, saying that being plump and healthy is good.
In just a short ten days, Consort Min felt like she had developed decades-long friendship with Liu Concubine.
She couldn't bear the thought of parting ways, what should she do?
As Consort Min spoke, her eyes reddened, "But your living quarters in my side hall are too small. Besides, now you are on the same level as me, there's no reason for you to continue living in my side hall."
Ah.
Feeling uncomfortable, Consort Min turned away to wipe her tears.
Who would understand? Since befriending Liu Concubine, she could spend the whole day hiding in Liu Concubine's room.
Liu Concubine didn't like to read Buddhist scriptures, she only read storybooks!
"Sister Min." Liu Channiang smiled wryly, she was younger than Consort Min, yet Consort Min, like a child, would cry when separated briefly from her playmate.
"I'm not moving out of the palace, I might just be living next to you separated by a courtyard wall?"
"Who knows, I might be assigned to the vacant Lanxi Palace next to you."
"That would be great!" Consort Min brightened up at the idea, "Today happens to be the palace banquet, I'll talk to the Empress about it!"
The Empress is not a good person.
Liu Concubine took a deep breath, but quickly suppressed her wariness of the Empress, shifting her focus to the Emperor's banquet for officials.
I wonder if the Eminent Cavalry General has entered the palace.
Their meeting is scheduled for today.
"Sister Min, I'm carrying the little princess, let's hurry to the palace banquet."
"It hasn't started yet, why go so early?"
Of course!
To go to the palace banquet and gossip, it's not like we're nervous about rebellion or anything.
Liu Concubine seemed more enthusiastic than usual, and Consort Min, being close to her, followed suit.
Today's palace banquet for awarding gold tokens is set in two places.
One is the Kunning Palace, where the Empress entertains the palace concubines and the wives of ministers.
The other is the Chonghua Palace, where the Emperor entertains the officials and the royal children in the capital.
When Liu Concubine and Consort Min arrived at Kunning Palace, there weren't many people there.
The main hall of Kunning Palace was set for the banquet, with long tables arranged according to the ranks of the consorts.
The hotpot dishes hadn't been served yet.
Except for a few concubines who were chatting with the Empress in the rear hall of Kunning Palace, most of the others were still dressing up.
"Your Majesty, Liu Concubine and Consort Min have arrived."
The Empress was taken aback, "So early?"
Consort Min likes to chant Buddhist scriptures and is fond of peace, so she doesn't usually approach the Empress when there's nothing going on.
They're not in her circle.
Liu Concubine, who used to have a lower status, didn't show much presence in previous years.
"Are you sure you've seen it clearly? Who's walking in front, Liu Concubine or Consort Min?"
The Empress narrowed her eyes.
A maid whispered in her ear, "Liu Concubine seems to be walking a bit hastily."
So it's Liu Concubine who urged Consort Min to come to the palace banquet early!
Liu Concubine had been low-key before, but now that she caught the Emperor's attention, she didn't become arrogant, and she still had the Empress in her eyes.
She's a good one!
The Empress smiled warmly, watching Concubine Liu and Consort Min enter the rear hall.
"Please, take your seats. My dear sisters, have you been chilled on your way here? Have some hot tea to warm yourselves," the Empress said gracefully and kindly.
Concubine Liu, however, knew the Empress's true nature—cunning and ruthless. With a slight smile, she thanked her and chose a seat by the door, farthest from the Empress.
The Empress nodded repeatedly in approval. Concubine Liu was indeed very obedient.
"Your Majesty, a message from Noble Consort says she's feeling unwell and won't be joining us today."
The Empress slammed her cup down, expressing her annoyance. Even the esteemed Noble Consort, fallen out of favor with the Emperor, dared to flaunt her absence!
Look at Concubine Liu!
In comparison, the Empress found Concubine Liu, who arrived early to the banquet and honored her, increasingly pleasing.
Suppressing her anger, the Empress quickly ordered refreshments and engaged in conversation with the early-arriving concubines.
She soon realized Concubine Liu's remarkable humility and modesty, even surpassing Consort Min!
Concubine Liu refrained from chatting with the other concubines, merely nodding in agreement whenever the Empress spoke.
The more the Empress observed Concubine Liu, the more satisfied she became. This was respect shown to her, without any attempt to overshadow her authority.
Even after being summoned by the Emperor several times recently, Concubine Liu remained discreet. Admirable!
Very well, exceptionally well!
The Empress expressed her contentment, "Today, everyone, please indulge. I've always regarded you as my own sisters. No need to be nervous."
The other concubines responded eagerly, chattering incessantly.
Only Concubine Liu maintained a steady gaze, smiling warmly and nodding affectionately at the Empress.
The Empress secretly admired her. Concubine Liu knew her place and always put the Empress first, her smile even brighter.
But she didn't notice Concubine Liu's body leaning slightly backward toward Zhang Jia Wet Nurse, who stood behind her seat.
Her ears almost touching Zhang Jia Wet Nurse's bosom—where the little princess was nestled.
["Wow, let me tune in to the live broadcast and see where the Eminent Cavalry General is! Oh, he's already at the palace banquet so early!"]
["The Eunuch, who hands the pen to the Emperor, sneaks a sly little glance!"]
["Ah, the Eunuch noticed and subtly gestured back to him~"]
["Oh my, the maternal grandfather is hiding behind the screen, secretly observing them!"]
["Oh wow, even the Emperor himself is hiding behind the screen to spy on their interactions!"]
Concubine Liu's gaze fixed forward, her smile unwavering as she kept nodding occasionally.
Her thoughts, however, had long flown to where her daughter's voice was pointing!
And then? And then?
The Empress uttered a few words and glanced at Concubine Liu, finding her consistent restraint and obedience even more satisfying!
