Time Travel: The actress's acting skills exploded, and she was favored by the harem

In the blink of an eye, it was New Year's Eve. Shen Zhiyao had already dressed up. Today, everyone in the harem had to go to the Taizu Temple to burn incense and kowtow according to the rules to thank the ancestors for their protection over the past year.

Because it was a ceremony to worship the ancestors, Shen Zhiyao was dressed rather simply, in a white dress with a light green cloak. Her attire was quite conventional, but the makeup on her face was very eye-catching.

Her plump lips were painted with the watermelon-colored lipstick she had developed herself, which attracted the attention of all the concubines. They didn't know where she got this color of lipstick.

Although Shen Zhiyao's position is not very high, she is able to be kept by the Queen's side throughout the whole process. Compared with the bleak situation last year, she is now in a more glorious position.

Queen Mother Zhao, the Empress, concubines and royal family members all lined up behind the Emperor and kowtowed together at the Taizu Temple.

Although the eldest prince born to Concubine Zhao was only four years old, he was served by eunuchs. He knelt upright behind Bo Muxi, looking like a little adult.

Everyone knelt and kowtowed at the command of the eunuch in charge. The scene was grand and solemn.

By the time the complicated formalities were over, it was almost noon. It was Shen Zhiyao's first time to participate in such an event, and she felt dizzy.

She was specially arranged by the Queen to stay by her side, so she couldn't afford to be lazy at all. She didn't know whether she should feel honored or complain.

At the end, Queen Mother Zhao said with a smile: "Today I have a family banquet at Renshou Palace. Let's all go over and have a gathering."

Of course, only some close relatives and concubines with a rank of fourth rank or above could attend this kind of family banquet. Everyone else had to return to the palace and celebrate the festival alone.

Shen Zhiyao was about to return to Cuiweixuan, but was stopped by the Queen and asked to attend the banquet with her.

Before returning to the palace, Zhang Wanyi, Zhu Baolin and other concubines could not help but glare at Shen Zhiyao who was standing beside the Queen, feeling deeply resentful in their hearts.

Everyone filed into the Renshou Palace and took their seats according to the pre-arranged seats. Only Shen Zhiyao was the most special. Her seat was added temporarily and was at the very bottom of all the concubines.

Concubine Zhuang was about to give birth, and the Emperor and the Empress did not allow her to run around, and even allowed her not to participate in the morning ancestor worship activities, so her seat was left vacant.

After Bo Muxi took his seat, he immediately saw Shen Zhiyao sitting in the last row.

The jewelry on the little concubine's head was the gold hairpin inlaid with crystal stones that he had rewarded her with.

Bo Muxi looked at her playful and cute makeup and couldn't help but feel in a good mood. He often thought of the kindness of this "little lucky star" in his heart, and he still owed her an unexpected reward.

With a wave of the emperor's sleeves, the family dinner officially began. Everyone stood up one by one to toast the emperor, the empress and the queen mother, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

When Shen Zhiyao was drinking and eating, she always felt that a pair of fiery eyes were always looking at her. When she looked over, she met the gaze of the old Concubine Dowager Zhang.

The old Concubine Dowager Zhang hated Shen Zhiyao very much, but was also very afraid of her. When Shen Zhiyao's sharp gaze swept over her, she unconsciously lowered her head and dodged.

It's not embarrassing to hurt others, but what's embarrassing is that she was exposed by Shen Zhiyao on the spot and slapped in the face in front of everyone.

Because of this, their family had been punished by Bo Muxi many times. Now they had completely learned their lesson and no longer dared to cause trouble.

"Mrs. Jin Jieyu, when I first met you, you were just a Baolin. This year, when I see you again, you have been promoted to Jieyu. What a great joy! I offer you a toast."

The old Queen Mother Zhang took the initiative to raise the cup to toast Shen Zhiyao, and everyone present looked at her sideways.

Shen Zhiyao cursed in her heart. This old woman deliberately pushed her in front of others, but she smiled brightly: "Thank you for your kindness, old concubine. I will lend you this glass of wine and wish you good health."

It is a good idea not to hit a smiling person. Shen Zhiyao also gave face to the Prince of Xiang. After all, things couldn't get too awkward.

In a lively and peaceful atmosphere, after three rounds of drinks, it is time to carry out the first wave of promotions and awards as per tradition, which can be regarded as a "regular program" of the Spring Festival every year.

The queen smiled and said, "I have good news to report to the emperor and mother today. Wan Shurong has been pregnant for more than three months."

Upon hearing this, everyone stood up and congratulated him: "Your Majesty, having many sons and being blessed is a blessing to the whole world and the people. I wish our Great Zhao Kingdom a stable country and a prosperous national destiny!"

It would naturally be a great thing for the emperor to have more sons and daughters.

Queen Mother Zhao smiled and said, "Noble Concubine Zhuang will give birth next year, and Wan Shurong is also pregnant now. When the child is born safely, I will offer sacrifices to the ancestors once more, and thank Emperor Huang for his blessings."

Everyone rushed forward to toast Queen Mother Zhao, but Concubine Zhao gritted her teeth, thinking that having too many children would not be a good thing for her.

Now her "abortion" plan is becoming increasingly difficult to implement.

"Your Majesty, Mother, Wan Shurong is also an old veteran in the palace. She has always served wholeheartedly. Should we raise her position?" the Queen asked with a smile.

Queen Mother Zhao nodded lightly to show her agreement. Although Wan Shurong had been promoted last year, she should be promoted as an exception since she announced the good news on such a good day.

Bo Muxi smiled and said, "Today is a great day. I see that there are fewer high-ranking concubines in the harem. I think I am too strict with the harem. Wan Shurong is both virtuous and talented, and has a good character. Now that she is pregnant with the royal heir, she will be promoted to Wan Xianfei."

Concubine Wanxian hurriedly stepped out and knelt down to express her gratitude.

Everyone was shocked when they heard this.

Wan Shurong was promoted to the rank of the ninth concubine just last year, which was already a high position. Just after the New Year, she was promoted to the rank of the second-rank concubine, and her status was almost close to that of Concubine Zhao, who was the second-rank concubine.

Concubine Zhao clutched the edge of the table tightly, unwillingly. She was unwilling and really wished that the emperor would promote her.

Now, the positions of the first-rank imperial concubine and the first-rank concubine in the harem are both vacant, but Bo Muxi forced her into the position of noble concubine. Now that others have caught up, she does feel a huge threat.

If someone else climbs to the position of imperial concubine or concubine, wouldn't she become the laughing stock of the harem?

The queen was very generous and proposed to the emperor one after another to promote Wei Wanyi to Wei Jieyushi, Zhang Wanyi to Zhang Pin, and Zheng Meiren to Zheng Guiren. She really took care of all aspects of the relationship.

Just when everyone thought that the promotion process was over, the queen spoke again.

"Your Majesty, Mother, I feel that there is one more person who should be treated exceptionally." The Queen smiled gently.

Bo Muxi had already discussed this with the Queen in advance, but he pretended to ask, "Oh? Who is the Queen talking about?"

Queen Dowager Zhao looked at the couple acting with her and sneered in her heart. She watched their performance in silence.

"Although Concubine Jin has been promoted several times in succession, she has always been at my side and assisted me attentively. She is smart and sensible, which makes me like her. It is rare to have such a talented concubine in the harem. I think she should be promoted again."

When this was said, everyone was surprised. As long as the emperor and the empress could reach an agreement, promotion was normal.

But Shen Zhiyao's terrifying promotion speed does seem a bit excessive.

Everyone suddenly understood why Shen Zhiyao was given an extra seat as an exception. It must have been arranged by the Queen in advance...