The crabapple tree is fragrant in the tent, and the bright moon is in my arms

The Empress Dowager's birthday celebration was indescribably solemn and dignified. Even His Majesty seldom visited the harem, and when he did, he went to the Queen's Palace. All the imperial concubines were very well behaved, and it seemed as if a storm was about to come, and every tree and grass seemed to be an enemy.

Yaohua Garden had been quiet until an hour before the birthday banquet was about to begin. Lan'er sneaked out from the alley and headed towards the Buddha Hall.

On the contrary, Ningzhu Pavilion was exceptionally lively. His Majesty probably wanted to show favor to her today, so he sent her many gorgeous red hairpins. Even Concubine Gao sent her some for unknown reasons.

Looking at the silks and satins in front of him, Zhaoyue sighed. Taoxi said excitedly, "My lady, wear this one. It looks festive and gorgeous. The Queen Mother will definitely like it when she sees it."

Zhao Yue snorted with a sidelong glance, "What does the Queen Mother like to do? Tao Xi, do you want your young master to be with the Queen Mother?"

"My lady, that's not what I meant." She blinked her eyes, "But can't I curry favor with the Queen Mother? She is the most noble woman in the world."

This is true.

However, the Queen Mother was a vegetarian and a Buddhist. She did not like the chaos in the palace and did not want to curry favor with him. Otherwise, she would have done so in her previous life. Why did she end up like that?

Thinking of this, he sighed again and glared at the man who was taking care of the crabapple flowers.

He Quan raised his eyes, touched his nose and put down the kettle.

When she came over, she brought over the pears that had just been delivered today. They were cut into pieces and placed in a glass bowl, which looked very beautiful.

His slender fingers holding the bowl were naturally pleasing to the eye. Zhao Yue stared at it. He Quan thought she wanted to eat it very much, so he picked up a piece with a silver fork and leaned over to feed her.

Taoxi pretended not to see anything and slipped away quietly.

Zhao Yue took a bite and nodded with satisfaction. He Quan took the handkerchief and handed it to her. She took it and wiped her lips: "So sweet."

"As long as the young master likes it."

There was a smile in his light eyes. Zhao Yue felt a little embarrassed for some reason. He coughed lightly and went to get the glass bowl: "I, I can do it myself."

He Quan did not refuse. He stood quietly beside her and watched her eat.

Everything was obviously normal, but Zhaoyue just felt that something was wrong. The more familiar she became with this eunuch, the more mysterious he seemed to her, and he always made her heart beat fast.

This has never happened before.

Seeing that she was beginning to be dazed while eating, He Quan took the bowl away as usual: "My lady, eat less, there will be more on the table later."

"I have already chosen the clothes for you, would you like me to comb your hair today?"

"..." Zhaoyue mumbled something and stood up to change clothes.

"What did you say, young master?"

"I said yes!"

He Quan could only see her hurried steps from behind, and a light laugh escaped from his thin lips: "I obey your command."

After Zhao Yue finished dressing up, her face was fair with a hint of red. Compared to He Quan's calmness, she seemed shy, which made Zhao Yue even more annoyed. She said to him angrily: "If the Queen Mother doesn't like my gift, I will beat you up when I come back."

He Quan was a little surprised: "Beat me?"

Zhao Yue also felt that what he said was a bit ridiculous, but since he had already said it, he had no choice but to continue: "Yes, this method was thought of by you."

"Okay." He Quan responded to her with a smile and stretched out his hand: "Let's go, my lady."

The banquet was held at Huazhang Terrace, where royal family banquets were usually held.

Zhaoyue's position was not high, so she should not have sat too far to the front. I don't know if it was a special arrangement by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but she actually sat behind Concubine Qi. Next to her should be Ning Ruxin's seat. I don't know if she will come today. After Zhaoyue took her seat, she waited quietly, as if she was in a perfect state of meditation.

These were all illusions. She wanted to twist left and right after sitting for less than an incense stick of time. Unfortunately, Concubine Ling and Concubine Qi had already come over hand in hand. Concubine Ling had a smiling face today and seemed very happy.

Zhao Yue stood up and saluted Qipin. She put on her usual fake smile and said, "Oh, Zhao Chang is so beautiful today."

"Sister, you are joking. I am just wearing the dazzling hairpin given by the Imperial Concubine. I am afraid that I will lose face in the harem today."

What a sharp-tongued woman she was. This way she couldn't find any fault with her. Concubine Qi snorted and took a seat.

Although today's Huazhangtai is a family banquet, it is brightly lit and has an elegant atmosphere. Even the food served is to the Queen Mother's taste.

There are the "round and smooth" noodles made of lotus seeds and water chestnuts, the wild flavor of vegetarian crab roe, and even the "Luohan vegetarian noodles" made with fresh soup made from matsutake mushrooms, bamboo tripe, etc.

Zhaoyue was looking around when a loud "The Queen Mother has arrived!" interrupted the concubines' thoughts and they all stood up and looked towards the high seat.

The emperor and empress who came before were all smiling, which showed that the empress dowager was in a very good mood.

Your Majesty has just ascended the throne and is still young. The Queen Mother's face is well-maintained and shows no signs of aging. She has a red gold and fire jade phoenix hairpin in her hair and small glass beads on the feet of her palace robe, looking elegant and luxurious. She has white jade upside-down earrings on her earlobes and a string of Buddhist beads in her hands. She does not wear any other complicated jewelry, which makes her look particularly elegant.

"I, your concubines, pay my respects to the Queen Mother. May your Majesty live a long and blessed life. May you live a thousand years, a thousand years, a thousand thousand years."

The Queen Mother raised her arms with a smile on her face, and they stood up and sat back in their seats: "I haven't seen you for a long time, Emperor, you have a lot of lovely people around you."

Concubine Gao was sitting in the first seat and felt very upset after hearing this.

Zhaoyue didn't pay attention to their one-sided conversation. She found that Lanpin had not come. As she was looking at the empty seat, she saw Lanpin hurriedly come in and take a seat.

When Concubine Ling saw this, she didn't say anything, she just glanced and turned her head away.

The singing and dancing were in full swing. Zhaoyue yawned quietly and wanted to leave while eating the tasteless vegetarian food, but Concubine Lan didn't move, so she had to sit down.

What if you miss a big show?

Even though she was not sure whether Lanpin would take action today.

Today, she could only see the back of Lanpin's head. Perhaps because her gaze was too focused, Lanpin actually turned her head and met her eyes. Zhaoyue quickly smiled.

Lanpin also curled the corners of her mouth and nodded.

Today her face was rosy and radiant, not as pale as before. Zhaoyue stuffed a grape into her mouth suspiciously, and grabbed some and secretly put them in Taoxi's hand.

Wuwu, the little master is so nice. He didn't forget to steal some for her at this time. Taoxi stood there, staring at the profile of her little master. The more she looked, the more she liked her.