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

The most outstanding performance at this year's banquet was Gu Shijin's. Compared with this gem, the others seemed a little too mediocre.

The one with the ugliest expression among them was Concubine Lan. She had prepared for so long but all her efforts were ruined because of Gu Shijin's song.

Ever since she caught a cold last time, the emperor no longer liked to go to Changle Palace. Even if he went, he seemed to be just doing official business and no longer chatted with her like before.

Lan Fei was completely overthinking it. Lu Junze had never liked chatting with her. It was always Lan Fei who talked, and Lu Junze would just nod a few times. But now Lu Junze didn't want to listen to her anymore.

Concubine Lan had prepared many ways to regain her favor before, but unfortunately Lu Junze didn't pay much attention to her. This time she could clearly feel that Lu Junze's heart had changed, but it was ruined by Gu Shijin again.

"Your Majesty..." Seeing that Concubine Lan's hand was bleeding due to her fingernails pinching it under the table, Qiaohui beside her shouted with some concern.

Concubine Lan came from the Dingnan Palace, which was a family of military generals. The Dingnan Palace did not attach much importance to the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children. Concubine Lan also learned martial arts when she was a child and was much stronger than the average person.

Hearing Qiaohui's voice, Concubine Lan came back to her senses, loosened her tightly clenched hands, took the handkerchief handed to her by Qiaohui and wiped them casually: "It's okay."

The banquet was coming to an end, and there was only one last activity, which was also the one that Gu Shijin was most looking forward to - setting off fireworks.

Although Gu Shijin could not attend the banquet in previous years, he would find a place in the Imperial Garden to watch the fireworks. The fireworks here were not as varied as those in his previous life, but they had their own unique flavor. It was at this time that Gu Shijin would feel like it was Chinese New Year.

The place for setting off fireworks is outside the Chuigong Hall. There is a large open space which is perfect for setting off fireworks.

Fireworks were placed on the ground in rows, and some guards holding fire stood beside them, waiting for the emperor's order.

Gu Shijin's position was relatively low, so he naturally stood further back and couldn't even see the back of the emperor's head.

But it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter where you watch the fireworks. She is fine at the back. Gu Shijin leaned against the rockery waiting for the fireworks to bloom.

But some people just don't want her to get her wish.

"Where is Concubine Jin?" Lu Junze looked around and asked.

Gu Shijin didn't hear Lu Junze's voice, but someone next to her pushed her: "Sister Jinpin, the emperor is calling you."

Gu Shijin was stunned. What did Lu Junze ask her to do at this time?

Gu Shijin walked out of the crowd, walked to the front and bowed, "Your Majesty, I am here."

Lu Junze gave Gu Shijin a big move: "Jinpin's performance today is the most brilliant, so stay by my side and watch the fireworks."

Gu Shijin looked at Lu Junze in disbelief, suspecting that he had heard it wrong. Do you want to take a look at what you are saying?

There are so many concubines of high rank, what qualifications do I, a mere concubine, have?

But Lu Junze obviously didn't think so, and thought that Gu Shijin was surprised by this order.

"Come to me." Lu Junze waved his hand.

There was no other way, Gu Shijin could only go over and express his gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Just like that, Gu Shijin pushed the imperial concubine aside.

The Imperial Concubine's expression remained calm and no change could be seen, but the Defei and the others had unpredictable feelings.

The emperor has never doted on anyone so much. Is Gu Shijin really so likable?

"Light it up." Lu Junze said.

The guards heard the order and stepped forward to light the fireworks. Soon, the fireworks bloomed in the sky, which was very beautiful.

The fireworks were so gorgeous one after another. Unlike the previous time when Gu Shijin quietly watched in the Imperial Garden, this time the fireworks gave her a greater shock.

Who says that the wisdom of the ancients is not as good as that of modern people? Looking at the various fireworks in the sky, you can see that the wisdom of the ancients has never been inferior to that of modern people, and may even be better.

It is so rare to be able to make such fireworks without the help of machines. It is a pity that only the powerful and wealthy can see such fireworks.

Gu Shijin felt lucky again. She traveled through time and space and became the daughter of a wealthy and powerful person instead of being sent to a poor family. Although she had to compete with a group of women for a man, she could still have food and clothing without worries.

She didn't mean that ordinary people were bad, but Gu Shijin had always been a person without ambition and unwilling to endure hardships. If it weren't for self-protection, she would like to live a plain life forever.

When everyone's eyes were on the fireworks in the sky, Gu Shijin's hand was quietly grabbed by Lu Junze.

Gu Shijin looked up at Lu Junze, and met Lu Junze's gaze as he looked down at her. That gaze was gentle and affectionate, with a hint of doting.

Gu Shijin smiled, the emotion in her eyes was self-evident. She gently squeezed Lu Junze's hand in response.

The two men's hands were tightly clasped under the cover of their wide sleeves, and everything was said without words.

But Gu Shijin wasn't actually that moved. She responded only because she thought it was the best thing to do at the moment.

After the fireworks were over, Gu Shijin quietly withdrew his hand, and as he did so, he quietly pinched Lu Junze's palm.

All of this was seen by a person standing in the back. In her eyes, Lu Junze had always been gentle, and was equally gentle to every concubine, including the queen. He didn't like them, and he regarded them as his responsibility.

But now seeing how Lu Junze treated Gu Shijin, she knew that Lu Junze did like people, but he just didn't like them.

Three years ago, she fell in love with Lu Junze at first sight, gave up the good marriage chosen for her by her father, entered the palace as a concubine, and vowed to be liked and loved by Lu Junze.

But now all this has happened to another person, how could she not hate it!

"Does it look good?" Lu Junze turned his head and looked at Gu Shijin and asked softly.

"It's beautiful." Gu Shijin blushed slightly and said meaningfully, "Your Majesty, this is the most beautiful fireworks I have ever seen."

Queen Shangguan Yan, who was standing on the other side of the emperor, looked at the happy scene of the two people. Although there was still a smile on her face, her heart had begun to twist.

Gu Shijin also shouted in his heart, look at the queen, don’t look at me.

Lu Junze smiled knowingly and said, “There are better looking ones.”

"Oh!"

At this moment, a louder explosion was heard on the ground, followed by a bunch of fireworks rushing into the sky and slowly turning into four words.

The country is peaceful and the people are safe.

"Okay." Lu Junze said.

Every king hopes that his country will be peaceful and prosperous. This is the simplest but most beautiful blessing.

"I hope that next year there will be good weather and good harvests in the Great Xia Dynasty, and the people will no longer suffer." Lu Junze said as he watched the fireworks gradually dissipate in the sky.

Shangguan Yan beside him turned his head and looked at Lu Junze with a smile and said: "The emperor has worked hard and prayed for the people. Tomorrow, our Great Xia will be more prosperous."

At this point, the New Year’s Eve dinner was over, and the concubines returned to the palace to rest early as they had to worship their ancestors early the next morning.

Today, Lu Junze could not go to any other palace except the Queen's Palace, as it was against ancestral rules.