Deep Palace Pet Peach Blossom Flawless

The emperor had made preparations in advance, and the glass jar was placed perfectly on a wall in the main hall of Suowu Palace.

The concubines were gathered in groups of three or four around the glass vat, looking at it. Concubine Liang seemed to be thinking about something. The main hall was for concubines of the third rank and above, so it seemed that His Majesty had some plans.

Lan Qingwu asked Li Xiang to express his gratitude on his behalf, but Li Xiang just smiled and nodded, then left.

Lan Qingwu looked back at the beautiful fish in the glass tank and found that there were many that he didn't even recognize.

Just as she was wondering, Ruyin came into the palace and reported, "My lady, the Queen Mother has arrived."

Lan Qingwu, Liang Pin and other concubines hurried outside the palace to welcome Empress Dowager Li.

Empress Dowager Li had already dismounted from her sedan chair at the palace gate. Seeing everyone kneeling, she said, "Everyone, please stand up. I've come to join in the fun. Lady Yi, do you have anything rare?"

Lan Qingwu hurriedly stood up and supported Empress Dowager Li. "Your Majesty, I'm confused. Your Majesty sent a lot of fish, many of which I don't recognize. Your Majesty, please tell me about them."

Liangpin, who held the highest position at the banquet, walked to the other side of Empress Dowager Li and glanced at Concubine Li. Concubine Li had come with the Empress Dowager and had not arrived at the Suowu Palace in advance. She was currently supporting Empress Dowager Li on the other side. When Liangpin glanced at her, she paused for a moment and then stepped back. Liangpin naturally supported Empress Dowager Li on the other side and said, "Your Majesty, I and others have taken advantage of Concubine Yi to see so many fish that we have never seen before. Your Majesty, please come and enjoy them too."

Empress Dowager Li snorted softly, "You naughty monkey, wherever there's excitement, there you are."

Liangpin seemed to be very familiar with the Empress Dowager. She smiled with a hint of pride when she heard this: "That's right, Empress Dowager, please come and take a look."

Empress Dowager Li was escorted to the glass tank. Looking at the beautiful fish of various shapes, she nodded and said, "Yes, there are indeed some rare ones."

Lan Qingwu looked at Empress Dowager Li and then at the fish. "Your Majesty, I heard from the imperial physician that staring at these swimming fish for a while every day is very good for your eyes. Over time, your eyes will become dark and bright. Your Majesty, I would like to offer this glass jar to you."

Empress Dowager Li felt a little warm at the words: "You are such an honest child. This is a birthday gift from the Emperor. Just accept it. It's rare for the Emperor to have such a gift. Besides, no matter how precious it is, how could I possibly want less? It's rare that you think of me in everything."

Concubine Liang was surprised at Empress Dowager Li's affection for Concubine Yi, while Concubine Li lowered her head slightly behind her. She had gradually gotten used to it. Empress Dowager Li obviously liked Concubine Yi more than herself. She was obviously Empress Dowager Li's niece, and she was respectful to her and never dared to violate the etiquette and rules. However, Empress Dowager Li only took care of her because they were from the same Li family.

Lan Qingwu suddenly realized, "I was mistaken. Your Majesty the Queen Mother, please take a seat."

Some of the concubines below looked at each other. The birthday gift allowed the Empress Dowager to attend the banquet in person. It seemed that Concubine Yi was very favored by the Empress Dowager. The concubines sat down in turn with the Empress Dowager Li.

Empress Dowager Li ordered Nanny Li: "Go and present my gift. My gift is so vulgar compared to the Emperor's."

Four palace maids were seen standing one after another, each holding a tray in their hands. Nanny Li lifted the red cloth on the trays, and saw that each tray contained three snow beads as bright as the moon. They were of different sizes, with the smallest being the size of a longan, and then they grew bigger and brighter, with a total of twelve beads.

Empress Dowager Li pointed at them and said, "Legend has it that these pearls are called Mermaid Pearls, also known as Snow Pearls. They were given to me by the late emperor when he was still alive. I think they suit you very well, so I gave them to you as a birthday gift."

Lan Qingwu was surprised again and then replied, "They are really beautiful. Thank you, Her Majesty the Queen Mother. I like them very much. If I can arrange them into a beautiful snow scene, Her Majesty the Queen Mother will come to enjoy it."

Empress Dowager Li was very pleased that Concubine Yi did not refuse. If the recipient liked the gift, the giver would also be happy. "Concubine Yi, if others knew that this pearl was precious, they would definitely treasure it. But you only know how to display it for people to see. You really are greedy for beautiful scenery."

