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

Since Shangguan Yan regained favor, she has been working diligently, never overstepping the line, and never making Lu Junze unhappy. The most important thing is that she manages the harem very well. Nothing has happened in the harem in the past two months.

Regardless of whether this was caused by the death of Concubine Chun or by the Queen's good management, in short, during the two months that the Queen has been managing the harem, no one has made trouble in the harem, which is much better than the previous period.

Under such circumstances, Lu Junze's attitude towards Shangguan Yan became much better.

In addition to going to the Queen's Palace on the first and fifteenth day of each month, he would also go there to sit on weekdays. Under such circumstances, Shangguan Yan's mental state was getting better and better, and the visible changes made the concubines in the harem couldn't help but admire.

I don’t know if it’s to show off that Shangguan Yan has regained favor, but he’s actually going to hold a Qianqiu Banquet this year.

Not only was Gu Shijin shocked, everyone in the harem was shocked. Was this still the queen they knew?

Everyone really misunderstood. This Qianqiu Banquet was not something Shangguan Yan wanted to hold, but Lu Junze asked Shangguan Yan to hold it.

A few days ago, the emperor came to Fengyi Palace and specifically mentioned this matter.

"Queen, I have something to tell you."

At that time, Shangguan Yan looked at Lu Junze in surprise, not understanding why he said that, but she did not show any strange expression. She said, "Your Majesty, what is the matter?"

"In the past two years, Queen, you have not been in good health, and the Qianqiu Banquet has not been held. This year, your health has recovered, and I think we should still hold a Qianqiu Banquet."

Lu Junze said that he was discussing it with the Queen, but actually he just came to inform her. Although Shangguan Yan was a little surprised, he didn't say anything.

Are you kidding? Hosting the Qianqiu Banquet is completely in her favor, so she naturally can't refuse.

"Your Majesty, I understand." Shangguan Yan nodded.

"Well, the queen has made good arrangements. There's no need to be frugal. Just do whatever is necessary." Lu Junze gave a few instructions and left.

The Queen is going to hold a birthday banquet, so of course everyone has to prepare gifts. However, the Queen is not as good as the Emperor, so the gifts just need to be expensive and acceptable. As for whether they can please her, it is not important.

After all, no matter you are a concubine in the harem or a minister of the previous dynasty, as long as you have not done anything harmful to the world and are waiting for the queen's protection, there is really no need to please the queen.

"Your Majesty, would you like to take a look at this?" Xingzhu came in with a tray on which was placed an excellent jade Buddha. The Queen had liked Buddhist scriptures in recent years, so Gu Shijin asked the people below to pick a jade Buddha.

Gu Shijin took the jade Buddha and looked at it carefully several times. He didn't find any problems and nodded, "Not bad."

Although this jade Buddha is not very big, it is very rare. Both the material and the carving technique are top-notch.

Gu Shijin thought differently from the others in the harem. She felt that the Queen had regained her favor, but not completely.

Why did Gu Shijin think this way? Probably because Lu Junze was always full of energy every time he came to Chenhua Palace, and he didn't look like he had favored other concubines at all. If it was just once, it would be fine, but it was like this every time, it would be hard for Gu Shijin not to notice.

But every time Gu Shijin thought of this, he would cut her off. It was such a rare thing that the emperor favored only one person. Before Lu Junze brought it up, Gu Shijin was determined not to move himself. Maybe it was just that Lu Junze had good physical strength and energy, and he was overthinking it.

"Where did you get this jade Buddha?" Gu Shijin knew that there was no such thing in Chenhua Palace. She, Gu Shijin, did not believe in Buddhism, so no one would give her such a jade Buddha.

"Your Majesty, this was brought in from outside the palace by someone I asked." Xing Zhu said.

As Gu Shijin's status has risen, there is no need for Gu Shijin to show up in person to ask someone to do such a thing. Even if Xing Zhu goes to ask, those people will rush forward to curry favor with him.

Gu Shijin is the most favored concubine in the emperor's harem.

"This jade is so good, Xiao Linzi, you go check it out and make sure there is no problem." Gu Shijin said.

Everyone is eager to get good things. If this jade Buddha is bought outside, the price must be high. However, if things from outside do not fall into the hands of ladies from aristocratic families who like to worship Buddha, there is something wrong.

"Yes, ma'am."

Xiao Linzi is very fast and reliable. He found it that afternoon. There must be a reason why Gu Shijin was able to get it so easily.

"You said that my brother helped to send it into the palace?" Gu Shijin looked at Xiao Linzi in surprise.

She has a younger brother, Gu Chengyun.

"Yes, your majesty." Xiao Linzi was also surprised when he found out. He nodded and said, "I was also surprised when I checked, but this is the fact, and the Fourth Young Master is not allowed to tell you, your majesty."

Gu Chengyun ranks fourth in the Gu family, so Xiao Linzi calls him the Fourth Young Master.

Gu Shijin sighed silently. He was indeed the smartest person in the Gu family. He could think of everything.

Gu Shijin was really overthinking it. No matter how smart Gu Chengyun was, he was not a worm in Gu Shijin's stomach. How could he know all this?

But he has a brother who is a Jinyiwei and works for the emperor in the palace.

Lu Junze is very concerned about Gu Shijin. Her major movements are basically in Lu Junze's eyes. This is not to monitor her, but mainly to protect her.

When the secret guard told the emperor that Gu Shijin was looking for the jade Buddha, Gu Chengfeng happened to hear it.

Gu Chengfeng actually didn't quite know what Gu Shijin was looking for the jade Buddha for, but he still mentioned it at the dinner table after returning home. Gu Chengyun was such a smart man that he quickly figured out why Gu Shijin was looking for the jade Buddha.

The Queen is going to hold a thousand-year banquet this year, and she just happened to have started to believe in Buddhism in the past two years.

So Gu Chengyun has been keeping an eye on these jade Buddhas outside the palace, and he will know the answer as soon as Gu Shijin's people come out to inquire.

So I took people to buy it.

Gu Chengyun did not buy it himself and send it to Gu Shijin in the palace because he felt that this was, after all, Gu Shijin's birthday gift to the Queen, and it would be troublesome if some bad news came out.

"Thank you for your hard work, Chengyun." Gu Shijin said.

She could probably guess what Gu Chengyun was thinking.

The Qianqiu Banquet soon arrived as scheduled. Although it was not particularly grand, exquisite details could be seen in every part of the banquet. The Queen did not let her and Concubine Lan intervene in the organization of the banquet. Every arrangement was made by the Queen herself.

"As expected of the Queen."

Lu Junze and Shangguan Yan came side by side, both wearing formal attire, and they looked quite compatible.

"See your Majesty, long live your Majesty."

"See the Queen, she is a thousand years old, a thousand years old."

The ministers and concubines knelt down and shouted.

"No need to be polite." Lu Junze raised his hand and waved, full of domineering.

Gu Shijin couldn't help but praise him in his heart. This temperament, these movements, made Gu Shijin's heart beat wildly every time he saw them. He was worthy of being the emperor.

The Qianqiu Banquet went smoothly. The Emperor and the Empress did a good job on the surface and really made everyone happy.