Deep Palace Pet Peach Blossom Flawless

At night, Lan Qingwu knelt down beneath the Shenwu Emperor, and in her confusion, she heard the Shenwu Emperor whisper in her ear: "Ruo Ruo, I want you, this snow peach blossom, to bloom in my arms all night long."

Lan Qingwu had been intoxicated and lost in thought for the entire night. Even as the Shenwu Emperor let go of her tongue, she could only whimper softly. Her delicate neck was covered in red marks from the Shenwu Emperor's kisses...

On the next morning, the emperor did not attend the morning court. He slept soundly in Lan Qingwu's arms. When Lan Qingwu woke up, he couldn't help feeling shy for the madness of last night.

Emperor Shenwu held her in his arms and said, "Wei Ruo, have a good rest these few days. On my birthday, you have to stay with me for three days. You can't do that like last night."

Lan Qingwu was so embarrassed that she buried herself in the emperor's arms again. Seeing Lan Qingwu's blushing face, Emperor Shenwu couldn't help but be moved. He raised Lan Qingwu's chin with his fingers, hooked her tongue and kissed her passionately. Lan Qingwu fell limp in the emperor's arms again.

On this day, Prince Tuoyan, Prince Lieyang, Prince Aguzhen, Prince Gurta and others came into the palace again. Emperor Shenwu summoned Prince Ding, Qian Hui, Minister of Rites Chen Peijian and other important ministers and confidants, and also summoned Noble Lady Shuixia to accompany the people from the six countries to stroll in the imperial garden.

As they reached a section of the palace wall, they heard a ethereal and beautiful melody piercing through the walls. Emperor Shenwu's eyes flickered as he recognized Lan Qingwu's flute. Prince Ding naturally recognized it as well; this master was always unpredictable.

Everyone was attracted by the sound of the flute and did not leave until the song ended.

During the luncheon, Prince Lieyang couldn't help but praise the ethereal and lingering flute music. Noblewoman Shuixia then stood up and said softly to Emperor Shenwu, "Your Majesty, why don't you ask that sister to come out and play a tune to liven up the atmosphere?"

Emperor Shenwu's eyes turned cold: "That is my concubine, not a singing girl or a singer."

Noble Lady Shuixia was stunned and stood there at a loss.

Prince Ding stood up quickly and said, "My dear princes, Prince Aguzhen, our Great Sheng has always attached great importance to the etiquette and manners of women. They will only play for their husbands. Now, the song and dance are ready. I would like to offer a toast to everyone."

Everyone from the six kingdoms raised their glasses. Then, the Emperor Shenwu said calmly, "My concubine's flute playing depends on her mood. With beautiful scenery, she naturally produces celestial music. If she were to play for these serious people in the palace, who knows what kind of music she would produce. Even I have never forced her to do so."

Prince Lieyang laughed heartily and said, "So, we are in for a treat."

The hall gradually became lively again, but Concubine Shuixia was staring blankly at the dishes in front of her.

When they were alone, Prince Aguzhen asked her, "Is His Majesty treating you well?"

Noblewoman Shuixia nodded and said, "Uncle, His Majesty summoned me for two days at first, and then a couple of days at a time. But these past few days, with the exception of Concubine Yi's birthday, His Majesty hasn't summoned anyone to his bed. I heard from other concubines that His Majesty has always treated the six palaces like this, and hasn't shown much favor to anyone."

Prince Aguzhen nodded and said, "You must remember that you represent the Xisha nations! You don't seek His Majesty's favor, as long as you can gain a foothold in the Dasheng harem. Don't argue with other concubines, and you must remember the rules of Dasheng. Don't make the same mistake today again."

Noblewoman Shuixia only lowered her head slightly and said, "Yes, uncle." If she was not moved, she could do all this easily, but she was afraid that she could not control herself.

The Emperor Shenwu's birthday finally arrived, and the whole country celebrated with amnesty, enjoying three days of joy. During the Wanshou Festival, slaughtering was prohibited, the government prohibited the execution of criminals, and the people were uniformly prohibited from wearing plain clothes, and all wore brightly colored clothing.

From the imperial court to local government offices, no government affairs related to criminal cases were handled for several days. Civil and military officials, as well as royal relatives, had to wear official uniforms according to regulations.