Liangpin also joined in the fun and joked from time to time, "Today has opened my eyes again."

Everyone was just beginning to chat and laugh when a voice rang out, "Your Majesty has arrived!"

The concubines were shocked again. Except for the birthdays of the three concubines and the concubines with royal heirs, His Majesty had not appeared at the birthday parties of other concubines.

The two Concubine Su couldn't help but look at each other, and Concubine Li held the handkerchief in her hand even tighter.

The concubines knelt down in greeting to welcome the emperor. The Emperor, dressed in a dark dragon robe, strode into the palace and said, "I have been so busy that I wanted to go to my mother's palace to have a meal. I didn't expect her to be here, so I had no choice but to come here to have a meal."

Empress Dowager Li hurriedly asked, "Has the Emperor not eaten yet? Someone, serve the meal!"

Emperor Shenwu sat at the head of the table and said, "Everyone, please stand up. Is Concubine Liang here too?"

Liangpin felt a little complicated at this moment, but she still smiled: "Your Majesty, I am here to join in the fun."

The Emperor nodded, saying nothing more. He simply waved his hand and asked Lan Qingwu to sit down below him. The concubines then sat down in turn.

Empress Dowager Li also felt that her son treated Concubine Yi differently, but she thought it was better than her son becoming a monk. Those years really left a shadow on Empress Dowager Li.

With the presence of Emperor Shenwu, the entire banquet became much quieter and more restrained, and many concubines became more graceful and dignified than before.

Empress Dowager Li waited until Emperor Shenwu had finished his meal before she said, "Emperor, have you finished giving your birthday gifts?"

"Mother, do you think the gift I gave you is not good enough?"

Empress Dowager Li glanced at Lan Qingwu and said, "Your Majesty, Concubine Yi has been in the palace for almost a year now. She is the daughter of a loyal and capable general, and she has served me well. When she first entered the palace, her title wasn't very high considering the Lan family's contributions. If Your Majesty doesn't make the decision, I will speak up."

Lan Qingwu seemed to be unable to react. It had always been difficult for women in the Da Sheng harem to be promoted. Some concubines had not been promoted for years. The two Su nobles were examples. Wen noble and Bai Shuren had given birth to royal heirs but had not yet been promoted. How could it be her turn?

Emperor Shenwu turned his head to look at Lan Qingwu and said, "Now that your Majesty Queen has mentioned this, it occurs to me that it has been a few years since I have conferred titles on the six concubines. Since Consort Wen and Consort Bai Shu have contributed greatly to the birth of the royal heir, I will confer titles on them together."

Empress Dowager Li nodded in satisfaction: "This way, the six palaces can also appreciate the emperor's grace."

The eyes of the concubines below lit up immediately. They had never expected to encounter such a good thing. The emperor had always been indifferent to the six palaces, and there were not many concubines who gave birth to royal heirs. The opportunities for advancement were too few.

Emperor Shenwu pondered for a moment and said, "The three concubines remain unchanged. Concubine Yang, who gave birth to the third prince, will be promoted to Concubine Yang Gui, Concubine Liang will be promoted to Concubine Liang Gui, and Concubine Yi will be promoted to Concubine Yi."

Lan Qingwu hurriedly knelt down with Concubine Liang to express her gratitude. She raised her head slightly and saw the emperor's deep phoenix eyes staring at her.

"Noblewoman Wen was promoted to Concubine Wen, Concubine Li was promoted to Concubine Li, Concubine Han was promoted to Concubine Han, Concubine Fang was promoted to Concubine Fang, Concubine Bai gave birth to the fourth prince and was promoted two levels higher to Concubine Bai, and Concubine Cao was promoted to Concubine Cao..."

Lady Han, Lady Fang, Lady Cao and others at the banquet all knelt on the ground to express their gratitude.

Concubine Liang's thoughts shifted. Was His Majesty promoting several military commanders' daughters as compensation for the Xie Concubine incident, or was it because they were all on good terms with Concubine Yi? Just look at the two Noble Concubines Su, that unfortunate Concubine Ye, and Concubine Lin (formerly Concubine Li), not to mention none of them had been promoted. Concubine Zhang and Concubine Wei, who were pregnant, hadn't been promoted either. Perhaps the Emperor wanted to wait until they gave birth to an heir.

Concubine Shuixia and Concubine Liu entered the palace later, so they did not get promoted.

Lan Qingwu knelt and listened, gradually realizing that this was a tacit agreement between the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, and that they had simply used her birthday banquet to announce it. Of course, this way, the concubines who were promoted would remember her feelings. Her own advancement was likely due to the Lan family's three years of national mourning for the late emperor, at least on the surface.