The queen is sober in the world, and she is winning every step of the palace fight.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, on finding another beautiful woman."

After the emperor took his seat and everyone followed his orders, the banquet had not yet begun when Concubine Xian started the conversation.

His eyes fixed on Yu Sujin.

Yu Sujin was pulled to her side by the emperor. Despite her status as a mere fifth-rank noble lady, she had a small brocade stool placed next to the throne, where she sat right next to the emperor.

The seats of Consort Xian and Consort Hui were located on the lower sides of the imperial throne.

She got the upper hand.

Everyone in the hall had already looked at them with awe, and they could not stand the virtuous concubine mentioning it like this.

"Noble Lady Yu is more beautiful than flowers, with a pure and beautiful appearance. None of us can compare to her. No wonder she is favored by His Majesty."

"Yes, she is indeed worthy of being the younger sister of Concubine Zhao. She has learned about 70% to 80% of Concubine Zhao's favor."

"We are so envious. Your Majesty, you have won a beautiful woman, but please don't forget the other sisters in our palace."

"Look at what you're saying, sister. It's only natural that His Majesty should keep whoever he likes company. We, being so insignificant, shouldn't be an eyesore in front of His Majesty. Noblewoman You Yu is serving His Majesty, and His Majesty is happy. So we should be happy too."

In the hall, everyone started talking and laughing.

They were all sweet, half-joking, and coquettish. Although their words were jealous and made people's teeth ache, there was nothing truly bitter or offensive.

Firstly, no one wanted to spoil the emperor's fun on the Mid-Autumn Festival. Secondly, Fei Wan was present, so everyone had to think carefully before making up stories about her sister.

However, Yu Sujin's face was already red as blood.

"Your Majesty... please let me sit down."

She blushed and pleaded with the emperor in a low voice.

The emperor laughed and said, "It's just a joke, don't worry."

"But I am only a noble lady... At the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, Noble Consort Qing is not here, so it is fitting that the highest-ranking Consort Xian should be by your side..."

The emperor teased, "Do you think my title of noble is too low? Do you insist on being ranked among the Four Concubines before you're willing to sit here?"

"I dare not! I just... just..."

She bit her lips gently, her eyes were slightly red, and she looked so anxious and shy that she looked so pitiful.

She looked at many people in the audience and secretly cursed her for being a foxy woman.

What's the matter with the Yu family being full of vixens?

Look at these ones!

Fei Wan was secretly satisfied.

Yu Sujin truly knew how to strike a balance. Even if the emperor favored her for other purposes, her perfectly balanced delicacy and pity, yet reserved demeanor, was enough to draw a man's affection.

"Susu, His Majesty asked you to accompany him, so just obey. Today is a family dinner in the palace. Although the rules must be followed, there is no need to be too rigid. Everything should be done to please His Majesty."

Fei Wan stood up and advised Yu Sujin.

She left the table and bowed to the emperor: "I have not yet thanked Your Majesty for the title of Su Su, so I thank you now. I wish Your Majesty a happy Mid-Autumn Festival and happiness every year."

The emperor laughed out loud.

Ming Feiwan was born in peace.

"You two sisters, one gentle, the other polite, I am very happy. Come, everyone, drink this cup together and enjoy the moon with me!"

As they were talking, the table had already been served with more food and wine.

As soon as the emperor raised his glass, all the beauties in the palace naturally joined in.

Then came the singing and dancing, the melody of stringed instruments. Although it was a simple family feast, there was also a full complement of drums and music. There were also acrobats performing thrilling acts, which frequently drew applause from the audience.

Fei Wan and the others worked hard to prepare for this banquet, and finally achieved some results.

The emperor was satisfied.

He gave each of them a bushel of pearls as a reward.

Even Concubine Qing, who had reported illness, was implicated.

Concubine Hui, whose assistant position had been suspended, naturally had no part in it. She sat there drinking and eating, not caring at all. Concubine Xian, on the other hand, had a somewhat stiff smile on her face. Although it quickly recovered, she was still upset.

If Zhishu had not seen blood and implicated her, she would also have the right to assist at this time.

But the power, the honor of being given pearls and the emperor's favor all seemed to be far away from her at this moment.

In comparison, the Feiwan sisters were frequently addressed by the emperor, which made them seem even more honored and favored.

At the banquet, Wu Xiangrong, Chen Guiren and others often joked with Fei Wan, especially Chen Guiren and others who were promoted by Fei Wan. They flattered her in various ways and praised her virtue and kindness in front of the emperor.

At one point, it seemed that Fei Wan was more important than the moon in this Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet.

The emperor was obviously pleased.

After three rounds of drinks, everyone was already half drunk.

Accompanied by Cao Bin, he left the table to change clothes.

After a quarter of an hour, he still hadn't returned. Concubine Kang asked, "Could it be that he ate too much and needed to go to the toilet for a longer time?"

Concubine Shun laughed: "Perhaps His Majesty has drunk too much and wants to take a walk outside to get rid of the alcohol."

Everyone laughed when they heard it, but didn't take it seriously for a while.

The emperor had not shown up for two quarters of an hour.

The virtuous concubine ordered the palace attendants, "Go and see where His Majesty is. It's a chilly night, and you've just had some wine. Don't let the cool breeze warm you up."

Not long after, the palace maid returned and said that they had searched everywhere but could not find His Majesty.

Even Cao Bin and several palace maids who accompanied him were nowhere to be seen.

The virtuous concubine stood up and left the table. "The Mid-Autumn moon is bright, and Chang'e is dancing gracefully. Your Majesty, I wonder if Chang'e has tripped you up somewhere."

As she left, some concubines followed.

Fei Wan and Concubine Kang looked at each other, then went out together to look for the emperor.

The moonlight flows quietly in the palace at night.

The glazed palaces, bluestone roads, lush vegetation and flower shadows are all bathed in the swaying light.

The palace where the banquet was held was connected to the Imperial Garden. A little further ahead was the flower forest on the edge of Shanglin Garden.

A field of red osmanthus flowers is in full bloom, with clouds and mist rising.

From a distance, I saw a bright yellow figure standing by the osmanthus forest, with his hands behind his back.

What is the emperor doing there?

Everyone stepped forward, but seeing the emperor standing still, no one dared to speak loudly. A large group of people approached, but they were silent.

In the silence, a low singing could be heard.

"The palace is full of bright moonlight and white pear blossoms, yet my old friend is thousands of miles away from me by mountains and rivers... The willows are lingering, the swallows have returned, but you haven't..."

It was gentle and sad, and I sang it over and over again.

If you walk a little further along with the song, you will be able to see clearly.

In the osmanthus forest, petals are falling in all directions, and a jade-white figure is dancing in the midst of the crimson fire, as beautiful as a dragon, just like a fairy descending from the Moon Palace.

The song is over.

The beauty turned around and looked back, her body lingering.

Under the bright moonlight, a face that seems so familiar is hard to recognize.

Thinking of the concubine.

When did the queen of the past become so extraordinary and beautiful?