During these three days, the imperial city's main streets were splendidly decorated with colorful paintings, fabrics, and new buildings, and everywhere there was singing and dancing. Civil and military officials from all regions set up incense tables and performed grand salutes toward the capital to congratulate the emperor on his longevity.

Provincial governors and high-ranking officials from all over the country rushed to the imperial city to celebrate the emperor's birthday.

On April 28th, the Wanshou Festival, the emperor would receive congratulations and gifts from his royal family, civil and military officials, and the Xisha states in the Wanshou Hall. The Emperor would also send people to throw copper coins among the common people, signifying his joy for the people.

Afterwards, tributes began to be presented one by one. The tribute gifts were often exquisite, precious, and exotic. Birthday gifts often included ruyi (a type of Chinese character for "ruyi"), bonsai (a type of landscape ornament), jewelry, screens, lacquerware, embroidery, and other exquisite and priceless crafts. Most of these items embodied auspicious symbols of longevity and good fortune, highlighting the significance of praying for the emperor's happiness and longevity.

After presenting the birthday gifts, the emperor bestowed a longevity banquet upon all his ministers, during which everyone toasted each other, and chatted happily, making the banquet extremely lively.

Near the end, provincial governors and officials from all over the country presented 18 beautiful women who had been selected from various places. They all came from aristocratic families and families of officials. Emperor Shenwu waved his hand and kept the six beauties standing in the front row, and the rest were returned to their hometowns.

The longevity banquet lasted for two hours, starting at noon, beginning at 3 p.m., and ending at 5 p.m.

The ministers were entertained at lunch, and the royal family was entertained at dinner. Emperor Shenwu also gave a birthday banquet in Qiulu Palace, and all the royal relatives and concubines from the six palaces were present.

Emperor Shenwu drank a lot of wine at the banquet that day, and the dinner ended in more than an hour.

The emperor cleared a path for Lan Qingwu, and he was quietly taken to the bedroom in the main hall of Qianzheng Palace.

The Shenwu Emperor sat on the dragon chariot, still wearing his imperial robes. He gently pressed his brows and said, "Li Xiang, please find a place for me to sober up first." He had drunk quite a bit of wine all day. Thinking of his frail body, he had lost control of his strength after drinking some wine at Qiling Mountain. He thought, "It's better to return to Qianzheng Hall later."

Li Xiang looked around and said, "Your Majesty, Shaoyan Terrace is just ahead. Let's take a rest there."

Emperor Shenwu put down his hand and said, "But, are all the arrangements made?"

Li Xiang suddenly smiled and said, "Your Majesty, don't worry, everything is settled."

Emperor Shenwu ascended the Shaoyan Terrace and went into the house to rest. Li Xiang hurriedly helped the emperor change out of his imperial robe and into a dark-colored, everyday robe. He then gave the emperor a hangover pill and said, "Your Majesty, please enjoy."

Emperor Shenwu drank the hangover pills with his tea and lay down on the couch: "Remember, wake me up in half an hour at most."

Li Xiang quickly agreed and stood by the door. After a while, he waved to Xiao Fuzi and asked her to go up the stairs. "Listen at the door and be careful that His Majesty will send someone to serve you. Your master will be back soon."

Li Xiang was exhausted today, having spent the entire day vigilant and alert. Now, while His Majesty was resting, he had to go to the bathroom.

In the bedroom of the main hall of Qianzheng Palace, Lan Qingwu was dressed in a cloud-like palace dress with silver-white petals on the hem, like a fairy in the moon. She was sitting on the bed. Qiulan held a glass vase with a gorgeous flower in it. "Master... No, you should call me Madam now. I will place this flower on the small table so you can see it from time to time."

Lan Qingwu couldn't help but smile: "Just put it there."

Qiulan put the glass bottle away and went to get the glass bowl. "Master, please use this flower dew."

Lan Qingwu reached out to take it and drank it slowly.

Emperor Shenwu dispatched a team to collect various rare flowers and herbs from Qiling Mountain, as well as precious medicinal materials. Lan Qingwu now drank half a bowl of Jiuzhi Flower Dew daily.