How did my host die?

Shunpin said that even if Wanpin knew, what could she do? She could still give her dowry to the emperor.

That’s hard to say, Jingpin replied.

"Alas, it is much cooler in the garden than in the palace. My Shujia, it is much better. I always cried because of the heat in the palace, but I have gained weight here," said Shunpin.

That's it. It's much cooler here, so let's not worry about anything else.

I heard that Princess Cao's first birthday is coming up, and Concubine Hua wants to hold a grand celebration. There's nothing else to do, and the Emperor and the Empress have also agreed, Jingpin said.

Really? It’s just a bunch of people having a meal. But it’s okay, we can just go together when the time comes. It’s just that this is a very busy thing, are you ready?

Both men shook their heads.

When the time comes, just pick one from the storehouse, they are all the same stuff anyway, Shunpin said.

Yeah, that’s about right.

Meixiang came over and said, "Ladies, it's time to have dinner."

Ah. It's time to eat. Let me see what Meixiang has prepared. Shunpin said as she stood up and followed Meixiang.

Concubine Jing shook her head. Concubine Shun is still so noisy. It’s only because Your Majesty dotes on her.

Is this a bad thing? I think it’s good. It’s not tiring to get along with such people. What do you think?

That's right. I like her personality, too.

Shunpin followed Meixiang and said as soon as she arrived that there were so many delicious foods and the best one was the one at the Empress's place.

If you think it tastes good, eat more and don’t gain weight. Then you say I made you fat, Duoduo said after she came in.

Your Majesty, what are you talking about? Shunpin has to walk for a long time before she finishes her meal at your place, for fear of gaining weight, Jingpin said with a smile.

That is, it tastes good, but it won’t make me gain weight. If you don’t want to miss out on the delicious food, you’ll have to work harder.

After the three of them finished eating, they played with the children for a while and then separated.

The Empress and Concubine Shun and Concubine Jing have a very good relationship, Meixiang said.

It's okay. Shunpin is not very smart, but Jingpin knows how to deal with things and can get along well. At least in this palace, it doesn't matter how many friends you can have, as long as there are two people you can talk to, it's enough.

On the day of Concubine Cao's princess's first birthday, Duoduo packed up and prepared to go to the place.

Let Meixiang give the prepared gift to Cao Guiren's maid.

Thank you, Your Majesty, for coming to Wen Yi’s first birthday party, and thank you for the gift.

Concubine Cao thanked her.

It’s nothing. It’s not bad to hold a birthday party in this garden. Wen Yi is really clever. If it were in the palace, there would be more rules.

After sitting down, Duoduo saw that everyone had arrived, even Concubine Duan had come. Duoduo looked at Concubine Shun next to her who was looking at Concubine Duan with her eyes glaring. If eyes could have any power over people, Concubine Duan would have been wiped out long ago.

Concubine Duan actually gave her own dowry necklace, which was given to her daughter when she got married. Concubine Duan was really willing to give up. She wouldn't want to forget about Concubine Cao's child, but Concubine Hua is fine here and nothing will happen. What is Concubine Duan thinking? As long as Concubine Hua is not overthrown, Concubine Cao's child will not belong to you or anyone else. Just look at the fact that the emperor let a noble raise the child, isn't it for Concubine Hua's face? Concubine Cao is in Concubine Hua's palace, what's the difference between this and Concubine Hua's child.

After seeing everyone gave gifts.

Concubine Cao suggested to perform a show, or draw a piece of paper, no one knew what was written on it, and you had to perform what you drew. The Empress wrote something, and when it came to Duoduo, it was to play the piano. Duoduo directly replied to the Emperor, "I was born a palace maid, how can I play the piano? Besides, if you want to see someone play the piano, just go to a singing house. This is the Emperor's woman, not a singing house, how can I play the piano? I can't."

Your Majesty, listen, since the virtuous concubine can’t do it, forget it, and move on to the next one.

Seeing how Duoduo was sacrificing face, Concubine Cao felt that it was too much. If she didn't want to play, then don't play. Why? It was a way of belittling her. But seeing that the emperor didn't say anything, she continued. Wanpin performed the Jinghong Dance. With Duoduo in front, Wanpin wanted to refuse, but she didn't expect the emperor to speak up.

Wanpin, you can just dance casually. This is a family dinner, there's nothing serious to do. Your Majesty, please tell us.

Wanpin didn't know what to say, so she just told her to go down and change into a dancing costume.

Prince Yan didn't dare say anything this time. He is not stupid, and the emperor will not indulge him now.

I just sat there quietly. Prince Guo was there too. There was no tung blossom platform. I saw Wanpin's feet.

Wanpin was not so favored, so she did not dare to leave.

When Concubine Wan changed her clothes and came out, Concubine Shen immediately said that it was too monotonous for Concubine Wan to dance alone, so she asked her to play the piano. An agreed to sing a song to add some color to Concubine Wan's dance.

The emperor actually agreed.

Duoduo watched Concubine Shen's actions and couldn't bear it. If An Da Ying wanted you to break up, she would have to stay away from you. You insisted on being like a street performer, and even dragged others into it. You asked An Da Ying if she was willing, and then you said it for her directly. The emperor agreed without even a chance to refuse. Although it was a birthday banquet or a family dinner, there were still many men here. How did Concubine Shen teach her daughter?

Even a noble lady couldn't do this, but she was the legitimate daughter of the Shen family.

Duoduo listened to the singing and watched the dancing. She thought it was okay. She had never seen the Jinghong Dance before, but Concubine Wan danced well anyway, so she applauded.

Seeing that the emperor's eyes were wide open, you could tell that Concubine Wan didn't mind dancing. From the look in her eyes, she was staring at the emperor, even though it was Concubine Cao who suggested it.

But it might not be what Concubine Wan wanted. Although she has not fallen out of favor, she has not been favored since she was made a concubine.

Let's dance today, okay? If the emperor wants to see it, he will have to go find Concubine Wan.

However, Duoduo felt that maybe Wanpin had thought about refusing at first, but changed her mind after seeing the emperor's agreement. She watched the dancing become more and more smooth, and her eyes were always on the emperor.

The emperor might not care about what she did in the past. Besides, there is no concrete evidence for what she did. As long as Imperial Doctor Wen doesn't betray her, it will be fine.

It's obvious that Concubine Wan will be favored for a while after today.

Whispering the news with Jingpin next to her, she watched Wanpin dancing. She thought that she must have practiced this dance since she was a child, otherwise she wouldn't be able to dance like this. It was said that this Jinghong dance was the love dance of the late Empress Chunyuan and the Emperor, Jingpin said.

Really? I haven’t heard of that. But this dance does require a lot of training from a young age. It’s true that Wanpin must have been practicing since she was young. Look how beautifully she dances.

I heard that when the emperor was still a prince, he saw the stunning dance performed by Queen Chunyuan one day and fell in love with her at first sight. He insisted on marrying her. Of course, the current queen is still pregnant.

The emperor really likes the Concubine Wan’s stunning dance.

Duoduo watched the dance and listened to Jingpin's gossip, even though she already knew all the gossip.