The emperor just doesn't treat everyone equally, and it's none of my business!

After the secret guard left, Gu Shijin was still wondering who had done this.

First of all, one person can be ruled out, that is Queen Shangguan Yan, because the entire Wanshou Festival palace banquet was arranged by the Queen. If there really is a problem with the diet, the Queen cannot escape the blame. Gu Shijin feels that Shangguan Yan will not do such a thing that will damage her rights and status.

Who would that be?

Perhaps this matter has nothing to do with the harem, and we should start from the source of the shrimp.

Forget it, there’s no way to figure it out, so don’t think about it anymore. Anyway, she has already told Lu Junze about it, and Lu Junze will handle it himself.

……

In the imperial study, after the secret guard told Lu Junze everything, Lu Junze waved his hand and said, "I understand. You go back and continue to protect Concubine Jin."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Heaven is coming."

Tianlin appeared, clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty."

"How is it? Has the shrimp seller been controlled?" Lu Junze asked.

Lu Junze already knew that there was something wrong with these shrimps, but in order to force the person behind the scenes to show up, he still released this batch of shrimps into the palace.

If you don't put something in, these people won't believe it and won't take the next step.

"Your Majesty, they have it under control." Tian Lin nodded. "They wanted to kill people to silence them. Fortunately, the secret guards arrived in time and rescued them all."

"No loopholes left?"

"No, the shrimp seller was a commoner. The person behind the scenes was careless and sent someone to kill him. The secret guards made his death look like an accident."

"Okay." Lu Junze was still relatively confident in the secret guards' work.

The stage has been set up for them, and it all depends on how they perform the next play.

It's just... Lu Junze looked at Tianlin and said, "Go to Chenhua Palace and tell Concubine Jin that everything is under my control and tell her not to worry."

Tianlin: “…”

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Lu Junze was not wrong, Gu Shijin was really worried. If Gu Shijin didn't know about this, it would be fine, but if she knew, she would think about it subconsciously and couldn't persuade herself at all.

Fortunately, Tianlin's news came in time. While Gu Shijin breathed a sigh of relief, he had to admire Lu Junze.

He is worthy of being the one who can sit firmly on the throne.

Today's palace banquet is held in Ning'an Hall, which is specially used to hold large-scale banquets. Banquets like this one to receive envoys and embody the style of a great country must be held in Ning'an Hall.

On this continent, Daxia is the most powerful country, but not the only one.

To the north of Daxia were the barbarians, who had long lived on the grasslands and often harassed Daxia's borders. However, due to the complex geographical environment within the grasslands, Daxia had not been able to subdue the barbarians over the years.

To the south of Daxia, there are two small countries, called Yu Kingdom and Yunfeng Kingdom.

Neither country is a warlike country, and both have long been subservient to Daxia, so they have always had friendly exchanges with Daxia.

All three countries sent envoys to this Wanshou Festival, but the most important one came from another special country.

They came from the other side of the ocean, a country called Guquan.

The previous emperor, Lu Junze's grandfather, once sent people out to sea and discovered the existence of the Ancient Quan Kingdom. He also specially sent envoys to the Ancient Quan Kingdom.

Guquan Kingdom is also a big country. Its land area is not as large as Daxia, but its military and economic strength are good.

After the two countries discovered each other's existence, they have been in contact, but the relationship is not very good. Unexpectedly, the other side would send envoys to Lu Junze's birthday celebration this time.

Today's palace banquet was especially well attended. People from the former court and the harem came, including the empress dowager, the dowager concubine, the noble concubine, and the virtuous concubine. Gu Shijin, the imperial concubine, sat in a corner.

But it’s also good in the corner. You can watch the fun without attracting attention. How nice.

When the palace banquet begins, everyone will raise their glasses and wish the emperor a happy birthday.

"I wish His Majesty a long life and good health."

Lu Junze picked up the wine glass and drank with everyone.

Next came the routine steps of a palace banquet. The first step was to watch the performance.

Gu Shijin really enjoyed watching these performances. In his previous life, when he watched those dances on TV, he thought they were just so-so. Now that he saw them with his own eyes, he was shocked.

All those who can perform at the Wanshou Festival are top-notch. They have elegant figures and graceful movements. Every dance posture is so perfect that it is pleasing to the eyes.

After these performances were finished, it was the turn of the concubines in the harem to perform.

Lu Junze's harem is quite comprehensive, with singers, dancers, poets, painters...

But this has nothing to do with Gu Shijin. She is already six months old, but no one dares to let her jump around.

Not to mention, these concubines are truly worthy of being specially cultivated by the major families. Not only do they have outstanding talents, but their temperaments are also extraordinary and otherworldly.

Take Concubine Lin for example. Although her dancing posture is not as good as those dancers, her unique temperament is indeed unique and attracts everyone's attention.

Even the Queen Mother praised her.

Although Concubine Lin is a little domineering, she does have some good points. No wonder the Queen likes her.

Gu Shijin watched with great interest and was not prepared to participate in it, but even though she didn't want to, others were unwilling to let her go.

"I wonder what gift Concubine Jin has prepared for the emperor?" Concubine Lin's voice was not too loud, but it was just loud enough for the people above to hear. All of a sudden, the emperor, the empress, the queen mother, the dowager concubine, and even the wise king opposite them all turned their eyes to Gu Shijin.

There is no way. Now in Lu Junze’s harem, Gu Shijin is the most special one.

It's not just because the emperor dotes on her, but also because she is pregnant.

Lu Junze first glanced at Gu Shijin who was eating enthusiastically, with a hint of smile in his eyes, and then looked at Concubine Lin with a slightly cold look, "Jin Jieyu is pregnant, doesn't Concubine Lin know?"

Concubine Lin really didn't expect Lu Junze to make trouble in public. She knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. I just wanted to see the gift that Sister Jin prepared."

Before Lu Junze could say anything, Gu Shijin stood up, walked to the center, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I am not very knowledgeable and there are many inconveniences, so I made a birthday cake for you myself. I wish you a happy birthday and a long life."

"I also wish my country Great Xia peace and prosperity."

"Okay." Lu Junze said happily, "Jin Jieyu is thoughtful."

The emperor started praising it before he even saw the things.

Fortunately, Xiao Linzi was smart and had prepared early. When he heard Gu Shijin's words, he and another eunuch walked in carrying the cake.

The cake made by Gu Shijin is quite big, and it is double-layered, so it is no problem for each table to have a small piece.

There has never been a cake in Daxia. Now that this thing has appeared, it has immediately attracted everyone's attention.

"So beautiful."

Someone in the crowd exclaimed.