Deep Palace Pet Peach Blossom Flawless

As expected, Concubine Wen sent the chief palace maid Caixia to Langhuan Palace to inquire about the situation, and Zi Han repeated what Concubine Qi said to Caixia.

In Wenhua Palace, Concubine Wen held her daughter in her arms. After hearing Caixia's report, she raised her eyebrows slightly and said, "Send them some food every two days?"

Wenpin waved her hand to call the wet nurse over. After the wet nurse carried the third princess away, Wenpin whispered, "Qipin's road has come to an end."

Wenpin kept rolling up the brocade handkerchief in her hand, her eyes gradually becoming clear and firm: "Qipin, your road is cut off, but mine is still very long. I have a daughter, and I will have a son in the future. My path is different from yours!"

Within a few days, the matter of Concubine Zhao was gradually forgotten by everyone in the six palaces. Empress Dowager Li's birthday was approaching, and the concubines in the six palaces were all focusing on presenting gifts to the empress dowager.

On this day, Lan Qingwu went to pay her respects to Empress Dowager Li. Empress Dowager Li was frowning at the portrait of her that the palace painter had painted. When Lan Qingwu finished her greetings, she hurriedly asked her to stand up and complained, "Just in time, Concubine Yi, you've arrived. Look, the portraits this palace painter paints for me are the same year after year. Every year, they paint me like Guanyin Bodhisattva, but never my own likeness."

Lan Qingwu examined the portrait carefully. It certainly didn't resemble Empress Dowager Li herself. The palace painters had tried to avoid making any mistakes, and their painting was very...mediocre. She could only offer consolation: "Empress Dowager, this shows that in their hearts you are like the Bodhisattva Guanyin."

Empress Dowager Li couldn't help but smile: "Madam Li, look at how sweet Concubine Yi is."

Nanny Li also laughed, and suddenly remembered the real picture of Guanyin Bodhisattva. She pondered and said, "Your Majesty the Queen Mother, Concubine Yi is a great painter. Why don't you let Concubine Yi paint a picture for you?"

Lan Qingwu was slightly stunned, and Empress Dowager Li's eyes lit up: "Yes, why didn't I think of this, Concubine Yi, are you willing to work hard?"

Lan Qingwu was a little embarrassed: "Your Majesty, I can't draw Guanyin Bodhisattva. My drawing may look like you, but without the painter's skills, there will be no less wrinkles on your face."

Empress Dowager Li made the final decision: "I just want to see my true appearance. It would be better to look at Guanyin Bodhisattva directly than to let those painters paint me."

Lan Qingwu hesitated for a moment and said, "Then I'll give it a try, but it will be troublesome for Her Majesty the Queen Mother to change her clothes."

Lan Qingwu stayed in the Cining Palace for the next two or three days, painting a portrait of Empress Dowager Li for more than an hour every day. After a long time, Empress Dowager Li could not bear it any longer, so Lan Qingwu had to separate for a few days and paint a little every day.

When the painting was finished, Empress Dowager Li was extremely satisfied. This portrait truly captured her true self. The portrait depicted Empress Dowager Li as dignified and composed, her Nine Heavens Phoenix robe radiating the majesty of a head of the imperial harem. Yet, her face held a touch of kindness that captivated admiration. The few wrinkles on her face were replaced by smile lines, she shed none of her usual solemnity.

When Emperor Shenwu went to the Cining Palace to pay his respects, Empress Dowager Li asked Li Ma to show Lan Qingwu's painting. Emperor Shenwu looked at it for a moment, then turned back and ordered Li Xiang: "Go and get my private seal!"

Li Xiang was slightly stunned, then immediately bowed and walked out of the hall.

Empress Dowager Li also realized that if the emperor's private seal was added, the meaning of the painting would be very different. On the emperor's birthday, all civil and military officials and people all over the world would see how much the emperor valued her as his mother, which would also be an honor for the Li family.

Empress Dowager Li was delighted from the bottom of her heart: "Your Majesty, Concubine Yi has worked hard for several days. Now that you have added your private seal, this portrait has become your birthday gift to me. Concubine Yi will have to prepare a new birthday gift for me. I wonder if she will shed tears."

