How did my host die?

Sister, don’t think too much. Now we have me and Sister Xianfei, said Shunpin.

Jingpin cried and said, "Yes, my life has become much better since I had you. Thank you so much."

What's there to thank? In this palace, everyone is just keeping each other company. If we don't provoke others, they can't come and bully us, Duoduo said, holding Jingpin's hand.

That day, Concubine Hua asked someone to say that she wanted to hold a flower-viewing banquet.

Meixiang came over to Duoduo and said, "My Queen, are you going?"

Go, of course you can go. It's okay here. Go and take a look. Concubine Hua is okay, as long as she is not the Queen. Concubine Hua's method of harming people is not as good as the Queen. The Queen may not be so good. I will take Xiao Xia Zi with me then, and you just stay here to take care of our place and the child.

"Okay. I understand. Your Majesty, don't worry. I will take good care of the young master."

On the day of the flower-viewing banquet, Duoduo arrived early.

"Xian Fei, you came quite early. I thought you were not coming," said Hua Fei.

How could I not come to the banquet held by the queen? Why did the queen like to be so lively after being banned from contact?

You, Concubine Xian, please don't be ungrateful when I invite you to appreciate the flowers. The Emperor said it was okay, so why are you dissatisfied with his handling of the matter? Besides, Concubine Wan and Noble Lady Shen didn't say anything, so why are you so worried? You're like a farmer and a snake.

Concubine Hua, I didn't say anything, but you, Your Majesty, are just feeling guilty.

Humph... I don't want to get entangled with you, so just enjoy the flowers.

Here comes Jingpin. Your Majesty, why are you doing this? Huafei is always like this. There is no point in arguing with her.

It’s okay, I’m just a little bored recently and want to see Concubine Hua get angry, hehe.

Alas. Why are you alone? Where is Shunpin?

She didn't come because she felt that there was something wrong with such a banquet and she was afraid. She was probably frightened by the Queen Mother when she was in the palace.

It's fine if she doesn't come. What good can there be in a banquet in the palace? It's fine if she doesn't come, but I heard that something happened today.

Yes, after the confinement of Concubine Hua was lifted, she wanted to show her face in front of you sisters, Jingpin said.

That's right. You should know that the Emperor has not taken back Concubine Hua's power in the palace. Although we are in the garden now, I see that the weather is gradually getting less hot, and the Emperor will soon return to the palace. As long as the Emperor does not take back the power in the palace, you still have to consider Concubine Hua's face in the palace. Otherwise, you will have no chance to complain if you get less.

Yes, it's okay if you are favored, but those who are not favored have to make a living under the control of Concubine Hua. Can you not come to today's banquet?

Didn’t you see that our Queen is here too?

Maybe the emperor will come soon. Anyway, there are not so many rules in this garden. The two of them were talking about it.

The Emperor has arrived. A eunuch's voice came.

Everyone looked up and saw the emperor approaching.

I have met your Majesty. May your Majesty be blessed with good health. Concubines, please pay your respects.

Everyone, get up. There aren't so many rules in the garden. Concubine Hua, you organized a great banquet. Here's a reward.

Thank you, Your Majesty. I was just thinking that, my sisters, there is nothing much to do in the garden, so we can just have a half-banquet to appreciate the flowers. The flowers in this garden are in full bloom, and it would be a pity for me to see them alone, so I will just have a half-banquet so that everyone can come and see them, and it will be worthwhile for these beautiful flowers to be here, Hua Fei said to the Emperor.

Well, that's right, you ladies should move around more often.

Yes, I thank Your Majesty for your teachings.

"Xian Fei, you are here too. Where are the children?" the emperor asked.

The children are in the morning light, and they sleep a lot, so I didn't bring them here. Besides, the sisters are all here to enjoy the flowers. If I bring the children and they cry, wouldn't it ruin everyone's mood?

"Xian Fei, you are worrying too much. Everyone likes children very much, how can it spoil their fun?" said the Queen.

Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I understand.

All right, little kid, it’s better for you to stay in the palace. It’s not good outside. It will be fine when you grow up a little, the Emperor said to the Empress.

I haven't congratulated my sister Hua Fei yet. From now on, when you ask me to manage the harem, please don't make any more mistakes and worry the Emperor.

The Queen is overthinking it. I have been taking care of the harem for such a long time, nothing will happen. Besides, I am tired of asking An to sing, and I will not call her anymore. Don't worry, Your Majesty.

You see, the Empress wants to remind Concubine Hua that she is managing the palace affairs for you, but unfortunately Concubine Hua doesn't buy it. Why bother? The Empress is still here. Aren't you afraid that the Emperor will think too much about it? Otherwise, if she harmed those princes, the Emperor would not do this, Duoduo said to Concubine Jing.

Yes, isn't this a good thing? Although she has no palace power, no matter who inherits the throne in the future, it will be the Queen Mother. Besides, she is the Empress Dowager, and Hua Fei will never deduct anything from her no matter how bold she is. This way, if the Emperor becomes suspicious, she won't be afraid that he will send her to Jingren Palace for recuperation.

As everyone was talking, Concubine Hua suggested that there would be no outside men at the flower banquet this time, only the Emperor, and that all the ladies could perform any talents they had for the Emperor to see.

After Concubine Hua finished speaking, some of the unfavored concubines began to discuss in a low voice. After all, they could not see the emperor often. Ever since Concubine An and Concubine Wan were favored by the emperor because of their talents, they envied many people.

What's more, there was not a single outsider man at the banquet hosted by Concubine Hua this time. Everyone must have wanted to attract the emperor's attention.

At this moment, singing, dancing and piano playing began.

The emperor would reward people no matter how good or bad the performance was, but this time, An Da Ying and Wan Pin did not have any performance talents.

Wanpin, why didn't you perform? Do you think the banquet hosted by the palace is not worthy of you dancing? Concubine Hua started to find fault with Wanpin.

No, the banquet held by Her Majesty Hua Fei is so wonderful, how could it not be worthy of my performance? It's just that I sprained my foot just now and it was inconvenient for me, so I was afraid of offending Her Majesty, so I didn't tell her. I hope Her Majesty won't blame me.

You have such bad luck. If you had talent, the emperor would visit you every day, but you have an injured foot, so you don't have this blessing.

Your Majesty, I haven't seen you for a long time. Will you come to my place today? Concubine Hua invited Your Majesty directly when the banquet was about to end.

Okay, I haven’t visited you for a long time, so I’ll go see you today.

Then I will go back first. I am waiting for the Emperor. He must come earlier. I will ask someone to prepare his favorite food.

Finished talking and left.

Seeing Concubine Hua leave, the Queen said, "Everyone can go home. Those who want to see the flowers can come by themselves. It's getting late."

On the way, Jingpin was still asking why Concubine Hua was holding this flower-viewing banquet today, which was to invite the emperor to her place.

How is that possible? She has just been released from house arrest, so she has to perform well in front of the emperor. She is holding this banquet for the emperor to see. You see, my elder sister and I get along very well. It was just a coincidence last time.