Where prosperity ends, flowers never end

The fact that she was crowned as a concubine was already a fact, and Tan Qianhuan didn't want to add any more burden to her.

"No, since you and I are father and daughter, that would be against the moral code."

"But you are the godfather."

Tan Qianhuan showed no mercy.

“That’s the Father too.”

Ran Qianxi was dejected, and Xiahou Jin and Ran Yuelian rushed back.

"Daughter."

She raised her head slowly, and her parents' eyes were filled with heartache and sadness.

"mother!"

Xiahou Jin held her in his arms and began to wipe his tears, pretending to be real.

"Oh, my dear daughter, you have suffered so much. How come no one would marry you normally, but everyone is rushing to marry you after I grant you a marriage?"

Ran Qianxi was helpless, she knew her mother was not a sentimental woman...

"Oh, mother, stop teasing me."

Xiahou Jin pretended to wipe away her tears.

"Now that she has entered the palace, why doesn't she marry Marquis Yu'an again?"

Ran Qianxi rolled her eyes helplessly.

"Mom, can you please speak properly?"

Xiahou Jin was no longer sad in an instant.

"Hey! Isn't it? I'm right. Can you live wisely in the palace?"

"Finally I'm married, it's better than staying at home..."

Ran Qianxi looked at Ran Yuelian angrily, with a look of dissatisfaction on her face.

"father!"

Ran Yuelian sighed, it sounded more like the ease of a girl getting married.

"You are already in your twenties? How much fines have your mother and I paid to the government over the years? Yu'an Hou Shiqi already has a son."

Ran Yuelian had never spoken to her loudly before, and only became slightly excited when marriage was mentioned. After all, the legal age for marriage in Dachang was fifteen.

"oops!"

I was already annoyed enough, and I thought seeing my parents would make me feel better, but I didn't expect it to make me even more annoyed.

"Look, godfather, please say something."

The couple turned around and bowed.

"Your humble servant pays respect to the King of Jibei."

"Your Highness has greeted the King of Jibei."

Tan Qianhuan was silent for a moment and could only say "no thanks".

"No gifts."

Ran Qianxi's face was full of reluctance.

"I really don't want to marry Marquis Yu'an."

Ran Yuelian looked at her. If she was not married at the age of twenty, she would be considered an old maid, not to mention that she would be twenty-four soon. She had to pay huge fines to the government every year. Let alone remarrying, even if she married the dangerous Tan Qianhuan, no one would say anything. But she insisted on entering the palace to live a miserable life.

"Hey? My girl...How about I take you to ask the Queen Mother for help? The Queen Mother has always loved you."

Ran Qianxi looked at her mother. This was the only way left for her.

Cixi Palace -

The Empress Dowager's bedroom is dignified and elegant. It is not as gorgeous as the Yifeng Palace, but it is grand and simple, reflecting the style that has been accumulated in the deep palace for many years.

The Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet is celebrated throughout the country, but before the banquet begins, outsiders are not allowed to enter the inner palace. However, Ran Qianxi and her mother can come and go freely.

"Girl Xi, come and sit next to me."

Ran Qianxi walked over with a smile. The more the empress dowager looked at her, the more she liked her. No wonder she was so domineering and presumptuous in the imperial city.

"She's getting prettier and prettier. Her femininity is more desirable than those little girls from a small family. She's also mature..."

Ran Qianxi smiled.

"Thank you for the compliment, Queen Mother."

The Queen Mother smiled and grabbed a handful of cherries and put them into her hands.

"It's newly brought as tribute. I find it sweet. Please try it."

Xiahou Jin and the Queen Mother were originally schoolmates. One was lively and cheerful, while the other was unruly and domineering. They became acquainted through fighting and had a close friendship for many years.

Since the Queen Mother had no daughter, she doted on Ran Qianxi even more.

"I heard that Xu Yuanchao wanted to marry you, but later the emperor issued an order to cancel the engagement. You must have suffered so much."

Ran Qianxi smiled awkwardly and stammered, obviously having something to say.

"Kid, just say whatever you want to say. I'm here."

Ran Qianxi asked her tentatively.

"So I...really said that?"

"Just speak boldly."

Ran Qianxi sighed.