If other concubines' paintings could get the emperor's private seal, they would certainly be overjoyed. But what about Wei Ruo? Thinking of Wei Ruo's probably stunned look, Emperor Shenwu couldn't help but feel relieved: "Mother, Concubine Yi won't mind."

Emperor Shenwu thought again of the memorial from Prince Shen, Zhou Qihuai, who had submitted a greeting. He kept saying he was grateful for his mother's kindness, but it turned out to be just a way for him to stir up trouble again in the imperial city. His eyes dimmed as he looked at Empress Dowager Li, "Mother, Prince Shen has submitted a memorial of greeting and birthday congratulations. I will have the palace maids deliver them to the Cining Palace later."

Empress Dowager Li was surprised and delighted: "Really, then..." Nanny Li gently pulled Empress Dowager Li from behind in time.

Empress Dowager Li also reacted in time and changed her tone, saying, "That's good. As long as he still remembers the grace of raising me, I will be relieved."

Emperor Shenwu could see the subtle movements between the two of them, but he just felt bored. After Li Xiang brought the emperor's private seal, Emperor Shenwu stamped it and left the Cining Palace.

Empress Dowager Li's birthday finally arrived, and Emperor Shenwu held a banquet in Qiulu Hall. He ordered Li Xiang to announce the imperial decree, bestowing upon Empress Dowager Li the title "Yushou" as a mark of respect. On this particular day, Empress Dowager Li sat at the head of the table, while Emperor Shenwu sat to her left and below.

After receiving congratulations from the concubines in the six palaces and the civil and military officials, the tedious ceremony of presenting gifts began.

Various rare treasures symbolizing happiness, longevity and prosperity were presented one after another. Lan Qingwu's portrait was snatched away by the emperor, who then prepared a jade longevity peach the size of a wooden basin for her. Such a large jade longevity peach was extremely crystal clear and very rare. She had no choice but to offer it to Empress Dowager Li in Qiulu Palace. Empress Dowager Li understood what was going on and was very happy: "Concubine Yi's longevity peach is very good. Come, put it in front."

After the concubines in the six palaces and the civil and military officials had finished presenting their gifts, the birthday gifts for Emperor Shenwu had just begun to be presented. Lan Qingwu was overwhelmed and dazzled by the sight. It was said that the emperor had prepared more than 300 birthday gifts to present to his biological mother, Empress Dowager Yushou.

The concubines in the six palaces all looked on with delight, but their hearts were filled with unspeakable complexity. This was the noble honor that belonged exclusively to the Empress Dowager. Who among the women in the six palaces would not yearn for it and envy it? It was a pity that there was not even an Empress in the palace, but this also meant that everyone had a chance.

Concubine Jiang's mood was the most complicated. She vaguely felt that His Majesty did not want to enthrone a queen. As the uncrowned king, did she have to wait until the second prince grew up and was recognized by the emperor before she could truly have the honor of being the master of the six palaces?

Concubine Chen felt sad. Being childless was her biggest weakness. She clenched her hands unconsciously. It seemed that she had to make plans early.

Emperor Shenwu finally ordered people to take out two scrolls and open them separately. One of them was the portrait of Empress Dowager Li painted by Lan Qingwu. All the ministers were impressed when they saw it. The portrait was exactly the same size as the real person, with exactly the same proportions. The clothes, facial features and expressions were all lifelike and vivid.

When Concubine Chen saw the painting, her heart skipped a beat. Wasn't this the same painting style as the one she saw in the Qianzheng Hall that day when the young emperor was painted? But, could it be that the emperor also knew how to paint in this way?

One civil official couldn't help but exclaim in admiration: "Your Majesty's filial piety is as deep as the sea. I noticed that the private seal on this painting is your Majesty's taboo name. Was this painting painted by your Majesty?"

Emperor Shenwu nodded without hesitation: "Yes, I have also written a longevity character on another scroll. When the concubines in the six palaces celebrate the Queen Mother's birthday, you can all display your calligraphy!"

After Emperor Shenwu finished speaking, he waved his hand to signal the two palace maids holding the scroll. The palace maids opened another scroll, which was five meters long and more than three meters wide. The two palace maids quickly hung the longevity scroll in the center of the hall.

Li Xiang's voice resounded throughout the palace: "Please ask the concubines of the six palaces to bless Empress Dowager Yushou with a happy birthday!"