Xia Dongchun from Legend of Zhen Huan: I want to live till the last episode

In the blink of an eye, it was the Emperor's Birthday. No matter how the concubines in the palaces were doing on weekdays, they all had happy smiles on their faces today.

The palace was also filled with joy. Before the banquet officially began, the concubines had already arrived.

Xia Dongchun looked around, somewhat puzzled, and whispered to Concubine Qing who was standing in the back row, "Sister, on such an important day, how come Concubine Xiang doesn't seem to be seen?"

Noblewoman Qing, who was also Noblewoman Borjigit in the past, said, "I heard that Concubine Xiang has been absent-minded and unwell for the past two days, and she has asked for leave from the Empress today."

"I don't know what's wrong with Concubine Xiang," Xia Dongchun muttered, "Since Madam Nian's death, Concubine Xiang has not been very energetic."

Concubine Qing was also confused, but after thinking about it, she couldn't think of anything else, so she said, "Okay, okay, sister, the most important thing for you now is to give birth to the baby in your belly safely, and don't worry about the rest."

As they were talking, Concubine Xin, who was on Concubine Qing's right, called them, "Concubine Qing, Concubine Zhao, look at Concubine Qi. Today, Concubine Qi is dressed much more brightly than the rest of us."

Concubine Xin was being euphemistic in her words. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Concubine Qi's attire today had gone beyond her duty.

It’s just that today is the Emperor’s Birthday, and I think everyone is trying to please the Emperor, so no one said anything openly.

Xia Dongchun smiled softly, "Sister Xin Guiren is really good at judging, but Guiren Qi is the daughter of a meritorious official and a newcomer to the palace, so it's inevitable that the emperor favors her a little. Guiren Qi herself is also a delicate person who loves to show off. Sister is living in Chuxiu Palace now, so I'm afraid you have to take care of her a little more."

Concubine Xin was also helpless when she mentioned this matter: "I am a person who speaks my mind. To be honest with Concubine Zhao, Concubine Qi may be a warm-hearted and easy-going person in the eyes of outsiders, but if I really live with her, it will be a headache. It's a pity that I am of low status and not favored. Even if there is something, I can only grit my teeth and bear it."

Xia Dongchun knew more or less about Concubine Xin's personality, and comforted her by saying, "Sister, why do you have to say that? Sister, you also have a daughter. If she is promoted to a concubine in the future, you can talk to the emperor and ask him to bring the princess back from the prince to your side. That would be perfect. Concubine Qi is new and fresh, but after all, she has no children, and her foundation in this palace is not yet stable."

When mentioning her daughter who had never been raised by her side, Concubine Xin's expression softened a lot: "Then I will borrow your good words."

As he was speaking, he heard Su Peisheng's voice coming from outside the palace: "The Emperor has arrived - the Empress has arrived -"

Everyone in the hall stood up: "Greetings to the Emperor, and greetings to the Empress."

After the emperor and empress took their seats, the banquet officially began.

All the concubines presented their gifts. Even Concubine Duan, who had been ill for a long time and rarely went out, was present this time and played a piece of pipa to celebrate Yinzhen's birthday.

Concubine Qi is good at playing the guzheng, which is also eye-catching.

An Lingrong was thinking about the Queen's promise to help her regain favor on the Wanshou Festival. So, according to the Queen's instructions, she practiced the songs that Queen Chunyuan had sung in the past every day. Whether she would succeed depended on today.

Seeing that the time was almost right, the queen stood up first and raised the wine cup: "Your Majesty, I offer you a toast. May your Majesty be blessed with the same blessings as the heavens and live forever."

Yinzhen was in a good mood and raised his wine cup to respond to the queen.

"Today is a special day, and all the sisters in the harem have tried their best to make the emperor happy. I, a concubine, dare to recommend someone to the emperor." The queen struck while the iron was hot. Although Concubine Qi entered the palace, she had an additional hand, but Concubine Qi was beautiful but really stupid. An Lingrong was more sensible and obedient, so the queen was happy to help An Lingrong.

Yinzhen was in a good mood. Today was the birthday of the emperor, and there were two pregnant concubines in the palace. The concubines were so concerned about him, so he replied to the queen's words: "For the queen to recommend him like this, he must have something extraordinary."

The Queen smiled slightly, gave An Lingrong a look, and continued, "Although An Ying has been released from house arrest since her last punishment, she feels uneasy and has been copying Buddhist scriptures to pray for the Emperor every day. She has also confessed her mistakes to me several times, only asking me to let her see the Emperor on his birthday. I am moved by her sincerity and cannot bear to see her miss him so much, so I promised her to sing a song for him today. I just don't know if the Emperor is willing to give An Ying this opportunity."

Hearing the Queen's sincere words, and saying that An Lingrong had always missed him, Yinzhen nodded: "Since An Lingrong has sincerely repented, and what happened that day was indeed implicated by someone, I will naturally not blame her forever."

The Queen understood that this meant she was willing to see An Lingrong, so she listened to her song and then gave An Lingrong a look in the corner.

An Lingrong understood and stood up to salute: "I am sorry to present my humble service."

The musicians had already received instructions from the Queen and immediately complied.

I have to say that the practice during this period was useful. After An Lingrong began to sing, even Xia Dongchun, who hated An Lingrong, had to admire that the song was truly exquisite.

Yinzhen listened even more attentively, as if he was missing someone through this song.

The queen glanced at Yinzhen sideways, with a smile on her face, but the smile was mixed with some bitterness that did not reach her eyes.

After the song was over, seeing that Yinzhen still had some desire to continue, An Lingrong bowed and said, "I am sorry for your humble performance. I hope Your Majesty will not despise me."

Yinzhen smiled with satisfaction: "Reward!"

An Lingrong nodded slightly: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

After that, he retreated back to the corner quietly.

Concubine Qi pulled at her handkerchief and glared at An Lingrong, as if she wanted to eat her alive: "I really can't stand her coquettish look! Pretending to be weak to seduce the Emperor!"

Seeing Concubine Chun looking over curiously, Jingtai leaned over and reminded Concubine Qi in her ear: "My lady, please bear with it for now. We are outside after all. If someone hears you, tell the emperor."

After being reminded of this, Concubine Qi looked around and finally endured it.