"The most miserable thing is that Your Majesty... insisted on letting me enter the palace..."

The Queen Mother looked at her in confusion.

"What's wrong with entering the palace? I can be with you every day."

"It was His Majesty who insisted on taking me as his concubine."

The Queen Mother still thought it was a big deal. She was even looking forward to Ran Qianxi marrying in. She didn't want Baili Yong to marry the current Queen at that time, but she had no choice but to do so due to state affairs.

"But you don't like the position? You have to be a concubine at least..."

Ran Qianxi covered her head helplessly.

"It's the imperial concubine."

The Queen Mother thought about it for a moment and was really thinking the wrong thing.

"The queen is still in office, and it's hard for you to be a noble concubine. After the banquet, I will go to the emperor and make you a royal concubine first. How about that? There will be a long time to go, so take your time. It's not certain who will be the queen."

Ran Qianxi couldn't believe what she heard. Before she even entered the palace, she was already taught by the Queen Mother.

"What? Queen Mother...I..."

"Oh silly child, isn't this better than marrying into the Xu family?"

Ran Qianxi deeply understood that this approach would not work.

"How can I gain a foothold in the palace with my brain..."

"Then you don't have to be afraid. With me here, no one dares to act rashly."

Ran Qianxi covered her forehead in disappointment again.

"Okay...I would like to thank the Queen Mother first..."

After half an hour, the birthday banquet began. The empress dowager's carriage moved to the banquet hall. The hall was spacious and could easily accommodate a hundred ministers. However, only invited royal relatives and ministers had the opportunity to enter. So the Prince's Tutor Liu Xun, Yu'an Marquis Xu Yuanchao, Jibei King Tan Qianhuan, the king's uncle Xie Ying, and the President of the Hanlin Academy Ran Yuelian were all present.

They were all specially invited by Baili Yong.

She took the main seat at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet and invited Ran Qianxi without hesitation.

"Sit next to me."

For a moment, all the princesses, daughters of princes, and concubines were in an uproar.

"It's not polite..."

The Queen Mother looked at Ran Qianxi with loving eyes.

"What's wrong with etiquette? I treat you as my own daughter. Just let your mother and father sit together. Come here."

Ran Qianxi bowed and walked over. The Queen Mother immediately ordered someone to add more chairs, and the empty seat in the middle was for Baili Yong.

"It's just right. The emperor is busy every day, and you have never met him. Take a good look at him today. I'm sure you will like him."

It would have been fine if she didn't mention it, but as soon as she mentioned the emperor she started to get anxious again.

"Thank you Queen Mother."

"Look, you are saying thank you to me again."

Before he could finish his words, Manager Sun invited the emperor to come.

"The Emperor has arrived."

Everyone in the hall bowed and saluted. Ran Qianxi looked up and saw two people walking against the light, followed by a dozen palace maids. They looked so proud and impressive that it was shocking.

As the two men slowly approached, Baili Yong's face came into view and Ran Qianxi was dumbfounded. He was wearing a black and gold dragon robe, a nine-toothed crown, and looked arrogant and contemptuous of heaven and earth.

"Damn!"

The Queen Mother heard her mumbling and asked her with a smile.

"How is it? Do you like it?"

Ran Qianxi clenched her fists. She had been playing the trick of transforming a living person for half a month, but neither her uncle nor her brother told her their identities.

"My sons and ministers see their mother and queen."

Baili Yong brought the Queen to pay her respects. Ran Qianxi wanted to stab him to death with a knife. No wonder he disappeared after sleeping with her and threatened her repeatedly. She felt that he was playing her around.

The Queen Mother's birthday banquet was a grand national ceremony. She looked around at the princes and nobles who were all around her and had to swallow her anger.

"Please take a seat."

Baili Yong raised his eyes to look at her, full of pride and joy, but in her eyes it was undoubtedly a provocation.

"Thank you, mother."

The Queen Mother turned her head and looked at her. She immediately pretended to be happy, but her smile was stiff.

"I didn't lie to you, did I?"

"Haha... yes... Your Majesty is truly a peerless emperor..."

I thought to myself: "Why did he suddenly make me a concubine? I guess he is a dog emperor."